Lori Foster (23 page)

Around a yawn, she said, “Okay.”

It was an enormous step for Rowdy. Gigantic. Mind-boggling. But it was what he wanted. He tucked her hair back, then cupped her face in his hands. “Not just tonight, Avery.” Brushing his thumbs over her downy cheeks, he said again, “Stay with me where it’s safe.”

Surprise parted her lips and widened her eyes. She searched his face. “You won’t go after Fisher?”

Of course he would, but he said only, “We’ll figure it out in the morning. You need to sleep now. You have those dark circles under your eyes again.”

Her smile twitched and she mumbled, “Jerk.” Then reached past him to turn out the light. After a few seconds, she said, “I’ll stay. Thank you.”

Rowdy kept her close. He had a lot to think about. His feelings for this one particular woman. His life.

What he would do to Fisher to keep him away from Avery.

But now that his back felt better, the grinding lust was somewhat sated and Avery was here with him, soft and safe and smelling so damn sweet, he could sleep.

Again.

She was like a drug, the very best kind. She’d turned his world upside down, but for the first time in forever, things were starting to feel right.

* * *

A
VERY
WOKE
WITH
the sun pouring through the tall windows. The storm had passed. She squinted against the light, stretched and bumped into Rowdy.

He stirred, turning to his side away from her.

Very slowly, she sat up to look at his broad back. The stitches still looked painful and angry, but the redness was almost gone. He healed remarkably fast.

That thought took her attention to his other, older scars. God, she loved him. It was such an awful thing, wishing she could take away hurts a decade old. The urge to touch him, to kiss his marred shoulder, burned in her heart.

She didn’t want to disturb him, so she tried to sneak out of the bed.

Alert, Rowdy twisted toward her, his hair rumpled, his jaw dark with beard shadow. “Avery.”

Her smile quirked. “Still me.”

His gaze dipped to her breasts under the T-shirt, and he finished turning to his back, reached for her and hauled her in close. “Where are you going?”

“Bathroom.”

“Ah.” He kissed her neck, his bristly cheeks tickling. “Hurry back, then.”

As she crawled out, he fondled her behind. Unbelievable. He wasn’t even wide-awake yet.

She rushed through brushing her teeth, and even combed her hair. She had whisker burn in interesting places. Muscles that she seldom used ached a little. Deep inside herself, she still tingled.

“Hurry it up, babe.”

She turned from the sink and found Rowdy standing there in the doorway, his boxers tented, his slumberous gaze appreciative.

“It’s all yours.” As she stepped out, he looked her over.

“You don’t need to primp, you know. I’m already as interested as a guy can get.”

“Your eyes aren’t even fully open yet.”

“I see you just fine—and I always like what I see.” He gave her tush a pat and walked into the john.

Smiling, Avery headed to the kitchen to start the coffee. His apartment was chilly, the floor especially cold, so once the coffee machine was set, she went to his closet and found a flannel shirt to borrow, then sat on the side of the bed and pulled on thick socks.

She was back in the kitchen preparing two mugs when Rowdy emerged. He came right to her, hugged her from behind with his hands on her stomach, and kissed her neck. His face was damp, his breath minty, his hands big and warm and bold.

“I like waking with you, Avery, seeing you in this cute getup in my kitchen.” He lightly bit her earlobe. “This could be the start to a new favorite fantasy.”

“A woman ridiculously dressed fixing your morning coffee for you?” She tsked. “Surely you can do better than that.”

“Yeah.” Pinning her against the counter, he lifted his large hands to cover her breasts. “I can do better.”

A solid erection pressed her backside. His thumbs found her nipples and, casual as you please, he started a slow, easy, red-hot seduction.

She needed to talk to him, and if she didn’t put a halt to things now, they’d never get to it. “Rowdy?”

“Hmm?” He opened his mouth on her neck.

She already had two hickeys and shivered as he gave her a third. Reaching back, she put her hands over his thighs. “I need a few minutes.”

“Take all the time you want.” One hand left her breast and coasted down her belly to nestle between her legs, gently exploring her through her panties. “I’m in no hurry.”

The way he touched her...
“I need coffee, too.”

“In that case, let’s make it quick.” He rearranged her hands, planting them on the countertop, then sliding her panties down to her knees. “Later you can get me on my back, as you promised.”

Yeah, she definitely would. But for now... “How quick is quick?”

“Think I can make you come in under ten minutes?”

“
Make
me come?” She looked over her shoulder in time to see him roll on a condom. Had he carried it with him from the bathroom? So much confidence.

So well deserved.

“Yeah.” He had his boxers pushed down just enough to free himself and now he stepped up to her again, lightly nudging her legs farther apart. “Open them as wide as you can.”

The panties restricted her, and somehow that made it feel even naughtier than sex in the kitchen against the counter.

With one hand Rowdy pulled the T-shirt up above her breasts and with the other, he touched between her legs, teasing, preparing her, making her squirm.

“I like this,” he said. “Having you bent over, and the smell of fresh coffee in the air. Two of my favorite things.”

He was so outrageous, and so skilled. Already wet, hot, Avery pressed back to him. “The coffee will get cold at this rate.”

He laughed, and slowly worked two fingers into her. “Better?”

“I want you, Rowdy.”
Only you. Always.
“Please.”

“And here I thought this scene couldn’t get any hotter.” He toyed with her nipple, lightly tugging. “I like hearing you ask me so pretty.”

As her eyes sank shut, she put her head back to his shoulder and murmured, “I swear to you, I will get even.”

“Damn, little bartender.” For a moment he went still, his breathing deeper, then he removed his fingers and nudged his erection against her until he could fully sink in, growling in accusation, “Way to push me past my control.”

Since that had been her intent, Avery held in her moan of triumph and suggested, “Now why don’t you push me past my control?”

He pressed deeper. “Consider it done.”

True to his word, Rowdy had her crying out with a powerful orgasm in under ten minutes. To protect her from his strong thrusts, he put his arm around her, creating a barrier between her body and the sharp-edged counter.

Soon after her pleasure ebbed, Rowdy tightened around her, growled deeply and gave in to his own release.

A few more minutes passed with both of them gasping, still slumped in front of the coffeemaker.

Laughing a little, Rowdy hugged her. “I’m awake now, just so you know.”

Avery barely acknowledged him. She honestly felt like she could doze back off just like this—as long as her legs held out.

Moving away from her, Rowdy rearranged himself, then pulled up her panties. He eased her away from the counter and directed her to a chair. “I’ll get the coffee.”

Slumped in her seat, Avery watched him all but whistle as he put sugar in her cup and then got out the creamer. “You’re insatiable.”

“You’re the one who was flaunting her wares here in the kitchen.”

“Ankle socks, Rowdy. And a flannel shirt.” She put a hand in her hair. “And even though I combed it, my hair is still a ratty mess. I need to wash it and blow it out and—”

“I think you’re turning me on again.” Smiling, he set the coffee in front of her and joined her at the table. “Do you realize it’s almost eleven? We slept late.”

Avery tasted her coffee, approved and after another drink she took a long stretch. “We’re allowed. It’s our day off.”

He watched her every move. “I figured I’d visit Marcus then hit the grocery store. Maybe load up on whatever you like.”

Stalling, she slowly dropped her arms and stared at him. “So you were serious about me staying?”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

She wanted to ask if he cared about her at all. Her, specifically. She’d told him she loved him, and without replying, he’d taken her to bed.

At least he hadn’t sent her packing.

Yet. She realized, of course, she’d eventually have to find another job. She couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Rowdy with anyone else, but if she stayed at the bar, how could she avoid it? When he moved on from her, he wasn’t going to become a monk. No, he’d go back to his old ways, basking in the attention of every woman who saw him.

And then what would she do?

She loved him, so very, very much.

She could not pretend she didn’t.

From under the table, Rowdy nudged her with his foot. “What are you brooding about?”

God, he was perceptive.

“Worrying about Fisher?” He curled a lip. “Because you don’t need to. I can—”

“Will you be with any other women?” The second she said it, she wanted to slap a hand over her mouth. She’d blurted it out without any lead-in. Bam. There it was.

Of course, that needed some clarification. “While you’re with me, I mean. Are we...” She couldn’t think of an appropriate word for Rowdy’s outlook on things. “Exclusive. Right now I mean. That is, I’m not asking for a long-term commitment or anything like that. But if I’m staying here...”

Given the way Rowdy watched her, she gave up and closed her mouth.

Seeming mostly unaffected by the suddenness of it, Rowdy answered with his own question, saying simply, “Between work and you, when would I have time?”

So he planned to keep her with him 24/7? That suited Avery just fine.

“Speaking of time.” He deftly changed the subject—for his benefit or hers? “How long will it take you to get ready?”

“For what?” If he meant more sex, she’d have to call it quits, at least for a little while.

“I told you. We need to go visit Marcus today. You okay with that?”

Belatedly, Avery realized that he wanted her to go along. Marcus was staying with Alice and Reese. She couldn’t imagine they wanted her as an uninvited visitor. Much as she loved the idea, she said, “I shouldn’t intrude.”

Setting his cup aside, Rowdy frowned at her. “You don’t want me to murder Fisher, either, so as long as that bastard is out there, you go where I go.”

Avery, too, set aside her cup, preparing for a confrontation. “Is that supposed to be an order? Because you should know right now, I don’t take well to orders.”

He grinned at her ferocious tone. “A request, honey—and very necessary for my peace of mind.”

“That’s better.” She sat back in the seat. “You think Alice will be okay with that?”

“She’ll love the company, but to be sure, I’ll call her and let her know.”

He and Alice seemed to have a very special relationship, so naturally Avery wanted to get to know her better. “Do you plan to visit Marcus every day?”

“I was thinking about that.” He turned his cup, rearranging it as he stared off at nothing in particular. “I can’t just drop in on Alice every day. She’s getting Marcus set up for school in the neighborhood where they’re moving next week. That means he won’t be home until I’m at work, and on weekends, I imagine they’ll have stuff they want to do as a family.”

“I got the feeling that they consider you family, too.”

Rowdy ignored that. “I need to let the little dude know that I want to be around, but it can’t be every day. But I don’t want him to think I bailed if he doesn’t see me for a while.”

“You want him to trust you.” Avery knew all about that particular desire. “That might take some time, though.”

Rowdy snorted. “It’ll take an eternity. But we’ll get there.”

Did he say that because he’d never learned to fully trust? Avery feared it might be so.

Well, she wanted his trust. One way or another, for as long as this lasted, she wanted Rowdy to know he could confide anything to her.

“You’re brooding again,” he pointed out.

“No, it’s just...” Avery took in the mellow satisfaction in his golden-brown eyes, his rumpled blond hair and that to-die-for muscular body. Scars and all, Rowdy Yates was more man than any man she’d ever known, or even imagined. But he wasn’t superhuman. He didn’t have to carry his burdens alone. Not when she definitely wanted to share them with him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” He sipped at his coffee. “Doesn’t mean I’ll answer, but you can give it a shot.”

Of all the— “If you’re not going to answer, why would I bother asking?”

He plunked his cup back down. “This is about Fisher, isn’t it?”

Avery let out a breath. He didn’t sound happy. And yes, she needed to talk to him about that, but first... “I told you what happened with Fisher and me. After everyone more or less called me a liar, I had decided I’d never again tell anyone. But I trust you, Rowdy.”

“I’m glad you do.”

Because he figured he could handle anything and everyone and never break under the pressure of responsibility. But he didn’t have to do that anymore. Not with her. “I’d really like it if you’d trust me a little, too.”

“You think I don’t?”

“To a degree, maybe.” He wouldn’t let her in his home if he didn’t. But she needed more than that. Hoping to find the right words, she gave herself a little time by drinking her coffee. She couldn’t very well say
I want more
because she had no idea what Rowdy wanted. Except more sex. He’d been pretty plain about that. “Will you...will you maybe trust me with something private?”

“How private are we talking?” He lifted a brow. “You’re not going to grill me about past hookups, are you?”

“God, no!” That was the last thing she wanted to hear about. Her face heated just recalling what she’d walked in on in his office. “Ass.”

He grinned. “Then stop tiptoeing around and spit it out.”