He filled the dishwasher without a care for how the dishes were stacked, and he drew it out as long as he could.
But he couldn’t stay away from her for long. She was like an addiction.
He found her standing by the window, looking out into the dark. He didn’t know if it was coincidence or not that she was staring in the direction of Erik’s house.
She turned as he stopped next to her.
“Thank you for dinner.”
Her smile made his cock swell. “Thanks for being my sous chef.”
“I’m glad you’re here tonight. I’ve missed you.”
Her smile became a little more natural as he said exactly what he was thinking. It got him in trouble more often than not but, damn it, he meant it. He didn’t want her not to know.
“I’ve missed you too. That’s really the main reason I wanted to see you tonight.”
He controlled the urge to pick her up and carry her to his bedroom. “But it’s not the only reason you wanted to see me tonight.”
She held his gaze. “No, it’s not.”
Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for whatever she was about to throw at him. “So what’s up?”
Now her gaze slipped and she stared back out the window. “I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my life.”
The hair rose on the back of his neck and his heart rate increased. “And have you made a decision?”
“I’ve been thinking about culinary school.”
Which would take her away from him and Erik. “Is that what you want to do?”
She sighed. “What I want is to have my own restaurant, and I know if I study at a good school, I’ll be a better chef.”
Couldn’t fault her logic. “Sounds like you’ve got a plan.”
“Oh, I’ve always had a plan.” Her lips twisted in a wistful smile. “I just never thought I’d have the means.”
And now she did.
“I understand Carol relies on you quite a bit.”
“I love working for Carol. Most of the time.” Something passed over her expression, something bitter. “And I love to cook. But…”
“But what?”
She sighed. “I don’t know that I would ever be able to make a go of a restaurant here.”
“Why not?”
“Because there are people here who would love to see me fail.”
He’d take care of anyone who dared screw with her. “Like who?”
A shrug. “A few of the girls I went to high school with, for starters.”
“Why would they care?”
“Because they’re mean, sarcastic bitches who don’t know when to shut up.”
The saccharine tone of her voice made him wince. But he heard something else in her tone that made him wonder… “Did something happen? You worked today, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “A bridal shower.”
His gaze narrowed. “Did you know the bride?”
Another nod. “A few bridesmaids and I went to school together.”
“And they said something to disturb you.”
She blinked. “I should be used to it by now.”
“Used to what?”
“To being their target of choice.”
Angry heat gathered low in his gut. “How long has this been going on?”
She shrugged like it didn’t matter. “Since high school, really. I wasn’t part of their clique. My mom didn’t make enough money. I didn’t wear the right clothes. Yada, yada, yada. Just not good enough in their eyes. And then I made the mistake of going out with one of their ex-boyfriends and I was a marked woman for the rest of senior year.”
“That sounds like hell.”
“Isn’t high school hell for everyone?” Her laugh didn’t hold much amusement. “I know for a fact Allison’s father was screwing around on her mother and had at least one illegitimate kid so I’m sure her home life was pretty crappy. She’s pretty much still a bitch, though.”
“Are you talking about Allison Terre?”
His brain started to replay the message she’d left him, filtering it through what he now knew. That bitch. That reference to not meeting women in his circle took on a whole new meaning.
Jules’s eyebrows raised. “Yes. Do you know her?”
“Unfortunately. Her father’s firm serves as our lawyer.”
And I’m going to make damn sure her father knows it’s all his daughter’s fault when I fire their ass.
A pause. “Have you dated her?”
“No.” He grimaced. “But not for lack of trying on her part. I believe she struck out with Erik as well. We have much better taste in women.”
There, that made her smile. “You just made my entire day.”
With a sinuous move, she swung her leg over his thighs, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him.
Like she was starving for him. Like she’d missed him. Almost as much as he’d missed her.
Christ, he’d missed having her in his arms. Missed the feel of her body pressing against his. Every curve was a temptation that made him want to run his hands all over her. Preferably while she was naked.
For now, he’d be content with this.
He let her kiss him, let her control the action because, as much as he wanted to take over, he didn’t want to give her any reason to back away.
For several minutes, all they did was kiss. Her lips moved over his, her tongue tangled with his, as her hands roamed his shoulders and chest.
He kept his hands locked to her hips as she rolled her pelvis until her denim-covered pussy rubbed against his crotch.
Groaning, he tightened his hands as he fought the urge to make her rub against him harder, faster.
He didn’t want her to go faster than she was ready, didn’t want to do anything to make her pull away.
But after a few minutes, she did, just far enough to touch the tip of her nose to his. “When are you going to learn I’m not fragile? I won’t run because you’re a little rough during sex. Haven’t you figured out yet that I like it?”
He hadn’t wanted to hope.
Heat raced through his blood. “Stand up and strip.”
His voice held a distinct growl, making her lips quirk up at the corners for a brief second before she maneuvered back to her feet, hands on her hips.
She raised her eyebrows at him. “Make me.”
Lust fired at her dare, making him suck in a sharp breath. The look she gave him was pure provocation.
If she wanted to play this game, he wasn’t about to say no.
In the back of his head, the niggling doubt that they were stealing this time alone together kept intruding. The more he tried to ignore it, the more he knew it was right.
Just accept it and enjoy her.
Pushing off the couch to his feet, he stared down at her. He liked the way she turned her head to look up at him. Liked how her gaze then made a leisurely inspection of him from head to toe.
Barely holding on to his control, he reached for the hem of her shirt with both hands then pulled it over her head with a jerk. Her hair spilled back around her shoulders, the ends curling over her breasts and brushing against the purple satin cups of her bra.
That would stay for the moment because it looked fucking awesome against her skin.
Next, he reached for her to bring her to her feet then reached for her jeans, flicking open the button, yanking down the zipper then forcing them down her legs.
She’d taken off her shoes when she’d arrived. They sat by the door where he hoped they stayed all night.
“Step out.”
She hesitated just a second before she complied.
Her panties matched the bra and made him want to go to his knees so he could rip them away with his teeth. But then he didn’t want to damage them because he really wanted to see them on her again.
Actually, he wanted to fuck her while she wore them so every time she put them on, she’d remember this night.
He left the panties
where they were.
“Take my clothes off.”
She didn’t tease him at all this time. Her nimble fingers discarded his shirt in seconds and went to work on his button fly.
He watched the increasing rise and fall of her breasts, as if she couldn’t get enough air.
Join the club, sweetheart.
Every time she tugged a button through its hole, his cock responded by hardening even more. And when she bent to pull his jeans down, he put one hand on her nape and pressed, gently but firmly.
“Suck me, baby. Please.”
He could barely get the words out from between his clenched teeth but she must have heard him because she went to her knees, her hands tugging down his boxer briefs.
When his cock sprang free, he breathed a sigh of relief before drawing her head toward him. She gave some resistance but from the look she flashed him, he knew it was token, designed to make him even hotter.
Which she was doing a damn fine job of.
The second her lips touched his cock, he wanted more. More of her mouth, more of her hands, her body. Wanted everything she had to give. And then some.
He let her nuzzle him for a moment, rub the tip of her nose against the shaft, before he clasped her chin in one hand and tilted her head back.
He wanted her mouth. And she knew it.
Her lips parted and he angled his cock down so he could thrust inside.
Slick heat. Tight suction. The slight graze of her teeth.
Christ, he’d be lucky not to blow in seconds.
He started a steady rhythm that had him gasping almost as heavily as Jules. He was careful not to gag her but he couldn’t stop. She sucked on him hard as he pushed in then let her teeth graze his skin on the way out.
Fuck. She made him insane. Made him crazy and hot and took him out of himself to a place he’d never been.
Her hands gripped his thighs, kneading the tight muscles. He bent his head to watch her and his cock gave a warning pulse as her lips spread around the tip.
With her eyes closed, she looked as if she were enjoying it almost as much as he was. Jesus, he hoped so because he wanted her to do this for hours.
Just the thought made his balls draw up.
Too soon.
With reluctance, he pulled away from her mouth then bent to pick her up.
With a gut-wrenching sigh, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. His cock bumped against her mound, the satin covering her cool against his heated flesh.
Fuck yeah.
He wanted to impale her on his cock and keep her there until she came around him.
When she started to rub against him, lifting her body up, he realized they were definitely on the same page.
Keeping one arm around her back to hold her against him, he moved to the couch and lowered himself to the cushions. With his arm around her waist, he urged her higher, then used his free hand to guide his cock. He rubbed the tip against her panties, rubbing at her clit.
Her head fell back and her eyes closed. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she bit into it, making him want to do the same. Lowering his mouth to hers, he sealed their lips together for a long, deep kiss.
As she moaned into his mouth, she writhed against him, angling her body so the head of his cock lodged between her lower lips, pushing her panties inside her body.
“Keegan.”
He knew what she wanted but he wasn’t ready to give it to her yet. He wanted her just as crazy as he felt.
He rubbed and rubbed until her panties were drenched with both their juices and she’d started to moan.
Finally, he reached down to rip her panties to the side. The first touch of his cock made them both shudder, his arms tightening around her.
But somehow she managed to move, working herself against him until she shimmied down his shaft with an indrawn breath.
Jesus Christ, that felt amazing. She was going to kill him.
As he groaned, he released more of her weight and she slid until she couldn’t go any farther.
“Jules.”
“Oh my god, Keegan.” She tilted her head forward and rested it against his shoulder. “You feel so good.”
That was all it took to lose the grip on his control.
He lifted her just high enough so that he felt her slide down his shaft. Her grip on him was so damn tight, it felt like a vise. But he slid easily because she was so wet.
Faster.
He increased the rhythm, felt her moving against him. Her breath blew across his neck, hot as a brand. His hips jerked, slamming him higher into her heat.
When she shuddered, he knew she was close. Their movements grew rougher, harder, but they still moved in sync.
If only—
He came, the burst of pleasure so intense he felt it to his toes. How he managed to stay on his feet was a miracle, with Jules convulsing around him and her arms nearly cutting off his air supply.
But he held on to her just as tightly because without Erik to back him up—
Shit.
Lowering his head, he brushed his cheek against her hair and felt her return the caress.
They sat there for several minutes, just breathing, their skin slowly cooling.
He wanted to say something, anything, that would make her stay.
Jules stirred, shifting closer. “I don’t want to move but I’m getting chilly.”
He ran his hands up and down her back as she snuggled her face into his neck. “That feels great.”
“But you’re still cold.” He looked around the room, realizing he didn’t have a blanket on any of the furniture. He’d have to fix that.
“I should get dressed and get home anyway.”
Fuck no. “Stay.”
“I can’t.” No hesitation. “I’ve got to be up early. I’m helping Carol again tomorrow.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask why she was working when they’d given her more than enough money, but he was smart enough not to say it.
Besides, he knew the reason. Carol was practically family and Jules didn’t abandon family.
He wanted to be counted as family. He and Keegan.
His arms tightened and he had to make a conscious effort to relax them. “I really wish you could stay.”
Pulling back, she looked him in the eyes. “Me too.”
Does she want me to argue with her? Make her stay? Beg her?
Hell, he just might stoop to that. But he didn’t want to pressure her.
Instead, he lifted his hand to cup her cheek and held her steady for another kiss. This one didn’t devour. It coaxed, played, and lulled them back into that heated place they’d been just a few minutes ago.
But when he pulled back, she wore a rueful smile. “As much as I’d love to do that all night, I really do have to get some sleep.”
With that, she grabbed her clothes and slipped into them. He sat and watched, as mesmerized as if she were taking them off.
But she went way too fast. She was finished before he’d zipped his jeans and had to wait for him to walk with her to the door.
Just before she slipped into her car, he grabbed her and planted another kiss on her that left her gasping.
“We’ll figure this out, Jules. I’m not giving up.”
He hoped like hell she understood what he was saying.
Her smile indicated she did. But that she wasn’t sure they could.
“I’ll talk to you soon, Keegan.”
He stood there until he could no longer see her taillights.
Then he headed back in the house and stared at his phone.
* * * * *
Avenged Sevenfold’s “Almost Easy” blared from his phone late Sunday morning and, out of habit, Erik grabbed it immediately.
Keegan’s ring.
Shit.
He felt like a dog who’d been conditioned to respond whenever someone rang a bell.
His thumb hovered over the screen. He wanted to answer. Hell, they had
n’t talked to each other in a week and it almost felt like he’d lost a limb.
What the fuck should he say?
Sorry I’ve been such a dick.
Probably a good start.
I gave the information Kat got me to the police.
That would be better but it wouldn’t be true.
Fuck.
As he continued to stare at the phone, it finally went silent.
The urge to toss it against the wall of his study had his hand tightening around the case. Just before he knew he’d crush it, he threw it on the chair next to him.
He’d been moody and cranky since waking up. Probably because he had a fucking hangover painful enough to make him consider an ice pick to the temple.
Which wouldn’t do anything to alleviate the cold ball of lead in the pit of his stomach.
Had she spent the night with Keegan?
If she had, was that why Keegan was calling? To tell him she’d made a decision between them? Or was Keegan calling because they’d never gone more than three days without talking to each other since the day they met?
Call him back.
Keegan had been the better man and called first. The least Erik could do was return his call. With a harsh sigh, he grabbed the phone. Then sat there staring at it.
Coward.
Fuck it.
He jabbed at the phone and heard Keegan’s voice before he got it to his ear.
“I was almost afraid you’d blocked my number.”
If he didn’t know Keegan so well, he might’ve missed the dry wit in his tone.
Erik huffed. “Maybe I should have because if you’re calling for any other reason than to say you missed me, I’m gonna pout.”
Keegan’s amused snort came through the phone perfectly. “You’re an ass. A stuck-up, conceited ass.”
“And you’re a whiny bitch.”
“Fuck you.”
Erik sighed. “Yeah, I missed you too, you prick.”
“Good. Now, what the hell are we going to do about Jules?”
Slouching deeper into the couch, he let his head fall back so he was staring at the ceiling. “You do realize all this time we’ve been focusing on ourselves, we haven’t thought about what she wants.”
A pause. “Has she said anything to you about going to culinary school?”
“Yeah, she has. In fucking New York.” Erik shoved a hand through his hair, wishing his damn headache would give up the ghost. “I don’t want her to go.”
An Indecent Proposition Page 29