She laughed and shut the door behind him. “Are you sorry you insisted on helping?” Without waiting for an answer, she took the pizza box from him and led the way to the kitchen.
Hell no, he wasn’t sorry. This was even better than he’d expected. With any luck, he’d be here all night, which gave him more time to make her regret that stupid rule. “Maybe,” he said, laughing so she’d know he was teasing. He glanced around the kitchen, which was slightly less disastrous than the living room. “Do you have a plan of attack, or is this a free-for-all?”
She sat the pizza box on the counter, then looked around. “I think finish the kitchen first, then move to the living room?”
It was more question than statement, so he shrugged and nodded. “Sure. You’re the boss.”
She grabbed paper plates and napkins from the cabinet and set them on the counter next to the pizza. “In that case, I say we eat first. I’m starving.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said, pulling a slice from the box. When she reached for it, he shook his head no and held it up to her mouth. “Open.” She eyed him suspiciously—smart girl—but opened anyway and took a bite.
“Oh my God. That’s so good.” She grabbed another bite, then closed her eyes and chewed like it was the finest food in the world. With her head tilted back, eyes closed, and pleasure rippling off her, she looked much like she had on the boat. Soaking up the sun, the wind blowing her skirt high on her thighs, her hands stroking her legs… she’d been an erotic vision if ever there was one.
He took a deep breath and set the slice on her plate before grabbing a couple of slices for himself. “Vinnie’s makes a great pizza. They have killer lasagna, too. We’ll get that next time.”
She opened her eyes, grabbed her slice, and took another large bite. Between chews she said, “I love lasagna. It’s one of my favorite foods.”
He grabbed two beers and grinned. She hadn’t flinched at the “next time” part of his statement; he was making progress.
She hopped onto the countertop and continued to eat while he opened the bottles. As he turned to hand her one, a drop of pizza sauce stuck to her lip caught his attention. Pizza sauce wasn’t sexy. But when she flicked her tongue out to lick it from her lip, a gulp and a groan collided in his throat. A shot of adrenaline hit his system, and blood rushed to his dick.
He took a long, cooling drink from his bottle and considered his plan—which wasn’t working as he’d intended. In fact, so far, the whole damned thing seemed to be backfiring.
“This is really good,” Kat said, grabbing a second slice. “Thanks for bringing dinner and coming to help. It’s nice to have the company.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Did you grow up in Riverside?” she asked.
“Not in Riverside, but across the river and down a ways. About a mile past the plant.”
Kat picked up her pizza to take a bite, paused, then set it back down. “I have to be honest. Once I let go of being pissed off…” She smiled sheepishly. “I really loved being on the water. It’s so peaceful out there. I understand why you prefer travelling by boat.”
Erik’s chest tightened at her soft smile and the sincerity of her words. It shouldn’t have meant anything, but he was thrilled she’d enjoyed something that was such a big part of his life. “We’ll go out again. Soon.”
She nodded, then grabbed her pizza and took a healthy bite.
He smiled and did the same, enjoying the moment.
The self-preservationist dropped his head into his hands and wept.
General conversation ensued until Kat finished eating. She tossed her wadded-up napkin onto her plate and brushed her hands together. Since he’d finished long before her, she asked, “Ready to get busy?”
Erik grinned at all the ways he’d love to get busy, but kept the thought to himself. “Absolutely.” He picked up their plates and dumped them in the trash while Kat dropped to her knees and began sifting through one of the boxes. Finished putting the leftover pizza in the fridge and wiping off the counter, he stood next to her, awaiting further instructions.
She pulled a mixer from the box and turned toward him. “What—?” The question remained unasked as she found her wide-open mouth level with his crotch.
His dick instantly recognized the advantages of the situation and rose with vigor and enthusiasm.
Her gazed fixed on his fly, watching the subtle shifts of his clothing caused by all the behind-the-scenes action taking place. She licked her lips and the impact was as powerful as if she’d physically stroked her tongue over his flesh.
Every muscle in his body tightened in response. Sweat popped out on his forehead and across the back of his neck as her gaze began a slow, leisurely stroll up his body. Her looking up at him—through dark lashes from this position on her knees—caused his cock to swell to near bursting, and its throbbing matched the whooshing in his ears.
No touching.
He clenched his fists and closed his eyes. While taking a few deep breaths, he prayed she’d find the good sense to get off the floor before she found herself flat on her back with him buried to the hilt inside her.
When he finally opened his eyes, he found her standing in front of him, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, a tinge of pink coloring her cheeks. “That was a great view,” she said, smiling sweetly.
He’d given his word on the no-touching bullshit, but the little minx didn’t realize how close he was to giving his fucking honor the boot. “I’d be more than happy to provide you with an even better one,” he said, his voice raspy, his tone clipped and harsh.
She sighed heavily as her shoulders slumped. “That would be really nice, but I’m afraid it would be terrible… just terrible”—she batted her eyes and did her best Scarlett impression—“to have something so incredible to look at and not be able to touch.”
Without waiting for his response, she turned and bent over, reaching for the goddamned mixer she’d left on the floor.
“Jesus Christ!” A man could only take so much. She yelped as he snatched her up around the waist and sat her on the counter. “Sit there and don’t move. Don’t bat your eyes. Don’t lick your lips. Don’t get on your knees. And for God’s sake, don’t bend over.” He snatched the mixer off the floor. “Where the hell do you want it?”
The little she-devil clapped her hands together, threw her head back, and laughed with abandon. The act was more threatening to his emotional stability than all her sexy moves put together. Laughing like this, she was absolutely radiant. And he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone.
Including Lindsey.
Over the next hour, Kat sipped her beer and did a point-and-direct, while Erik stashed everything away in the cabinets. How it went from him trying to make her regret the no-touching rule to him skating the slippery slope of becoming a liar was beyond him. But sure as shit, it happened.
Kitchen finished, they moved to the living room. Putting together a bookshelf kept his mind occupied while she unpacked books and knickknacks. He made like a pack mule and moved the remaining boxes to the guest room, then they arranged the living room furniture to take advantage of the exceptional view her upstairs apartment had of the river.
While Kat refolded and stacked the used newspaper for recycling, Erik broke down the empty boxes and carried them to the recycling container outside. When he returned, he didn’t see Kat, so he followed the sounds coming from the back of her apartment.
As he approached the end of the dark hallway, she burst from her bedroom, rounding the corner at a fast clip. They collided, hard.
He threw his arms around her waist to keep her from stumbling back. In the process, every perfect curve and dip of her body molded against his. The heat of her palms pressing against his chest was like a sizzling brand, as she gasped to catch her breath.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t hear you come back in. Are you all right?”
No, he wasn’t even close to being all right.
T
hrough the filtered light of the living room, he watched her eyes go from wide with surprise to a heavy-lidded forest green as he continued to hold her tight. With each labored breath, his chest brushed against her breasts. His palm rested on the small of her back, and he fought the need to pull her tighter against his jerking, straining erection.
“Fuck.” What was supposed to have been a muttered curse came out sounding like a plea.
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. Her body melted further into his, and the pulse in her neck fluttered wildly.
All the way to the dumpster and back he’d lectured and coached himself like a parent would an unruly teenager. Come in, make sure she didn’t need any more help, then get the hell out before something like this happened. But right now, primal instinct was in control, overpowering his good intentions and his word, demanding he take what he wanted.
He thrust his free hand through the hair at the nape of her neck and yanked her head back, careful not to hurt her, but forceful enough to let her know she wasn’t going anywhere. Surprised by his aggression, her eyes snapped wide and her mouth dropped open, giving him the access he craved. His assault on her mouth was as ferocious as a lion attacking its prey.
Rather than push him away, she accepted him fully by wrapping her arms around his neck and dragging him even closer. He backed her against the wall, wedged a knee between her thighs, and with a feral growl, deepened the kiss even further while she rode his knee.
And it still wasn’t enough for either of them.
Their tongues clashed, twisting and tangling, frantic for even deeper contact. His hand snaked up her side until he reached the swell of her breasts. He used his thumb to tease her taut nipple, and she arched her back, pressing her body more firmly into his grasp.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears as his body stretched tight as a rubber band about to snap. He wanted to eat her alive, and if he didn’t stop now—which was already way beyond the promised boundaries—he wouldn’t stop until he’d stroked her, eaten her, and buried himself in her warm, wet body.
It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but as his words—no touching—thumped inside his skull, he forced himself to pull back and draw in a deep, shuddering breath.
Her eyes screamed don’t stop. But he had to; this wasn’t right. He’d given his word that he’d behave, and although he may have a reputation for being a lowlife scoundrel, he always kept his word.
Of course, when he made that promise he hadn’t counted on extenuating circumstances making it impossible. But he could still walk away at this point and not feel like a total sack of shit. The look in her eyes, her response to his touch all told him that one day soon he’d strip, lick, suck, and fuck her senseless.
But it wouldn’t be tonight.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice raw and choppy. “When I made that promise, I hadn’t considered the possibility of you literally falling into my arms.”
Eyes wide and glassy, she ran a finger over her lips and took a few shallow breaths. “Is it always going to be like this?” Her voice was soft, desperate. “Every time we’re together is it going to be a constant battle, like horny teenagers trying to keep our hands off each other?”
He scrubbed a shaky hand down his face, then proceeded to stare a hole in his shoes as he honestly considered the question. He wanted to tell her no, that it was just a phase. He wished he could give her a smooth-talking sales job that would get her into bed and stick with his plan of working her out of his system. Then, they would both move on with their lives. Separately.
The problem was, he no longer believed it would be that easy. His cat scratch fever was back with a vengeance.
“I don’t know,” he said, running a thumb across her red and swollen bottom lip. “All I know is that I want you with a ferociousness I have never felt before.” And with that admission, he turned away and headed for the door. “Maybe I should swim home to work off some of this pent-up frustration.” He stopped at the door, turned, and winked. “Sleep tight, baby.”
Chapter Five
Armed with an industrial-sized bottle of pain relievers and a six-pack of caffeine, Kat stumbled out of her apartment and down the stairs to the street. The mornings were still cool enough that the three-block walk to work was a pleasant way to start the day.
Most mornings.
This morning, the walk made her head throb even more—something she hadn’t thought possible—and instead of being three blocks, it felt like three miles.
Maybe if she got the same kind of enjoyment and excited rush from her job that Erik took from his it wouldn’t be a struggle to get going every morning. And while she enjoyed the walk along the waterfront, watching the boats and waterfowl, it was a struggle to force herself to go to a job she wasn’t passionate about.
Today’s battle was amplified by last night’s stupidity.
After Erik left, it would’ve been wise to go for a run to rid herself of the sexual energy hammering through her system. Not finishing off the beer and half a bottle of Southern Comfort while watching Erik’s small boat lights disappear in the distance as he crossed the river.
Once he’d gotten out of sight, she’d turned into a big-assed chicken, afraid of going to bed for fear of lying there, achingly aroused, and desperately wishing she’d begged him to stay. She’d sat on the deck until the wee hours of the morning, drinking and… drinking some more, until exhaustion rolled in and carried her to the bed.
Last night, the plan had seemed brilliant. This morning, it seemed like one of the worst, ever.
As she labored up the Victorian’s porch stairs, Rusty pulled alongside the curb, exited his car, and with his normal, clipped pace, met her at the front door. “Good morning, Kat.”
“Good morning,” she muttered, trying her best to make like she actually believed it.
He frowned. “No offense, but you don’t look good. Are you all right?”
“No offense taken.” It was difficult to argue with the truth. “I’m fine. Thanks.”
He had his hand on the front door knob, but rather than turning it, he studied her. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I was running on the waterfront last night, and I saw Erik leaving your apartment.”
Oh, God. Her heart slammed into her throat making it impossible to breathe.
“He seemed… agitated. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but now, looking at you… Is everything okay? Really?” Rusty’s frown turned to a look of concern. “Erik didn’t cross any lines, did he?”
Kat’s eyes popped wide open as she realized what Rusty was thinking. “No! Heaven’s no. Everything’s fine.” Sheesh, if Erik had crossed those lines, they’d both have been better off. And wasn’t that damned ironic.
Rusty’s posture was rigid, his lips pressed into a tight line, clearly unwilling to buy the “fine” routine. Rational thought fled as a million and one excuses and explanations fought to make their way from her mouth. She tried to swallow, but the moisture from her mouth had rushed north and was breaking out in a cold sweat across her upper lip and forehead. She opened and closed her mouth like a fish on a line, but suddenly, all the good excuses seemed hidden in the fog in her brain.
Rusty opened the front door, took her by the elbow, and led her through the lobby. “Let’s go to your office and talk.”
As soon as her office door shut behind them, words exploded from her mouth. “Everything is fine with Erik. He was a complete gentleman.” Especially for breaking the kiss that was destined to end up in the horizontal shake-your-booty. “He knew I had a lot of unpacking to do, and he offered to help. I told him no, but he insisted on bringing dinner and helping move boxes…”
As the words flowed, she realized how weak and pathetic they were. She was a big girl who could have said no. And meant it. But she hadn’t. She wanted Erik’s company. And if she was completely honest, she wanted a hell of a lot more than their hot and spicy kiss.
She flopped into her chair and looked at Rusty
, who had taken a seat and was patiently waiting for her to finish unloading. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before restarting. This time with the truth. “I sort of knew Erik before I came to work here. I didn’t know he lived in Riverside, and I certainly didn’t know he was a client. I was shocked to see him at the open house.”
At the thought of how the next part would sound, her heart rate kicked up, and she grimaced. “We met in Charlotte. At a bar. He was there on business, and I was there grieving the loss of my promotion. We… well… We spent the evening together.” Rusty was a big boy; he could read between the lines and figure out that meant they’d spent the night screwing each other like wild animals. “I hadn’t seen him since, not until the night of the open house.” She blew out a ragged breath. “Erik is interested in pursuing… something. I told him absolutely not, that clients are off-limits, but…” She laughed. “He’s not very fond of no.”
Rusty broke into a broad smile. “I’m sure he’s not told no often, especially by a beautiful woman.” His expression became pensive as he picked a piece of lint off his black slacks.
For the first time, she looked at Rusty through the eyes of a woman, rather than an employee. With his straight, black hair falling just above his shoulders, he fit the bill of a free-spirited creative type. But his green eyes with sparkling gold flecks and a dark ring surrounding the irises were smart and sharp, those of a businessman. His looks were unusual and exotic, and she could see where women would find him attractive. Throw in his vibrant, outgoing personality, and he became irresistible.
She, however, seemed to be into guys with short, unmanageable hair with bright blue eyes that danced with mischief.
“Kat,” Rusty said, holding her gaze steady, “things are more laid back here than they were at Reynolds and Ashbury. Of course, I want all the clients I can get. And I want to do the best job possible for them. I’d love to go after some large accounts and keep growing the business. But, I’m not into decorum and rigidity.” He laughed. “Hell, if I didn’t date client contacts, or women I met through work in some way, I’d be a lonely man.”
Savin' Me (A Heat Wave Novel) Page 6