Cardinal

by Sara Mack

  Before I can answer, he releases my hands. He runs both of his up to my shoulders and focuses on my eyes. “I haven’t forgotten about the chase,” he says. “I said I didn’t care how fast you ran and I meant it.” He turns his hand over and trails his knuckles over my collarbone. “If you decide to stay with me tonight I’ll still chase you. Nothing needs to happen that you don’t want.”

  My heart races and all I can think is I want. His brings his hands to my waist and leans in close, following the same path over my collarbone with his lips. I reach for him, to wind my arms around his waist, his neck, anything, but he suddenly backs away. He smiles as I frown.

  “I think that’s two for me and zero for Ed.” He grins as he pulls my phone from his pocket. “Would you like to tell him it’s over or should I?”

  “You’re an arrogant ass,” I laugh as I swipe my cell from him.

  He shrugs. “My point has been made. I’m better than your imaginary boyfriend.”

  He definitely better than anything imaginary. Hell, he might be better than anything I’ve ever had.

  Just then a phone rings and it’s not mine. Latson glances at his cell before picking it up and answering. “Hey, buddy.”

  I decide to walk over to my purse to give him some privacy.

  “What are you doing up? It’s after ten,” he says. “Yes. I know school’s over next week. You still have a bed time.”

  I smile as I put my phone away.

  “Jen,” Latson whispers and I turn around. “Where are you going?” he mouths.

  “Nowhere,” I whisper back.

  “What, bud? No, you cannot have that game. We’ve talked about this before. You know –” He’s cut off. “Oliver. It’s too late for this discussion.” He sighs. “Yes. We can talk about it tomorrow.”

  Latson paces back and forth as he talks to his nephew. Watching him makes me wonder how hard it was to go from fun uncle to father figure and having to set rules and boundaries. The realization hits me that he went from single rock star to single dad in the blink of an eye. The situation had to be a huge change.

  “I love you,” Latson says. “Sleep tight.”

  “Wait!” I whisper-yell and wave my arms to get his attention. “Tell Oliver I said hi.”

  Latson smiles. “Hey, O? Remember when I told you I was going to see Jen tonight?” He waits. “Well, she said to tell you hi.”

  I walk over to him as he ends the conversation. “Okay. I’ll tell her. I don’t – I can ask. Buddy, she might be busy.” Latson winks at me. “We’ll see. Goodnight. I’ll pick you up from school.” He hangs up the phone.

  “What was that about?” I ask.

  “Oliver would like to know if you’re free next week.”

  “For?”

  “The end of the year first grade picnic.”

  My heart melts for the kid a little more. “When is it?”

  “Thursday afternoon. You don’t have to go.”

  “Are you kidding? Of course I’ll go. I have nothing else to do.”

  Latson’s arms circle my waist and he pulls me close. “You have me to do.”

  My heart skips. “Oliver asked first. I can’t see you next Thursday.”

  He leans in and rests his forehead against mine. “Sneaky kid.”

  “Are you jealous?”

  He looks up. “I have been. The night he fell asleep with you on the couch? I’ve never been so jealous of a seven-year-old in my entire life.”

  I want to grin. Instead, I tip my head and run my finger along his shirt collar. “Is that why you felt the need to carry me to bed?”

  Latson’s eyes grow dark. “No. But I feel the need to carry you to bed right now.”

  He tightens his hold around my waist and presses my body to his. I can feel the need he’s talking about.

  Holy shit. It’s an impressive need.

  “I thought you said we didn’t have to do anything I didn’t want.”

  He blinks. “I did. I’m sorry.”

  He tries to step back, but I hold on to him. “That’s not what I meant.” I stand on my toes and find his ear. “I meant I don’t want you to carry me to bed. I can walk.”

  He buries his face against my neck. “You’re killing me.”

  Latson starts to walk backward, pulling me along with him. His mouth assaults my skin, kissing and nipping wherever he touches. I close my eyes and run my fingers into his hair, behind his head, to keep him in place. We make it into the hallway, the one where I shot him during the Nerf war, and his hands slide from my waist, to my hips, to my ass. When we stop walking, one of his hands disappears and I hear a door open. He steps back and takes my hand, leading me into his room.

  The lights are off, but the moon is high in the sky. Its light shines through sliding glass doors illuminating an impressive master suite. It’s big, bigger than any of the rooms in Pete’s apartment, and I remember Latson renovated the entire floor. In addition to a California king, there’s the typical furniture – a large dresser and two end tables. There’s also a seating area, with an entertainment center and a loveseat. I can also see a set of double doors which I assume lead to a closet. Or maybe it’s a bathroom.

  We stop walking next to the bed and Latson wraps me in his arms. He runs his fingers up and down my back and asks, “Are you sure?”

  I want to tell him my freaking blood is on fire, of course I’m sure. Rather than do that, I reach between us and pull at the bottom of his shirt. “I want to see you,” I whisper. Without question, he reaches for the back of his collar and pulls the shirt over his head. He crumples it in his hands and tosses it on the floor as I stand there and stare.

  Good lord.

  I go for his abs first. There’s no other choice when there are so many of them. I set my hands flat on his stomach, then run them over his defined muscles. I feel his breathing catch as I take my time tracing them before moving higher on his chest. His skin is so smooth I start to worry about my own. Pushing the thought aside, I step closer and start to follow my fingers with my tongue. Yep. I literally lick him.

  He groans and grabs hold of my waist, pulling at my dress and lifting my skirt. “How does this thing come off?” he murmurs as he tries to figure it out.

  I stop treating him like an ice cream cone and move back. I step out of my shoes before reaching behind my neck. “It’s pretty simple.” I smile.

  He smiles back, but doesn’t let me continue. He turns me around and then gathers my hair in one hand. I feel the tie on my dress loosen, then watch as the top half falls away. Suddenly, his mouth is on me, devouring the nape of my neck and traveling down across my shoulder. His touch feels warmer than before as he gently grips my hair and pulls, tilting my head in the opposite direction of his lips. His free hand sends a shiver down my spine as it slides around my middle, just grazing the bottom of my breasts. I think he realizes they’re free, because it takes only a second for his hand to find one and consume it.

  It’s not long before my dress is gone and I’m lying on the bed. He stands over me, his feet still planted on the floor, and his eyes rake over my body as his hands skim every part. My nerves jump into overdrive when he gets to my pink bikinis and stops. He threads his thumbs under them at my hips, pauses to kiss around my belly, and then slides them slowly down my legs. When they’re off, he stands and spins them around one finger. “I think I’ve seen these before.”

  I’m confused. “What? How?”

  He grins and lets my underwear fly off his finger. “I believe you called it Stripper Therapy.”

  Oh my God. He’s right. I didn’t even realize I put on the same pair. Wait. “You remember what I was wearing?”

  He leans halfway over me and lifts my legs, running his hands down the back of them. “Every detail of that performance is burned into my mind.”

  Everything inside me tenses. My eyes fall on his jeans and I set my feet against the front of them, curling my toes over the waistband. “Why are you still dressed?”

  He undoes
the button, and I help him shove them off with my feet. When he’s standing there in his boxer briefs, I have a flashback to dinner. My glasses fantasy can totally come true. When he rids himself of his Calvin’s, I make a mental note to make that fantasy come true. This man is gorgeous.

  I push myself sideways, further into the center of the bed and toward the pillows.

  “Where are you going?” He grabs my ankle and pulls me back.

  “Not far. I just –” Sweet mother! His hand slides between my legs causing my back to arch and my hips to jump. As my limbs go limp and my mind clouds over, I’ve never been so happy that he picked up a guitar and mastered it than I am right now. All rational thought leaves my mind as his movements bring sensations that build and build until my body lets go and hums.

  When I come down from the high, my eyes flutter open to see him backing away. Now it’s my turn to murmur. “Where are you going?”

  He kisses me and smiles. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”

  When he leaves, I want to complain about being cold without him near, but I can’t. The view I get when he walks away is priceless. Shoulders: strong. Back: toned. Waist: tapered. Ass: perfect. I bite my lip to suppress a grin. I can’t wait to get my hands on every inch of him.

  Latson makes it to the doorway and reaches inside to flip the light switch. He enters the bathroom and stands there, butt naked, and starts to rummage through the medicine cabinet. I think I know what he’s looking for, so I slide myself up toward the head of the bed.

  When he turns off the light and returns to me, he wastes no time covering my body with his. He plants kisses along my chin and down my neck, and I zero in on his shoulder with my lips. As my hands explore his back, he leans up on his elbows and holds a condom between his fingertips. “Sorry. I don’t keep these handy anymore.”

  I tilt my head. “There’s one in your hand right now.”

  “I meant in a convenient location. It’s been …” He looks down and then back at me. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had anyone in my bed.”

  “Are you blushing?” I tease.

  He shakes his head and gives me his lopsided dimple smile.

  “You are blushing!” I grin. “Give me this thing.” I steal the plastic from him. As I tear it open, he brings his hands to the sides of my face and gently pushes my hair behind my ears.

  “Jen.” His eyes focus on mine. “I don’t know what this is.”

  “It’s sex,” I laugh.

  His eyes grow intense. “Hell, yes.” He flexes his hips against mine, giving me a taste of what’s to come. My laughter fades into a moan.

  “God. I love that sound,” he breathes. “What I meant is I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

  Speechless, I get lost in his gaze, in his burning expression and beautiful eyes.

  “I don’t know what that means, but I want to find out,” he says. He runs his thumb over my lower lip. “Are you okay with that? Jumping into the unknown?”

  I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. I lift my head, plant a slow kiss on his lips, and then whisper against them.

  “Geronimo.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sunlight warms my face and I open one eye. I take in the room around me and wonder what time it is. I should probably get back to Pete’s in case he comes home. The last thing I need is a lecture on what he would perceive as the walk of shame.

  I bury my head into a pillow at the thought. Closing my eye, I allow myself a few more minutes of peace. I have no idea what will happen once I get out of this bed. Under the sheets, everything makes sense. My naked back is pressed to Latson’s chest, and his arm is draped over my side. My muscles are blissfully sore, and I feel warm and wanted. I’m me and he’s him, and we’re two people that really like one another. I don’t regret what happened.

  However, outside of the blankets, he’s my boss and my brother’s friend. I didn’t think about that last night. I was wrapped up in doing what made me happy, caught in the whirlwind that is Latson. I got lost in his kisses and touches and words. Do I want it to continue? Yes. But I’m pretty sure I’ll need to quit my job for that to happen. When I do, my brother will know something big went down. I hope it won’t create a problem for Latson, especially with Pete.

  The thought of a potential shit storm makes me groan into the pillow. I curse my over-analytical mind. Leave it to reality to crush my high. Forget it, I think. Relax. Remember your rule.

  Latson’s arm tightens around me, and he finds the crook of my neck with his lips. He gives me a sleepy kiss. “Why are you making strange noises?”

  “I’m sorry I woke you.” I roll on my back and look at him. He couldn’t be more adorable if he tried. His hair is sticking up in all directions, probably from me pulling on it, and his eyes are tired. “I was thinking about my rule.”

  “What rule?” He frowns. “Please tell me it doesn’t pertain to guys you sleep with.”

  I smile. “It does and it doesn’t.”

  He drags his hand over his lazy eyes, trying to wake up. “Care to fill me in? I don’t want to break this rule.”

  “It’s not for you. It’s for me.”

  He raises a questioning brow and I elaborate. “When I came to the city, I promised myself I would only do what made me happy. I made it my Cardinal rule. After everything in my life fell apart, I had to do something to stay sane.”

  Concern crosses his features. “Are you saying last night didn’t make you happy?”

  “Absolutely not.” I roll to my side and prop my head on my hand. “I haven’t been that happy in, oh, I’d say ever.”

  He gives me his signature smirk before giving me a hungry kiss. “But to keep the happy, I need to quit my job,” I mumble against his lips. “Pete will probably flip out, and I don’t want it to affect your friendship.”

  Without warning he rolls over and pounces on me, causing me to yelp. He covers my body with his, twisting the sheets around us. “This is what you think about first thing in the morning?”

  I laugh. “I can’t help it.”

  He hovers above me, leaning on his elbows. “We need to redirect your train of thought.”

  “I’m serious,” I say. “I can’t sleep with my boss.”

  A slow smile spreads across his face. “I know you can, because you did.”

  I try to kick my feet, but get nowhere. “This is an important issue!”

  “Only if you make it one.” He kisses my forehead. “No one will care if we’re seeing each other except for Pete. Do you really want to quit working at Torque?”

  “Well, no,” I confess. I like it there. The money is good and the people are better.

  “Then stop trying to create a problem. I don’t want you to quit. I like the thought of seeing you every day.” His voice gets low and seductive. “I can control myself. Are you saying you can’t?”

  I roll my eyes. “Of course I can.”

  “Like you said, outside of work we’re us. Inside, we can be professionals unless we’re alone.”

  “What?”

  He leans down and whispers in my ear. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about taking you over the bar.”

  A shiver runs up my spine. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  I have to admit that’s something I’ve never done – and would totally love to do. “Fine.” I pretend to be stern. “But we should set some rules. You can’t come within five feet of me while I’m working.”

  “Three,” he counters.

  “No touching.”

  “Can I touch you with words?”

  I sigh. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “Not at all.” He tries to look innocent.

  “I don’t want the other staff to think I’m getting special treatment,” I explain. “I got enough suspicious looks the day I started.”

  “That’s understandable,” he says. “Although …” His fingers trace a pattern over my skin, along the edge of the sheet trapped between
us. “You will be getting special treatment.”

  He nudges the fabric down, and I squirm beneath him. “I’m trying to have an adult conversation with you.”

  “And I’m trying to act like an adult with you.”

  His lips replace his fingers as he moves down my body, pulling the sheet off and exposing me along the way. “Just so we’re clear,” he mumbles against my belly, “I can’t think straight around you. It’s worse when you’re naked beneath me.”

  My body warms to his touch. “That sounds like a serious problem.” I run my hands into his hair. “Maybe I should avoid you altogether.”

  He nips my hip in admonishment, and I twitch. “Not an option.”

  He sits back on his knees allowing his eyes to rake over me. I’m not used to being scrutinized nude in the daylight, so I cover myself with my arms. “Stop staring.”

  Slowly, he crawls back up my body, taking my wrists and pinning them beside my head. “Again, not an option.” He leans in and kisses my neck. “You’re beautiful. You’ll be lucky if I let you wear clothes when we’re alone again.”

  I laugh. “I think you’re just happy I agreed to stay the night.”

  “No.” His eyes immediately snap to mine. “I meant what I said. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. I don’t know if it’s your smart mouth, your talent, or your heart that makes me want you more, but you haven’t left my mind since day one. Yes, I’m glad last night happened, but I’d feel the same if it hadn’t. I don’t think you understand what you’ve done to me.”

  My expression softens as I take in his words. “What did I do?”

  “You made me feel.”

  He releases my wrists, and I rest my hands on his arms. “Feel? I don’t –”

  “I’ve been numb,” he says. “I knew I was, but I didn’t care. A month ago I never would have performed in front of a crowd. I wouldn’t have asked a woman out on a date, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have talked to my father. Those things happened because of you.”

  A tiny smile dances across my lips. “Well … you’re welcome.”

  “Now,” he focuses on my mouth, “can we stop talking? I don’t get many Oliver-free mornings, and I’d like to enjoy our time while we can.”