Love Bites: Five original stories edited by Lori Foster Love UnleashedMane HavenMolly Wants a HeroDog TagsSmookie and the Bandit

by Lori Foster

  As long as they both accepted that she was off-limits, Evan could tolerate the ribbing. “I don’t know.”

  Brick shook his head in mock pity. “He’s usually not so chicken shit with women.”

  “He’s just been timing things,” Jesse said in Evan’s defense. “Waiting for his opportunity to strike.”

  Bull. He’d “struck” several times, but Cinder wasn’t reciprocating. The last thing he wanted to do was run her off by overstepping the boundaries she’d set, especially now that she was hurt and in need of a friend. “She’s not exactly giving off signals, ya know.”

  Jesse looked taken aback, then said in an aside to Brick, “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Total chicken shit.”

  Ignoring the continued insults, Evan checked the clock. How long before she returned? “If she ever seems willing, I’ll be all over it.”

  “And by then,” Brick said, “some other dude might’ve swept in and stolen the opportunity.”

  That idea got him pacing the tiny kitchen. What was taking so long?

  “She is surrounded by doctors,” Jesse pointed out. “You know, guys with pedigreed backgrounds and plenty of money to spend.”

  And he was an elementary math and gym teacher—but he knew Cinder didn’t care about that. He checked the time again. “She doesn’t even date, damn it.”

  “No,” Jesse said, “she just hangs out here—with you.”

  “With all of us.”

  “For you,” Brick stressed.

  “Because Doug likes me. You know we pet sit for each other.”

  “Damn, brother, you’re being so obtuse, it’s embarrassing.” Brick gave him a shove. “Pet sitting isn’t the only thing on her mind.”

  Were they right? And if so, then why didn’t Cinder show some interest?

  It was as if Jesse read his mind. “She’s shy, you know.”

  “Cinder?” Evan snorted. “She is not.”

  “Not when it comes to patients, or to caring for her dog, or helping neighbors—no, she’s not. For that stuff, she’s friendly and outgoing and funny. But anything sexual…she’s supershy.”

  Mmmm…possibly. Cinder never hesitated to approach a new neighbor. She was open and welcoming to everyone. But whenever one of the men in their apartment building flirted—and most of them did—she shied away, or didn’t notice.

  Brick added, “Why else would she hide that killer body?”

  Food for thought. Contrary to most sexy women, Cinder did tend to cover up and dress down. He spoke his thoughts aloud. “It’s almost like she has no clue how sexy she is.”

  “So tell her,” Jesse suggested.

  “Then go from there.” Brick thought about that before shaking his head. “But go easy tonight. I mean, she’s a little beat up—”

  This time Evan shoved him. “Like I need you two giving me advice?” No, he wouldn’t pressure Cinder tonight, but he would love to reassure her, to comfort her. “When was the last time you had a significant other?”

  “Never,” Brick said. “Thank God.”

  “You know he likes playing the field,” Jesse added. “As do I.”

  “I thought you and Lisa were going strong.”

  “Nope. That’s over.”

  “What happened?”

  Jesse shrugged. “Nothing.” And then: “I only went out with her four times, Evan. Don’t make it sound like we were engaged.”

  “Four times is two times too many, far as I’m concerned.” Brick shuddered. “It gives women ideas.”

  “You’re both Neanderthals,” Evan accused. “Why is it you’re all set to stay single, but you want me to hook up?”

  They said together, “Cinder is different.”

  Amen. Very different. “I can’t argue that.”

  “So do something about it already.” Jesse toasted him with his cola. “Before it’s too late.”

  “While you stew on it, I think we’ll go watch the rest of the fights.” Brick elbowed his way out of the tiny kitchen, and Jesse went with him.

  Evan heard them take the TiVo off pause, and then the raucous noise of a competition filled the apartment.

  Because Cinder liked to watch the fights, too, Evan always recorded them for her. She’d missed the first two fights already.

  Maybe he’d convince her to hang around after the guys left. Maybe, given what she’d been through, he’d convince her to stay the night.

  With him.

  Nothing sexual, not with what had happened today. But to hold her all night…

  His front door opened without a knock. Neither of them stood on ceremony when visiting. If either of them had anything private going on, for instance, when Cinder showered, the door was locked.

  Wearing a big, loose white sweatshirt with jeans that fit her voluptuous shape like a second skin, her feet bare, she led in the dog and the cat.

  She’d washed the rest of the ruined makeup from her face and left her blond curls loose. Given the movement of her heavy breasts under that sweatshirt, she wasn’t wearing a bra.

  For any guy with a pulse, she’d be a lush, sweet fantasy come to life.

  “Is the food ready?”

  Evan drew his gaze from her chest to her face. Heat pulsed beneath his skin and his muscles felt twitchy. “Take a seat. I’ll bring it to you.”

  She graced him with a teasing smile. “You’re too good to me.” Then she parked her pretty rear on the corner of the couch. Doug immediately sat on the floor by her feet and laid his head over her knee. Cate got on the back of the couch to curl up near her shoulder.

  After giving her a long look, Jesse said, “You’re just in time. The third fight is about to begin.”

  She pulled a throw pillow into her lap. “Were the other fights good?”

  Brick spoke quickly. “Don’t tell her a thing.”

  “Ohhh,” she said, a little peppier now that she knew the guys wouldn’t continue questioning and pampering her. “They must’ve been good. I can’t wait.”

  Evan set her Coke on the end table and handed her the plate of food on a tray. She balanced it on the pillow.

  Near her ear, Evan spoke quietly so the others wouldn’t hear. “You’re up to watching the fights?”

  Just as quietly, she said, “It’s a good distraction.”

  Because he couldn’t help himself, he brushed a thick curl behind her ear, then cupped her cheek. “All right. But if you need anything, tell me.”

  For a brief moment, she leaned her shoulder into his, a familiar and comfortable gesture. “For right now, this—all of it—is enough.” She tucked into her food and gave her attention to the big-screen TV.

  Even with the black eye, she looked precious to him. This—all of it—is enough. What did she mean by that? The camaraderie? The food?

  The closeness?

  An hour later, he still didn’t know. She’d eaten all her food and insisted on putting her own dishes away. He heard her get an OTC pain med while she was in the kitchen, and it left him rigid with concern. When she returned, this time with a bottle of water for each of them, she sat a little nearer to him, almost as though she needed the contact.

  Trying to guess her thoughts kept him so distracted, Evan missed more of the fights than he saw.

  Doug stayed especially close to her side, no doubt sensing her upset. He didn’t demand her attention, but he was there, protective and attentive.

  Maybe, Evan thought, he should do the same.

  And since when did he start taking his cues from a dog? But as she hugged Doug several times, he decided it was the right thing to do. Somehow he’d convince her to stay near to him—and eventually she’d enjoy being there.

  Chapter Two

  The dread built as Cinder watched the last fight. Now the guys would leave, and…she’d have to go back to her own apartment.

  Alone.

  But she wouldn’t be a sissy. She wouldn’t be a burden. She had Doug. Everything would be fine.

  The guys were animated, yelling suggestions to
the last two fighters, cheering, groaning and cursing a little. Tonight, being distracted, Cinder watched them more than she watched the fights.

  Brick looked a lot like Evan, with his dark hair and eyes, his height over six feet. Less than two years separated them, but Brick seemed older. Maybe more jaded.

  He might share a resemblance with Evan, but his demeanor was darker, edgier. He played harder, cursed more and dated endlessly. It seemed to her that Brick went from one woman to another, while Evan…well, she’d rarely seen him date much. Or if he did, he didn’t tell her about it.

  Probably a good thing, given how tough it would be for her to know the intimate details of his social life. That is, whatever social life he had when she wasn’t around. Couldn’t be much of one, between work and the time he spent at the apartment…with her.

  “No!” Jesse sat forward, disgruntled over the turn in the fight. He was tall, too, but unlike Evan and Brick, he had dark blond hair and vivid green eyes that sometimes looked right through a person, into her soul. He was a serial dater like Brick, but maybe more romantic. When he dated, anyone could see that he made a woman feel special.

  Brick, apparently, just made the ladies hot. For certain, he never wanted for female attention.

  When the fight suddenly ended with a knockout, everyone yelled. Doug jumped up with an energetic bark, his tail thumping in excitement. Disgruntled, Cate curled tighter and put her tail over her little face.

  Cinder tried to join in the discussion of the fight, but it was futile. Instead, she gathered up the empty cans and bowls of chip crumbs and carried them to the kitchen. She was rinsing out cans when arms came around her.

  Brick.

  Smiling, she put her head back on his boulder-hard shoulder. “Ready to leave?”

  “Yup.” He kissed her temple. “Keep me posted, okay? Let me know if they catch the bastard who hurt you.”

  She patted the hands laced around her waist. “I’m sure they will.”

  Brick released her and, as she turned, Jesse drew her in for a hug. He carefully lifted her right off her feet. “Take it easy, okay? Maybe consider letting Evan coddle you a little.”

  She’d been smiling over the embrace—until he mentioned Evan. Looking toward Evan, she saw him standing back, arms crossed, gaze attentive.

  And damn it, she blushed.

  “I keep telling you guys, I’m fine.” She pushed away from Jesse with a frown. “I don’t need to be coddled.”

  “He doesn’t mind, do you, Evan?”

  “Be my pleasure,” Evan said in a low, suggestive voice that sent her pulse skittering into overdrive.

  Her face went hotter still. Lord, now they were all three scrutinizing her, but she did not want to be forced on Evan. “You’re all a bunch of old ladies.” She shooed them away. “Go home. But drive carefully. It’s storming again.”

  There was another round of hugs, and then she stood alone with Evan. Doug watched her, waiting to see if they would leave or stay.

  Evan remained near the kitchen doorway, arms still crossed, his attention burning.

  What did that mean? Was that hot stare out of concern, or something more? “I’m going to help pick up before I go.” She straightened a cushion, turned off a lamp, went back to the kitchen—passing close by Evan.

  He didn’t move. If it was one of the other guys, she’d give a hip bump or a playful push, maybe even make kissing noises at him.

  But with Evan, given her hidden feelings, she always felt awkward and obvious and sort of exposed. So she squeezed past him without a word—and he let her.

  After she went to the sink, Evan came up beside her. She froze as he reached around her…and took a doggy treat from the container on his counter.

  Her breath escaped in a sigh.

  “Here you go, boy.” Evan handed the treat to Doug.

  Until then, she hadn’t realized Doug was dogging her heels so closely. She turned and gave him a pat. “My shadow,” she teased. “I should have realized you were there.”

  “He’s worried about you.”

  She did not want to feel guilty for making her dog worry. “He always follows me.”

  “Not like this.” Evan again touched her hair. “He’s probably picking up on things you want to hide.”

  “What do you mean?” She knew exactly what he meant. “I’m not hiding anything.” Such a big fib.

  Evan stood so much taller than her that when he stared down at her that way, she felt small, and incredibly…feminine.

  In truth, she was neither. She was far too chubby, a tomboy who preferred sweats to skirts for everyday life.

  “Cinder,” he chided, and his hand curved around her jaw.

  He had such big, warm hands that her toes curled. “Hmm?”

  “There’s no one here but us now.”

  She was all too aware of that. “I know.”

  “We’re good friends, right?”

  Sadly, yes, they were only good friends. She nodded.

  His mouth quirked at the way her hair bounced around. He smoothed it before continuing. “I don’t expect you to fall apart, because that’s not you. Hell, the world could start coming down around you, and you’d take charge.”

  “Thanks.” That made her sound sort of…bossy. And cold. “I think.”

  “But you were attacked. No way will I believe you’re blowing that off.”

  He knew her too well—except he didn’t know that she’d fallen hopelessly in love with him only days after meeting him. “Okay, so I’m a little jittery. No big deal. I’ll be fine.”

  “’Course you will. But with me, you don’t have to put on a front.” His other hand lifted to her face, too, so that now he held her caught in his gaze. “Okay?”

  He had such a piercing, sexy expression that she felt herself swaying toward him. Doug leaned into her side, breaking the impact of that awesome stare.

  To cover her reaction, she laughed a little too loud. “Sure, okay. No problem.”

  Given the way he watched her, he wasn’t fooled. “When do you return to work?”

  Because it made her look wimpy, she gave the admission defensively. “The hospital offered me time off, and I took it. I don’t have to go back until Wednesday.”

  “Good.” His thumb brushed her cheek once, twice, and he dropped his hands. “It’ll reassure Doug and me both to keep you within reach for a few days.”

  Within reach? “Umm…”

  “You might be indomitable,” he teased her, “but I’m as shaken as Doug is.”

  She gave him the smile he expected over the outrageous comment. As a gym teacher who partook in physical activity every day, Evan was in primo shape. Tall, muscular, lean. Only a few years older than her, with black hair and mellow brown eyes shades lighter than her own.

  He was downright dreamy—and she was his pal.

  Turning away, she busied herself by rinsing dishes. He took them from her and dried. It was always like that. They worked as a friendly team.

  It sucked.

  After she wiped off the counter, she returned the dishrag to the sink, turned to Evan and prepared to force herself to say goodbye.

  Before the first whisper of sound left her mouth, Evan said, “Stay.”

  She drew a blank. “Stay?”

  “Here with me.”

  She looked at Doug, but he didn’t seem to find anything amiss in the invitation. In fact, he thumped his tail as if in encouragement.

  “You mean…to watch the first fights I missed?”

  “If you want.”

  That left her totally confused. “What do you want?”

  “For you to stay here with me.”

  Well, that cleared up…nothing. To buy herself some time, Cinder said, “I was going to take a nice, long shower.” She wrinkled her nose. “You’re right that I’m a little tense still. I figured the hot water would help relax me before I head to bed.”

  “You’re tired?”

  It seemed as good an excuse as any to escape the
awkwardness of lusting wildly after a guy friend. “A little, yeah.”

  His expression warmed. “Go ahead, then.” He fingered the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “But when you’re done, change into your pj’s and come back over.”

  “But…”

  “You can sleep here.”

  Her eyes rounded and heat rolled through her. She squeaked, “Here?”

  Amused at her reaction, his smile spread. “You’ve dozed on my couch before.”

  Oh Lord, oh Lord. Once, after a long shift with overtime, she’d come over to get her dog, sat down to talk and all but passed out. She was still embarrassed about it—especially since he’d been sitting there looking at her when she’d awoken. “Not on purpose!”

  All too serious, he asked, “Would you rather have my bed?”

  While the bottom fell out of her stomach, he continued.

  “I’d actually prefer that. But, honest to God, honey, I’d like to keep you close. At least for tonight.” He held her upper arms. “You can give me that, can’t you?”

  Oh, she wanted that so badly. But was this a misguided come-on? And if it was…wouldn’t he end up disappointed?

  And would his disappointment end the friendship she cherished so much?

  Evan put his forehead to hers. “Stop thinking and just go indulge in your shower.” After a quick kiss to her brow, he led her to the door. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

  Feeling more than a little numb, she retreated across the hall to her own place again. She let herself in, and Doug came in behind her. Before she shut the door, Cate shot through, too.

  It was endlessly amusing how Cate followed Doug, and vice versa. Back and forth from her apartment to Evan’s and back again. Wherever one animal went, so went the other. Even when Doug did his business outside, Cate would follow. She didn’t need a leash, because she didn’t wander away from his side.

  Evan still stood in his doorway, one shoulder propped against the frame, watching her.

  “I’ll bring them both back with me in just a little bit.”

  “Take your time, honey. I’m not in a rush.”

  No, he wasn’t in a rush. And despite the fancy of her imagination, he wasn’t interested. Not in that way.

  Not in the way she most wanted.

  Hadn’t she learned the hard way her lesson on the preferences of big gorgeous men?