The Way He Looks at Me [What Are Friends For 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Rita Sawyer

  “If you’d like to go up and check on him, I’ll buzz you in.” Tanya offered.

  “Thanks.” Karen slid off the stool and walked over to the door that led to Blue’s apartment.

  The buzzer sounded, and she turned the knob. She glanced back to wave and found his three sisters standing shoulder to shoulder. Tanya and Debbie were both smiling, while Paula stood there with her mouth hanging open. If she hadn’t already known it, she would have instantly guessed that Blue didn’t entertain women much. At least not many his sisters knew about.

  The rock music from the bar was silenced the second the door closed behind her. It was instantly replaced by something slow and sultry coming from upstairs. She followed the music, ending up standing outside his bathroom. The door was wide open, revealing a room much larger than she expected. Blue’s jeans, shirt, and a pair of boxer briefs were lying on the floor. The shower took up almost a whole wall and could have fit three people, or two having a really good time. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors kept all the steam in the shower stall, but she could easily see everything.

  Blue was gloriously naked, of course. His left hand was pressed against the tiled wall and his head hung forward. His right hand was stroking his cock while the stream of water coursed down his back. Enthralled with the scene in front of her, she couldn’t turn away. She knew she should say something to let him know she was there. Instead, she silently inched closer and closer until she was just outside the glass door. Karen watched, and he stroked himself faster, stiffening his back slightly. She’d never watched a guy do this before and never considered how erotic it could be. It wasn’t hard to imagine herself wrapping her hand around his stiff cock, and with a firm grip, stroking from tip to base. Her clit throbbed, and her pussy got wet just thinking about it. Okay, she was already damp from just watching him, but now she could use a new pair of panties.

  When he groaned and she heard her name on his lips, she couldn’t keep quiet anymore. “You know that’s a perfect waste.”

  Blue jerked his head up as he spun to face her. As he lost his balance and fell hard against the wall and slid to the floor, she realized how stupid it had been to startle him. Heedless of her clothes and his nakedness, Karen yanked the door open and leaned into the shower.

  Getting herself completely soaked, she shut the water off. “Oh, my gosh. Tell me you’re okay and nothing is broken.”

  Reluctantly, and only after brushing her hands away a few times, he let her help him up. “Other than being embarrassed, I’m okay.”

  She grabbed the towel hanging on the rack by the door and wrapped it around his waist. Karen was damn positive that a very important part of him wasn’t broken. She walked with him as he limped through the apartment to his bedroom. It was hard to stand by and do nothing as he gingerly lowered himself to the bed. She was pretty sure he wasn’t telling the truth about not being hurt, but she decided to let him save a little face by not babying him. He may not have broken anything, but he was hurting all the same. Whatever she had been thinking might happen when she got there, that wasn’t it. He was hurt because of her, and she wasn’t leaving until she was satisfied that he was really okay. Even if he was, she didn’t want him to overdo it and possibly make things worse.

  * * * *

  Blue could barely look Karen in the eye. Though his left ankle was killing him, the inside of his right thigh was on fire, and his back throbbed, the last thing he wanted was for Karen to see him as weak. Without her help, he wasn’t sure he would have managed to get out of the shower. Of course, with the way his luck had been running today, his cock took her nearness as a reason to rise to attention. She’d gotten him a towel, even going as far as to wrap it around his waist, but it didn’t hide his arousal one bit. Karen had stuck close to his side as he limped through the apartment to his bed.

  Neither of them spoke. Really, what was there to say? It was perfectly natural for a guy to jerk off in his own shower and expect a little privacy. Damn, with his sisters busy downstairs, he hadn’t thought to close the door. He hadn’t planned on taking long enough that there was a chance that anyone would have walked in on him. If he had avoided touching his cock, there wouldn’t have been an issue, but once he did, it was useless to pretend he wasn’t as hard as a steel rod and dying for some release.

  What did she expect after the night he’d spent in her bed and then being denied her body for the past few days? To say the least, he’d been a little stressed. His sisters had noticed, and it put them on edge, too, which is why he was in the position he was in. If he hadn’t been so tense, things in the kitchen would have gone much smoother. Instead, his sisters were worried, and it had led to more than one accident. Hopefully with him out of there, they were doing much better.

  Still, during all this, not once did he think he would’ve been better off not getting involved with Karen. Just the opposite. He knew he was flustered because of her, but he thought the answer to his problem would be spending more time with her.

  “I take it my sister let you in.” He lowered himself to the bed, trying not to groan as his body protested the movement.

  “Yes. Can I get you anything?” she asked, glancing around the room.

  “Clothes would be a good start, unless you’d like to keep me this way.”

  “How can you joke when I almost killed you?”

  Blue reached up and took her hand. “Relax. I’m fine, truly. Nothing got bruised but my pride, and probably ass.”

  The look she gave him said she saw right through his lie. “If I was a sadist, I’d ask you to prove it.”

  “Socks and underwear are in the top drawer.” He tried to hide his grimace as he flexed his foot, but she caught it.

  “I’m not leaving here until I decide you’re okay.”

  “You know, I think you’re right. I may have twisted something. Maybe you should put me to bed and lie down with me to watch over me.”

  She tossed the socks and boxers at him. “You’re not funny. I’m serious.”

  “I know you are. Come here.” He patted the bed beside him.

  She sat down, but too far away for his liking, so he tugged her closer. Blue kissed her pouting lips, because he had to. She closed her eyes and sighed. He was right on the money thinking they both needed that. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around him. He let her run her hands over him, guessing she was looking for a sign anything was out of whack.

  “See, I’m good.” He pressed another quick kiss to her lips. “I admit I’m going to be a little sore, but I’ve taken hard hits playing football with kids at the park.”

  She leaned back and looked at him. “I’ll make you a deal. If you take it easy for the rest of the night, I’ll sleep over and make you breakfast in bed. I’ll even help your sisters downstairs, even though they seem to have everything under control.”

  “Honey, only a fool would turn down an offer like that. Now, seriously, wanna help me get dressed before I do hurt something by making love to you whether my body can handle it or not?” She smiled and slid off the bed onto the floor in front of him.

  He handed her the socks, and within seconds, she had them on, but when he handed her his boxers, she dropped them beside her. “You know, I think you deserve a little combat pay.”

  “Really?” he asked as she ran her hand up his thighs under the towel.

  Her nails sliding along his skin almost tickled, but not quite. She found his cock, which bobbed eagerly at her touch. Blue smiled as she flicked the towel open, exposing his cock. One hand wrapped around it while the other rested on his thigh. She leaned forward and licked the swollen head, and he almost choked on the air he sucked in. Her lips closed around his shaft as she drew him in. Between the sweet suction of her mouth and the way she cupped and caressed his balls, he knew he wasn’t going to last very long.

  “Karen. Damn, I’m gonna come.” He warned her, but she kept going until he surged his hips forward, feeling his cock hit the back of her throat.

  He pulled
her off him and covered his cock with the towel. He came with a grunt and fell back onto the bed. She laughed and joined him.

  “I would have kept going.” She ran her hand along his chest.

  He nodded, knowing she would have, but something told him she would have only been doing it for him. If it wasn’t something she really wanted to do, he could deal with it. After all, what she’d just done was nothing to complain about.

  Chapter Six

  Blue and Tanya usually talked about everything, good or bad, but he got the feeling she was holding something back. So he’d asked her to come along with him to pick up some supplies for the bar. They drove about an hour away to one of those huge warehouse stores where you could buy just about anything in bulk. Other than asking what they were getting so she could make one of her famous lists—he should be grateful she had that little quirk, since it kept the bar and Lyle’s garage from running out of toilet paper and hand soap—she hadn’t said much.

  “So what do you think of Karen?” He took the chance that this might be the subject bothering her.

  “She’s nice. She’d probably be clueless behind the bar, but makes the customers smile.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “It’s the only place my opinion should matter.”

  That pissed him off and confused the hell out of him. “You’re my sister. If you don’t like someone I’m dating, I hope you’d have the good sense to tell me.”

  “Why? I’m not dating her. I’m not sure you are, either.”

  She’d lost him with that. Luckily they were pulling into the parking lot. Blue planned on getting to the bottom of this there and then. He parked the car and pressed the button locking the doors.

  “I want you to explain that comment.” He softened his tone and added, “Please.”

  She shrugged and let out a sigh. “I guess I, we, want more for you than the occasional booty call.”

  Blue couldn’t hold back his laughter. “You think I’m a booty call? Seriously? Me?”

  Tanya scooted closer to her door as she turned to look at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you mad or hurt your feelings. I told you, it’s really none of my business. Can we just go shopping?”

  He just shook his head. He wasn’t angry or hurt. In fact, he was touched his family felt that way. Surprised, but touched. And to think they apparently thought he was worthy of being considered as a booty call.

  “Wait a second. Karen and I are just taking it slow. We talk every day even if we can’t see each other. Is this what’s been bothering you? You think she’s using me for sex?”

  “Blue, you might not want to admit this, but you can be a little clueless when it comes to women.”

  “What?” Where the hell was she getting this shit from?

  “Half, if not more, of the women in the bar hit on you, and you don’t even notice.”

  “Honey, I notice plenty, but I’m selective. I’m not looking for a bar bunny, or someone who thinks I’d make a quick lay.”

  “But Karen spent the night and fled right after breakfast.”

  “She had previous plans with her friends and didn’t want to blow them off, but she was willing to if I wanted.” He shook his head. “We decided to meet for dinner tonight.”

  “And the other night you went to her place, and you were home by nine the next morning.” She crossed her arms over her chest, looking angry.

  “Karen’s a schoolteacher. She went to work at seven thirty, after we made breakfast and talked for about an hour. There was no reason for me to stay at her place alone.”

  “I guess that makes sense. Maybe you should find someone that lives closer and has a better schedule?”

  “Honey, my heart doesn’t work that way. I’m not going to dictate conditions on the women I’m willing to date. And right now, there is only one. If we’re enjoying each other, we’ll work around the schedules and distance. Okay?”

  “I guess, but she better not break your heart.”

  “Wow. I never noticed this protective streak in you before.”

  “I never knew I had it where you were concerned, either. I’ve always felt the need to stick up for Debbie and Paula, but that’s different.”

  “Well, it’s good to know it’s there.” They got out of the truck and headed for the store. “Should I warn Lyle?”

  “No!” She pushed his shoulder, giving him a playful shove.

  Blue tugged her close, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He was glad to see her smile back. She grabbed a carriage, pulled her list out of her pocket, and they were off. They were almost finished when Blue heard a familiar laugh. He looked around, but he didn’t see her anywhere, so he chalked it up to wistful thinking. A few aisles away, he heard it again. This time he was sure of it. He edged to the end of the aisle, not letting Tanya out of his sight, but far enough that he could get a better look around.

  They were a few rows ahead of them. And as far he could tell it was Karen, Amy, Lainey, and Dianne. Sadie and Jillian either weren’t with them or were in a different section. Happy just to watch them, he decided to wait for them to notice him. Tanya turned the corner, and he moved to the end of the next aisle to wait for her. He glanced over at Karen and her friends as a well-dressed guy approached them. Whoever he was, they knew him. Blue noticed the way her friends put themselves between the guy and Karen.

  From his angle—and it may not have been the best—it looked like they were attempting to distance themselves from him, but the guy didn’t get the hint. He had two choices. Option one, let them deal with it on their own and ask Karen about it later. Option two, he could go over and casually intervene. Not one for leaving women in the lurch, he decided to go with option two.

  “Tanya, I’ll be right back.” He walked over and slid his arm around Karen’s shoulders. “Hey, honey.”

  “Hi.” Karen smiled up at him, and he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

  “Hey, Blue,” Amy said, which was echoed by Lainey and Dianne.

  The guy cleared his throat, and Karen glanced at him, but it was Amy who made the introduction. “Donald, this is Karen’s new boyfriend, Barry Collins. Blue, this is Donald. He teaches at the same school as Karen.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Blue held out his hand, and though Donald looked nervous, he took it.

  “You, too.” Donald turned his gaze to Karen. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

  “It’s new, and not many people know.”

  She looked up at Blue, and he added, “Yet.”

  Blue saw Tanya standing a few feet away and waved her over. “Ladies, you remember my sister, Tanya. Tanya, this is Donald, a fellow teacher at Karen’s school.”

  “Nice to meet you.” She held up her list. “I’m going to head to the freezer section.”

  “Oh, I’ll come with you. I need fudge pops for Slade’s nephews. They inhale them.” Amy fell in beside her and Lainey and Dianne followed suit.

  “Well, I’ll see you at school,” Donald said and quickly walked away.

  “Sorry if I came on too strong.” Blue shrugged, knowing they hadn’t exactly gone public with their relationship. Hell, they hadn’t even talked about going public. “But it seemed like he was bothering you guys.”

  “Donald lacks some social skills, but he’s not a bad guy. Did you find out what was bothering your sister?”

  “Yeah. It was you.”

  “Me? What did I do? Should I go talk to her?”

  “No. It’s all good now. I took care of it.”

  “Blue, I need to know what it was. I don’t want to cause problems for you.”

  “Okay, but you’re not going to believe this.”

  She straightened her shoulders. “I can handle anything.”

  “Tanya was under the impression you were using me for sex.”

  “Well, you do make a fine specimen to experiment with.” She slapped his chest and shook her head. “Stop fooling around and tell me.”

  “I’m serio
us. She accused me of being your late night booty call.”

  The look on Karen’s face was priceless. For once, he had the good sense to pull his phone out and take a picture. Her head was cocked to the side, her face colorless, eyes wide, and her mouth hanging open. One day they’d laugh about it. Obviously not today, but he was sure they’d get there at some point.

  “Hey, are you catatonic?”

  “No, but I could use a gin and tonic. Are you serious?” He nodded. “You’re not fucking with me.”

  “Baby, that’s the point. She thought I was fucking with you and nothing else.”

  Karen covered her face with her hands and made a loud, strangled noise. Blue glanced around and noticed a few people looking their way. He tucked Karen against his side and ushered her a few aisles away until he found an empty one. Once they were standing still, Karen hid her face against his chest and wrapped her arms around him.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” He rubbed her back. “I explained that it only seemed that way because of our schedules and the distance. She understands now.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Then explain it to me.”

  “Your sister thinks, or thought, I am a slut. Everyone I know has always accused me of being a goody two-shoes. Even as a member of the Sin Sisters, I was the most innocent, and everyone blamed them for corrupting me.”

  “Sin Sisters?”

  “Me, Lainey, Amy, Dianne, Sadie, and Jillian were assigned the moniker by the teachers at our all-girls school. It stuck all through junior high and high school,” she explained, pulling out of his embrace to pace the aisle.

  “What kind of naughty things did you girls get into?” He waggled his eyebrows hoping to lighten the mood.

  It didn’t work. “It’s not funny. I’ll never be able to look your sister in the face again.”

  “Excuse me. If I can look you in the eye after you caught me jerking off—” A loud gasp came from behind him, and he turned to find two older women standing there gaping at him.