Ronnie’s grin widened. “How about we eat out? There’s a jazz band playing at Sullivan’s Pub.”
“That sounds like fun.” Iona loved music, a consequence of her best friend Blaine’s stardom. Iona doubted Wyn had heard of Blaine’s singing. The local radio stations favored country or oldies.
Would he like Blaine’s sultry style? Or maybe songs with a hint of blues or jazz? Only one way to appease her curiosity. She could invite him too. It had nothing to do with the need to see him again. She was simply being nice. “In the meantime, I might take a walk.”
“Do you want some company?”
“Not today. I—” Movement on the dock in front of Wyn’s house caught her eye. A tall man wearing only a pair of swim trunks and sunglasses walked toward a couple of women in bikinis who lounged at the end. She curled her fingers into a fist. “Is that Wyn?”
Ronnie leaned closer to the window screen. “I think so.”
Iona squinted to take in the scene and couldn’t stop the surge of annoyance at seeing the man she’d accepted into her body less than twenty-four hours ago with another woman. Two other women.
One of the girls threw herself into his arms and kissed his cheek. Iona’s gut clenched. She forced herself to turn away. “I’m surprised he decided to throw a party. He seemed excited about spending time with me.”
Ronnie’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Stupid, Iona. “He wanted to show me some American traditions. He talked about a baseball game, football, hiking. That’s all. Don’t read into it. He was just being nice.”
“Wyn is a nice guy. He knows nothing about women, though.”
Iona would beg to argue. He’d worked her body expertly. No doubt his skill came from years of practice with long-legged country girls. Iona clenched her jaw and motioned to him. “Looks like he does.”
“Oh, he’s quite popular, but he’s never had a lasting relationship. He gets bored easily.”
“Oh.” Iona crossed her arms. The sense of rejection squeezing her heart was unjustified.
“Kyle hopes it’s just a matter of finding the right girl to keep him interested.”
Wyn’s comment about having her pay him with kisses and how she was the only girl who’d ever caught his attention played through her head. Apparently she could only hold his interest for a night, though.
“So what time is dinner?” Iona asked to change the subject.
“We’ll leave around five.” Ronnie made her way to the door. “There are leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry before then.”
Iona waited for Ronnie to leave, then took off her shoes and tossed them at the wall. She stood there fuming and hating the reaction. Sex. It was sex. She’d made it perfectly clear to Wyn she wasn’t interested in anything else. Then he had to kiss her as if he couldn’t wait to see her and repeat their lovemaking. Because that was what it had been. Wyn had made love to her. Every touch and heated caress he’d delivered had turned their fucking session into so much more.
Stupid, ridiculous emotions. She ground her teeth and considered what to do about them. Replacing him came to mind. She couldn’t bring herself to do it. And that left her where exactly? Confused, that was where. She shouldn’t have screwed him last night.
Too late for regrets.
She walked to the dresser and pulled out a bikini. A grin spread. She might not know how to handle her feelings, but there was one thing that would help. She’d give him a reminder of what he’d missed out on by abandoning her for Bimbos One and Two. Oh yes, torturing Wyn Sander sounded like the perfect remedy for her bad mood.
Chapter 7
Wyn grabbed two longnecks from the fridge and made his way to the deck. Playing host for his friends and brothers wasn’t how he’d planned to spend his day. He wanted to be with Iona.
“Here.” He shoved a beer into Levi’s hand.
Levi twisted the cap and tossed it into the trash. “What the hell’s your problem?”
“Nothing.”
“You’ve been miserable all day. That’s not like you.”
No, it wasn’t, and it annoyed him. Wyn leaned against the railing, his back to the lake so he didn’t end up staring at Iona’s window, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. That’d be a dead giveaway, and she didn’t want anyone to know they’d been intimate. He hated the idea of hiding what they’d done, but he’d play her game. The other choice was to forget it happened, exactly as she’d suggested. Nope, not an option.
“Didn’t sleep much last night.” Which was true. He’d sat on the deck, watching Iona’s window and wishing he was with her. All he’d wanted was to curl around her and sleep. He hadn’t been able to think of anything else and had given up on getting any shut-eye.
Levi grunted and took a drink. “Did you meet Ronnie’s sister yet?”
“Iona?” Wyn half-turned to seek out her window before stopping himself. “She came into the garage yesterday.”
“Kyle said she’s hot.”
Wyn chugged his beer and set the empty bottle on the railing next to him. “Yep. Not surprising, being Ronnie’s sister.”
“Is she as nice?”
Intriguing. Intelligent. Funny. He shrugged. “Seems so.”
“Kyle’s hoping she ends up moving to the States.”
So was he. Actually, he wanted her here in Sander’s Valley—or, more specifically, in his bed. “Ronnie would like that, especially with a baby on the way. She doesn’t have anyone besides our family.”
“Can’t believe this time next year there’s going to be a kid around. Makes me feel old.”
“Are you getting the itch to settle down?”
Levi rubbed the back of his neck. “Considering I haven’t dated anyone in months, I doubt that’ll happen anytime soon.”
“What about that girl I saw you leave the pub with the other night?”
“Never made it to a bed.” Levi snorted. “Being called my brother’s name killed the moment.”
Wyn cringed. “Sorry, man.”
“I’m used to it.” Levi drank from his beer. “Maybe I’ll ask Iona out before Jack digs his claws into her.”
Muscles tensed, Wyn grabbed the railing. He fought his first urge to stake his claim. “Doubt you’ll have any luck. She probably likes her men in suits and ties.”
“Or bare-chested in wet swim trunks.” Levi motioned to the lake with a jerk of his chin. “That’s her, isn’t it?”
Wyn whipped his head in the direction Levi indicated. Iona leaned against the barrier around the dock, one heeled foot propped on a rail. A see-through wrap was tied around her hips, exposing her bent thigh. He let his gaze travel higher. Her hair hung in loose waves down her back, and the red bikini she wore was skimpy enough he would’ve been able to see her rose and butterfly tattoos if he were closer. She was gorgeous and unbelievably hot. She was also too damn close to his slut of a cousin.
He cracked his jaw. “Yeah, that’s her.”
Levi snorted. “She is hot. Too damn bad, though. Looks like Eric got to her first.”
Eric brushed a few wayward strands of her hair from her face, and Wyn cursed. “No fucking way. He is not touching her.”
Wyn hopped over the deck and strode toward them. Levi’s laughter followed him. Wyn didn’t care what his brother thought. He wouldn’t let Eric get any ideas in his head.
His jealousy rose with each step, a first. Iona did crazy things to him, and the primitive instinct demanding he throw her over his shoulder and carry her home wasn’t one he could give in to. He curled his fists and tried to push it back. Iona’s sultry voice carrying on the breeze didn’t help. Neither did the sight of Eric caging her in against the railing of the dock.
Heart pounding hard, Wyn stepped next to them and intercepted Iona’s hand before she placed it on Eric’s chest. She glanced at him. Her eyes sparkled. The amusement in her expression outed her. She was playing with him. Trying to see how he’d react. Why, he wasn’t sure. To test him? See if he’d keep their relationshi
p a secret? Well, he could play along, at least until he got her alone.
“Give the lady some breathing room, Eric. She’s looking a little flushed.” Wyn tugged on her hand, and she allowed him to draw her away.
“It is quite warm today. I thought I’d take a dip in the lake since my plans got cancelled.”
Of course. She was punishing him for breaking their date. He settled a hand on her hip and toyed with the string of her bikini. “Well, if—”
“And what plans were those?” Eric cut him off. A year older and he thought he could still treat Wyn as if they were kids. If they’d been alone, Wyn would’ve set him straight. He didn’t want to fight in front of Iona, though. He just wanted Eric gone.
“A tour of the valley.” Iona faced Eric. Wyn’s fingertips trailed over the softness of her belly with the move. He locked his elbow to stop himself from yanking her against him. “I was very much looking forward to it too.”
“That’s a shame.” Eric held out his hand. “Come on. We’ll go back to Kyle’s place so you can get dressed, and then I’ll take you around.”
Iona reached for him. Wyn caught her delicate fingers and spun her into his embrace. She gasped and bent her head. Widened eyes met his. He held her gaze a long moment, fascinated by the look of slumberous desire that bled into her brown orbs.
Fucking perfect.
Gaze locked with hers, he staked his claim. “Sorry. Iona’s mine to escort. I was just letting her sleep in. She had a late night.”
Eric cleared his throat. “I see. Well, if you get lonely again—”
“She won’t.” Wyn would make sure of it.
“All right, then. See you around, Iona.”
Wyn waited for Eric to leave before he released her—not what he wanted to do, but the alternative involved swinging her into his arms and striding back to his house. “What are you doing here?”
She straightened. “Aren’t I welcome?”
“You know you are but flirting with my cousin after what we did last night doesn’t sit well with me.”
She huffed and stepped around him. He glanced over his shoulder and focused on the sway of her hips as she sauntered to the end of the dock. The wind lifted her hair and the gauzy wrap she had tied around her slim waist.
Wyn let his gaze travel from her heeled sandals to the slope of her delicate neck. His cock stirred to life. He fought the reaction. There were too many people watching them. Hell, he and Iona were probably the center of attention. It wasn’t often he chased after a woman. Actually, he never had.
He moved behind her but didn’t touch her. Her hair tickled his chest, and her refreshing spring-rain scent enveloped him. He bent his head and sniffed her hair. More of the soothing fragrance he’d begun to associate with her filled his lungs. So damn good. He dragged in another breath, needing the connection to her it offered.
“I’m sorry I broke our date, darling. I couldn’t exactly demand Ronnie wake you, and it wouldn’t have been right to go to your room myself.” He lowered his voice. “I thought about it though.”
“We didn’t have a date, and you don’t owe me any apologies.” Ice dripped from her words.
“We did, and I do.”
“Why?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Are you feeling guilty?”
“For what?”
She gave a half shrug and faced the lake.
“Talk, darling, or I’m going to show you right now how I feel about you. And just so you know”—he bent closer until his breath bathed the side of her neck—“my brothers, cousins, and friends are watching us too.”
She leaned to the side. Her eyes widened. She faced him. “Don’t they have anything better to do than spy on us?”
“Yeah, but this is a first for them. They won’t want to miss it.”
One perfectly arched brow rose. “Don’t you talk to women?”
“Sure. I just don’t chase them when they seem interested in another guy. Not worth my time.” He lifted a lock of her hair and inhaled. Blood rushed to his cock. He let her silky strands slip through his fingers. “You’re not interested in Eric, are you?”
She gave another half shrug. “Maybe.”
“Don’t tease me, Iona.” He tipped her chin and waited until she met his gaze. Desire darkened her eyes. “Yes or no?”
“No.”
He trailed his fingertips along her jaw. The hell with what people thought. She’d pushed his hand by flirting with Eric. “Good, ’cause I want to repeat what we did last night.” He leaned closer until his mouth was a hairbreadth away from hers. “Right. Now.”
Her shaky exhale caressed his lips, tempting him to close the scant distance. He groaned. The woman would be the death of him. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to kiss her. He wouldn’t be able to stop.
“I didn’t come here for sex.” Her voice took on that deep drawl he loved.
“What did you come here for?”
“A swim.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes, that’s all.”
He loosely wrapped his fingers around her delicate wrists and skimmed them up her arms. She didn’t stop him. Her breathing quickened. At her shoulders, he toyed with the ties on her bikini top. One pull and the cups would fall. How would she react if he tugged the string?
Would she show him her temper and let him soothe her? Or storm away, cursing him? The need to find out took hold. He wanted a girl who’d fight, then make up with him, not one who’d hold his actions and mistakes over his head forever. ’Cause God knew he wasn’t perfect.
He eased back, blocking her chest from those watching them, and grinned. “Okay then, let’s go for a dip in the water.”
“I changed my mind. I—”
He yanked on the ties. The tiny swatch of material covering her nipples slipped. She sucked in a rough breath and covered her exposed chest with her hands.
“Wyn!”
He chuckled and shoved her into the water. She hit the surface on a gasp. He jumped in after her and drew her against him. She shoved at him, but he scissor-kicked closer to the dock’s overhang to give them a mediocre amount of privacy.
“You barbarian!” She punched his chest. Water splayed over them both. “I can’t believe you did that.”
He sat on bent knees in the shallow water, his back to anyone who might be watching, and pulled her against him. On a groan, he captured her mouth and kissed her hard. She bit at his lips and wiggled in his grasp. He tilted his head and delved deeper, urging her to follow his lead. After a moment, she twined her tongue with his, matching his passion with her own.
Perfect. She had given him the response he sought, but he had to make sure.
He ran his hands over her back, then down her sides to settle on the slight curve of her ass. She spread her legs, inviting him closer. Oh yeah, mad or not, she wanted him touching her. Soothing her. Arousing her. It was exactly what he needed to know.
He squeezed each ass cheek and swept his fingers lower. His common sense warned him not to touch her intimately. Sure, they were partially hidden, but he wouldn’t put it past his cousins not to intrude. They’d think it hilarious to catch him in the act. Iona would freak, and Wyn would be furious. He didn’t want anyone to ruin time spent in her arms.
He laid his fingertips over her cloth-covered sex instead, but she wiggled her hips and kissed him harder, a silent plea and one he couldn’t ignore it. He’d only tease her. Just a few strokes. He could resist more. He hoped.
He shoved the crotch of her bikini aside and plunged two fingers into her center. She cried out, the sound muffled by his mouth. He stilled with his fingers lodged deep and turned his head, breaking their kiss. “Quiet, love. You don’t want everyone to know what we’re doing, do you?”
“Oh God.” She froze.
He brushed his lips over her cheek. “Nobody can see us here unless they look over the bank.” He would know. He used to hide from his brothers here when they’d played as kids. “Even if they do, they won’t
see anything. Too many shadows.”
She shoved against his chest. “We are not having sex here.”
“Of course not.”
The tension drained out of her body. “Good, then let’s get back on shore before anyone gets the wrong idea.”
“Not until I give you what you came for.”
One corner of her mouth quirked. “Do you want to swim with me?”
“Maybe later.”
She huffed. “Well, that is why I came over.”
“No, it’s not. You missed me.”
Her eyes sparkled, all signs of her annoyance gone. He breathed a sigh. She’d forgiven him. All it had taken was a kiss.
“You have an ego, don’t you?”
“A small one, maybe.” He lazily brushed his knuckles over her folds. She closed her eyes, and a shaky sigh escaped. He grinned. “But I know what you need.”
“You do?”
He slipped his fingers into her opening, stroking her welcoming center.
“Something to hold you over until you can ride my cock tonight.”
She chuckled. The sound whipped through him, tightening his balls. “I was right. You do have an ego.”
“Am I wrong?”
She slid her hands over his shoulders and linked them behind his head. Her erect nipples teased his chest. He pushed his fingers deeper and enjoyed the quiver of her inner muscles over them.
“Well? You want to come around my fingers, don’t you?”
Another soft whimper escaped. Warmth bathed his digits, but she didn’t respond.
He wrapped her wet hair around his palm and tipped her head back on a rough tug. She groaned. Her eyelashes lowered. More heat surrounded his fingers.
Damn, she was perfect. And he was the one she was with, not Eric. Having the right to touch Iona was better than winning the lottery.
Wyn nibbled up the column of her throat to her ear. “Answer me, love.”
“Yes.”
He thrust his fingers into her core and curled them, stroking her sensitive inner walls. A low grunt escaped her lips. Her eyes rolled back in her head. He worked his tongue between her lips and kissed her. She fed him more moans with each twist of his spread fingers.
Fix Me: Men of Sander’s Valley, book 2 Page 6