by Marie Harte
To her surprise, she enjoyed the frightfest. She jumped at all the right parts and laughed when he did the same. Unlike most guys, he didn’t try to act macho. He had fun, made her laugh, and turned her on without trying. He was just so…Johnny.
They exited the theater amid chatter about the excessive gore in the movie. “Wasn’t that great?” she gushed.
“A little over the top when the doll started bleeding from every orifice, don’t you think?”
“I thought that made her seem more real.”
He snorted. “Yeah. Dolls that bleed black and screech about demonic possession are so lifelike.”
“Exactly.”
He dragged her with him out of the way of a throng of theatergoers exiting from another movie. The multiplex had been packed, and she felt the crush as they moved toward the building’s exit.
“Thanks,” she said, breathless, as the wall of the corridor braced her back.
Then his mouth was on hers, a whisper of a kiss full of heat and desire. It was gone before she could blink, and she could only stare up at him, wanting more.
“I’ve been dying to do that all evening. And, well, a guy can only take so much temptation.”
“Temptation?” she echoed weakly.
“Yeah.” He sighed. “You loved a demonic doll. I mean, you hate baseball, but you loved Suzy Oozy—she of the hellish diapers and acidic eats-through-anything vomit.”
She nodded, still dazed. “I know, right? Great stuff.”
He chuckled and moved closer, away from the crowd pushing through the complex.
“Problem is I really liked Suzy. Now I’m going to have to hide my niece’s baby-cries-a-lot doll the next time I see it. Talk about super creepy.” She rubbed her lips, staring at his, still reeling from that kiss.
“You say creepy, then you touch your mouth where I kissed you. I’m sensing a correlation.”
“Big word for a self-proclaimed knuckle-dragger—wasn’t that what you called your friends at Ray’s the other night?”
“Well, them, sure. But I’m more advanced than that. I can even spell correlation.” He paused. “With a dictionary.”
She was enthralled with him, despite being on her guard not to be. “How are you so much fun? Is this part of your shtick?”
He frowned. “My what?”
“Your shtick. Your routine. Do you get your dates laughing so hard that they don’t notice when you have them half-undressed?”
“Now, Lara. They always know when they’re getting naked with me. How could you think otherwise? I have standards, you know.”
He looked wounded, and she laughed and let him pull her along with the crowd. He kept his hand around hers, even when they left the theater, and she didn’t pull away.
“So, batting cages?” he asked hopefully as they found the car.
She groaned. “No thank you.”
He shrugged. “Your loss.”
“Thanks, Kareem.”
He looked pained. “That’s basketball.”
“Whatever. I’m not a fan of either sport.”
“Obviously. Kareem?”
She laughed at him. “I was kidding. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the Lakers from ’79 to ’85. Do you know what pro team he started with?”
“Do you?” He opened the car door for her, then circled to the driver’s side.
“The Milwaukee Bucks in 1969.”
“Okay, I’m impressed. That almost makes up for not liking baseball.”
She got into the car with him and confessed, “I only know that because my dad used to force me to watch old games with him when I was a kid. The basketball I could tolerate, but show me a Mets game, and I want to throw up. I think my head might spin too, worse than Suzy’s did for sure.” She sat with him in the quiet of the moment, wondering if she’d gone too far. Vomit wasn’t exactly sexy. “Um, not that sitting in absolute silence with you isn’t awkward or anything—”
“Glad to hear it.”
“—but if we’re not going to do the baseball thing, what did you have in mind? And don’t even think of suggesting we go back to your place.” She liked that neither of them had yet mentioned just ending the date. It was only a little after ten on a Friday night. Early by anyone’s standards.
“Well then. Take the wind out of my sails, why don’t you?” He blew out a breath. “Fine. We’ll go to yours.”
“My place?”
He started the car and drove out of the lot. “Exactly. Great minds think alike.”
Her heart pounded. “Exactly what are we thinking?”
“That we’ll hang out at your place, where you’ll practice more nursing on me. You can examine my pitiful bruised cheek. You know, the one I got rescuing a damsel in distress?”
“Going to milk that for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”
“Hell yeah. I figure if I remind you enough, you might take pity on me and let me kiss you again.”
Chapter 7
He hadn’t meant to put it out there, but now that he had, Johnny wanted another shot at holding her close.
“We— I— Well.”
She hadn’t flat-out said no. A victory, of sorts. He had to keep things light, to not scare her off. Because damn, he had to have her. That kiss had only whetted his already enormous appetite when it came to Lara Valley.
“So you and your dad watched basketball together?” Discussing her father should put her at ease, and he wanted to know everything he could about her anyway.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw her regard him with caution. Smart girl. “Yeah. We’re close. The whole family is. Reason why I talked to Ron—the guy you beat up—even though I know he’s an asshole. I was doing my sister a favor.”
“I remember who Ron is,” he said drily. “So how was getting attacked by him doing her a favor?”
“Ron said he’d give Kristin more in the divorce settlement if I mediated with him. He and my sister cut out the lawyers.”
“A smart move, except for the part where he thought he was getting more than mediation.”
“Yeah. Gross.”
“So why didn’t he meet with her instead of you? Do you have some kind of law background?”
“No. Ron’s a sleaze. He couldn’t get into my pants when he was married to my sister, so I guess he thought he’d try again now that they’re almost divorced.”
“What a dick.”
“You said it.”
He shook his head. “Your sister is fucked. No way is that guy going to play fair.”
“I know.” She sighed.
Great job. Why not be more of a downer? And watch the language! Maybe he should institute his own swear jar. “I should thank Ron,” Johnny said to lighten the mood. “He gave me a workout.”
“I can’t believe you let him land a punch. I’m a little disappointed.”
He glanced at her in surprise before turning back to the road. “Really?”
“No. I just wanted to screw with you.”
“Honey, all you had to do was ask.” He felt her staring at him, and predictably, he grew hard. Good thing he’d worn dark jeans to hide the fact.
“It’s like everything I say has some sort of sexual innuendo with you.”
“Yep.”
She snorted. “Everything?”
“Uh-huh. Everything—euphemism for penis. Next.”
“Never mind. I don’t think I want to know.”
“You really don’t.” She sure the hell didn’t want to know how badly he wanted to sink inside her, to feel her all around him.
They drove for a bit in silence before Lara spoke. “So I was thinking…”
“The four most dreaded words a woman can say.”
“You’re horrible.”
He slanted a wink her way. “I try.”
She laughed. “Stop it. Anyway, since I’m not into baseball, how about playing some cards? I’m pretty good at War.”
He started. “I haven’t played War since I was a kid.”
&n
bsp; “I have two nieces. When they’re not warring on each other, they’re warring with cards. I hate to admit it, but it’s fun.”
An excuse to hang with Lara. “Well, I guess…”
“Or we could call it a night and—”
“Fine. Stop begging. I’ll play cards with you.”
“I wasn’t begging.” She frowned. “But you—”
“We’re here.” He parked in a guest spot and turned off the car.
“Lucky for you I’m still feeling the pleasant aftereffects of that amazing dinner and tub of popcorn. Come on.”
They walked to her floor. Unlike the last time he’d been by, the noise level had grown significantly. He heard shouting, laughter, loud music, and a couple going at it the way he wanted to with Lara.
She blushed. “Ignore Romeo and Juliet. Friday night is their date night.”
“Must make it awkward, seeing them the next day or hitting the stairwell together.”
“Oh, it is. Trust me. Especially when Jo-Jo’s spent half the night riding Eric like a bucking bronco, complete with wahoos and ride ’em cowboys.”
He grinned and waited while she opened her door. He noticed she locked it behind them, and he approved. A woman couldn’t be too careful, especially after dealing with assholes like Ron. And speaking of which…
“So have you heard from Ron since?”
“Nope, and I like it that way just fine.” She dropped her purse and hung up her jacket in the closet. Then she motioned for his, so he took it off and handed it to her. “You want something to drink?”
“What do you have?”
“Beer and water. I ran out of milk this morning.”
Another thing they had in common. A tendency to put off grocery shopping. “How about a beer?”
“Good choice.” He watched her putter in the kitchen, giving new testament to the term domestic goddess. That shoulder-baring sweater was driving him crazy with the need to pull the rest of it down. Anything to expose the creamy wealth of her breasts.
She handed him a beer and had one for herself, which he liked. She must trust him a little if she finally didn’t mind drinking with him. “Wait here.” She returned with a ratty deck of cards. “I deal.”
“I’m a guest. Shouldn’t I get to choose?” he asked as they settled at the kitchen table.
She shuffled the deck. “You’re shifty. I’ve seen you at darts.”
“That was sheer skill.”
“According to Foley, you must have stepped over the line a few times to get closer.”
He snorted. “Please. Foley’s muscles get in the way of his aim. And his brain.”
She snickered.
“I’m a precision kind of guy.” He let her ponder that one while he studied her face and, a bit more subtly, her breasts.
She glanced up but only saw him gazing innocently at her face. “Precision guy. Uh-huh. You’re shifty. I’m dealing.” She focused on the cards again.
Man, she was clever. Saw right through him. Brains always impressed the hell out of him, but wrapped in a package like hers, he had a hard time thinking about anything but making sweet love to Lara.
She kept her eyes on the cards. “And quit staring at me like I’m a lame bunny and you’re a big bad wolf.”
“I’m not—”
“Please. I can feel your pretty eyeballs all over me, Prince Charming. Drink your beer and be good, or your ass is out of here early.”
She sounded as if she meant it. The fact she’d make him work to earn her, perversely made him want to try harder. It’s like she’s playing me, and I’m letting her.
He frowned. Was she? Was this all a game to her? Had she sensed the depth of his attraction and meant to use herself as bait? The way Amber had always been able to get what she wanted out of his father? Like dancing on a pole for money, she’d danced around Jack Devlin for affection. Then once she’d gotten it, she’d walked away without a backward glance, uncaring that she’d left more than one broken heart behind.
The sad thing was that his father continued to repeat the pattern. At least Johnny knew better.
Lara set down the cards. “I was kidding, Johnny. I mean, I don’t think you’re looking at me like that. It was a joke.”
The vulnerability in her eyes touched him. No, Lara wasn’t into games. Not like that. And man, did that make him want her more—and not just for sex.
Emotional asswipe. Grow a pair, Devlin. He could almost hear Lou mocking him. He cleared his throat and felt his cheeks heat. “If you can’t feel me looking at you like that, I must be doing it wrong.”
She gave a relieved laugh and finished dealing the cards.
He spent the next forty-five minutes playing a kid’s game, when he could have been maneuvering his way into her bedroom. That he hadn’t tried to, that he’d enjoyed himself with her, trading barbs and just soaking up her company, told him more than anything that his interest in her meant something.
At first, all he’d wanted was to do her, to conquer the unattainable female. And sure, that was immature and beneath him, but he’d been a few years younger. Before he’d recognized that dimple she wore when she was happy. Or how her eyes turned a shade darker before she’d lay into a guy with a smart-ass remark, then laugh with rich enjoyment. Before he’d known she’d taste like heaven and addict him from one simple kiss. Now he wanted—he didn’t know what he wanted, but it wasn’t just sex. When was the last time he’d hung out with a woman for fun, no expectation of a fuck afterward?
Sure he wanted one. But tonight felt magical. He had no intention of ruining it. The only matter on his mind was how to get a second date with the sexy woman.
“War,” he said, pleased when two jacks popped up.
“Oh man.” She glanced from her pathetic card to his pile. “I have just enough. One card left…” She waited for him, and they turned their last cards over together.
His ace to her two of spades.
“That’s just sad.” He shook his head, flipped over her cards, and saw he’d won a face card and a few number cards. “I won the queen.” If only.
She frowned. “You must have cheated.”
“For almost an hour? If I’d wanted to win that bad, I wouldn’t have stretched this out for so long.” He stood and stretched. “Ah, that feels good. Bathroom?”
She nodded to the hall and warned, “You’d better put the seat down when you’re done, or I’ll tell everyone you made a move on me and I laughed at your tiny pride and joy.”
“Now we both know that’s a lie. Tiny. Right.” Johnny had no problem when it came to confidence in his body. He laughed his way into the bathroom and came back to see her sitting on the couch, nursing a second beer. He’d already had two and had stopped himself from having any more. He did have to drive tonight. Unfortunately.
He joined her on the couch and turned to face her instead of dragging her into his lap. “There’s something we need to get clear.”
“Oh?”
He fucking loved that challenging light in her eyes. Antagonizing yet playful. “Yeah, oh. That comment you made about me enjoying the stripper lifestyle.”
“Do tell.” She set her beer down.
“It’s more a lifestyle proclivity than a fetish for strippers.”
“You are just whipping out the big words right and left,” she teased. “But color me intrigued. How is it a ‘lifestyle proclivity’?”
“Simple. My dad has always had a thing for strippers. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good athlete.”
“I’ll bet you do.”
“But I grew up around ‘Daddy’s friends’ and saw most of them as mother figures.” Before they’d inevitably take off. “What can I say? My dad is fascinated with ti—ah, with breasts.”
Her lips quirked.
“Trust me when I say the glamour of naked breasts lost its luster years ago. Strippers are just hard-working women who happen to take their clothes off for a living. Pretty, sure. But a naked woman is just a naked woman.”
“Um, yeah, that’s the point.”
“No, it’s not.” He started to get annoyed. “I’m trying to tell you that I can look at a woman and see more than her body. I’m not all about tits and ass and nothing else,” he growled, disappointed Lara didn’t seem to understand him. “Knowing what they go through just to make a living has shown me they’re more than—”
She cut him off by knocking him flat back against the couch.
“Lara?”
Her eyes narrowed, and she maneuvered him so he lay under her. Shocked, he let her move him around like a puppet, wondering what came next. A punch? A kiss? Praying for the latter, he lay still. Then she kissed the breath out of him.
And his entire world spun out of control.
* * *
Lara couldn’t take it anymore. All night long she’d gotten new insights into Johnny Devlin, and they’d floored her. He acted like a playboy only interested in fixing cars or charming ladies. But Johnny was intelligent, had a vocabulary better than hers, and was downright nice. Well, maybe nice wasn’t the right word. But he had a good heart under that scheming soul.
She never would have guessed he’d be happy enough playing a juvenile card game, when he could no doubt have called Cara for a better time. And he hadn’t made a move all night, well, not counting that sweet kiss at the theater.
He was driving her crazy.
Those subtle glances at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice. Keeping her warm when she’d been cold. Going on and on defending women involved in a trade most men either jeered or leered at. A gentleman passionate about protecting others.
A girl could only take so much.
She had wanted to gobble him up when she’d pushed him onto the couch. This kiss… She loved the taste of beer on his breath, the feel of a strong man under her hands. God, his biceps were huge.
She learned the feel of his lips, the taut resistance of the broad chest under hers. Johnny had so much powerful muscle, yet he lay still, not dominating, but accepting her lead.
When she eased her tongue between his lips, he gave a loud groan and shuddered. She felt like a real queen with the power to command the tiger at her touch.
He broke the kiss, breathing hard, and stared up at her. “Fuck, Lara. You can’t just… I was trying to be good, damn it.” He drew her back down, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed the sense right out of her.