Rooter (Double H Romance)

by Smith, Teiran

  “And part of that path is continuing to let her kiss and touch you inappropriately?”

  “No. I told her it had to stop.”

  “Then why were you both smiling?”

  “What?” He furrows his brow seemingly confused.

  “After she grabbed you, she said something to you that had you blushing.”

  He bows his head and looks to the floor. “I don’t remember.”

  “Bullshit,” I snarl and lean in close. “Do not lie to me or you can leave right now.”

  He looks up at me earnestly. “She said to call when I realize how much I miss her.”

  I shake my head. “That wouldn’t have made you blush. Tell me what she said.”

  He rubs the back of his neck. “You don’t want to hear it.”

  I smack the arm of the chair. “Yes, I do!”

  He speaks through gritted teeth. “She said to call her when I realize how much I miss pounding her tight pussy.”

  We both stare at one another for a long moment. He’s gauging my reaction and I’m trying to calm down.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. “Do you miss it?” I ask pointblank.

  “No,” he asserts as though I should already know this.

  “Of course you do! Who are you trying to fool? Me or yourself?”

  He’s certainly not fooling me. Rooter is the kind of guy who gets around. The kind of guy who is used to lots of sex with lots of women. And after my little freak out the other day, he’s got to be thinking he made a mistake with me.

  “You want honesty? I’ll give it to you. If sex was all I was after I’d probably be with her right now.” His words cut me to the bone and I flinch. “But that’s not what I’m after, Sophie. I want something real.” He gets on his knees before me. When he places his hands on my legs I lean back. “I never thought I’d be saying this, but I want to be with someone I can fall in love with. That’s you. I want to give you my heart and I hope you’ll give me yours.”

  Chapter 21

  Forgiveness

  I draw in a sharp breath and blink repeatedly while Rooter stares at me with hopeful eyes. I can feel my heart reaching for him from within my chest. Did I hear that right? He wants to fall in love with me?

  I want him to fall in love with me and I thought I’d fall in love with him. But Candace is a huge complication. A complication I’m not sure I can accept. I can accept that he has a past. However, I can’t accept that past being a part of his present especially if it will be flaunted right in front of my face.

  Worse yet is the idea of what goes on—and what will continue to go on—between them when I’m not around. I don’t want to deal with a slutty ex-whatever constantly throwing herself at my boyfriend. But if I continue this with him that’s what I’ll be signing up for. But then I see his gorgeous face anxiously staring at me, begging for a chance. Even though I believe what he said, I’m not sure what to do.

  I fall back in the chair and rub my face. Rooter’s hands grip my legs conveying his panic.

  “Please don’t let one mistake ruin everything.”

  “That’s just it!” I exhale sharply. “This probably isn’t even the first time something like this has happened and I seriously doubt it will be the last.”

  “I’ll handle her.”

  “Like you did yesterday?” I push his hands off my legs. His touch is too much. I can’t think clearly when his hands are on me.

  “Sophie, please.” He sits back on his haunches.

  “Your situation with her is a lot more involved than you led me to believe,” I sigh. “You’ve known her your entire life which means she’ll always be around.”

  He leans forward again, but I hold my arms out to keep him at bay. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about, I promise.”

  “I believed that until yesterday.”

  He shifts forward again and takes hold of my hands so I can’t stop him from getting close. “I won’t let that happen again. Sophie, please give me a chance.”

  I must say something, but that something can’t be yes or no because I’m far too inclined to say yes. It scares the hell out of me. “I need time to think.”

  Without hesitation Rooter shakes his head. “No.”

  “No?”

  “That’s right. No.” He leans in temptingly close. “You want to pull back and be distant and pissed off, go ahead. But I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay right here and prove to you that this is where I want to be.”

  Utterly fucking astounded, all I can do is blink and stare him in the face which isn’t even two inches from mine. If he kissed me right now I wouldn’t stop him. I wouldn’t be able to. His close proximity is jarring my senses and ability to think.

  “So you go ahead and do what you need to do,” he continues, “and when you’re done being pissed at me, let me know.”

  There’s nothing I can say to that so all I do is stare at him, mouth agape.

  It’s a slow night at the Grand so it gives me and Ryan time to chat while I help him clean behind the bar. I’ve just told him about my conversation with Rooter and what he said at the end.

  “Nice one, Rooter!”

  I immediately stop hanging wine glasses and suck in a breath. “What? Nice one?”

  “Not to excuse what happened, but the man is owning up to his shit and is willing to take whatever heat you dish out. Good for him.”

  “I hadn’t looked at it that way,” I admit and go back to hanging the glasses while Ryan organizes one of the beer coolers.

  “I’m not happy about what happened, Soph, but I think Rooter’s a good guy with good intentions.” He comes over, lays a hand on my shoulder and looks at me with caring green eyes. “I mean, he’s never had a girlfriend. He’s bound to cock up every now and again.”

  Ryan and I exit the restaurant to find Rooter sitting on his bike next to my car. I won’t admit it to him—I have a hard enough time admitting it to myself—but I’m happy to see him. His being here to make sure I get home safe proves he does indeed care for me.

  “Go a little easy on him,” Ryan whispers before heading to his car.

  “How was work?” Rooter asks and dismounts the Harley as I approach him. He’s wearing a long sleeve, fitted black shirt that clings to his muscular physique. When he reaches up to rub the back of his neck it lifts just enough to reveal a hint of his midsection.

  God why does he have to be so perfect? It’d be a hell of a lot easier to be pissy if he wasn’t so ridiculously hot. “Slow and very boring.”

  “Want to ride home with me?” He puts his hands in his pockets and he rocks back and forth on his heels.

  One moment I want to reach over and pull him in for a kiss and in the very next moment, I see Candace’s mouth on him and I want to slap him. I shake my head. “I have my car.”

  “I can bring you back to get it tomorrow.”

  I open my car door. “I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning.”

  Rooter lifts an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

  “Just an annual. But it’s an early appointment so I’ll need my car.”

  “Okay, I’ll follow you home.” Rooter leans in for a kiss and I turn my face and give him my cheek. I can’t have his lips on mine when all I can think about is those same lips kissing another woman.

  The drive home takes forever. I’m so tired that I have to blast music and bite my tongue to stay awake. Ryan’s words keep playing in my mind reminding me I need to take it easy on Rooter. It would be different had Rooter been the aggressor in the kiss, but he wasn’t. And I need to keep in mind I’m his first girlfriend. He’s not used to having to think of another person’s feelings when women hit on him.

  But it’s thoughts like this that make it worse. He probably has tons of women throwing themselves at him. Women willing to do anything and everything for just one night with him. He says he wants to have a relationship with me and we’ve only made out once. And then I remember how he said he likes that I’m different; that I make hi
m want things he’s never wanted. He said it himself, he isn’t after sex. He’s after something real. So should I suck it up and give him a pardon or do I take a few days to digest everything?

  I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts I almost drive past my house. At the last possible second, I slam on the brakes and make a hard right into my driveway nearly smashing into the trash can.

  “Forget where you live?” Rooter jokes, but his voice is thick with concern.

  “Wasn’t paying attention.”

  We walk in an awkward silence to my door. Walking side by side without holding hands or touching in some way feels… wrong. Does he sense it too? I blow out a heavy breath as I unlock my door.

  “I’ll be right back,” he says when I step into the house.

  I whip around to face him. “Rooter, you don’t need to stay tonight. Mike won’t come around here.”

  “Sophie, you don’t know that.”

  “Yes, I do. And so do you.” I look at my feet. “The only reason you want to stay here is because of what happened.”

  “Fine, you’re right.” He lifts my chin so I’m facing him. “I told you I wasn’t going to give you space.”

  He’s making this so hard for me. My stomach is in knots. I want him to come in with me and hold me through the night. But every time I look at him, I see her. Her bouncy blonde waves, her perfect body, her red lips pressed against his.

  “No, you said you wouldn’t give me time to think. You didn’t say anything about space.”

  “Well, I’m definitely not giving you space.”

  He’s got to be kidding me. I’m elated and frustrated at the same time. But who is he to decide that he’s spending the night? “Well, you can’t stay in my house without my permission.”

  He lifts his chin in consternation. “I won’t let you push me away.”

  “I’m not pushing you away,” I half lie with a huff. “I’m tired. I want to go to my room and go to sleep.”

  “Fine, then let’s go to your room and sleep. We don’t have to talk and I won’t lay a finger on you.”

  Why lay your fingers on me when you can lay them on Cand-ass? God, these thoughts need to stop. “Rooter,” I lay my head against the door jamb, “just go home. Please.”

  “That’s what you really want?” He challenges.

  No. I don’t know. “That’s what I want.”

  Rooter reaches out and cups my face with his palm. “There’s really very little I wouldn’t do for you,” he says with a sad smile before walking away.

  What the hell does that mean?

  The first thing I do when I get to my room is close the blinds. Seeing Rooter in his room would be far too tempting. I know I’d text him and tell him to come back. No matter how much I want him here, no matter how much I want to put this whole thing behind us and move on, if I give in this soon, he won’t take me seriously. I need to put my foot down now. He needs to know how much it hurt me to see him with Candace and he needs to know I won’t tolerate that kind of behavior.

  Five minutes later, I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling wishing Rooter was here with me. I don’t want to talk and touching would be a really bad idea since it clouds my judgment, but I want him here. I want to be near him. Close enough to feel his warmth and smell his scent without any words or contact. I peek out of my blinds and Rooter’s window is dark. Is he in his bed? Is he doing the same thing I’m doing right now?

  I grip my sheets tight and exhale in frustration when I hear the wood floor creak outside my door. Miranda must be up. Maybe talking to her would help. As I sit up my door opens and Dopey trots over and pokes my arm with his wet nose. Rooter’s silhouette stands before me in the dark. Happiness, relief, and astonishment cascade over me.

  “What the—” Rooter’s fingers gently brush my lips to hush me. His touch relaxes and excites me all at once.

  “Remember me saying there’s very little I wouldn’t do for you?”

  I nod and inhale deeply allowing his scent to envelop me.

  “Well, I refuse to give you time or space.”

  “So you break into my house?” I ask, trying to sound annoyed when he removes his fingers from my lips. I can’t let him know how happy I am he’s here.

  He chuckles. “I didn’t break in. I used the hide-a-key.”

  “I honestly don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything. Let’s go to sleep.” Rooter kisses my forehead and crawls past me into the bed against the wall. I remain upright staring at him in disbelief. He pulls me into a spooning position and drapes a protective arm over me. “Good night, Sophie.”

  “Good night, Rooter,” I say, hoping he can’t hear the relief in my voice.

  Somehow, in the night, I must’ve turned around. When I’m woken by the sound of my alarm, I’m tucked face first into Rooter’s bare chest with our legs intertwined. His head rests on the pillow above mine. I suck in a deep breath and inhale his masculine scent. It feels so good to be in his arms. Actually, it feels better than good. It feels right. Rooter reaches out and shuts the alarm off. When I try to roll over I’m stopped by two strong arms pulling me tight against him.

  “Stay here a little longer,” he murmurs and I happily obey. He reaches down and massages my back and I can’t stifle my moan. “I like waking up like this,” he admits.

  Me, too.

  “I need to get up,” I say after a few minutes.

  I tear myself from the bed and rummage through my closet for something to wear while Rooter leans back against my headboard and watches me. I force myself not to stare at his perfectly sculpted chest. I bet he wouldn’t stop me if I touched him. I bet he wouldn’t stop me from straddling him and licking his neck, and collar bone, and earlobe, and…

  The sound of his raspy morning voice snaps me back to reality, but I don’t know what he said. “What?”

  “What time is your appointment?” He asks.

  “Nine thirty.”

  Rooter snickers as I pair a bra and panty set together to match my outfit and I flash back to him helping me fold them.

  “Want to grab lunch afterward?” He asks and swings his legs over the side of the bed.

  “What part of I’m mad at you do you not understand?”

  “I understand it perfectly, babe.” He reaches for me and pulls me to stand between his legs. “What part of I’m not giving you time or space do you not understand?”

  “You’re not going to be one of those possessive, clingy boyfriends are you?”

  “So you’re saying you’re still my girl?” He smirks. His callused hands feel incredible as they travel up and down the backs of my legs.

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “No.” He chuckles as if he’s joking, but he’s being completely serious.

  His touch is driving me crazy. I try desperately to keep my breathing steady, but my heart is racing. “I’m meeting Ryan after my appointment.”

  His hands stop moving and his expression changes from amused to worried. “For real? Or are you blowing me off?”

  “I really am meeting him,” I assure him with a smile while fighting the urge to reach out and touch his face. Rooter in the morning is a magnificent sight with his sleepy eyes and morning stubble. “We’re going shopping for Miranda’s birthday.”

  “Oh, okay.” Relief rings evident in his voice. He pulls me to him and rests his face against my left boob in a completely innocent act. The way he wraps his arms around me and exhales is so sweet. It’s as if he misses me even though I’m right here in his arms. I can’t fight the urge to run my fingers through his hair. He hums in delight at my touch. “Please don’t stay mad at me long, babe.”

  I can hear the aching vulnerability in his voice and it nearly tears me to shreds. It’s at this moment I know I’ll never be able to deny him anything. If he wants me, he can have me. “Look at me,” I say and he doesn’t hesitate to do as told. “Seeing you with her like that hurt me.”

  His hand grips me tightly. “I can’t b
egin tell you how fucking sorry I am.”

  “I need for you to set her straight on what is and is not acceptable behavior.”

  “I promise, I will.”

  I tug at his hair, holding his head firm in my hands. “I also need you to promise you won’t let her or any other girl kiss or touch you.”

  “I promise.”

  “Do you also promise to be loyal to me?”

  “Always, babe.”

  I pull his hair just hard enough to make him wince. “And do you agree that I reserve the right to castrate you if you break any of those promises?”

  “Happily. I’ll even provide the knife.” He peers up at me with an eager smile.

  “Okay.” I give in. “I forgive you.”

  Rooter roars and pulls me onto the bed with him. He snuggles against me, wraps his legs around me, and plants a sweet kiss on my collarbone. “Thank you.”

  Chapter 22

  Doubt

  Doubt is an extremely powerful emotion. I once vowed to never be in a relationship unless I have one hundred percent trust in the guy. I have a lot of trust in Rooter, but I also have doubts. Serious ones.

  I know he cares for me. He’s proven it on several occasions. I trust he truly wants a relationship with me and that he intends to be faithful. But I’m not positive he’s capable of it. He has no track record to prove that he is. If anything, his track record proves he isn’t capable of being in an exclusive, monogamous relationship. That scares the shit out of me.

  I don’t believe that we as a human race are monogamous by nature. However, we are—or at least I am—extremely possessive of our partners. I refuse to share and I don’t think Rooter would either. So, even though we may be or become attracted to another person, our possessive instincts command us to be faithful so we don’t lose that which we possess.

  Two days have passed since I made up with Rooter over the Candace incident. That’s what I’m calling it now. The incident.