by Meghan March
She released her grip on the man and he jumped to his feet, his expression wary.
I lowered the dumbbell and Carver surveyed me carefully, something like respect settling onto his features.
“I heard you. Thought you were in trouble.”
“And your plan was to bludgeon someone with a thirty-pound dumbbell?”
I glanced at the weight in my hand before looking back at her. “If necessary.”
“Brutal,” she said as she held out a hand, and I used my free one to pull her to her feet. “But thank you.”
Carver retreated to a small fridge, retrieved two water bottles, and walked toward us, tossing one to Ari. He didn’t look all too interested in getting close to either of us, probably because he almost died of blunt-force trauma to the head.
Instead of catching the water bottle with a feat of coordination like one would have expected given the level of skill she just demonstrated, Ari batted it away with both hands, hopping backward. “Whoa. Just because I can submit you with an arm bar doesn’t mean I can catch things.”
For some reason, it was comforting to know that certain things never changed.
Carver clearly didn’t know her that well after all based on the look of surprise on his face. “But you just—”
“Planned out a series of movements to gain a submission and followed through with them while making adjustments in form to compensate for your changes? That’s strategy, practice, and execution. Impromptu is not my forte.”
I wanted to laugh, but my mind was already skipping ahead. Why the hell was she grappling and submitting a guy? Was there more of a security threat than she’d let on?
“You studying self-defense for fun or out of necessity?” I asked.
“Does it matter?” Her question to answer a question didn’t satisfy me.
I dropped the dumbbell and lunged toward Ari, catching her off guard by locking one arm around her stomach and the other around her neck. Then I hauled her back against me like an attacker might.
For a moment, she didn’t move, frozen in shock. Probably like she would if someone actually attacked her in real life.
“Fight me,” I growled into her ear. “If I can get you out of this room, I can get you in a car and no one ever sees you again.”
Still she didn’t move, but Carver looked like he wanted to pull a gun and go for a head shot. Fuck him. I was more invested in her personal safety than he’d ever be. This wasn’t a paycheck to me, this was personal. Vital.
“Fight me, goddammit. Show me what you’ve got. What you’d do if your life depended on it.”
I dragged her toward the door, and six feet from it, Ari finally snapped into action. Elbow to the gut. Good. Stomp to the top of my foot. Damn, that hurt.
Adjusting my grip, I moved my hand up from her neck to cover her mouth as she started to swear. Partially cutting off her ability to breathe would scare the shit out of her, but hopefully force her to fight harder.
We were three feet from the door when she bit my hand, and I jerked it away. Exactly the move she was waiting for. The next thing I knew, I was lying flat on my back on the mat with Ari standing above me, her chest heaving and a troubled expression on her face.
Carver stepped beside her, holding out her bottle of water. “You need to work on your reaction time.” As soon as he delivered his advice, he strode out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
“You bit me,” I said, acutely aware we were now alone and I was already flat on my back.
“You manhandled me,” she snapped out, outrage coloring her tone.
“I think you liked it. That’s why you didn’t fight me off at first.”
Her indrawn breath was indignant. “I did not!”
“Your eyebrow just twitched, Red.” With a grin, I spun on my back and swept her leg so she tumbled to the floor, landing on top of me.
“What are you—”
“Going after what I want.” Her gray eyes widened as I gripped the back of her head and pulled her down until her lips almost touched mine. “Kiss me. You know you want to.”
She opened her mouth to protest, just like I knew she would, and I seized the advantage, crushing my lips to hers and sweeping my tongue inside.
One thing was for sure, her reaction time for kissing me was a hell of a lot better than it was for fighting me off. Sweet, sweet heaven.
And when she moaned into my mouth, my instincts shot into overdrive. I palmed her ass and squeezed, pressing her into my throbbing dick. With only a couple of layers of fabric between us, there was no question of her knowing exactly how I felt about her right at that moment. Another shaky inhale, and her hips bucked against me.
Fuck.
Without thinking, I released her ass and rolled her under me, and she spread her legs so I could settle my hips between her thighs. Her full tits, which I already knew would be spectacular, pressed against my chest, the nipples hard through her sports bra.
Her hands speared into my hair and she tugged at my lip with her teeth, urging me on, thrusting up against me.
I’d never allowed myself to think about what it would be like to have Ari under me, and it was a damn good thing. I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself. Without thinking, I gripped the hem of her tank top, ready to yank it up and over her head, and I stilled.
Not like this. Not yet.
Ari noticed my hesitation when I released her shirt and scooted out from under me so fast, I was surprised she didn’t knee me in the junk.
“I don’t know what just happened, but I—” She turned away. “Oh my God. What did I do?”
I pushed off the floor with one hand, a hand that minutes ago had been wrapped around the curve of her ass. “I think it’s safe to say not all of your reaction time needs work.”
Ari’s face flamed. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.
I would have given everything I owned to be able to see inside her head at that moment. Her gaze flicked from point to point on my face and then around the room, never making eye contact.
No, Ari hadn’t completely gotten over whatever she’d felt for me once upon a time, and the bastard that I was wasn’t above taking advantage of it so I could taste heaven again.
If I didn’t try, I’d be adding missing out on this to my list of regrets.
Not happening.
Ari spun toward the door, grabbing a rolled towel off a stack on the table next to the mini-fridge. “I need a protein shake. My muscles . . . they’re clearly tired after my workout, which came after last night’s drinking but before the grappling and jujitsu. If I’d been properly rested and not dehydrated, I would’ve been quicker to react the first time.”
I could almost hear her brain clicking into analytical mode as she tried to process what had just happened. I’d thrown my little genius for a loop, and she escaped from the room without ever making eye contact, so I couldn’t even tell if her eyebrow twitched.
Alone in the empty gym, I walked toward the wall of windows, hoping the view of Lake Pontchartrain would make my dick stand down. My stomach rumbled a few minutes later, but I was hungry for more than just breakfast.
10
Ariel
I may never shower again.
That’s what the sixteen-year-old me would have said if she’d experienced the feel of Rhett Hennessy’s naked chest against her skin. Spontaneous human combustion was real, and I was pretty sure I just came close to experiencing it.
Good. Lord.
I didn’t know what just happened in that gym, but it wasn’t something I could have ever predicted. In fact, I would have estimated the probability at less than one percent.
I touched my mouth, amazed at how my lips still tingled from where his teeth had scraped along them. Did I leave a mark when I nipped him? Part of me hoped so, and the other part was so embarrassed, I wasn’t sure I could handle it. My ass burned where his hand had kneaded it, and let’s not even talk about the state of my panties or the rest of me.
&nb
sp; With a calming breath, I made my way into the kitchen, hoping just a little that Rhett got lost trying to find it. I needed about a hundred yards of space between us right now if I were going to get my head straight again.
Do I really want to get my head on straight?
Yes. Yes, I did. This was counterproductive. I’d spent years getting over him, and while that had obviously only been semi-successful, I refused to spend any more time thinking about getting under him.
Sweet Lord, it had been better than I could have imagined. I’d wondered whether my mind had inflated the size of that bulge in his pants. Probably more than I should ever admit. The conclusion? My estimates had been way off. Because now that I’d had the real deal pressed against me, I knew certain things were bigger than they appeared.
Good thing I didn’t grind myself against him like a cat in heat, and maintained some of the dignity I’ve developed over the years. Even I could feel my eyebrow twitching at that lie.
Not thinking about this anymore. Also a lie.
I made it to the kitchen intending to make a protein shake, but one was already waiting on the counter and Carver was nowhere in sight. He’s efficient. I wondered what I was paying for his services, and decided a hefty tip was in order.
Turning toward the wall of windows that looked out over the pool, grotto, and lake, I chugged my shake and waited to hear footsteps signaling Rhett’s entrance to the kitchen. He would follow me, right?
Maybe not. Maybe his reaction to rubbing up against a sweaty woman’s body would be to go shower like a normal human being. Where maybe he’d jack off.
Oh my God, I am not picturing him stroking that big, hard, probably veiny and perfect penis in the shower until he comes all over the travertine wall and the spray washes it down.
My pulse skipped up about twenty beats per minute at the visual, and my nipples peaked against my top.
Then I heard footsteps. I gulped down a huge mouthful of shake and tried to pretend I wasn’t just thinking about Rhett naked in the shower. I spun around in mid-swallow and almost choked.
A shudder worked through my entire body. In the gym, I hadn’t been able to fully appreciate the fact that he was shirtless and his body looked nothing like the lanky youth who’d washed his car in his parents’ driveway while I perved from my bedroom window.
His thickly muscled and well-defined chest was sprinkled with a light smattering of hair that did nothing but accentuate how freaking manly he was. His abs had enough ridges to scrub laundry. And then those arms. Sweet Lord, they were my biggest weakness. Thick and strong, they looked capable of lifting the weight of the world from my shoulders and handling anything I threw at him.
From Rhett’s hooded expression, he looked like he was having impure thoughts of his own. Oh hell. Is he looking at me thinking things like I am while looking at him? I couldn’t process the idea, so I did what I was best at—rambled awkwardly.
“You want breakfast? I’m going to make eggs. Well, eggs and egg whites. Because it’s healthier to get your extra protein from the whites and not have the yolks. But don’t worry about shells. I don’t crack and separate my own because I’m usually in a hurry, so I get them in handy cartons.”
Stop, Ari. For the love of God, stop.
“But then again you probably know all about that because you look like you probably drink a carton for breakfast. Maybe lunch. Brunch? Or do you just eat meat?” I held out my cup. “Protein shake?”
Rhett looked around the kitchen. The corners of his mouth twitched like he was fighting a smile, and his chest shook like his laughter was internal. “You don’t have to cook for me, Red. I’m capable,” he said as he peered around me.
“What are you looking for?”
“No personal chef?”
I appreciated his change of subject more than he’d ever know. I smiled like a fully functioning, non-rambling human being. “I don’t travel with one. It seems pretentious.”
Apparently, that was the right answer. Rhett threw back his head and laughed. “Have you seen your digs? I think you’re a little beyond worrying about what’s pretentious.”
I took a deep breath, feeling like we were back on level ground. I took a drink of my shake with another well-practiced eye roll before turning to the fridge. “It’s not like my assistants consult me with details when they lease places for me. My requirements are outlined in the file, and they find something appropriate within those parameters.”
“Exactly what are those requirements and parameters? A mansion big enough to fit an entire neighborhood, a pool bigger than at a resort, a view to die for, and enough bedrooms to host an NBA team?” His joking tone kept the question light.
I gave him my back as I opened the fridge. “At least twenty minutes from downtown, preferably thirty. Walled and gated. Fully monitored security system. There are a few other key requirements, but those are the basics. I set the budget, and Erik and Esme get creative trying to outdo each other on how ridiculous a place they can find.”
I managed not to blush as I reached inside to grab the egg whites and a carton of eggs. Once the ingredients were laid out on the counter, I ducked down to reach for a bowl. “You should’ve seen this pink palace they leased for me in Dubai. It was absolute insanity. Some sheik’s party pad. I stayed two nights, then got the heck out of there to go home.”
When I set the bowl on the counter, I’d finally calmed down enough to make eye contact. Rhett stared at me like a complete stranger had stolen into the kitchen to replace the girl he’d known his whole life. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but I wasn’t going to dissect it right now.
“So,” I said as I glanced down at the bowl. “You good with eggs, heavy on the whites?”
“You really don’t have to cook for me. I’ve been doing it myself for a long time.”
I shrugged. “Then it’ll be a nice change for you.” With a jerk of my chin toward the bar stools surrounding the massive kitchen island, I told him, “Sit. I’ll make sure you get fed.”
I kept up the chatter as I cooked, but it was mostly one-sided. Rhett answered when required but for the most part, he just watched me. I gave myself permission to ramble at will because it was the only way I could handle his stare.
You technically have a boyfriend, the voice in my head reminded me. So you should take care of that situation before you roll around on the floor with another guy again.
Wait, was I planning to roll around on the floor with Rhett again? Dumb question. Obviously.
Also, Carlos wasn’t really my “boyfriend” in the traditional sense. He was a guy I dated on occasion, so it wasn’t like he was a true barrier. One phone call and he would be gone. But . . . did I need a barrier? Every time I let myself get my hopes up about Rhett, it ended the same way—me leaving New Orleans with my head held high, telling myself I didn’t care that he’d never want me. I’d go back to being Heath’s little sister and totally invisible.
From the feel of Rhett’s stare on me as I cooked, I most definitely wasn’t invisible right now. What is happening here? Has the universe gone crazy?
By the time I plated the eggs, his gaze had switched from my every move to the wall of glass facing the lake.
Had he blocked out what had happened between us this morning? Maybe he was telling himself it was never to be repeated.
I snipped off a couple of sprigs of fresh dill from the artistic vertical herb garden at the end of the kitchen counter, then dropped them on the eggs before sliding the plates across the island.
Rhett finally turned around at the sound of a fork dropping next to the plate. Instead of commenting on the breakfast I’d prepared, his question threw me completely off-balance again.
“How long are you staying?”
11
Rhett
I had to get out of here before I forgot why I’d forced myself to let go of her in the gym. I shoveled the eggs into my mouth, which were delicious, chugged a half gallon of coffee, and rose from the kitchen isla
nd, all while trying to forget Ari’s response to my question.
“I haven’t decided yet. Longer than I originally planned.”
“Thanks for breakfast, Red. I appreciate it. You’re a good cook.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. If you need a ride back to your hotel, Carver can give you one.”
That’s one guy whose hand I should probably shake before I left. It was only his presence that had kept me from fucking her on the floor of the gym. If Ari and I had been alone this morning, that’s exactly what would have happened, and that couldn’t happen yet. I needed to make this right with her brother before I took things any further.
“I’ll get a ride. It’s no big deal. Thanks for letting me crash. I’ll get out of your way.”
As I said the words, I dragged my gaze up her body, knowing it was a lie. I didn’t want to get out of her way. I wanted to be in her way so she’d remember everything she’d ever felt for me. I didn’t want to give her a chance to forget.
“I do have work I need to do.”
I’d spend all day working on her.
Her cheeks flushed like she could read my mind. Good. I wanted her thinking about it too.
“Then I’ll see you around, Red. Soon.”
She bit her lip as if she was stopping herself from saying something else. Like stay, maybe?
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. Not until I talked to Heath. I might be an asshole, but I wasn’t going to be the asshole who screwed around with his best friend’s sister behind his back.
As I edged toward the door, she finally found her tongue.
“Have a good one, Rhett. If there’s anything I can do to help with your mom, let me know.”
Her offer reminded me of the Ari I’d known before. Always going out of her way to give. For the last year, I’d been the douchebag who took without giving anything in return. That was going to change.