Miss ~ Harloe Rae

by Rae, Harloe

  “Why don’t you call in?” Zeke’s tone is still extra gruff and scrapes over me like sandpaper. I shiver involuntarily. I force my hungry gaze up, settling on his smug expression.

  “The boss doesn’t get sick days,” I say. “I didn’t plan accordingly and ask someone to open for me.”

  “Hmm,” he purrs. “I could help you with that.”

  I bite my lip while a scorching flush blankets me. I’ve lost count on the number of orgasms he’s delivered. But either way, my hoo-hah is wrung out. “Not sure I could handle another round,” I tell him honestly.

  “But I’ll miss you,” he says while dragging a finger down my spine.

  “You’ll miss the sex,” I tease.

  Zeke loops an arm around my waist and yanks me into him. He murmurs into the crook of my neck, “I always miss everything with you.”

  I melt against him and seriously consider blowing off Jitters. “Why are you so wonderful?”

  “Because I love you,” he hums along my skin. Zeke begins peppering me with soft kisses. Between the assault to my resolve, he adds, “I want to win you back.” His sweet touches are my undoing, and I twist to face him. His blue eyes gleam, and I fall a little deeper at the happiness swirling there.

  I cradle his jaw in my palm. “You’re well on the way, Zee.”

  He presses his lips against my wrist. “I won’t stop until you’re really mine again. Completely,” he states with conviction.

  I blink at his words, wanting that more than anything. But there’s a very large issue looming over our heads. I don’t want to bring up his temporary situation in Garden Grove, but it’s an extremely huge factor in how this will pan out for us.

  Thinking about Zeke’s eventual departure pops my bubble of bliss. I don’t want to assume he’ll stay, or be the one asking him to make that decision. It doesn’t matter that the plea is waiting to drip off my tongue at any given moment. We’re making up, but still on shaky ground.

  Each time I’ve built up the guts, my throat squeezes shut and the words can’t pass. Fear of rejection holds me back, terror of hearing his plans. Or perhaps dread that he’s leaving regardless of what I say. I don’t want to break us with the truth.

  “I’m so screwed,” I murmur.

  “I didn’t hear you complaining a few hours ago.” He chuckles.

  “I’m serious, Zee. We’re acting like things can pick up where they dropped off. It’s not that simple.”

  He sits up and cuddles me into his side, lacing our fingers together. “Here’s the truth I know, Trip. The days are painfully lonely. But the nights blind me with unbearable misery. I’m not sure there’s ever been an escape without you. I need you in my life, plain and simple.”

  I blow out a heavy breath. “If we stay on this path, wherever it leads, I’m going to get attached to the idea of you being around. But what happens next? I’m scared of the unknown. You have to understand that.”

  Zeke tilts my chin up until our eyes are locked. “I do, Trip. And I’d never hurt you. All I want is to shower you with love.”

  The lump in my throat makes it difficult to swallow. “For how long? Until your job in Garden Grove is done?”

  He shakes his head but doesn’t give a definite answer. “Let’s not worry about that today.”

  “How can I not?”

  Zeke brushes a kiss to my forehead and ignores my concern. “I miss you caring about me.”

  “And I miss you being around permanently,” I retort.

  His body turns to stone beneath me, and he hauls me closer. “Fuck, D. I do, too. Each and every second. I’m not planning to leave again, okay? I’ll figure this out.”

  I believe him, but a crumb of doubt feeds the broken part of me. My temples begin to throb, warning me of an impending headache. I need coffee, stat.

  “I really need to get up,” I mutter.

  Zeke’s relaxed demeanor returns with a smirk. “I’m already there, baby.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “You’re a goof.”

  “Whatever keeps the tension away,” he whispers into my hair.

  I press my nose into his neck, inhaling woodsy masculinity. “You smell so good.”

  “Remember that when you’re lonely at Jitters later. We could stay wrapped in each other instead.”

  I make a frustrated noise, hating how much better his alternative sounds. “Speaking of, what’s up with your job? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

  Zeke grunts. “This week is all fucked up. We’re supposed to start framing but most of the wall studs were damaged in shipment. That issue has forced a pause in the progress. I’m not complaining because the delay is allowing me to be here with you.”

  “So, you have the day off?” My voice is too damn giddy.

  I feel his lips curl against my cheek. “I have to swing by the site for general shit, but nothing major. We don’t get paid our regular wage, and that sucks, but it’s only a few days. Figure there’ll never be a better reason to play hooky. Spending time with you is the best excuse.”

  I hum and rake my gaze along his bare torso, taking advantage of his nudity. “A forced vacay?” I manage.

  Zeke chuckles. “Seems that way. I can help you get things started downstairs. What do you need?”

  I bob my head along his chest. “I don’t want you to waste precious free time in my shop. You’ve helped enough. Go have fun. Call Ryan or whoever.”

  “Nah, he’s probably working. I’ll gladly offer a hand . . . or something else.”

  “What are you implying, Mister Kruegan?”

  “Maybe we can have a quickie in the kitchen,” he suggests.

  I choke on an inhale. “Oh, no way. That’s Raven’s domain,” I say with a shudder. “Trey has marked his territory all over in there.”

  Zeke’s upper body curls with a fake wretch. “Gross.”

  “Right? I made her triple-bleach every square inch. Pretty sure she learned from that mistake.”

  My fingers dance along his abs. “How about you help me open the store? Then you can take Bertha to Jacked Up.”

  He groans. “She’s fine.”

  I scoff loudly. “That truck is most definitely not okay. Pretty sure the engine is about to fall out from all that rattling.”

  Zeke rolls his eyes. “I’ll think about it. I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

  To me, that’s a yes. Why not press a little further, right? “Take Trey out for a beer while you’re at it.”

  “Don’t push your luck, Trip.”

  “There isn’t much else going on, so why not?”

  “This seems like a setup. Are you trying to start a bromance?”

  “Would that be so bad?”

  He pulls away and looks down at me, feeling my forehead. “I think you have a fever. Let’s stop talking about other men while you’re naked in bed with me.”

  “Good plan,” I say with a nod. I lean up to brush our noses together, the soft touch igniting a fire in my lower belly. “You’re the only one I want to talk about.”

  “That’s better,” he grunts.

  Our lips meet in a kiss. I’m about to deepen it when responsibility clangs in my brain. I break from the embrace with a pout. “I need to get dressed. Reality calls.”

  Zeke smacks my butt when I scoot off the mattress. He follows suit, standing on the opposite side. I take a long, leisurely scan of his body. His hair is perfectly mussed and well-loved thanks to my wandering fingers. As my gaze sweeps lower, I get caught up in sculpted shoulders and defined biceps that lead to sinewy forearms. Zeke has muscles stacked on top of each other. Damn, construction certainly pays off. I’ll have to write a thank-you note to his boss for working him so hard.

  He faces me and widens his stance. “You keep looking at me that way, leaving this room won’t be an option.”

  I yank my eyes off his morning wood. How the hell did my pesky attention get down there so fast? I wipe across my chin and mumble, “Yeah, right. Sounds good.”

  He l
aughs. “That makes no sense.”

  I motion toward him and all his naked glory. “How am I supposed to think straight with your dick saluting me?”

  Zeke shrugs. “Easy. You don’t.” His thumb swipes at the corner of his mouth. “You missed some drool.”

  I stomp around the bed and stand in front of him. “Stop tempting me.”

  He gestures to his impressive hard-on. “Nothing to be salty about. The feeling is definitely mutual, Trip.”

  I throw my hands in the air. “My good sense is going up in smoke. All I can think about right now is sex.”

  “Damn, I’ve missed you. C’mere,” he says with a crook of his finger. He prowls forward, and I step out of his reach.

  I’m in desperate need of a distraction before my legs find their way around his waist. “Let’s get going, Zee. When Marlene catches sight of you in Jitters, this will be front page news. You’ve gotta be presentable.”

  He grumbles. “Good deflection, but tell me something I don’t know.”

  I tap a finger to my lips, and a thought hits me. “Okay, I’ve got something super odd. These women came in the other day and were talking about dolphins. Apparently, males are crazy horny and total sex fiends.” Zeke just raises a questioning brow, so I continue. “Apparently there was a trainer who jacked off this dolphin to get him to . . . perform. No pun intended. Or maybe big time implied,” I giggle out.

  He tilts his head. “Is that true?”

  “I dunno. They were discussing it. The one girl sounded pretty serious about it.”

  “That sounds like a made-up story, Trip.”

  I wave him off. “Either way, it’s funny to think about.”

  “That’d be one smart fish,” he says.

  “Dolphins aren’t fish, you dork.”

  “That’s the issue you’re pointing out here?”

  I snort. “Touché.”

  Just then I realize we’re having this random-ass conversation buck naked. It’s startling to know how comfortable I am already, like we’ve always been together. The years spent apart disappeared in a hot second while we were getting intimately reacquainted. But I’ve always been this way with Zeke. That’s a huge reason I never bothered trying to find someone else. What would be the point?

  I study him quietly and make a snap decision.

  Fuck it.

  I bite my lip and murmur, “Another fun fact? Showering together conserves water. Wanna be environmentally friendly with me?”

  Zeke’s blue eyes sparkle. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  DELIVERY

  Zeke

  IN BETWEEN THE pop from the nail gun, I hear a few whistles and catcalls from across the yard. Some unsuspecting woman must be strutting by, and the guys are taking notice. I roll my eyes at their predictable antics—playing into the douchey construction-worker role perfectly. I’m about to yell at them for being immature assholes when her voice rings out.

  “Is Zeke around?”

  My task is immediately forgotten, and I’m hustling across the grounds to where Delilah stands. It’s no fucking wonder the crew is all worked up—she’s wearing next to nothing. With her hair twisted into a bun, I get an eyeful of tan skin from every direction. Her toned legs are on full display in a tiny pair of cutoffs. The strapless crop-top leaves little to the imagination. A Hooters server would be considered modest in comparison. On any given day, Delilah is any man’s walking wet dream. But looking like this? She just dropped fresh meat into a rabid bear den.

  Dammit.

  I’m ready to tear the limbs off each gawker. These wankers don’t stand a chance and need to back the fuck up. Every piece of her fine ass belongs to me. But then Delilah raises her gaze and meets mine. She’s beaming at me, a blinding smile stretching over her face. The fury in my blood cools as I get lost in her green eyes. Delilah makes me feel like I’m floating.

  The spell is broken when Kayne moves a little too close. I plow forward, prepared to steamroll everyone in my path.

  “Get back to work,” I growl at her audience of admirers.

  Lewis is in the front of the pack, go fucking figure. His shit-eating grin has my molars grinding. “Zeke, my man. Where’ve you been hiding this gorgeous honey?”

  Delilah bites her lip, trying to trap a laugh. I find no humor in this, at all.

  I crowd his space while he stokes my temper. “Remember when I said don’t talk about her like that?”

  Lewis nods toward Delilah, apparently connecting the dots. “Ah, is this the one?”

  “Who the fuck else would she be?”

  He holds up his palms. “Got it, loud and clear.”

  I focus on my girl, trying to forget anyone else exists. “Hey, Trip. This is an unexpected visit.”

  Her delicate fingers walk up my rigid arm. “Hi, Zee. Good, because I wanted to surprise you.”

  Lewis whistles. “Oh, shit. This is serious.”

  “I told you to get lost.” I manage to keep my tone level.

  He chuckles, hitching a thumb my way while speaking to Delilah. “He’s all bark and no bite. I’ve made it my job to test his limits. So far, I’m still unharmed.”

  She giggles. “Good to know Zeke has someone watching out for him.”

  A rumble builds in my chest. “Enough chit-chat.” I glower at Lewis.

  He winks at Delilah, begging for an ambulance ride. “It’s been a pleasure making your acquaintance. Or whatever this was. I’d say Zeke is in good hands with you.” Lewis wags his brows at me before wandering off.

  I tug Delilah close in an attempt to shield her from the prying glances. I steer us to a shady corner of the lot that’s relatively abandoned.

  “He seems . . . nice,” Delilah comments.

  I ignore her assessment. “Are you trying to get me arrested?”

  Her forehead pinches. “What are you talking about?”

  “Couldn’t you have covered up a little more?”

  She looks down, inspecting her lack of attire. “With what?”

  “Maybe a parka?”

  Delilah huffs while fanning her face. “Zee, it’s over ninety degrees and midday. You’re lucky I’m wearing any clothes at this point.”

  “I want to bash in all their faces just for seeing you like this. You’ve turned them into a bunch of slobbering idiots,” I mutter.

  “Are you jealous?”

  “Extremely,” I admit without hesitation.

  “I like you all growly and possessive,” she purrs against my jaw.

  “You’re testing my control, Trip.”

  Her hand drifts up and settles against my neck. “Hmm, and you’re sexy.”

  My cock twitches, and I grunt. “Better be careful. I’m a few seconds away from tossing you over my shoulder and finding the nearest flat surface.”

  “Hmm, that sounds super-hot.”

  I cough into my fist. “Why are you teasing a starving man?”

  Delilah crosses her arms. “Hardly. We had sex twice last night.”

  I drag her in by a belt loop. “That was too long ago.”

  She nibbles on my chin. “Guess we know what’s happening later.”

  “Why wait?”

  I back Delilah against the equipment trailer, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching. My hand roams under the indecent hem of her shorts. I grip her bare ass with purpose and yank her into me. She gasps when I grind my dick against her.

  “Easy access, huh?” I mumble along her temple.

  “You could say that,” she wheezes on an exhale.

  “I’m on the fucking clock with a raging hard-on. Was this what you wanted?” I ask and rotate my hips, letting her feel exactly what she’s doing to me.

  Delilah moans and claws at my hair. “That wasn’t my original intention.”

  “Oh, no? What was it, then?” I demand before kissing her throat.

  “Uhhh,” she pants. Her head lolls to the side, offering me more for the taking.

  I greedily suck along her sweet neck,
happy to oblige. “Trip? Why’d you stop by?” I murmur.

  Delilah chokes on a groan. “I wanted to bring a little something for your boss and the others.”

  That cools my jets and I pull away to study her face. “And what exactly are you giving them?”

  She smacks my abdomen. “Nothing like that. Jeez.”

  “I’d fucking hope not.”

  Delilah laughs, but the sound trails off when she sees my serious expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t wanna share your attention.”

  She scoffs. “Puh-lease, I’m only dropping off cookies. If anyone is being passed around, it’s Raven,” she whispers out the side of her mouth, “Don’t tell Trey.”

  “Why did you wanna do that for them?”

  “As a thank-you?” She looks sheepish, and the blush coloring her cheeks is adorable.

  I stroke a finger down her flushing skin. “You’re too much. They’ll appreciate it, though. Probably want to eat you up too while they’re at it.”

  Before she can comment further, Devon calls out from behind us. “Hey, Zeke?”

  With a groan, I release my hold on Delilah’s ass and take a step back. “Yeah, boss?”

  “I heard you were hiding someone out here.” He strolls over, officially putting an end to my private party with Delilah.

  I huddle her toward me. “We just wanted a moment of alone time.”

  He sticks out his hand to Delilah. “Hey, there. I’m Devon. It’s nice to meet you.”

  She slips her palm into his for a quick shake. “My name is Delilah—”

  Devon cuts in. “Oh, you need no introduction. This one doesn’t stop blabbering on about you.”

  I almost laugh at that pile of bullshit. I rarely say more than a few words in any given conversation. Unless I’m talking to Delilah. She’s a different story. An extra wide smile stretches her lips, and I decide to keep the truth locked up indefinitely.