by Cara North
“But his daddy is, right, babe?” Ethan stepped behind Grace and held her belly.
“If you say so, honey.” Grace patted his hands and rolled her eyes. Before coming on this trip, Ethan and his brother Chase were on full testosterone overload. Apparently a woman bounty hunter packs quite a kick to the male ego. They had devised plans as to how they could escape if a woman ever tracked them down. As if either of them could commit a crime. And since a woman had set Ethan’s stairs on fire once before, Grace really enjoyed their delusions. Joshua was a hero, a real fighting hero. Ethan and Chase played sports. They were pretty, not heroes. Not in the sense they wanted to be.
“So, Evelyn, what’s the status on that cake?” Ethan swayed Grace back and forth in his arms. “I love chocolate, especially icing.”
Grace pinched him causing him to wince. “What? You act like I said whipped topping.” Ethan got another pinch “Woman, stop pinching me, I’m a fragile man.”
“I thought you were Hercules,” Grace retorted.
Evelyn listened as Ethan took her pinches and then called himself fragile. He was an inch taller than Joshua and just as big, yet Grace at her size was bullying him. Yes, Evelyn thought. Good men do run in his family. Maybe there were more good men than she had ever imagined, but she still only wanted one, Joshua. And no way would Joshua let anyone bully him.
“Honey, did you mean by help you make a cake you wanted me to make a cake?” Joshua had set up all the ingredients and already turned the oven on.
Her gaze lifted from the sleeping toddler toward her angel. She couldn’t help wonder if their son would look like his daddy, or maybe even a little girl, with her red hair and his green eyes. Evelyn shook it off. Those thoughts were getting her nowhere.
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Chapter 9
“No. Sorry. I was distracted.” Evelyn walked to the kitchen. Ethan and Grace settled on the couch and turned on the television.
“With Ethan?” Joshua’s face went flat. His voice was quiet. She had called Ethan hot before, seemed to avoid him, and those were signs of a crush.
“No, with Gray. That playpen makes me nervous.” Evelyn smiled up at him, noticed the look on his face, and frowned. “You thought?”
“You said he was hot,” Joshua whispered as he shrugged and turned to mix the ingredients.
“You look at me, Joshua Young.” Evelyn grabbed his face and pulled him close to hers, so she could see him eye to eye. She wasn’t as quiet. “He has nothing on you, nothing.”
Ethan’s voice interrupted from the living room. “I have an inch on him, thank you very much.”
“In height, but that’s the only place. You forget I’ve seen the video.” Evelyn didn’t take her eyes off Joshua. His face blushed and his smile widened.
“Grace?” Ethan feigned offense. “Say something.”
“I lived the video, baby. She’s right.” Grace squealed as Ethan launched a tickle attack on her. “Megan told me! Megan told me!”
Evelyn looked at Joshua confused. He licked his lips. “You’re right about that, babe.”
“About what?” she whispered. In the background Grace threatened to pee her pants if Ethan didn’t let her go. He did and then acted like his feelings were hurt. Grace playfully soothed his ego. Evelyn had inadvertently stepped into a long standing family joke.
“I told you, we were like a pack of wild dogs.” Joshua didn’t whisper.
“You told her, Joshua!” Ethan shouted playfully, and Gray started to wake up. “Damn it, now look.” He stopped playing and went to pat Gray on the back to help him back to sleep. “I can’t believe Chase told Megan. He’s due for an ass kickin’”
“No, I didn’t tell her, but I will now.” Joshua shrugged. “We were measured. Chase turned twenty-one that year, and we celebrated. The three big dogs. We were walking to the next bar, and a lady of the night overheard us talking about who the lead dog was. Ethan’s the oldest, so he thought it should be him.” Joshua mixed all the ingredients while Evelyn stared at him with her arms crossed. “She called out to us and said for twenty bucks she’d tell us who the lead dog was.”
“You had sex with a hooker?” Evelyn’s face twisted, and her hands went to her hips.
“Hell no,” both Ethan and Joshua replied the same. Grace began to laugh.
“We let her measure us. Right there on the street. In front of everyone who walked by. It was humiliating the next day, but it seemed like a fine thing to do at the time.” Joshua bowed. “I’m the Great Dane, Ethan’s a Doberman, and Chase is a big Poodle.”
“That is about the most absurd thing I have ever heard.” Evelyn shook her head.
“I was twenty-three, drunk off my ass. I can’t lie about it. It wasn’t my finest hour, but we’ve laughed ever since.” Joshua poured the batter into the pan, placed it in the oven, and turned to look at Evelyn. She still stood there, hands on her hips.
“And you think I have problems.” Evelyn shook her head and looked at him, head to toe. In the back of her mind, she reminded herself that she tied men up and teased them, but the thought of another woman touching him there just made her mad.
“Oh, don’t be mad at me.” Joshua hugged her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. They would definitely have to rework her identity because no way in hell could he act like he didn’t know her. It took all his might not to touch her every five seconds.
“Yeah, don’t get mad, Evelyn, get even,” Grace called from the living room.
“Thanks for your support, Gracie.” Joshua shook his head. “She’s evil when she’s pregnant.”
“That’s not all she is.” Ethan winked at her.
“Do they do anything else?” Evelyn asked loud enough for them to hear, but she was more excited by the fact that he was giving her his full attention in front of them.
“Eat, sleep, and procreate. It’s a good life, Evelyn. You should try it.” Ethan wasn’t embarrassed. He didn’t embarrass easily, and neither did Evelyn. He knew women, and one thing he knew about Evelyn, regardless of what Grace had said, she could handle Amelia Young. Joshua may have found himself a keeper. That was if she would stay. “You know Stephanie is still with Malcolm.”
“Stephanie?” Evelyn searched Joshua’s face for a telling look.
“My sister. She works for Ethan.” Joshua smiled. She was jealous. That had to mean something.
“Who’s Malcolm?” Evelyn relaxed. He had told her about a sister, but Grace had warned her about the mother. The idea of meeting either of them was nerve-racking.
“Malcolm is a very nice, respectable man, who is also a firefighter, he’s Irish and African American and my mother hates him.” Joshua drew out the whole picture because he really liked Malcolm. He knew he loved his sister. At twenty-five Joshua would have never met with a father to ask a daughter out, but Malcolm sought his dad out last year when they started dating to be sure it was okay. He was mature and responsible. Stephanie adored him.
“Why does your mother hate him?” Evelyn couldn’t figure it out. There were many reasons to hate a man, on principal alone was the best, but Joshua dragged that description out. Was it his race? His job?
“Because she hates anyone we date. She liked him when they did the fundraiser for the fire department, raved about him and a few other guys. As soon as he started dating Stephanie, she hated him. She thinks Stephanie should marry a doctor or lawyer. Not a fireman.” Joshua wanted to choke Ethan for bringing it up. He had all week to go over this stuff, but now Ethan forced issues.
“So she’ll hate me.” Evelyn got it. It wasn’t about Malcolm; it was about her. The cake timer went off saving her from anymore discussion on the matter. She quickly changed topics as soon as he bent to pull the cake out. Evelyn was feeling like maybe she was getting in over her head with the whole relationship thing. Wanting Joshua was one thing. Accepting an entire family was another.
* * * *
An hour later the four adults sat at the table eat
ing chocolate cake. Cake that Joshua had made. Evelyn was talking with Grace when he iced it. Ethan apparently couldn’t help himself.
“This is great cake, Evelyn.” Ethan winked.
“What can I say? I’m good. Made a cake without touching it once.” Evelyn slid her hand over Joshua’s thigh as she said it.
“Okay, time for bed. See you in the morning. I have to work.” Joshua stood, grabbed Evelyn’s hand, and pulled her up. “Ethan, will you lock up?”
“Sure thing.” Ethan nodded, pulled up from his seat, and cleared the table.
Joshua followed Evelyn up stairs and down the hall.
“Joshua, I should make sure everything is locked up in there”
“Okay. I’ll grab a quick shower.” He kissed her forehead and rubbed up and down both of her arms with his hands.
“Doesn’t have to be quick.” Evelyn bit her bottom lip.
“Shit.” He smacked himself in the forehead. “The condoms are on top of the refrigerator.”
“I didn’t see them.”
“In the brown paper bag, I’ll go get ‘em.” Joshua started to turn but felt Evelyn grab his arm.
“I’ll get them. They won’t keep me downstairs talking. You go get in the shower.” Evelyn tiptoed up, and Joshua bent down to kiss her. The instant his lips touched hers he was ready. Growling.
“Down boy,” Evelyn rasped. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
* * * *
Evelyn stepped into the guest room and made sure everything dangerous was secured and then closed the door behind her. Quietly she headed downstairs for the condoms. The television was on, so hopefully she could sneak in and out with no problems. Of course when she turned the corner at the stairs she realized, there was a problem.
Ethan had Grace laid out like a feast on the kitchen table. Grace couldn’t see him or Evelyn thanks to that belly. And thankfully she wasn’t completely naked, yet. Ethan, however, was buck naked and ready to take his seat. Evelyn ran quietly back upstairs.
“Joshua.” Evelyn stood in the bathroom, her face as red as her hair.
Joshua peeked from behind the shower curtain. “Why are you dressed?”
“I saw them.” Evelyn practically walked in place in the bathroom. “Grace and Ethan.”
“Let me guess, kitchen table?” Joshua shook his head. “Thieving bastard.”
That made her giggle.
“Hot water’s gonna run out, last chance.” Joshua wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“You know it was easier in the hall. Now I’m kinda...” Evelyn looked at the floor. She was nervous. Two big feet stepped out in front of her as water pooled around them.
As soon as she looked up, Joshua kissed her. He had forgotten all this was new to her. He should have waited for her. His soaking wet hands pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the sink. Evelyn almost protested, but he caught her neck in his mouth and flipped the bra strap loose with no effort. That must have hit the switch because her hands started roaming his soaking wet back.
Damn he was good at popping that bra so easily. Evelyn couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted to climb him like a tree and stay there forever. His fingers unfastened her jeans and pushed both the jeans and panties to the floor. He knelt before her as she lifted one foot and the other. The bathroom floor was soaked from the water rolling off of him. He tossed her clothes up to the sink.
With him bent down before her it was difficult to stand. He could have stayed there on his knees and enjoyed himself, but this was about Evelyn and a new experience for her. So he stood. His sex pressed into her belly, and she moaned. Of course he had to growl at that. Lifting her off the floor, he stepped back into the shower then set her down.
“What are we going to do in here?” Evelyn tipped her head as he gently pulled, wetting her hair.
“Shower, what else?” Joshua teased and then really teased by rubbing soap over her taut nipples.
“Joshua?” Her breath caught. Her hands were trembling in a mix of desire and uncertainty. She wasn’t sure how good she was at this, but she knew he was amazing.
“Relax, I’ll lead.” Joshua hugged her tightly then squeezed shampoo in his hands. He lathered her hair and massaged her scalp. “This time.”
The water fell between them and seemed hotter after it touched Evelyn. Joshua lathered the soap on a washcloth and stroked it gently over her collarbone. He circled her breasts, over her shoulders, down her arms, and pulled each finger one at a time between the cloth. He turned her around and treated her back to the same care, massaging the muscles in her neck and shoulders along the way.
Evelyn placed her hands on the wall to keep from falling. She hung her head low as Joshua’s capable hands rubbed all the stress and tension right out of her. It wasn’t until he nipped her butt cheek with his teeth that she realized he was trying to get her to turn. She obeyed. He smiled up at her taking one leg at a time, propping it on his thigh and washing her. Each little toe got his full attention. She had no idea how sensitive her feet were until then. How good it felt to be cherished by a man. This wasn’t the time to cry, but a tear escaped anyway.
“You ready?” Joshua asked hugging her close again. “The water’s getting cold.”
Evelyn nodded. She didn’t want him to know she was crying, afraid he may stop, and she definitely didn’t want him to stop. He turned off the shower and reached for a towel. He dried her off a little faster but with the same care. He patted himself dry with a much less tender approach, and Evelyn laughed.
“What?” He looked at her with a smile as big as Texas.
“You treat me so delicate and then you just pound on yourself.” Evelyn took the towel from him and attempted to dry him delicately.
“You’re a woman.” Joshua dropped the towel and more hungrily said, “I’m a man.”
“Yes, you are.” Evelyn smiled and looked him over from head to toe and back again. “A fine specimen indeed.”
Joshua burned from the inside as her gaze carried the flame over him. He took her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Gently he lowered Evelyn on the clean bedding. He decided then he needed more sheets. Three sets wouldn’t be enough, not anymore.
“Where are you going?” Evelyn grabbed for him as he stood to the side of the bed.
“Right here.” He knelt down on both knees and pulled her to the edge of the bed.
Her legs slid over both his shoulders, and she could feel his breath on her sex. She desperately wanted him to touch her, do what he had done twice the night before, and it didn’t seem like he would disappoint when two rough fingers slid between her.
“You’re already wet, Evelyn.”
“We just got out of the shower.”
“But I dried you here, remember?” Joshua slid one finger in just a bit.
“Ohhh.” Evelyn moaned.
“You forgot, baby?” He dipped it a little farther.
“Mmmm.” Evelyn moaned again and tried to wiggle down farther on him.
“Stay there. You’ll fall off the bed.” Joshua pushed his index finger all the way in.
“You’ll catch me.” Evelyn gasped and arched against him.
He laughed a satisfied laugh then slid his thick tongue all over her. Licking teasing. Her hips lifted and pressed into him. Sliding a hand underneath her, he held her bottom steady, pushed two fingers inside, and suckled hard on her clit. Her tight little vagina closed down around him, and her hips bucked. But it was her muffled groans that made him smile.
“You like that?” Joshua licked lazily milking the aftershocks. Her legs flinched each time he tickled her clit.
“Joshua.” Evelyn reached for him. He pulled his fingers out, so she could sit up.
“Yes, baby?” He licked and sucked her left nipple and then her right.
“I need you.” She was breathless.
“Tell me what you want.” Joshua kissed her neck.
“You, all of you, now.” Evelyn lifted his face and kissed his lips. Her lips wer
e shaking, and so were her fingers. “Please.”
“Did you get them?” Joshua sucked at her neck, not hard enough to mark her but enough she would feel it.
“What?” Evelyn had forgotten about the condoms.
“The bag, baby, the condoms.” Joshua looked at her eye to eye. It only took a second to realize she had forgotten them. He growled a ferocious growl.
“I’m sorry. They were naked. I just ran back upstairs.” Evelyn felt horrible. This poor man had given her plenty of sexual pleasure, and she had left him out in the cold again. No, she resolved right then, she would handle this. She didn’t need a condom to handle this.
Joshua stood to his feet. He’d march downstairs buck naked if he had to. There was no way he could go to bed without touching Evelyn. Before he could protest, he felt her hands on him. He looked down and realized Evelyn had a look of interest on her moonlit face. For a woman who tied men up, she seemed awfully fascinated by his penis.
“I can go get them.” Joshua fought to keep his eyes open as she gently traced her fingers along his length.
“No. You don’t need one.” Evelyn was really fascinated by the silky texture of it, yet underneath that smooth skin the muscles were rigid. It seemed to flex and move on its own.
“You teasing me?” Joshua desperately wanted her to grip him. The light touches were maddening.
“Nuh-uh.” Evelyn shifted herself around a bit. Her hands were a little shaky. She wasn’t about to tell him, but she had never done this before.
“Feels like you’re teasing me.” Joshua decided to help her out. She may like to torture a man tied up, but his hands were free. Sliding his hand around hers, he gripped hard. Pulling her hand down and pushing it back up to the head, he groaned.
“Oh.” Evelyn always considered herself a fast learner. He treated her gently; she was a woman. He was a man, and he needed it a little rough. “What about here?”
Her hand slid to cup his balls which were already growing tight. “Gentle there. Harder here.” It seemed strange to give her directions, but maybe that’s what she liked. Besides, he didn’t mind talking, not to Evelyn.