by Lori Foster
“You have amazing taste.”
“Thanks, but I can’t take much credit. The furniture is antique. Mom was a collector. She bought this set ages ago, and Dad left it behind when he moved.”
She stroked her fingers along the edge of an ornate mirror over the dresser. “I love it.”
“Me, too.” He’d repaired the pieces his father had broken in a depressive rant after his wife died.
Jason still missed her.
So how must Colt feel?
“The quilt is beautiful. Is it handmade?”
“Locally, yeah.” Watching her walk around the room, touching some things, studying others, made it difficult for him to talk.
She looked out the windows to the backyard, then to the adjacent wall—where the window faced her house.
She glanced at him but said nothing.
The thought of leading her to the bed pulsed in his brain. Instead he said, “There’s a bathroom through there.”
Hesitantly she turned, opened the door he’d indicated, then sighed. “I’m so jealous.” She disappeared inside.
Jason kept his distance. He was already at the ragged edge, and getting closer wouldn’t help.
From inside the room she said, “Love your shower! It’s huge. And the tiles are beautiful.”
“It’s one of the rooms that gained space when I added on.”
When she emerged, she said, “You are so neat and clean. That shower looks like it’s never been used.”
“Use it every day,” he promised.
She laughed at him. “Then you must dry it off each time.”
“Guilty.”
Walking around him, she headed to the door. “Show me the kitchen. They say it’s the heart of the home.”
For sure it’d be safer.
Taking her back down the hall and through the family room, they turned into the kitchen. The dining room had arched doorways that opened into the kitchen and into the family room, so that the three rooms flowed together.
Walking the perimeter of the room, Honor admired the cabinetry, the appliances and the natural stone counters. “It’s beautiful.”
She was beautiful, maybe more so while a little damp from yard work. He kept looking at the nape of her neck, where small curls had escaped the band of her ponytail.
He’d touched her there. Now he wanted to kiss her there.
He wanted to kiss her everywhere.
“You did all the work yourself?”
“Yeah.” Realizing she’d caught him staring, Jason popped his neck and tried to focus. At this rate she’d think he was desperate. Or worse, that he’d never been laid. “I kept the basic design from my childhood, just bigger. This sink? It’s the original. I updated the faucets but used the same style. My mom used to stand here doing dishes, and she’d watch Hogan and me in the backyard through the window.” He gestured to the new island. “But back then, when the room was so much smaller, the sink was there.”
Honor drifted to the sink and looked out. “I can almost envision that.”
Almost? Jason looked at the length of her body, from the gracefully bent neck as she bowed her head, down her spine to the dip of her waist, then the flare of her behind and hips.
Her softly rounded curves were perfect.
Feeling literally drawn to her, he stepped up close and put his hands on her waist. Through the big T-shirt he could feel the contours of her body. He let his nose tease her tantalizing nape. “Damn, you look hot grubby.”
She made a rough sound of surprise—but she didn’t move away.
“I like you, Honor.”
She tipped her head to give him better access and said breathlessly, “You do?”
“Mmm.” His lips just brushed the edge of her ear. “You like me, too.”
“How do you know?”
Jason turned her to face him. Her eyes looked heavy, her soft lips parted. God, he needed her mouth. “You stare at me a lot.”
“You’re always half-naked.”
So cute. “That’s all it is, huh?” He smoothed back those wayward tendrils of hair. He loved her hair, so soft and baby fine, the color kissed by the sun. “Because you know, Mr. Westbrook a few doors down always cuts his grass in his Speedos, but I haven’t seen you eyeballing him.”
With the daze clearing from her whiskey-colored eyes, she snorted a laugh. “He’s sixty-eight and...rotund.”
“Rotund, huh? That’s your nice way of saying he has a massive beer gut?”
Wearing a silly smile, she nodded. “I always try to be nice.”
“Other than the time I pissed you off, you have been. And believe me, I deserved it then.”
Scowling playfully, she poked him in the chest and said, “You didn’t want me to move in.”
He caught her hand. “I didn’t think you could handle things.” How stupid he’d been. So far, Honor was the hardest worker he’d ever known. “Plenty of people have thought they could breeze in, do some cosmetic work and resell for a profit. Soon as they realize the scope of the job, they sell the property. And if they can’t sell, they abandon it.”
She tipped her head, studying him. “Is that what happened to my house?”
“Lucky for you, they’d already done repairs to the heat pump and plumbing.” Winter might be a problem, because she’d probably need a new roof. But she’d likely figure that out, and how to deal with it, on her own, too.
She flattened a hand to his chest. “You know, you were right about a lot of things.”
“Such as?”
“The noises at night, for one.” She peered up at him and admitted, “I hear so many things.”
“Things that scare you?”
There was a heartbeat of hesitation. “Let’s just say they can be unsettling.”
“Hey.” Again he cupped her nape, this time with both hands. “You have my number.” He wouldn’t mind keeping her safe at night.
“Right.” Her smile twitched. “So at two in the morning you wouldn’t mind reassuring the insecure lady next door that the bogeyman doesn’t exist?”
It wasn’t the bogeyman she had to worry about, but real crime. “You can call me anytime.” When her eyes searched his, he added, “For anything.”
“So you’re a good uncle—and a really terrific neighbor.” Her gaze darted away. “But you already think I’m weak.”
“Hell no.” Bending his knees to draw her gaze back to his, he gave her the full force of his frown. “You’ve blown me away, Honor Brown. No one should work as hard as you do. You’re...” He straightened again and sighed. “You’re not what I expected, because you’re not like any other women I’ve known.”
“Known a lot, have you?”
“I’m thirty-two and I haven’t been a saint.” He smiled. “But I’m also not a guy who feels challenged to get laid every weekend.” Mostly because he was particular, and at heart he wanted what Hogan had once had...before it all went up in flames.
Her eyes flared at his blunt speaking. “Um...okay.”
What exactly was it about her? “Every woman I’ve known would have been asking for help, not refusing it.”
“I’d like to say I’m different from them.” She gestured between them. “But I’m here because I ran to you terrorized by a snake.”
“Well, hallelujah, you have a weakness.”
Now she laughed. “I have many, if you must know.”
“I’d like to know.” He wouldn’t mind learning everything about her, especially the reason for her midnight runs. “Speaking of that. Where do you go—”
Laughter and a closing door proclaimed their private time over.
Walking into the kitchen, Colt said, “You scared that poor snake so badly it had gray hairs—”
His voice dropped to sudden silence. Hogan almost ran into his back. Both of them stared, then ran into each other again trying to backtrack out.
“Sorry.”
“Should’ve knocked.”
Ducking away from Jason, Honor didn’t le
t them get far. “You guys got the snake safely settled?”
After giving Jason a look of apology, Colt grinned at her. “We didn’t tuck him in or anything, but yeah, we put him underneath a shrub on the other side of the creek.”
“I hope he’ll be okay.”
They all stared at her, each trying to suppress a smile.
“The creek’s high,” Hogan said, just to fill in the silence. “I could almost hear the fish calling out to us.”
The effort to joke didn’t quite dissipate the sexual tension still stirring the air.
“So...” Feeling that tension, Hogan put a hand on his son’s back and steered him to the doorway. “Colt and I are going to watch some TV. Carry on.”
The second they stepped out, Honor turned to Jason, her eyes filled with questions.
“We got interrupted,” he said gruffly.
“Yes, we did.” She waffled, then came close and, in the barest whisper, asked, “Were you...you know. Going to kiss me?”
Damn right. “The possibility crossed my mind.” Maybe after he got her to answer some burning questions about her frequent trips. He needed to know where she went during the night. The only possibility he could think of was her seeing another guy, and he hated it. Honor didn’t strike him as the type to play that game, but he needed her to confirm it.
Before he could ask her, she bit her lip, nodded—then suddenly went on her tiptoes to lightly press that irresistible mouth to his.
Used to her usual reserve, the kiss totally took him by surprise. He registered the softness of her lips along with the gentle touch of her hands on his bare shoulders as she braced herself.
Needing more, he reached for her just as she dropped back flat to her feet. Looking shy once again, she whispered, “Thank you for saving me from the snake.”
“Welcome,” he managed to say around the surge of lust.
Flushed, she put a hand to her chest. “That made my heart beat harder than the snake did.” She smiled—and turned to walk away.
Like hell. “Honor.”
She paused, her back still to him.
“When’s your next evening free?”
Looking over her shoulder at him, she asked suspiciously, “Why?”
“I want to take you out. Nowhere fancy. Maybe Screwy Louie’s.”
“Really? I’ve been wanting to go there.” She turned to him again, and her face fell. “I don’t really get nights off, though. I mean, not while there’s still so much to do on the house.”
“Take a few hours off for me and I’ll help you get some things done.” When she started to object, Jason closed the space between them, drew her in close and kissed her the way he really wanted to.
Keeping her still, he touched his mouth to hers. Her lips were full and warm, and Jesus, she smelled good. He touched with his tongue, teasing with shallow licks and small strokes until she parted and let him in, allowing the kiss to go deeper. Damp, hot.
Breath quickening, she pressed closer.
His cock twitched—from a kiss.
Against his chest, he felt her stiffened nipples and the rocking of her heartbeat. Or maybe that was his heart pumping too fast. Hard to tell.
He knew he should let up, but he couldn’t quite convince himself of that. He wanted more. Needed more.
Given the way her fingertips dug into his shoulders, she did, too.
So damn sweet. God, her mouth was nice.
If kissing her was this hot, what would the sex be like?
When she gave a small groan, he pressed a hand down to the small of her back, gathered her in closer and this time he was the one groaning.
He’d been far too long without a woman, and his control wasn’t what it should be. His brother and his seventeen-year-old nephew were in the other room. Most important, Honor had been too reluctant for him to take advantage of her now. She’d initiated the first kiss. He should relish that without pushing her too much; the last thing he wanted was for her to have regrets.
It wasn’t easy, but he got it together and gently eased her away. Her eyes stayed closed and she breathed heavily.
Such a temptation.
“Make time for me.” With lust roughening his voice, the request sounded more like a demand.
As if coming out of a fog, Honor blinked lazily, then blew out a slow breath. “That might not be a good idea.”
“It’s a terrific idea. You could use some fun.”
She blinked fast. “Fun?”
“Screwy Louie’s. Remember?”
“Oh, right.” She hugged him tight and, sounding apologetic, said, “I don’t know when I’d have time. I’ve still got so much to do to the house and then there’s work and...other things.”
Determined to find out about those “other things,” Jason smoothed down her ponytail, kissed the top of her head and just enjoyed holding her because that, too, was damn nice. “You said you wanted to repay me.” It was dirty pool, playing that card against her. But the way he felt right now, he’d do whatever needed to be done to win her over.
“I do, but—”
“No buts. I promise it’ll be painless, and I promise you’ll have fun. That’s all I’m asking for.” He tilted back to see her. “Just neighbors visiting, okay? No reason to worry.”
“I...” She thought about it, but clearly couldn’t come up with a reason to refuse. “Okay, fine.” She went to step away, and he reluctantly let her.
“One thing, Honor.”
“Hmm?”
Her eyes were still hazy with need and it nearly took out his knees. No woman should be so sexy and so incredibly sweet. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
Warm color mottled her cheeks, and as she started backing up toward the door, worry showed in her beautiful eyes. “No problem there.” She looked at his chest, his abdomen...lower, then quickly met his eyes again. “Apparently my willpower isn’t that strong anyway.”
* * *
For once in her life, Lexie hadn’t shared with Honor, and she wasn’t sure why. Honor was always supportive, never judged her and understood her quirkiness.
But for some reason, this felt...private.
Dumb. Especially since Honor had told her about “the kiss,” as Honor called it. Lexie grinned thinking about it. For Honor, that had been a huge move—a move she rarely made. It usually took Lexie a lot of arm twisting just to get Honor to agree to a date. But close to a week ago she’d kissed her hunky neighbor in his kitchen with his relatives close by, all predate.
Silently she’d cheered. Not so silently, she’d told Honor to go for gold. So far, though, that hadn’t happened. Hopefully soon.
She pulled up in front of the restaurant with a lot of anticipation. After too many conflicts with their schedules, she and Sullivan had finally arranged to meet for an early dinner, away from his neighborhood, closer to hers. Given the time, he’d told her he could shower at his gym and come straight from there. She’d been tempted to run by there, take a peek, see the setup. But that might have looked stalkerish, so instead she’d resisted temptation and put all her thoughts on what might happen later tonight.
After checking her lip gloss in the visor mirror, she turned off her car—and jumped when a tap sounded on her window.
Sullivan stood there, looking immeasurably hot in a black T-shirt and khakis. Smiling, he opened her door and Lexie stepped out.
The man had it.
All the good stuff. Machismo. Killer body. Charming smile.
It wasn’t often a man could bowl her over, but Sullivan really did it for her.
Trying for her usual careless air, she said, “Hey, Sullivan. Perfect timing.”
“Hey, yourself.” His appreciative gaze boldly coasted over her. “Nice.”
Since she’d specifically dressed for him, she liked his reaction to her simple black tank dress made snug enough to show off her every curve. She’d dressed it up a little with medium-heeled, beaded sandals and dangly silver earrings.
“I’m glad you approv
e.”
“I didn’t say that.” Lifting one brow, he let his attention linger on her breasts, her belly, her upper thighs. “Looking like you do, you’re liable to cause a riot.”
Oh, such a flatterer. “I’ll trust you to keep me safe.” Copying Honor’s example, she leaned into him and stole a kiss.
She was about to move away, but he caught his arm around her waist and locked her close. “Try that again,” he said against her lips, “but this time do it like you mean it.”
“A challenge?”
“If that’s how you want to take it.”
Loving this game, Lexie held his face, gently kissed his bottom lip, nipped it with her teeth, then teased with her tongue.
“Better,” he growled while stepping his body against hers, pressing her to the car.
“Hush.” She put her mouth to his and kissed him the way she’d wanted to since she first laid eyes on him.
His inky dark hair was still damp from a recent shower and she inhaled the scents of soap, aftershave and oh-so-potent male. Intoxicated, she forgot it was a game and got lost in the kiss—especially when Sullivan took over.
Add “excellent kisser” to the list with his other fine qualities. It had been a long time since something as innocent as a mere kiss got her this fired up.
When a horn beeped and someone laughingly yelled, “Get a room,” they both recalled they were standing beside her car at the curb in full view of passersby.
His smile wicked, Sullivan whispered, “Now, that was a kiss.”
Flustered, turned on and totally off her game, Lexie managed to say, “Oh, I have other tricks up my sleeve. But maybe not here.”
His laugh showed beautiful white teeth and made his blue eyes light up brighter. He gave her another quick kiss, and even that, more of a teasing smooch than anything sexual, had her toes curling.
With his arm around her he led her to the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
Far as Lexie was concerned, dinner couldn’t end quickly enough—but hopefully the night would be long.
5
MIDWAY THROUGH HIS meal with Lexie, Sullivan knew he wanted her. Actually he’d known that from the moment she introduced herself. Her body language, her smiles, even her eyes made it clear that she was available, willing, even anxious to hook up.