by Marie Harte
The big sweetheart murmured her name and kissed her neck. “You awake?” he asked, his thick voice sexy as heck.
No, sexy as hell. Erin wiggled her ass against him. “I am if you are,” she whispered.
He chuckled and jostled behind her, then raised her shirt up to expose her panties under the blanket. She felt his naked flesh against her back and froze, realizing he’d removed his underwear.
Morning sex. She shivered, remembering how it used to be, feeling a part of a couple, sharing intimacies with someone she…loved. Erin didn’t want to think about her confusing emotions just now. She wanted Smith.
She pulled his hand between her legs. “Take them off me.”
He did, then slid his fingers inside her, finding her slick and ready. “Oh, yeah. You’re so hot.” He pumped his fingers in and out of her, rubbing his erection against her back, then positioning himself between her legs, resting against her folds but not penetrating.
“In me,” she breathed, wanting him to be a part of her, this wonderful man who had been through so much yet gave her so much joy.
“Yeah. In you,” he agreed and angled himself inside her.
On her side, with Smith behind her, the penetration didn’t get far enough. Then he shifted her leg over his, widening her, and pushed.
She gasped; he groaned. And his movements grew jerky while he rubbed her clit, the race to climax speeding. “Yes, oh, I’m coming.” She keened and ground his hand against her, the aftershocks of passion making her tremble.
He gripped her hip and pulled her back, shoving so deep inside she felt him move. He shuddered, sawing in and out of her as he came, and she wanted it. Him. As close together as two people could be.
“Erin.” Smith sighed and rested his forehead against her shoulder. “Fuck. You’re amazing.”
“An amazing fuck?” She heard herself say it and blushed.
“Hell, yeah.” He chuckled but didn’t withdraw. Instead, he stayed inside her, joined. “Man, I never want to move ever again.”
“Don’t.”
“Trust me, if I could freeze like this, I would. But I’m getting soft, and you’re about to get messy.”
“Dang it.”
He pulled out and she raced away to the bathroom. She’d finished cleaning up when he knocked. She was washing her hands when he moved to the toilet. “No.”
He stopped moving.
“Don’t even think about peeing in front of me,” she warned. “We’re close but not that close.”
“Oh?” he sounded annoyed.
“Smith, we could be married fifty years with forty grandkids, and we still wouldn’t be that close. The only person who pees in front of me is me.”
He grinned. “Forty grandkids? So how many kids is that?”
“Oh.” She left the room, feeling like an utter fool. Why the hell would she mention marriage or kids at all? She might be thinking about how much she liked and lusted and yes, loved the man. But she had so much baggage in her own life, and Smith clearly had a truckload in his. The poor guy constantly helped her out of messes, yet no one ever helped him, and look at how remarkable he’d turned out to be?
Erin paused in his bedroom. It had just turned six, and his alarm went off. She searched for his phone, found it, and hit a button to silence the racket.
“You want to shower here or at your place?” he asked, standing naked in the doorway.
She couldn’t help staring at him. “You’re not embarrassed about being nude at all are you?”
“Nope. And I pee in front of other people all the time.”
“All the time, really?” She quirked a brow.
“In the men’s bathroom, Cupcake. And when I was in the Corps, if we were out in the field or on patrol, we took care of business. No big deal.”
She felt embarrassed but figured they might as well talk about it. “Okay, here’s the deal. I like you. A lot. A lot-lot.” The wide smile he wore looked good on him. “But I have my own quirks.”
“Right. No peeing in front of you.”
“Right. And that includes all things that involve the toilet.”
“What about puking?” His eyes gleamed.
“Well, Mr. Pain-in-the-Butt, how about this? If it comes out of you below the waist, I don’t want to see it. Same goes for me. I will not do my business in front of you.”
“Okay.”
“And no farting either.” She wished she hadn’t started all this. “It’s gross. Guys think it’s funny. I do not.”
“Gotcha.”
She had to give it to him. He was working hard to choke back laughter. “And another thing. I expect honesty between us. I liked sleeping with you. And I loved what we just did. Maybe we could keep doing this.”
“This?”
“Us.”
He watched her in silence, enough to make her uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry. Did I push for too much?” she asked.
“Just making sure you’re saying that because you like me. Not because you pity me or anything,” he muttered.
“You are as thick as a brick.”
He glanced down at himself and shrugged. “I know. Thanks for noticing.”
“No, you idiot. Not your penis. Your head.”
“Huh?”
“I like you because you’re sexy and sweet, but you can be kind of an asshole.” Only Smith could make her cuss.
“Oh, you said a bad word.”
“Shut up. I like being with you. You make me laugh. I feel good around you. And I know you’d never treat me the way Cody did.”
He stepped toward her, stopping so close she had to look up to read his expression. “Never. I like you too.” He sighed. “A lot. You’re sexy and funny, and let’s be honest, you make me hard. But you never leave me hungry.” He grinned. “We should date. For real.”
“For real?” She tensed. Had they been fake dating?
“You’re my girl. Only mine,” he warned.
She understood and relaxed, letting him take her in his arms. “So, you want to be my boyfriend.”
“Yep.”
“So, I’m your girlfriend.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But we don’t live together, right?” she needed some clarification on that.
He opened his mouth and closed it, and she wondered what he’d intended to say before he’d changed his mind. “What do you think about the living arrangements?”
“I think it’s too soon,” she said, though she fantasized saying, Yes, let’s do it. I love you. Let’s start making babies and live happily ever after. To which Smith would run for the hills.
“Right.”
They stared at each other.
Smith glanced at his alarm clock. “It’s still early. Do you have time for another round?”
She smiled, feeling so in sync with this man. Erin whipped off her shirt. “Great minds think alike.”
“Yes, Cupcake.” His hands followed the trail his eyes had made. “They do.”
Chapter Fourteen
Later in the morning, Erin stood with Tilly in Brad Battle’s unit, having accompanied the insistent older woman to avoid being nagged for another hour about the hot plumbers coming to fix her pipes.
Tilly laughed hard at her own jokes, but having been the recipient of Smith’s ability with his larger-than-normal pipe, Erin laughed with her.
She’d been on cloud nine all morning. Erin had a boyfriend. Smith Ramsey was officially hers.
She hadn’t yet told Tilly because she wanted to announce her new status the right way and prepare herself to answer a million prying questions.
For now, the sexy plumbers of McSons Plumbing occupied Tilly, so Erin kept her great news to herself.
She frowned. She had no one but Smith and Tilly to tell, anyway. And Reid and Naomi, she added, wondering how they might feel about her dating Reid’s brother. Would Smith tell anyone? Did she care if he didn’t? She didn’t rightly know how to process her affection. She loved him. She knew it wa
s crazy. And part of her didn’t care.
But the other part did.
“Oh, they’re almost here.” Tilly sounded giddy as she stared at her phone and texted back.
A glance around the apartment showed a neat bachelor’s pad. Brad had good taste. Nice, dark furniture against cream colored walls and upscaled appliances and countertops. He had a lot of photos of what looked like family, firefighters, and fellow Marines. Geez, there sure seemed to be a lot of them around here. She wondered if Smith had known Brad before, when he’d served in the Marine Corps, and figured to ask him later.
Some portraits of landscapes decorated the walls. Using Tilly’s nosiness as an excuse, Erin had looked with her, seeing a neat space full of personal items that showed an organized mind. Brad had set up his second bedroom as an office, and he had a desk and computer and everything in its place.
This apartment must have cost more than hers, for sure. Maybe more than Smith’s too, because it looked like Brad had two bedrooms, and the unit felt more upscale.
Tilly noticed her looking around. “Nice, eh? I updated most of the spaces on the B floor two years ago. I charge more for ‘em, but the tenants are great and always pay on time. And speaking of which, rent is due on the first.”
“I know. I can pay you.”
“Six hundred, flat.”
“What? That’s—”
“The deal. Take it or leave it,” Tilly growled.
“Tilly, that’s less than what we agreed.” Great. Now Erin felt as if she were taking advantage of an old lady.
“Look, your unit needs a lot of work. You cleaned it. You also cook for me and clean, though your dusting needs some work.”
Erin rolled her eyes. She left the unit spotless, and Tilly knew it.
“And you don’t mind helping with other stuff. You have my offer. Take it or leave it.”
Erin didn’t trust the militant look in Tilly’s eyes, so she shrugged and gratefully took the gift for what it was. “Fine. But if you go broke because you’re undercharging people, I expect to be the first one you kick out.”
“The very first. My foot on your tiny ass as I shove you out the door.”
“Thanks, so much.”
Tilly snickered. Today she wore a pretty blue blouse and jeans over white orthopedic shoes.
“I thought Smith was supposed to be handling this,” Erin said. She knew Brad had been notified, but Smith typically handled maintenance issues, even the ones subcontracted out.
“He was, but he’s coming in half an hour when he can get away. He thought it would be sooner, but he said someone was out sick this morning and he had to fill in on a job farther away.”
He hadn’t told Erin any of that, but then, why would he? She was supposed to be working in her place. She had to be careful not to fall behind. She had two new articles to edit, one on almonds and another on fire prevention. And she was way past due to film something new for her cooking channel.
Two men appeared in the open doorway to the apartment. Both extremely handsome, wearing jeans and white McSons Plumbing shirts, they came with a toolkit, friendly smiles, and a lot of muscle. Erin now understood why Tilly had been so keen on having these particular plumbers solve her problems.
“Hi. Mrs. Cartwright?”
Tilly moved faster than Erin had ever seen her, flying toward the plumbers and barely using her cane. “I’m Tilly Cartwright.
“I’m Brody Singer.” The sandy-haired man with the killer grin notched a thumb at his companion. “This is Flynn McCauley, my talented employee.”
The dark-haired man glared at him. “He means partner.” Then he turned on the charm and had Tilly laughing and flirting in seconds.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Tilly cooed.
Erin just stared at her landlady, in awe of Flynn’s power.
“And you are?” Brody asked, friendly but not too friendly. She noted he and Flynn wore wedding rings, and she appreciated him being more professional with her. The guys couldn’t have been too much older than Erin. She imagined they did a lot of business through referrals, no doubt from the single lonely-hearts of Seattle.
“I’m Erin.” She shook their hands. “I’m with Tilly. She’s the boss. I’m just here to do what she says.”
The guys grinned. “Sounds good. Now Tilly,” Flynn said. “The guy who called said something about the shower not heating up?”
“Yes. Follow me.” Flynn followed her while Brody remained behind.
He asked her, “I don’t suppose you know where the hot water heater is in the building.”
“Sorry, no.”
Brody shrugged. “No problem. Tilly mentioned Smith Ramsey, our point of contact, should be arriving soon.”
She nodded. “Smith does all the handyman work around the place.” She started to say more when she saw a cat sitting on the kitchen counter. “Um…”
Brody followed her gaze. “Hey, kitty.”
It allowed itself to be held and petted while Flynn and Tilly spoke in the bathroom. Tilly kept laughing at whatever Flynn said.
“Erin.” Brody motioned her over.
She joined him near the cat and petted it until it drew back a paw. Man, she did not seem to have luck with felines. “What?”
“Please tell me she didn’t flush anything down a toilet.”
Erin blinked. “Huh?”
Brody sighed and in a lower voice explained, “One of our clients, the one who referred us to Tilly, has a habit of flushing stuff down her toilet for us to come fish out. I’m not lying when I say we’ve been to her house half a dozen times. The woman is in her eighties. And no, she doesn’t have grandkids or anyone who lives with her. I think she has a crush on Flynn.”
Erin bit her lip, amused by his telling. “I’m sorry, yet amused.”
Brody grinned, his light brown eyes glinting with humor. “So am I.”
“Emerald Estates really does have a plumbing problem. Tilly—”
“What the hell is this?” Smith barked from the doorway. He glared at Erin, standing close to Brody.
She smiled. “Ah, my boyfriend.” It felt good to say. “Smith, come meet Brody, one half of McSons Plumbing.”
Brody looked relieved. “Oh man. Glad to meet you. Erin was just telling me Tilly really has a problem.”
Smith looked puzzled. “That’s why we called you.”
Erin chuckled and whispered, “But Tilly’s friend who recommended these guys has a crush on Flynn. She keeps flushing stuff down the toilet so he’ll come fish it out.”
Brody smirked. “She’s eighty years young, and Flynn’s on her must-do list.”
Smith quirked a grin. “Ah. Got it.”
Erin liked that he smiled so much more now. He looked so handsome when he let himself enjoy life. Then again, he turned her on when he sneered.
Brody held out his hand, and after introductions were made, Erin excused herself to go back to her apartment to work. But not before giving Smith a big kiss.
They forgot everything before Brody cleared his throat, then they sprung apart.
“Ah, you know, your blossoming romance makes everything brighter. But Smith, do you think you could show me the hot water heater?”
Erin laughed and left, just as Smith called Brody a wiseass.
* * *
Smith hadn’t liked Erin standing too close to Tilly’s plumbers. Because yeah, he could see why the old woman had wanted them to “service her unit” as she’d said, laughing, over and over again. The guys looked to be around his age, give or take a few years. Brody was smart, had a sense of humor, and knew his stuff.
Smith’s first reaction to seeing the guy standing near Erin had been rage. Jealousy. An ugly realization that she’d been flirting and not meaning any of that close crap about them being a couple.
The pain had been vicious. For all of a few seconds. Then he’d come back to earth and realized they were doing nothing but talking. He’d heard Erin call him her boyfriend for the very first time.
> I have got to get a grip.
Brody followed him outside after setting down the cat… “Is that yours?” he asked the guy.
Brody shook his head. “Found him in the kitchen.”
“That’s gonna cause a problem.” Tilly was firm about no pets.
Then again, she might not notice because she’d been back in the bathroom with Flynn for a while. “Should we rescue your partner?”
Brody sighed. “My brother. And he’s got a lot to learn. I’m teaching him the ropes, but he’s not as quick at catching on as I’d hoped.” He grinned. “Make sure you tell him I said that if he asks.”
“Ah, sure.”
“I’m totally kidding. Guy is super smart. But he’s annoying.”
“I get that.” Cash had been over him like a rash all morning, asking questions about the dinner with Reid and Naomi, about Erin, and about what Smith might be feeling. It had been pure hell.
“So, the water heater…”
Half an hour later, Flynn still hadn’t joined them, but Smith had learned it was only a matter of time before the water heater crapped out.
Brody shook his head. “This thing has gone beyond its prime, if you ask me. It’s a good piece of gear, but one of these days it’s going to break, and then you’ll be out of luck and taking cold showers.” Brody wrote down a few names. “Check on these. I recommend the top two as your best bang for your buck. But it’s your call.”
“Tilly’s call,” he said as he read the brand names. “And you guys will install it? How much?”
Brody rattled off some figures. “Let us know what you want to do. Once you know what you want, we’ll order it for you and schedule to install it. Won’t take long to come in. Should be anywhere from 2-4 hours to install, but we’ll allot extra time in case something goes wrong. We’ll remove the old heater, which means disconnecting the power and water supply, then remove the tank. We put in the new heater, a tank if she’s not going tankless, then we have to fit the thing. Then reconnect it. It’s not a huge project unless we find issues when we remove your tank.”