by Marie Harte
“I’m coming,” she shouted as she let go, her orgasm stealing her breath.
“Yes,” he hissed and shoved up so hard into her she shattered all over again. He gripped her hips and continued to thrust, his climax so strong the bed shook.
When she could see straight again, she slumped over him and felt him stroke her back.
The sex had been powerful and erotic. But this, the after, she loved this so much. Smith cared in every touch and taste, and he showed it in so many ways.
“Erin, I want to ask you something. You can say no.”
She tried to push herself up to see his face, but he kept his hand on her back, and she didn’t have the energy to struggle. “What’s that? Mmm. I love the way you touch me.”
He chuckled, and the rumble in his chest vibrated. “You’re like a kitten purring on top of me. With the hottest little pussy.
She felt herself blush. “You had to say the p-word.”
“Pussy? Better than the C word right?”
“Cock?”
“Cunt,” he said and slid his hands down to pull her tighter against him. He’d started to soften inside her, but she could still feel him there. “As in, I want to fill up Erin’s hot, wet cunt. Then lick her until she screams and do it all over again.”
“Smith.”
He laughed and groaned. “Damn. I’m falling out. Let’s hit the shower.”
She let him carry her into the tub, which was way too small for them both to sit in, though she’d have killed to take a bath with him. Tub sex was next on her list.
They stood in the hot spray of water and just held each other.
“I am going to have to call McSons to fix the hot water situation.”
“What situation?” she asked on a yawn, feeling very much like the contented kitten he’d described.
“The one we’re going to have. It’s only a matter of time before the hot water starts going out.”
“Ah, work stuff.”
“Yeah.” He pulled back and grabbed his shampoo. Then he handed it to her. He loved when she massaged his head, and the sensual expression he made when she did it made it one of her favorite things to do.
“So, what did you want to ask me?” She lathered him up.
He sighed. “I love you.”
She froze. “What?”
“I said I love this.”
She forced a laugh, her heart racing, when she wanted to cry. She had no idea how much she wanted to hear him say it first. Then she could say it and not feel as if she’d scared him into saying it back. Or worse, confessed feelings that he didn’t return.
She finished shampooing him then handed him her bottle. He smiled down at her, kissed her, then shampooed her. “You should be a massage therapist,” she told him. “You have great hands.”
“I know.”
“Braggart.”
He chuckled.
“I met a massage therapist. Rupert’s friend, the pretty blond and her lethal looking boyfriend, Sam. Remember them from the hospital?”
“I didn’t like the way the guy looked at you.”
She smiled. “That’s sweet, but I think he was just making sure I didn’t make any sudden moves to endanger his girlfriend. They’re so in love. You can tell.”
“Yeah? How can you tell?” He drew her into the hot water to rinse her off.
She blinked her eyes open when he’d finished and saw him studying her. “What?”
“I asked, how can you tell he loves her?” He held a bar of soap and proceeded to run it all over her body.
She’d been relaxed only moments before, and somehow, he had her sexed up and raring to go again. “I-it’s the way he looks at her.”
“Like how?” he asked and turned her to face the wall while he scrubbed her back, her butt, her legs.
“Like nothing matters but her.” The way I look at you.
“That dreamy, dippy, stupid look?”
Well, that brought her back down to earth. She glared at him over her shoulder. “No. It’s totally emotional and sweet.”
He didn’t look sweet at all to her. “Spread your legs for me, Cupcake.”
She growled, wishing he hadn’t ruined the moment, but spread her feet wider when his soapy hands trailed over her legs. Up and down, he touched her, and she wondered at his game.
When she turned her head to ask him, she was caught in his kiss, and it turned ravenous in a heartbeat.
Then he swore and lifted her, her front still pressed against the wall. “What are you—”
He slapped her ass, and she gasped when he ordered her to be quiet unless begging him to finish. Then he was there, pushing into her sex from behind, holding her in place and moving her where he wanted her without effort.
The helplessness of her position made everything better, and when she came screaming his name, he shoved home one final time and joined her.
The water started to turn cold. “Smith…”
“Damn.” He withdrew and left her aching for him to return. She liked feeling him inside her. Besides being incredibly sexy, the physical closeness felt more like an emotional connection, at least to her.
“So, what I wanted to ask you…” He did a quick cleanup on them both, then toweled her off before seeing to himself.
And she loved him for that too. All the little things he did added to up to one amazing, giving man.
“Just say it already.” She smacked him on the ass, and his startled look made her laugh and smack him again.
“Okay for that, you have to say yes.”
“Yes.” She smiled.
“Good. It’s settled. We’ll grab the ferry tomorrow at ten. And it’s casual dress.”
“Wait, what?”
He smiled back at her. “I agreed to go to my aunt’s for brunch. She’s been asking me to come over forever.” His smiled faded. “I could really use you there with me.” A pause. “This new family stuff isn’t easy for me.”
“Whatever you need.” She tugged him close for a kiss, ignoring her sudden unease at the thought of meeting his aunt.
“You, I just need you.”
She sighed, so in love.
“And a blowjob. That would be nice too.”
She chased him down and forced him to make her breakfast for being such a smartass.
Because Smith had a terrible weakness she planned to put to good use.
* * *
The next day on the ferry, he wouldn’t stop complaining.
“Oh, stop being such a baby.”
“I hate getting tickled.” He glared at her, but he couldn’t hide his smile. “Okay, fine. Since we both know I can outwrestle you, I guess the tickle thing evens the playing field. But I have to tell you, it’s not sexy. Not at all.”
“What, tickling doesn’t put you in the mood?” she asked as they stood outside on the upper deck of the ferry boat.
“No, that smugness. It’s really off-putting.”
She gave him more smug, and he grimaced and tried to block out her face with a huge hand.
She laughed, having so much fun with him and totally repressing her nerves about meeting more of his family. She loved that he wanted her to meet his aunt, but if the woman didn’t like her, Erin would feel awful.
“Hey, the world revolves around me,” Smith announced. “Not anything else.”
“You wish.”
“I know.” He looked so smarmy, and then he laughed.
It still amazed her Smith could be so normal and down to earth looking the way he did. So large, he commanded attention because of his size. But that intensity he wore like a second skin, that’s what warned people to be on their guard.
I have my own personal bad boy. For real.
“Uh oh.”
“What?” she asked.
“That smile of yours. It’s evil. What do you have planned I don’t know about?”
“Well, you said something earlier about a blowjob…”
His eyes grew comically wide. “Here?”
“No, you dope.”
His eyes narrowed.
She had to laugh. “I was just thinking that I’m dating a bad boy.”
His boyish grin took her aback. “Yeah? Well I’m dating the good girl, so I guess we’re even.” He whispered into her ear, “And she’s so good. She swallows.”
Erin smacked him on the arm, and they walked back to her Jeep in the bay downstairs, laughing.
She’d asked Smith to drive, because she had no idea where they were headed. And she’d never driven onto a ferry before. But now that she’d seen it done, she wanted to drive them back.
“You know,” she said as they entered the vehicle. “I’m learning a lot with you.”
“Yeah? Me too.”
“Like what?” she asked, unsure what the world-wise Marine could have possibly picked up from her.
“Well, I’ve learned that smaller is sometimes better.” His eyes heated. “You fit me perfectly. I’ve never had better sex in my life.”
“You think about sex a lot, it seems.”
“Please. I’m a guy. I think about sex all the time; I can’t help it. Especially if you’re around.”
“Ah, okay.” She tried not to feel flattered about that.
“I also learned that carrots are amazing in baked goods. I have never had carrot cake before you.”
“No way.” She gaped.
He flushed. “Nope. Hey, I thought it was a fake way to get a kid to eat veggies. How was I to know it’s real cake?”
She laughed so hard she cried.
The ferry docked, and people started their cars.
“And I learned something else.”
“What? That zucchini is good in bread?”
He opened and closed his mouth, then gave her a sheepish grin. “Well, that too.” As more of her laughter subsided, he said, “I learned that I don’t want to live without you anymore. I want you to move in with me.”
Cars started leaving.
She didn’t know what to say or think and feared blurting “I love you too” might not be what he meant. She cooked, they had sex, they liked to talk and hug. But she hadn’t known him all that long. Heck, they hadn’t even had a real fight, just a few verbal skirmishes over dinner or what to watch on TV.
He winked at her. “Don’t answer me right away. Think about it. And I’ll go over a pros and cons list with you later tonight. I drafted it a while ago. I just wanted to give you some time to mull over the idea.”
He patted her on the knee.
Just think about it? As if she’d think about anything else for the near or far future.
They arrived at his aunt’s house, and he walked her to the door, her thoughts still frazzled.
“You’re welcome.”
“For what?” she asked.
He gave a smile filled with a healthy dose of male superiority. “For giving you something better to worry about than impressing my so-called aunt.”
Chapter Eighteen
Erin wanted to punch Smith in the head, but he seemed too pleased with himself. He could tease her all he liked about being nervous, but she saw the anxiety he tried to suppress with humor.
“Quit with the ‘so-called.’ She wants to think of you as her nephew. It’s sweet. You be nice.”
He raised a brow. “Yes, ma’am.”
She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
He put an arm around her shoulders and waited.
The house looked massive on the outside, and situated on the water, not far from the ferry, it had to be worth a pretty penny. She’d learned from Smith that Jane Griffith, Evan’s mom, was related by marriage, so she didn’t actually have a blood tie to Reid or Cash. Her husband had been brothers with Reid’s father. Despite learning Cash’s father was not her husband’s brother, Jane insisted nothing had changed. She loved her nephews and considered Smith family.
Erin liked her for that already.
The house though, that she’d have to take in bit by bit. Erin felt overwhelmed, the homeowner obviously one of wealth and means. Apparently, Jerome, the owner, was a retired geologist who’d made his money in oil before retiring to teach. Now fully retired, he planned to marry Jane, who’d been widowed many years before.
“Jerome is cool,” Smith told he again. “A damn nice guy. And Jane—”
“Aunt Jane,” she reminded him.
He sighed. “Aunt Jane is nice. Remember, she’s older than Evan, around Tilly’s age, I think.”
“I know. Stop fretting.”
“I’m not fretting,” he muttered. “How long does it take to answer the damn doorbell? Are they five thousand miles away in the wine cellar or what?”
“Maybe the butler is otherwise occupied,” she teased.
“Or he killed them all with the candlestick in the ballroom.”
After a pause, she shook her head. “That was just bad.”
He sighed. “I know.”
The door finally opened, and a man who resembled Reid opened the door. Handsome, with a bright, charming smile and pale gray eyes, he looked well at home in khaki’s, a white collared shirt, and loafers.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Smith asked.
She pinched him.
“Ow.” He frowned down at her.
“Hi. I’m Erin. And you must be…Evan?”
“Good guess.” The stranger shook her hand and drew her inside, ignoring Smith, who swore after him. “Jerome, my mom’s sugar daddy—”
“Evan!” his mother yelled.
“I mean, her fiancé, is back in the city helping a friend.” Evan chuckled. “He’s actually a terrific guy. He wanted to be here but couldn’t, so Mom asked me to help.”
“We didn’t want to be any trouble,” Erin said, feeling like an unwelcome guest.
“Oh, you’re not. He is.” Evan nodded to Smith, who stormed in like a heard of elephants on over the hardwood floor. Evan chuckled at the look Smith shot him. “I’m kidding. I’d planned to do brunch with Mom since I don’t see her as much with her living out here now. When she told me you guys were coming, I was even more excited to come.”
“I’ll bet.” Smith showed a lot of teeth, but Evan just grinned.
He had a charming way about him, and before Erin knew it, she’d told him all about Tilly and her mishap the day before.
“That’s terrible.” Evan frowned. “Is she okay? Smith, if you need time off to help her, you know you only have to ask.”
“I only get so many sick days,” he said, sounding gruff.
Erin could feel a sticky sense of tension. “Evan, where’s your mom?”
“Here!” Aunt Jane called from the kitchen.
They walked through a grand, open living area, past a study, and continued to the kitchen and the back living area. Geesh, I could fit my entire apartment in here three times at least…on this level. Then she saw the hallway leading to an area farther back and amended her estimate to five times.
Jane Griffith stood behind the sink, her cheeks flushed, her white hair pulled back in a clip. She looked like a wealthy older socialite in a gray sweater, pearls, and jeans. “Sorry, the maid’s day off.”
Erin smiled.
Evan chuckled. “She’s kidding. There’s no maid, just a hell of a lot of house.”
“Well, Jerome does have a cleaning lady who comes twice a month.”
“Damn, Aunt Jane. You’re moving up in the world.” Smith sounded different. More deferential, softer, somehow.
Erin met Evan’s gaze and saw him nod. When Smith went to offer Jane a hug, Evan whispered, “He’s mean on the outside, a softie on the inside. And he likes my mom.”
“Quit flirting with my girlfriend,” Smith ordered. “And speaking of which, where’s Kenzie and Daniel?”
Evan smiled. “My fiancé and her brother are busy. Kenzie’s doing some girl’s weekend with Lila and Rachel—”
“Evil i
ncarnate,” Smith interrupted, which had Jane laughing.
“And Daniel’s on a sleepover at his buddy Rafe’s. Interesting fact: Rafe is Jordan’s younger brother. It’s like six degrees of separation in Seattle with Vets on the Go!”
“What?” Erin missed the joke.
Smith stepped away from Jane to rejoined Erin. “Evan means everyone knows everyone. Jordan is Cash’s girlfriend. And her younger brother happens to be good friends with Evan’s younger brother by marriage. Or soon to be marriage, if he doesn’t screw it up first.”
Jane nodded. “Exactly what I keep telling him—not to screw it up.” She walked up to Erin and gave her a big hug. For being in her early seventies, the woman had a fierce grip. She looked lovely, happiness agreeing with her. “Erin, I’m so pleased to meet you. I’ve been bugging Smith to come by before now, but for some reason I seem to scare him.”
They both looked over at Smith, to see him flushing. “I am not scared of you, Aunt Jane.”
“Ha. Liar.” Evan laughed at him, then struggled when Smith gave him a noogie.
“Not so sophisticated now, eh, Cousin Evan?”
“Ass.”
“Evan, language.”
“Sorry, Mom.” When Jane turned away, Evan got free and put a finger across his throat and pointed at Smith, who gave a silent laugh.
Jane snickered. “Boys. So, Erin, tell me about yourself.”
Jane ferreted all of Erin’s history in between pastries from Sofa’s—only the best bakery in all of Seattle, according to Jane—brioche French toast, and spinach and mushroom omelets. The conversation stalled when Jane left to get coffee and asked Smith, not Evan, to help her.
As soon as the pair left, Evan nodded for Erin to follow him out onto the back veranda overlooking Puget Sound. The sun glittered off the deep blue waves, ripples of wind pushing the dark caps and light-colored sail boats in the distance.
“Oh my gosh. This is beautiful!”
“I know.” Evan sighed. “I’m so happy Mom is marrying a guy who can take care of her. We’re not big money people. I mean, I’m a CPA, and I’ve worked with big money. Mom was in middle management in business. She had some money when Dad left, but not like this.”
Erin hugged herself against the cold and blinked in surprise when Evan wrapped a blanket around her. “Thanks.”