by Piper Rayne
I swivel around, and his hand is pulling on his neck and he’s staring at the floor.
“No.” I shake my head, stepping forward. “I do like it. Too much. Hell, I was envisioning you kidnapping me out of Fired Up and taking me to your truck earlier tonight.”
“What?” he asks quietly.
I shake my head. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.” Damn me and my big mouth.
“I’m confused.” He drops his hand from his neck and stares at me.
I bury my head in my hands, ready to finally hash this out but knowing how embarrassing it’s going to be. “I like the flirting. I like the fact that you openly want me to wear overalls because you want to take them off me.”
“Actually I just want to slide my hand through the opening on the sides.” He chuckles.
His hands land on my shoulders and slide around to my back, resulting in me resting my forehead against his chest. It’s so strong, and damn this feels nice after going all these weeks without affection from anyone. I never dreamed I’d miss my mom’s constant hugs and kisses on the cheek until I came to Alaska and kept my distance from everyone. But being in Cade’s arms feels good, too good. It also feels dangerous.
I step back. “But we can’t.”
“We can.”
He presses his lips to mine, and I don’t push him away. As though he’s worried I’m going to stop the kiss, he slides his tongue through my parted lips and pulls me closer. I open to him, wanting him more than I care about any consequence, at least in this moment.
“I saw red when you walked by the bar with Adam. I’m not a jealous guy,” he whispers, his lips moving down my jaw to my neck.
As he kisses me again, I cling to his hair, threading my fingers through his longer strands, wishing it could be this easy and uncomplicated.
He breaks the kiss, looking pained to do it. “I’m sorry.”
I giggle because if he only knew how badly I’ve wanted to know how he kissed. “Okay, care to explain?”
He sits on the edge of the bed and clasps his hands, his forearms resting on his knees. “I didn’t like you with Adam.”
I laugh. “No, I mean this.” I wave a finger between us.
“You let me kiss you,” he says, those eyebrows raised in question like he always does. “I thought there was a fifty-fifty shot you were gonna smack me.”
“I wasn’t going to smack you.” I laugh.
“Why?”
“Well, you threw me at first. I had no time to react.”
He huffs. “You’re seriously going to go with that?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you kissed me back because you liked it. Because you want me just as much as I want you.”
I guffaw. “I hate you.” Lies. All lies.
He stands, putting his hands on my cheeks and staring into my eyes. “Say it again.”
I inhale a deep breath and whisper, “I should hate you.”
“But you don’t.”
“I don’t, but that doesn’t mean we should be kissing either.”
But damn it felt good to go where it feels as though my gut is leading me. I forgot what it was like when you don’t fight what comes naturally.
“And why exactly is that?” He drops his hands and steps back.
“Come on, Cade, I have so many issues, every man should run away from me. I’m trying to find myself in a town that belonged to my birth parents who gave me up and kept my biological sister. The last thing I need to add on to that mindfuck is making time for a boyfriend and putting his needs in front of mine.”
He walks over and glances out the window. He looks lost in thought until he turns around. “You think I don’t have my own issues? I do. And I’m not looking for anything serious either. But damn, I can’t get you out of my head. I’m beating off to you every night and I’m fucking thirty years old.” He throws his hands out to his sides.
There’s a desperation in his voice that makes me want to jump into his arms and tell him I’m here to do with what he wants.
“So what’s the answer to our little dilemma then?” I ask, really hoping he has one. I don’t know how much more of this tension I can take every time I’m around him.
“We could entertain a friends with benefits relationship.” He quirks an eyebrow. “Maybe work it out of our systems. Could be we’re not even sexually compatible,” he says as though he’s thought about it before.
“You could have a small dick.” I shrug.
“Or you could lay there like a dead fish,” he counters.
I shrug because you never know.
“Though I sense the way you rode me like a cowboy at Northern Lights Retirement that I’m probably wrong on that count.”
I shrug again, fighting a smile. His idea has its merits. Sexual satisfaction with no emotional entanglement? No further complications to my life. The denial of wanting Cade Greene is slowly becoming unbearable and something is going to give.
“I guess we have our answer then.”
A slow grin spreads across his face and he walks back over to me. “Great. It’s settled.”
I put up my hand and step back. “We need some rules.”
“For sure, let’s get the rules sorted out.”
It’s my suggestion, so why is the next thought in my head that rules are made to be broken?
She’s right. If we don’t put down some firm expectations and things to stay away from, we’re asking for trouble.
“No one can know,” she says.
“You embarrassed to be sleeping with me?”
“No, but if people know, rumors and expectations of marriage and babies won’t be far behind.”
I nod. “Deal.”
“No sleepovers, no restaurants.”
“You’re a dream come true.” I lean forward, my lips begging to touch hers again.
“Do you have any rules?” she asks.
“One,” I say, holding up my finger.
“Okay, what is it?”
“Those overalls? You wear them every day.”
She laughs and I take the opportunity to move in, knowing I’ve got permission for my hands to wander where I’ve imagined them being for weeks.
But she places her hand on my chest and leans back. “First, we have to clean this apartment.”
I grab her hand. “Wrong. Tonight you’re in my bed, and tomorrow we clean this apartment.”
She doesn’t fight me, thank fuck. Jed is still out, and Adam is probably asleep already. Fisher’s truck isn’t here. I can get her into my room without anyone knowing.
“We’re moving kind of fast,” she says behind me when we hit the stairs.
“I’ve wanted you for weeks and now you’re giving me the green light.” Did I seriously just admit that to her? Oh well.
We walk through the back door that opens into the kitchen and we’re one step up on the stairs when “My Girl” by the Temptations plays from Adam’s room.
“What the hell?” I mutter.
She laughs behind me and I look back at her. “Inside joke between me and Adam.”
That doesn’t work for me.
I get her in my bedroom and shut the door. “I really don’t like you having inside jokes with my brother.”
She ignores my comment and looks around my childhood bedroom. I haven’t done a whole lot to it. Sure, the shit from high school is all packed away, so I’m not embarrassed by trophies or a prom king sash—with mine and Reese’s names on it—hanging from my corkboard. But she picks up a bottle of cologne I borrowed from Jed weeks ago and wiggles her nose, setting it back down.
I come up behind her, pushing her hair to one side, and lean down to kiss her neck. She stills until my lips meet bare skin, then she relaxes under my lips. Her arm snakes behind us and runs along my ass.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she says softly.
I spin her around and she wraps her arms around my neck. “Are you kidding me? This is the best idea I’ve ever ha
d.”
She rises on her toes and I bend my neck until our lips meet. How could she deny this? Everything about this feels right when my lips are on hers.
I wrap an arm around her waist and press her to me. My other hand cradles her cheek and I kiss her jawline and down her throat. She moans and I rise up to swallow her moan as if I’m in high school and my dad is about to come up here. But if we’re going to keep this secret, we can’t be too loud.
I pull away, torturing myself and her, lock the door, and turn on my television. It’s on ESPN, not that I give a shit what’s on.
Leading her to my bed, I sit on the edge and bring her in front of me, between my legs, then undo the button of her jeans. “This okay?”
Her answer is to grab the hem of her shirt and pull it off, leaving me with the sight of her tits nestled in a dark gray bra. I lower her zipper and push her jeans down her shapely legs. She steps back, kicks off her shoes, then takes off her socks and her jeans, until she’s completely naked except for a matching bra and panty set.
“God, you’re gorgeous.” I lean in and press a kiss to her stomach.
“Your turn,” she says, stepping forward.
I kick off my shoes. “Come sit on my lap.”
“Are you pretending to be Santa?” she asks.
I chuckle, happy she’s not self-conscious about our first time. At least she doesn’t appear to be.
“Sure, what do you want for Christmas this year, young lady?” I am somehow able to get the words out without laughing.
“A lollipop?” She bursts out laughing.
“Only if you’re able to lick it all,” I say.
She’s shaking her head, her forehead falling to my shoulder. “I can’t.”
I grab her chin with my finger and thumb and press my lips to hers. Her arms wrap around my neck and my fingers graze up her inner thigh before massaging her clit through her panties. She leans back and releases a breathy sigh.
My fingers wrap around the edge of her wet panties and I slide the fabric over.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Her head snaps up as though getting caught means we’d go to jail rather than just be outed by one of my brothers.
“Cade!” Fisher screams.
“Give me a second,” I say to Presley, trying to keep my frustration in check.
She scrambles off my lap to grab her clothes.
If I had to trust any brother with my secret, it would be Fisher, but since I don’t think Presley has ever met him, it’s probably not a good time. I lower the volume on my television, unlock the door, and slide out.
Fisher’s standing in the hallway, and he turns on the hallway light as though he’s about to interrogate me.
“What?”
“Who’s in there?” he asks and crosses his arms.
“None of your business.”
“Whatever. I don’t give two shits who you fuck. But we have a problem.”
“What is it?”
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye plays from Adam’s room.
“What the hell is that?” Fisher asks.
“I have no idea. It’s been Motown all night.”
“And let me guess, it got you and your lady friend all horny?”
“Lady friend? Has all that ink from Smokin’ Guns finally poisoned your brain?”
Most of us have tattoos, but Fisher’s taken it to another level. I’m not saying they aren’t cool. Liam at Smokin’ Guns in Lake Starlight does a bang-up job, but when you look at Fisher’s upper body, you’d never guess the guy was the sheriff of Sunrise Bay.
Fisher waves me off. “The lights above the garage are on, so I went up there to investigate. I think we have a squatter.”
“Yeah, I know who the squatter is. It’s fine.” I turn and put my hand on the doorknob to go back into my room.
“Well, she has sexy lingerie.”
I spin back around. “You searched her belongings?” I ask a little too loudly.
I hear Presley screech through the door.
“I’m a sheriff. I’m not gonna just run down the stairs scared. I investigate shit.”
I shake my head. “Well, no worries, dad’s letting someone stay there temporarily.”
“Who?” he asks, widening his stance and recrossing his arms.
“None of your business.”
“I’m gonna find out,” he says. “Just tell me.”
My door opens and Presley steps out next to me. “Hi. I’m the squatter. And I really hope you aren’t one of those guys who likes to wear women’s panties.”
Fisher looks her up and down. “Story girl?”
“If you’re asking if I’m the woman who’s opening The Story Shop? Yes, that’s me.”
“This is my brother, Fisher. Sheriff Greene if you want to be formal, which none of us ever are,” I introduce the two. “Fisher, this is Presley Knight.”
They shake hands.
“Nice to meet you,” she says.
He takes in the two of us next to each other. I’m sure Presley’s messy hair and both of our swollen lips are dead giveaways as to what we were doing.
“I should get back and clean up.” She ducks around us.
“No worries,” he says and she stops at the top of the stairs. When she doesn’t respond, Fisher finishes. “I don’t wear women’s panties unless it’s her kink.” He winks and she laughs, then heads down the stairs.
After we hear the back door close, my gaze falls to Fisher. “This is a secret. No telling anyone. Especially Jed.”
He holds up his hands. “That’s your business. She’s cute though. Might want to make sure she’s satisfied before another Greene slides his way in there.”
I know he’s egging me on, but still. “You might be the sheriff, but I’m the oldest.”
“That doesn’t hold weight anymore, old man,” he says, but I’m already walking down the steps.
So much for us keeping this between us. Five minutes in and one of my brothers already knows.
When I reach the apartment, Presley is already in the bathroom, scrubbing it down. Instead of bothering her, I use the duster in the corners, sweep the floor, and move the boxes to the unfinished part on the other side of the garage. Since she’s still in the bathroom when I finish all that, I put some sheets on the bed and head back inside to grab an extra pillow, blanket, and towels. I don’t really want to give her the ones we use when our drunk friends spend the night, so I give her mine. I’ll use the designated drunk blanket and pillow tonight. Since Marla stocks our toiletries because of her coupon obsession, I pull shampoo, conditioner, and soap out of our closet.
I somehow get all this accomplished before she’s done in the bathroom, so I poke my head in there. “All good now.”
She stops and walks out into the main room and looks around. “You did all this? I’m impressed. Who did you learn to clean from?”
“My mom.”
Her smile drops and she grabs her suitcase, putting it on a chair in the corner. “Well, she did a great job. I was expecting to be up all night.”
I sit on the bed. “So my brother knows.”
She nods, pulling out some clothes. “Obviously. Will he tell anyone?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I think I’m going to take a shower.” She nods toward the bathroom door.
I guess that means sex is off the table for tonight. Thanks, Fisher.
“Okay, I’ll get out of your way then.” I stand, and she hesitates.
“Stay,” she says. “I mean, unless you don’t want to.”
I place my hands on her hips. “I’d love to stay. Do you need help washing your hair?”
She bites her lip. “This is going to sound crazy, but I’m not sure I’m ready for you to…” She stops and inhales a deep breath. “Yeah, I’d love help.”
Whatever changed her mind, I’m not going to wait for her to change it back. I take the hem of her shirt and slowly raise it up her body until it’s over her head a
nd on the floor at our feet.
When I reach around to find her bra strap, she laughs. “It’s in the front.”
I unclasp it in the front and the weight of her tits pulls the fabric apart. I gently peel the cups off her breasts and slide the straps down her arms, sucking in a breath while my dick presses even harder against the zipper of my jeans. She’s absolute perfection.
Her jeans are next, and I shed them off her body as quickly as possible. I kind of want to keep her in her panties because this look right now is sexy as hell, but I slide those down her legs too, squatting as I go, leaving me on my knees in front of her. I stare up at her and take my chance, sliding my finger along her folds. She bucks toward me, chasing her pleasure, and I lean forward and switch out my fingers for my tongue.
“Cade,” she says, “I should shower.”
She’s crazy. I’ve waited this long, and now that I’ve had a taste of her, I’m not stopping until I get my fill. There’s no more time to be wasted until she’s mine. I turn us around so she sits on the edge of the bed, facing me, and put one of her legs over my shoulder.
I’ve got all night and no one else knows we’re up here. We can be as loud as we want. I can’t wait to hear the sounds that come out of her once I’m buried deep inside her.
Cade lifts my leg, his lips pressing featherlight kisses along my inner thigh until he positions it over his shoulder. Then he’s front and center with my pussy. Thank God for the Glacier Point spa’s waxing services. Of course, I’ve been on my hands and knees, cleaning the bathroom. But Cade strips away all my inhibitions when he nibbles right where my thigh meets my center.
The anticipation of his mouth on my clit makes my back fall to the mattress, unable to watch it actually happen. As soon as his tongue strokes up my folds and twirls around my clit, pleasure wraps me in its warm embrace. His touch is soft and leaves me wanting more, so I grind my core to his mouth for more friction.
He takes a break, and I rise on my elbows. His heated eyes are glued on me. “Good?”
“Yeah,” I say breathlessly.
He dips his head back down between my thighs, and this time, I can’t stop watching him. We both groan and moan as he licks and sucks me. It’s been way too long since I’ve had a guy’s mouth on me, and I’m not prepared when the intense tingling pulses through me. He grabs my hips, tugging me closer, so my ass hangs off the bed. I grip the long strands of his hair with one hand, making sure he has no plans of stopping, while I shamelessly buck along his face. His groan grows louder and fills the small room.