Granted, he’d have to take her smart-mouth as well, but that was no hardship. He liked it. He loved her dry wit, her sarcasm, her sharpness. Just as he loved that soft body, those generous curves, all that lushness to sink into and explore. And man, those soft, plump lips, he could imagine them wrapped around his shaft, that little tongue flicking up his abdomen…
God yes.
Shit, now he was getting a boner.
Think of something else, quick.
Okay, at least he’d finally won with Jezebel, that was something. She was snug in her box on the floor and - crap.
A bounce on the bed, a heavy landing, a padding up his legs and Jezebel nudged under his arm. With a sigh, he slung his arm around her, the little cat’s purring filling the room as she curled up next to him.
Great. Just great.
Chapter 11
Bent over, Dee slipped her hand beneath the strap holding the newspapers together, only to give a startled cry when a broad palm firmly smacked her backside, she was nudged out of the way by a lean hip, and Ryder picked up the bundle.
“What the hell?” She stared at him. “What are you doing?”
“You’ll bust your stitches.” He walked into the shop.
Oh for - She scowled. “Ryder-”
“Not listening, babe.” He strode back out, grabbed another bundle and disappeared back into the shop.
Well, good for him.
Annoyed, Dee grabbed the remaining bundle of magazines and started to lift them.
This time the smack on her backside wasn’t as light as previously, causing her to jerk upright and drop the bundle. Literally. “Bloody hell, Ryder!”
“Do as you’re told.” He grabbed the last bundle and took them into the shop.
Dee was right on his heels, her backside tingling from his hand hitting it and her girlie parts from a perverted thrill. However, thrill or not, she had never accepted being told what to do, especially with her own business.
“Look,” she began hotly as he turned around.
One eyebrow arched, he looked down at her. Hands on his hips, broad chest clad in only a thin tank top, running shorts showing off his muscular legs to perfection and sneakers. He smelled of male sweat from his run and a faint hint of soap. His thick hair was tousled, the rebellious dark lock falling across his brow adding to his roguish appeal. “Yeah?”
Forget the roguish appeal. “Don’t come in here telling me what to do!”
Grabbing the bottom of his tank top, he pulled it up to wipe a trickle of sweat from his shoulder. That revealed his impressive six pack.
It also had her knees wobbling because she remembered the feel of that six pack pressed against her naked belly. However, she had her pride so, flushed cheeks or not, she met his determined gaze with an equally determined one.
“One.” He leaned forward slightly. “You do not pick up bundles of magazines or newspapers or anything until those stitches are out. Two, while you have those stitches I will be here every morning to bring them in for-”
“Not happening.” The man might want to make her lick him like an icy pole, but he had a bloody nerve.
“You will not touch the bundles. You will take care of those stitches.” He leaned further down, a hard glint in his eyes. “You will do as you’re told in this regard.”
“Up yours.”
“Nasty mouth you have when I’m only trying to help.”
“Bullshit. You’re trying to tell me what to do and I don’t take that crap.”
“Fine, get all shitty about it, but you’ll do as I tell you in regards to this.”
Freakin’ nerve! “Or what?”
“Or I’ll take care of you.”
“Oh, I rather thought that was what you were doing grabbing the bundles off me.”
“Nope. My hand on your arse was taking care of your stubbornness. You dare to lift any bundles, babe, and I will take care of you so well you won’t sit down for a week.”
The flush of heat that went through her was a mix of outrage and delicious decadence. That only made her madder. “You’re getting mighty free with your hands, dumb arse.”
The glint in his eyes went from determined to hedonistic in a flash. His grin was slow and so wicked her toes practically curled in her sandals.
“And you can wipe that smile off your dial before I do it for you,” she added.
Reaching out leisurely, he grabbed her blouse and reeled her in. It was either allow it or have the buttons pop off, because sure as God made green apples Ryder wasn’t going to let go.
Right at that moment the bell above the door jingled. Dee glanced over her shoulder to see her brother, Vic, and the owner of the local café, Cheryl, standing in the doorway. Both of them had their avid gazes on her and Ryder.
Damn. Her cheeks flushed. “Be right with you.” Turning her head, she looked up at Ryder to see him gazing at the couple behind her.
The widening of his smile was warning enough that he was planning something, but combined with the way his gaze slid down to her and the hotness kindling in his eyes, she just knew he was going to do something that was going to be irreversible.
“Oh shit,” she said hurriedly. “Whatever you’re thinking, Ryder, don’t you-mmph!”
He jerked her right up against his chest, kept her there with his fist in her blouse, and kissed the ever-loving daylights out of her.
As her hands fluttered before grabbing wildly at him, his mouth crushed hers, his lips moulded to hers, his tongue simply demanded entrance and then he was kissing her hard and hot, so ravagingly erotic that all she could do was hang onto him and be blown away by the savage desire in his kiss.
She was still wallowing in debauched delight when he set her back, his fist still in her blouse as he grinned down at her, his eyes so hot with ardour it was as though they were backlit with a fire.
“See you later, babe,” he said huskily before stepping around her, the hard muscles of his arm brushing against her softer arm, leaving the lingering heat of his body on her skin.
She was still trying to get her addled wits about her when she heard him greet Vic.
“G’day, mate.”
“G’day, Ryder.”
“Cheryl.”
“Hello, Ryder.”
The door bell jingled and he was gone.
No one said a word.
Several thoughts flew through her mind as she finally sucked in a deep breath without sucking in his scent and addling her brains further. Shit. Vic and Cheryl saw it all. The talk will be all over town. What do I do? Do I kill Vic? Do I threaten Cheryl? The back lot’s too hard to bury them both quickly. Shit shit shit! Now what?
Vic coughed. Not politely, either. It was a big, rasping, very telling cough.
Taking another deep breath, Dee pasted a pleasant expression on her face and walked around the counter, coming to a stop to look politely at both customers. “Who was first?”
“Probably you, going by your reaction seconds ago,” Vic replied. “Ryder looked a whole lot more in control.”
The bastard. She was going to kill and bury her brother out in the back lot after all.
Teeth gritted, she looked him right in the eyes. “Do you want your newspaper?”
“Why? Are you threatening to withhold it because I saw you with your tongue down the local paramedic’s throat? Oh, wait.” Vic held up a finger, his eyes sparkling with glee. “Maybe he was teaching you the latest CPR technique?”
“Maybe I’ll teach you how morons get feet wedged up their arseholes.”
“Oh my. Are you blushing, Dee?”
“No, I’m going red with fury. If you’re not going to buy a paper then get out of my shop.”
“I’m a customer. Customers are always right.” Vic smirked. “You kissed Ryder, Ryder kissed you, there’s some hokey-pokey going on.”
If he only knew. Three times.
If she kept grinding her teeth, she’d have none left by the end of the day.
Switching her gaze
to Cheryl, Dee almost snapped, “What’ll it be?” remembered who she was talking to and hastily backtracked. “Sorry, Cheryl. What can I do for you?”
“Are you and Ryder finally an item?” Cheryl asked in delight.
“Oh God, n-”
“Looks like it, huh?” Vic happily slapped the local newspaper on the counter.
“I know.” Cheryl’s eyes shone. “Oh my, it’s been so long! We’ve all been waiting for you two to finally see sense!”
Good grief, this was getting out of hand. “We’re not-”
“The way Ryder kissed you.” Cheryl elbowed Vic. “Did you see it?”
“Couldn’t help but see it. I thought he was trying to take my sister’s blouse right off.” Vic’s expression changed. “Wait a minute.” Hs eyes narrowed. “Was he trying to get your blouse off?”
“What? No!”
“I think I better have a word with him.” Vic grabbed the newspaper off the counter, rolling it up as he walked out. “See what his intentions are.”
Crap on a stick! “Vic!” She ran out from behind the counter, bolted past Cheryl and pushed through the door, almost bowling over Jaci on the way. Seeing Vic already getting into his work ute, she ran up and grabbed the door, preventing him from shutting it. “You listen to me, Vic Miller!”
“Look, I’m your big brother and I have a responsibility to make sure you don’t get hurt.” He tried to shut the door.
She hung on grimly. “You stay away from Ryder and keep your nose out of our business.”
He frowned at her. “He’s a player, Dee. I won’t have him playing with you.”
Well, too bloody late for that, not that she was telling him. But he was determined. Once her brother got it into his thick head to start going all protective, he was hard to stop. However, she had ammunition and she wasn’t afraid to use it.
“Fine.” She let the door go, watching as he slammed it shut. “But you go to Ryder and I will tell our parents that you and Martha had sex on their table and that’s how Martha got up the duff.”
“What?” He went white, then red. “That’s a lie!”
“You wish. I have it on good authority.”
“Who’s?”
Dee arched a brow.
“Oh shit, Martha told you?” He was horrified.
“Caught her at a weak moment. And you know me, weak moments are my forte.” She leaned down to look at him through the open window and smirked. “You tell, big brother, and so do I.”
He glared at her for several seconds before barking out, “Fine! Whatever!” Starting the ute, he pointed a finger at her. “Don’t think you can use that blackmail twice.”
“Are you kidding me? That’s good to go for several more rounds yet.”
“You wouldn’t want to.” With that threat, he started to back out.
She knocked on the roof. “Wait up.
“What now?”
“You haven’t paid for that newspaper. I’m not running a freebie stand you know.”
He dug some money from his pocket and dropped it into her hand. “Here, keep the change.”
“Thanks.” She looked at the money. “Wow, a whole five cents. I’m putting it towards your birthday present.”
Annoyed, he backed out onto the street and drove off.
Relieved, she walked back into the newsagent, only to groan at the sight of Cheryl and Jaci. Cheryl still looked delighted and was cooing to Jaci that wasn’t it wonderful that Ryder and Dee were finally a couple.
Jaci looked like she wanted to cry.
Feeling like a heel, Dee said, “We’re not a couple.”
“Honey,” Cheryl said, “Ryder kissed you in your shop.”
“We’re friends.”
“Ryder doesn’t kiss friends like that.” With a giggle, Cheryl elbowed Jaci. “Isn’t that right, Jaci?”
“Right,” Jaci croaked.
Crap, this wasn’t going well. Bloody Ryder came in, made a statement, then waltzed off and left her to deal with the fall-out. Next time she saw him, she’d kick his very fine arse.
Wanting both of them out of her shop, Dee looked at Cheryl. “What can I do for you?”
Obviously noting the tone of finality in her voice, Cheryl placed the newspaper and a magazine on the counter. “Just these two.”
Dee silently rung the amount up, placed the articles into a paper bag, took the money from Cheryl and handed her the change.
Just as she pulled her hand away, Cheryl leaned forward to wink. “Good on you, Dee. You landed the man you should have had a long time ago.” Giving her hand a conspiratorial pat, Cheryl left.
Inwardly cringing, Dee looked at Jaci. Her mouth was tight but it was apparent she was upset. Shit. “Jaci, about Ryder-”
“No, I know.” Holding tight to her composure, Jaci placed several pens on the counter. “Ryder’s moved on. I just thought…” She sighed, shook her head. “Doesn’t matter.”
Not knowing what to say, Dee rung up the pens. As she handed them back to Jaci, the woman’s eyes fastened on the dressing on Dee’s arm. “What happened?”
“Huh?” Dee glanced at the dressing. “Oh. Stitches.”
“What happened?”
“Fell over and cut myself on some broken pots out back.”
Jaci’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Yeah.” Glad to change the subject, Dee added, “Heard them breaking last night and went out for a look, but I slipped and fell on them. Had to go to the A & E for stitches.” Just the memory was enough to make her shiver.
“Do you know who did it?” Jaci asked worriedly`.
“No, but Kirk is looking into it.”
“The police? It’s that serious?”
“Serious enough, apparently. Vandalism for a start.”
“Did they find anything else?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Jaci nodded. “Well, I hope he finds out who did it.”
“I’ve got my own ideas.”
“Oh?”
Like Dee was going to tell Jaci she suspected her friend, Yvonne. Which reminded her, she had a little visit to pay later. “Doesn’t matter. Anyway, you have a good day.”
“Yeah, thanks Dee. You too.” With a little wave, Jaci left the shop.
Now that everyone was gone, Dee was able to lean on the counter and think about Ryder. Damn it, he might as well have posted a notice in the local rag. That kiss in front of Cheryl and Vic was going to be all over town. That in turn meant a lot of knowing winks, smiles and open questions.
When she got her hands on him, she’d kill him.
But man, what a kisser. When he went all domineering like that, well, hell, it just did it for her.
Unable to stop a tiny smile, Dee picked at a bit of sticky tape that had gotten stuck on the counter at some time. She’d be a liar if she didn’t admit that she was wondering what he had up his sleeve next. He’d said he’d see her later. Later as in lunch time? She shook her head. Nope, he was at work, he wouldn’t dally with her here, not with everyone walking in and out, though the man was unpredictable at times.
Nah, he’d hole up with his mates at the Fire Station and shoot the shit. She suddenly wondered exactly what they did talk about. Did they talk like the girls did when they came over? Did they discuss relationships?
Curious, she tossed the bit of sticky tape into the bin. She’d have to ask Molly and Ash, they’d be bound to know. Heck, the men probably talked as much as the girls did, they had to, they were close. Man cave time and all that, and she bet that man cave time didn’t involve just shooting the shit. Nope, she just bet they talked about relationships as well. Maybe not in the same way, but yeah, they definitely did it.
Which meant that Ryder may have talked about what had happened between them already. That thought had her straightening and frowning. Kirk certainly hadn’t indicated anything when he’d arrived the previous morning, but then Ryder wouldn’t have had time to talk to him, right? Another thought…all the blokes had been working,
they’d have had time to talk at the Fire Station.
Shit. How much did they all know or suspect?
Rubbing her forehead, she sighed. Yep, it was a Monday.
The morning passed pretty much as she’d expected. Gossip had spread and she had more than normal in her shop. More beaming smiles, more hints, more sly questions that she fielded easily. Those who were more pushy, she just gave them the hard eye and they backed down immediately.
Lunch time came and with it, Ash, Molly and Del. The shop was empty, so it was easy for Del to grab Dee’s uninjured arm and tug her along behind her to the kitchenette at the back of the shop.
“I can walk, damn it,” Dee protested.
“You and Ryder?” Del demanded. “You and Ryder finally got it together and you didn’t tell me?”
“You?” Molly dropped her sandwich on the table. “What about us?”
Ash popped the tab on her Diet Coke. “About time, too. How did it come about?”
Dee folded her arms and looked around at them all. “News flash, sisters. Nothing much has changed.”
Del paused in her task of pulling the plastic wrap off her roll. “What?”
“We’re not a couple.”
“Ryder kissed you in front of everyone.”
“In front of two people who spread the gossip.”
“Hell yeah. The gossip that Ryder put his stamp on you for everyone to see!”
“Put his stamp on me?” Dee frowned. “It was a kiss, not a stamp. Jesus, do I have ‘Ryder’s Property’ stamped on my forehead?”
“Check your throat. Apparently he had his tongue down it, so it’s probably there.”
“Or elsewhere,” Molly added.
“Elsewhere? What are you saying?”
Molly leered. “I’m just saying.”
“Later I’ll teach you some other uses for that mouth.” Ryder’s words suddenly flashed through her mind, making blood surge into her cheeks.
Lie to Me Page 29
