Only You

by Denise Grover Swank

  The woman had brought him home, then left him while he was drunk. Did they have a fight? It seemed rude to ask, yet she was dying to know. “Because of your girlfriend?”

  He snorted. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”

  Because they broke up or because they weren’t together in the first place? She decided to be bold and ask—figure out her chances here—but he reached up to his cheek, gently patting the scratch.

  “You need to clean that,” she said, taking a step closer to look it over, but the dog started barking again. She looked down at him. “Stop.” The dog obeyed and she continued. “Who knows what germs are in that kitten’s claws?” she said, feeling more courageous than her usual self. Thank you, wine. “We can’t have your pretty face getting eaten by flesh-eating bacteria.”

  His eyes danced with amusement. “You think I have a pretty face?”

  She laughed. “I find it interesting that you pick up on that part of the sentence and not the flesh-eating bacteria.”

  “Does your dog always obey you?”

  “Obviously not, or he wouldn’t have gotten back here in the first place.”

  The amusement in his eyes faded, turning dark and sultry. “I’m glad he did.”

  She looked away, suddenly unsure of herself. But his face was still bleeding and needed attention and, honestly, it was her fault. If she’d been paying attention, Killer might not have gotten through the fence and scared his cat. “Do you have a first aid kit in your house?”

  He laughed. “I don’t have shit in my house.”

  “So that’s a no?” She grinned. “Come over to mine and let me clean you up.”

  He looked uncertain, and she realized she may have overstepped her bounds.

  “You don’t have to…I…”

  His eyes found hers. “I don’t want to leave the cat.” He lifted it slightly. “I’ve been gone all day and just got home and now it’s shaking. …” His voice trailed off, then he laughed. “If my friends could hear me now. I think this is the literal definition of pussy whipped.”

  Her cheeks heated up and he stared at her in amazement. “How do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Look so sexy and so innocent at the same time.”

  Her blush deepened, but she told herself that he was drunk and didn’t know what he was saying. “You can bring your kitten with you, if you want. Or I can bring the first aid kit over here.”

  “What about your dog?”

  “If he continues to terrorize the cat, then I’ll shut him into Mel’s room or put him in the backyard. But I think he’ll just get used to him…or is it a her?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “You don’t know if it’s a boy or girl?”

  He looked embarrassed. “I can’t tell.”

  She laughed. “The vet didn’t tell you?”

  His eyes widened. “Shit. I suppose I need to make an appointment.” When he saw her surprise, he said, “The kitten came with the house.”

  “You negotiated it into the contract?”

  “No, I found it under the front porch.”

  Realization hit her. “Oh. The hole.”

  He sighed. “The hole.”

  “It was trapped down there? Poor baby.” But his actions told her a lot about his character, even if the way he protectively held it now hadn’t. An unexpected heat washed through her, pooling in her core, and she told herself it was the alcohol. “Bring the cat and I’ll clean you up.”

  She didn’t give him a chance to answer, just turned around and headed to her house, leaving him to follow or not.

  Chapter Thirteen

  If he’d had any hesitation, watching her ass in that tight peach skirt as she walked away would have wiped it away. He was a hypocrite. He’d just sworn off women, yet he was literally chasing after her. It wasn’t like anything was going to happen. She’d put antibiotic ointment on his face, then he’d go home and rip out his kitchen cabinets.

  Yeah, right.

  The kitten released a soft mewl and he held it closer to his chest. He wasn’t sure whether to be happy or upset that the cat had dictated his decision, but it was terrified. He couldn’t lock it up in the basement again. First chance he got, he was calling his sister to come and get it.

  Holly led him to her front porch and he followed, keeping his gaze on her ass when she bent over to put the dog on the floor. She held his front legs off the floor and looked into his face.

  “You be good, Killer. Or you’ll be shut in your mommy’s room.” But her voice was anything but firm.

  “Does he understand you?”

  She dropped her hold on Killer and rubbed the top of the dog’s head before she stood. “I like to think so, but, honestly, he’s spoiled rotten.” Her gaze lingered on his cheek. “Why don’t you sit at the kitchen island and I’ll get the first aid kit.”

  She disappeared up the stairs but her dog stayed behind, looking up at him like he was dinner. Or maybe it was staring at the cat. At least it had stopped barking.

  Kevin sat on the bar stool and took the opportunity to look around. The house was a little bigger than his, but it was cozy and well kept. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were all one open space. The wood floors had been refinished, and the kitchen cabinets had been painted a crisp white and topped with black granite counters. It was apparent the house had been redone.

  The dog turned its attention toward the stairs. Holly had come back down carrying a white plastic box, which she set on the counter, but he was more focused on her silky cream blouse—how it clung to her breasts and revealed her cleavage peeking out of the deep V. His gaze dropped and caught a wet spot at the bottom edge of her skirt. It looked fresh and he thought to ask what happened, but he got distracted watching her legs when she turned to the cabinet and reached up on tiptoes to pull out two glasses. She filled them with ice water, then handed one to him. “I think you need this.”

  He took it from her and drank several gulps, if nothing else to cool down his rising libido.

  She took a sip of the water and went to the back door. “Killer, go outside.” The dog ran out the door, and she turned back to him and grinned. “I think the kitten’s been traumatized enough.”

  “Won’t he go back through the hole into my yard?”

  “I don’t think so. He only went through to get the cat.”

  She moved to the sink and washed her hands.

  “Did you buy your house already updated?”

  She laughed as she tore off a paper towel and held it under the running water. “No, I’ve lived her since I was a kid. It’s my grandmother’s house. My cousin and I just live in it. We’re the ones who remodeled everything.”

  “Just the two of you?”

  She shrugged. “It started out of necessity my senior year of high school. The house was falling apart and we couldn’t afford to hire all of it out. Some we had to leave to professionals—like the electricity—but we did a lot ourselves. We gutted the kitchen. We did it a step at a time.” She paused. “We probably look like amateurs to you.”

  He gave her a wry grin. “I don’t know the first thing about remodeling a house. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “You’ll figure it out. We didn’t know how to do anything in the beginning.” She grinned up at him, her eyes twinkling. “A helpful hint: YouTube will become your best friend.”

  “Maybe you could show me a thing or two.” It slipped out before he could reel it back in. He lifted his hand to his temple as he cringed, bumping into hers as she held a wet paper towel on his cheek. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded. I really meant…”

  She grabbed his hand and held on to it for several seconds as a teasing glint appeared in her eyes. “I know.”

  She’d been so tongue-tied the past two times he’d seen her, he loved seeing her like this. She was different than the women he usually dated. Less jaded and less sure of herself—in a good way. Lacy and the others had always thought he was a sure th
ing, but he’d known they were a sure thing, too. He had no idea where he stood with Holly—she could finish cleaning his scratches and toss him out on his ass. But he found the uncertainty of it all intriguing.

  She released his hand, then opened the first aid kit to grab several alcohol squares. “This is probably going to hurt.” She ripped one open and dabbed at his cheek.

  He flinched when it stung. “Sorry.”

  “I noticed you shaved.” She looked up at him. “I like it.”

  It shouldn’t have mattered what she thought, but it did. “Thanks.”

  She continued to stare at him, her eyes darkening to a forest green as they fell to his lips. She was less than a foot away and the urge to kiss her burned in his chest.

  She broke the gaze, looking down at the bloodstained wipe in her hand. “I don’t think it will scar.”

  “Think of the stories I could tell if it did.”

  She tossed the square onto the discarded wrappings on her counter, then lifted her gaze and grinned. “Why do I think it might be embellished?”

  “Because you are a very smart woman.”

  Her smile faded slightly. “Maybe not as smart as I should be.”

  Was she sorry she’d invited him into her house? “What do you mean?”

  Her answer was to close the distance between them and kiss him.

  It was the last thing he’d expected. Her lips pressed against his, warm and bold. Her hands rested on his shoulders, her fingertips digging in. Her tongue skimmed his bottom lip, and he lost all restraint. He wrapped his free arm around her back and pulled her to his chest.

  The cat released a panicked cry.

  He pulled back and looked down at the kitten squashed between them, then back up at Holly, worried that the moment had been broken and she’d change her mind.

  She picked it up from his arms and put it on the floor, then turned back to him, moving between his parted legs. Placing her hand on his uninjured cheek, she trailed her fingers down to his neck. He forced himself to remain still. The hesitancy in her touch told him this was unlike her, and he planned to let her make the call as to where this went.

  Her gaze held his as her hand skimmed back up, the pad of her thumb brushing his lower lip, and his groin tightened.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since last night,” she whispered.

  “Do what?” His voice sounded husky, even to his ears.

  “Kiss you.”

  She’d said she was tipsy. Was she drunk? He didn’t think so. Her coordination opening the alcohol pads and wiping his scratches had been on point. Was he too drunk?

  She leaned forward again, her lips softer this time. His mouth parted and her tongue found his as she pressed herself to his chest, still soft and gentle.

  Need surged through him and he wasn’t sure how long he could restrain himself. But then she grabbed the back of his head, deepening the kiss as her tongue became demanding.

  Wrapping an arm around her back, he crushed her to him as he took over, the need to have her closer overtaking all thought as his hand tangled in her hair. He kissed her until she pulled back, her chest heaving with breathlessness.

  She looked up at him with eyes hooded with desire. “Do you have a condom?”

  Her bluntness startled him, then it didn’t. She’d been straightforward in everything else so far.

  But her confidence faded at his hesitation. “I’m sorry. That was…if you don’t want—”

  There was no way in hell he could let her think he didn’t want her, and the best way to assure her was to show her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her close again, his mouth finding the nape of her neck and skimming up to her ear. “I very much want.”

  “I don’t have…”

  “I do.” His mouth found hers again, hot and demanding. Her hands rested on his chest, her fingertips sliding downward as though itching to explore.

  His hands were still on her hips and he tugged her shirt free from her skirt, then over her head, and dropped it onto the floor. Her ivory satin bra and the creamy breasts peeking over the edges of the cups drew his attention. His hands returned to her hips, and he started to pull her close again, but she resisted, reaching for his neck.

  “You look sexy in a tie,” she murmured as she worked on the knot.

  He grinned. “I don’t wear them very often.”

  Her gaze lifted to his, her eyes dancing. “Then I’m happy I saw it.” She got the knot free and left the tie hanging from his neck before she turned her attention to the buttons on his shirt.

  He was aching to touch her, his erection throbbing against the tight confines of his jeans. His fingers dug into her hips in an effort to keep them still while she worked, but when she’d reached his lower chest he let his hands wander, lightly skimming her sides.

  She shuddered and sucked in a breath, lifting her eyes to his. The pure lust he saw there tested his control.

  “Do you want me to finish that?” he asked, sounding rougher than he intended. She was equal parts bold and hesitant, although he wasn’t sure if her hesitation was because they were practically strangers or if she was rethinking her impulsiveness. He wanted to be sure she was all in this, because once he took over, he wasn’t sure he’d maintain her seductive pace.

  Her fingers slid a button free of its hole while she kept her gaze on his face. A grin tugged at her lips. “Impatient?”

  The need to cover her mouth with his and demonstrate how impatient he was warred with his control. “You have no fucking idea.”

  She paused, her eyes widening, then a new confidence washed over her, her smile turning sexy and mischievous.

  “You have no idea how much I want you, do you?”

  She finished the last button and lifted her head, her lips parted as she stared up at him.

  He grabbed her hand and placed it over his erection, his hand covering hers.

  Her hand rubbed the length of him and he squirmed as his jeans made his confinement painful. She slid her hand free and found his belt, unfastening the buckle and pulling it open. Then she concentrated on the button, working it loose. Before he realized what she was doing, she had him unzipped and slid her hand inside the band of his underwear, finding his erection.

  That was his cue to take over.

  He shot to his feet, leaning over to devour her mouth. She hooked a hand around his neck, pulling closer as his tongue found hers. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her onto the counter, pushing up her skirt and pressing himself against her.

  She gasped in surprise.

  Slow the fuck down, Kevin.

  Taking a step back, he paused to study her face. Was he moving too fast? But she was already reaching for the back of his head, lifting her mouth to his.

  He unclasped her bra, then slowly slid the straps over her shoulders and down her arms, the bra falling to the floor and exposing her breasts.

  God, he wanted her.

  “If you want to do this in a bed, we need to go now or I can’t make any guarantees we’ll get there.”

  Her pupils dilated before she tugged on his neck, then kissed him with an intensity that took his breath away. But then she leaned back, her eyes hooded. “I’ve had fantasies about having sex on a counter, but we should use the bed. Melanie is coming home early tonight.”

  Scooping her off the counter, he tightened his arms around her as she wrapped her legs around his back. “Upstairs?”

  “Yes.” She lowered her mouth to his neck, her lips brushing his pulse point.

  When he got to the top of the stairs, he paused.

  “The room on the left.”

  He turned his back to the partially closed door and pushed it open, letting her slide down his body as he backed up to her bed.

  He cupped her cheek, searching her eyes for any signs that she’d changed her mind. But she broke his gaze and lowered it to his chest, placing her hands on his shoulders and pushing his shirt down his arms. The shirt hadn’t hit the floor before her hands were on the waistband of hi
s jeans, tugging them down over his hips.

  “Wait.” He stilled his hands, then slid his wallet out of his pocket and removed a condom. He tossed it on her nightstand and pulled off his jeans. Turning her back to his chest, he unfastened the button on her skirt, then slowly unzipped it, pushing the fabric over her hips and letting it pool on the floor at her feet.

  He took a moment to study her, naked except for her ivory lace panties. Placing his palm on her abdomen, he tugged her backward, her back flush to his chest, the small of her back pressing against his erection. He stifled a groan at the contact, pausing to get control before he cupped her breast with his free hand, his thumb lightly brushing the tip of her nipple.

  She released a low moan that shot pure need straight to his erection.

  His hand slid lower, underneath the band of her panties, skimming lower until it was between her folds. “God, Holly. You’re so wet.”

  She didn’t answer, just pushed herself into his hand and leaned her head back, her eyes closed as he stroked her. He watched her react to his touch and he fought to keep control.

  As though reading his mind, she took a step back and slid her fingers under the band of her panties and pushed them over her hips, letting them fall to the floor. Then she walked toward him and pushed him down so he was sitting on the edge of her bed. Placing her hands on his chest, she pressed him back onto the bed.

  He watched her, letting her take the lead for the moment. From the hesitation in her eyes he suspected she was the kind of woman who waited until the fifth date to sleep with a guy. He had no idea why she chose to pick him to be adventurous with, but he felt like the luckiest bastard on the planet.

  She grabbed the condom from the nightstand and opened the package. She searched his face as she hesitated at the tip. He pushed out an involuntary breath, his erection twitching in anticipation. She gave him a sexy smile as she slowly rolled the condom on, wrapping her other hand around him and stroking down.

  Gritting his teeth, it took everything in him to lie still and wait to see what she had planned next, but she seemed unsure again, so he sat up and tangled his hand in her hair, then kissed her hard. She kissed him back with an urgency of her own.