by Linda Oaks
Shit, I’d forgotten to give Miley a spare key!
“Stay,” I ordered, and knew it was a complete waste of breath. Hank cocked his head looking back at me with his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. It seemed almost as if he were smiling. Yeah right, fucker! As soon as I took a step out of this room, he would jump from the tub. He didn’t have me fooled for a minute.
“Damn it all to hell,” I muttered, hearing the knock again. This time, it was louder. I edged backward reaching for the door while keeping an eye on Hank. “Stay.” I had my hand held out in front of me. I planned on trapping him in the bathroom. At least it would contain the damage to just one room instead of the entire house. I’d no more than shut the door when I heard a loud splash followed by a distinctively heavy thud.
Served him right.
My shirt was wringing wet. Hank loved the water, but his excitement usually led to me having a bath right along with him. I tugged my wet shirt away from my chest then gave up and yanked it over my head as I walked through the house. “Just a minute,” I called at hearing yet another loud knock.
On the other side of the screen door stood an impatient looking Miley. “I was bathing Hank,” I explained, and unlocked the screen door. Her eyes briefly met mine before quickly glancing away. In the distance, I noticed Cecil’s taillights disappear down the driveway.
Adios, motherfucker!
“Is Sierra asleep?” Miley asked. I locked the door and then turned to face her. Her porcelain skin was flushed. Her eyes discretely flickered up from my chest to meet mine.
This was starting to get interesting. Maybe, I should pull off my shirt around her more often.
“Hank tried to drown me,” I was babbling. Hell, she made me feel like I was sixteen years old. My heart rate quickened when I noticed her nipples were now pebbled against the thin fabric of her tank top.
“Did Sierra behave?” she asked, her voice low and sultry. My manhood stiffened. Silently, I cursed myself and willed it back down. Hell, she’d just walked through the door, and all I could think about was bending her over the arm of the couch and fucking her brains out.
I cleared my throat. “She’s asleep. Are you hungry?”
She smiled and slipped off her shoes. “I’m starved.” Everything this woman did reminded me of sex. I needed to focus.
“We made spaghetti. Sierra said it was one of your favorites,” I told her while gripping the shirt in my hands. I needed something to hold onto before I made the mistake of reaching for her.
She laughed out loud, shaking her head. There was nothing like the sound of her laughter. “It’s one of Sierra’s favorites.”
“Come on and I’ll fix you a plate.”
That kid… she was full of surprises. She’d suckered me into preparing her favorite meal along with coloring on my own damn wall. As I walked down the hallway, I was aware of how close Miley followed behind me. The need to possess her was slowly but surely driving me bat shit crazy. I’d offered her my protection. It didn’t matter how much I wanted her, I wouldn’t act on this mutual attraction until the mess with Ryder Blade was finally over and behind us. Only then would I even consider it.
The heat of her stare singed my skin. The mere thought of Miley’s hands touching my body had me sweating. A sudden image of her spread open before me had the wadded up t-shirt in my hands now positioned directly in front of my groin. It was the only thing hiding my raging hard on.
“I can do it, Nate,” she said, drawing my attention. “Just have a seat and keep me company, please… that is, if you’re not too tired. I know Sierra can be a live wire at times.”
“She’s great,” I quickly assured her, and was relived to take a seat in order to hide the effect she had on me.
It was impossible not to watch her as she moved gracefully around my kitchen. My eyes followed her every move. She was in my space, and I couldn’t look away. The sway of her ass in those faded jeans almost had me swallowing my tongue. She looked good in my kitchen… damn good, indeed. I wasn’t looking to settle down. If there were no ties, then there were no complications — and Miley was a complication. When she sat down in the chair across from me, her lips were curved into a smile.
“This looks good,” she murmured, and hesitantly raised her eyes to find mine looking right back at her.
“How was work?” I asked, trying to put her at ease since the underlying tension between us pulsed like an electrical current. We were both dancing closer and closer to a flame that threatened to burn us alive. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her, but it was such a bad idea. I leaned forward and placed my forearms on the table studying her. I was drawn to this woman despite the best of my intentions.
She paused holding a forkful of spaghetti close to her mouth. “It was work. I’m sure the boss doesn’t want to hear that, but it was the same old, same old,” she said, flashing me a grin.
“No sign of him?” I asked instead, referring to Ryder.
“None,” she reassured, then immediately forked in the mouthful of spaghetti. All I could focus on was those lips. “Hmm,” she murmured. That throaty sound was almost my undoing.
The sight of her pink tongue at the corner of her mouth only added to my discomfort as I imagined it wrapped around my dick. She flushed as if somehow reading my dirty thoughts. Unable to stand it any longer, I averted my own gaze to stare at the wall.
Damn, it was hot in here.
Anxiously, I drummed my fingers against the tabletop and silently counted to ten hoping my manhood would settle back down. Now was not the time. Hell, it was bad enough just waking up in the morning and knowing she was in the next room, but here lately, whenever I was around her for more than five minutes, I was in a constant state of arousal. A lone howl echoed from within the house and had me jerking in my seat. Miley burst out laughing and cupped a hand over her mouth.
My chest shook. “I’ll be right back,” I told her, chuckling.
Hell, I’d forgotten all about Hank.
That ass had not only climbed out of the bathtub, but he’d tried to claw and chew his way free. I’d have to fix the door. It was just something else to add to my mile-long to-do list. After I managed to get Hank situated back in to the tub, I rinsed him. By the time we were finished, my jeans were soaking wet and clammy against my skin. Hank licked my face as I knelt down beside him on the floor and began drying his fur. The cheeky bastard almost stuck his tongue down my throat. He had no manners. I pushed him away in order to open the door, and he took off at a dead run as soon as he saw his opening.
By the sound of Miley’s laughter, I knew he’d already found his next victim. Shedding my jeans and boxers, I turned on the shower having decided to rinse off since I stunk just like wet dog. In no time, I climbed out, quickly dried off, and grabbed a clean towel, wrapping it around my waist. I’d thought about jerking off, but I just couldn’t do it. Instead I headed back downstairs. It was a surprise to find Miley still in the kitchen. She should have already gone to bed by now, but I found her standing in front of the sink drying dishes. At my approach, her head lifted. Sitting on the counter were two clear containers filled with leftovers.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, and she smiled.
“But I did. Thank you, Nate, for watching Sierra and for the dinner. It was nice.” She turned to place a plate into the opened cabinet directly above her head. As she stretched up on tip toes, I was rewarded with the sight of a tiny sliver of pale skin and then the sleek curve of her back. While it did occur to me to offer her help, I decided not to. I was enjoying the show entirely too much.
“It was only nice?” I asked, silently cursing myself since no good could come of this. The question hung heavy in the air between us. She cleared her throat then turned to face me. Her eyes slowly drifted to my chest and then dropped lower. Heat flushed her cheeks. I couldn’t help but notice the trembling of her hands as she picked up the containers of left-overs from the counter. She met my stare once more, but this time
with pink cheeks.
The thought of anyone labeling this woman as a slut was unimaginable. She blushed like a virgin. “It was the best spaghetti I ever had,” she said with a quirk of her lips. There was nothing virginal about that.
The double meaning behind those words had my blood running hot. Helpless, I watched the sway of her hips as she walked over to the refrigerator and opened the door, placing the containers inside. I started past her, but instead, I found myself standing within mere inches of her. The smell of honeysuckle radiating from her skin had my muscles tightening in response.
“The best,” I echoed, my voice low and hoarse. This was a dangerous game we were playing.
She turned and sucked in a shallow breath at finding me so close. Her pupils dilated until only a thin rim of sky blue encircled the black. I’d bet my last dollar that she was soaking wet. “The best,” she murmured, unconsciously leaning toward me. I fisted the towel in my hand wanting nothing more than to drop it and grab a hold of her with both hands. I was torturing myself, and this had to stop now, before it was too late.
Taking a step back, I couldn’t help but notice her slightly dazed expression. Her creamy skin practically glowed. Plush, full lips were slightly parted and begging for my kiss. I was a fucking idiot. What I wanted was right here in front of me, but still… something was holding me back. It was those damn, stupid, fucking rules of mine, and the doubt that if I allowed myself to have her once, it would never be enough. I had a feeling she could easily become an addiction.
No one but Natalie had ever made me feel this way; had ever had that kind of crippling power over me, and I would never allow it to happen again no matter how tempting the woman standing before me was. This whole no strings attached plan of mine was downright ridiculous. It was best to keep my distance. Keep her and her child safe — then cut them loose before I got in over my head.
“Goodnight,” I muttered, briefly noting her confusion before turning away and walking from the kitchen.
Leaving her standing there staring after me was one of the hardest things I’d ever done in my life. My thoughts were of her as I made my way to the stairs. Hank jumped down from the couch and followed after me. I was a coward, but at least I had enough sense to know when to walk away. In the long run, Miley would thank me. I was doing us both a favor. She didn’t need all of my hang ups, and I had plenty of them… too many to count. She and Sierra deserved far better than the likes of me. I had nothing to offer them.
I tossed my towel on the floor when I got in my room. While I was lying in bed replaying the events of the day over in my mind, there was a soft knock upon my door. I’d left it partially open, just in case Sierra or Miley needed me during the middle of the night. She stood there in the doorway. The light from the hallway served as a backdrop highlighting her strawberry golden hair that casted a halo above her head. My attention was drawn to the tempting curves of her delectable body. She might as well have been naked with that light shining behind her and through her thin nightgown. She graced me with a timid half-smile, but it was easy to tell something was wrong from her expression.
“Are you asleep, Nate?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The room was dark.
“Nah. Can’t sleep.” I would probably need at least half a pot of coffee in the morning just to function. I doubted I’d sleep at all after seeing her in that nightgown. “Anything the matter?” I asked. If someone were outside, Hank would be barking his foolish head off instead of lying on the other side of the bed softly snoring.
“I’m sorry about the wall.”
It took a minute for her words to fully register since the view before me was so damn distracting. Ah, Sierra and her masterpiece. “It’s no big deal. No worries. I planned on painting it anyway,” I said, hoping to put her at ease. Really, it was nothing.
“I’ll help you paint,” she offered.
At hearing her voice, Hank stirred and stretched his legs. Suddenly, paws were digging into my side. Without thinking, I pushed him away. When my gaze met hers once more, it was impossible not to notice the direction of her stare. Instantly, I was hard. She might as well had been touching me. Now all I could do was imagine those slim hands of hers caressing my body. I tugged the blanket up since it had settled low on my hips. I was dangerously close to embarrassing myself.
Damn, she was killing me!
“Is he always like that?” she asked, motioning at Hank. Despite my current need, I managed to chuckle.
“Yeah, if I shut the door, he sits outside and whines. You should take him to your room for the night.” I offered, amazed that I could form a complete thought, let alone speak. I watched as a beautiful smile blossomed on her lips.
“Try sleeping with a four-year-old,” she retorted, wrinkling her nose. “I just wanted to apologize for Sierra. I should let you get some sleep.”
Ever since she’d been under my roof, sleep had been the one thing that had eluded me. I should send her away. It would be the smart thing to do, but for the life of me… I couldn’t. I wanted her to stay right here with me.
“Well, goodnight, Nate,” she said, her eyes lingering on me as she took a step back. I wanted to stop her.
“Goodnight, Miley,” I whispered, staring at the now empty spot where she’d just stood. The soft sound of her footsteps echoed in the hall.
I scooted down in the bed with my head sinking further into my pillow and stared blankly up at the ceiling. It was of no fucking use, so why even try to fight it. My hand slipped slowly down the muscled ridges of my stomach to disappear beneath the sheet. I closed my eyes on a strangled groan as Miley starred front and center in every one of my dirtiest fantasies.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE DAYS HAD settled into a routine that flowed effortlessly, like water from a spout. Miley and Sierra’s presence in the house were now second nature to me. Between the two of them, they’d managed to chase away most of my dark thoughts. It was only at night, when I lay alone in my bed, that my mind began to wonder. Despite temptation, I’d even managed to keep my hands to myself. The only downside was I’d never jerked off so much in my life, well, not since I was a teenager.
A guy did what he had to do in order to get by.
Three weeks had passed, and there was still no sign of Ryder Blade. That slimy bastard was probably somewhere laying low, at least that’s what my gut was telling me. Those feelings or premonitions had yet to steer me wrong. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Blade would turn up like the proverbial bad penny. Gran had always loved that old saying. It had been one of her favorites. I wasn’t foolish enough to let my guard down for a second. I’d be waiting for that snake to strike.
With Cecil and my connections at the local police department, there was a sense of peace in knowing that more eyes than mine were watching after Miley and Sierra. The daycare had finally been made aware of the situation, even though Miley and I’d argued over that one. In the end, I’d won. It was for the best. We couldn’t take any chances with that scumbag. Blade might not know yet that Sierra was his child, but the man wasn’t stupid. It wouldn’t take him long to connect the dots and figure it out.
Last night during dinner, Matt’s name had flashed across her caller id. Miley’s phone had been lying out in the open for anyone to see. It wasn’t like I’d been snooping. She just didn’t answer it. We were eating, but it made me curious. If there was any bad blood between the two of them, they’d have to sort that shit out for themselves. The Matt I remembered had been a reasonable guy. Had he changed that much in last eight years?
Sierra never mentioned her grandparents either, which I found somewhat strange. To my knowledge, neither she nor Miley had seen them once since they moved in with me. Well, not technically moved in, but the last time we’d returned to Miley’s house for clothes, we had come back with a whole lot more than just an overnight bag.
Miley had made good on her offer to help paint, and we’d ended up painting all of the bedrooms upstairs, along with the bathroom
and the hallway. Currently, we were working on the downstairs. When Miley and I made the trip to Stanton’s for more paint and rollers, the old man had given me a sly grin and a wink. Miley had had him eating out of her hand. Thanks to her charm, I’d managed to purchase the paint at a ten percent discount. There were perks to having her around. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized she was so much more than a killer body and a beautiful face. Hell, in no time, she could have me waxing poetic with nothing more than a bat of her lashes. I was turning into a sap… a grade A, number one pussy. If Matt were around, he would be laughing his ass off at me, but only after he beat mine for whatever I had going on with his sister. I was still trying to figure that one out.
Every night at bedtime, I read Sierra a story and then Miley would tuck her in for the night. Here lately, those soft glances from Miley’s sky blue eyes and her gentle smiles were starting to wear me thin. I could only take so much, but I refused to cross that line — even if, at times, the line blurred. This wasn’t permanent. They could never be mine.
Hank was on my heels, impatient as fuck. He needed to go outside and take a piss. I was the first one up, and thankfully it was Sunday. Last night, Sierra had convinced me to watch The Fox and the Hound. Yeah, I’d finally purchased a TV and a DVD player, but we still didn’t have cable. I drew the line there. Gran would be rolling over in her grave if she knew a television set had found its way inside her house. Half-awake, I made my way down the hall dressed only in a pair of faded blue jeans. Hank’s constant whining made it impossible to sleep. When you had to go, you had to go.
“We’d still be in the bed if it wasn’t for you and your tiny bladder,” I grumbled, and reached down to scratch him behind the ear before opening the front door. When I pushed the screen door aside, he was in such a hurry he bumped my leg then sailed from the porch into the yard with his nose to the ground looking for a spot to do his business.
