by Lori Foster
“If I tell you, are you going to stop teasing me?”
“I’ll only stop if you don’t.”
Well. That was incentive enough to get her talking. “It really is dumb.”
“Most dreams seem that way once you’re awake. Not so much when they’re happening.”
True enough. She tried to ignore her embarrassment. “I…I was in the dark.” Her face heated. As an adult woman, she shouldn’t still be afraid of the dark.
But sometimes she was.
“Go on.”
“I couldn’t see much but I knew people were watching me.” It didn’t take a trained shrink to know why she hated to draw attention. “I could hear them in the shadows.”
Cannon petted her, over her hair, her jaw, her shoulder. “That sounds pretty awful to me.”
It had been. But she knew that Cannon, if ever faced with that situation, dream or reality, would bravely face the darkness. Finally, she admitted the worst part. “I smelled…kerosene, too.”
“Damn.”
More than most, Cannon understood the significance of that, how she’d been threatened to be burned alive…. The dream, the latent feelings it had invoked, returned, and she started shaking, her breath strained.
He kissed her cheek, maybe to remind her she wasn’t alone—maybe just to get her talking again.
“Hands started grabbing me.” No matter which way she’d turned, they were there. She looked into his beautiful blue eyes. “I was ready to scream.”
Very gently, he asked, “Why didn’t you?”
“I woke up.”
Quiet, still petting her, now down her side and over her hip then back to her hair again, Cannon soothed her. “All things considered, that’s a pretty gruesome nightmare.”
All things considered. She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Thank you for telling me.”
So kind and understanding. And so brave. Without thinking it through, she said, “I wish I was more like you.”
He gave a gruff laugh and bent again to her breast. “I’m eternally grateful that you aren’t.” Taking the very tip of her nipple into his mouth, he touched his tongue to her.
God, he was good at this. At teasing and revving up the urgency.
She wasn’t nearly as good at taking it. Straining in his hold, she shivered. “If you’re not going to follow through, then you have to stop that.”
To her disappointment, he released her and sat up. “Know what I think we should do?”
Knowing she would never understand him, she shook her head.
“Let’s grab a drink, juice for me and coffee for you.” He stroked his hand over her belly, between her legs. “We’ll let things simmer a bit.”
“Simmer?” She was already boiled over, damn him!
“It’s hot enough, but anticipation will make it more so. We can shower together. What do you think?”
“You’ll have sex with me again?”
He grinned. “Count on it.”
She wanted him now, but she also needed to visit the restroom, and brush her hair, and clean her teeth. “I like it. It’s a good plan.”
Skeptical at her quick agreement, Cannon stood. “We can head to the shelter later today to check out the dogs. And I want to talk to Margaret, make sure she knows everything that’s happened.”
She took his extended hand and left the bed. “I was thinking it might not be a bad idea to get hold of Vanity, too. She can see if Heath’s posting anything online.”
“Good idea.” He retrieved the SBC shirt from the floor and pulled it over her head, smoothing it into place, then lifting her hair out of the neckline. His gaze warmed. “I like you in my shirt.”
Sighing, absorbing the sight of him in the bright morning light, she admitted, “I like you naked.”
Without an ounce of modesty, he nodded. “Good to know.”
His smile did it for her as much as his amazing body.
“But how about jeans until we get back in bed?”
Making a face, she said, “If you must.”
As he stepped into the denim—commando—he reminded her of what he wanted. “I think we might get more talking done that way, don’t you?” Not bothering to zip or snap the jeans, he put a perfunctory kiss on her forehead. “Do what you need to do and I’ll go get the coffee started.”
She watched him walk off, anticipation and dread both warring inside her. This morning he had the kid gloves back on, but with an edge. All that teasing had been… She hugged herself. Delicious.
Somehow she’d convince him it wasn’t necessary to be so careful with her. He didn’t need to cater to her psyche, to understand her fears and weaknesses.
Overall, she’d rather he just ignore them.
Maybe once she totally opened up to him, she’d be able to get him to treat her like any other woman.
She’d been private so long, it wouldn’t be easy. But she wanted him, all of him, with no holding back.
And with that in mind, she decided just how to make it happen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CANNON STOPPED IN the hall bathroom and braced his hands on the edge of the sink. God almighty, she packed a powerful punch to his libido. Walking away from her had almost taken more than he had in him.
He’d meant what he said. The buildup would be mind-blowing. Given how new she was to this, the pleasure part anyway, he wanted to ensure she was as comfortable, as ready, as he could get her.
Last night… He shook his head. He’d been lacking patience and was high on lust. Not the best combo to throw at someone who struggled with reaching the peak.
Not that she’d struggled much with him, but still…
Using cold water, he splashed his face, ignored the morning beard shadow and quickly brushed his teeth. Knowing Yvette would primp a bit, brush her hair and probably put on jeans, he headed toward the kitchen. He’d just gotten to the end of the hall when a very light, tentative knock sounded on the door.
Lifting aside a curtain from the window, he saw Armie standing there. Good. With Armie he wouldn’t have to be overly polite. He opened the door for him, saying, “You can’t stay long.”
A note in his hand, one foot in the doorway, Armie paused. He glanced beyond Cannon and when he didn’t see Yvette, he whispered, “Want me to just take off?”
“Nah. Five minutes is fine.” Knowing Armie would follow, he went on into the kitchen. “I wanted to talk to you anyway.”
While Cannon filled the carafe in the sink, Armie pulled out the table chair closest to the wall. “This was in your door.” He handed him the note.
Cannon turned it over and read, “Rissy was here.” He smiled. “She must have come by this morning, assuming I’d still jog.”
“But you didn’t.”
He shook his head. No, he’d stayed put, enjoying how beautiful Yvette looked in peaceful slumber. “I guess when Rissy didn’t see the usual lights on inside, she knew we were sleeping in.”
Armie sprawled back in the chair, his legs stretched out, at his leisure. “She was probably worried.”
“Yeah. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her much last night, but I know by now she’s heard what happened.”
“She took off early,” Armie said.
Cannon shot him a look. “Noticed that, did you?”
Shrugging, he slumped a little more.
“I’ll give her a call later, maybe take her to lunch. I think some jackass must have hurt her feelings.” Cannon measured coffee grains into the basket. “When she came over to tell me she was taking off, she looked… I don’t know. Sad.”
Armie was so silent that Cannon glanced back at him again.
Clearing his throat, his friend sat a little straighter. “You see her with anyone?”
“No, you?”
Armie shook his head. “I mean, she hung with the guys some, but none of them would do anything to upset her.”
“No,” he agreed. Everyone liked Rissy, and why not? She was funny and smart and pret
ty.
Armie sat forward. “You don’t think she got involved with that idiot ex of hers again, do you?”
“No way.” He turned to face Armie. “She’s not a dummy.”
“Right.” He started to relax again.
Seeing the perfect segue, Cannon said, “But speaking of dumbasses…”
“Were we?”
“What the hell were you doing with Mindi Jarrett?”
“Nothing.”
He looked serious, prompting Cannon to snort. “That’s a first for you, then.” Armie didn’t do second dates, unless he got what he wanted and more on the first.
“Well, I’d been planning all kinds of fun shit, but she booked on me.”
Heavy unease sank onto Cannon. “She wasn’t with you last night?”
“You know she wasn’t. Hell, I was out in front of the bar with you, remember?”
He waved that away. “After that, I mean. When Yvette and I left.”
Armie started to answer, but he got a text. “Give me a sec.” He settled back again, reading the message on his phone.
Knowing it could be anything from business with the rec center, his upcoming fight or a woman, Cannon went back to fixing the coffee. Assuming Armie would want some, too, he got out two mugs and was just pouring it when he felt two small, soft hands come around him, going unerringly to his junk.
That was startling enough, but then he felt naked breasts on his back.
He damn near dropped the carafe, but managed to set it quickly in the sink.
At about the same time, Armie’s chair hit the floor. Cannon twisted in time to see Armie turning his back.
Finally realizing they weren’t alone, Yvette screeched, jumping behind Cannon.
One palm braced flat on the wall, the other rubbing the back of his neck, Armie said, “Hi, Yvette.”
Yvette muttered, “Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God.”
“Asshole,” Cannon told him while reaching back to her—and realizing she was completely nude. “Keep your nose to the wall!”
“Yeah, sure.” Armie’s shoulders moved. “Already saw it all anyway.”
Cannon snarled. “Shut up, damn it.”
He started to snicker.
To Cannon’s surprise, Yvette did, too. In between heartfelt “Oh, my God” laments, she groaned and laughed, and even cursed a little.
“Come on.” Keeping her tucked behind him, one eye on Armie, he led her back to the hallway. To Armie, he said, “Don’t budge! I’ll be right back.”
“Sure you don’t want me to get out of here?”
“Stay.” He had a dozen questions for Armie.
Still keeping his gaze averted, Armie saluted him.
Soon as they were out of the kitchen, Cannon pulled Yvette around in front of him so he could shield the back of her.
And what a beautiful backside it was.
She was still giggling, so he gave her a swat on that delectable tush.
She jumped, put both hands there and started roaring with laughter. It got Cannon’s mouth twitching, too.
In the bedroom, he closed the door and leaned back on it. Could a man be more divided?
His best friend had just seen Yvette naked.
Yvette had wanted him enough to come to him, in the kitchen, naked.
He wasn’t sure what the hell to do.
Arms now around her middle, she dropped to sit on the bed and tried to get a grip on her hilarity.
Damn, she looked beautiful. Her long dark hair hung smooth over her shoulders, around her breasts, playing peekaboo with her pretty pink nipples. The hair between her legs was just as dark, a striking contrast to her pale belly and inner thighs. She looked sweet and soft all over.
Clearly, she’d hoped to get him off track from their talk.
Cannon crossed his arms. “Armie just saw you buck-ass.”
“I know.” More giggles racked her. “He almost fell out of his chair.”
His smile went crooked. “Neither of us is ever going to hear the end of it.”
Wiping her eyes, she smiled up at him. “You could have told me we had company.”
“I figured you heard us talking.”
“I was brushing my teeth and washing and using my blow-dryer to smooth my hair.” Her smile teased. “And thinking of everything I wanted to do to you.”
He couldn’t wait to find out what that might be.
Though she was still pink cheeked over getting caught, she stood, arms at her sides, and let him look at her body. “I was hoping to derail you a bit.”
“I know.” But he wouldn’t let her.
“Want to know how?” She slowly came toward him, that sexy little smile still in place.
“You’re naked. You made a grab for my dick.” He lifted a brow. “Pretty sure I can guess.”
When she reached him, she ran her hands up his body. Sighing brokenly, she whispered, “Last night, the way you were…”
Crazed with lust. “Yeah?”
“I really loved that.” She leaned in and kissed his chest. “I was going to make you a deal.”
“All right. Let’s hear it.” Better now, with Armie waiting so he couldn’t easily give in. Having a buddy in hearing distance pretty much guaranteed he wouldn’t let her twist him around her little finger.
Still kissing him, brushing her nose over his chest hair, lightly touching her tongue to his right nipple, she said, “I’ll stop trying to…to be so private—just with you—if you’ll stop treating me like fine china.” She took a love bite of his pec muscle, then looked up at him with her big green eyes warm and hungry. “How can I get past that scared little girl I used to be if you can’t?”
Was that what she thought?
Was that how he’d been?
From down the hallway, Armie yelled, “I was willing to wait for you two to grab a quickie, but if you think I’m hanging around for extended foreplay, forget it.”
Smiling, Cannon put his forehead to hers. Unable to stop himself, he ran his hands over her body, down the indent of her waist, over the rise of her hips, back up to cup her breasts. He needed to touch her at least once to carry him over.
“Cannon,” she whispered, sounding scandalized. “I’m not going to do anything now, not with Armie out there!”
The smile turned into a grin. “I wouldn’t ask you to. After he’s gone, though…” He drew her up and took her mouth in a deep, tongue-stroking kiss. “Then you can pay up on all these promises you’re making.” He stepped them both away from the door. “Get dressed, okay?”
She swatted at him. “Now that I know we’re not alone, you can count on it!”
He kissed her once more, a firm, smacking kiss, and left her, closing the door behind him.
In the kitchen, Armie leaned against the sink, downing a cup of coffee. As soon as he saw Cannon he started grinning again. “My heart damn near stopped. My eyeballs are still singed.”
“Shut up.” Giving up on the idea of juice, Cannon poured his own cup of coffee. He’d need the caffeine to clear his head.
“You have my sympathies, dude.”
Lost to his meaning, Cannon shot him a look.
Smooth and sultry, Armie crooned, “She is fine.”
She was, but, damn it, he didn’t want to discuss her nude body with anyone. “I told you to shut up.”
“And here you are, stuck in the kitchen with me.” Only half hiding his amusement, Armie sipped the coffee. “You sure you don’t want me to haul ass out of here?”
“No, I don’t.” Indicating the table, he said, “Take a seat.”
Nonchalant, Armie straddled a chair. “Your priorities are dicked, man. I would sooo be on that.”
“You’re pushing your luck.”
“Yeah, I meant if you hadn’t already locked it up, ya know?” He set the mug aside. “Given she just tried to molest you in the kitchen, I’m guessing things are on track?”
To stop his needling, Cannon sat across from him and gave him a level stare. “So you w
eren’t with Mindi last night?”
Having some sense left in him, Armie let it go and dug his teeth into a new topic. “Fickle bitch was all about it, right up until she wasn’t there anymore. Left me without a word.”
New suspicions broke up old theories. “Where do you think Heath took off to last night?”
The switch didn’t faze him. “My bet is he went straight to a doctor. We both know what a dislocated shoulder feels like. How the miserable fuck drove away…” Armie shook his head. “Not that you or I couldn’t, but he’s not trained. Big, sure. Looked like he hit the gym often enough. But I doubt he’s ever broken anything or been hit like that before. He looked stunned stupid when you hurt him.”
Like the gathering of a storm, the tempest twisted through Cannon once more. He rolled his shoulders, fighting off the ugly grip of rage. “You don’t think he’d be up to causing more trouble?”
Snorting, Armie said, “Hell, no. If he found someone to put his shoulder back, well, that hurts, too. And if not, he was probably curled up somewhere crying. Why?”
Cannon tipped his head toward the kitchen window. “You’re not real observant today, are you?”
“I saw it,” he defended. “I just figured you boarded it up to be extra secure, her being so jumpy and all.”
Face hot and gaze on her bare feet, Yvette walked in. “I am not jumpy.”
She wore a white sundress that hugged her breasts, then hung full from there down to her knees. The material swished around her legs as she came to the table. She looked soft and fucking virginal and he wanted her more than ever.
Smile settling into place, Armie relaxed more in his chair. “Hi, Yvette.”
Shoulders curled, her head down so that her hair half hid her, she said, “Be quiet, Armie.”
“But we’re…butt buddies now, right?”
She groaned.
“Want me to show you my ass, just to make it even?”
She peeked up. “Is that all you saw?”
“Nope.”
Groaning, she folded her arms on the tabletop and dropped her head. Face muffled, she asked Cannon, “Can you shut him up?”
“Sure, if that’s what you want.”
Leaning close to her, Armie said, “He can rip out my tongue, but the image is forever emblazoned on my brain.”
Cannon started to intercede, but Yvette beat him to it. She planted a palm in Armie’s face and shoved him back. “Brat.”
