Hot and Handy: A Small Town Romantic Suspense (Shameless Southern Nights Book 3)

by J. H. Croix

  Lori interrupted her immediately. “We’ll be fine. Go on, enjoy yourselves. I’ve got this.”

  The restaurant we went to was a quiet, cozy place with small tables scattered throughout the space, Spanish decorations hanging on the walls, and muted lighting. Sadie and I sat at a table near the back and nibbled on breadsticks as we were served sangria and chatted.

  When the conversation ventured back to the topic of my brothers and family where we’d left off last time, I knew it was time to be blunt. “I don’t like talking about this, but I’m guessing you know the history with my family.”

  Sadie frowned at me over the rim of her fruity red sangria. “A little, maybe.”

  “Do you know who my father is?” My heart pounded while I waited for her answer. I was resigned to the reactions of others about my family, yet it didn’t change that I hoped it didn’t affect what Sadie thought.

  If she didn’t know and I told her then, there was every chance she’d run for the hills. Nobody wanted to date someone whose father was the town’s most notorious criminal. If she did know, however, it could look like I was trying to hide who he was while thinking she didn’t know.

  Talk about fucking awkward.

  Sadie’s eyes dropped to her lap. Then she looked up again and nodded. “You should know that I don’t assume you’re a criminal because your father is. I can’t imagine what that was like for your family.”

  “That’s a relief.” I smiled, but I couldn’t shake the heaviness inside. Her words played right into the turmoil of doing what my father wanted me to do.

  If I helped him, I might be a criminal too. Hell, I already was as far as I was concerned. “There are plenty of people in this town who think we’re all dangerous now.”

  “I’m not one of them,” she assured me. Lifting her hand, she sifted her fingers through her hair. Her auburn waves fell in a tousle around her shoulders.

  I wanted to reach across the table and tug her into my lap. I’d bury my hands in her hair and finally give in to the need that had been pounding through me since I’d seen her tonight.

  “Your dad made a lot of mistakes, but you guys shouldn’t pay for it. The last few years must’ve been tough on you,” she added, interrupting my train of thought.

  “Mistakes?” I lifted an eyebrow. Maybe she didn’t know who my dad was. “He’s the town’s most infamous citizen. They were hardly mistakes.”

  “Whatever he did has nothing to do with who you are,” she said, never averting her gaze the way most people did when they talked to me about my dad. “You’ve built a good life for yourself. It looks like the shop’s doing well, and that’s all yours.”

  I wondered how she managed to say exactly what I needed to hear. A lot of people assumed I got the money to start up my shop from my dad’s dirty stash, but it wasn’t true.

  “What about you?” I asked, ready to leave talk about my family behind. I’d just needed to get the topic out of the way.

  Sadie’s eyes shuttered as soon as I asked the question, a guarded expression crossing her face. “What about me?

  “Does your family live around here?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t have much family left. My dad died when I was a teenager.”

  I could see there was more to that story, but Sadie wasn’t offering more. Her gaze was level and her spine straight, but I sensed she did not want to dwell on the topic of her family. As curious as I was, I didn’t want to push. If there was one thing I understood, it was family baggage. When she was ready, she might tell me.

  Earning her trust was going to take some time. Lord knew if my dad’s shit wasn’t so public, I wouldn’t ever have brought him up. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone enough to want to keep dating me if they found it all out on the second date.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Don’t be.” Her voice was sharp and curt. Inhaling a deep breath, she closed her eyes momentarily, and when she opened them again, she smiled. “Should we call it a night on the family part of this conversation?”

  “Works for me.”

  Sadie’s posture relaxed, and she took another sip of her sangria. Her eyes met mine again. “I meant to tell you why Emery said I told her she couldn’t paint a car yet.”

  Leaning forward, I grinned. “Let me guess. She saw the paint at the shop when you brought her there and thought she could convince me to let her paint on one?”

  “Not quite but almost.” Sadie’s eyes danced as she told me all about her conversation with Emery.

  After we got past the awkward and uncomfortable talk of our families behind us, conversation flowed easily. I was half-distracted by Sadie the entire time. With her auburn hair glinting under the low lighting, her cheeks flushed, and the way her dress hugged her breasts, I had to remind my eyes not to wander a few too many times. I doubted she knew it, but damn, that woman did it for me.

  Before I was ready, our dinner was done, and it was time to leave. Much as I wanted to make good on getting her out of that dress, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. She had a daughter to go home to, although I couldn’t resist seeing if I could steal a little more time with her. “Do you want to have a drink at my place? It’s not far from here.”

  Sadie stilled, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. She thought for a minute and then nodded. “Lori’s watching Emery until morning, so I can have another drink.”

  The air inside the truck cab was heavy and electric on the brief drive back to my place. I wished like hell Sadie hadn’t told me Lori was watching Emery all night because then my body was on fire.

  Once we arrived, I led Sadie inside and flicked on the light in my entrance hall. When I turned to face her, Sadie was standing right behind me, so close I almost bumped into her.

  Her scent drifted to me, a hint of something floral infused with vanilla. Before I could say a word or ask her if she wanted a drink, she took a tentative step closer to me. Studying my expression, she lifted one of her hands and cupped my cheek. Then, surprising the hell out of me, she rose onto her toes, slipped her hand around my nape, and tugged me to her.

  Chapter Twenty

  Sadie

  The light stubble on Evan’s cheek stung my palm enough for me to know I wasn’t dreaming, that it was real. My heart was banging against my ribs. I couldn’t believe I was kissing him. I’d been thinking about it all night. As soon as we stepped into his house, I didn’t want to wait for him to make a move.

  I wanted to kiss him, so I did. He let out a low groan against my lips and wound his arms around me, tugging me roughly against him. Oh, geez. He was hard all over.

  On a gasp, my lips parted. When his tongue swept into my mouth, I melted against him. He tasted faintly like sangria and an after-dinner mint. His muscles rippled under my palms as I dragged my hands over his arms and his chest. A surge of power shot through me. It’d been so long since I was with a man, let alone one as strong as Evan. Yet I was making him tremble, shudder.

  Need coursed through me. My brain was a haze of desire. My fingers snagged on a button. I didn’t hesitate and popped it free, my fingers swiftly taking care of the rest of them until his shirt fell open. Pushing it off his shoulders, I let it fall to the floor.

  At the feel of his bare skin under my palms, I sighed. He was all hard planes, his skin warm.

  Evan let out a low groan as I trailed my fingers over his skin. Our kiss deepened as he laid claim to my mouth, winding one hand into my hair to hold me against him while the other skated around my back. In a flash, he found my zipper.

  Flicking the tab and sliding it down slowly, my skin pebbled at the cool air hitting it. The dress was only staying on because it was caught between us, pressed so close together. Evan broke the kiss to whisper, “Are you sure about this?”

  His eyes were heavy-lidded. If I asked him to stop, I knew he would do it without question. Yet there was no way I was stopping. I hadn’t set out to live like a nun since I’d had my daughter, but that had been the practical resu
lt. Then, I wanted that. I wanted Evan so fiercely, I wasn’t about to let that chance slip away. Meeting his gaze, I nodded. “I’m sure.”

  I stepped back only enough to create a few inches between us and felt the dress slip down to my waist. With a brush of Evan’s finger against the fabric pooled around my waist, it fell in a rumple on the floor. Kicking it free from my ankles, I arched against Evan as he lifted my chin and claimed my lips again.

  Moaning softly when his hands traveled up my sides and skimmed the curve of my waist, I ran my hands up and down the corded muscles of his back. When my fingers dipped into the waistband of his jeans, he let out a frustrated growl, the sound raw and carnal and sending a hot shiver through me.

  Heat flooded me, setting me on fire. Need throbbed between my legs. I could feel his arousal against my lower belly. I needed more. Reaching between us, I curled my hand over his hard, hot length, feeling it pulse under my touch through the denim.

  With a muttered curse, he lifted me against him with ease, taking a few steps until my back hit the wall. I barely noticed the cool feel of the wall. Encompassed by his heat and strength, all I wanted was more.

  I’d never felt so wanted before. Evan’s hands were calloused, rough from working with them all day every day. I loved how they felt against my skin, the insistent, hungry feel of his touch.

  Tearing his lips free from mine, he nipped at my jaw and my throat. I let my head roll back against the wall, absorbing the sensations. The only sounds were our ragged breathing and my moans.

  He trailed his lips down along my neck, my shoulders, and my collarbone. His hands roamed my sides, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts and over my nipples. My nipples peaked, aching for attention. I arched my back, desperate for his hands on me right there.

  Lowering his head, he looked up at me as he closed his mouth over one hardened point. The heat and wetness of his mouth sent a jolt of need through me. With a gasp, I choked out his name, “Evan…”

  He chuckled under his breath, raising his hand to roll my wet nipple between his fingers as he moved to the other breast. Each roll of his fingers and flick of his tongue drove me closer and closer to the edge. The ache between my thighs increased, pulsing in time with my pounding heart. Evan pressed his thigh against me as if he knew how badly I needed some relief.

  He didn’t withhold anything from me. If I moaned or gasped, he responded as if we’d done that a hundred times before, a thousand. I rocked against him, feeling little sparks of pleasure shoot from my core to my toes, curling my feet

  Evan lifted his head to catch my earlobe between his teeth. “Fuck, those sounds you make.”

  “Evan.” My words slurred as I struggled to speak beyond the pleasure coursing through me. Only one word rose through the haze. “Please.”

  “You never have to beg, baby.” My heart clenched at his words. Even if it was for the one night, everything he was doing, his words, it all made me feel cared for, nothing at all like my previous sexual experiences with fumbling college boys.

  Evan dropped to his knees in front me, running his hands up and down my thighs. His lids were heavy as he looked up at me. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

  He leaned forward, trailing his fingers over the damp silk between my thighs. I gasped, and his lips curled in a sly grin. “I want to taste you now. Is that okay?”

  He hooked his finger on my panties and brushed through my folds as he waited for my reply. I gasped, my hips flexing into him. I fought to keep from moaning and managed a nod.

  “Thank fuck,” he gritted out. In a flash, he dragged my panties over my hips. I sent them flying with another kick.

  Nudging my thighs apart, he teased me with his fingers. I was so ready, I could feel how slick his fingers were from my wetness. Slipping one finger inside me, followed by another, he groaned. “God, you’re so wet. All for me.”

  He gripped my hip with his free hand and ran his tongue through my seam. I whimpered, my hands falling to his shoulders as I arched back. “Oh, God,” I gasped. “Please.”

  I didn’t have to ask twice. Holding me steady with one hand, his tongue and fingers worked me into a frenzy. With his fingers stroking into me, his tongue circled my clit and sucked it in.

  My legs were liquid as pleasure spun tightly inside me, getting closer and closer to spinning out of control. Another few strokes and I was there, burning heat spread through me as the pressure spun loose inside. I came so hard, my mind blanked out.

  Evan drew away slowly, rising and lifting me into his arms. In the back of my hazy mind, I realized he must be carrying me to his bedroom. My suspicion was confirmed when I felt a mattress dip beneath me. I was drifting in a haze of pleasure, but all I could think about was more.

  After he’d made me feel that good, I wanted to return the favor. Selfishly, I wanted more for myself too. Maybe it’d been too long, but I didn’t remember ever wanting anyone that much.

  As he stretched out beside me, I rolled to face him, curling my hand over his cock. Evan’s eyes burned into mine as he met my gaze “We don’t have to do anything else.”

  “Yes,” I responded breathlessly. “Yes, we do.”

  It didn’t cross my mind to wonder whether he wanted more. As I reached to flick the buttons of his fly free, I could see the telltale dots of sweat on his forehead. He was holding back, restraining himself. “Don’t hold back from me, Evan. Please let me feel you.”

  With another growl, he rolled to the side and stood. In a matter of seconds, he was kicking his jeans to the side and reaching into his nightstand for a condom. With nothing but the light from the hallway filtering in, he was cast into relief in the dim light and shadows, his muscled body rising above me.

  In a flash, he rolled a condom on, his weight settling between my hips.

  Positioning himself over me, I felt him quiver when the thick head of his cock hit my slick entrance. “Fuck, Sadie. Fuuuuck.”

  He groaned as he sank into me, capturing my lips as he slid home. Curling my legs around his hips, I rose to meet him when he started thrusting into me. It had been years since I’d had sex, but the feel of him filling me was so delicious, I was at the edge almost instantly.

  We moved together, chasing pleasure. With every stroke, he drove me higher and higher, and another climax rose from the eddies of my last.

  Evan’s breath was rough, mingling with my pants and moans. “Come for me, baby,” he rasped as he reached between us, pressing over my clit.

  His words were a harsh, ragged plea. I had no choice but to give him what he wanted. Pleasure ripped through me like lightning, intense and bright. I was still flying high when I felt Evan tense above me, and his hips bucked once more, twice. Then he moaned my name and jerked as he found his own release.

  Resting his head in the crook of my neck, his breath gusted against my skin. He rolled off me in a smooth movement, wrapping his arms around me to take me with him. After he arranged my head on his chest, he collapsed onto the bed.

  Neither of us said a word as our breathing slowed. We didn’t have to. He held onto me and stroked my hair, lulling me to sleep before I could even ask if he wanted me to stay. It had been so long since I was the one to be held. It felt good to have someone’s arm around me while I drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Evan

  I woke with my body humming and my cock hard. My body was addicted to Sadie. I could tell already. The way she’d clenched around me, I was close to coming every second I had been inside her. Vague memories of falling asleep with her curled against me drifted through my mind.

  She felt fucking incredible—warm, soft, and lush. I stretched out, moving slowly so I didn’t wake her. I wanted nothing more than round two, or three actually, but I needed to get her home to Emery as soon as she woke up.

  I hoped there would be time for breakfast, but I doubted it. She’d probably want to get home as soon as possible.

  Rising up on an elbow, I looked over at her. She wa
s tangled up in my sheets, still pressed against my body.

  Sunlight cast through the shades, gilding her in a hazy gold. Her hair spread out over my arm and behind her, forming a tousle of auburn that stood out against the white sheets. In sleep, her face was relaxed, a hint of a smile curling the corners of her mouth.

  I sure as hell would be smiling for days after that. Unless, of course, I heard from Beau or my dad, in which case, all post awesome date bliss would evaporate. The moment that thought passed through my mind, the weight settled on my shoulders again.

  Being with Sadie, I’d forgotten all about that bullshit. When I was with her, I could be myself. I didn’t worry about anything.

  I liked Sadie. I wasn’t quite ready to examine anything else. All I knew was I wanted to see where things went with her. I was as surprised by that realization as anyone.

  Sadie stirred and blinked her eyes open. Her gaze flicked to the window and then to me. “Good morning.”

  I smiled. “Morning.”

  Her eyes widened, and she sat up, covering herself with the sheet. “Crap. What time is it?”

  “It’s only just after six,” I told her. My cock twitched as I watched her sitting there on my bed, her warm legs still entwined with mine.

  Her lips were a little swollen and red, and her hair fell in a tangle around her face. The sheet didn’t hide her nipples straining against it. I beat back the urge to swipe my tongue over the sheet and catch a nipple between my teeth.

  Another part of me wanted to push her back onto the bed and hold her until she fell asleep again. The woman worked two jobs and raised a child by herself. She could probably use some rest.

  Eyes on mine, she frowned. “What was on your mind when I woke up? You look serious now, but you looked more serious then. Is something wrong?”

  I sighed, rolling onto my back. The low hum of the air conditioning filled the silence while I considered how much to tell her. Clearly, she wasn’t going to let me get away with telling her nothing. If I told her the truth, though… Then she knows the truth.