by Marie Harte
“Yeah?”
“Well, it was a while ago. A few years, maybe, but it’s always the same. I date a guy longer than a few weeks, he gets the spiel. With you it would have been sooner, because we never have anyone but family around for Halloween decorating.” Her eyes narrowed. “What did Elliot do to get you here? Did he say anything?”
“Oh, something about paying me to babysit his hag of an older sister.”
“What?”
He grabbed her flailing hands and put one in the crook of his arm. “It’s cold. We can continue to chat in my car.”
“Again with the car? For a hotshot motorcycle guy, you should be wowing with me something better than a…Camry? For shame, Gear.”
He laughed. It was hard not to when around the crazy woman. “It’s my brother’s. I told you. They’re still camped out at my place.”
“They—the press?”
“Yeah.” He corralled her into the car and turned up the heat. “So your brother calls you a hag, and you haven’t beaten him senseless yet? What’s his secret?”
“He’s a nag, but he means well.” She sighed. “You had a good reason not to go to that party. But I was just bored. Bored about being bored. Sometimes I get too inside my head and don’t want to do anything. Which is not to be confused with me liking my own space. I’m an introvert, so I’ve been told.”
“Yeah? Me too.” He finally started to thaw out. “Damn but it’s cold out.”
“You can say it. Colder than a witch’s tit. One of my favorite expressions.”
He tried not to, but when she said tit, he immediately remembered holding hers. Sucking hers. As usual, his body reacted.
“Tit, huh?” He glanced at her, heard her sudden intake of breath, and knew they were on the same page.
“Dirty mind.”
“Yep. Always.” He tapped the steering wheel. “You know, it’s been a while for me. Two days, as a matter of fact. My balls are totally blue.”
She tried to hide a grin. “Blue, huh? Well, my pussy’s hungry. Let’s say we go back to my place and fuck.”
He blinked, not sure he’d heard what he thought he had until she laughed. And didn’t stop laughing.
She caught her breath. “Sorry. You’re too easy. I’m not usually that blunt or crass. Well, not out loud. But I wanted to shock you. Did I?”
“Well yeah, but in a good way. I’m on board.”
“Ha. With what? My hungry pussy?”
“You keep saying it, and I’m gonna feed it. Meow.”
They looked at each other before Sadie sighed. “I’d better stop talking before I turn our foreplay into something ugly and cheesy, huh?”
“Yeah. Let’s just go have sex.”
“Well, if I must.” Her eyes sparkled.
Gear had a difficult time finding something not to like about her. “Your place okay?”
“Sounds perfect. And don’t worry about my car, because I walk to work.”
“In the dark?” He frowned. “That’s not safe.”
“It’s Green Lake.”
He followed the directions she gave him to her place, which was just a few minutes away. “It’s Seattle. Don’t be stupid.”
He could almost feel her dander go up. “Oh?” she said a little too softly. “So you’re calling me stupid?”
“Yeah, if you walk alone in the dark in this city. Even I don’t go around by myself unless I have to. Every neighborhood has problems. Hell, my brother nearly got mugged in Ballard last week.”
Her ire faded. “Seriously?”
“Well, it was my sister who assaulted him, we later found out. But that woman is scary when she’s on her period.”
Sadie just stared at him before a grin creased her lips. “You are such a prick. No wonder we get along.”
He nodded. “Great minds think alike.”
She agreed. “So can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” They parked and got out, and he walked with her into her building and up to her floor. She didn’t say anything else until they entered her apartment.
“So this thing between us. It’s still casual, right?”
He watched her lock the door, then face him with an unnaturally calm pose. He could tell she was nowhere near calm because she tapped her foot, and her breathing seemed a little fast.
“Casual, just the way you want it,” he agreed.
But she didn’t look satisfied.
Join the club, hot stuff. He had no idea what to make of her. Gear wasn’t looking for a new fiancée, girlfriend, or flavor of the month. Yet Sadie felt like all three combined, and it was odd.
What made her even more compatible was that she seemed as uncomfortable about getting close as he was. Every argument she threw up was one he’d already used. It made dealing with her both easy and challenging, and he looked forward to seeing her again the moment they parted.
Something to think about at another time, though. Right now he had a woman to make love to. Or fuck. Lady’s choice.
He waited for her to say or do something.
She watched him, unmoving.
“Well?” he asked. “Is this where we draw guns or what? Come over here, and have your wicked way with me.”
“You sure do like to boss me around.”
“And you like it.” He gave her a mean smile, heard her swallow, and knew he’d lost the game before they even made the rules. “I bet you ten bucks you’re wet right now.”
She lifted her chin. “I’ll take that bet and raise you another ten that you’re hard right now.”
“Like that’s a big leap. Baby, I was hard ten seconds after seeing you flaunt your ass at Sofa’s.”
“Flaunt my ass?” She smiled. “More like gently waving it before you. So glad you noticed.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now come over here and blow me.”
Her smile widened, and true joy shone from her eyes. “I love the way you talk. You’re so lyrical.”
“Poetic, just like your talented family.” The moment she got within reach, he dragged her close and started kissing his way down her neck. “Hard and fast, or slow and thorough?”
“Hard and fast,” she rasped, yanking him down by the hair and kissing him, giving him enough tongue to make him regret giving her a choice.
“Fuck. Fine.” He palmed her ass, grinding her against him. “Take off your pants and bend over the couch.”
“Right now?”
“No, tomorrow.” He rolled his eyes. “I’ll get the house tour later. Go to the couch, Sadie.”
She raced over and got rid of everything from the waist down. Man, she had a nice ass. So round and tight.
He bit back a groan, walked over to her, and took his pants and underwear down to his thighs.
“Condom?” she asked, her voice low, thick.
“Always.” He already had one halfway down his cock. “This is gonna be fast. Touch yourself while I fuck you. Let’s see who can come first.”
“I say me,” she breathed and started fingering herself.
He wished he could take a picture, yet knew she’d slap him if he tried. But God knew, Sadie Liberato, bent over with that fine ass… He was ready to bust from just looking at her.
Nudging her ankles wider, he warned, “I’m coming in.” Then he was there, right at the heat of her sex and thrusting. The position made her unbearably tight, and he had to fight not to come too soon.
“You’re too big,” she moaned.
“Want me to pull out?” he said between breaths.
“God no. Fuck me.”
“You got it.” He pulled nearly all the way out, then slammed back inside her.
She made the best sex sounds, all breathy and moany, right there with him as he took her. The sounds of rasping and the slap of flesh were all to be heard as they rose on the cl
imb toward orgasm.
“Fuck. I’m coming.” He jetted inside her a moment before she squeezed him tight.
“Yes,” she hissed, rocking back into him.
He saw stars as he moved inside her, committed to giving her everything he had. Feeling primitive and raw, he withdrew, took the condom off, and gave serious—crazy—thought to shoving inside her, bare. Just to know what she’d feel like with nothing between them.
“What are you doing?” she asked, still trying to catch her breath.
“Tring to remember my name,” he quipped. “Where can I toss this?” he asked while straightening back up.
She waved toward the kitchen, and he found a trash can under her sink. The place was small but tidy and had a clean, uncluttered Sadie look to it. Spartan. Hell, even her house suited him.
She joined him in the kitchen, half naked and apparently not bothered by it. With her body, she had nothing to worry about. But still…
“You aren’t modest at all, are you?”
“Not with you. Why? Should I cover up?”
He tried to stop staring at her toned thighs and gorgeous pussy, but he couldn’t. “You have the best body I’ve ever seen. And I’ll be honest. I’ve seen a lot.”
“Flatterer.” She sauntered into her living room, then wrapped herself in a blanket before flopping onto…
“That is one fugly couch.”
“Thanks. It reminds me of my mother, whom I lost at a young age. It’s one of the only things I have left of her.”
He felt like shit. “Hell. I’m sorry.”
“You should be. For all you know, that was a true story.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Is it?”
“Hell no. My mother had better taste than this.” She snorted. “But you should never judge a girl’s furniture.”
He just stared at her.
“What?”
“Move over.”
“Shouldn’t you be leaving? You know, a fast hump and dump?”
He grabbed the TV remote from her hand, lifted her up, and settled her on his lap while he flicked through channels.
“Hey. That’s mine.”
“I’m a guest.” He batted her grabby hands away.
“Well, you can’t stay late. I have to be up early tomorrow to set up for the festival.” She told him about Sofa’s stand, where they’d be selling hot cider and goodies.
“Are you there all day? I’d call and ask you about it tomorrow, but we both know you never answer your phone.”
“Shut up about that already.” He’d swear she sounded embarrassed. “I said I’d talk to you the next time you called.”
“Gosh, Sadie. I’m the luckiest man on earth,” he said in his best Lassie’s-the-best-dog-in-the-world voice.
She shook with laughter, then yawned.
“Ah, I win. I outlasted the mean chick.”
“We’re playing a game?” she asked.
One where I win the girl if I’m careful. Oh shit. Do I want to win the girl? Then Sadie kissed the underside of his chin and snuggled close. Sugar and cherries hit him hard.
“No games, Sadie. I’m not good at playing them.”
“Me neither. I’m a lightweight. It’s sad.”
He smiled and rested his chin on top of her head. “I wouldn’t call you a lightweight. More like welterweight. Maybe light middleweight.”
She chuckled. “You’re a funny guy.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Mmm. I like that. You’re warm.” After a pause, she rubbed his pecs, and his heart gave a strangled leap. “If you’re free tomorrow, you should stop by. I’ll give you free cider.”
“Well, for free cider, I might have to.”
She nodded, her breath warm against his chest. A few moments passed, her breathing growing deeper, more even. “Gear?”
“Yeah, honey?”
“Am I boring?”
He frowned. “You? Boring? You’re the least boring person I know. Scary, cantankerous—and yes, I know what that means. I do read, you know. Oh, and obnoxious. But boring? Hell no.”
He felt her smile against his chest. “Good. You aren’t either. And I’m glad Sahara cheated on you.”
The hurt he felt surprised him, mostly because he hadn’t expected Sadie to be cruel.
“Because you deserve so much better than her.”
He relaxed, stunned to go from feeling high to low and back to high again. “Boring, Sadie? You? Never.” He stroked her hair, loving that she left it long, out of a ponytail.
She fell asleep in his arms, and he wondered how he could feel such bone-deep contentment with a woman he’d met only a week ago. A woman he didn’t want to leave, even though he knew it would be best for both of them in the long run.
But Gear had never been all that smart. So he carried her into her bedroom and tucked her in. The soft-blue room needed further exploring, but not now. So he kissed her good-bye, fit her into a compartment in his brain, and his heart, and left, locking up as he walked out.
Once at home and in bed, he set his alarm for ten. He had things to do in the morning. And people to see. One dark-haired siren in particular.
Chapter 8
Sadie woke up refreshed, sexually replete, and looking forward to the festival. Not just because she loved Halloween, but because she’d invited Gear to swing by, and she had a feeling he’d show.
She sighed as she and Theo set up their stand under an overhead tent. The weather, fortunately, shone bright and crisp. Even if it had rained, she knew she’d have been smiling.
How could she be so wrapped up in a man clearly wrong for her? Not like she had a right guy in mind, but Gear had so many issues. One of which was a lack of reciprocity when it came to emotional connection. That was the phrase her shrink of a cousin liked to use on her when nagging about Sadie’s exes. It wasn’t as if Sadie sought men she couldn’t bond with. She’d tried not to. But the majority of them had been perfect on the outside and empty within.
Unlike Gear. The ex-TV star seemed as far from the glamorous life as could be. He didn’t put on airs. Didn’t act better than her or her family. And he had been so sweet last night. After that earth-shattering climax, she’d expected him to leave. It was just about sex, after all.
Except it wasn’t.
He’d stayed, kissing the top of her head, holding her close, making her feel protected. She should hate him for that. Adrian had been protective, a real presence in her life. And he’d hurt her. Badly. Yet unlike Adrian, Gear hadn’t done anything to advance his cause. He’d already had her. She was already impressed. And she had a feeling he’d assumed she’d been asleep when she’d played possum in his arms, listening to his calming heartbeat.
He’d been so tender tucking her in, kissing her again, sighing before he left.
What did that mean? Did he like-like her? Or was he stymied, trying to find the words to break it off because he sensed how much she was trying not to like him? For all that he acted like an asshole in public, she sensed in him a genuinely nice guy.
Oh God. If he was trying to find a nice way to break it off with her, that would be terrible. She’d rather he just dumped her ass.
“You’re too quiet. What’s up?” Theo asked.
“Nice. Good morning to you too.”
“Look, I had to deal with Hope moping around this morning while her boy toy is in Portland on some conference. And that after being bitched out by my mother for upsetting my father about something I did. I’m supposed to think about my actions. But I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about.”
“So ask her.”
“What? And admit I’m insensitive as well as clueless? No thanks.”
“Ah, to be twenty-one again.”
“Can you remember that far back?”
He grinned, and she could already see this one breaking hearts. Like his older brothers, the Donnigans who’d given those amazing self-defense classes at Jameson’s Gym, Theo had looks and a killer smile. His oldest brother, Landon, had managed to snag her cousin, a feat in itself. Ava analyzed everything to death, but Landon had turned her brain off enough to get her to say yes to an upcoming I Do.
Gavin, the other Donnigan heartthrob, had a body Sadie truly envied. Had she not met Gear, and had Gavin not already hooked up with someone on a more permanent basis, she’d have tried him on for size. Man, could that guy run like a gazelle. She coveted his workouts.
“And then there was Theo, the youngest of the bunch,” she said out loud.
“Is this where you do that weird dialoging—”
“A gem in the rough. A young man about to embark on a lifelong journey in the United States Marine Corps. A man with a hankering for an older woman, a seductress to show him the ways of love.”
Theo blushed. “Sadie.”
“But alas, Sadie was already taken by a man, the envy of all men.”
“Here we go.”
“A devil in disguise, who worships the ground she walks on. And poor, poor Theo can only watch from afar.”
He stared at her. “Did you work on that all night or what?”
“No.” She grinned. “Totally spontaneous. Did you like it?”
“Are you on drugs?”
She laughed, in a terrific mood despite her confusion about Gear. “Dude, the sun is shining. It’s getting close to Halloween, and I got some action. More than once, even. Life is good.”
Theo grinned with her. “Lucky you.”
“Don’t worry. Someday puberty will catch up with you, and you’ll figure out how all your equipment works.”
“This is why Elliot refused to work with you in here.”
“Exactly. He’s scared. Not you, Theo. You’re much braver than he is. Braver than Landon was too. You should have seen how my cousin terrified him when they were dating.”
Theo leaned in. “Tell me more.”
She filled him in on a few instances she’d witnessed when Ava and Landon had started dating, and he laughed, filing away the information as only a younger brother could.
