Loch and Key: McLaughlins, Book 3

by Shelli Stevens

  “Sorry, I’m sure I was breaking all your bones, sugar.”

  “You’re fine.” Actually, she missed the weight of him.

  But the loss of contact wasn’t one hundred percent, because he reached over to tease fingers over her body. Her belly. Her breasts. The tips of her flushed nipples.

  Even though she trembled with exhaustion and she was pretty sure another orgasm was impossible, arousal stirred low in her belly again.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  The unease in his voice made her let out a slow, low laugh.

  “Please. Not at all. You were amazing.”

  “Careful, my ego is swelling.”

  She rolled onto her side lightly, glancing down his body. “Mmm. Among other things?”

  He grimaced. “Pretty soon, yeah.”

  Well maybe, if she got some energy back, she’d find a way to seduce him into round two.

  She watched him through her lashes. He really was handsome. With his dark blue gaze backdropped by tan skin, and laugh lines around his eyes and mouth.

  He was a man of integrity and humor. Sexy as hell, and he was single. By choice. It seemed kind of crazy. Didn’t he want a family some day?

  “So you’re going to stay single until you get out of the Navy, hmm?”

  And why had she brought that up? A bit stupid of her really. It had been motivated more by her heart, but rather than let him see she regretted the question, she forced a mildly curious expression.

  “It was the plan.”

  “Was?” She arched a brow. “Slip of words or—”

  “Intentional.” He reached up to cup her cheek, his gaze darkening. “But there’s this sexy little redhead who puts these crazy ideas in my mind.”

  Her breath caught. “What kind of ideas?”

  “Getting serious about someone again. Taking that chance.”

  The fact that he could admit it freely blew her mind a little bit. Didn’t people play head games with this kind of thing?

  “You think you could handle being a Navy man’s girlfriend, sugar?”

  “I…don’t actually know, honestly.”

  She wasn’t sure she could handle being anyone’s girlfriend right now, let alone a man who came and went all the time. Between school, her job, and a pretty shite record with relationships—or wait, what relationships?—she just couldn’t give him a straight answer right now.

  The lazy heat in Brett’s gaze dimmed a bit, as if she’d popped the romance and flirtation right out of the moment. Well, fuck, but she had.

  Brett gave a small nod. “It’s not easy. Which is why I should stick to my self-imposed rule.”

  She bit her lip, struggling to find the right words to say. How to hit rewind on the last thirty seconds.

  “I’m going to do a few things to get that jambalaya simmering.” Brett rolled away, then eased off the bed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  And clearly she sucked at romance.

  Kenzie closed her eyes with a groan and rolled onto her back. Her head sank into the feather pillow and the scent of Brett’s shampoo engulfed her.

  Not that he probably used much on his closely cut military hair, but she’d definitely become accustomed to the scent.

  The sounds of him slicing and dicing and then frying something in the kitchen drifted through the house. Followed by the absolutely heavenly scent of the jambalaya.

  More than a few minutes went by, more like twenty if she had to guess. Was he avoiding her? Avoiding the awkward way she’d left things?

  Finally footsteps announced his return and she opened her eyes when the bed dipped.

  “I’m sorry,” she blurted immediately.

  Brett slid next to her, dropping his head to nuzzle her breast. “Why? For being honest?”

  “Aye.” Her heart fluttered.

  He kissed her nipple and it immediately tightened, lifting toward his lips.

  “Don’t be sorry for being honest. It took courage to say it. The Navy bred me to appreciate those kind of basic, sometimes forgotten core values.” He closed his mouth over her breast and sucked, releasing the tip a moment later. “Mmm. What it didn’t teach me about, but I can also appreciate, is a gorgeous pair of breasts.”

  Her laugh was half arousal and half genuine amusement. “By all means, keep appreciating. That is if you’re done in the kitchen?”

  “Jambalaya is simmering and will taste better the longer it does.” He tongued her nipple again. “Meanwhile, I’m fixing to keep tasting some of this.”

  She couldn’t possibly orgasm again, could she? This soon? Her muscles still felt like pudding, and her body ached in places she’d long forgotten about.

  While still suckling her, Brett moved a hand between her legs. Clearly, she was about to prove her body wrong.

  He had clever, skilled fingers that seemed to know exactly where and how to touch her. She molded to his hands. To his touch. Her body softening and rising to the pleasure, and he brought her there effortlessly.

  “I’m never going to be able to walk again, you realize,” she mumbled, when she could finally think, let alone speak.

  “Something tells me you’ll be fine.” He eased upward to kiss her mouth.

  When he lifted his head, she confessed, “I want more than tonight, Brett. More than a couple nights.”

  He stared down at her. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, I don’t know how I am with dating a guy in the Navy. I don’t really know how I am dating any guy right now. There’s a possibility I’ll freak out on your arse.” She hesitated. “Actually, it’s quite likely.”

  “And if I’m willing to take that risk?”

  She searched his gaze and whispered, “Then I’d hate myself if I became another woman who hurt you.”

  He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip. “I’ve developed some pretty thick skin over the years. And truth be told, I don’t much care for the idea of this being a couple of times deal either.”

  “No?”

  “I like the idea of having you around a while. Not to mention we’re pretty damn explosive in the bedroom.”

  “Aye.” She wouldn’t deny it. “When do you leave to go out on the ship again?”

  “Not anytime soon. So we have plenty of time to figure out if this is just something fun that lasts for a while…” He paused. “Or something more.”

  “No pressure.”

  “None from either of us.”

  “I like it.” And she did. It didn’t have to be a one-night stand, or a brief fling, but they could be free to enjoy each other. To do something as simple as date.

  “Me too.” He gave a slow smile. “You hungry?”

  “For food?”

  “Yes, Miss Insatiable. For food.”

  She laughed heartily and swatted his shoulder. “Aye. You’ll soon realize I’m always hungry.”

  “Actually, I think I’m picking up on that.” He eased off the bed and then grabbed her hand, pulling her to her feet.

  “Should I put on some clothes?”

  “Live dangerously. Eat naked.”

  “Dangerous indeed.” She grinned and allowed him to lead her naked into the kitchen.

  Fortunately there was only one window and the view was of the backyard. Pretty soon they were both seated at the small kitchen table, plates of steaming jambalaya and corn bread in front of them. Beers cracked open and ready for the first sip.

  She picked up her fork, loaded it up with jambalaya, and then slid it into her mouth.

  The mix of spices, juicy sausage and bite of some hot pepper mingled in her mouth to nearly induce an orgasm of another kind.

  “Good?” Brett had been watching her, clearly eager to see her reaction.

  “Bloody amazing. This is incredible.”

  He grinned, pure smug delight spreading across his face. “Thank you. Or, really, thank my mom. She taught me to cook.”

  “God bless her. And God bless Southern food.” She reached for the corn bread and a moment later disco
vered it was equally delightful—and the honey butter he’d made helped cool the wonderful burn of the jambalaya.

  They ate in an easy silence, enjoying the food and drink. Brett stood, moving to the fridge.

  “Another beer?”

  “Aye. Please.”

  He grabbed two bottles, removed the caps and returned to the table. “Tell me what you miss most about Scotland.”

  She accepted the beer from him and took a long pull from the bottle. “The lochs. They were beautiful.”

  “Lochs? As in Loch Ness Monster? Think he’s real?”

  “Aye.” She winked. “We were on the swim team together. You realize loch is just another term for lake?”

  “Didn’t have a clue, actually.”

  “Some are sea inlets, but aye.”

  His look turned contemplative. “I’ll have to get there some day.”

  “You will.”

  “I will,” he agreed. “So when do I get to see you again?”

  “Are you kicking me out already?” she teased.

  “No. Actually I’m kind of hoping you’ll stay the night. I want you at least twice more.”

  “And you called me insatiable.”

  He laughed softly. “Guilty.”

  “I’ll have to grab some clothes and toiletries from home, but otherwise, I think I can swing it.”

  “I get up disgustingly early for work.”

  “Being that I work nights, I’m usually not a morning person. So what you’re saying is you’ll owe me big time.”

  “Anything you want, sugar.”

  She arched a brow and scooped up more jambalaya. “I’m going to remember that. I might bring it up in, oh, say an hour.”

  His gaze darkened, homed in on her mouth as she ate. “Careful, or I’ll skip the brownies and just have you for dessert.”

  Licking her fork clean, she gave a suggestive look that was still a bit rusty to her. “Why not both at the same time? That’s what showers are for right?”

  He exhaled loudly and tossed down his fork. “All right, you’re done.”

  When he plucked her out of the chair and lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing, she squealed with excitement. Her arms looped around his neck as he hauled her off to the bedroom.

  No matter how long this thing between them lasted, one thing was for sure. They were going to have a damn good time while it did.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “So remember a couple of weeks ago when I said you’d owe me big time?”

  Brett glanced over his shoulder, making sure nothing was falling apart with his troops, and then murmured, “Sure do. What about it?”

  “I need you to come to dinner tonight.”

  “I’m always up for coming, sugar. You know that by now.”

  “You can be absolutely filthy at times, and I love it.” She laughed through the line and then quickly got back to business. “But there’ll be no coming of that sort tonight. Or not until much later. Dinner is at my brother’s. They’re all pretty much demanding that you come to the weekly family BBQ.”

  That got his attention. “Your brothers know about us then?”

  She gave a nervous laugh. “My brothers know when I sneeze.”

  “Yeah, a little protective. I remember,” he murmured, recalling her brother who owned the bar.

  “I know we’ve only been dating a couple of weeks and if this is a little awkward, I completely understand. I’ll tell them—”

  “You’ll tell them I’ll be there. It’s fine. Just let me know what time you want me to grab you tonight?”

  “Oh, that’d be every time we can find a moment alone.” She gave a soft laugh. “Oh you mean pick me up? Right. Six work?”

  “Six and moments alone. Got it. See you tonight, sugar.”

  There were more than just the three brothers. Brett realized this as he stepped foot into the house. With Kenzie holding his hand, he took a moment to observe the two women and a young lady lingering around as if waiting for a first peek.

  “So you’re the lucky bastart dating my sister.” The tall bar owner approached him first—or maybe ambushed from the side was a better term.

  The hand that closed around Brett’s was similar in size, but the grip was definitely harder and full of warning.

  “We haven’t actually been introduced.” His tone was lazy, but his eyes were guarded. “I’m Aleck.”

  “I’m Brett.”

  “I’m Ian.” Another man stepped forward to shake his hand.

  “Good to finally put a face with the name. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

  Ian was the brother who’d rescued Kenzie the night she was attacked, from what she’d said.

  “Good to finally meet you too. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you.” Brett glanced over at the last man and then did a double take between him and Ian.

  “I’m Colin.”

  “They’re twins. I forgot to mention that bit,” Kenzie informed him cheerfully. “Colin is a sheriff’s detective on the island.”

  “Is that so? Well I can assure you I’m one of the good guys.”

  “No need for assurance.” Colin grinned and gave his hand a brisk shake. “I already looked you up in the system.”

  Jesus. On the drive over Kenzie had hinted it might be a little intense with her family, but damn if it wasn’t like being called to the principal’s office when you knew you’d done nothing wrong.

  The women stepped forward, sliding next to their men. The move seemed instinctive rather than deliberate.

  “Hello, Brett, I’m Sarah. You’ll have to forgive the intimidation factor from these guys. They’re a little—”

  “Protective. And they should be. Kenzie’s a special woman.” Brett smiled at the petite woman and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Sarah.”

  “And I’m Emily.” The little girl he recognized from dancing at the Highland Games muscled her way to the front and gave him a narrowed-eyed look. “Are you going to marry my aunt?”

  A rush of gasps and admonishments filled the air at once. Brett’s mouth gaped and he struggled between laughing and choking on his panic.

  She rolled her eyes. “What? I’m only asking what everyone wants to know.”

  Sarah grabbed her daughter and rushed her from the room, clearly scolding her the whole way.

  “Don’t mind her. She gets her lack of filter from me,” Ian said with a grimace. “What can I get you to drink? Soda? Iced tea? Beer?” He paused and tilted his head. “Whisky?”

  There was a round of ice-breaking laughter from several people left in the room, but it was quickly smothered, and this time Brett was the one left grimacing.

  Clearly his whisky incident was no secret. Actually, it was possible they’d even witnessed it. There wasn’t a whole lot that he remembered after the fifth shot.

  “A beer would be great. Thanks.”

  “Me too,” Kenzie called out, then muttered, “I’m going to need it. I’m sorry about that, Brett.”

  Hearing the mortification in her voice, Brett gave her a sympathetic look and felt his initial panic subsiding. Her face was redder than he’d ever seen it and clearly she’d been equally as uncomfortable as he had.

  “She’s a kid. They’re practically verbal land mines waiting to go off at any minute. Don’t worry about it.”

  She shook her head and sighed. “Not exactly off to a good start here, are we?”

  “A beer for you both.” Ian handed them each a long-necked bottle. “I’m going to head out back and start grilling the salmon. Come join me, Brett.”

  It wasn’t a request, but a command that wasn’t so easygoing.

  Kenzie’s grip tightened on his hand and he glanced down at her. She wasn’t even looking at him though, but at her brother’s retreating back. She seemed a bit irritated, and ready to yell after him.

  “I’ll be fine,” he promised. “Go hang out with the girls.”

  “If he gives you any trouble, you give it right back t
o him. That goes for all my brothers.”

  He gave a light laugh, not the least bit worried. “Deal.”

  After dropping a brief kiss on her lips, he released her hand and followed after Ian.

  Kenzie had only been left alone for a moment when Sarah and Hailey showed up at her side.

  “Not only is he a buff hot military guy, but he’s nice, Kenzie,” Sarah said softly. “He could’ve easily freaked out on Emily, but he was so cool about her awful lapse in tact.”

  “Hmm, yes, speaking of, when you see my niece please tell her Christmas is canceled.”

  The three laughed together and sipped on their drinks.

  “I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far,” Hailey agreed after a moment. “He’s easygoing, cute, and hasn’t let any of the McLaughlin men intimidate him.”

  Sarah nodded. “Which is kind of amazing, seeing as they’re laying it on him thick right now. Then again, he’s the first guy you’ve introduced in a while, right, Kenzie?”

  “I’m not sure I’ve introduced any man, actually.” Kenzie sighed and took another sip of her beer. “I should’ve realized this before I invited him over to dinner tonight. In high school I was never serious enough with a boy to bring him home, and then I became some kind of petrified freak who didn’t even glance at men for the next decade.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” Hailey protested. “Was it?”

  Kenzie gave a wry smile. “Unfortunately, aye, it was.”

  “Well, you’re back in the game, and doing all right now.” Sarah gave her a side hug. “I’m proud of you.”

  Proud. As if something as normal as dating was an accomplishment. She was just catching up to the rest of the single world.

  “And this is the same guy who went AWOL for a while, right?” Sarah asked, rubbing her baby bump.

  “Yeah, but he made up for it.”

  “Sounds like it.” Hailey gave her a sly look and then glanced off the porch. “And it appears he’s getting along great with Ian right now.”

  Kenzie followed her gaze to the backyard, which was fenced in and surrounded by trees for privacy. Ian and Brett were chatting and laughing about something as they grilled. Any discomfort Brett may have had earlier seemed long gone now.