by Kelli Evans
“And offered sex?” Hannah let out a small laugh. “Honey, listen, you didn’t ask him to come over and talk this out. You didn’t message him during the day. If he wants more from this, then he does not want to be booty called.”
“But we’re so great at sex. I figured if I just get him over, I could talk to him and we could figure out what it is that we’re doing.”
“What are you doing?”
Roz looked at her, not knowing what to say. “I don’t know.” She hung her head.
“It sounds like you want more. Something more serious perhaps?” Roz snapped her head up and looked at Hannah as if she had grown two heads.
“No, no, that’s not it.” She shook her head, “It’s been too quick, and we barely even know each other. I don’t even know his middle name!” She threw up her hands. This was ridiculous, the whole idea was silly.
Hannah was still smiling wide. “Mm-hmm sure.” She took a pull off her beer, eyeing Roz the whole time.
“You’re crazy,” Roz insisted, grabbing her beer bottle with shaking hands. Why was her heart racing all of a sudden? “I just want to feel better. I hate that it’s the only thing I think about.” She also hated saying that out loud. “How do I forget about him?” Hannah looked at her with sympathy in her eyes and she hated that too.
“Are you so sure you want to forget him?”
Roz shook her head. “No, I want to see him, and kiss him and hear him laugh.” That was so unlike her. Why was she so desperate for him? “But he never responded to my message. I don’t know if he wants to see me again or not.” She felt as if she would die if she never got to see him again.
Hannah reached over and placed her hand on top of hers, giving it a squeeze. “Why don’t you try going over there and asking him that? I bet you’ll be surprised by the answer.”
“What if he doesn’t want to see me? What if I throw myself at him and he turns me down?” Saying it out loud made it really hit home for her. Was she more scared of him not wanting something more than she was of realizing she actually did?
“There’s only one way to find out.”
* * * *
Roz threw herself into work over the next few days, trying desperately to screw her head back on straight. Hannah was right and Roz needed to go see Patrick and fix this. She was just so scared of being turned away that every time she thought about it, she panicked and chickened out.
There had been another robbery reported just last night, and Roz couldn’t help but feel her being off her game was the reason they hadn’t caught the perp yet.
There was quick knock on her door before it swung open and the new young deputy, Miranda Holmes, came bursting in, a wide smile on her face.
“We got him!” she exclaimed.
Roz jumped up from her desk, and her chair rolled back into the filing cabinet behind her. “What? Really?”
Miranda nodded enthusiastically. Her ebony ponytail bounced behind her. “Yes! They just brought him in!” She rushed back out just as quickly as she’d rushed in.
Roz couldn’t believe it. They got him. Finally.
This was the moment she normally lived for. Justice served. Why didn’t she feel as relieved as she thought she would?
She had been waiting months for this moment, and now that it was over, she still felt restless. A niggling voice at the back of her mind knew why she felt that way. She had tried to tamp it down, but it just grew louder. There was only one way to feel better.
Chapter 18
Patrick
“YEAH, you should text her back,” Chase said for probably the fiftieth time since he’d shown up.
Patrick didn’t even stop drumming to shoot his bestie some side-eye. “If you’re going to loiter, why don’t you pick up a guitar?” He nodded to one of them hanging on the wall.
Chase stood from the couch. At first, Patrick thought he was going for the acoustic in the stand by the entryway but instead he headed for the door. “I’ve had enough wallowing for the night. Thanks, though.”
Patrick drummed louder and yelled over the noise, “Cool. Don’t let the door hit yah where the good lord split yah.”
“Go fuck yourself.” Chase laughed. “Someone’s knocking, you know.”
“Be a dear and answer the door, then. Although it’s probably just Aubree from next door. She knows I let her cat hide out here sometimes. She named the Jack Lemmon of cats Mr. Sparkles and puts him in tutus. Can a cat get a little respect around here, or what?”
“We’ve met,” Chase assured him and pulled the door open. Patrick went for an obnoxious finale, using a butt load of cymbal. “Patrick, pull your head out of your ass. You’ve got company.” Chase walked out the door, closing it behind him, leaving Roz standing in his wake.
She looked great drenched in golden-hour light. The daylight danced along the spindles of her curls and flecked off the warm browns of her eyes.
“Hey.” Patrick immediately reached out to silence the cymbal. He wiped his sweating brow on the sleeve of his shirt.
“You don’t have to stop on my account.” She smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m sure you didn’t come over here to watch me play.” Why was she there?
Roz shrugged. “I’d really love to.”
Patrick couldn’t, not with that kind of tension filling the air. He didn’t know how to play with his heart in his throat. He wasn’t sure how to talk around it either.
After a painful silence stretched out between them, Roz spoke again. “I texted you.”
Patrick nodded. “I was asleep.”
Roz grimaced as if his words were sharp as cut glass. He hated it. He didn’t ever want to hurt her.
“I’m sorry about the other night. I shouldn’t have tried to force your hand like that. I have a habit of jumping into things head first.”
“I like it.”
His heart jumped, but his mind tried hard to keep it in check.
“I’m sorry too. I should have handled Oscar like a grown up a long time ago. I can’t stand this distance between us. Can I…?”
Patrick wasn’t sure what she was asking so he just raised his eyebrows.
“Can I…” Roz coughed. “Can I come closer?” The vulnerability cracking in her voice nearly shattered his reserve.
Patrick nodded and went to stand, but she was already coming around the drum kit. She gingerly and with shaking hands tugged the sticks from him. She placed them on the drums, then straddled his lap and sat on him. His ears hummed with his own heartbeat.
“It’s been ten days since I last saw you and it took me all of them to muster up the courage to come over here.”
Patrick wasn’t sure what to say. He wasn’t sure what was going on even. He wanted to touch her. He wanted to reply but he was afraid that if he did, either she might stop or disappear altogether.
“I miss you. So much. I miss touching you.” Finally, she rubbed her palm along his cheek. He heard the scratch of his scruff against her hand. Her skin was warm and soft, and she smelled good—familiar. His eyes closed of their own volition as his whole body warmed. “I have fun with you. I like sharing things with you. I-I’m not very good at this. I’m not sure how to say what I’m saying.”
Patrick had to clear the emotion from his throat before he spoke. “You’re doing great.” Even then his voice was still husky and needy.
“Am I?” Roz let out a tight laugh.
Patrick couldn’t fight it anymore. He gripped her hips, curling his fingers against the jeans fabric. He settled her more fully against him, wrapping his arms around her. She closed her eyes and relaxed into him. “I missed you too.”
So softly he almost didn’t hear her, Roz whispered, “I don’t like not talking or being away from you. It was killing me.”
There was more to be said but she was there, on his lap, stroking his beard, and telling him how much she missed him. His heart was weak, and his flesh was weak. He just w
asn’t strong enough to fight the urge to kiss her senseless.
He buried his hands in her hair and hesitantly met her mouth, unsure of how to navigate this ravine between them. Patrick pulled back. “Is this okay.”
Roz nodded and gripped his shirt. “Perfectly.”
Patrick groaned and brought her lips back to his. Heat exploded in his chest. Roz was there, in his arms, and they were back to kissing. Her thighs squeezed against him. He slipped his hands up her shirt, fanning out over her back, and sliding under her bra strap.
Roz broke their kiss, and said, “I want to call this something.”
Patrick nodded enthusiastically. “I call it everything, but I’m open to suggestions.”
Roz flung her arms around his neck and plastered herself against his chest. Butterflies engulfed him. This was good. This felt really good.
Chapter 19
Roz
HER heart felt as if it were going to explode out of her chest. This was exactly where she wanted to be. This was what she needed. He was what she needed.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Patrick whispered. His hands were all over her, and wherever he touched, a heat trail followed.
“I’m glad I’m here too.” She smiled, playing with the collar of his shirt and running her fingers through the hairline at his neck. She was so happy she had mustered up the courage to come to him.
She leaned in and kissed his neck, running her cheek along his beard. He felt amazing. His smell was all around her and she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed it until now. He slid his hands up her back, taking her shirt along the way. He peeled it off her and then flung it somewhere.
Her bra was next to come off. It landed on the cymbal of his drum set, making a tinkling noise. She giggled a little. She was loving this.
“God, I love that sound.” His hands found their way into her hair.
“I love the way you make me feel,” she whispered, not able to look away from his heated gaze and not wanting to.
Patrick’s eyes flashed at her words. He let out a growl and brought her lips down to his. She couldn’t believe this was happening, and she was so glad it was. She grabbed his shirt, trying to tug it off him.
He let out a laugh, the sound of it comforting her.
They were going to be okay.
He crossed his arms and pulled his shirt off. She let out a sigh, running her nails through the hair on his chest. Oh, how she had missed this.
Roz leaned forward, pressing her tight nipples against his chest. It felt so good to be skin-to-skin. She roamed her hands over him, trying to memorize every inch. She never wanted to forget a moment with him. She never wanted to take this for granted.
She ground her hips into his, desperate to have him inside her. It had been too long. She needed to be closer.
“Let’s get your pants off,” he mumbled against her lips. It was as if he had read her mind. She stood and quickly shed her jeans and panties, and he slid his shorts down his legs to his ankles.
Roz licked her lips, dropping to her knees, the sight too much for her to pass up. His cock bobbed as she reached toward it. She couldn’t wrap her hand all around it and she smiled. She couldn’t wait to have him inside her again.
She brought her mouth down, sucking the head of his cock between her lips. She licked along his seam, tasting pre-cum. His hips bucked up, causing her mouth to move farther down. She swirled her tongue around his shaft, paying extra attention to the pulsing vein running down the length of it.
He tangled his hands in her hair, pulling her away from him. Her mouth made a loud pop as she disconnected with his cock. “I need you up here or it may be over before we start.” He was sweaty with a heaving chest. He was the most gorgeous thing she had ever seen.
With a smile Roz climbed back onto his lap, his cock sliding between her slick lips. She gasped as his mouth found one of her nipples. She moved her hips, his dick getting wetter as she glided her pussy over it.
She dipped her head back, her hair touching his bare thighs. He bit her nipple, sending a shiver down her spine. His rough hands gripped her back, holding her close.
“Do you have a condom?” she breathed. “I need you inside me.” She moved her hips faster over him. One slip and he could be inside her.
“In my room.”
“That’s so far,” she whined. “Plus, I have had dreams of doing you at your drum set and I plan on fulfilling that dream.”
He groaned, wrapping his arms all the way around her. “I’m here to make your dreams come true.” He growled, kissing her neck, his beard scratching her.
“You’re a dork,” she whispered, tipping her head to the side, allowing him easier access to the sensitive skin on her neck.
“You like it.” He sank his teeth into her soft skin.
“Yes, I do.” I love it. She let out a small moan and dug her nails into his back. “I’m on the pill,” she reasoned, feeling so heated she might burst. “And I’ve never done that with anyone,” she whispered, her eyes closing. “I just want to feel you.” All of you. This vulnerability was so new to her.
He kissed his way up to her ear. “I’ve never done that with anyone either.” Her heart stuttered. He pulled back and looked her in the eyes. “Roz…are you sure?” One of his hands gripped the back of her neck, bringing their foreheads together. She was terrified at how sure she was.
Angling her hips and sliding back just a bit, she was able to line the head of his cock up with her opening. Keeping her gaze locked on his, she slowly slid down the length of him. He stretched her out, making her feel whole again. She felt every vein and ridge along the way.
Patrick’s eyes closed, and he dug his fingers into her hips, pulling her down fully onto him. She gasped as he bottomed out. She felt incredible, her whole body alive. She had never been more connected to someone in her life.
“Look at me,” she breathed, gripping his shoulders as she set a slow rhythm.
His eyes popped open, flashing heat. Her heart clenched and her stomach fluttered. She tightened her pussy around his cock, eliciting a growl from him.
“You feel incredible, Roz. You are incredible, and beautiful, and smart, and sexy, and—” Roz captured his lips because if he kept talking, she was going to cry.
She ground her hips into his, her clit rubbing against him. There were no words to describe how she felt. Her heart was in her throat and she never wanted to be without this man.
“Oh, Patrick,” she murmured against his lips. She pulled away and pressed her mouth to his ear. “I think I could fall for you.” Her heart stopped and held in her throat, but at that moment, she meant every word she’d said.
Chapter 20
Patrick
PATRICK wrapped her hair around his wrist and tugged. He had to look into her eyes for this. He had to see her face, needing to know if she was serious. Had he even heard her right?
She still moved against him, bare—nothing separating them. She drove him out of his fucking mind with pleasure. She dampened her lips with a swipe of her tongue and met his gaze.
The only response he had in him was a guttural growl. Everything about this was primal, as basic as human nature, and as foreign to him as another world. He pulled her into a needy kiss, their teeth clanging. It still wasn’t deep enough, wasn’t hard enough.
“I need you under me,” Patrick murmured against her lips. “Wrap your legs around me.” She did. “Lock your ankles.” She did.
He stood, kicking his shorts aside, and managed to walk them down the hall to his bed. He laid her down. She was all tan skin, dark eyes, and dark hair splayed out over his white sheets. Her curves were incredible. She had the best body—his favorite.
“Look at you.” Patrick reached forward, squeezing her nipples between his fingers. He trailed his palm down her stomach, and then lifted her legs and spread her apart. He was about to thrust back inside her, but she looked too good.
Patrick d
ropped to his knees, pushing Roz’s legs back. He kissed her thighs and lips, finally licking up her wet slit. He groaned into her. “I love how you taste.”
“Fuck.” Roz laughed and gripped his hair.
He pressed two fingers into her pussy while he laved her clit. He watched her face, watched the way her belly kept tightening, and noted the shake in her thighs. Her pussy gripped his fingers.
“Patrick.” Her voice shook with desperation. “I need you. I’m going to come. I need you inside me. Please!”
He stood and was quickly back inside her in one hard push of his hips. It didn’t take much, a couple of deep thrusts, a stroke or two of his thumb on her clit, and Roz gripped the sheets so tightly they rolled off the corners of the mattress.
“Come closer,” she begged. He scooted her farther up the bed and then climbed on top of her, settling deeper into her.
She cupped his face, and with the inhibition of an orgasm close by, Roz peppered kisses on his lips, cheeks, neck, and shoulders. She whispered his name repeatedly.
It was too fucking much. He buried his face in her neck, sucking on her skin. She clawed at his back, hips coming up off the bed as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Patrick,” she whispered, cupping his face. She brought his gaze back to hers. Their lips just skimming each other’s—just close enough to share the same breath. She locked gazes with him and as her body orgasmed beneath him.
He felt raw, absolutely laid bare. Again, he buried his face in her neck and thrust through her remaining orgasm. “Where do you want…?” But it was too late. He came inside her.
* * * *
It was morning. The sun didn’t lie. They’d been up all night. She’d only fallen asleep a few hours ago and he should let her sleep.
“Roz?”
She hummed and snuggled into him. His heart warmed at that.
“Roz.” He felt guilty but he gently shook her awake anyway. “Roz?”
“Hmm?” she asked, eyes fluttering open. A grin split her face. “Patrick, I’m going to be sore.”
