Here And Now (American Valor 2) (15 page)

But his expression was blank, completely unreadable. “And then what?”

She shrugged, unsure of what answer he was really after. “He parked his car, walked me to my truck. He said he’d like to go out again.” It wasn’t exactly what Rich had said or even implied, but it felt better to sugarcoat it a smidge.

“Did it end with a wave? A handshake? A hug? How did you two leave it?” He leaned back against the counter, his hands resting on its edge, his feet crossed at the ankles. A picture of calm and tranquility.

“We kissed.”

More like he kissed her. Rachel took another drink of water to suppress the bile rising in her throat.

She really wanted to ask him if what she experienced could be classified as a kiss since it felt more like a tongue probing. Like when a frog snatches his meal right out of midair. Or one of those alien movies when they use their big lizard-like tongue to—

“So you’re going out with him again?”

“I haven’t decided. It’s nice to have someone to go out with instead of just sitting home night after night.”

“But you’re not alone night after night. You go out with me.”

“It’s not the same. I’d like to go out with someone I could—”

She stopped herself short and took a quick drink of water. The last thing she should do was bring up kissing or sex. Or lack thereof. Especially since the person she’d most recently done both with was the man standing in front of her.

Yeah. The amphibian attack didn’t count in her book.

He folded his arms across his chest. “I can’t quite believe this. Are you really just looking for a hookup? With Doctor Dick of all people?”

She shot him a disapproving look.

“Okay, I won’t call him that.” Lucky held up both hands in front of him. “How about Richie Rich instead? After all that’s what you used to call him.”

“Maybe I should just go. You’re clearly in a mood.” She replaced the cap on her half-empty bottle and tossed it into the trash. She’d just turned to leave when he took hold of her elbow and spun her back around to face him.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

Rachel tugged on her arm, attempting to pull herself free from his grip. “I don’t even remember what the question was at this point. What the hell is wrong with you?”

The words weren’t even out of her mouth when suddenly both of his hands were on her, sliding up her arms to her shoulders.

“Are you even attracted to him? Or are you planning on a second date just to torture me?”

She couldn’t think when he was standing so close, smelling so good. Her eyes drifted shut, her body warmed beneath his hands. Why was he touching her? They’d made a deal. They’d agreed it was better for them to just be friends.

“Rach.” He gave her a light shake. “Answer the question.”

She shook her head as her words came out in a rush. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t . . . think so?” Her eyes snapped open. “Maybe?”

Then one of his hands moved to her face and Lucky was lifting her chin, turning her face upward to his. Those dark brown eyes stared down at her with such intensity it scared her and thrilled her at the same time. Only then did she realize her hands had settled on his chest, and his heart pounded beneath her palms.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

He smiled at her then. That sexy, panty-melting smile she’d come to love.

“Breaking our agreement.”

Chapter Fifteen

F
OR N
EARLY THREE
weeks, he’d thought about this moment, what he would do, would say. How if given another chance he would take his time with her to make up for everything that happened the afternoon on his couch. He’d thought about it so much in fact he’d nearly driven himself to the point of insanity.

Just this afternoon, he’d laced up his shoes and hit the road as he tried to outrun the images of Rachel fixing her hair and smoothing color on her lips, of her talking with that other guy and laughing at his stupid stories. And then there were the unwanted images of what could happen after, of him driving her home, of him in her bed, of his hands and mouth on her body.

But by some miracle of fate she was here with him now, staring up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes and a slight smile on her face.

He lowered his head to kiss her, but hesitated, his mouth hovering over hers while he second-guessed himself.

“What are you waiting for?” she whispered, their mouths so close he felt her words on his lips.

He pulled back so he could study her. “Have you been drinking?”

Her eyes crinkled and the corners of her mouth lifted. “No.”

“Are you upset about how your date went?”

That slight smile was replaced with little crease between her brows. “God, no. Why are you asking—”

“I need to make sure this is what you want. Not just now, but tomorrow.” Even now as he questioned her, he couldn’t stop touching her, couldn’t let her go. He buried one hand in her hair and wrapped his other arm low around her body, lifting her onto her toes, pulling her flush against him. “I don’t want you to regret this tomorrow. Or next week.”

Her smile returned. “I won’t.”

Lucky lowered his head, traced her neck from shoulder to ear and back again with the tip of his nose. He could get drunk just on her scent alone. “I want you to be sure because I won’t be able to go back to being just friends. I won’t be able to pretend anymore that nothing happened between us.”

Rachel had to be absolutely certain. Because if things didn’t work out, he’d have to pack his things and get the hell out of Dodge. No way would he be able to stay in this town much less be around her every day, hear her laugh, see her smile, and not call her his.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers raking through his hair until she tightened her grip and gave a slight tug, lifting his head. “I promise, Lucky. No regrets.”

And then she pressed her lips to his.

Their kisses were soft, unrushed at the start, until her hands snuck beneath the fabric of his shirt and skimmed upward over his stomach and chest and back again, dipping lower than where they originally started. He lost what little grip he had on his self-control, and before she could protest, he lifted her from the ground and tossed her over his shoulder, hauling her to his bedroom like a fucking caveman. She was still laughing when he grabbed a box of condoms from the top drawer of his dresser along the way and dropped her in the middle of his bed.

“That’s a pretty big box,” she said, eyeing the box he tossed on the comforter next to her. “Whatever do you have planned for me?”

He fought to hide his smile as he unzipped the first of her boots. “Plenty.” Only after dropping it to the floor did he lift his eyes to look at her lounging on his bed.

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “And do you plan on utilizing the entire box this evening?”

He took hold of her other boot, heard himself laugh as he removed it. “If I told you my plans, you might take off running.”

The second boot joined the first on the floor with a dull thud.

“That won’t happen.” She slid off the bed and stood directly in front of him. “You know better than anyone how much I hate running.”

“For someone who hates it so much, you sure do an awful lot of it.”

Her hands went to the bottom of his shirt and he raised his arms so she could tug it off over his head. “I only do it because the view is amazing.” She placed her hands on his shoulders, then watched as they slid over his skin. “But this view is even better.”

His view wasn’t so bad either. He liked watching her chew on her full bottom lip as her hands explored the shape of his body. He liked how her eyes widened in surprise as his muscles twitched involuntarily beneath her touch, how she smiled in amusement as her thumb brushed across his nipple, inciting a hiss from his lips. How her eyebrows quirked and immediately he knew where she was headed next. The woman was so damned predictable.

“That’s enough.” He took hold of her hands, stopping her exploration just as she reached the waistband of his shorts. “I’ve let you have your fun.”

“Is something wrong?”

He smiled at her now, hoping to erase the worried look on her face.

“Nothing’s wrong.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I just don’t think there’s a need to rush. And you have a distinct plan of attack.”

He began with her shirt, slipping each button from its restraint, and continued from there, running both hands over her body, even kneeling at her feet as he unbuttoned, unfastened, and removed every piece of cotton, satin, and lace. Once she was completely bare, he took a step back to admire her porcelain skin, her pale pink nipples, the triangles of skin that were even paler than the rest of her.

“Just one last thing.”

He stepped close enough the tips of her breasts brushed against his chest as he reached around to tug free the elastic band that secured her ponytail. With her hair loose, he combed his fingers through the long, fiery strands, the ends curling just above her breasts.

“God. You are beautiful.”

Her eyes drifted shut beneath his touch as he traced the length of her neck, dipped into the hollow of her throat with the very tip of his finger. Her breath quickened as he trailed his finger down one breast and circled her nipple, the flesh darkening to a deep rose color as it tightened into a bud. Needing to taste her, he replaced finger with tongue, tracing lazy circles on her skin, before finally taking her nipple fully into his mouth. Her first gasp came when he tested the bud between his teeth, and then a second time when his fingers found the tender flesh between her legs.

He backed her against the edge of the mattress and lifted one leg over his shoulder, making his intentions clear as she lay back on the bed.

“You don’t have to do that.”

Lucky laughed at that. “Oh, yes, I do. I’ve been dreaming about this forever.”

As Lucky slid two fingers inside her, he wondered about the guys from her past, if any had ever taken the time to please her, to worship her.

Her hands immediately went to his hair as he suckled her clit, her fingers tugging hard enough he felt little pinpricks of pain across his scalp. As the tension built within her, she was alternately pushing him away and pulling him closer until she cried out his name. Unwilling to ease off, he kept at her with hands and lips and tongue until her skin flushed a deeper pink and her muscles tensed, coming even harder the second time.

“Oh, my God,” she said, dramatically draping her arm across her face, hiding her eyes from view.

“Hey now.” Lucky playfully smacked her thigh. “We aren’t done here yet.”

Unable to deny himself any longer, he tore open the new box of condoms with such force, foil packets scattered to the four winds. Rachel laughed as she grabbed the one that landed between her breasts and tore it open for him.

As he rolled the condom on, his hands shook in anticipation. “I hate to say it, Rach, but this might be quick.”

“Oh, no. That’s completely unacceptable.” She poked him in the thigh with her big toe and laughed. “I want nothing but your absolute best.”

Which made him laugh. “Whatever you say, ma’am.” He grabbed her legs and tugged her to the edge of the bed, entering her in one hard thrust. Her body arched as she gasped in surprise, and was quickly followed by a contented sigh and a smile on her face as he set a smooth, steady rhythm.

What a sight she was with her red hair splayed across his bed, her lower lip trapped between her teeth, her delicate fingers clutching his comforter. Beauty personified.

And so he did just as she ordered and gave her his absolute best. He leaned over her, changing the angle as he grasped her hands in his. She stared up at him with those bright blue eyes and raised her head enough to capture his lower lip in her teeth. Rachel gave it a playful tug before he covered her mouth with his own, his tongue delving deep, stroking against hers until they were breathless.

She clutched his hands tighter, to the point her dull nails scored the backs of his hands. “Harder,” she chanted over and over.

He pushed their hands higher over her head, using his arms to press her knees higher, wider, allowing him to drive deeper, harder. He would spend a lifetime of giving her what she wanted just to prove how much she meant to him. A fine sheen of sweat pooled at the hollow of her throat. Her eyes drifted shut as her body arched and her head tipped back in a silent cry. As her body tightened around his, he chased his own release and within seconds followed her over the edge.

Completely spent, he fell to his knees and rested his head against her thigh. Not until his heart rate slowed did he go throw away the condom. When he returned from the bathroom, she was smothering a giggle with her hand. Lucky climbed onto the bed and caged her head between his hands. “What’s so funny?”

Rachel smiled as she ran a hand down his throat, past his collarbones, and stopping in the center of his chest. “Nothing’s funny.”

“Then why were you laughing?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Because I’m happy.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Lucky collapsed on the bed beside her and pulled her close to his body, deciding right then and there he never wanted to let her go.

T
HE EAR
LY MORNING
sun had found the narrowest of gaps in his blackout curtains, lighting the room just enough she could make out his face. She couldn’t help but stare at this sleepy, rumpled Lucky, with hair sticking up in every direction, pillow creases on his face, and those thick, dark lashes that women would kill for. She watched the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, heard the sound of his breath as it escaped him in little huffs. She loved seeing him this way, completely at rest since he always seemed to be in perpetual motion.

The fact she was wide awake before him was a surprise even to her since she wasn’t much of a morning person. Even with the lack of sleep, she felt more rested than she had in months. And she couldn’t help but think it was because of him. The nights she slept in his guest room couldn’t compare to the security of his arms.

But it wouldn’t be the first time she’d told herself that.

Almost every relationship she’d been in started out with her feeling the same way. After spending that first magical night together just sitting up for hours and talking, they’d spend the next few weeks unable to get enough of each other. And each time she was convinced this guy was “the one.”

Then she’d spend the next days, weeks, months—however long the relationship lasted—telling herself just that. Doing her best to convince herself that
this guy
was different from all the rest even long after he’d proved to be just like all the others.

While she didn’t think Lucky was like all the guys from her past, and that this thing between them
was
different from all the rest, she knew she couldn’t trust herself to make that call.

So it was best to not romanticize things with Lucky or to get ahead of herself. Because in a couple of years, when he finished his undergraduate degree, he’d be moving on to medical school. And the last time she checked, Durant didn’t have one of those. Odds were when he finished medical school and residency and all of that, he’d be like Chad Ferguson, a doctor who wanted more of a challenge, more excitement in his ER than this small town could provide. That would mean Lucky wouldn’t be returning. Sure, they might agree to the long-distance thing at first, but sooner or later he’d be too busy to come back here. And she’d still be too scared to leave.

They had barely started and were doomed already.

“Don’t you know it’s not nice to stare at people when they’re trying to sleep?” his voice rumbled.

“How did—”

His eyes eased opened. “Spatial awareness.”

Since waking him was no longer a worry, Rachel cupped his cheek with her hand, her fingers raking through the heavy scruff on his face. His eyes drifted shut and he jutted out his chin in the same way a cat does when it welcomes a good scratch.

“To be honest, I’m surprised to find you lying here next to me. I would’ve thought you had already been up for three hours and ran twenty miles.”

“Any other day I probably would have,” he said without opening his eyes. “But I’m going to count last night as my workout instead.”

She felt her skin heat in a blush as she thought back to the night before. How after the first round of sex they had laughed and talked and teased each other. Which led to the second round of sex. Afterward, as they laid there in each other’s arms, his stomach rumbled. So he pulled on his shorts and tugged the T-shirt he’d worn over her head and led her into the kitchen. They stood in his darkened kitchen, the only light coming from within the refrigerator as they shared the last bit of a casserole Brenda had made, followed by eating ice cream from the container. Then someone found a nearly empty Hershey’s syrup bottle and things got a bit silly and a lot messy, which led to them showering together. But since the tub space was small and a little too slippery, they resorted to lots of kissing and inappropriate touching. Or should that be appropriate touching, since they both were smiling and satisfied by the time the water ran cold.

She knew without a doubt the next few days would be more of the same. They’d spend today and tomorrow and the next day in each other’s pockets. They’d smile at each other’s reflections in the mirror as they stood side by side in front of his small sink and brushed their teeth. And each night they’d climb into his bed and he’d pull her close as they burrowed beneath the covers. They wouldn’t be able to get enough of each other.