Chapter 10

While packing a case with essentials to keep me from dashing back-and-forth across the hall, I kept replaying the balcony conversation. With every word that left Laura’s glossy, full lips, my mind had been whirling ever faster.

Which, as I closed the overnight bag, had me hesitating.

One week, a little over. That’s as long as we’d known each other. Yet the thought of being separated from her was sending my pulse skyward. Not just the sex. No, it was also the way her sleek curves molded tight to me as we slept. The steady drumbeat of her heart against my ribs. Those soft breaths sliding over my skin. And our kisses. They were magical. All that being in my life was amazing.

Plus, her entire demeanor when she was with me. The fact she, of all people, shared the same fears. Then there was my ability to feed her desires while she satisfied mine. We’d found each other, but for how long?

“When am I gonna fuck it up?” I murmured while slipping into a pair of loose—very loose—shorts and an oversized blue T-shirt.

But that weird hesitation didn’t last. After zipping my case shut, I dashed from the apartment. With my pulse racing, my fist rapped on her door.

When she pulled it open, I gulped. With the swirling scents of that luxurious shampoo and delicate flowery soap inundating my nostrils, I’d no idea where to look. The nervous smile on her face. The ultra-thin pink silk camisole that did nothing to hide her sharp pokies. Or the deeper pink lace stretched across her waist.

“Mmm, you’re doing it again, baby,” she whispered while gesturing me inside. “Fuck, my poor pussy is flooding.”

“Sor—”

My apology died as she shoved the door closed and bounced to her toes. With those spiky nipples rubbing along my chest, her lips pressed to mine. Yet before my arms could wrap her tight, she hopped from me with cheeks reddening.

“Mmm, Jesus, Deke. I’m not gonna survive being far from you.” She flashed a nervous grin before pointing to her couch. “I, uh, made us some sandwiches. And, um, remembered you enjoyed good whiskey.”

When my gaze locked onto the pair of full tumblers, a smile crossed my face. It widened as she settled on the couch and patted the cushion beside her.

“Good, yeah.” I snorted while tossing my bag onto a chair. “That watery swill at Bennigans was just sad.”

“Well, this is Maker’s Mark.” As twisting fingers played in her hair, she rolled her glossy lips. “A gift from a ... One of my constituents.”

After a quick nod, I said nothing while sitting beside her. With a sigh, she lifted a glass as I grabbed a sandwich. Then, after folding those wondrous legs beneath her, she shifted to sit sideways, facing me.

“I, um, did some thinking, Deke.” As she took a long sip, those beautiful brown pools glittered over the tumbler’s rim.

“About?” After a pair of quick bites, the sandwich disappeared. At the widening of her eyes, I laughed. “Yeah, you make me all kinds of hungry, too.”

When I slid a hand onto the silken skin of a warm thigh, her jaw trembled. Yet, behind the glow in those pools, there was lingering exhaustion. So, with a grin, I let my palm rest and raised the other glass.

“Uh”—she cleared her throat—”perhaps you can ... Uh, on the way back from Vancouver. Um, stop by. Have you ever seen the Western slope area?”

“Grand Junction?”

“Yes, that’s the place. I’ve got an old high school friend. She and her husband own a bed-and-breakfast on the other side of Uncompahgre. It’s remote. Scenic.” She raised a hand to run a shaky fingernail along my cheek. “We might ... I dunno, spend some more time together, baby.”

“Your family? Those constituents?”

“I could ... Uh, make something up.”

“And, um, have you seen the news?”

Yeah, that was the other piece of my hesitation before deciding to return to her. While packing, I’d had the TV on. Even as she fell silent, she glanced at her dark television. But when she nodded, that finger twitched on my face.

“He didn’t waste any time, did he?” she muttered. “James is such an asshole. Oh, and that bullshit about you being the reason I divorced his dumb ass.”

“Maybe, but now the entire world knows I’m no cock-for-hire.” I chuckled. “At least not as far as you’re concerned.”

“I’m so sorry, Deke.” Her glass halted in midair to shake as she pursed her lips.

“For what?” I shrugged, then sighed. “Like I said, you’ve much more to lose. I’m the idiot who got caught in that picture frame.” When I gave her leg a gentle squeeze, those glossy lips parted. But her eyes were watering. “I’m serious. Trust me, if I don’t like something, I’ll tell you, Laura.”

“Okay. Sor—” After catching herself, she flashed me a nervous grin. “Alright, so...”

“Yeah, now what?” A lengthy sigh escaped me as I reclined against the cushion. “You could announce to that pack of hounds that I’m your new boyfriend. So, they can all go suck eggs.” At my laugh, her smile widened. Not by much, but I’d take it. “Or, just say ‘fuck ‘em’ and let them sweat. Who cares, anyway?”

When she kept quiet, only sipping while staring at me over the tumbler, my heartbeat slowed. But when her fingers trembled on my jaw as she pushed her thigh into my palm, I was braced. Or thought I was.

“Boyfriend?” Although she whispered, her low voice was forceful. “You’re so much more than that, Deke. You know that, right? This, um, isn’t like me. I wasn’t lying; I’ve never been this way with anyone. Hmm, and how you simply let me play. You’ve got an aura”—she gulped—”and I love basking in it.”

“While poking the world in the eye at the same time?”

“Yes.” She unleashed one of those cute giggles. “I suppose that, too. Does that bother you?”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “Been doing that my entire life.”

When she took her hand from me to lift a sandwich, I retrieved a second one. Although we ate in silence, her eyes continued devouring my soul. Besides, from her expression, I was delving ever deeper into her core.

Once the plate held nothing but crumbs, there was no sound but quiet glugging as she poured more whiskey into both tumblers. With a sigh, she held hers towards me.

“To us.” After a quick smack of her lips, she flashed that impish grin. “A drop-dead handsome man and his naughty slut.”

“Sexy slut, but okay.” As soon as our glasses clinked, we drank deep.

“No, baby.” She giggled again. “For you, I’ll always be so very, very naughty.” Just as I was about to retort, her eyebrows tightened. “This Irina. If she’s gonna keep you company while I’m out of town, we ought to meet her. Don’t you think, Deke?”

“Huh?” To be honest, anyone but Laura had fallen from my mind. “What do you mean?”

“Well, baby.” A swift gulp of whiskey was followed by another giggle. She sucked on her glossy lips and smiled wider. “What kind of slut would I be if I didn’t ensure my man was happy while I’m, uh, unavailable?”

“Your man?” I laughed. “Really?”

“Yes, really, Deke.” When she bent forward to tap those soft lips on my mouth, her quiet moaning met mine. “And if I think she’s good enough for you, won’t that be better for everyone?”

“I’m not gonna cheat—”

“It’s not cheating if I know about it, baby.” She took another longer swallow before sliding her outstretched nails over my chest.

“What about you?” I swallowed while still struggling over her words. “While I’m, um, traveling?”

“Oh, baby. I’m sure you’ll think of something to keep me all nice and horny.” She cleared her throat. “For the record, I’m not straying. You own me. Done deal. But I’m not an idiot; you’re in high demand. Thank you for your vote of confidence, but I can’t compete, and”—that giggle reappeared—”not gonna lie, my poor little pussy can only take so much.”

At her words and that chuckle slipping into my whirling mind, I managed a shaky laugh. When I interlocked my fingers with hers and pressed her palm to my thundering chest, a quiet gasp left her shaking lips. After clearing my throat, I fixed her with my gaze.