The sun pours into the room and I love it. “Wow.” No wonder I was able to sleep so late.
“What were you thinking about?” he asks again as he strokes my cheek. “Tell me.”
“Were you really a virgin?” I lick my lips, somewhat embarrassed to bring up what we did last night.
Barrett leans close and smiles. “Yeah,” he says before he kisses me.
He tugs the sheet from my body as he pushes me down flat onto the bed. “Why is that so hard to believe? You were, too.”
“I’m younger than you,” I say between kisses as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Why are you wearing all these clothes?” I pull at his shirt, wanting him naked.
“Lady, we can’t right now. There are ten other men in this house.”
I ignore him and keep pulling at his shirt. It should be a crime for him to ever wear one. Though I don’t want anyone else seeing him without it.
He groans as he leans back and then steps away from the bed. I lie there, my body aching for more.
“I don’t want them hearing you, and I think you’re still sore.” He’s breathing heavy and his eyes are hungry as they roam over my naked body.
“I don’t care.” I sit up.
“I do,” he says through gritted teeth. He’s fighting with himself, and I have to smother a laugh at how serious he is about this. To be honest, I don’t want them to hear us either, but when he’s close, all rational thoughts leave my head.
“Does your crew work every day?” I ask, and even I can hear the pout in my voice.
“No, but I knew if I let them come today they could get a lot done. Plus, it would stop me from mauling you all over again. I know you have to be sore after last night.”
I shrug, not caring about the twinge I feel between my legs. To be honest, it’s nothing compared to what I thought it would be. Barrett was so gentle.
“Wait. Do all those guys know you stayed the night?” I look over at the door.
“I was dressed when they got here, but probably.”
I groan and close my eyes, knowing it’s going to feel awkward to face them. They’ll know we had sex. Then I feel the weight of him come over me as he blankets my body with his.
“People are going to know about us, so you might as well get used to it.”
“I’m shy. You know that,” I tell him.
“You sure that’s the reason?” I search his face and see his own concern there. I never thought about him being insecure, too. I was sure women threw themselves at him.
“This is all new to me. I feel like when I go out there, there’s going to be this giant light flashing over me, telling everyone I’m not a virgin anymore.” He chuckles. “I know it’s ridiculous.” I roll my eyes at myself. In truth, they probably won’t even notice me at all.
“I promise you, lady, they won’t be looking at you if they want to keep their eyes. I already warned them that you’re mine.”
“Should I be offended you’ve claimed me like property?” I tease him.
“But you’re not.”
“No. I’m not.” I run my hands up his big chest. I’m more than okay with him claiming me. “Why do you call me lady?” I ask.
“You remind me of a ladybug. All that red hair, and so petite. Also, I think you’re good luck. Does it bother you?”
“No, I was just wondering if it was a name for just me.”
“I’m not prone to nicknames. Except for my sisters. I usually call them brats.” He smiles.
“And what do they call you?”
He shakes his head as gets up from the bed. “Player.”
“What?” I say, startled by that.
“It’s not what you think,” he sighs. “They used to set me up all the time, and my dates always ended horribly. You have no idea how bad they’d go. I went on so many first dates with people they’d force me to go out with they thought I was hopping from woman to woman. It turned into a big joke that I was some player.” He shakes his head, clearly not liking the reason for the name. Or at least annoyed with it.
I start laughing. “I know the feeling. I pretty much gave up.”
He folds his arms over his chest. “You mean you’ve given it up after last night, right? You went out with Mark not long ago, and I’m not okay with that.” There’s a spark of jealousy in his voice, and I like it…probably more than I should.
“Yes, I’m done after last night. Besides, that was kind of a forced date,” I admit, but it does nothing to cool the possessive look in his eyes. So I decide to change the subject, or at least distract him.