Maverick (The Family Simon 3)

“We should talk,” Rick said slowly. “I’m sure you’ve got a lot of questions.”

“I’ve got one or two knocking around inside my head.” That would be an understatement.

“We’ll talk. I promise. But before we do, I’ve got an idea,” Rick said, his voice husky as he angled her head so that she could see him.

“What’s that?”

That slow grin she was growing way too used to seeing spread across his face, and he rubbed the corner of her mouth with his thumb.

“When I was here the last time, I noticed you have a big old tub in your bathroom.”

“I do,” she replied slowly. It was an antique, complete with clawed feet and deep enough for two. Or three. Hell, maybe even four.

His one hand slid down to rest on the small of her back. “Well, darlin’, I’ve thought of nothing but getting you naked since I left and that bathtub might be a good place to start.”

“Huh. I can’t remember the last time I took a bath, it’s really not my thing,” she said. “But I suppose I could be persuaded.”

He bent down and his teeth grazed the hollow of her neck, sending a whole new pack of shivers rolling across her flesh.

“You might not want to ever shower again.”

Rick claimed her mouth in a hot, open kiss, but it was a teaser and meant only to entice. And when he dragged his lips from hers, she sagged against him because her knees were suddenly filled with jelly.

Without a word, he guided her ahead of him, back up the stairs. They didn’t stop until they reached her bedroom and Rick walked straight through to her bathroom. She heard him turn on the water and when he appeared in the doorway, he was shirtless. Quiet. Intense.

Her heart was pounding so badly that she was pretty sure he could hear it. Hell, if the neighbors didn’t hear it knocking against her ribcage, it would be a miracle.

Mouth dry, she walked toward him and stopped a few inches away. There was a push-pull going on inside her—the need to take a chance on something uncertain, versus the need to retreat.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful,” he said, his voice low and thick. “Your eyes are the most amazing shade of blue I’ve ever seen.” His breath was shallow. “It’s strange isn’t it?” he asked, reaching for her.

She let him pull her forward and arched her back slightly when he tugged on the edge of her shirt. “What’s that?”

Rick pulled the cotton long sleeve up over her head and tossed it to the floor. He kissed her shoulder, a long finger running underneath her bra strap. “I almost decided to head to the Caribbean for a few weeks instead of coming here.”

“Oh,” she managed to say when he bent his head and his hot mouth closed over the tip of her breast. The fabric from her bra, combined with his talented tongue, had her moaning and leaning into him. It felt that good.

“It’s almost as if fate was telling me something.”

He gave one last tug, the edge of his teeth grazing her hard nipple, and then blew on her as he gazed up at her with a wicked glint.

“How does that feel?” he asked.

“Good,” she managed to say.

His grin widened. “Well, I’m going to have to up my game. I can’t settle for good when I was aiming for freaking amazing.”

Oh God. She was already on fire, filled with red-hot desire and the man had barely touched her.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

He laughed and scooped her into his arms as easily as if she was a small child and headed back into the bathroom. The air was warm, the tub nearly full and Rick bent over to turn off the tap.

The muscles in his shoulders and back were something else. She could watch him all day long.

He straightened and leaned his hip against the tub. “Take your clothes off.”

Charlie arched an eyebrow, managing to dig deep and find some bit of cheek. “Take yours off first.”