“And that’s exactly what I’m not trying to have around me.” She nodded. “After my marriage, it took a lot for me to get my head back together. In that journey, I found inner peace. My home is a place of serenity. Well, as much as it can be with two loud stinky boys.”
“I understand more than you know.”
“I bet you do.”
I reached over and tenderly held her hand. “Your my neighbor. Due to that, I would have had your back regardless. I’m like that with most in the neighborhood. Sandi Johnson is our neighbor across the street. Seventy years old, her husband passed a few years ago. I mow her lawn and fix any plumbing problems.”
She squeezed my hand. “You’re so sweet.”
“For you, I would do more. I want to see you win as an author and mother. I want to help as much as I can.” I caressed her palm. “I want to see your boys grow into good men. I want to know that maybe I had a little bit of help in that.”
She widened her eyes. “That all sounds amazing, but. . .”
“Action speaks louder than words.”
“Correct.”
“Then, sit back and watch.” I winked.
She laughed.
We returned to eating. The conversation shifted to lighter topics. I told her about how I started bounty hunting and gave her some of my fun stories.
She confessed that she’d been writing since she was in high school. After her marriage, she was cleaning out her ex’s stuff and stumbled onto her old books. A year later, she edited and published them. Success came to her immediately.
During dessert, we chatted about her current work-in-progress.
I took a spoonful of whip cream off my cheesecake and fed it to her. “So, no one killed Diane Little?”
“Correct.” She licked some of the cream that got on her lips. “After being around you, the story shifted to a sexier direction.”
“Oh, really? I’ve inspired some heat within the story?”
“You have. I think it’s going to end with sex. My characters have been obsessed with the idea that something more happened besides suicide.”
“Because they’re both mourning her.”
“I think so. And now this new direction has them both healing each other. Perhaps, initially they heal through sex. And then later—”
“The passion.”
10
Afternoon Delight
Zain
I
pulled the bike into her driveway, hating that I would have to say goodbye so soon. When I parked and shut it off, she hopped off.
I followed. “I should have put this in the garage, but I wanted to walk you to your door like a proper gentleman.”
“I love that.” She batted her lashes. “I am a proper lady after all.”
“You are.” I tenderly took her hand and guided her up the stairs.
“This day was perfect in every way. I know that I keep saying it.”
“And I love when you do.” I stopped her in front of the door.
“Good.”
I gazed down at her mouth. My intention for this first date was to take it slow. But those lips kept calling me. I leaned forward. She lifted her chin as if craving the kiss too. And that was all I needed.
I embraced her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
Next, I consumed her, parting her lips and slipping in my tongue.
I tasted her.
Fuck.
We kissed for a long time. With her so close, I swore I could smell her arousal. My mouth watered at the possibility of her pussy being wet.
A soft moan left her.
I brushed my lips against hers. “Nadia, I want you so bad.”
To my surprise, she whispered back, “I want you too.”
I leaned away. “So, what should we do about that?”
“The boys have tutoring today. Their father is picking them up. After they eat dinner, he’ll bring them back.”
“So. . .we have several hours?”
“We do.” She left my hold.
I watched her in dazed horniness.
She opened the door, walked through, kept it open, and strolled upstairs, switching those hips and teasing me.
Hells yes.
I was in the house in seconds.
After locking the door, I rushed upstairs.
Before she could enter her bedroom, I had her in my arms.
She shrieked. “Zain!”
“I love how you say my name.” I carried Nadia into the room and placed her on the bed.
All mine.
I hovered over her and relished in the view—the outline of her legs, the curve of her hips, the fullness of her breasts. Her hard nipples poked at the red shirt’s fabric. I dove for her cleavage, kissing the softness. “Will you moan my name?”
She turned her gaze to my cock pushing against my pants. “We’ll see.”
I took her hand and put it on the bulge. “Oh really?”
“Damn.”
“You’ll be saying more than that.” I left a trail of kisses along the curve of her neck
Nadia’s breathing shifted to panting as she unzipped my pants like she’d been thinking of doing it all day. When she freed my cock, cum threatened to spill from the tip.