Saving Kylie

Her casual statement didn’t feel so casual in his gut. “I’m not always so sweet. But yeah, you deserve the world.” He rinsed the washcloth and went back to his very enjoyable task, making sure to explore each nook and cranny. When he slipped a finger inside her, she giggled and moaned, a strangely intoxicating combination. And when his warm cloth brushed her breasts, she sighed and shifted her stance to lay her head on his shoulder.

“Best bath I’ve ever had.”

He wrung out the water and went back to wiping her down, spending extra time on her sexy stomach. Imagining her flesh dripping with his release had him hardening again. “You’re easy to please.”

“No, I’m really not.” Again, that faraway look flitted across her face, and he wanted to go kick Rob’s skinny ass. “Thank you, Justin.”

“For what?” Desperate to make her smile again, he twirled the washcloth over her nipples. “My oral talents?”

“Well, that too.” But she didn’t smile. “For taking care of me. For letting me stay.”

He cupped her cheek and met her gaze steadily, though his heart wanted to pound right out of his chest. “You wouldn’t think I was so wonderful if you had any idea how much time I’ve spent wanting another man’s woman.”

She smiled and met his lips in a soft kiss. “Oh yes, I would.”

Three

Kylie slept, and that was some kind of miracle. She was a notoriously light sleeper, prone to waking and prowling Rob’s house at all hours, but she didn’t wake until just before dawn. She opened her eyes to that murky half dark that hinted at sunrise, her body jolting at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then she remembered.

Justin. Even better, Justin’s mouth. Mmm. She’d be reliving those moments on his bathroom sink for the rest of her life.

She rubbed her eyes and shifted on the mattress, pleased to feel a heavy arm wrapped around her waist. She wasn’t naked. Dimly, she remembered him helping her into one of his huge flannel shirts before bed, though she’d climbed between the sheets sans panties. She glanced at him over her shoulder and smiled at his tousled hair, his slack mouth. That he seemed to be smiling even in sleep made her want to smile too.

And do very bad things to him. Yep, panties were definitely unnecessary.

She rolled over and smiled again as he mumbled something unintelligible. But his arm tightened around her as if he were afraid she’d disappear. Not yet. Not until she’d gotten what she came for, at least a half-dozen times.

How had he changed so much? She’d assumed in college he didn’t have her needs, and she hadn’t wanted to taint their friendship. So maybe it was her judgment that sucked, not Justin’s desire for missionary sex right out of the gate. What had she expected? Whips and handcuffs?

Maybe a little. That taste of the forbidden she’d found with Rob had always been so sweet until it had spoiled altogether.

Back then, she hadn’t trusted herself not to try to mold Justin into what she was looking for. Potentially hurting him had been out of the question, so she’d slipped out of his life quickly and quietly.

Until he’d walked back into hers and screwed up…everything. At least in her head. Because seeing him, remembering what it had been like to have a true friend, had given her an out. If not for Justin, she probably would’ve gone right back to Rob’s until she figured out her next step. Where else did she have to go?

But Justin’s presence didn’t change that she had to go back and deal with the wreckage of her life. She had bags to pack and decisions to make. Rob might not be happy with them, but too bad. His concerns weren’t her problem anymore.

She linked her fingers with Justin’s, marveling at their width. He had broad palms and sturdy fingers. The kind of hands a woman could trust. Even the ridges of calluses seemed sexy somehow. And Lord, he knew how to use his hands for maximum impact. Just the memory had her nipples straining against the worn flannel of her top.

Jeez, what was up with that? She’d always had a healthy sex drive, but lately nothing had excited her except talking to Justin across the bar. Those twinkling, deep blue eyes did things to her Rob’s whole body never could.

So much for the little crush she’d believed she had.

Forget little. Even his long, muscled thighs nestled against her made her wet. So wet that all her aches and pains paled in comparison.

She didn’t want to wake him. He needed his rest. But damn, she’d have to go take care of herself in the shower if he didn’t open his eyes soon.

Biting her lip, she squeezed her thighs together and tried to think chaste thoughts.

“How’d you sleep?” he murmured.

Thank God.

Rather than answer, she palmed his scruffy jaw and all but yanked his mouth to hers. There was no buildup, just heat and passion and relief. She felt the same emotions from him that burned in her. She could tell from the tightness of his grip that he was happy she was there, as happy as she’d been to wake and find him holding her safe.

Rob didn’t hold her in sleep. He didn’t hold her very often at all anymore.

And right now none of that mattered.