That Hot Night

His dark brows dipped low. “We really have to work on your greetings Janey.” His smile flashed, flirtatious and unstoppable and before I could think better of it, I was smiling back at him. “What’s up?”

“Shouldn’t that be my line?”

“Right.” His next smile was sheepish and he raked a hand through his thick hair and stood a little taller. “You busy now?”

I looked down at my clothes and then back up at Rafe. “Kind of?”

His deep laugh came slow and rumbly, pulling a matching smile across my face. “How about lunch?”

Lunch was a bad idea. Lunch was what people did who weren’t just sleeping together. Maybe the matchmakers were right and Rafe did need a sophisticated woman like the pediatrician, one who could separate sex and feelings. One who wanted what he wanted, which was nothing. “I’m not dressed to go anywhere and I don’t think that’s a good idea anyway.”

He frowned. “Why not? We’re friends.”

Yeah, we were and it was my own stupid words that had now bit me in my backside as I searched for a way out of this invitation. “Lunch is too much like a date, I think.”

Rafe stepped inside with a playful grin as he invaded my personal space. “What if I told you that you were dressed perfectly for lunch?”

My nipples beaded at his deep voice and the sexy intent in his blue eyes. “Then I’d say you’re stretching the definition of perfect by at least a mile.”

“Nah, you look great. Especially in that tank top.” His gaze heated and immediately my arms went up to cover my braless state. “Really great.”

“What’s going on Rafe?”

“Lunch,” he said simply. “I haven’t seen you in a few days and I guess I’ve gotten used to having you around.”

That was sweet but I didn’t want or need sweet from Rafe. Sweet made things complicated, made it hard to remember that this was just sex. Nothing serious. Then it hit me and I smiled. He was here for sex and food was the pretext. “Come on in.”

Relief mixed with satisfaction in his eyes as Rafe closed the door behind him and waved me forward. “What are you up to today?”

“Just finished the calendar.”

“Can I see?”

I turned to look at him over my shoulder, a smile on my face. “Worried you won’t look good?”

“Not at all, just curious how it came out. Plus an advanced look would let me give everyone else a hard time before they get to see ’em.” He wiggled his brows as a slow smile crossed his face. “What do you say?”

Once in the kitchen I turned to face Rafe and realized, immediately, why it was such a bad idea. He wasn’t just good looking, everything about him was compelling. Engaging. Magnetic. “Depends on how satisfying I find lunch.” If the past was any indication, it would be so damn satisfying that it would take a few extra weeks, maybe months, to forget.

He barked out an amused laugh and finally, stepped close enough that I could smell his masculine scent, leather and man with a hint of the ever-present smoke. “Janey,” he groaned and slammed his mouth down on mine, hard and fast. The visceral growl of his words hit me low in my gut and made my nipples bead. His hands grabbed at me like he couldn’t get enough of me, like it hadn’t been just a few days since we kissed like teenagers on top of the fire truck.

The heat moved south like the slow journey of lava through my veins with every sweep of his tongue. His big hands gripped and grabbed at me like he couldn’t get enough and I did the same, letting my hands slide up the hard planes of his abs and chest, over his shoulders and the wide expanse of his back. My fingers found his hair and tangled there, pulling a simultaneous growl from both of us.

Rafe pulled back first, a smug satisfied smile on his face. “Hey Janey.”

“Hey yourself,” I smiled back because I couldn’t help myself. “Is that pre-lunch?”

His brows dipped first in confusion and then in recognition. “Let’s just consider that a proper greeting. Come on.” He grabbed my hand, something I couldn’t remember him doing. Ever.

“Come on…where?” I left our hands clasped but kept my bare feet planted firmly on the ground.

“Lunch. Didn’t I say that like five times? At least?” His smile lit up his whole face and I found myself nodding, willing to follow him anywhere. Even in my work from home clothes.

“You did but,” I looked around my mostly clean kitchen and shrugged. “I have no plans to cook right now.” Or ever. But I would happily consume Rafe for the next hour or two.

“Oh no you don’t,” he said with a wide grin and took a step back. And then another. “I came here for lunch woman, not…that.”