Rory (Coded for Love 1)

“Try me.”

“I was sick of being your annoying little shadow. I wanted you to notice I had my own life.” She rolled her eyes. “Now drop the subject or you’ll never see your precious USB.”

He wanted to tell her not to joke about it, but he knew better than to put the idea in her head. “I was only teasing you when I called you my annoying shadow, really.”

She didn’t look convinced.

“I liked it when you kept me company.”

“You did?”

The wistful look in her eyes made him want to show her how much. How could she not know how much he’d wanted her back then? And now. She was a gorgeous looking woman, provocative in ways that compelled his attention. He kept forgetting why he was really there. The kit, he reminded himself.

“I’m not a kid any more, Rory.” Her voice was low and suggestive. “I’m a woman and I’d like you to come home with me, not just for your precious kit, but because you want to spend some more time with me.”

Tension shot between them, a magnified version of what he used to feel when she was around. His dick hardened. He tried to fight it, voices in his head telling him it was wrong, she was family. Even his friends had commented on it, winding him up about his lust for his sudden-step-sister. “It always ended in trouble, when we spent time together.”

“I know.” She nodded.

He’d always wondered if she knew his dad used to beat him. “It could end in trouble now. That USB is a curse, I’m not kidding.”

She put her head on one side, as if considering him, then reached out and put her hand over his forearm. Even through the leather of his jacket, his skin reacted to her touch, to her proximity. He wanted her up against the wall, legs around his hips. Concentrate on the kit.

He stood up. “Come on, let’s go.”

Once they got outside into the biting cold night air, he grabbed her hand. He did it to keep her from dawdling or leading him the wrong way. He couldn’t afford any more stalling tactics. Once he had a hold of her, though, she squeezed his hand hard and smiled up at him, lashes fluttering beguilingly.

What the hell have I started here?

Trouble. Sky Vaughn had always been trouble and always would be. And whilst he wanted to do more than hold her hand, much more, he tugged on her sharply and gave her a warning glance. “Come on, I need my kit.”

“Rory.” She pulled away.

He took her hand again, more gently and nodded his head along the street. They walked quickly to her doorway.

He glanced over his shoulder several times, but didn’t catch sight of anyone he knew. “I’ll just collect my kit then I’ll head off.”

“Aw, come on, why don’t you come in for a beer?” She smiled up at him invitingly. “Just a few more minutes, please.” She stood on her tiptoes and softly kissed his jaw.

The soft brush of her mouth on his skin set something loose.

He shot her a warning glance, and grabbed the keys from her hand, taking charge. “You’re playing with fire, Sky Vaughn.”

With a laugh, she nodded at her door keys in his hand. “So are you, Rory Rattigan.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Come on,” she whispered, once the outside door clicked shut behind them. Thrilled to bits, she congratulated herself. He was quickly learning she wasn’t kiddo any more. The hallway light flickered on. They had ninety seconds to get up the stairs to her door before it went off again. “My place is up one flight.”

Rory stopped where he was and shook his head. “I’ll escort you to the door, you give me my kit, end of.”

She rounded her eyes. “Wait, what? You’re setting out rules for how this will proceed?”

His eyes glittered in the faint hallway light. “Yes, because you want me.”

Instantly annoyed by his self confidence, she faked a laugh. “And you look horny as hell, what’s your problem?”

He locked one hand around her wrist, and stared down into her eyes. His hand was strong and he held her wrist tightly. It felt good, it felt right. She wanted more.