Warnings and Wildfires

The uncertain expression returns and she sits up. “It’s late. You probably want—”

“To use you as a pillow all night,” I finish for her, cutting off wherever she was going. It’s a goofy thing to say, but hell, she makes me a little goofy.

She chuckles. “You don’t mind if I stay?”

“I’ll be offended if you don’t.”

“I figured with your mom next—”

“Can we not talk about my mother right now?”

“Sorry.” She glances down. “I figured you won’t want anyone to know…” Her voice trails off before she finishes the thought.

“I’ll hang a sign out front right now.”

She cuts me a sharp look. “Because of your no-dating-clients-or-employees rule.”

Fuck, yeah, that seems pretty stupid now. “You’re worth breaking all my rules.”

“Give me a minute,” she says. I watch while she hurries into the bathroom and closes the door.

Stretching out and staring up at the ceiling, I consider how much I’ve cocked this up when it’s really pretty simple. We can control ourselves at work. And I’m not some asshole who’ll fire her if things don’t work out between us—although right now, the way I’m feeling, I don’t see that being an issue.

“Holy—wow.”

I turn and find her hesitating outside the bathroom. “What?”

She waves her hands in front of her. “You. All stretched out.” Her gaze zeros in on my cock. “Glorious.”

“Glorious, huh?” I stroke my hand up and down my dick a few times. “Want a closer look?”

“Definitely.”

I crook a finger at her, beckoning her closer.

Nope, this doesn’t have to be complicated at all.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I can’t remember the last time I woke up with someone next to me. Aubrey’s still sleeping and damn, she’s so pretty it’s impossible to tear my gaze away. Zonked out with the morning sun glowing over her skin, she seems so much younger. You’d never know when she finally lets go, how passionate she is inside.

Noise from my living room stops me from continuing my creepy stare-a-thon and I’m careful to slide out of bed without jostling her awake.

Jake’s in the living room wearing a predictably annoying grin. I’m sure he noticed Aubrey’s car in the driveway and can’t wait to hassle me about my “no dating clients and employees” rule.

I’m surprised how little I care what he thinks.

“Looks like you still have company.”

“Are you here for a reason?”

“You’re not gonna offer me some coffee?”

“No.”

He blows out a breath and dangles my keys in front of my face. “I’m dropping off your Jeep.”

“Thanks for doing that.” I grab the keys and set them on the counter separating the kitchen from the dining area. Jake naturally follows me. “Everything go okay after we left? Rowdy didn’t hang around right?” I ask.

“I’m fine.” He cocks his head. “You actually brought someone home with you, huh? That has to be a first. Is this my fault for stealing your last condom?”

“Do you have to be such an asshole?” I grumble, heading into the kitchen. Changed my mind on the coffee. I need it to deal with Jake.

“It’s part of my charm,” he says, following close behind me.

“It’s really not.”

“Come on, give me details.”

“No, perv.”

“Not those details.” He actually drops the cocky expression for five seconds. “I’m serious. You never bring chicks here.”

Shaking my head, I consider how to answer. He’s right. I don’t do relationships and I haven’t had a girl at my house since the custody arrangement for Maddy was finalized. “She’s not some psycho who’s gonna show up when Maddy’s here and cause trouble. I trust her.”

“You are a magnet for crazy chicks.”

“Look who’s talking.” I really want to end our conversation and get back in bed with Aubrey before she wakes up. “I suppose you need a ride to Strike Back?” I ask, hoping he’ll take the hint that he needs to go open for me this morning.

“Nah, I’m gonna go next door and visit Mom. She’ll give me a ride.” He lifts his chin toward the bedroom. “I’ll give her the good news about your new girlfriend.”

“Don’t you dare. I don’t need her running over here hinting to Aubrey about how she wants more grandchildren.”

He tips his head back and laughs. “Wow, you don’t want to scare her away. You’re into her.”

“Yeah, I’m into her. So if you could not be a dick about it, that would be great.”

“I make no promises.”

The sound of running water from the bathroom reaches us. Aubrey’s awake.

I shove the can of coffee into Jake’s hands. “Here, make yourself useful.”

Aubrey’s about to climb back into bed when I open the bedroom door. She found a faded red T-shirt of mine and slipped it on. On her, it’s a dress.

For me, it’s an instant hard-on.

“Morning.”

The softest, sweetest smile lights up her face. “Good morning.” She tugs at the bottom of the shirt. “I hope it’s okay I borrowed your shirt. I found it in the bathroom.”

“I can’t vouch that it’s clean.”

She pulls the fabric to her nose and inhales, smiling even wider. “It smells like you. I like it.”

That’s it. We need a proper good morning kiss. Now.

Takes me three steps to cross the room and pull her into my arms. “I really liked waking up with you in my bed.”

She pulls back and playfully pokes me in the stomach. “Why’d you leave then?”

I tilt my head toward the kitchen. “Jake stopped by. If I didn’t intercept him, he’d have no problem walking in here. Sitting down. Starting a conversation.”

Her little body shakes with laughter against mine. “I’d probably die of embarrassment.”

Figured she’d be that type of girl. Even more reason I want to get my brother out of my house. “You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about.”

“No. What I don’t have.” She points to the pile of her clothes on the floor. “Is any pants.”

“Oh.” I chuckle and lead her to my dresser, pulling out a pair of shorts I think will fit her if I tie the drawstring tight enough.

“They’re not going to fit,” she protests. She points at me, then runs her hands over her hips.

“Sure they will. Come here.”

I kneel in front of her and she leans on me while I help her into the shorts. “It’s a crime to put clothes on y

ou,” I say as I drag them up her legs.

She tips her head down, watching as I dip close to kiss her belly button. She giggles when I lick her stomach. Gasps when I kiss a little lower.

Her fingers thread into my hair, tugging just hard enough to remind me of the way she went wild under me last night. “Jake definitely has to go,” I murmur against her skin. “Need more of you today.”

“Don’t you need to be at the gym?”

I groan and tie the drawstring into a knot. “Jake’s gonna open for me.”

“Coffee’s ready!” Jake shouts.

Aubrey bursts out laughing and covers her face with her hands. “I can’t.”

“I’ll send him on his way. Give me a few minutes.” I lean in closer. “Kiss me first.”

She presses her lips to mine and before she can get away, I thread my hand into her hair, tugging her closer.

“Does Aubrey take cream and sugar?” Jake yells, thoroughly spoiling the moment.

“Fucker,” I grumble.

“He knows it’s me?” she whispers.

“Jake’s a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them.”

“I’ve noticed,” she says.

“Be right back.”

Jake’s thankfully headed toward the door when I stalk into the living room.

“I can take a hint.”

“Take my Jeep. I’ll ask Aubrey to drop me off later.”

“Later? How much later?”

“Keegan’s coming in to help with my morning class. You’ll be fine.”

“Boy, the things I do to help you get laid, big brother.”

“Shut up,” I say, shoving him onto the porch.

Laughing, he stumbles down the steps and waves at me over his shoulder.

Aubrey’s kneeling in the center of my bed when I return to her.

“You can relax, he’s gone. Sorry about that.”

My gaze roams over her, while she looks good in my shirt, I really want her naked. Naked and bouncing on my cock. For now, I’ll start with naked.

I stop at the foot of the bed, and she shuffles closer. “Do you need to get going?”

“Nah, Jake’s going to open for me and handle my morning class.” I slip my hand under her T-shirt, brushing my fingers against soft, warm skin. “I need more Aubrey time.”