Tap (Men of Lovibond 1)

Fuck. I’ve never chased a woman. Only ran from them.

“I need something to remedy this overwhelming desire I have to see her.”

She doesn’t throw herself into my arms so I’ll not get my movie-like reunion. “It’s probably not an oil you need. Have you tried calling her? Or maybe texting?”

“I wanted to. Thought about it every day since she left.”

“But?”

“I was afraid she might have come to her senses and decided I was a bad idea.”

“I bet she doesn’t think you’re a bad anything. This woman’s probably been feeling the exact same way. Scared.”

I move closer to Wren and place my hand on the side of her face. Hers comes to rest on top of mine as she turns her face inward to kiss my palm. “You’re here with Ollie?”

“It came together at the last minute. I didn’t want to call because I was afraid you’d tell me it would be better if I didn’t come.” Easier to get forgiveness than permission.

“I’m very happy you’re here.”

Wren wraps her hand around mine and uses it to lead me to the checkout counter. “Wynter, can you close tonight without me? Brou and I haven’t seen each other in a while. We have some catching up to do.” That sounds promising.

“No problem. Have a good time.”

“I need to get my bag and then we can go.”

I follow her to the back of the store, and we slip out the exit. She stops in the dark alley and takes my hands. “I wanted to stay that next day to see you. But I couldn’t.”

“I understand. I wish I didn’t have to leave you to go to Bridgette that night. But I had no choice.”

“I keep up with them through Ollie. He said she and the baby are doing well.”

“He’s still a little guy but a big fighter. The doctor calls him a growing preemie. He says he sees no long-term problems from coming so early. We’ll be playing baseball together before you know it. I’m going to make a pitcher out of him.”

“I’m glad everything turned out okay. I know and understand how much they mean to you.”

“You’re one of the few who do.” So non-judgmental. I think it’s another one of the reasons I like her so much.

I haven’t touched her in a month. It’s all I want to do. This isn’t the most ideal place but I can’t help myself.

I cradle her face and bring my lips to hers, but stop before they come together. Only our breath touches. “For thirty days and thirty nights, I’ve hardly thought of anything but you.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about you too.”

“Is there any chance we can get back the night we should have had a month ago?”

She nods, her eyes never leaving mine. “How long are you staying in Savannah?”

“Driving back early Monday morning.”

“I think we can get our night back plus two more.” Three nights. Surely that will be enough for me to get my fix so I’ll stop obsessing night and day over this woman.

Porter was right. I want her so bad I can’t stand it.

I’m risking my friendship with Stout. My business relationship. Maybe even my livelihood. And I don’t care. She’s worth the gamble.

I’m going all in.

Lawrence Thorn

I can’t believe Brou came to me. Showed up in the middle of my store out of the blue like that. “Where are you staying?”

He laughs. “The Bohemian. I thought it was fitting. And close to your shop.”

“I’ve always wanted to see that hotel but have never had a reason to be in it.” But I have a reason now.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Hell, yes.

“I’d love to. Is it okay if we swing by my place first so I can pick up some things?” I wasn’t dolled up in pretty lingerie that night with Brou a month ago. Plain white bra. White cotton panties. Not sexy. But in my defense, I had no idea I might have sex while visiting my brother.

So here I am again with little notice prior to sex. At least this time, I can go by and pick up something decent so I can change before he sees me in white cotton a second time.

I don’t have a lot to choose from. I haven’t made a habit of needing sexy lingerie to wear for a man but I do have a pretty ivory lace bralette with matching cheeky knickers. Probably not the kind of lingerie Brou is used to seeing on a woman but the style fits me. And I happen to think he likes me the way I am, weirdo and all.

“Do you walk to work every day?”

“I usually ride my bike unless it’s raining. That was it in the back alley chained to the wall.”

“That old-timey one with the basket?”

I elbow him. “Don’t call Beatrice that. She’s vintage.”

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to hurt Beatrice’s feelings.”

“I won’t tell her what you said.”

I turn the deadlock and push the door open. “This is it. Home sweet home.”

Brou follows me in and takes a look around. “This fits you to a T.”

I love my silver sectional with purple and chartreuse throw pillows. I know. Very girly. “It’s not a brown couch with brown walls.”

“Are you talking smack about my brown couch and walls?”

“Not at all. Your house is masculine. Very you.” I point at the chaise end of the sectional. “Cop a squat and relax. I won’t be long.”

I fetch my overnight bag from the top of my bedroom closet and do a mental checklist of everything I need. I organize the pieces neatly on the bed before placing them in my bag. Except the lingerie. I tuck it away in my bag in case he pops into my bedroom. I want that to be a surprise.

Brou calls out something I don’t understand. “What was that?”

He appears in my bedroom doorway. No shock there. I figured he wouldn’t stay away. “I said no television?”

“I had one but all it did was collect dust so I gave it to my elderly neighbor to replace the huge console TV she had.” The thing was so big it took up half her living room.

“I can’t believe you encouraged someone to replace her vintage television with something modern.”

“Smart-ass.” But he sort of has me there.

“I’m kidding. That was a very nice thing to do.”

He crosses the room and grabs me from behind, kissing the side of my neck. I melt, as do my panties. “You’re taking too long.”

“You do realize you’re slowing me down?”

He cups me between my legs. “I know but I couldn’t keep my hands off you another minute. I want to fuck you so bad I can’t stand it.”

I was planning to freshen up and change into something pretty for him. To fuck with it. “Then do.”

He inches my skirt up my legs. “Do you have condoms?”

Fuck, no. But I would have if I’d known he was coming.

I shake my head. “You aren’t prepared like a good boy scout?”

He presses his head to the back of mine and groans. “Fuck, they’re in the hotel room. I thought I’d have enough damn restraint to wait.”

“That’s too bad.”

He grabs my ass and squeezes. “I have other goodies in the room too.” He puts his mouth against my neck and makes a buzzing sound that vibrates against my skin. Of course, my skin erupts with the physical proof of what he’s doing to me. “So you might want to get a move on.”

He releases me and I return to packing my bag. “I know we’ll use condoms but I still feel like I should tell you I’m not on any kind of birth control.” It only seems right since we’ll be solely dependent upon them.

“You don’t have to worry about a pregnancy. I’ve had a vasectomy.”

What?

I mean . . . what?

I turn around and look at him. Stupefied. I can’t even say anything because it feels like I just had a swift kick to the gut.

“What is it, Wren?”

I have to dig deep to find my voice. “Brou. Why would you do that?”

“I never want to go t

hrough losing another baby.”