“Uh, sure,” he said, avoiding eye contact as he retrieved his keys from my extended hand. “Maybe by the time I get home, I’ll have thought of a naughty limerick to share with you.”
Hm.
Ignoring his quip, I opened my arms slightly, and he responded immediately—automatically—by stepping into the hug. This he felt comfortable with.
We swayed together for a moment, then I held the door open for him. I found it interesting that he’d shied from every hint of sexual invitation, but seemed to enjoy—need, maybe?—the physical affection. Not exactly what I’d imagined of our lovable slut.
Humans contain multitudes, Kess.
“Be safe on the way home, Rowd.”
His smile was soft. “I will.”
I shut the door and waited as he put on his seat belt, started the truck, and pulled out of the parking space. I then made my way to the bank of elevators, grateful that they weren’t made of glass.
The moment I hit the street, I dove back into my imagination, making the short walk to the hotel while contemplating the many layers of Rowdy Lockwood. Unanswered questions pinged off the walls of my skull and were still going round and round an hour and a half later when I got a text notification.
Rowdy: Made it home.
Thank goodness.
Rowdy: A naughty limerick, as promised: There was a young man from Trent who had a penis so long that it bent. It gave him such troublethat he put it in double, so instead of coming, he went.
Unknown number: Thanks for letting me know, hun.
Unknown number: And thanks for the limerick, I think?
Me: Sleep well.
Seeing his message come in was such a relief that even the muscles in my neck relaxed, and I had to wonder if all of this overthinking was something else in disguise. After saving Skylar’s number, I slid under the covers and shut out the light.
The last thought I had before sleep finally overtook me was that Rowdy felt like a mystery worth solving.
7
ROWDY
I openedthe pass-through gate between me and Kess’s house. He’d texted me earlier saying that he would have breakfast and coffee ready, and I’d looked forward to it—probably a little more than I should’ve.
Yesterday I had given him a list of items to purchase, and as I approached, he stood there, looking overwhelmed by the pallets of plants, fertilizer, and mulch.
“This isn’t the little shop of horrors,” I sassed, stepping up to him. “Nothing here is going to try to eat you.”
He grinned. “Well, that’s a damn shame.”
I rolled my eyes and gave him a hug. I didn’t know when we’d become the kind of friends who hugged every time we saw each other, but I wasn’t mad at it. He returned the hug automatically, squeezing me tight.
I took a deep breath and pressed my face into his pecs, enjoying the fact that he was a generous hugger.
“Did you fall asleep on me?” he asked, his smile audible from this position.
I rocked my forehead across his chest. “Nope. You’re just super, super comfortable.”
“Just what every guy likes to hear,” he cracked. “Fuck sexy or rich or handsome. He’s comfy, folks.”
I jokingly pushed off him. “I’m just trying to give you a compliment. Considering the fact that you desperately need my help today, I suggest you take it for the gift it is.”
Kess laughed, and the morning sun caught his pale green eyes just so. He fucking took my breath away. He was always so elegant compared to my...I didn’t know what to call it. Natural style?
