It’s too bad her mom’s been alerted to the fact that Avery and I are associating with each other again. I’d love to keep Avery just to myself for a while, but I know that won’t play. And if there was a real tug-of-war over Avery right now, I’d lose. So there can be no ultimatums. No forced choices between me and them.
I need to play nice. At least until I’m sure I’ll win.
* * *
AVERY
I wakeand roll from the strange bed. I’m still wearing my blue dress and adjust it so my bra’s not showing before I creep out into the hall to find a bathroom. An open door nearby reveals an elegant powder room in cream and gold.
A look in the ornately-framed mirror reveals my makeup’s badly smeared.Good grief.My face belongs on the cover of a horror comic. I use the restroom and then wash my hands and face.
My buzz is gone, thankfully. I’m embarrassed that I got intoxicated in front of Mr. Sullivan.Mr. Sullivan.Is Shane’s grandfather really the head of an Irish Mafia organization? He doesn’t seem like he would be. He’s so charming. I felt an immediate connection with him. Maybe that’s because his brand of charm reminds me of Shane’s, from the old days. They’re both good storytellers.
Last night, Shane picked me up and called me baby. A wave of heat courses through me at the memory. I hug my arms to my sides. The vibe reminded me of the way he was when I first moved into Ethan’s. Though of course he never touched me or called me baby back then.
The sexual current between us is new. Just thinking about it causes prickles of desire between my legs. I shake my head at the way my attraction to him threatens to rage out of control over something so small.Dangerous, on so many levels.
I finger-comb the tangles from my hair and then sneak back to the guest room. It’s toasty warm, so I push the thick comforter back to climb in bed. Which is when I realize I’m not alone.
“Shane?”
I sit on the edge of the bed, and using a fingertip, I press his bare muscled shoulder. Is he completely naked? I don’t reach down to find out. Having him pull out his cock while I’m on my knees to service him is different than touching him while he’s in bed asleep. The latter’s definitely more intimate. Another round of desire curls through my lower belly and into my core.
Jesus.
I squeeze his shoulder gently, marveling at how great it feels. His whole body is ripped. He may not be playing football anymore, but he’s clearly not missing workouts.
Shane stirs and rolls toward me. When he takes a deep breath, his chest expands.
He. Is. Beautiful.
“Hey,” he murmurs, his voice gravelly with sleep. “You sober?”
My nose scrunches as I cringe. “Yes. Sorry about earlier.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. Not like you danced naked on a table.” He stretches and smiles. “You’re cute as hell drunk.”
Somehow I doubt that. A small frown threatens. “I bet your grandfather didn’t think my getting drunk was cute.”
“Sure he did. The old man thinks everything about you is cute. He’s pulling hard for me to keep you, so he can see your pretty face again.”
A small smile tugs at my mouth. It’s nice that Mr. Sullivan likes me.
Of course there’s no possibility of Shane “keeping me,” since this isn’t a relationship. And if Shane’s grandfather understood the bargain I struck with Shane, I’m sure his impression of me would change drastically.
“Hot in here.” Shane shoves the covers down, exposing washboard abs and black boxer-briefs. He pushes up on his elbow and looks me over, then grabs the tie around my wrap dress and tugs. The loop disappears, and the tie slackens.
My hand darts up to cover myself. “What are you doing?”
“Unwrapping you.” He pushes the fabric, which slides over so my silky blue bra’s exposed.
Fortunately, the dress’s internal tie keeps it from opening completely. Shane pulls at the dress, making the fabric stretch and strain.
“Shane, no. You’ll rip it.”
“Take it off.”
“No,” I whisper, bending forward so my face is closer to his groin.
