What the fuck is it about the sorority girl next door that’s gotten under my skin, invaded my thoughts? I’m a father, for Christ’s sake—at least seven years her senior—trying to raise a child alone. I’m overprotective of my little girl. A dutiful dad who is careful who he brings into her life.
But you’re still a man.
The soft knock on my front door drags my thoughts back. I pad quietly across the room and try to pull off casual when I open it, but seeing Rachel standing there on the stoop, her clothes stained from work, her cheeks a sexy shade of pink, and some kind of red sauce in her hair, it’s all I can do not to drag her to me, and kiss those full lips until she’s gasping for breath. I suck in air, expecting the smell of pepperoni to tame my cock, but what I get instead is peaches. Goddammit, she still smells like sweet peaches, and it’s fucking with me, hard.
“Hi,” she says, her voice low, as she gives me another one of those awkward, nervous waves that kind of turns me on.
Yeah, I know. There’s something seriously fucking wrong with me.
I open the door and wave her in. “Want a drink first, or do you want to get out of those clothes right away?”
“What?” she asks her eyes wide as her hand tightens on the edge of the doorframe.
“You said you wanted out of your clothes right away, so I was wondering if you wanted a drink or did you want to get right into the shower.” I take in the tension in her body as she lets go of the doorframe and straightens.
She nods fast, and her ponytail bounces. “Right.”
“What did you think I meant?”
“Shower,” she says quickly. “You wanted to know if I wanted to shower right away.” As she rambles, I’m not so sure that’s what she thought at all. From the way her chest is heaving, to the heat in her eyes—not to mention the tension arcing between us—I’m beginning to believe she wants me as much as I want her.
So, what am I going to do about that?
Nothing.
Zilch.
Zero.
We both agreed this was a business deal, and there are many reasons I have to leave it at that.
“So what is it?” I ask, and rake my hand through my hair. Her gaze follows the movement, then drops to my chest. “Rachel?” I ask.
She tears her gaze away. “I think I’d like to get cleaned up.”
“Sure. Follow me.”
She stays close as I lead her down the hall. I lower my voice. “That’s Cassie’s room, the spare room is beside her.” I jerk my finger to the right. “I’m over here, and right at the end you’ll find the bathroom.” I step to the side so she can go by me. “You’ll find towels in the cabinet.”
“Thanks, Jaxon,” she says quietly. “I really appreciate this.”
“Not a problem.”
I stand there until the bathroom door closes. I hear her fumble around for a moment, then I realize what she’s doing.
“There’s no lock,” I say. “I took it off years ago when Cassie accidently locked herself inside.
“Oh, okay.”’
I listen for a moment, hear the rustle of clothing, then exhale painfully as I try not to picture her getting undressed, climbing into my shower—the same shower I jerked off in after I dropped her off at school.
Motherfucker.
Despite the heat inside my place, I go to my room and tug on a t-shirt, then plop down onto the sofa. My mind is racing as I flick through the stations, unable to keep my focus on anything other than Rachel naked in my shower. I reach down and adjust my cock in my jeans, and listen to the water run.
Ten minutes pass, and I’m so damn restless I jump up and go to my tidy kitchen. I stare into the fridge, memorize the contents, then grab a beer. Shit, I wish I had wine on hand to offer her. There hasn’t been a bottle in the fridge in years, not since my ex took off. I make a mental note to find out what Rachel likes and pick some up. As I take a pull from the bottle, I walk down the hall, listen outside the bathroom door for a second.
I’m about to turn when I hear a loud shriek. Shit.
“Jaxon,” she cries out and I reach for the doorknob, but stop myself before opening it. “Oh, my God,” she yells. “The cold water tap broke off, and I can’t get it turned off.”
Fuck, I meant to tell her it was loose.
“I’m coming in,” I say. I open the door and avert my eyes. I grab a towel and hold it up. “Here, climb out. I’m not looking.”
She jumps from the shower and her teeth are chattering as she wraps herself in the towel. I step around her, grab the broken handle and screw it back on, getting soaked in the process. After a few good twists, I manage to get the water turned off. Christ, this place is falling apart around me. Between Cassie and work, I’ve had little time to get everything fixed. Maybe I needed help more than I realized.
“I need to get this replaced.” I turn back to her, and her eyes are wide as she stands there staring at me, her body shivering. “I’m sorry, Rachel. I never even thought to tell you.”
Yeah, because all I could think about was her naked.
“It’s okay….” she says and shivers some more.
“Come here.” Without thinking I pull her into my arms, and
