“Sometimes there is no reason.” She focused on her hands and the lotion.
Riley came to a stop behind her. He braced his hands on the dresser, trapping her between him and the furniture.
“My gut tells me there is.” He bent his head and kissed his shoulder. “The only reason I turned when I did this morning was because I had a gut feeling something wasn’t right.”
They’d both seen the box. If he hadn’t turned, if the box hadn’t come between him and that bullet, he’d be dead.
Her breath stuttered and her shoulders hunched.
Erin turned to face him, the lines around her mouth and eyes bringing back those moments when he’d looked up at her. He’d thought he was dying, that she’d be next. Fear like that was hard to forget.
“There could be an us. If you want.” He knew it came down to what she wanted, and a fucked-up guy with baggage might not be her heart’s desire.
“What does that mean? An us?” She leaned against the dresser, hands behind her.
“Whatever you want it to mean.”
“Riley...” She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Hey?” He cupped her cheek. “You don’t have to decide right now. I’m just putting it out there. Okay?”
He wasn’t above keeping her from saying no to buy him some time. If he could buy some time he could perhaps figure out a better way of winning her over. For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to lose a woman he cared about.
Riley bent his head and kissed her lips gently. She leaned into him. He could keep going, and he was fairly certain the only thing that would stop either of them was an orgasm, but that wasn’t what he was after.
“What do you say?” he whispered against her mouth.
Her eyes opened, and she stared at him. This close he could see the varied colors of brown ringing her iris.
“Okay,” she whispered.
It wasn’t a promise, but it was an opportunity.
He gave her a little squeeze.
Erin grunted, a pained sound that had Riley leaning back and letting go. Her face creased in pain.
“It’s okay,” she said.
“What hurt?”
“Ribs. It’s okay.” She pressed her hand to her side.
Shit. He hadn’t forgotten, but he hadn’t been careful enough either.
“Why don’t we watch a movie or something?” Given what she’d been through, that was probably the most taxing activity she was up for.
“I don’t really like sitting back doing nothing.” She grasped the tail of his belt and he swallowed.
“Hadn’t noticed.”
Yeah right. She was only happy when she was doing something. He’d barely known her a week, and he knew that.
Her nimble fingers unfastened his belt. The towel slid lower.
He knew where this was going, and his cock liked the idea.
Riley grabbed her by the wrists.
“Erin, that’s not a good idea right now. You’re hurt—”
“Make me feel better, then.” She did this little wiggle, and the towel fell to the floor.
This was the moment when he needed to be a better man. He should tell her no, look out for her best interest. And yet, the way she stared at him he knew he would do exactly what she wanted, for however long it pleased her.
He cupped her face and kissed her lips.
“Are the condoms in your bag, or mine?” he asked.
“Mine.”
Riley would have to be very careful.
He dug his fingers into her hair and bent her head backward. She sighed and her body slumped against him. He was learning her ways, the things that made her tick.
Riley used his grip on her hair to turn her then walk Erin back until they ran into the mattress.
“Sit,” he said.
“I didn’t think you liked giving orders.” She perched on the edge of the mattress, one leg crossed over the other.
“You like taking them, so I do what I can.”
She arched a brow at him but couldn’t hide the way her skin tinged pink. He bumped her chin with his fingers and buzzed her lips with a kiss. He wasn’t stupid enough to think this side of her extended beyond the bedroom.
Riley backed away, memorizing the picture she made sitting there on the bed. Her crossed legs seemed almost demure, as though she were hiding herself from view. Her tight nipples telegraphed the message he’d already received loud and clear.
He knelt, wincing at the sudden tightness of his pants.
There wasn’t much in Erin’s bag. The box of condoms was easy to find. He tore off a condom with his teeth and held it there. His hands had other jobs to do.
Erin’s smile grew more crooked, her gaze sliding down his body.
Riley yanked at the laces on his boots until they were loose enough to work his feet out of. He stood, tossing his shirt off and wiggling out of his boots.
Erin chuckled, her smile widening.
This was what he liked. When she forgot the troubles and focused on the moment. She was damn beautiful. He wanted to be the reason she smiled and gave her something better to think about.
“Come here.” She reached out and grabbed the end of his belt, pulling him toward her.
He took a step, and she uncrossed her legs. He took another and would have run into her knees if she hadn’t parted her thighs.
“I want you to come to Miami.” She tipped her chin up and stared at him. The way her gaze focused on his, he knew it wasn’t a small matter.
Riley took the packet from his mouth and tossed it on the bed. “When’s good for you?”
“Whenever you’re there?”
“Then, next week?” He reached out and ran his finger across her cheek.
Asking wasn’t a small thing for her. Committing to it wasn’t small for him either. They were both taking a step into the unknown here.
She turned her head and kissed his palm.
He’d do whatever it took to give them the best shot possible.
“Lie down,” he said.
Erin arched a brow at him, but did as he asked. She leaned back on her elbows. He didn’t miss the wince of
