“No. This is purely a physical thing for both of us.” Sassie put her glass on the table and glared at Grady. “As I told your dear wife last night, I’ve just come out of a terrible relationship and I can’t see myself in another one anytime soon. But, as I’m a healthy female, the occasional bout of sex is just what the doctor ordered to release all the pent-up stress of everyday life. Your darling brother”—she patted him on the arm with a grin that rocked his socks again—“offered me no-strings-attached sex. It suits us both just fine, doesn’t it, R.P?”
A lump formed in his throat. “Yeah, that’s right. No strings attached, just the way I like it.”
Grady snorted. “Right.”
“Um, I think it might be a good idea to light that barbeque, husband of mine. I’ll get the steaks out for you.” With a smile at Riley and her visitor, she hurried to the kitchen.
“Drink up, R.P. No point in getting bitter and twisted when someone gets the facts wrong. They know now, and that’s fine by me.” Sassie was the most straight-forward girl he’d ever met. Hopefully, that wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass.
Chapter 11
Sassie looked in the rearview mirror at the lights following close behind her. It was comforting, in a way, that he wanted to share her bed tonight. Not that she would turn down sex with such a hot guy, but now that everyone knew what was going on between them, it did feel kind of weird.
She nosed her car into the driveway and got out, waiting for Riley to follow. A warm glow from the glass of wine she’d had over dinner settled in her stomach, and she cast her gaze appreciatively over the man climbing out of his work truck. “So, having hot sex outside didn’t really do it for you as much as I thought it did?”
He grinned and leaned on her car next to her. “You know it did. Wasn’t exactly on my bucket list, but it was good, very good in fact. Just thought it would be nice to have somewhere a bit more comfortable every now and then, and, since you didn’t have a bed and I don’t really have privacy where I am, it made sense to me.” He wiped his thumb over her bottom lip and she shivered. “I didn’t mean it to be insulting, Sassie. I hoped you would take it in the spirit it was given.”
“I understand. It’s others who may not see the sensible side of it, but that’s their problem, not mine. Let’s go test that mattress, shall we?” She took his hand and tangled her fingers through his, leading him toward the back door. The door opened without a sound and together they stumbled into the kitchen.
His arm was around her waist, his lips searching for hers. Feet tangling together, they stumbled over a lump in the darkness, and a high screech tore through the air, shocking them both.
“Oh no, Tinker Bell, my lovely.” Sassie pulled away from Riley and flicked on the kitchen light. The cat was huddled against the wall, the hair on her back standing up and teeth bared.
“Don’t touch it. Looks like it’s going to rip your hand off.” He tried to hold Sassie back, but she brushed him off.
“Oh look at you, big, strong bloke scared of a little kitty that’s had a traumatic experience.” She crouched and held out her hand, making soothing noises that would have calmed the wildest beast. “There, there, Tinker Bell, my girl. Come to Mommy; there’s a love.” The cat looked up and seemed to listen. The hair on its back settled and it closed its mouth. Calm once again, the ginger cat rolled onto her back, baring her belly for Sassie to stroke.
“There you go. See, R.P, she was just scared as you would be if two great clodhoppers stood on you in the dark. There’s a lovely girl.” Sassie scooped the cat up into her arms and held her close, nuzzling into the ginger fur. Soon the sound of purring filled the kitchen. “Okay, now we’re all calm and back on even ground.”
“Thank goodness for that. Not sure if that was the kind of excitement I needed tonight.” Riley heaved a sigh.
“Why don’t you come and look at my ‘suggested’ bathrooms while you get yourself together? Save you a trip tomorrow.” She smiled and winked at him.
A shake of the head was all the answer she got. He gave her a look that took her breath away, a look of such intense passion and need she understood exactly what he wanted. His eyes smoldered and darkened and he parted his lips, biting the tip of his tongue.
Sassie swallowed and put down the cat, heat rushing through her body. She stepped forward and put her hands on his shoulders, lifting her head to reach his mouth. Tentatively, she poked her tongue out and traced it over the fullness of his bottom lip before using her teeth to grip him. Scooping her arms around his back, she pulled the shirt from the waistband of his jeans and ran her hands up his back. The need to possess this man had grown more than she’d allowed for. Yet thoughts of taking things slow never entered her head.
* * *
Riley sighed into her mouth, kissing her like his time was almost at an end. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss while cupping her butt in his hands, pulling her into his body. His erection pulsed against her belly, and the heat from her body radiated through their clothing. He gripped the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head, breaking the kiss only long enough to throw the garment on the floor.
Locking lips again,
