She stepped out of Charlotte’s Attic and into the bright late-afternoon sun. She still had plenty of time to kill before she had to meet up with Rick and the teenager from another world, she thought wryly.
With a little luck, maybe an afternoon with kids her own age would help Hannah’s disposition. Make her happier and easier to talk to. Although Kendall still had no idea what to say in order to ease things between them, she looked forward to seeing her sister and hoped the drive home would provide inspiration. Briefcase in hand, she started for the car she’d parked down the street.
“Hey, sweetheart. Can I interest you in an afternoon of lovin’?” Rick’s familiar voice whispered from behind.
She turned to see him, one shoulder propped against the windowpane. “What are you doing here?” she asked, thrilled to see him. Thrilled to note he’d sought her out.
“Five hours of twenty teenagers is about all I can take in one sitting. I’ve been officially relieved. And don’t worry about Hannah. I’ve got Jonesy, a good friend and officer, bringing her to meet you at Norman’s around five. See? All bases covered.”
“I’m sure she’s thrilled with the personal escort.”
He shrugged. “Actually she was too busy to realize she had a personal, uniformed escort.” He chuckled. “Now are you going to keep talking or are you going to come over here and put me out of my misery?”
She stepped forward without hesitation. He met her halfway, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her into the alley behind the bank of stores that led to his apartment. Next thing she knew she was in his arms, his mouth hot and insistent on hers.
She’d missed him. She hadn’t realized how badly until now. Until she’d heard his voice, inhaled the masculine, arousing scent of his cologne, and felt his lips devouring hers like he couldn’t possibly get enough. He stroked her cheek with his knuckles and groaned, pressing his hard body against hers, crushing her back to the wall, and she didn’t care because he felt so good.
She eased into him, letting her waist mold to his, feeling his desire for her hard and ready through the barrier of clothing, making her feel more wanted and desired than any woman had a right to feel.
He broke the kiss first and his eyes met hers, desire and heat mingling in his gaze. “It’s been too damn long.”
“I know.” Her breath came in shallow gasps, her words breathless and difficult.
“Then let’s get upstairs.”
His sexy grin, meant for her alone, filled her with turbulent emotion she couldn’t afford to decipher or feel, not after the overwhelming sense of belonging she’d just found with his family and friends. A meaningless fling would have been easier to handle.
Nothing about Rick was simple. He was tenderness and desire all wrapped up in one delectable but dangerous package. Dangerous to peace of mind, her easygoing life, and to her heart.
But right now she didn’t care. She’d missed him, she needed him, and they only had this short stretch of time alone before reality intruded in the form of one rebellious teen.
“What are you waiting for?” she asked him. “Take me upstairs and make love to me.”
Chapter Nine
After a day at a car wash with two dozen teens, Rick needed adult company. He needed Kendall’s company. The hours spent under the sun had left him hot and the days he’d just spent on duty and without Kendall had left him burning with unslaked need. Self-protection obviously only went so far, he thought wryly.
Her hand in his, Rick walked into his apartment, slamming the door closed behind them.
“We’ve gone from having all the time we want to having to squeeze in time when a teen isn’t around. Now I know how new parents must feel,” Kendall said, then her eyes opened wide as she obviously realized the direction her words had taken.
“But look how exciting your life has become.”
She relaxed her shoulders. That was part of his resolution. To keep things between them light and easy. A summer fling, as they’d agreed upon.
“I like excitement.” Her eyes glittered with desire and that same need echoed inside him, evidenced by his rapidly beating heart.
She devoured him with her gaze and his pulse picked up rhythm. Other women had admired him before. As a single guy in a small town, he was more than used to feminine attention, especially since his mother’s campaign for a grandchild had begun. But Kendall looked at him differently and he liked the way her single-minded focus made him feel.
“You’re wet,” she said, obviously just noticing that his T-shirt stuck to his skin.
“Teenagers with buckets and a hose will do that to you.” He pulled at the damp cotton material. “The kids had a mind of their own.”
“You’re wonderful with them.” She bit down on her lip, then admitted, “I was watching you.”
His heart skipped a beat. “I didn’t see you.”
“That’s because I didn’t want you to know I was there.”
“Aah, spying on me, were you?”
She shrugged. “I was curious about Hannah and how she’d fit in. And I was curious about you. What your days are like. What you’re like when you’re not with me.” She shook out her adorably shaggy hair. “But don’t let it go to your head,” she said on an embarrassed laugh.
“As if I’ve got a vain bone in my body.” He grinned, brushing the fact off as she obviously wanted him to do. But privately he was thrilled she’d bothered. Oh, hell, he was just plain happy with any display of interest she offered because it meant she gave thought to him when they were apart, and Lord knew he’d thought about her plenty.
She stepped forward, bracing her hands on his forearms. “I think we should get you out of those wet clothes.” She licked her lips in obvious anticipation,
