Rurik growled again.
Bill leaned in toward Liberty and lowered his voice. “Word to the wise, make him wash his hands before he touches anything. He and his chicken were having a moment not long back.”
It took her a second to catch up to what he was saying. When she did, her gaze instantly snapped to Rurik’s groin and her face heated.
Bill laughed. “We’re just here to make sure you’re all right. We don’t want no evil physical therapist to murder you or nothing.”
“I’m… I’m…” She dragged her gaze up Rurik slowly to his face. “An evil what?”
The slightest of grins appeared on his handsome face. “If you step onto the porch and wait with Bill, I will check your home to be sure all is well.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said, easing closer to him. “I’m the only one here.”
He reached for her hand but stopped just short of making contact, his gaze never leaving hers. “I want to know you are safe. I need to know.”
“I am,” she replied, her hand finding his. “But if it will make you feel better, you’re welcome to come in and look around to be sure.”
He held her hand in much the same fashion he had before she’d kissed him in his driveway. “It will.”
She stared at his lips but managed to control herself this time. It was harder than it should have been. “Um, come in. Please.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” said Bill, darting past her.
Rurik dipped his head and for a second, Liberty thought he’d be the one kissing her. He paused and then groaned, looking past her. “He was to wait out here with you.”
Liberty smiled, her free hand going to Rurik’s chest. “Your father is fine. He can’t hurt anything.”
“Get to know him better,” said the Russian. “You will change your mind about that. He’s basically a human wrecking ball.”
“Hey, Commie!” shouted Bill from what sounded like the kitchen. “Marry her this instant! Liberty Bell really can bake. She’s a keeper! I can’t wait until she’s my daughter-in-law. You need to smell these cookies. Hey, Liberty Bell, the weed I mentioned would be so good in this stuff. Think you can make me some brownies with it? You said apple pie is your specialty. I bet my weed is good in that too.”
Rurik sighed, his hand still around hers.
Liberty laughed mellifluously. “He’s harmless and kind of adorable. You’re lucky to have him in your life.”
His expression said he didn’t quite agree.
Rurik licked his lower lip. “About Bill. He’s not my—”
“These are delicious!” shouted Bill. “Russia, you gotta come try one!”
“Shit,” said Rurik, rushing around Liberty and into the house. “Do not touch anything, old man!”
“Too late. I done ate four cookies already,” said Bill.
Liberty chuckled and hurried behind Rurik as he entered the kitchen area.
He went for Bill at once, and she touched his back, instantly feeling how rock-hard it was—just like the rest of him seemed to be.
He froze.
Bill grabbed another cookie from the cooling rack and shoved it in his mouth. “So good,” he mumbled.
Rurik stiffened. “Bill, enough.”
Liberty slid her hand slightly higher on his back, easing closer to him. “He’s fine. I promise. I was going to put all of this in a basket and put it on your porch later as an ‘I’m sorry.’”
Rurik glanced over his shoulder at her. “Sorry? For what?”
She blushed more. “How I was all day around you.”
“What do you mean?” asked Rurik.
“She’s been wanting to tear your clothes off, son,” said Bill.
Liberty groaned. The man wasn’t exactly wrong or anything.
Rurik’s gaze heated and snapped instantly to her lips. “Yes. Tear my clothes off.”
Bill snorted. “Just go with it, Liberty Bell. I told you his head is screwed on backward when it comes to you. These are great cookies. Them cupcakes look good too. Can I have one?”
“Of course,” she said. “Help yourself. Do you want to take some over to Gus?”
He nodded and went for a cupcake. “He’ll love them. Oh, pie! Those apple?”
“They are,” she said, moving to stand next to Rurik rather than behind him. Her hand skimmed his back, and she was just about to stop making contact with him when he grabbed hold of her hand gently. He held it while watching his father.
“Control yourself and behave. You are a guest here.”
Bill rolled his eyes. “Don’t you have a house to check for bad guys?”
“Da,” said Rurik, making Liberty smile as Bill proceeded to mock him in a rather poorly done Russian accent.
An exasperated look came over Rurik.
Liberty tugged on his hand, forcing him to glance at her. “He’s fine. Really. I’m not just saying that. And I think the house is okay as well, but if you really want to be sure, you can.”
“I do.” Rurik turned to face her fully, his gaze snapping to her lips. “There was much in the way of movement from more than one window, all at the same time. You’re one person. It couldn’t have been just you. And I need to make sure you’re safe.”
She stiffened, positive the movement he’d seen was her doing, since there was no one else home now.
Lowering his head, Rurik put his lips near her ear, causing excitement to instantly flash through her. “I’ll look around. Remain here with Bill.”
“Yes,” she said, her breath catching as her body heated. She was fairly sure she wasn’t agreeing to stay put, but rather to tossing her legs open for the man without actually saying the words. No amount of baking was going to bring her back from the brink of sexual insanity.
“Good girl,” he said, his lips skating over her cheek as he started to pull away from her.
