Page 30 of Sticking Around

Okay, maybe I can’t do it because I’m beginning to really like him—especially the side he presents to me when we’re alone.

Deanna is quick to take me up on my offer. She leaves, and I shut and lock the gate leading to the rooftop and begin to clean up.

I pick up empty drink glasses and a few that are still full, like the one Brady left on the table after I poured it for him. Maybe he doesn’t like beer. I usually see him with one in his hand. I never stopped to think if he was drinking it or not. Legs tired and needing to get to bed early so I can bus back to my place tomorrow—I really hope my roommate’s boyfriend is gone—I finish cleaning up.

Once I’m done, I untie my apron and toss it over my shoulder. I snatch up my purse from under the counter and walk toward the gate as the quiet of the night, along with the surf far below wraps around my shaky soul. I reach the gate and when I see a big, dark figure on the other side, I nearly jump out of my skin.

“Hey, it’s just me,” Brady says quickly, his voice is soft, full of comfort, and my insides settle.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, as he stands outside the latched gate, heat and strength radiating from him.

His eyes fixate on my mouth and I wet my lips. “Thought I’d walk you home.” Beneath the moonlight I catch his sexy grin and unwanted emotions sweep through me. God, I could lose myself in this man if I’m not careful. My gaze strays to his mouth, dying for his lips to claim me again. That’s when I remember the girl who was snaked around him earlier.

“Didn’t you already walk someone home?” Dammit, I didn’t mean to sound so petty and jealous. The last thing I want is for him to think I’m falling for him.

Amusement dances on his face. “Sounds like someone is jealous.”

I glance down, and run my fingers through my hair, pushing the loose strands from my forehead. “Brady, I can’t?—”

“I can’t either,” he responds quickly, cutting me off as my gaze flies back to his, to take in the dead seriousness.

“You can’t what?”

“I can’t be with another girl when I have a woman like you in my bed. I want to be with you and only you. I want to take you to my bed…want to take care of you, Lanie.” He squares his shoulder with intent, and there’s nothing about his body language that suggests he’s joking. I really truly love this side of him. Like. I mean I really truly like this quiet, almost nurturing side of him. I swallow the lump in my throat as he continues. “She was drunk. All I did was make sure she got home safely. I’m sure they assumed I took her home and fucked her, but she was drunk, and I don’t do drunk girls. Even if she wasn’t drunk, Lanie. I wanted to be back here with you.”

A bubble of happiness hugs me. “Oh.”

He pokes his chest before pointing at me through the gate. “You and me. Until the pre-season. No one else.”

“Okay,” I manage to get out.

“Now are you going to open this gate and let me take you home?”

“I’m quite capable of finding my own way home. I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time now.”

“I know, but…”

“What’s the catch, Coddy?” I grin, knowing the catch is he wants me in his bed, and I want that too.

He glances around. “Bad neighborhood.”

It’s not. We both know it, but I do love this protective side of him. As his warmth envelops me, I tease, “Maybe just bad neighbor.”

“Hey, I resent that,” he teases.

“Why, maybe I like bad.” I open the gate and let him in. He closes it behind him and his big presence overwhelms me as he pulls me to his body. His warm scent fills my senses and as I breathe him in, he dips his head and kisses me. I moan into his mouth, loving the taste of him.

“You want bad tonight, Lanie?”

Moaning something unintelligible, I sway into his touch, and my body warms as his erection presses hard against me. I kind of love how fast this man gets aroused around me. Who am I to talk? I’m burning from the inside out. His hand slides down my body and cups my ass. He gives it a squeeze as the automatic lights in the pool turn off for the night. Darkness envelops us, and all kinds of wicked ideas bounce around inside my brain—like getting him naked here at the rooftop pool and having my way with him.

Yes, it’s true. We had sex earlier, but this has easily become my addiction. I want more, and I want it now. Oh girl, you need to be careful.

“I’m not used to people waiting for me,” I whisper, actually loving that he came here to walk me home as a strange new closeness to this man fills every cell in my body.

His snort is full of derision. “And here I am completely used to people waiting for me. Everywhere. All the time.”

My chest tightens, another hint of jealousy I shouldn’t be feeling creeping in and squeezing like an invisible band. Until I realize he’s most likely talking about his family, who all seem to count on him. While he might be loud and the life of the party, he never had a real childhood and I’m guessing he acts out now to make up for it. Either that or he’s loud at parties simply to hide who he really is, what he’s really feeling. My heart lurches at that thought. Is that what’s going on?

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