Page 39 of Seduction in Spades

“If my math is correct, you’re less than a year behind, old lady.” I turn right at the intersection we’ve come upon instead of straight toward her apartment.

“Dementia has kicked in, old geezer. My apartment is that way.” She points toward her street.

“Trey took my car, so I have his bike. I thought maybe you’d want to go for a ride.”

It will give me time to be sure we don’t have a tail. Granted, if Donohue’s men already know where Avery lives, it will be a feeble effort to hold them off.

“Is there a double entendre there?”

If her life wasn’t in danger? Hell, yeah. I can’t afford to let my guard down, and kissing and touching Avery is a surefire to do just that.

“It was an honest, respectable offer.”

“What if I don’t want honest and respectable?”

Hell. This woman is going to be the death of me. “You should always want that, Avery. No matter who you’re with.”

She thrives on sexual tension and euphemisms. If I go soft and serious on her, she’ll back away. If I keep suggesting we come out to Trey, she’ll shut down. Right now, I need to keep things platonic between us, exactly as she’s wanted. Minus the sex.

We’re quiet as we cross the street, and I find Trey’s bike. I hand Avery the helmet and help her strap it on, then straddle the bike. I wait for her to sit behind me and moan when her arms wrap around my waist.

“You know how I like to ride, Nolan,” she purrs in my ear.

Fuck.I shake off my lust and start the bike. She likes it hard and fast, but that’s hard to do on city streets. I weave in and out of traffic and take us for a leisurely ride through the city, then circle back to my apartment.

“I need to run in for something really quick.” I help her off the bike and brush her hand away when she goes to remove her helmet. “Keep that on. I’ll only be a minute.”

“Is the sex going to be that fast and rough?” she says from behind me as I punch in my code.

Don’t take the bait. Don’t take the bait.

“Trey needs me to pick up a few things for him. Stay here.”

I avoid looking at her and hurry to my spare bedroom making sure she hasn’t followed me. I unlock the safe in the closet and take out a bag and fill it with what I need. I hear her come down the hall and quickly shut the safe.

“You okay?” She’s removed her helmet and is leaning up against the door jam.

“Good. Busy. Lots on my mind. Let’s go.”

We can’t linger around my apartment, or I’ll strip her bare and bang her against the wall. No. Right now that’s not what I’m craving. I’m craving silky sheets, sweet moans, and soft curves as I slowly make love to her.

I clear my throat. “Trey’s waiting.”

Mentioning her brother and brushing her off should turn her off but it only sparks the desire in her eyes. Damn, the woman thrives on me playing hard to get. I can’t win with her.

Granted, Ryder would call it a win-win. Avery wants to be in control, and it’s sexy as hell. She doesn’t like that I seem to have the upper hand as far as what’s happening and not happening between us.

I brush past her and wait for her at the door.

“You’re being weird.”

“Like I said, work. Your brother’s blowing up my phone.” Both were true. My phone has been vibrating nonstop in my pocket, and I’m pretty sure it’s Trey. I need to answer soon to put him out of worry.

On cue, it vibrates again, this time signaling a call. I can’t let him have a heart attack fearing we’re both dead, so I slide it out and answer. I’m pretty sure Avery will be able to hear him, or at least she’ll sidle as close to me as possible not only to hear him but to tease me as well.

I answer the call and speak before Trey can. “Sorry, I didn’t respond. I brought Avery back to my apartment on your bike.” I watch as her eyes grow round with shock. I grin at her response. “I picked up the stuff you asked me to and am heading back to drop her off at her place. I’ll check in with you in a bit.”

“She can hear me?” he asks softly.

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