Page 39 of Nauti Boy (Nauti 1)

“Here you go. ” He pulled into an empty space in front of the entrance and turned to her. “I programmed my number into your cell phone; call me before you leave. I’m meeting Dawg and Natches at the café up the street, so I won’t be far. ”

Those kissable lips curved into a slow, promising smile as she leaned close.

“I bet I could walk down the street all by myself, Rowdy,” she whispered teasingly, sending a jolt of fear to slice through his soul.

“No!” He hadn’t meant his voice to be so harsh, but the slight flinch and the spark of fear and anger that filled her eyes assured him he was much harsher than he intended to be.

Rowdy drew in a quick, hard breath before pushing his fingers through his hair, frustration eating him alive.

“I’m sorry, baby,” he growled, his voice still rougher than he wanted. “Don’t scare me like that. Give me a while, okay?” He gave her a quick, comforting smile. “Let me protect you, Kelly. ”

She sat against the door now, her gray eyes quiet, her expression closed until she glanced away and lowered her head.

“I understand, Rowdy,” she finally sighed. “But I’m tired of hiding. ” She turned back to him, a frown edging at her brows. “I’m tired of letting him win. ”

“Kelly, promise me you’ll call me before you leave. ” He reached out to her, his fingers running down her cheek, feeling the small quiver of response that ran through her. “Don’t fight me on this, please. He’s a madman—”

“I’m not crazy. ” She brushed his hand away as she glared back at him. “I’ll call you, Rowdy. But I don’t think he’s going to try anything in broad daylight. It would be too risky. ”

“Point taken. ” He nodded. “But we can’t be certain, either. Until I know what we’re dealing with, we’re going to be careful. ”

“So says the man who wants to poke at the crazy person by letting him think I’m taking on the Mackay cousins all at once,” she reminded him. “I think walking down the street is a hell of a lot safer. ”

“Exactly why you shouldn’t be walking down the street alone,” he pointed out softly. “He knows I have you now, Kelly. Which means Dawg and Natches aren’t far behind, in his eyes. From here on out, we can’t underestimate him; we take nothing for granted. ”

Rowdy forcibly tamped down the violence rising inside him. He knew if he ever managed to get hold of the bastard who dared to touch her, then he would kill him. There would be nothing left for justice to convict.

“Fine. I’ll call you before I leave,” she snapped with a spark of anger he couldn’t blame her for. “But don’t take forever to pick me up, if you don’t mind. I have a few other things I’d like to do while I’m in town. And I’d appreciate a little less paranoia until he actually shows that he is stalking me. ”

She reached out to grip the door handle. Just as fast Rowdy caught her arm, causing her to turn back to him. His hand moved, his fingers threading through her hair as he drew her head back and captured her lips quickly with his.

Summer heat, lightning, and the sweet taste of a woman’s passion met his hunger, tightening his gut with lust. He couldn’t wait to get her beneath him. At that moment, nothing mattered except getting through the rest of the day until he could get her to the houseboat and the large bed awaiting them there.

He forced himself to release her seconds later, staring into her dazed features with a satisfaction so intense it caused his balls to tighten.

“That wasn’t fair. ” She smiled despite the chastisement, her cheeks flushed with warmth and her breathing ragged.

“Sure it was,” he whispered, pulling back from her, despite the need to wrap her in his arms and run away with her. He wanted to hide her. To make certain no one could ever touch her again. “I need to touch you, babe. That’s always fair considering how long I’ve waited to do it. ”

She snorted at that before pushing her fingers through her hair and flashing him a disgruntled look. “No one made you wait. ”

She was out of the truck before he could stop her, tossing him a cheery smile before crossing the sidewalk and entering the spa.

Rowdy breathed out roughly. She was going to be the death of him, there was just no other way around it. With her shining innocence, tempting eyes, and sweetly rounded body, he knew she was capable of making him curse as often as he sighed in need.

He gave his head a quick jerk before reversing from the parking spot and driving farther down the street to the café he had told Dawg and Natches to meet him in.

Reginald’s Café was newly remodeled, the inside cool and welcoming as he entered. Dawg and Natches were waiting at one of the back tables, steaming cups of coffee sitting in front of them.

“’Bout time you got here, cuz,” Dawg grunted as he slid into the chair across from him. “I thought we were gonna have to come down there and rescue Kelly from your clutches ourselves. ”

Natches chuckled as Rowdy leaned back in his chair and watched his cousin curiously. Dawg had changed over the years, more than any of them, Rowdy sometimes thought. He was darker, despite the joviality, quieter than he used to be.

Rowdy didn’t know what had happened during the years he spent in the Marines, but it had affected his cousin. Natches was just as lazy as always, his smile quiet, his eyes watchful. Of course, none of them were as relaxed, as carefree as they used to be.

There was a darkness in them that had always lurked just beneath the surface. A difference that separated them from other men, made them appear wilder, more dangerous. And in ways they were more dangerous. They had proved that overseas.

“What’s up?” Rowdy could tell there was more going on than a general bad mood.

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