Page 14 of Unloaded
“Is that right?” I ask, stepping closer to her. I catch a whiff of raspberries, lilacs, and vanilla. My cock and I really like that heady combination. Rachel sucks in a breath, lifting her chin in determination.
“Yes, you could have caused me to spill this soup.” She lifts the large container in her hands, slightly. “We don’t have time to make more before the event starts,” she informs me. “Not to mention, I’d have second degree burns. Now, if you’ll get out of the way, I need to put this on the buffet so it will stay warm.”
She tries to step around me, but I don’t want to let her go just yet. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. Stepping forward, I block her path with my body. Wide, startled, hazel eyes meet mine.
Her pulse pounds in her neck. Her breathing is faster, and her pupils are dilated. She isn’t afraid. She’s as turned on as I am.
“I’ll be sure to be more careful in the future, angel,” I agree, softly. Goosebumps erupt over her skin. “Let me get that for you.” I reach to take the bowl, but she pulls it back.
“I’ve got this,” she whispers breathlessly, “but would you mind grabbing that basket of rolls for me?” She tips her head to the left indicating the basket sitting on the counter next to the door.
“Of course.” I pick up the basket with my right hand and push the door open with my left, indicating for her to precede me out the door.
She graces me with a tight smile before sweeping past me and through the door. I move to follow, and I’m surrounded by her scent. I breathe deeply, committing it to memory.I’m so screwed.
Following her out the door, I look up to see Luke has joined Bo, Marley, and Shelby at the buffet. They are deep in conversation that stops the instant we emerge. The group turns taking in Rachel and me approaching. I ignore their stares, keeping my eyes on my destination.
“Just set the basket down right here,” Rachel uses her elbow to angle toward an empty spot on the long table. After placing the basket down, I notice Rachel struggling to hold her bowl, while rearranging some of the platters to make room for the soup.
“Let me help you,” I demand, taking the bowl out of the crook of her left arm, where she’d tucked it to free up her right hand. She gives me a grateful smile, and I’m the one sucking in a breath.
She’s fucking gorgeous when she smiles. Her heart shaped face lights up, and her eyes soften. I study them noticing yellow and brown flecks in the mossy green. Her dark brown hair is pulled up in a bun on the back of her head. A few long loose curls fall around her face. The face of an angel.
Once again, I wonder if it’s as soft as it appears. I’ve longed to run my fingers through it every time I’m near her. I shake my head forcing the thought away, not where I need to be letting my thoughts go. I’m too far in the other direction to be getting close to an angel. Especially one as perfect as her.
Rachel turns to rearrange the dishes already on the table, giving me her profile. My gaze drops to her picture-perfect ass, rises up to the slight dip of her waist, before stopping to imagine my hands on her large breasts. I can almost feel the peaked nipple pressing against my palm or how it will taste on my tongue.
Suddenly she’s facing me again and arching one perfectly manicured brow at me.
“What?” I demand not understanding why she’s giving me that look. She giggles, and I swear it’s the sweetest, most musical sound I’ve ever heard. One that goes straight to my throbbing cock.
“I said, you can place the soup here.” Rachel points to the open spot she’s created on the table. Moving to comply, I can feel her watching me. I glance at her again. She’s giving me a goofy grin. Her eyes full of amusement. It’s my turn to arch a brow.
“You seem to be a little distracted. Something catch your attention?” she asks, her voice sounding sexier than usual.Is she flirting with me?
Her finger trails down the V-shaped neckline of her form fitting dress making me hard as a rock in seconds. Thoughts of my fingers on her body only makes it worse. I’m going to embarrass myself by coming in my pants if I don’t get myself under control.
“Nothing of consequence,” I retort, unwilling to admit I’m attracted and enamored with her.
Instantly hurt and disappointment crosses her face, but it’s gone so quickly I tell myself it wasn’t ever there. However her open friendliness is gone in the blink of an eye, so I know I saw what I’d thought I’d seen. My aching cock deflates almost as quickly as it had hardened.
It’s for the best. She doesn’t need to be getting ideas about me, that there can never be an us. I’m not the man for her. She’s entirely too good for me. Rachel steps around me and disappears into the kitchen.
“You fucked that up,” Bo comments, loudly. I turn to glare at him, and everyone is giving me a disapproving look. “Rachel is a nice girl; you’d be lucky to have her attention, Rosco. We can all see you’re attracted to her and she to you. Why are you denying it?”
I scowl at the lot of them not in the mood for them to be matchmaking. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I state firmly. Bo snorts, clearly not believing me. “Stay out of my personal life.”
“What personal life?” Marley quires with a bit of snark in her voice. “When’s the last time you went on a date?” I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “I’ve never known of you going out with anyone.” She’s hitting much too close to the mark.
“Just because I don’t tell you about it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen,” I grouse, more than ready for this conversation to be over.
Marley gives me a look that says she knows I’m lying. She’s known me for about a year but can read me like a damn book. That’s just wrong. Bo and Dalton have always been able to read my mind. Now my sister-in-law can, too? Am I that transparent?
Fuck! Life isn’t fair, but I already know that.
“Rosco, you know we all care about you.” Marley steps closer placing her hand on my arm. “You don’t have to be Mr. Tough-Guy all the time, not with us.”
“It’s time to open the doors,” I mumble turning away. I’m done with this conversation, and I’m done with their meddling. I’m fine. I don’t need them trying to fix me.
