Page 46 of Reaper Razed

“You want a drink?” I say, diving out of the seat, fully aware that I’m becoming aroused. I don't think I ever have been before, and the hot tingling sensation between my thighs distracts me. I’m blaming the pregnancy. I’ve never fancied a guy before, ever. I’ve never even had a sexual thought, but now it's all I can think about. Well, when it comes to him, it's all I can think about, and sitting with my legs crossed in front of him isn’t the best way to hide it.

“Sure.”

I grab a Pepsi Max Cherry for me and a beer for him. “Can I have one of those?”

I swap it out for the same as mine. “Sure.”

“Do you paint or draw?”

“I like anything. I’ve done a bit of drawing. Ray says she’ll take me to get some supplies. I suppose we’ll go when she gets back.”

“We can go tomorrow if you like. There’s a tiny art store in Ravenswood, and if they don’t have what I want, they order it for me. We could go for coffee after.”

“I’d really like that.” I grin back at him. What the hell am I thinking? Dude’s not interested in me. He’s just babysitting for me while Ray’s away. Calm yourself down.

I snuggle down on the sofa beside him, and we silently watch the show. He doesn’t say much anyway, but I’m always comfortable when he’s around. He makes me feel safe, but he has a gentleness about him, which for a man of his size is surprising; he’s not really tall, but then again, I’m only five-foot-two.

After watching the show and learning all about watercolour techniques, I must drift off.

I feel weightless. There's a weird sensation of being carried and warm, strong arms around me. I loll back and forth, almost like I’m in water. It's really soothing. The next thing I know, the heat disappears immediately as my back hits the bed. I feel his fingers brush my face as he sweeps my hair back off my cheek.

“Night, love, sweet dreams.” he whispers, and I feel a smile tug at the side of my mouth as I burrow under the covers.

I slept so well last night, and I can smell bacon, so I throw on my bathrobe and trudge out of the bedroom only to find Tank cooking shirtless. I mean, my mouth was watering before, but I’m done for. I’m not sure if it’s my hormones making me feel like this or the man in front of me, just that every inch of him, from the neck down to his jeans, is covered in colourful tattoos, and I want to lick every inch of them. I slide onto the stool by the counter.

“Morning. That smells so good.” Then I blush as I think I may be drooling.

“Good job I made you some then, huh?”

“Are Ray and Steel back yet?”

“Nah, it might be a while, so you’ve got me till they’re back. That okay?”

“Keep cooking me bacon, and I won’t let you leave.” Fuck, why am I flirting with him? Jesus, get your libido under control, woman. I mentally scold myself!

“Ah, bacon’s your kryptonite, duly noted.” He grins again, and there’s a little twinkle in his hazel eyes that takes my breath away. He leans down on the counter so I’m staring straight into his eyes, “So, rather than flowers and chocolates you prefer bacon?” He chuckles to himself.

“I mean, if you wanted to get me chocolates and flowers, I wouldn’t turn my nose up, but you can’t go wrong with bacon.” I blush as I realise I’m still flirting with him.

He barks out a laugh, and it startles me. “Shit, sorry.” He chuckles.

Smiling at him, I tuck my hair behind my ear and glance down at my other hand on the counter. “Don't be. You should laugh more often, it's … nice.”

“Maybe I will!” He winks and goes back to the bacon. Pulling open the cupboards, he grabs the ketchup.

“Can I have the brown one?” I point into the cupboard.

Pulling it out and looking it over, he spins to face me. “What’s this?”

“Try it. It’s amazing! Ray bought it from the UK. She just calls it brown sauce.” I shrug. “It's kind of fruity? tangy? Just try it.”

“You’re not trying to ruin my bacon, are you, so you can have it all?” He casts a suspicious grin at me.

“Me never.” I give him my best innocent face.

“Come on then, let’s try it.” Loading up his bread with bacon and lashings of brown sauce, he leans in his elbows onto the counter in front of me. He takes a massive mouthful and then groans. “Shit, that’s good.” He moans around his mouthful while he chews.

I’m suddenly finding it hard to swallow, and my brain has short-circuited. I reach up and wipe my thumb across the side of his mouth where he’s got a dribble of sauce, and before I can stop myself, I put my thumb in my mouth and suck it. My eyes flutter closed, and as they open, Tank is staring at me.

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