Chapter 2
Lauralee Knot
“Don’t look, okay?” I request in a panic.
Besides the plastic painfully burrowing into my stomach, the cool air of the room blows over my ass, causing goose bumps to populate across my skin.
I reach around my back and lower the hem of my T-shirt down to cover my bare butt.
I don’t think he can see anything else, but I have a feeling I’ll never live this down.
“I’m not looking, Lauralee.” Baylor Greene is back—in town, in my bed mostly naked, and now probably ogling my ass.
Now I’m left reeling that I’ve exposed even more due to the Olympic-worthy hurtling of my body across the room. I might have been successful in hiding the vibrator, but it makes it worse that I was busted and didn’t even get off earlier.
I’ve lost inspiration. And I was too tired from the long day to chase it. I drop my forehead to the mattress and close my eyes, unsure how long I’ll need to remain in this position. “Are you looking?” He chuckles. “This isn’t funny, Baylor.”
“It’s kind of funny.”
I slide my head to the side to see if he’s looking.
He’s facing away from me, showing off the definition of his broad shoulders and back, and muscular ass and legs familiar with working out.
He’s a freaking Adonis standing there like it’s no big deal that I, a mere mortal in his presence, am being granted permission to stare at a Roman god on earth.
I drop my head down again, needing to collect myself.
The front never did disappoint. That rugged, hard jawline of his, and a perfect nose that still holds one of the things that makes him even more attractive—the slightest of dents near the bridge from a rodeo accident at thirteen.
But it’s the blue eyes that run in his family, competing with the Texas summer sky and always vying for attention.
I’d almost forgotten how potent even a glance from him could be. I foolishly thought we’d made the faintest connection at Chris’s reception a few years back. Guess we didn’t since nothing came of it afterward.
Baylor Greene made me feel special when I was caught in the headlights of his attention. But I wasn’t, I suppose, or there would have been more to the story instead of him returning to his life in New York City and forgetting all about me.
I roll over and sit up on the edge of the bed, setting my vibrator in the top drawer of the nightstand and shutting it.
I move to my overnight duffel on the floor and pull out a pair of boy-cut underwear and slip them on.
No way am I sleeping in a bra just because he showed up. “Okay, you can look. ”
You would have thought I’d said you can fuck me with your eyes by how he turns around and takes me in from head to toe and back up again.
I cross my arms over my chest to hide my peaked nipples and jut my hip out.
“Were you going to tell me I was showing off everything when I landed on the bed or just stare?”
The tip of his tongue rolls over his bottom lip, and he smirks. “Figured all was fair since you got a good gander at me.”
“Was this after I kicked your ass?”
He chuckles again. “I’m not upset that you know how to defend yourself. Though, check on me tomorrow. I have a feeling this will stick around a few days.”
Thunder rolls over the top of the building, rattling the windows. I duck my head, knowing it won’t save me from anything. Looking at him again, I say, “I’d almost forgotten it was storming.”
“I can be distracting.”
“Especially when you’re breaking and entering.”
“Yeah,” he says on a heavy sigh, “I should have knocked. It was raining and?—”
“It’s okay. You didn’t know anyone would be here.” I shift, tugging on the hem of my shirt. It’s not the sexiest outfit to be seen in by a long shot, but this is Christine’s brother. Who needs to be sexy for him? “Morning is coming sooner than I like.”
“Is that a hint?”
“Not so subtle, huh?” Swinging my hand toward the bed, I ask, “Should we try this again?”
Thumbing over his shoulder, he replies, “I can sleep out here if you want more alone time.” His cheeks split open in a wide, devious grin .
I roll my eyes. “It’s way too early for this, Greene.”
“And here I was just getting started, Knot.”
Marching toward him, I stop and stand toe-to-toe with the big guy.
He’s at least six-three to my five-five, judging by how I fit neatly under his chin.
I hold his gaze for a few seconds, then grin while cocking my brow.
“I have no problem keeping my own company.” I poke him in the chest. “Unlike you.”
I flip out the light and return to the other side of the bed.
Sitting, I dip my legs under before flopping on my back and tugging the covers up to my chin.
Baylor’s silent, which must be new for him, I imagine.
But then his steps cross the room. When he lies down like a log falling in the forest, I fall against his side.
His arm comes around me too quick for me to escape, and his chest vibrates under my cheek. “If you wanted to snuggle, you could have asked. I’m always happy to oblige a woman with desires that need to be met.”
“Ick.” I shove myself off his hard body. “Just . . . no. I had no option. You sucked me into your void.” Anchoring the ball of my feet against his legs, I finally have the leverage to move back to the other side of the bed.
“Sucked you in, or did you gravitate into my rotation?”
I turn my back to him, rolling as far away as I can get.
Balancing precariously on the edge of the bed, I shake my head.
“For the tiniest moment in time, I almost forgot what a jerk you were. Thanks for the reminder.” I close my eyes and settle in, hoping to get at least two more hours of sleep before I need to get up early to prepare for the Saturday morning crowd.
Lightning startles me, and my eyes fly open to catch the tail end of the window lit up from the outside before it goes dark again. I release a slow breath, and whisper, “I hate storms like this.”
There’s no reply or snappy comeback. I can just hear Baylor breathing before he says, “The offer still stands.”
My heartbeat thumps heavier in my chest as the thought of being held in strong arms and falling asleep next to someone speaks to the loneliness I’ve been feeling so much more lately. But it’s Baylor . . . and he’s annoying.
I scooch backward just a bit, tired of using my core to hold me on the edge of the bed. “We’re not sleeping together.”
“Then come closer and let me hold you.” I hate how tempting that particular offer is since I really do hate summer storms here in the Hill Country. “Nothing will happen, Lauralee. I promise.” The mattress shifts under me, and his hands slip around my waist. And I don’t stop him.
He stills, but the heat from his hands makes me tempted to squirm.
“Okay,” I whisper. He pulls me against his chest, my back warming from the contact.
His breath caresses my neck, and he whispers against the shell of my ear, “Unless you want it to.”
“I knew you couldn’t resist saying that.” I try to push out of his arms, but they’re wrapped around my middle like an unbreakable lock.
He laughs. “I’m kidding. I mean, if you want to do something, I’m up for it, but I promise you’re safe with me if you don’t.”
“I don’t.” Firm. Clear. Decisive.
“Then it’s settled. Tonight, we’ll stay platonic.”
I hate how much I like the feel of him around me.
No giving in , I silently remind myself.
Baylor Greene is the last person in Peachtree Pass I should be having sex with.
Even if there aren’t currently many, or any , other options.
Technically, he’s from New York these days— Ugh!
No. Before I can change my mind, I reply, “Perfect.”
“Yeah,” he adds as if he must get the last word in, “perfect.”
“What do you mean tonight? That makes it sound like we might not stay platonic another night.”
“Never say never.”
I barely stop the small grin wanting to grow. Pursing my lips to the side, I say, “Never, Baylor.”
He sighs, the laughter almost all gone. “Received loud and clear.” But then he kisses the top of my head like we’re more than just platonic friends cuddling together because a bad storm rages outside. What is more concerning is that I kind of like it. “Good night, Lauralee.”
And that, too. Dammit.
Never. I remind myself again as if I have no self-control when bumped up against a hot guy’s hard-as-steel and built-to-impress body. Especially because it’s Baylor Greene holding me. Nothing good would come from us hooking up.
I’ve solidified my stance, but I remain right where I am. I can enjoy the creature comforts of his muscly arms latched around me like I’m his for the night without having to overthink it. I close my eyes, holding the covers to my chest, as his warmth blankets my body, and reply, “Good night.”
It could be seconds passing, but the quiet in the room keeps me awake with so much running through my mind about the man behind me that there’s no way to find sleep in these conditions, these blissfully snuggly conditions.
Simply because Baylor isn’t a one-night stand, which I’m not opposed to having.
My thoughts scramble, and my heart starts to race. I part my lips to get more air into my lungs, but I know what the issue is. I just don’t want to accept it.
I want him.
I want Baylor Greene.
God, I’m a terrible person. This is my best friend’s brother.
By that association alone, he’s off-limits.
But would it be so awful for her best friend and brother to be together?
Sexually, of course, and only one time. She doesn’t even need to know about it.
Oh my God, am I talking myself into having sex with him?
Don’t do it, Lauralee.
“Can’t sleep?” Why does he have to sound so rugged and sexy?
“No,” I reply, keeping my voice quieter between us. “You?”
“I was exhausted when I got here, but it seems I have a second wind blowing through my bones.”
I shimmy back just a smidge, tucking myself deeper into his arms, but stop when I feel one of those bones against my backside. Knowing how well-endowed he is after seeing him . . . it , in the flesh, I take a deep breath and exhale even slower.
Would it be so awful?
The tip of his nose just barely glides along the side of my neck. I don’t even think it’s intentional, just him shifting, though I want it to be. “You’re tense. What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing.” I lift my head and punch the pillow supporting it less than his bicep just to throw him off the scent of my discontent. “Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams.”
I can tell by how his body stays firm that he’s not falling asleep anytime soon either. I stare at the window, watching the flashes of lightning and listening to the rain, hoping to find enough tiredness in me to fade into my dreams.
But even with my eyes closed, I’m not getting sleepy, but the opposite. I find my inspiration. Dammit.
I squirm free from his arms and fly out of bed.
“Water? I need water.” I dash out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.
After swinging the door to the freezer wide open, I put my face inside the empty cavern, close my eyes, and try to cool my heated thoughts.
But they’re not going away, so I close the door and turn around, only to have my face captured in his hands.
My breathing is jagged, my heart racing out of my chest. As I stare into his eyes, I know my mission out here is fruitless.
But his lips don’t meet mine. I’m not suddenly pressed to the cold steel fridge and taken advantage of.
No, disappointingly. Instead, he caresses my cheeks with his thumbs, and when his gaze drops to my mouth, he runs the pad of one over my bottom lip.
“I lied,” he says, his voice husky with need and his body pressing against mine.
“About?” I pant.
“Earlier,” he says, his mouth gravitating toward mine. “I was totally looking.”
I want to smile, but I restrain myself under my growing need for him. He may be charming, but I refuse to be like every other woman in his life. What’s the fun in that? “Not every girl would find that charming.”
“It only matters if you find it charming.” Fine . . . he knows how to make me swoon. I’ll give him that. What else I’ll give him remains to be seen.
I slide my arms around his neck because it’s fun to be in his spotlight. The man can have any woman he wants. That he’s looking at me like I’m something special is quite the aphrodisiac.
My smile is easily coaxed despite wanting to feign I’m hard to get. Who am I kidding? I lost inspiration months ago. So when a ridiculously handsome man is delivered right to my bed, who am I to question fate?
All logic and excuses fly out the window. I take hold of his shoulders and press myself against him. Lifting on my toes, I’m just about to kiss him, but stop and whisper, “Hungry?”