Chapter 11
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. This guy again?
Maybe I would’ve spoken my snarly thoughts out loud if my lips weren’t still tingling from kissing Ray.
That had been the single hottest thing that had ever happened to me.
I might’ve made the first move by grabbing Ray’s shirt and pressing my lips to his, but Ray had immediately taken over and plundered my mouth like the greediest pirate.
And Bobby had to come along and ruin it.
Any minute now, reason would return, and Ray would step back to put distance between us again.
I could almost hear those damn bricks clinking together as the wall went back up.
Damn you, Bobby. Why was he even here? Was everyone obsessed with the lights being on in the art room?
“I was at the guard shack when you called Clint for help.” Bobby hooked his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the exit he needed to walk through immediately while I stood a chance of reigniting the spark between Ray and me.
Wait. Ray had needed help? I looked at him, but he’d given Bobby his full attention. And he hadn’t stepped away from me yet. Why?
Oh. Ohhh. Ohhhhh my god. The answer, thick and long, pressed proudly against my stomach. Ray’s arousal almost felt aggressive, and it made me giddy with pride. I did this to him? Me!
“I appreciate you opening the door for us,” Ray said. “Please tell me you propped it open with something.”
The conversation finally penetrated my lust-fogged brain. We’d been stuck? I sucked in a sharp breath, and Ray pressed his fingers into my hips. Was it reflex or comfort?
“Yeah,” Bobby said, “there was a ruler on the floor, so I wedged it between the door and the doorjamb.”
“That was my bad,” Ray said.
Nodding, Bobby said, “Ah, you’re new. Everyone else knows the handle doesn’t work.”
“If everyone knows, then why isn’t it fixed?” Ray asked.
“Building maintenance isn’t my responsibility. If management doesn’t worry about the stupid handle, why should I?” Bobby turned his full attention to me and grinned wickedly. “This sexy hunk must be the new boyfriend you mentioned. Why’d you get so cagey when I pumped you for more information?”
Ray’s body tensed against mine. Oh no. This looked really fucking bad.
I searched for the right words to diffuse the situation, but my brain misfired like an overloaded circuit board, and I couldn’t focus on anything but the magnificent erection pressed against me.
I stared at Bobby, who raised an impatient eyebrow.
Ray kissed my temple and nuzzled his nose against my ear. “Breathe,” he whispered.
Bobby softened his gaze and smiled sweetly. “Aww, you guys make a cute couple.”
“Thanks. Things are still new between us,” Ray said. His hands slid lower until his fingertips brushed the upper swells of my ass. What was he doing? “So you can understand why we might be stingy with our time and privacy.”
“Yes, I see,” Bobby said, though he clearly didn’t. Instead of getting the hell out of there, he crossed one foot over the other as if settling in for a long chat. “You’re smart to guard your relationship.”
Ray’s body remained impossibly rigid, and I hated to be the source of his stress.
I brushed my hand over his spine, just one long, greedy pass.
The caress elicited a slight shiver, and I worried I’d gone too far until Ray relaxed against me.
Well, everything went slack except his dick.
Pressed so tightly together, there was no way to avoid getting hard too.
I knew the moment Ray felt my reaction because he huffed a soft grunt in my ear.
My insides quaked, and my asshole throbbed.
I bet he’d grunt like that when he shoved that big—
“Kit, I’m sorry about my behavior when I thought you were trying to steal Archer from me,” Bobby said. “I should’ve known better.”
Ugh! This guy! Christ, man, read the room.
“It’s fine,” I said. “We’re cool.” I slid my hand up Ray’s back and left it between his shoulder blades. He gripped my hips tighter, and I decided not to push my luck and used my groping hand to wave off Bobby’s concern. “Water under the bridge. Don’t give it another thought.”
“Thank you.”
If Bobby wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon, I needed to change the subject away from dating and relationships. “What are you even doing here on a Friday night?”
The light in Bobby’s eyes dimmed to something darker, like irritation. “You know how demanding these rich clients can be.” That wasn’t my experience with the residents at all, but before I could respond, Bobby said, “They expect me to drop everything and come running whenever the mood hits.”
“Even on the weekends?” Ray insisted.
Bobby shrugged. “Not typically, but my best-tipping client injured himself on the golf course and needs extra TLC. I didn’t have anything else going on, so why not help the guy out?” He looked at his watch and scowled. “I’d better get going. I don’t want to keep my client waiting. Behave, you two.”
“Bye,” Ray said.
“Don’t lock us back in here,” I added.
“Seems like you were making the best of it before I so rudely interrupted. Sure you don’t want me to lock you in until morning?”
The mere thought caused my heart to race.
“No!” Ray and I yelled in unison.
Bobby’s laughter faded as he walked away.
“I’ll make sure the door handle gets fixed or replaced immediately,” Ray promised as he stepped back. “Boyfriend, huh?”
Groaning, I covered my face. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Bobby thinks you do, and now he’s convinced it’s me.” Ray chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. “Are you sure I don’t owe someone an explanation?”
I tilted my head toward the exit. “Can we have this discussion outside the closet?”
“Of course.” Ray stepped back and gestured for me to lead.
I sucked in a lungful of fresh air like a drama king as soon as I stepped inside the art room.
Then my gaze landed on a paperback book on a table next to a messenger bag.
Life after Loss: When Just Surviving Isn’t Enough.
Reading the title stole my breath and made my heart ache. Oh, Ray, what happened to you?
Forcing my gaze away from the revealing book, I turned and faced Ray.
“Look, I made up that bullshit lie about a fictional boyfriend to get Bobby off my back. He got weird and possessive every time Archer talked to me or even looked in my direction. I just wanted to avoid drama at work.” I tried for a self-deprecating smirk, but it felt more like a sneer.
“The last time I got creative, I lost my job. The boyfriend lie felt harmless.”
“Oh, okay.” Did Ray’s shoulders ease just then? “No smoking hot date tonight, then?”
“Not unless you consider plans to get drinks with my best friend a date. Emma had volunteered to be my wingwoman at a gay bar to help me over the…hump? Dry spell?” Ray’s lobelia eyes turned a darker shade of blue, almost an indigo.
Was that a bit of possessiveness or just wishful thinking?
“But I passed on the idea. We were going to check out a local band at their first gig, but Em had a hair emergency.” When Ray raised an eyebrow in question, I added, “That’s when someone royally screws up their hair during a home treatment and needs a professional to sort it out. ”
Ray blew out a relieved breath. “Ah, I’m glad.”
“That Emma had a hair emergency, or that I decided it would be the perfect night to organize that hot mess in the art supply closet?”
Ray chuckled. “No, I’m glad you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“You are?” Settle down. Don’t get your hopes up.
“Sure,” Ray said. “I’d hate to disrespect another guy by kissing you the way I did.”
No one had ever made me feel as wanted as Ray had, and I refused to regret our kiss.
I didn’t want him to feel guilty about it either.
“There’s nothing to worry about, and listen, kissing you was no hardship.
” Uh-oh. My mouth was slipping its leash and was about to run wild.
Desperate to reel it back in, I said the single worst thing I could at that moment. “It was nice.”
“Nice?” Ray winced and rubbed his sternum. “I’ve been out of practice for a while, so I knew my skills were rusty, but nice?”
“Your dick’s reaction time was impeccable though. You went from zero to a hundred in a flash.” Oh god, oh god, oh god. I’d just made it ten times worse.
Ray dipped his head and chuckled. “Like I said, it’s been a while.”
My gaze darted back to the book. “How long?”
When he raised his head to meet my gaze, I thought Ray was going to answer. But he sighed and shook his head. “I should get going. I’m technically on shift.”
Hoping my disappointment didn’t show in my expression, I said, “I should head out too. I’ve totally lost the mood to spend another minute in that supply closet until it gets fixed.”
Ray shoved his book into his messenger bag, then hoisted the strap over his shoulder. “I’ll put in the work order now and will ride someone’s ass until the handle gets fixed. I’ll keep you posted.”
His phrasing reminded me of how his erection felt pressed against my abdomen. Heat bloomed across my cheeks, and I suddenly felt bold, maybe even a little reckless. “Oh, do you plan to email me or use a carrier pigeon to keep me informed?”
Ray frowned. “What?”
“How will you communicate your results when you work night shifts to avoid me?” I’d meant for the question to sound flippant, but it came out bratty instead. “I guess you could leave a note on my desk.”
Ray tensed, and those gorgeous blue eyes held me locked in place. I couldn’t even breathe as I waited for his response. He blew out a breath and said, “Okay, I have avoided you the past few weeks.”
“I’m sorry I made you feel so uncomfortable.”
Ray shook his head. “It’s not you.”
I snorted. “It’s always me, and it’s okay. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.”
Ray closed the distance between us and kept coming until he backed me up against the table. “You don’t know how wrong you are.”
I tipped my head back to look into his eyes, but they were locked on my mouth again. I’d give almost anything to feel his lips against mine and have his tongue dominate my mouth one more damn time. “How am I wrong?”
“I like you a lot. Too much. But I…I can’t. You deserve so much more than I could ever give you.”
With anyone else, it would’ve sounded like a bullshit line to ease my feelings, but Ray laid his agony bare in his expression. I thought of his book, and my heart ached for the beautiful man. I would’ve done anything, sacrificed everything, to comfort him, even at the expense of my own well-being.
And that’s why I choked down my emotions and offered a smile. “What about friendship?”
Ray sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “I think we both know what would happen.”
“So arrogant,” I teased. “You think I can’t resist your charms?”
He lifted his head, and I immediately missed our connection. “I’m worried I won’t be able to resist yours.” Ray inhaled deeply, then said, “But I really enjoy talking to you. Lunch was a lot of fun.”
My laugh came out shaky as I leaned my forehead against his chest. “Then come back to first shift once in a while so we can have more fun lunches. I’ll work on being less charming.”
“You could try, but I won’t hold my breath,” Ray said. He seemed on the verge of caving in, and I should’ve offered some kind of promise to behave. Instead, I did the absolute worst thing.
“Between the lie I told Bobby and the kiss he witnessed, he’s going to gossip about us all over campus.”
“I don’t care what people say about me.” Ray’s strong hands landed on my hips again. “I’d hate for you to take the brunt of the fallout though.”
“So come back. Have lunch with me.” I waggled my eyebrows. “We’ll give them something to talk about.”
Ray chuckled and stepped back. “I don’t know about that last part, but lunches at the pond sound great. It might take time to rework my shifts, but I’ll be back. I promise.”
I wanted so badly to seal his vow with a kiss, but I stuck out my pinky finger instead. Ray hooked his around mine, and we shook.
“God, you’re fucking adorable,” he said.
Hope had no fucking business planting her little seeds in my heart, but she did it anyway. We turned off all the lights, and then I shut and locked the art room door. I needed to get my stuff from my office, so I walked to the admin building with him.
“I want to talk about your new mode of transportation,” Ray said.
“Blanche! Oh my god, I love her so much.”
“Too bad. She needs to go.”
“Hell no. I bought Blanche free and clear, and she drives like a dream. I’ve never felt more liberated than when I straddle her.”
Ray released a strangled breath, or maybe he wheezed.
“Jealous?”
“Absolutely,” he admitted. “But that isn’t why Blanche—” Ray stopped suddenly and moved in front of me to block my way. “Why that name?”
“I named her after the most famous Golden Girl. Blanche would absolutely wear a shiny dressing gown in that color.”
Ray tilted his head to the side to consider it before meeting my gaze. “Okay, the name makes sense, but risking your life on the scooter doesn’t.”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s June. We get a ton of storms,” Ray said.
“I pay attention to the forecast and borrow a vehicle from my parents on the days it rains or storms.”
“Pop-up storms and showers happen all the time with this humidity,” Ray countered.
“I know, but so far, it hasn’t been a problem.”
Ray’s hands went to my hips again, fitting as if they’d been designed to rest there.
“So far isn’t a solid plan to keep you safe.
” He closed his eyes for a few seconds before meeting my gaze again.
Ray’s agonized expression stirred the same devastation as when I saw the title of his book.
God, what had he lived through? “I know I’m giving you all kinds of mixed signals, and I’m sorry.
I just have a thing about keeping the people I care about safe. ”
“Me?”
“I need you safe,” Ray said. “Please.”
Oh god. “I’ll try to come up with something else to drive.” I held up my hand before Ray could speak. He wasn’t the only one with a tumultuous life. “It has to be on terms I can live with and payments I can afford. It might not be tomorrow or even next week, but I will get a safer vehicle.”
Ray’s relief was a palpable thing. His breath came easier, his tension eased, and he planted a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you.”
The hopeful seeds sprouted in my heart, leaving me breathless.