Chapter 19
Duke stifled a yawn as he ushered Suzy into his home. Night had fallen, stars dotting the black sky, but the hour wasn’t too late. He didn’t want to go to sleep. Didn’t want to watch Suzy duck into his bedroom while he claimed the couch.
Not like he’d get much sleep anyway. Not with her so damn close.
But he wanted more time. More conversation. More Suzy.
He set the alarm then slid off his shoes. “How about some dessert?”
“What? You have more chocolate covered peanuts for me?”
Swishing his lips to the side, he tried to remember what he had in the kitchen that would pass for a sweet treat. “I don’t think so, but I do have some ice cream.”
She grinned. “Sold.”
He placed his hand on the small of her back and ushered her down the hall, flipping on lights as he went. “Take a seat at the island. I’ll grab the bowls and scoop it out.”
She hopped onto the stool and propped her elbows on the marble top. “I always get such good service here.”
He smirked over his shoulder before retrieving the dishes and finding a container of cookies and cream in the freezer. “Get used to it because I don’t plan to stop.”
Her smile stayed in place, but something flashed in her eyes. “I hope not.”
His stomach dropped. A hint of doubt painted her words. He filled their bowls then sat beside her, turning to face her. “Do you think I’ll stop treating you right?”
She slid the ice cream filled spoon in her mouth. “I think this is new and as much as I want to tell myself to just live in the moment and see how it goes, I can’t stop playing the what-ifs in my head.”
“Okay, then let me play with you?”
“Are you sure?”
“I know I suck at games, but I think luck might be on my side on this one.”
Putting her spoon in her bowl she shifted so their knees touched. “What if you acted on your feelings for me because of the excitement of everything happening?”
“You call being in the middle of this shitstorm exciting?”
She huffed out a small laugh. “Dangerous, exciting, adrenaline rush…whatever you want to call it. Some people find situations like this intoxicating, addicting. Especially people who built a career riding bulls...and now that’s gone.”
Her words slammed against him, knocking the air from his lungs. “Do you really think I’m chasing a high with you? That what I’m feeling—what I’m telling you—isn’t real and it’ll all pass?”
The tiny lift of her shoulder pierced his heart like a dagger. How was it possible to believe so strongly he’d found his place in this world only for the two people he was closest to in Hillmore doubt him and his intentions?
He fought the urge to run, to pace, to put space between them. If he wanted to prove to Suzy that he was the man she needed in her life, he had to show it. Even if that meant swallowing his pride and laying all his cards on the table.
He folded her hands in his and dipped his chin to keep her gaze locked on him. “I want you to really hear me. I didn’t develop feelings because of the situation we’re in. I felt a spark from the first second I met you.”
“You did? Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t want to mess things up with Lane.
Our business, hell even our friendship, was new and going after you would piss him off.
What I realized was I don’t care if it upset him.
You’re special, Suzy, in so many ways. You’re warm and kind, funnier than anyone I’ve ever met.
When I’m with you, a sense of peace washes over me.
I don’t want to chase the next big thing because nothing is bigger or better than what’s happening between us. ”
Tears dotted her long dark lashes. “There’s never been anyone in my life who hasn’t left me to find more.”
An ache split his heart in two. “Then they were all fools. I hate that the men before me didn’t treat you right, but I can’t be mad they’re not here anymore.”
Frowning, she reared back her head. “Excuse me?”
“Because it gave me a chance to shower you with all the affection you deserve. To show you how a real man treats the woman he’s falling for.”
“You’re falling for me?”
“Darlin’, I’ve been falling for months, and I’ll keep on falling every day. I’m here for you. Not because of danger or chasing a high. But because you hold my heart in your pretty little hand.”
She squeezed his hands and leaned forward so her lips hovered inches from his. “Then I’ll do everything I can to protect it and keep it safe.”
“That’s all I need to know.” Erasing the distance between them, he pressed his lips to hers. They hadn’t figured everything out, but he hoped he’d at least eased some of her fears.
She moved her mouth against his. Her hands slipped from his to rest on his thighs, her fingers splayed around the stiff material of his jeans to grip his muscles.
He slid a hand up the back of her neck, his forearm braced on the counter beside him. His heart beat in his ears and desire ignited deep in his soul. But it was more than just her body he desired. He wanted all of her.
He forced his mouth from her full lips and pressed kisses along her jawline. “Your dessert’s going to melt.”
A small moan purred from her throat and her grip on his legs tightened, inching up little by little. “I think I want something sweeter than the ice cream.”
“Oh yeah?” He nibbled on her ear, grinning when a shudder shook her shoulders. “And what’s that?”
“You.”
That’s all it took to break the thin leash holding him back. He stood and scooped her off the stool. She wrapped her legs around his waist, bringing her frustratingly close against him. “I wanted to wine and dine you, but pizza and ice cream will have to do.”
She framed her palms on his face, the touch of her skin branding him. “Honey, I didn’t need you to do a darn thing but show up and kiss the heck out of me.”
“Now that’s something I can handle.” He carried her to his bedroom, his mouth sealed on hers. He’d do a whole lot more than kiss her tonight and he couldn’t wait one minute longer.
The first seconds of awareness penetrated the haze of sleep keeping Suzy’s eyes sealed shut. She snuggled closer to Duke, her body still humming from last night.
Duke’s arm hooked around her waist, and he buried his face in her neck. “It’s not time to wake up yet.”
“Agreed.” She inhaled the scent of him. The musky hint of evergreens clung to his skin. She grazed her bare toe up his calf as she replayed all the ways he’d taken her to higher places.
All the ways she wanted to pick up where they’d left off.
“You keep doing that and more sleep is the last thing I’ll be worried about.”
“Rest isn’t really on my mind right now.” Opening her eyes, she stared up at him. Dark whiskers lined his jaw. She skimmed her index finger along the rough hairs and grinned. “But if you aren’t up for it, I can just forget it.”
He gripped her wrist, pinning her hand in place above her head. He shifted to hover over her. “Oh, I think I’m up for whatever you have in mind.”
She wiggled, trying to capture his mouth, but he dipped his face to nip at her collarbone then trailed a hot blaze of kisses down the center of her chest. Heat scorched her cheeks then traveled lower in her belly.
The fact that she’d waited so long for this might be one of the biggest regrets of her life. Duke had spent hours cherishing her, holding her, loving her. She believed his words, believed his intentions. And she couldn’t wait to peel back even more layers of this man who meant so damn much to her.
An insistent buzzing interrupted the moment. She stilled, trying to place the sound. “What’s that?”
Bracing his body with his forearms on either side of her, Duke raised his head and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
As much as her body yearned for him to continue, she couldn’t ignore the sound. “You don’t hear that buzzing? Is it a phone?”
He glanced at the nightstand and winced. “Shit. I left my phone in my pants pocket. Give me a second.”
He rolled off the bed and stalked to the spot where he’d shed his clothes the night before.
She propped her head on her fist and enjoyed the view. She hoped whoever was on the other line wouldn’t take too much of Duke’s time.
Snatching the pants from the floor, he plunged his hand into one of the pockets and pulled out his phone. The buzzing stopped, but the scowl on Duke’s face deepened. “It was Heather. I should call her back.”
Suzy burrowed into the soft covers and rested her cheek on the pillow. “Of course. I’ll just keep this bed nice and warm until you can come join me again.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure this is quick so don’t get too comfortable laying there without me.” His fingers flew over the screen as he made his way back to her. He used one hand to press the speaker button and hold the phone between them while the other brushed hair from out of her eyes.
“Hey,” Heather said when she answered. “Are you with Mom?”
Duke frowned. “No, why would I be?”
Suzy noted the concern in Heather’s voice and sat up, pulling the covers across her chest. The tinny taste of fear danced on her tongue.
“She went down to the cafeteria to get us some breakfast. She’s been gone a while, so I called, and she won’t answer. She should have been back by now.”
“Sometimes the reception isn’t the best in the hospital,’ Duke said. “And the place is like a maze. I’m sure she got lost. You know how she is with directions. She probably got turned around and doesn’t want to bother anyone to ask how to get back to your room.”
Duke’s tightened muscles and the quickened pace of his words was enough to tell Suzy he was more concerned than he wanted to admit.
Suzy jumped out of bed and yanked open the drawer where she’d stored her clothes. She pulled out the first thing she found, dressing as quickly as possible.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Heather said, a slight shake in her voice. “But can you come by? She’ll probably show up before you get here, but we’ll need a ride to your place once I’m discharged anyway. I already had my CT so I’m just waiting for the results before they spring me loose.”
“Suzy and I will be there as fast as possible. Try not to worry too much.” He disconnected and shoved a hand through his hair. “Shit.”
Suzy hurried to the bed and tipped up his chin until their eyes met. “Don’t worry until you have to. Like you said to your sister, your mom probably got turned around or stopped to chat to a friendly face.”
He circled his arms around her and crushed her to him, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He sucked in a large breath then blew it back out before letting her go again. “I hope you’re right. If my mom gets hurt because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.”
She didn’t respond, there was nothing she could say to calm his fears until he laid eyes on Dorthy and saw for himself that she was okay. Until then, she’d hold back her own fears. That if something did happen to Duke’s mom, he’d regret spending the night in Suzy’s arms.