Chapter Twelve
Memphis
Istop her the only way I know how. I kiss her.
I slide my hand around to cup her head so I can bring those lips I’ve not stopped thinking about closer and take her mouth with my own.
This time I don’t pull back and let myself actually sample her lips like they’re a fine wine.
Tentatively, she starts kissing me back, shy little kisses that begin with the faintest pressure.
“Open your mouth for me, baby girl,” I mumble it against her lips and am unprepared for her to pull away from me.
“I…um…,” she gives me a little head shake that has my brow shooting up.
I know she feels this thing between us. So why is she suddenly retreating and trying to deny it?
“This is not a good idea.” She tries to move off my lap, but all she manages to do is wiggle around on my very hard cock. “This is a very bad idea.”
I help her into her seat and move mine back to the place it was before.
I pull the car back out on the road without saying a word.
She doesn’t speak either. What the hell?
Why would she think we’re a bad idea? Is it because of the power dynamic between us?
I have no problem helping her discover she’s got all the power.
Hell, I’m not one of those guys that need to be the one calling all the shots, even if I do call her baby girl.
That’s just because I want to take care of her.
I realize she doesn’t need me to - and in truth - that makes me want to do it even more.
It makes me like her even more. I don’t doubt she could have taken those two men in the hallway, but the point is she doesn’t have to.
The way she beat the hell out of the guy with her cast…
yeah, it was fucking hot and made me want her ten times as much.
Is it because she doesn’t think she can handle a relationship right now with all the shit going on around her? Maybe, but I don’t think it’s that. A thought forms in my head that has me looking over at her and really studying the woman who literally fell into my life.
We pull into the long driveway leading up to the cabin before I can fully explore what’s rattling around in my head. I look over at her to find her worrying her plump bottom lip.
“We’re here. It’s at the end of this.”
She doesn’t answer me but just keeps biting at her lower lip the entire time we go up the winding path. When I pull up at the two-story cabin, I step out and go around to help her.
As soon as she’s out of the car, she verbally explodes, “I’m sorry. I…,”
“No, no, no. Don’t ever be sorry about telling me what you like or don’t like, or what you need or want. If things weren’t going the way you want them to, you do exactly what you did.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Not even a little bit, baby.” To show her I’m not mad, I take her by the hand and place a gentle, quick kiss on her upturned lips before stepping back. “Let’s get you inside and in bed.”
Her eyes widen a little, but I don’t give her time to overthink the statement. When I hit the lights, it’s to find her eyes taking everything in with her mouth open just a little. Damn, she’s cute.
“This is a little cabin?”
“It’s what we call the little cabin, yeah.
It’s a lot smaller than the one we call The Big House.
This one is where my dad and the chief would stay when they would come up here for fishing or hunting trips.
And when the whole family came, we would give Chief this one so he didn't feel like he was being bombarded with all the kids and craziness that tends to go on with our family.”
“You know the Chief well?”
I nod and give her a smirk at the memories that pop up. “He and Dad worked together before Dad had his heart attack and retired. He coached my little league team for years. He’s almost my uncle.”
“You pretty much grew up in that world, huh?”
“Let’s just say it wasn’t hard to find a mentor or how to go about getting my badge.”
“That must be nice. Having people you can go to, who have known you your whole life.”
Well, shit. The way she says it is so wistful that it makes me wonder what kind of life she had growing up.
I’ve looked up enough to find out she has brothers and spent a lot of time with her grandmother, but I want to know more.
I want to learn everything about her. She could easily become an obsession.
I’ve never been like this with anyone. Never thought about someone every minute I’m away from them. Never wanted to find out what someone was thinking and feeling and sharing every little thing that happens during the time they’re away. I’ve never been obsessed. Until Waverly.
She changes everything.
I step closer for one more kiss, take one more soft touch but before I can land my mouth on hers the door of the cabin is thrown open and I’m moving to make sure she is behind me.
Instinct has me reaching for my gun before the person throwing the door open steps inside into the light.
And that makes me lower my gun and roll my eyes.
Standing in the doorway is none other than my baby brother. Boston.
“What the hell, Boston?”
“See, I told you I should go in first.” He’s not talking to me. A smaller figure steps into the light.
Sadie.
I would be angrier if I didn’t see Waverly rush to her and both girls laugh and hug one another.
“Didn’t think you were the only one who remembers the old cabin, now did you?”
If he wasn’t my brother…