Kilty Pleasure (20 page)

Each squeeze and pull of those strong fingers sent tingles of pleasure through her. Drowsiness and arousal warred as she gave herself completely over to his hands.

When she was boneless and her mind was calm, she gave a soft sigh.

He lifted his hands from her shoulders and she immediately missed their presence.

Despite her earlier protest that she wouldn’t go to bed with him tonight, she knew if he tried to initiate sex now she wouldn’t stop him.

“Colin…”

He walked around the couch and sat down beside her. Catching her hand, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“I’ll not make love to you tonight, Hailey.”

Make love.
She drew in an unsteady breath, struggling against disappointment and a tiny bit of relief. She watched him from beneath her lashes. “Are you sure? I feel guilty—”

“You have nothing to feel guilty about, sweetheart. Tonight was about you.” He stroked her knuckles.

“What if I wanted you to?”

“Then I’d still say no.” His determination visibly wavered and he groaned. “Though it would be hard. But I’ll keep my promise. I enjoy spending time with you, Hailey. In and out of the bedroom.”

“I do too.” The admission was made softly. She knew it was pushing the boundaries on their sex-only relationship.

“The Bid on a Bachelor auction is on Friday. Will you come?”

She’d heard about that auction in the past. Had laughed at it. Scoffed at the whole idea. Now, to be personally invited by one of the most sought-after bachelors—a McLaughlin brother—had her pulse skipping. Sent a wave of longing through her.

“I’ll try.”

“I hope you can make it. Have a good, deep sleep. Hopefully you’ll feel better in the morning.” He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear as he murmured, “And if you can’t wait until Friday, then give me a call tomorrow night.”

She laughed past the butterflies in her stomach. “Okay.”

He kissed her cheek, squeezed her hand, and then disappeared out the front door. She closed it behind him and leaned against the wood frame.

What the hell had just happened? Tonight had been like something out of a ’50s’ sitcom. Well, maybe not completely, because
she
would’ve been cooking and cleaning for him.

There’d been something—some kind of old-fashioned thing—going on. He’d been so romantic. Sweet. Endearing. Selfless.

Warmth spread through her and she touched the quickening pulse in her neck. Vaguely aware of the silly smile on her face, she froze.

Oh God.

Despite her intent to keep her heart out of it, she was officially falling for Colin.

Colin checked his phone for the fifth time during his shift and then set it back down.

She wasn’t going to call.

He’d thrown out that offer about coming over tonight seriously, but knowing it was possible she wouldn’t take him up on it.

Why would she? Surely sex was the last thing on her mind right now. Though, hopefully, she wasn’t in nearly as dark a place as when he’d seen her at the hospital.

He would be surprised if she were, though. When he’d left her house she seemed to be in better spirits. A little drowsy and relaxed. Maybe a bit aroused—he’d have to be completely daft to have missed that.

Aye, he wasn’t a fool. Maybe a fool to leave when he could’ve spent the night with her in his arms, but he wasn’t sure he trusted himself not to try and make love to her. And he was a man of his word.

A quick glance at the clock showed it was time to head back for a requested meeting with his superior.

He only hoped it wasn’t shite news. Not that he suspected it would be—he was a solid employee.

Taking a left at the next small road, he drove the cruiser back to the precinct.

When he left the building to head home a half hour later, a dazed smile played on his face.

Well now, that was a good surprise. All things considered, not a bad day in the end.

Hailey’s text came in just as he was pulling into his driveway.

He opened the message and held his breath.

I’m taking you up on your offer. If you’re not too tired, I’d love you to come over.

His grin widened. And apparently this day was about to get better.

“I’m glad you came over.”

Shite, after the orgasm he’d just had? So was he. Though it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d asked him over simply to talk again. He would’ve driven the distance to see her. To hell with the gas cost and miles he was putting on his car.

Hailey lay in arms, her cheek pressed against his chest as he traced the curves of her satiny-soft back.

“Thank you for inviting me. It was hard as fuck to leave you last night.”

She laughed softly. “I know. And yet I respect you so much more for doing it.”

“Do you?”

“Absolutely.” She drew a finger over the muscles in his chest. “How was your day at work?”

“Not bad, actually. I’ve just accepted a position as a detective in the precinct.”

“Detective? Really?” She lifted her head to stare at him. “Congratulations. That’s great, isn’t it?”

“Oh aye. I’d applied and was interviewed—had hoped for the best, but wasn’t certain I would get the position.”

“But you did, because you’re amazing.”

He laughed softly. “Amazing, hmm? Thank you.”

“So…detective? What does that mean? You investigate random things?”

“I’ll be investigating sex crimes and child abuse.”

The light in her eyes dimmed some. “Oh wow. That sounds kind of heavy. Are you up for it?”

“Absolutely. I look forward to helping put those bastards away. Bastards like Charles Richland.”

“I’m not sure I know him. Who’s he?”

“You’ve truly not heard?”

“Apparently not.” Her mouth curved into a frown, and unease flickered in her gaze. “Fill me in?”

Seeing no way to break it to her gently, he murmured, “He’s the man who tried to rape Kenzie.”

“Oh my God.”
Hailey jerked out of his arms and sat upright. “When did this happen?”

“Shortly after you graduated high school, I believe. He was stopped when Ian came upon the pair. Ian beat the living shite out of the man. Nearly killed him.”

“That’s why he served time,” she murmured, awareness dawning in her eyes. “I’d heard he went to jail, but didn’t know more than it was due to a near-deadly assault.”

“Aye.” And it could’ve been any of the brothers who’d been in Ian’s shoes that night. If he or Aleck had discovered their sister being attacked, Charles Richland wouldn’t have fared any better.

“I never knew. Poor Kenzie.” Hailey hesitated, appearing almost distressed. “I never would’ve guessed. She seems…”

“She’s come through fairly well, aye. But I know she struggles with the fear of being attacked again. She doesn’t date.”

“Never?”

“Maybe once or twice over the years, but nothing serious. If a man gets too flirtatious while she’s working at the bar, she sometimes panics a bit.”

“Really?”

“She doesn’t admit any of this, but we see it in her eyes. Her demeanor. She’s not the same. The old Kenzie used to be—”

“—a total flirt and confident with men,” Hailey finished for him. “I remember. I envied her and how easily men were drawn to her. Like a magnet.”

“She still can do, but wants no part of it now.”

“That’s so awful. I’m so sorry that happened to her. And her attempted rapist is just walking free?”

“Aye. His father’s a respected judge and her reputation at the time wasn’t necessarily bad, but she was known to flirt.”

“Still, that’s not an invitation to be raped. What an asshole.”

“And that asshole has probably succeeded in raping other women,” he said grimly. “I’ve no doubt about it. I hope to help take him, as well as other slimebags, off the streets.”

She lay back down and cuddled against him. “That’s awful. I don’t understand how these guys can walk free. It’ll catch up with him.”

“Aye. It will.”

They were silent for a long while, both lost in their own thoughts. The edge was taken off his newly dark mood by the way she kept sliding her foot against his calf.

“I think you’ll be great in this detective position, Colin.” She pressed a kiss to his chest. “You sound like you’re a pretty incredible cop.”

“Thank you. I try.”

She dropped another kiss, this time on his nipple, and his body stirred fully to life once more.

“You’re also a really sexy cop.”

“Mmm, you think so? Or are you trying to take me out of my suddenly shite mood.”

“Both.” She moved her head down to drop a kiss on his abs. “Is it working?”

“Might need a little bit more distraction.” Maybe he was a bloody jerk, but he couldn’t resist threading his fingers into her hair and urging her downward.

“I can help with that.” And then her mouth was on his cock and his thoughts scattered, leaving only pleasure.

She showed no signs of slowing down in her sweet torment, even as he grew closer to release. For a moment, he thought about not stopping her, but all it took was imagining the feel of being inside her again, and he was easing her mouth off his erection.

“Sweetheart, I love what you’re doing. But—”

“I know. And please tell me you have more than that one condom, because I don’t have any.”

“I’ve another two in my jeans pockets.”

She was off the bed and grabbing them in a heartbeat. The sight of her cute little arse in his face, though, had the plan in his head changing.

When he had the condom on she tried to straddle him, but he gently eased her back and onto her hands and knees.

“Really? Like this?” She gave a throaty laugh, but didn’t protest. “You surprise me, Colin.”

“Do I?” He knelt behind her and gave the cheek of her arse a light swat. “Well, let me stick around a while and I promise you’ll be surprised more often than you think.”

He buried himself inside her, holding off her reply. And when she finally did, it was in the form of a low, guttural moan.

She gripped the sheets and her sex clenched his cock. He let out a hiss of pleasure, not even trying to talk now. Which was probably better, because as he thrust hard into her the feel of her slick flesh made discussion impossible.

The only thought registering in his head right now was how completely gutted he was going to be when she finally tired of him and moved on to another bloke.

Chapter Sixteen

An hour later when they were spent and spooning, Colin debated whether or not he should get up and leave—because surely she would kick him out soon anyway.

“You thought about Friday?” he asked, delaying the inevitable for a moment.

“What, the auction? I’m really going to try and make it.”

“You should.”

“Are you hoping I’ll bid on you?” she teased. “Because, I’ve got to say, I’ve heard some of the going rates for all you bachelors and I’ve spent less on a computer.”

“Ah, well you must buy the cheap ones.”

She jabbed her elbow into his rib cage. “Don’t judge. I refuse to pay four figures for a computer, or a man.”

“Ha.” He let out a short burst of laugher and slid his hand up to cup a breast. “Well what if I could get you a going rate on the man.”

She moaned as he thumbed her nipple, and pressed her bottom back against him. “I can get you for free anytime, baby.”

Her drowsy words knocked around in his head. Aye, she could have him anytime. They were in a legitimate, sex-only relationship.

It was so out of his realm he still wasn’t sure what the hell he was doing. Or if he even liked it. Well, clearly he liked some parts of it.

“You sleeping over?”

Was she asking or berating? “I don’t have to.”

“No, you don’t have to.” She pulled his other hand up to cup her free breast. “But it’s cool if you want to.”

“It’s cool, is it?” His lips twitched with amusement and pressed a kiss to the back of her neck. Was that the closest to an invitation he’d get?

“Mmm hmm.”

“I’ll stay then.” Truth be told he wasn’t sure he trusted himself to drive with how exhausted he was. It was late and they’d already made love twice.

“Good.”

“Careful. I might think you’re getting serious about me,” he couldn’t resist teasing, nibbling on the spot between her neck and shoulders.

She didn’t answer. It was much too fast for her to have fallen asleep, which meant maybe she was thinking about that last comment quite heavily.

The interesting bit was she didn’t rebuke it. With that food for thought, Colin rolled her onto her back and kissed his way down her belly to the softness between her thighs.

With her cries of pleasure growing, and her fingers tugging at his hair, he vowed he’d win her over to the idea, one way or another.