Simple Man (20 page)

“Okay.”

“I mean it. I’m not a complicated guy. When I say something I mean it. I don’t want anyone else.”

Her smile grew confident. “Me neither.”

Her words shouldn’t have hit him so hard, but they did. She wanted him. He drew in a deep breath and released it. This was going to be a long night.

When the food arrived they moved to the kitchen table to eat. They were on their second glass of wine and discussing various things like where Kate went to school, where she grew up.

“I have an older sister who lives in Tennessee.”

“What’s in Tennessee?” he asked as he worked through his shrimp and rice.

“Her husband. He’s in the Army Reserves. They moved there after he finished his time in Italy. They made friends there so they sort of stuck around.”

“What about your sister with the two kids?”

“That’s Melissa. She lives just outside of Tobin County.”

It occurred to him he had no idea where she lived. “Not to sound stupid, but where do you live?”

“In Columbus. I have a small ranch house. Nothing special. It’s just me so…”

His brows lifted. “You own your own home? That sounds pretty special to me. Don’t discredit it. Some people spend their entire lives trying to own a home.”

“Well, I mean, I have a mortgage. It won’t technically be mine until I’m in my fifties.”

“Still an accomplishment. I told you how we used to have a nice house, but after my parents died and the money ran out, we couldn’t make the payments and the bank foreclosed. I know how hard it is to own a home.”

“What did you do when you lost the house?”

That had been such a scary time. Noel was only fifteen, three more years until she was an adult. If he couldn’t put a roof over her head, the state would have taken her. “That’s when we moved to Lakota.”

“When did you get the trailer?” she asked.

“When Noel turned eighteen and could be on her own.”

Her expression tightened at the mention of his sister. “Were you close?”

“Yes and no. Noel was different. She was smart, but acted entitled in a lot of ways. She definitely had her little sister moments. But when I think back, think about all the times I thought she was just being annoying…now I see it differently.”

“Differently how?”

“Like she was trying to get closer to me.” His fork pushed around the peas in his rice, sorting them away from the edible parts. “I wasn’t always a good brother.”

“You were young.”

“That’s no excuse. The last night I saw her she came looking for help. We had a fight and she left mad. I tried to find her afterward. I looked for months. You’d think in this day and age it would be impossible to lose someone, with all the technology out there. But once her phone got shut off and none of her friends knew where she went, I didn’t know where to turn. Then out of the blue there was an officer at my door.”

“How much time passed?”

“Eight months. I didn’t even know about Logan.”

Her eyes bulged. “What?”

He shook his head. “Last time I saw her she dropped the bomb that she was pregnant. She wanted money for an abortion. I guess she changed her mind.” His stomach tightened painfully. “I think of Logan and I can’t even believe that was once an acceptable solution to me or her. I can’t imagine him not being here. I’m glad she changed her mind.”

“So you didn’t know you had a nephew?”

“Not until after her funeral.” He laughed. “I thought I was in trouble when Tabitha found me, like I had to pay off some debt she owed or something. I never in my life expected to get a baby out of all this.”

“You’ve handled it really well.”

He smiled and the back of his neck heated. “Thanks. Half the time I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing, but…”

“What?” she asked when his words trailed off.

He shrugged. “I just realized I probably shouldn’t be telling you that.”

Her eyes rolled. “Stop. You should see some of the other parents I’m dealing with. You’re doing an amazing job.” She hesitated. “To be honest…when I first came here…I thought you were going to fail in a week. I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong. You’re doing an incredible job. And Logan loves you.”

His head jerked up. “You think he loves me?”

She laughed. “Are you kidding? The kid lights up when he sees you. Of course he loves you. You’re all he’s got in this world and he knows he can count on you—as much as a four month old can grasp that sort of concept.”

Warmth spread through his chest. In a hoarse voice he admitted, “I love him too.”

“I know you do.”

When they finished eating Kate helped him clear the table. They returned to the couch and Shane changed the CD to Van Morrison.
Tupelo Honey
filled the living room, softening the mood.

When he sat down, she scooted close to his side. He glanced at her and she turned away. They each sort of stared at the television even though nothing was on. Cool fingers slid into his hand and laced through his fingers. They sat, holding hands, listening to the song. It was probably one of the coolest moments of his life, but he didn’t know why.

Everything seemed right in that moment. Kate was there, holding his hand. Logan loved him. He felt…good, balanced. It was as though the planets were suddenly aligned. He didn’t want to do anything to mess up this feeling.

Luckily he didn’t have to. Kate turned suddenly and climbed onto his lap. He sucked in a breath, not sure what was happening. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her lips found his.

He held her hips, sliding his hands over her curves to cup her butt. Her supple body leaned into him, her figure all soft and yielding over his harder parts. He was rock solid in a second. As Van Morrison crooned, he kissed her with everything he had.

He didn’t know what the rules were with a girl like Kate, so he fisted his hands behind her to keep himself from going too far. Her sweet mouth pulled at his lips as she ground her body over his. Dear God, she was killing him. He actually feared he’d embarrass himself if she kept moving like that.

Her mouth worked over his jaw as her fingers pulled at the tie holding back his hair. Once she got it undone, she sat back and pulled his hair over his shoulders. “You have such pretty hair,” she whispered. “It’s so dark and thick.”

“Thanks.” It wasn’t every day a girl said a part of him was pretty, but he took the compliment for what it was.

Her hands moved over his chest and she stilled. Her brow puckered and she tilted her head. “Is this the shirt Logan was wearing the first day I visited?”

“Uh, yeah, but it’s been washed several times since then.”

She smiled. Her touch moved over his arm. She mapped out each tattoo there with her fingertips. It was erotic, the way she explored him.

“Do you have tattoos in other places?”

The side of his mouth kicked up. “Yeah.” What would she say if he showed her his newest tat?

“I want to see.”

“Are you asking me to take off my clothes, Ms. McAlister?”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“How about I take off my shirt if you remove the DeLorean?”

She gazed down at her
Back to the Future
shirt. Maybe that was too big of a request—or maybe not. Her hands went the hem of the shirt and it was suddenly on the floor.

Jesus. Her breasts were round and beautiful and encased in a purple lace bra that looked fancier than any shit he’d ever seen before. Even her underwear was out of his league.

“Your turn.”

He swallowed. “I think you got ripped off. I can’t compete with that.”

She leaned in and nipped his earlobe with her teeth. “Drop it like a lead balloon, Zeppelin.”

His cock was going to explode. Her mouth seemed to have a straight connection to his body. His heart pounded, pulsing all the way down to his balls. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted. Darkness loomed as he drew the shirt over his head and then he was staring at her once more.

She sobered. Her hand went to his heart where she traced the still raised edges of his new ink. “This is new?”

“I got it last week.”

“Shane, it’s beautiful.”

Her finger trailed to his ribs where he had some scrollwork done.

“What does this say?”

“‘Can you help me remember how to smile’—
It’s a line from the song
Runaway Train
by—”

“Soul Asylum.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, surprised she knew it.

“What does it mean?”

“I got it after I lost my parents.”

“How did they die?”

“A train derailed. They were two of the four that didn’t survive.”

Her mouth tightened as she ran her fingers over the verse. “Have you remembered? How to smile?”

“I think so. Logan helps. So do you.”

Her eyes met his and there was so much emotion behind her gaze. “You scare me, Shane.”

He tensed. “Why?”

Her head gently shook. “Because you’re nothing like I thought you would be. You have more depth than any guy I’ve ever known.”

“I’m just a simple man.”

“No, you’re anything but simple.”

His fingers traced the swell of her breast, tripping slowly along the lace-scalloped edge of her bra. “Take this off,” he whispered.

Her arms stretched behind her and she undid the clasp. Purple lace slid down her arms. Her nipples drew tight, like two perfect blushing points. A flush worked its way down her neck, darkening the tips of her breasts to a deep shade of mauve.

Shane leaned forward and closed his mouth over one turgid point. Glancing up at her through his lashes, he stared as her eyes glazed with lust. He sucked and she sifted her fingers through his hair, holding him to her.

He pulled the tip between his teeth and she moaned. Kissing his way to the other nipple he licked over her curves. Her body began to move over his, riding him. His fingers traced up and down her spine. She was so small in his arms, perfect.

Her head lowered and her mouth kissed and licked over his shoulder. Her moans became breathy and pitched a little higher. He wanted to touch more of her.

As if reading his mind, she scooted off his lap and stood between his knees. She gazed down at the bulge in his pants and smirked. Her fingers went to the snap of her jeans and she hesitated, looking to him for some sort of signal.

He was incapable of speech so he nodded. Her fingers undid the button and slowly lowered the zipper. The peek of purple lace had him groaning. Fuck, matching panties. She was a classy lady.

“Don’t laugh.”

Was she nuts? “Why would I laugh?”

She lowered her jeans, doing a sexy shimmy as they passed the flare of her hips. He couldn’t help it. He laughed.

Her mouth tightened, but she was trying not to laugh as well.

He wiped his palm over his lips and stared. “Is that Gizmo?” Right beneath the string of her panties, just at the small of her hip, a gremlin stared back at him. It was only the size of a silver dollar, but there he was.

“They really shouldn’t let you get tattoos when you’re drunk,” she admitted bashfully.

He laughed. “Do you have any more?”

“No. I learned my lesson.”

His mouth pulled to the left. “What happens if you get him wet?”

She pushed his shoulder. “Jerk.”

Leaning forward, he placed a kiss right between his fuzzy ears. His hands held her butt, massaging affectionately. She had great curves. “That is, hands down, the hottest mogwai I’ve ever seen.”

She giggled, but sobered as he slowly dragged the thin straps of her panties down her thighs, revealing a soft, golden thatch of hair. The sweet scent of her arousal tickled his nose and he wanted to get closer.

As the panties reached her knees he let go and they dropped to the floor. He placed his fingers over Gizmo. “Look away, mogwai, things are about to get crazy.”

He gripped her hips and picked her up. She squeaked as he tossed her on the couch. He came down on top of her, his mouth finding the sensitive part of her neck. Her hands ran through his hair and over his shoulders as he kissed his way down her body.

He cupped her breasts, taking time to lick and suck them both until she was writhing beneath him. His hand roamed over her flat belly and tickled the damp patch of soft curls between her legs.

She parted her thighs and his knuckle grazed the little nub of her clit. She moaned. Her cream coated his fingers as he explored lower. Smooth folds parted and he slid a finger slowly inside of her.

She arched, pressing into his palm. She was tight. Real tight. His finger pressed deep and slowly withdrew, gathering her cream and spreading it over her clit. His thumb teased her nub and she began to moan and arch.

Her arms stretched over her head. She was likely the most beautiful vision he’d ever seen, spread out beneath him, naked and twisting with desire and need. Scooting lower, he trailed his tongue around the slight indent of her belly button.

His hands cupped her thighs and pulled them apart. She was glossy and pink, everywhere. Lowering to his knees, he spread her folds with his thumbs and tasted her. Sweet tang met his tongue. “God, you taste amazing.”

She pulled her legs wide and he pressed his tongue deep, sipping from her, unable to get his fill. As his fingers found her clit again she gripped his hair, pulling tight against his scalp. She seemed insatiable and he loved it. It became his life’s ambition to make her come.

He licked and sucked and rubbed. Twisting his wrist, he slid his middle finger deep inside of her channel. His lips curled around her clit. She cried out as he nibbled and sucked.

The first flutters tightened, deep within her sex. Her knees drew up, soft skin tickling his shoulders. He inserted another finger and she tightened around him.

“Shane…”

His cock pulsed at the sound of his name passing her lips in a breathy sigh. He sucked, and fucked her with his fingers. Her body bowed, fingers tightening in his hair to a point of delicious pain, as she cried out.

She was loud, but he liked it. Heat coated his knuckles. Her body expanded and contracted. Her little toes dragged up his sides and her one heel dug into his back.

His mouth kissed at her thighs. He bowed his head, resting it on her lower belly.  Hands combed over his hair as they both breathed.