Pepper looked more than a little devastated, and definitely confused. “Who are you, again?”
In stepped Logan. “I already told you—she’s the bartender.” He lifted a big bag of pastries in one hand, a cup holder with four large coffees in the other and used his foot to nudge the door shut. “We stopped for breakfast, but Pepper refused to wait with me while I parked.” His gaze slid over to Avery. “Sleep well?”
“Shut up, Logan.” Rowdy wanted a shower, food and Avery—not necessarily in that order. He did not want a social call. But never would he do anything to hurt his sister; not on purpose, anyway.
Hands on her hips, Pepper scrutinized Avery. “I’ve never seen her at the bar.”
“You,” Rowdy said, “haven’t been in during hours of operation.”
“You don’t want me there!”
“Pepper.” Logan strode the rest of the way into the room. “The bar is great, but it’s not a place for you to go alone. If you want, we’ll both go visit soon.”
“I was there when all the work was being done.”
“So was I,” Avery said. “I pitched in where I could, but we must have missed each other.”
“Maybe,” Pepper conceded, her tone filled with suspicion.
Rowdy held the sheet with one hand and rubbed the back of his neck with the other. The movement pulled at his back, reminding him just how wretched yesterday had been. “Why don’t you guys go grab a seat at the table? We just woke up, so give us a minute.”
Pepper opened her mouth, but Logan stepped in front of her. “Take your time.” He nudged Pepper along toward the kitchen area, saying sotto voce, “Give the guy a break, honey.”
Yeah, more and more each day Rowdy appreciated his new brother-in-law.
“Come on.” He snagged Avery’s hand and tugged her with him right into the bathroom.
Scandalized, she gasped, “What are you doing?”
“This.” He closed the door, backed her into it and kissed her before she could protest. And damn, she tasted good, a hell of a sight better than coffee or pastries.
With a little persuasion, her mouth opened under his. When he prodded gently with his tongue, she reciprocated, and things went steamy hot in a heartbeat.
She curled her hands over his shoulders, pressed closer and let him have his way—for about thirty seconds.
Easing away, she licked her lips. “Mmm. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lashes lifting, she stared up at him. “Your sister and brother-in-law are really close by.”
“Believe me, I know.” He nuzzled her neck. “Want to shower with me anyway?”
“Absolutely not.” She sucked in a big, fortifying breath, then sidled out of his hold and went to his medicine cabinet to get out the aspirin. “Take these.” Her hand trembled as she held the pills out to him.
He tossed them back and then bent to the sink to drink straight from the faucet.
“Now step out and give me two minutes. After that I’ll take off the bandages so you can grab a quick shower, quick being the operative word.”
Insane, but he even liked seeing her this way, trembling with need but still refusing him. “Afraid I’ll leave you alone with Pepper and Logan?”
“Not at all. They both seem really nice.” She smoothed a hand over his chest, down to his ribs and down farther to his abs. After a soft groan, she dropped her hand. “I’m afraid you’ll go against doctor’s orders and linger too long.”
He let the sheet drop. “Tell you what, honey. I’ll shower at the speed of light if you’ll promise me something.”
She didn’t even try to keep her attention on his face. “What’s that?”
“Soon as I get doctor’s clearance, you’ll shower with me, and we’ll both linger.”
She shocked the hell out of him when she cupped a hand under his testicles, caressed him once then trailed the backs of her fingers up the length of his instant boner.
While he stood there stunned silent and on fire, she turned the doorknob and gave a tug.
Rowdy moved forward. He tried to figure out what to say, but nothing witty came to mind.
“I need two minutes, remember?”
Ah, hell. He hoped his sister and Logan were in the damn kitchen because he sported major wood.
As he started out, Avery handed him the sheet, smiled up at him and whispered, “I promise.”
Rowdy found himself staring at a closed door, a lopsided grin on his face. She’d as good as said they’d be having sex, and soon. Diabolical. And a serious turn-on.
Might as well use the two minutes to get together some clothes—and work on calming down the old John Henry. He’d just returned to the bathroom door with clean boxers and jeans when Avery stepped out.
She made sure they were alone. “Since you said it was okay, I did use your toothbrush. Thank you.”
Her whisper amused him. He put his forehead to hers. “I don’t care if they hear us.”
“I do.” She gave him a quick kiss, then led him in, turned him and carefully removed the bandages from his back. She took forever doing it, saying repeatedly, “I’m sorry if I’m hurting you.”
And he repeatedly assured her, “You’re not.”
When she finished, she brushed her cool fingertips over his skin. He heard her swallow, and her barely audible whisper when she said, “You could have been killed.”