Idly, she pressed her soft mouth to his ribs in a warm kiss, then rubbed her small nose against him. On a sigh, she whispered, “I could just stay like this...” Her voice trailed off, but in his head, he heard the rest.
Forever.
Apparently, Avery didn’t want to say it out loud any more than he did.
He lifted her small hand, rubbing his thumb over calluses that a woman like her shouldn’t have. That thought led to another. “What will you do about your mother?”
She drew her slim thigh over his. “I’ll call her later today. I want to find out a good time to visit again.” Wrapping her fingers around his, she pulled herself up higher atop him. “Okay?”
It was hard to think with her shifting around on him. “That you talk to your mom? Yeah, sure.”
Teasing lights entered her eyes. “You are a complete stud, Rowdy. My entire body is still tingling. But you’re not so good that my brain has been pickled.”
He had no idea what she was talking about, so he just raised a brow and waited.
“I’m not going to ask permission to run my personal life.” She kissed his chest to soften that rebuke. “I was asking if this position is okay for you. I don’t want to add my weight if your back is starting to—”
“Tell you what, honey.” Ready to do his own teasing, Rowdy hauled her up atop him, arranging her so that she draped him like a blanket. “You don’t ask me about my back anymore, and I won’t do this.” His hand smacked her backside, making her jump.
“Ow!” Half giggling, half protesting, she tried to reach back to rub the spot, but Rowdy held her hands locked together behind her.
“Rowdy!”
With his other hand, he cupped her now-warm cheek. “Mmm?” He kissed her stubborn chin, the corner of her mouth. He grinned, but he was also fast getting turned on again. It was insane how she kept him so fired up. “Want me to kiss it and make it all better?”
“Give me another hour and...maybe.”
Before he got too distracted with need, Rowdy brought her hands up to his shoulders and wrapped his arms around her. “At the risk of offending your independent spirit, can I get a promise that you won’t go back to see your mother without me?”
“You’re worried about Fisher or Meyer being there?”
“I don’t like to take chances.” Especially not with someone I care about. “If you want time alone with your mom, I’ll go along but stay out of the way. I can even sit in the car if that helps. But I want to be nearby.” Just in case you need me.
Cupping his face, Avery repeatedly kissed him as a way to punctuate outrageous compliments. “You are the most amazing—” Kiss. “—giving—” Kiss. “—wonderful—”
“You looking for another spank, woman?”
She snickered. “With you wounded, I can’t fight back.”
In one fast move, Rowdy turned to pin her under him. “Promise me you won’t go back there alone.”
The laughter faded. Very solemn, she nodded. “I promise.”
When she looked at him like that, with so much admiration, it made him feel desperate. He wanted to be inside her again, losing himself and clearing his mind of conflict.
“Rowdy?” She drew him down and hugged him tight, staying like that for half a minute before finally, her voice full with emotion, she whispered, “Thank you for caring.”
It was the oddest damn thing, having Avery’s gratitude.
And, if he believed her, her love.
For the first time that he could ever remember, the future looked pretty damned bright.
* * *
A MELLOW MOOD stayed with Rowdy as he and Avery headed for the bar late Monday morning. She’d spent Sunday wringing him out, emotionally and physically. He knew every inch of her body, but she’d been no less determined to explore every inch of his, as well.
They’d talked about everything—except for a future together. He just didn’t know what to say about that. Around her he felt like a new person. A person he barely knew.
For the longest time he’d believed that once he had her, things would get back to normal. He’d get her out of his system and be able to focus again.
But instead, he kept thinking of the ways he hadn’t yet had her.
He wanted to teach her to play cards.
She wanted to take him to the zoo.
He wanted to swim with her.
She wanted to curl on the couch together to watch a scary movie.
They talked endlessly...and didn’t run out of things to say.
How the hell was a guy supposed to understand that shit?
He’d just unlocked the door into the bar when her cell phone rang. Rowdy waited until he realized it was her mom. Avery had called Sonya yesterday, but the woman kept a very busy schedule.
If she was ailing during her treatment, she hid it well.
When he saw Avery smile, Rowdy smiled, too. She and her mother were close, and for some reason, that made him feel really good. Obviously her mother wasn’t perfect, but given his own experience with parents, imperfections didn’t matter as long as there was caring and support.
He was about to follow her into the bar when Reese pulled up, so he waited for him.
Reese parked at the curb and joined him. “I was hoping to catch you here. Nothing’s wrong, but I wanted to talk a minute if you have the time.”
“I always get here a few hours early. I’d rather have everything set up before customers arrive than have to rush.” Rowdy led the way through the bar. “Want a drink?”