Page 23 of Hooked on Trouble

I’ve been starved for her too long.

When she gasps and says, “Fuck,” against my mouth, I growl.

Eventually we come up for air. A pudgy kid runs after a group of seagulls, the noisy birds taking flight. The sun rises higher, the ocean waking up, waves rolling with the increasing wind. Feels like the start to a perfect day.

“You actually smell pretty good. Manly,” she says in a deep voice. “And that was quite a reunion kiss.”

“The first of many.” My voice sounds scratchy.

Her heated gaze dips down my pecs and abs, and sweat collects along my waistband. Digging her heels into the sand, she uses my shoulders to push herself up and off my lap. “I need to get home. I’m having brunch with the girls.”

I grab her ankle. “When can I see you again?”

“So persistent.”

“I know what I want.”

She stands facing me, her feet planted wide, the toes of her boots brushing my sneakers. I want to reach up and feel how wet she is, how turned on from kissing me.

She chews her lip. “Here’s the deal, Captain Persistent. What happened in Aspen, with us, changed me. Not just the fact that you took off and didn’t call.” I wince, but she doesn’t stop. “More how I felt with you. Vulnerable, I guess. I hadn’t felt like that since Rose left me, and I didn’t like it. I don’t like it. It makes me feel weak and out of control—emotional. Things I’m not used to dealing with. And finding Rose has become this obsession for me, but it also terrifies me. Because”—she pauses and blinks—“all this stuff I’m feeling could go south if it doesn’t work out. If she hates me or brushes me off…I’m not as tough as I was. Then there’s you.”

Her eyes haven’t wavered from mine. I grip both her ankles now, trying to show her I’ll hold her steady.

“There’s something between us, Nico. I can deny it all I want, but it’s there. I just need to take this slow.”

That’s a hell of a lot better than her usual glare. “I’m in no rush, babe. I’m in this for the long haul. I want the whole package.”

The way she’s eyeing my tented gym shorts, I’d say she wants my package now. I almost groan, imagining her lips wrapped around me, pumping me until I spill into her mouth.

But we’ll do this at her pace.

I release her ankles. “I’ll start looking for Rose tomorrow. Might take a while, but I’m heading to East Hastings on my next day off, to poke around about Josh. There’s an abandoned building filled with squatters. It’s not somewhere you should ever go alone, but since you like to photograph that stuff, you might want to come.” More like I want any excuse to spend time with her.

“Sounds like a date.” She turns to leave but glances over her shoulder. “And slow doesn’t mean stopping. I expect a dinner invitation. Maybe some sexting.”

I chuckle and adjust myself in my shorts. “Noted.”

More people appear, running or walking on the beach. Once Raven’s gone, I pull my phone from my pocket and send her a message:

You taste sweet. Like honey. Hated that you had to go.

Her reply comes shortly: You taste like trouble.

Trouble? Not on her life. If one of us is dangerous, it’s Raven with the soft vulnerability she hides under her hard edges. Edges that can cut.

I did like watching your ass as you left, though. That part was nice.

Is this your version of sexting?

I’m better in the flesh. When you’re ready, I’m gonna make you feel real good. My thighs flex in anticipation.

Like I said, trouble.

Maybe she’s right.

My phone buzzes again, and I smile down at my screen, expecting her name to appear. It’s Alessi. Call me if you’re around.

I toss on my shirt and dial right away. “If this is another hair gel emergency, I’m not running around town looking for beauty products.”