CHAPTER SIX
Rory slammed the corridor light on and headed for the stairs. He got six feet along the narrow, gloomy space and stopped dead.
He’d left the bloody USB back there on the futon.
Cursing, he put one fist up against the wall. This is exactly what he’d been trying to avoid. Sky got him so he couldn’t think straight. He had a fuckin’ hard on and he was furious with himself.
Turning to face the wall, he put his forehead on the cold plaster. How in the hell had he forgotten it? Sky.
He’d constantly had to remind himself what he was there for. He’d been cruising along, wanting her, enjoying being with her, but when he stepped inside her building and she turned her face up to his, control vanished. He’d had to kiss her. She’d been soft and eager in his arms, and he wanted her there and the, up against the wall. The urge to take charge of her had him at full throttle.
Until an alarm bell went off in his head. It was like being at home, where they’d been big, big trouble for each other.
Drumming in his head, it was always there. His father’s anger, the hateful words. ‘You’re going to mess this up for us,’ the old man had said, his fist wrapped around Rory’s throat as he pinned him up against a wall. ‘We’ve got a good place here, a fresh start. We’ve been welcomed into Shelly’s home. I’m not going to let you mess it up for us because you’ve got the hots for her daughter.’
Those angry words ran through Rory like tainted blood. The violent streak he witnessed in his father made him retreat to his computer and his motorcycle. Thankfully, Shelly’s new age hippie attitude calmed his dad a lot, but those angry warnings stayed with him nonetheless.
Pull back before it’s too late.
Glancing back at Sky’s door, he took a deep breath. Their parents had gone though, left all of them. It was just him and Sky here, with no one telling them what they could and couldn’t do.
He turned back to face the door. After he’d spent time with her in the box room she laughably called an apartment, it was hard to stand up and walk away. Especially once he’d opened up to her about his hacker past.
She had to ask about the money. It always made his teeth grate, because he only did it for the challenge At least he did to begin with. But it’s what people always wanted to know, not just Sky. She’d always had rebellion in her eyes—rebellion and shadows. He’d seen that look too many times before—seen it in his own reflection not so long ago. He was up to his neck trying to right past mistakes and get his own life on the right track. It meant he couldn’t afford to get mixed up with a crazy girl who thought playing with fire was a pastime.
There were so many reasons why he should avoid her.
He wanted her though, and as soon as her door clicked shut, he regretted leaving. And he knew he’d be regretting it later in the night, alone in his bed, thinking about her, thinking about what she’d feel like, under him, hip to hip, her mouth locked with his.
He glanced up and down the corridor.
The timed light went out.
Cursing, he punched the switch. The light flickered back on.
The muffled sounds of voices and music reached him, but no one was about. Pacing up and down, he faced up to the fact he had to go back. Couldn’t risk leaving the hacker kit with her a moment longer. He should have dumped it long ago, but there’d been a voice in his head that said he might need it. Out there in the real world Jackson was probably already making plans, staking out possible hiding places. He didn’t need either George or his housemates in danger. He stopped dead. That was Sky’s fault, telling him not to destroy it, and then he’d got so far into the idea of fucking her he’d forgotten to pick the bloody thing up.
Outside the door, he stared at the number on the door. 6A, painted on with purple paint, badly. Sky had done it, he just knew it.
It would be fatal to go back in there.
No longer have a choice. Got to go back for the stick.
If he didn’t God knows what she’d do with it—hide it somewhere he’d never find it just to irritate him, most likely. Her rebellious streak was trouble, always had been. Things she thought were amusing were often dangerous.
Of course if she hadn’t kept it in the first place, this would be over already. That was typical of her. He’d have met up with her anyway, and the gear was too dangerous to treat as a toy.
Staring at her door handle his thoughts gelled. The lock was outdated and pitifully easy to break. By rights he couldn’t leave her vulnerable. She’d shrugged off his comments about security though. Rory smiled. She’d only believe what he’d said about the lock if he proved it to her.
Fishing his wallet out of his pocket, he dug deep and pulled out the strip of Kevlar he kept stored at the bottom. So far, he’d only ever used it to get into abandoned properties, but it would do the trick here.
“Appalling lack of security,” he said quite loudly—by way of explanation to anyone who might happen on him—while he jimmied Sky’s Yale lock.
He was proving a point. And he only had another forty seconds or so to do it before the bloody light went out again.
It wasn’t about her, he assured himself. It was the USB, and the lack of security. But she was in his mind as he fiddled with the lock, repeatedly glancing along the corridor in case anyone approached. The last thing he needed was to be arrested for breaking and entering when he was just proving a point here.
“If you break in you can claim a reward.”
Her voice flitted around his mind, distracting him, making him think about taking charge of her, making the fire in her eyes burn brighter still, making her cry out because he was inside her.
His fingers skidded on the lock.
Cursing, he counted to five and then continued.
Still she filled his thoughts. The sight of her in the tight black dress had blanked his brain for a while there. She was so perfectly packaged. He’d always been attracted to her. The secret smile, the curious expression, her rebellious streak. She looked as if she always had something on her mind. The store card buckled. Concentrate. It’s a matter of security. The thought of someone else breaking in, doing her harm, made him even more determined. It also made his blood boil.
The lock clicked open.
He took a deep breath, shoved the Kevlar into his pocket, and pushed the door open. Expecting to hear her shout at him, he prepared to explain “As I said, poor security…”
Once the door swung wide, he saw she wasn’t where he’d left her, standing with the sad, almost resentful look in her eyes when he declined her invitation.
From beyond the bathroom door he heard the sound of a shower.
She was in there. Presumably naked. The sound of the shower drummed in his brain. The door to the tiny bathroom was ajar, just slightly, and steam wisped out as he watched.
Okay, he told himself, get the stick, and go. But his feet were fixed to the floor like cement blocks were holding him there.
He had to tell her he’d been able to break in, proving he came back.
Just pick up the USB, write her a note, and leave. It would be the right thing to do and he wanted to do the right thing. Stepping to the futon, he reached down and pushed his hand along the fold in the mattress, quickly latching onto the lanyard. Pulling the stick free, he shoved it in his pocket. Now leave. You can tell her to change the lock tomorrow.
His mind presented a picture of her, naked in the shower. It wasn’t hard to imagine. He’d seen her flitting about the house in a towel back at home in Cadogan. She’d always been a provocative little Madam. She’d told him she wanted him.
Then he thought he heard her voice, and it sounded as if she was cursing.
Unable to resist, Rory moved quietly around the futon and over to the bathroom door. The sound was muffled, but she was definitely mumbling to herself.
With one finger, he pushed the door a little wider, straining to hear what she said. He didn’t intend to actually look, but steam billowed over the top of the shower curtain and — with it — the sound of a frustrated moan.
The sound was so incredibly sexy, he couldn’t move.
Again a breathless moaning sound came from inside the shower curtain.
The sound of it made him harden. He should leave. It was wrong to be standing there, listening to her. Should he try to warn her? Yeah, sure. He could shout out while she was in the middle of showering, naked. That would be a good way to announce his presence.
The desire to see her grew overwhelming.
She had invited him to stay, after all.
The scent of musk filled the steamy atmosphere.
Maybe he should have turned away, but instead he saw her red painted fingernails as she pulled the curtain aside to put the shower gel on the nearby shelf. Then the sound of the water ceased.
One hand grasped the edge of the shower curtain and pulled it back. She reached for the towel rail, pulled the towel free and wrapped it around herself as she stepped out onto the bathmat.
It was too late to walk away, even if he’d wanted to.
Her naked, wet body had been revealed to him. The towel was too small and barely covered her damp outline, the curve of her bottom showing beneath its hem. He’d just about processed the information when all the blood left his brain.
Sky turned his way.
Gasping audibly, she stepped back and butted up against the sink. Reaching around with one hand, she steadied herself. As she did the towel began to slip free.
“I’m sorry” he blurted, hands lifted in a guilty plea. “I didn’t know you were having a shower.”
Rory half expected her to scream, or at least tell him to fuck off and to stop staring — because he couldn’t help staring right then. No man in his right mind could help staring then. Mascara smudged beneath her eyelids. Her red-streaked black hair clung to her head and neck, the tips trailing across her chest, dripping water.
But she didn’t scream. Instead she laughed softly, as if at some private joke. “You came back.”
“I came back, to prove your security was lacking,” he explained as he attempted to tear his gaze away. He tried to chill, lowering his hands.
“Is that why?” Curiosity flashed in her eyes.
And for you, I came back for you. He was past denying it now.
“I guess you wanted to check the locks in here too, did you?” Her eyes were incredibly bright, her strawberry lips curved.
He shook his head. “Sky, I can’t leave now, not after seeing you like this.”
“No, you can’t.”
She wanted him too, it was there in her eyes and it was such a turn on. He had to touch her, to bring her to that moment in his arms. Closing the small gap between them in a heartbeat, he shrugged off his leather jacket and threw it out the open door behind him.
Sky looked up at him, eyes wide, lips parted.
He paused a moment, lifted her damp hair free of her cheek, easing it back. Her eyelids fluttered and she inhaled sharply.
“You asked me to stay. Is this what you had in mind, or am I interrupting your private bathing time?” She could always say no.
“The shower was your fault,” she declared. “You got me so wound up.”
Grasping the towel to her chest with one hand, she put the other on his shoulder, inviting him closer.
Rory ducked his head and kissed her, cupping the back of her head in one hand, the other finding the curve of her hip to pull her against him.
She was so soft in his arms, and eager, matching and meeting him, her fingers tightening their grip on his shoulder. When her lips parted, he thrust his tongue in to her mouth, hips landing against her abdomen. The soft curves of her body lured him, and his erection strained to be part of it. He kissed her deeply, his body keen and primed, his tongue thrusting into her warm, damp mouth.
She was as hungry for it as he was, leaning into him, rubbing her body against his, sending him into autopilot. He couldn’t wait to touch her all over.
She gasped when he drew back.
“You’re so beautiful.” He heard the hoarseness in his own voice. “Can I see you?”
She nodded.
He pulled the towel from her grasp, letting it drop to the floor.
Those lush curves of hers drew him like a magnet.
“Always wanted you,” she whispered, and grasped his upper arms, stroking them, measuring his muscles tentatively, and then lifted her face, lips parted.
Those words and the look in her eyes tugged something inside him. Even though they’d flirted and kissed and even talked about it, it was astonishing to hear her say it.
Moving his hands he cupped her luscious breasts with their adorable nipples, groaning when he felt how hard the peaks were. Ducking down he kissed one nipple, then the other, stroking his tongue over each one.
“Rory oh, oh,” she cried out, “that’s so good.”
He didn’t need any more encouragement. He flicked his hair back, desperate to watch her reactions while he made her come.
He ran the back of his knuckles over her tummy and lower, one finger nudging against her warm groove. “Okay?”
Moaning softly, she nodded. Bracing herself against the sink, she opened her legs and let him move his hand between her thighs, where she was damp and slick. He eased two fingers back and forth across the bump of her clit, occasionally dipping lower to where she was wet and slick. With his free hand he stroked her damp hair back from her face, suddenly high on the way she looked. She was reveling in the sensation and all he could was stroke faster, rubbing over her clit while watching her face. His erection strained inside his jeans. Tension prickled up his spine.
When he glanced down he could see his own fingers glistening. He wanted to taste her. She looked so good he wanted to lift her in his arms and shove his cock deep inside her, so she could really feel it. He wasn’t holding back now, that was long gone. He wanted her.
Rubbing her clit until she reached orgasm was too good. Dropping her head back, she closed her eyes for a moment
“Look at me,” he instructed.
Her cheeks flushed, but she did as he asked, meeting his gaze.
Her feet shifted restlessly. She was getting close. He moved his hand faster. Her mouth opened as she reached her peak. Her head dropped forward, then back.
His fingers were coated in her juices. She mumbled his name then cried out, loudly. Rory kissed her forehead, nodding at her words, grasping her damp face in his hands as he kissed her deeply. Whoa, coming made her even hotter.
For a moment she just stood there, trembling. Then she reached out and ran her hand the length of his erection through his jeans. “You’re so hard.”
“Sky, be careful.” He closed his eyes a moment.
“Oh,” Sky murmured, laughing softly, her hands shifting to his shoulders, her body moving closer against his. “Did I do something wrong?”
He shook his head quickly. “No. I just want to do this properly.” He sighed. “It was always this way with you. You’re always in a rush and you’re always trouble.”
Her eyes flashed with mischief.
“I can’t think straight because you’re in here.” He pointed at his head. “All the bloody time!”
“You’re going to have sex with me to save your sanity, is that what you’re saying?” She laughed, low.
It was such a sexy sound. It ramped up his need to be inside her.
Fired up, he pinned her to the sink, hips hard against her. “It always had to be done. We need to fuck, long and hard.”
Shifting, he let her feel the thrust of his hips.
Gasping, her expression turned serious.
Oh yes, this was going to be good. She was as edgy as he was.
His hands closed over her breasts and he trapped her nipples between his fingers and tugged on them.
A loud cry escaped her lips and she glanced away.
After a painfully long moment, in which his balls began to pound, relentlessly, she returned his gaze directly. There was a shimmering glaze to her eyes, and then she bit her lower lip, almost as if she was silencing herself, another hot flush of color rising on her cheekbones.
The way she looked up from under lashes was a bigger invite than the verbal one he’d received. “I want to be inside you.”
Her eyelids lowered. Moving, she rested her forehead against his chest, snuggling there a moment. “I want that too…but there’s something you should know.”
He stalled, his hands pausing as he stroked her body. “What?”
“I haven’t. I haven’t been with anyone, not like this.”
Confusion swamped him. “You’re kidding, right?”
She quickly shook her head. “I always wanted it to be you. That’s why I tried so hard to get you to stay tonight.”
He stared down at her, disbelieving. Then the magnitude of what she’d said hit him, and he couldn’t speak even if he wanted to. She wanted him and he was going to be her first. Cupping her around the bottom, he lifted her from her feet, kissing her beneath her jaw as he did so,
Laughter escaped her. “Rory!”
Turning with her held in his arms, he eased through to doorway and back into the main room “How in hell does this futon work?”
She wrestled in his grasp and broke free, made some swift maneuvers with the mattress and wooden plinth below.
He watched and copied on the other side of the bed, assisting. Once it was done, she sat down on the mattress and laid back, one arm across her chest as if to hide her breasts from his eyes.
Kneeling down beside her, he eased her arm away. “You’re too pretty to hide any part of you.”
“I’m a bit embarrassed,” she murmured.
“No need.” He forced himself to pause. “You’re absolutely sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, it’s what I’ve always wanted. You. You’re what I always wanted, Rory Rattigan.”