nineteen
peyton
I thought I had died and gone to heaven earlier, but holy shit. My fingers curled into the sheets because what I wanted to do was lace them into his hair again and drag his mouth back to me. Glancing down and seeing Rut’s focus still on me, his eyes so hot, he liked that as much as I had. I moaned, I couldn’t help it because there would be more of that in my future. I got wet just thinking about it.
Those eyes lifted and settled on mine. He crawled up my body, his focus never leaving my face, until his naked body was pressed fully against mine; he held himself up and studied me. And though I couldn’t read him, I knew he’d be able to see everything I was feeling. His head lowered and my breath hitched at the same time my heart did. This wasn’t frenzied, but deliberate. His lips brushed mine, softly at first before he took the kiss deeper, sweeping my mouth.
My taste was on his tongue.
He took his time kissing me, like he was sharing our taste, as if he enjoyed it. His kiss softened, and laying his lips against mine he whispered, “You like the way you taste on my tongue?”
“Yes,” I said softly.
He growled low before taking my mouth with his again. My legs spread wider; it wasn’t even a conscious thought. I just wanted him closer. My hands moved around his back and down the curve of his ass. His body tensed, his muscles going solid, then he relaxed and I wasn’t sure if I imagined it. I shifted into him and feeling his hard cock where I was still sensitive had wet heat pooling there. He never broke the kiss when he slipped slowly inside me. My back arched as I moaned, one that came up from somewhere deep, rolling off my tongue in ecstasy. He felt so good, filling me, stretching me, owning me. He moved like he was savoring the friction, the heat, the way I closed around him and held him tight.
“Touch yourself,” he whispered against my lips before he took my mouth again. I obeyed without hesitation. One hand curled around his arm, the other moving between our bodies. His movements picked up, his thrusts harder, his cock going deeper.
His mouth moved from mine, looking down between our bodies. He groaned, “Fuck.”
His thrusts turned jerky, his breathing harsh, it matched my own, his focus on where we were joined. His gaze fixated on mine when he felt my walls grip him tightly, his eyes turned black.
“Jesus,” he grunted when his movements started to become sharp, and he rooted himself inside me, following my release.
Even before our breaths evened out, he took my mouth again. After what was only a few seconds, but felt like hours, he rolled, detaching his mouth from mine. I lay on top of him, looking down into sated blue eyes.
“You hungry?” he whispered.
I didn’t answer him. Just studied this complicated man.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I never…” I ran my finger along his lower lip before my gaze lifted to him. “I never knew it could be like that.”
“I know you didn’t, baby.” His voice was low and deep, and he studied his hand as his fingers tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
I couldn’t help smile at his arrogance and even knowing the answer I asked, “How did you know?”
He grinned, “I can tell, babe.” He smacked my ass. “Go get cleaned up before my come starts getting all over the fucking both of us. We can talk over burgers, sound good?”
This man. He really was trouble. Feeling sated and happy I said, “I’m going to keep track of how often you use the word fuck in a day.” At his blank stare, I leaned in and pressed a kiss on his mouth. “Burgers sound great.”
And as I moved off of him, he smacked my ass again, muttering, “Smart-ass.”
***
I felt his eyes on me as I pulled on my flower boots. It was inspection day and we had to get to the house. We were running a little late because after burgers we came back and watched a movie. We hadn’t fallen asleep until later. Glancing up, he was shaking his head.
“What?”
“Those boots are fucking atrocious.” He sounded disgusted but finished with, “But you know I’m gonna fuck you in them later?”
My rebuttal dried up, my eyes going wide even as my body heated. It took a second for my brain to catch up because I really liked the idea of him fucking me, boots or not. “Why would you do that? You hate these boots?”
“Exactly, so I’m gonna fuck them right off your damn body.” He glanced at his watch and ordered, “Let’s go, ʼcause if you want coffee, we gotta leave now.”
If any other man had said that, I’d laugh at the claim. Coming from Rutledge, well damn, now I’d have that in my head all day.
“With that look in your eyes, says you want me to fuck you now, and as much as I wanna, we gotta get the fuck going.” His hand on the doorknob, waiting.
“That’s five fucks in four sentences. Impressive.”
“Peaches, you got two fucking seconds to get your ass out the door before I have you screaming fuck all day, making you the one who says it most.”
He was going to be rubbing those indents in his forehead again. I joined him at the door. “That’s not the way to incite me to get my ass out the door. Just saying.” I grinned then added, “Do you like my sweater?”
It wasn’t the orange one because I couldn’t find that one. I had been wearing it a lot since I didn’t have many clothes with me and it was super warm. I must have left it at a cafe. Even though I tried retracing my steps I had no luck finding it. I bought another sweater, thinking specifically of today. It was so damn long, it almost went to my knees. But with my boots, it looked cute.
He caught my upper arm, causing my steps to halt, and when I looked up at him, his face got close to mine. “It works, but I like what’s under it better.” Then he lay a hard kiss on my lips before ordering, again, “Let’s go.”
My legs weren’t steady as I stepped into the hall.
We didn’t talk as we made our way to his truck. He held my door for me, gave me a boost without me having to ask. I smiled to myself as he rounded the truck. I was growing used to Rutledge Raines’ version of gentlemanly behavior.
We arrived at the house a little after eight. Pulling into the drive, I could smell the sea. As many times as I saw it, it still spoke to me. Sneaking a glance at the man beside me, I couldn’t help but wonder if what called me to this house had less to do with the house and more to do with its owner. Rut was silent, his focus on the house too. Was he thinking about his father? Worried that he might show up again? He hadn’t shared his secret, but he’d driven through the night to see me. It was a step.
After a few seconds, he turned off the engine and climbed from his truck, walking around and helping me down. He glanced at the books I held, so I offered, “I did some homework. It was pointed out to me more than once that I was doing this all backwards.”
He shut the door, and uttered, “Whoever told you that must be fucking smart as hell.” His gaze didn’t come to me, but swept the house; he stood rooted for a minute and just stared. I followed where he was looking, the widow’s walk. My heart twisted wondering what he was thinking. He moved past it, catching my hand and pulling me along. We reached the door, he stopped abruptly and cursed under his breath, though I couldn’t make out what he said before he grabbed the door knob and let us in.
Those good vibes hit me as soon as we entered. Soon this would be mine. Excitement had me moving a little faster, heading to the kitchen to drop my books.
“When is…” I started to ask but looked back to find I was alone. Leaving my stuff on the counter, I backtracked to find Rut had his phone in his hand, but it was the expression on his face that caused concern. He was pissed.
He glanced up. “Is something wrong?” I asked.
“Fuck,” he growled. “I’m gonna have to leave Sunday night for a meeting Monday morning.” He glanced at me before he added, “It was supposed to be next Friday, but they have to move it the fuck up.”
I knew he was reading my reaction by the way his gaze was fixed on my face. He’d just come back, so him leaving again sucked, but his life and business were in New York. It was a good reminder. What had my eyes going soft was the fact that he was so pissed about leaving. I teased him to lighten the mood.
“Three more fucks. You might break the record.” I got that look, the annoyed yet humored one before I added, “You’ll be back, right?”
He took two long strides to get to me, laid a kiss on my lips and muttered against them, “Absolutely.”
He said it with such conviction. It was a good answer, a great one. I almost showed him how much I liked it when the sound of a car pulling up the drive reached us. He glanced at his watch. “They’re fucking early.”
He strolled to the door, yanking it open. I followed behind him. Caught sight of one long leg that most definitely did not belong to Herb or Willy. If not for how Rut tensed, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it then I saw the woman attached to the leg. Tall, model thin, long dark hair, blue eyes. She was every guy’s fantasy.
My voice sounded small even to me when I asked, “Who is that?”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he grated out, took my hand and walked us out onto the porch where he addressed the woman. “What in the fuck are you doing here?”
She glared at me before her gaze moved to our joined hands. Her eyes narrowed even as she pushed back her shoulders and tossed her hair over one. “It’s inspection day. And I am your realtor, Rut.”
Realtor? She was his realtor? The walking sex standing in the driveway. Then I saw the look, as she blatantly undressed him with her eyes she knew exactly what he looked like naked. Talk about a sucker punch. I tried to pull my hand from his. His hold tightened to near pain.
“Now you wanna do your fucking job?” He didn’t let her answer as he continued, and while he did, he let my hand go and put an arm around my back, pulling me into his side. “There still wasn’t a fucking lock box on the damn door. I haven’t heard from you in over a fucking week, Jessica. Now, you wanna play realtor?”
“You aren’t my only client, Rut. But I’ve made myself available today because this is a big day for you.” Her gaze then sliced to me. “And you are?”
He didn’t let me talk when he answered her. “This is my girl, Peyton Morgan, also the buyer.”
My head jerked to him, my mouth opened then closed. He was glaring at the woman but all I heard was ‘my girl’. I completely forgot Jessica was there, pressing closer to him I whispered. “Your girl?”
“Get your shit inside,” he told her firmly, then turned his attention on me. “Come with me.”
He didn’t wait for my agreement, taking my hand and dragging me to the farthest side of his truck. He planted me with my back to the cool metal and bent slightly at the knees so we were face to face. “I’m only gonna say this once, so you listening, Peaches?”
Even feeling a little sick to my stomach, I really liked him calling me Peaches. “Yes.”
“I never spent three days in a row with a woman, and didn’t fuck her. I never texted or spoke on the phone with a chick as much as I do with you. I never drove all fucking night to get to a girl. I never in my thirty-seven years slept in a bed next to a woman. And I never thought of another woman as much as I think about you. And I sure as fuck never tasted a pussy as sweet as yours. So you get what I’m saying here, Peaches?”
I didn’t move. I wasn’t sure I even drew a breath. Despite how he offered his declaration, or maybe because he offered it in only the way Rutledge Raines would, I couldn’t find my words. As I looked into those blue eyes, my heart started to pound because they were the sweetest words I’d ever heard. He didn’t take his eyes from me. I wasn’t sure I could say what I was feeling, but for the first time I saw what he was thinking. His expression changed slightly, a softness entering his eyes. He knew the effect he had on me. My words were simple but heartfelt. “Yes, I hear what you’re saying.”
“Good.” He kissed my lips and said, “Now let’s get this shit done so I can get you back to the room and fuck you with those damn boots on.”
I felt the blush as my blood burned, and wearing the sweater he made me wear, I was at risk of melting. My reply was a bit breathy when I said, “Okay.”
He took my hand and led us back to the house. I wasn’t sure he knew he did that, reaching for my hand as often as he did. I liked it. A lot. Inside, we found Jessica in the kitchen. Leaning against the counter, her phone in her hand. She glanced up, then took a double take, her eyes moving from Rut to me and back again. I was sure my face was still flushed and being with Rut it wasn’t hard to draw a conclusion as to why. I almost grinned, but for the sharpness that came into her expression, a chill moved down my spine. If looks could kill. What the hell was her story? Had it been sex or had Rut had a relationship with her? Clearly, he was the one to end it, so why hire her as his real estate agent?
I was saved from the daggers she was shooting my way at the sound of another car. A minute or so later, Herb, and I assumed Willy, entered. He was as round as Herb was tall. Unlike Herb’s first impression, I instantly liked Willy. Kindness stared out of dark eyes, his mouth turning up into a smile. They reminded me of Abbott and Costello. Both were dressed in overalls, carrying clipboards. Willy scanned the room before his gaze landed on Rut.
“Rutledge Raines, as I live and breathe.”
“William Hayes,” Rut said firmly.
My head jerked to Rut at the sound of his voice. His expression wasn’t any more friendly. Glancing over at Willy, he didn’t seem offended. He smiled and held out his hand.
“You must be Peyton Morgan. I’m Willy Hayes.”
I heard the crack in Rut’s neck as he stretched it left then right when I took Willy’s hand.
“Yes, I’m Peyton. Nice to meet you.”
Herb stood by the door. His focus never leaving Rut. Whatever Rut had said to him, shit, it had a lingering effect. Willy turned about the kitchen before he said, “We might as well get started.”
I moved to my books and the notes I had made. While I did this, Rut took that second to introduce Jessica, which had been short and to the point. Like most things that came from his mouth.
Turning to Willy, I said, “Where do you want to start?”
Rut put his arm around my shoulders and said softly, “Babe, let them do their job.”
“But I’m prepared. I did my homework.”
“Peaches, I’m proud of you, baby, but you didn’t need to do your homework for this. It’s their job and they can’t answer your questions, you’ll get a report on everything when they’re done. So let’s let them do their job, yeah?” He kissed the top of my head.
I felt the knee jerk reaction again to him telling me what to do even knowing his intentions, but I didn’t show it and simply replied, “Yes.”
Willy started in the kitchen. Rut’s arms around my shoulders kept me from following him. They moved into the hall, checking the banister. Taking notes and pictures. Rut had walked over to the windows, so I used the opportunity to get closer to Willy and Herb. They were talking about reinforcing, code violations. I hadn’t noticed that during the walk through. I reached for the railing and tugged and sure enough it was loose.
“Babe?” Rut called.
He had that look. I released the railing and stepped back. It didn’t stop me from following them into the room in the back. Built-ins from floor to ceiling. I couldn’t wait to fill them with books. I had noticed they were falling down, the wood cracked. Herb was taking notes, I walked over and looked at the underneath of the shelves to see how they were mounted, not that I had a clue what I was doing but Willy had just done that.
“Jesus, Peaches, get your ass over here.” I turned to see Rut leaning against the doorjamb, phone in his hand.
I shoved my hands into my pockets as I made my way over to him. “I was just looking.”
“I know, sweetheart, but let them do their job for fuck’s sake.” As he finished the words his cell rang.
My eyes narrowed at him because I was catching on. Little endearments as he ordered me about. And damn it if it didn’t work.
“I gotta take this,” he said. Answering his phone. “One sec.” He turned to me, narrowed his eyes and said, “Stay out of their way, got it?”
When I didn’t answer him, he huffed and dragged me outside, squeezed my hand in warning before he released me and strolled to the other side of the property. It was tempting to stick my tongue out at him; instead, I strolled in the opposite direction toward the shed. I was definitely taking that eyesore down. It was hideous. Last time we were here, Rut didn’t want me near it. I understood because it looked like a strong wind would take it out. Before I turned from it, scratches near the lock caught my attention. The wood was old, the paint fading, but the marks near the padlock hadn’t been there last time. They looked fresh, the paint removed, bare wood exposed, looking almost like someone tried to jimmy the lock. Unease was chased with fear because there had been someone in the bushes that one day, someone here the night we had pizza. And based on the look of the shed, someone had been here since the last time we’d been here. I glanced over at Rut, intent on telling him about the discovery when Jessica approached.
I smelled her before I saw her. How much perfume did she use? She joined me, looking ridiculously sexy in her suit that looked painted on while I was swimming in wool. Even her voice was sexy, alluring, so it took a second for her words to register.
“He’s fucking amazing in the sack, isn’t he?” Her eyes were focused on Rut walking the property line, cell to his ear.
I almost said ‘fuck, yeah’ but caught myself because she was waiting for me too, but her words hit their mark just as she intended. To her I replied, “Who? Willy?”
Her head turned, her eyes turning to slits. “Is he giving you a discount?”
I didn’t catch her meaning when I asked, “Excuse me?”
“I’ve been on the receiving end of the look Rut gave you. You’re fucking him, right? You could probably get him to knock down the price.”
She did not just say that to me. She was supposed to be a professional. It was my eyes that narrowed. Maybe she was a professional, just not in real estate.
“I’m not sure how any of that is your business. You’re just his real estate agent, yes?”
“Yes. I am the one he called when he wanted to sell his dear grandmother’s home. It’s been a while but now that he’s back, who knows.” She offered that with a delicate flick of her wrist. I wanted to grab that wrist and snap it. And even feeling jealous, which wasn’t an emotion I liked, she didn’t know anything about Rutledge. He wasn’t back. He didn’t even want to be here. So far all her posturing, she was the jealous one.
“Well this was great. We should do this again sometime, but I’m going to see what the guys are doing.”
I didn’t wait and walked back into the house. My hands fisted in my pocket, because what a bitch. I pushed her from my head, though I did plan on asking Rut what her deal was. I found Willy in the back room, his head up the chimney. He was talking, Herb was taking notes.
“What did you find?” I asked.
“There’s some cracking. It’s going to need to be repaired.”
Really? Cracking in the chimney? You could see that. “Can I?” I asked.
Willy stepped back, handed me the flashlight. I climbed in, tilting my head, while shining the beam of light you could see the cracking. You could see all the way up. That was a long drop for Santa.
“Christ, Peaches!” Rut’s voice boomed through the room. “Get your fucking head out of the damn chimney!” I heard his hard steps quickly making his way across the room. “Come here.” He held his hand out to me, and looked to Herb and Willy. “What the fuck is wrong with you two letting her stick her head up the damn chimney?”
“Figured a woman has a right to stick her head up her own chimney.” I smiled at Willy. You tell him, but as I watched he deflated. “But looking at it from your perspective, yeah maybe not a great plan.”
Coward. Did I say I instantly liked Willy? I lied.
Rut’s face grew tight, his jaw ticked when he firmly replied, “It’s not her fucking house yet.”
It was the severity of his tone that had me looking over at him. He was pissed. I didn’t listen when he said to leave them to their job, but I was buying the place. Why couldn’t I look up the chimney if I wanted to? I didn’t ignore my reaction this time and said, “Would you excuse us for a second.” I didn’t wait for an answer and turned to Rut. “Can we talk?”
“Yeah.” He snatched my hand tightly and began to walk us to the front door, muttering, “Let’s do that.”
Not wanting anyone to be listening, namely Jessica, he led us outside. Turning to him, I asked, “Why so pissed because I had my head up a chimney?”
“I happen to like your fucking head, Peaches. And a pile of bricks on top of it isn’t gonna keep it like that.”
I hadn’t thought of that, but I should have known he would. “So, the reason for you ordering me to stay out of their way was for my safety?”
He looked to the sky as if he had an epiphany. “Ding fucking ding, she finally fucking gets it.”
I couldn’t help but feel charmed. “It’s the sweater situation all over again. Can I make a suggestion? I can’t read you at all, and I know we’ve talked about this, but maybe if there’s a reason you’re ordering me to do something, you could share it. I get your concern now and had I known before I would have kept my head out of the chimney.”
“If you hadn’t noticed, Peaches, I’m not a man of many words. And I told you I’d do my best to explain myself, but considering I never fucking had to before, it’s gonna take some time.” He paused, and finished, “So, baby, just keep up, okay?”
I moved closer. “And like you’ve already noticed, I’m not the kind of woman who gets fucked four times in one day.” I dropped my voice before I added, “But I’m willing to compromise.”
His voice softened. “I know that, baby, and you gotta realize, I’m not the kinda guy that fucks the same woman four times in one day. I lose interest after I blow my first load.” He moved in closer, as to comfort me without touching me when he asked, “What kinda compromise we talking about?”
He’d never write for Hallmark, but I couldn’t lie, I preferred his way with words. Reaching for his hand and linking our fingers I said, “I’ll keep my head out of chimneys if you keep yours between…” Then I realized what I almost said and went red as a beet. And damn it if he didn’t know by the sly smile that curved his mouth.
“Deal.” He snatched me around my waist, laced a hand into my hair and tugged until my face was looking up at his. Then he took my mouth in a long, wet kiss.
When it ended, he put me back on my feet.
“Six more fucks. That’s thirteen in under an hour. At this rate, Guinness will definitely be calling.”
He actually rolled his eyes. “You gonna keep this fucking shit up all day?”
I held back the laugh and replied, “Yep.”
“Fucking figures,” he muttered.
Two more fucks. I didn’t say that to him. Instead, I asked, “What is Jessica’s deal? Do you know she asked if you dropped the price on the house because you and I were...well you know?”
His expression changed; features so hard they looked like stone when he left me standing there, and jogged back into the house. I hurried after him, reaching the kitchen in time to see the side of Rut I saw that day at the house, the side that scared the shit out of me.
“Get your fucking shit and get out!” he yelled.
Her eyes went wide and she almost fumbled her phone, but I saw fear. Her voice broke when she said, “Why?” Then her gaze landed on me and if I thought her look before was chilling, this was worse. “What the fuck did she say to you?”
“That’s none of your fucking business just like my business isn’t any of yours. Now...” He waved a hand toward her designer purse on the island and repeated, “Get your fucking shit and get out.”
She moved, her back rod straight. Grabbing her purse, she strolled to the door but not before leveling a look on me. The sound of the front door slamming closed followed. My attention turned to Rut. He was livid and even though it was a scary sight, I crossed the distance to him and laid my hand on his chest. I didn’t say anything, words weren’t needed. I just stood with him until he managed to rein in the rage. His face went into my neck as he held me tight and whispered, “I don’t give a fuck what you say, you smell like peaches.”