The man definitely knew how to use his mouth—in many ways.
He seemed to take a lot of pleasure in her hair, too, tangling his hands in it, bringing it over her shoulders to rest over her br**sts. He stripped the T-shirt right back off her.
Avery thought he’d rush her, and after coming twice, she wasn’t sure she could keep up. But if that’s what Rowdy wanted and needed, she was more than happy to accommodate him.
What a joke.
By the time he bent her over the bed and slowly entered her, she was wild for him, demanding that he hurry.
Holding her hips, he said, “Rise up on your arms, honey.”
She struggled to her forearms.
“Nice.” He stroked her waist. “Arch your back a little—that’s it.” He groaned, nuzzling against her nape, giving her a hickey or two.
He said near her ear, “I like it this way,” in a voice dark with arousal. “I can get to you easier.”
She found out exactly what he meant when he slipped one hand between her legs, the other up to a breast.
The way his fingers toyed with her, she was on the edge of release in minutes. “Rowdy...”
“Not yet, babe.”
She moaned and pressed back into him. He tightened, so she did it again, rocking against him, clenching her muscles.
“Avery,” he growled in warning.
“Soon as I can get you on your back,” she promised, “it’s going to be my turn—”
“Damn it.” He went still for a second, trying to prolong things.
Needing him now, Avery encouraged him, squeezing around him, moving.
He straightened, clasped her waist and gave in with a harsh groan.
This release was just as incredible, going on longer, easing away more slowly. She relished every second, languid from expending so much energy, numb from head to toe. She collapsed to the bed with a moan, Rowdy sprawled over her.
If he’d left the decision to her, she’d have dozed off just like that, warmed by his natural heat, cocooned by his big body. But he stayed with her for only five minutes before groaning and manfully pulling away.
“I need that shower more now than ever.”
Avery made a sound of agreement, but didn’t bother opening her eyes or moving.
She sensed Rowdy walking away, heard the shower start, and then he was back, scooping her up again. He kissed her forehead tenderly and said, “I’ll wash you if you can stay on your feet.”
The smile came sleepily. “No.” She put her nose in his neck and sighed. “I’ll take off your bandages and wash your back.”
“Appreciate it.”
“But we have to make it quick,” she admonished.
“No problem. I figure we need to eat and then catch a nap before I can have you again anyway.”
Her groan ended on a laugh. The man was insatiable.
How much luckier could a woman get?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ROWDY DID HIS best to act like business as usual, but she’d left him poleaxed with her disclosures. It was starting to make sense now, how jumpy she’d been the night she missed the bus, the weird phone calls she kept getting.
Fisher’s car trailing them.
She believed it wasn’t Meyer, but prank phone calls, while a sick and effective way to torment her, were a little lame for the rapey type. Rowdy wanted to know everything, but he could wait until she finished her peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
He enjoyed the sight of her at his table in nothing more than a T-shirt. He wore only his boxers. It was...cozy.
If she’d be hanging around—and she would—he needed to pick up some real groceries. As a bachelor who, until very recently, had moved around a lot, he’d never gotten into the habit of stocking up on food. Little by little he’d accumulated a few things, but he’d get a list from Avery and...do what? Fucking play house?
Disgusted with himself, Rowdy bit into his own sandwich.
Avery eyed him. “Are you sure you don’t want me to put the bandages back on?”
He shook his head. “Feels better without them.” He sat back in the chair to prove it to her. “I might need one more night before I can have you bouncing on me, but sleeping on my back won’t be a problem.”
She threw her napkin at him.
Rowdy grinned. “I can picture it now.” He cocked a brow at her br**sts. “And the picture inspires me.”
Pausing, she looked at his chest, down to his abs, and smiled. “Sort of inspires me, too.”
Oh, dirty pool. Not joking, he said, “Keep it up and we’ll be back in bed before you finish your milk.”
“No way.” She pointed her sandwich at him. “I need sleep, Rowdy, and so do you. You’ll just have to rein it in until morning.”
“We’ll see.”
Brows pinching down, she took a deep breath to deny him, and Rowdy said, “So all that boasting you did about me being a badass, that was meant as a deterrent to good old Fish, huh? You used me to warn him off?”
She deflated with guilt and looked away. “Can I be totally honest with you, Rowdy?”
“That’s how I’d prefer it.” What did she think? That he wanted her to lie?
“Well, I’d prefer that you not go after Fisher.”
“We’ll talk about it.” She could give him her reasons why he shouldn’t, and he’d explain why he was. Easy enough.
She wasn’t convinced, but she gave in anyway. “You are a very capable man and you know it. I had hoped that Fisher would realize it wouldn’t be easy to get to me again. That maybe he’d think I wasn’t worth the trouble.”