When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek #1)(55)
Author: Brenda Novak

But if she gave in and had sex with him tonight, where would she be in the morning?

She’d be no better off than the other women who’d come before her.

“Relax,” she said gently. “And lie down.”

“One kiss,” he pressed. “Show me you trust me enough to give me one kiss.”

“You kissed me at the house today.”

“That doesn’t count. I want you to kiss me back, here in private, where we’re not putting on a show. I won’t take advantage if you do. I’m not as big a bastard as you seem to think I am.”

“I know you’re not a bastard.”

“Then prove it.”

“Fine.” Planning to allow him a quick peck, nothing more, she leaned forward, already braced to pull away. But he was as good as his word. He didn’t attempt to draw her up against him. With his left hand lightly touching her cheek, he kissed her so tenderly she wasn’t sure he was looking for a sexual escape so much as he wanted human contact, someone to hang on to.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked, surprising her by breaking off the kiss before she was even tempted to pull away.

His gentleness and honesty shattered her resistance. As she stared into his face, she nearly slid her arms around his neck to kiss him again. More. That was all she could think about. “Not at all.”

“You liked it.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

He raised his hands. “See? And you’re no worse for wear. You’re not contaminated or anything.”

“I never said you’d…contaminate me.” She had accused him of carrying disease, but that was back when they’d been fighting. He’d told her he was clean and had the test results to prove it.

“You believe I’m morally beneath you, that I don’t care about anything except myself.”

Because she needed to think that. It was her only defense against the onslaught of desire she had to battle on a daily basis. She tried to conjure up an appropriate response, one that explained without giving too much away. But he didn’t allow her the chance.

“Now I’m ready for my massage,” he said, and flopped down on his stomach.

20

When Gail woke up Simon was wrapped around her. She could feel the warmth of his bare chest at her back, feel his breath graze her ear and remembered the excitement she’d felt while touching him last night. As he’d begun to relax and fall asleep, she’d remained completely awake and vitally aware of him as a man. There’d been moments when she’d been so aroused, she’d nearly nudged him so he’d turn over.

She was pretty sure there’d been one moment when he knew that, too. She’d leaned down, kissed his jaw, then the side of his mouth. But as soon as she’d felt him stir as if he might respond, she’d pulled back.

They hadn’t done anything. So why was his hand sliding up her shirt now?

At first, she thought it was purposeful, but the cadence of his breathing didn’t change. He wasn’t awake.

She considered removing his hand as soon as it touched her breast, but there was no intention behind his caress. He burrowed closer as he touched her, and she liked that. Liked all of it—so much that her body seemed to melt into his.

She wasn’t sure how long she lay there, telling herself to stop him. But she never did, and eventually she must’ve slept because when she woke up again, Simon had left.

There was a note on the nightstand. “Went to the coffee shop. Join me when you wake up.”

* * *

So this was Matt.

Transferring his laptop to his other hand, Simon turned to get a better look. But it was difficult to be discreet when he had to tilt his head so far back. The guy standing in line three people behind him had to be six-foot-six. He towered over Simon, over everyone, easily weighing two hundred and sixty pounds.

Simon sort of wished the guy had a crooked nose, or a gut that hung over his belt like some linemen, but Matt was all muscle. Not only that, he was blond, tan, with chiseled features—what most women would consider handsome. To top it off, he had a quick smile and was obviously well-liked. Three different people had hailed him since he walked in, which was what had drawn Simon’s attention to him in the first place.

Gail had gone out with this guy. She’d almost slept with him. And Lord knew Gail didn’t take off her clothes for just anyone.

“How’s the knee?” someone asked.

While Simon took note from behind his Ray-Bans, Matt gestured at the brace on his right leg. “Hurts like hell, but…I’m in therapy. I’ll get it back eventually.”

“I can’t believe you’re gonna miss the rest of the season.”

“Me, neither.”

“Good to see you, man.”

“Good to see you, too.”

“You think the Packers can take the Raiders on Monday?”

A woman broke in. “Excuse me? Can I help you?”

Simon had been listening so intently to Matt’s conversations it took him a moment to realize that this voice came from a different direction. The barista was asking for his order. Forced to shift his attention, he requested his usual—an espresso.

Several more people approached Matt while Simon waited for his coffee, all of them excited to see their favorite football player.

“Your coffee’s ready,” a girl called, dimpling as she handed Simon the cup. On one side she’d written her number. But she barely looked eighteen. That wasn’t a call he would’ve made even at his worst.

“Thanks,” he said, and headed to a table. He’d been planning to read some scripts. There hadn’t been much time for that this past year. He hadn’t had much interest, either. But even with the new picture Bella had texted him last night still fresh in his mind—of her completely naked and posing with her hands on her br**sts—he was eager to find a gem among the files Ian had sent, a character he was dying to play, a film that would get him excited about his career again.

He hadn’t had a drink in two weeks, was doing everything he possibly could to get Ty back. As long as he stayed the course, he’d look a lot better in the coming hearing. No need to worry about Bella’s threats. She could pose and taunt him all she wanted. He wasn’t going to let her rub salt in his wounds anymore.

For a second, he debated turning that sex video and this latest picture over to his attorney, who would then present them to the judge deciding Ty’s future. The way Bella was acting meant she cared more about hurting him than protecting her parental rights. But she knew he’d never tell on her. He couldn’t. Because that might make the court decide neither one of them was fit to care for Ty. Then they might put him in a foster home, and that was the last thing Simon wanted. At least Bella was a loving parent. Ty was better off with her than complete strangers.