“I’ll hold you to that, Nina.”
“I’m planning on it.”
* * *
The days that followed werebrutal.
Nina attended the funeral, confronted the elephant in the room that was her past with Rowan, and helped her friend find her footing in a situation that was peppered with savage landmines.
Gage still loved and desired the recent widow.
Nina watched as Rowan recognized that fact, accidentally responded to it, and lashed herself with guilt.
For hours, she sat and listened to Rowan’s stories about Bennett, how they’d met, the way they lived, and why she wasn’t sure what to do next.
“That night...it was the first time. The first time forusbutmyfirst time as well.”
Nina murmured, “That’s so fucked up, Rowan. I’m sorry.”
“I-I have some, uh, questions.”
Quirking her brow, Nina shot back, “Interesting. Hit me with them.”
It was like they were teenagers again, talking about boys. Nina used to make Rowan blush with her tales of debauchery but she always wanted to hear more.
Answering her questions now, explaining things Rowan hadn’t understood fully during her first sexual experience, made her friend laugh even as she cried.
“Thanks, Nina. I feel more...confident. Men, sex, they’ve never been my comfort zone.” She shrugged. “Books were always less confusing.”
“Excellent. Use this new knowledge as you go forward, Rowan. And know that men don’t really give a shit about anything as long as they can touch you or you touch them. It’s not rocket science where they’re concerned.” She winked. “You overthink everything.”
“Believe me...I know.” Twisting her hands together, she whispered, “Maybe it will come in handy someday.”
“It absolutely will.”
Still, there was no doubt about the relief Rowan felt when the object of her temptation returned to his home in Daingerfield with Miss Jeffries.
When it came to a woman who’d bloomed late and lost her husband under such conflicting circumstances, it was going to take time for her to admit what she wanted...much less go after it.
Nina returned to her home a few miles away with no small measure of relief. The copious emotions, pain, and tears...it was a lot for a woman like her - cold and detached - to handle.
Chapter Fifteen
For days, James stayed by Rowan’s side as they met with attorneys and representatives from Bennett’s company - that now belonged to his widow.
While Nina understood why James couldn’t come to her, she’d grown accustomed to steady access to him. Suddenly not having him close made her body ache painfully.
She was pacing when James walked through her door at midnight. Whipping Nina into his arms, he kept going to the bedroom.
“Those fucking lawyers just left.” She started to respond and he barked, “No talking. I need my mouth on you or I’m going to stroke the fuck out.”
Throwing her on the edge of the bed, he went to his knees to remove her clothes. He shoved her legs wide and smiled. “There it is. That’s what I need.”
Then he buried his face in her pussy and ate her until she screamed his name, soaked him with her release, and begged for his cock.
Shrugging off his suit jacket, holster, and shirt, he unfastened his pants enough to get them to his hips. Supporting her lower body with her legs over his elbows, he pushed in slow and stilled when he filled her completely.
“Perfect pussy wrapped around my dick. Hot, tight, wet. Let’s level up, sweetheart.”