“Far enough that he has to call?” I joke.
“Nope, and he has a key to my place. He can come and go any time he likes.”
“That’s nice that you guys are so close. Are your…uh, Kane’s parents nearby?” I ask. He frowns and my stomach knots. Maybe I shouldn’t be probing too deeply here. Things clearly went on in his life that he doesn’t want to talk about.
“About half an hour away,” he says and reaches for the door, shutting the conversation down.
Taking the hint, I open my door and slide from the car. Rider meets me at the front of the Jeep and I fish my keys from my purse as he follows me up the short walkway.
“How long have you lived here?” he asks.
“Just a year. It’s close to the hospital.” I open the door, and as soon as I do, Peaches lets out a loud meow.
“Whoa,” Rider says, the cat giving him a fright.
“Sorry, I should have warned you. Rider, meet Peaches.”
“Your cat’s name is Peaches.” I flick the light on and my tabby lifts her tail and saunters around me.
“Can you think of a better one?” Rider scratches his head, but Peaches stops in front of him and hisses. “She can be a little bit of a princess at times,” I say. “She doesn’t love new people, but she’ll warm up once she gets used to you.”
“Can’t wait.”
I chuckle at that and turn the lights on as we make our way down the hall. I glance over my shoulder to see Rider checking the place out.
“Drink?” I ask.
“Sure. Cold beer if you have one.”
“You bet. I always keep Dad’s favorites on hand,” I say and open the fridge. I pull out a Dead Man’s Brew, and hand it to him. “Double IPA,” I say.
“A girl who knows her beer. That’s a way to a man’s heart you know,” he jokes and takes a long pull. “Your father has good taste.” He takes another mouthful and I stand there for a second, watching his throat work, but my gaze leaves his face, tracks down his hard body. Eye candy, that’s what he is, and could likely charm an angry bear with a toothache. Honestly, Rider is hotter than any man has a right to be, and he’s standing here in my kitchen. So, what am I going to do about that? Before I can stop myself, I glance down, examine his crotch. Every nerve in my body comes alive, and it’s all I can do to fill my lungs. He clears his throat and my gaze flies to his.
“Ah,” I say, my knees threatening to buckle as a tremble quakes through me. “Yeah, I think I’ll have wine.”
What the hell? Not only was I checking out his package, he caught me in the damn act. Friends don’t do that, right? It’s a question I can’t answer, considering I’ve never had a guy friend before. I pop open the cork on a bottle of white, pour a generous amount into a glass and take a much-needed drink. I swallow, but it catches in my throat when Rider closes the distance between us. His heat and energy reach out to me and when he says my name, a low growl rumbling in the room, his hot breath tickles the fine hairs on the back of my neck.
“Jules…”
“Yeah?” I practically choke out as the warmth of his breath seeps under my skin and travels all the way to the needy juncture between my legs. My body heats, reminding me I haven’t been with a man in a long time. Although, a man like Rider… well, I’ve never been with anyone like him before.
“You can check me out if you want to,” he murmurs.
A strange, garbled sound catches in my throat. How the hell am I supposed to respond to that? “I…” I begin, and stop when his knuckles brush against the back of my neck. His fingers close around my pony tail, and he tugs. “But…but we’re just friends,” I remind him. Lame, Jules. Really lame. With my brain barely functioning I can’t seem to think straight, and if he tugs on my hair again, I might just turn around and tear off his clothes.
“Friends who aren’t having any luck in the wingman, or wingwoman, department.”
“True,” I say, and he comes closer, until his chest is against my back. His heart drums against my body, matching the fast tempo of mine. I shift from one foot to the other, and suck in a fast breath when his erection—his very big erection—rubs against the small of my back. I might not be his usual flavor of the week, but right now, this man wants me as much as I want him.
Go have some fun, Jules.
My nipples tighten in my lacy bra, and my breathing changes as Lindsay’s words circle my brain, urging me to give in to my urges. While one part of me begs me to go for it—I haven’t had an orgasm without the use of batteries in…ever—the other part of me is a bit apprehensive. Is this too soon? Will it ruin this budding friendship?
I bet he could bring you to orgasm.
“Maybe we could help each other out until we find suitable partners?” he says, his other hand tracing down my neck, lingering on my shoulder.
“What are you suggesting?”