Page 153 of Rags's Awakening
“It looked like you were helping her real good,” Casey said. “You’ve got twenty more seconds.”
“This is crazy, Case. Open the door so I can talk to you without freezing out here. Nothing’s going on with her. She was upset, crying. I told her I’d help, and she came over to me. That’s it. I don’t have any feelings for her. Come on.”
The door opened a fraction wider. “Why didn’t you tell me you were meeting her?”
Rags shrugged. “It wasn’t planned. She called, said she was in trouble and didn’t want to talk about it on the phone. It just happened.”
“How many times have these hook-ups ‘just happened’?”
“It wasn’t a hook-up. And this is the first time. It’s not what you’re thinking.” Rags coughed.
“Come in before you catch a cold,” she said, finally swinging the door open.
He stomped his boots on the mat and stepped inside, warmth wrapping around him along with her familiar scent. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, but he stayed where he was, dripping on the rug.
“Take off your jacket,” she told him, her voice softer now. I’ll hang it up so it can dry.”
He handed it to her, noting how she avoided his gaze. When she came back, she handed him a towel.
“Thanks,” he said, wiping his face and neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Case. It just never crossed my mind it’d be a big deal.”
“Would it have been a big deal if you walked into the diner and saw some guy wrapped around me?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “I’d see red. Probably punch the guy out, like that pussy you were with at the diner a few months ago.”
“Devin?” A small smile finally tugged at her lips. “We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, well, I was ready to smash his face.”
“Then you can understand exactly what I felt when I saw you with her.”
“I do.”
“Do you want something to drink?” Casey asked, leaning against the counter. “I want to hear what kind of trouble your ex is in. I’ve got a feeling she wants you back. Trust me, women can tell these things.”
“A beer and a couple shots of Jack, if you’ve got it. And I don’t want her back. I want only you, Case.”
She stopped, fixing her eyes on him for a long heartbeat. “I bought a bottle of whiskey the other night just for you.”
She turned toward the pantry, leaving him to kick off his boots and stretch out on the living room couch. A minute later, she walked back in. “Here you go,” she said, setting a cold bottle of Coors, the whiskey, and a shot glass on the coffee table.
“Thanks.” He caught her hand before she could step away, then pulled her toward him. “You still mad at me?”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t be.” He tugged her onto his lap and wrapped his arm around her waist. “You’re the only one on my mind.”
“Am I?”
“You know it.” He tilted his face to hers and kissed her gently. Her lips were full and warm. He pulled her closer and gathered the soft fabric of her robe into his hands. With his tongue he teased her lips apart, and felt her melt into his chest…
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the lamp and the pale light from the snow outside. Rags pulled her close, his arms wrapped around her as she rested her head on his chest, her fingers whispering over his skin.
“That was incredible, babe,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head while inhaling the scent that was always her—vanilla, caramel, and patchouli.
She pressed closer and burrowed deeper into him.
“You’re the spark that keeps me going, darlin’.” He tipped her chin up, meeting her eyes. “We got something going here.”
