Free Black and Blue by Gena Showalter Page B

Now,” she said. Unfortunately, her voice was still raspy with longing.
    “Someone’s forgotten her own rules, I think. Just like she claims to have forgotten her pleasure.” He nuzzled her nose, the contact innocent and yet somehow all the more erotic for it. “You sure that’s what you want?”
    No, she wasn’t sure. He affected her in a way no one else ever had. He made all her naughty bits tingle, and she liked it. Her breasts felt heavier, ready forhis hands . . . his mouth. Her nipples hardened and throbbed. Her legs trembled, and at the apex of her thighs she was warm and wet. Her knees threatened to buckle under her slight weight, a reaction guaranteed to land her in the strength of his arms. And probably on her back, on the receiving end of a good snogging. Or more . . .
    Yes, please.
    She hadn’t had sex in three years, since she’d spiraled after Claire’s death. And before that, her last sexual encounter had happened at the ripe old age of seventeen. Back then, she’d given herself to too many, desperate for male approval and attention.
    The curse of those bloody daddy issues.
    But she wasn’t a needy little girl anymore, and she wasn’t going to be some guy’s bang and bail ever again.
    “You might be a cheater, Professor Hit It and Quit It, but I am not.” She shoved him, and though he could have resisted and remained in place, he moved backward. A scowl marred the rugged beauty of his new face. A scowl . . . and maybe a little hurt.
    I am a judgmental bitch.
    “Look. I’m sorry I was mean,” she muttered. “Let’s just forget the last five minutes.” She reached into her purse and grabbed the paper she’d stuffed there. “Here. This is your bill for your stay at Chez Black.”
    She expected him to comment on her apology. He didn’t. He acted as if he hadn’t heard it, and she wasn’t sure what to think.
    As he read over her notes, she moved to his side to make sure she hadn’t left anything out.
    Security system, parts and repairs: $8,000.
    New window: $2,000.
    New sheets: $1,000.
    Water: $10,000.
    Time and mental anguish: $3,000,000.
    No. Nothing left out.
    He eyed her with a strange mix of amusement and exasperation. “Do you accept orgasm? Because that’s my preferred method of payment.”
    She puckered her lips, knew she looked like she’d just sucked on a lemon and didn’t care. “I’m sure. And no. I do not accept orgasms.” But I’d like to. “Lucky you, I can get you started on a stellar payment plan. Meaning you have one month to pay or I’ll break both of your kneecaps. Now, are we going to search the explosion site or what?”

Seven

    E VIE APOLOGIZED TO HIM , and she liked having his hands on her soft, sweet body. Blue was having trouble getting past those two little facts.
    He gave himself a mental slap. First, she apologized for being mean. Not for what she’d said. Because she thought it was true. Thought he liked screwing anything in a skirt. Or breathing.
    Can you blame her? You’ve been acting like Dr. Happy with a life-and-death vitamin Dick injection to impart.
    True. Deep down, he knew he deserved her rancor. He’d done horrible things to his women. Things he could have said no to.
    And so what that she’d enjoyed his hands on her. He wasn’t going to do anything about it.
    He lived his life by one simple rule: Never mess around unless it’s job related.
    After his breakup with Noelle, he’d added a second: Always let the girlfriend know there will be others.
    He’d kept those rules. Until Evie.
    Not that they’d done anything. But the intent was there, and that was just as bad. He was just as guilty.
    Michael would kill him.
    If you find him.
    He would. Soon.
    Blue waited in the living room as Evie changed out of her purple scrubs. Did she have any idea how adorable she looked in them? Probably not. The girl seemed utterly unconcerned about her appearance. But then, she didn’t need to be. She was a natural beauty.
    Seriously. How