Free WildLoving by N.J. Walters

she?”
    “Yes, but it’s not like that. He hurt her, Archer. Damn near
killed her.”
    “I’ll get right on it and get back to you as soon as I know
anything,” he promised.
    “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Rabb ended the call and tucked
his phone back into his pocket. He knew his friend probably thought he was
nuts, but Rabb didn’t care.
    He strode down the sidewalk, sipped his coffee and let his
mind wander back over last night. The sex had been phenomenal. No doubt about
it. He hadn’t had many serious relationships, but he’d always liked the ladies
and they’d always liked him. He’d had his fair share of women but no one came
close to what he’d shared with Eliza last night.
    His dick was semi-erect already, despite the chilling cold.
He could practically feel her soft skin beneath his hands and the bite of her
nails digging into his shoulders, taste the sweet cream from between her silky
thighs and hear her deep moans of pleasure.
    Even too thin and not at her best, Eliza put all other women
to shame. There was something about her that slammed into his chest and gripped
his heart. He didn’t like it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
    He’d walked away from her the first time because he’d been a
coward. He hated to admit it, but it was true. The pull she had on him had made
it easy for him to believe Jason’s lies. He’d wanted some excuse to walk away,
to save himself from falling deeper for Eliza, and Jason had given it to him.
    Rabb admitted he’d been a fool allowing Jason to play him.
It wasn’t an easy admission for him to make, but damned if he was going to make
the same mistake twice.
    The electronics store came into view and he opened the door.
Perfect timing. They’d just opened and the crowds weren’t too bad yet. Any
shopping this close to Christmas was risky. He made his way to the phone kiosk
and grabbed a clerk’s attention. “I need a phone.”
     
    Eliza traced her finger around the rim of her mug. Both
Nevar and Allison were watching her. They were trying to be polite, but there
was no denying they were both curious. And why wouldn’t they be? She was a
complete stranger and Rabb had not only left her here, but he’d also kissed her
in front of them. They had to be wondering what that was all about.
    “Look, I’m sorry Rabb dumped me in your lap like this.” She
pushed aside the mug. “I’ll just get my things from his place and leave.” His
brother probably had a key to Rabb’s place and would let her in long enough to
gather her belongings. She had no idea where she would go. Probably the soup
kitchen for lunch and then to the shelter early so she could try to get a bed
for the night.
    “No.” Nevar leaned back in his chair and studied her.
“Stay.”
    Eliza looked around the apartment, admiring the cozy
sectional sofa in the living room area. They were seated around a lovely wood
dining table that was large enough to seat six.
    “Eliza.” Nevar waited until he had her attention once again.
“How do you know Rabb?”
    “We used to work together at Bruno’s Bar and Grill.” She
didn’t mind sharing that with them.
    “Where do you work now?” Nevar asked.
    She shrugged. “Nowhere at the moment.” She wanted to sink
beneath the table. Damn Rabb for abandoning her here. And damn her for being
stupid enough to leave her belongings locked in his place.
    “You looking for a job?” Nevar’s scrutiny deepened. Eliza
was beginning to feel like a bug under a microscope. It wasn’t a pleasant
sensation.
    “Leave the poor woman alone, Nevar,” Allison scolded. “Let
her have her coffee in peace.”
    “I’m not bothering you, am I?” It was almost a challenge.
    Eliza thought about denying it, but then she nodded. “Yes.
Yes, you are.”
    Allison laughed while Nevar looked completely nonplussed.
“See I told you,” Allison teased. She turned to Eliza. “I admit I’m as curious
as he is. Rabb isn’t the type to just drop a woman off at our door