Page 90 of Rough and Rugged
I grin. I have more money than I’ll ever spend. Even if she never speaks to me again, I’m still buying her a fucking island. “SweeTart, I’m happy to promise that and more.”
I wrap her ankle; she winces and I mutter. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Then don’t.” I nestle her in and swear my heart’s going to explode. The phone flashes red.
COLT:Update.
HAYDEN:Idiot. Why are you in woods? Save her. You ok?
TONY:Driving with Mom and Dad. No planes in this fucking mess. Jesus, Brother.
LAW:Do you need me?
ROBBIE:We’re in Jersey. Meet you in Boston. Claire’s driving so it will take us like twenty minutes. She’s scaring the fuck out of me. Love you, brother. And you should love Monica.
DAX:Love you. Stop texting. We’re ok. And you all knew she was here?!
COLT:Dad said Forestry might need daylight. Sit tight for morning.
TONY:Hold that firecracker of a girl tight.
DAX:I’m trying.
I’m overwhelmed at my ‘brothers’ stepping up. Tony’s probably pissed our billions can’t save us. Pulling in the Vice President is probably my most clutch move. Thanks Colt. I slam a bottle of water, then get her one. Pulling her up to my chest, she sips and takes more Advil.
“Sweet girl, hold on. Everyone’s helping us.” She cuddles into my chest and I hold her. I whisper as I stoke her back. “Baby girl, do you want some dry soup? Or tangerine goop?” She doesn’t answer, but it’s not like I offered her a dragon roll. I’m so tapped and can’t keep my eyes open.
My skin prickles with the cold as I pop my eyes open in panic. Her chestnut hair falls off my lap as I ease her to the side.
The embers of the fire are still red but no flames, I feed it more paper. I toss on my other shirt, which is a button down. I chose manuscript and jerky over more clothes. I sit against the edge of the displaced bed and read what’s left. As the fire cracks to life, my heart eases. Perhaps you have to burn it all down to find that spark again.
“Whatcha reading?” My head jerks up to the edge of the bed.
“Your color is back.” She’s leaning over the bed and she’s gorgeous. Her long hair hangs from the hood of my sweatshirt. I stand and she watches as I hike up my sweats.
The flickering light softens her pure and confident face. I want her, but not in the same way that I did that first night. I don’t want to tear into her, jam my tongue down her throat, cuff that gorgeous neck as I toss her against the brick wall outside of the hotel where we started. I want to hold and savor her. Or maybe I want both. I’m standing paralyzed, holding wood, sporting wood, remembering the SweeTart taste of her.
She whispers, “You have the best ass, Dax. Why are you wearing an oxford? Do you have a meeting later?”
There’s an irresistible small smile on her rosy lips. I gently roll her onto her back. Despite the comforter, I can still reach her lips. I brush her hair away and smile. “How are you more stunning?” Her breath catches, but before she can take another full one, I’m kissing her.
Chapter Six
Monica
Whetherit’sgratefulorsexual, I don’t fucking care. His soft lips and hard pressure will end me. He slides his tongue against mine, and I open easily for him. I clutch at his shirt.
“Fuck.” He sits up, and I feel the loss like someone shot my puppy. His face is way too earnest. I scoot up to face him. “I was terrified when I saw you pinned under that beam.” As he speaks, his fingers trace my jaw and lips.
“Zachary.” He grins as I call him by his real name. His name became Dax when his baby brother couldn’t pronounce it. “Can you hold me? And tell me those sweet things again?”
“I could.” He drifts a finger over my collarbone, and I sigh at the soft caress. Then he catches himself caring. He stands abruptly as if I’d stop him from touching me, re-buttoning his shirt. Bye-bye pretty peek of a perfect pec. “Colt’s dad sent people.”
I grab the discarded papers and read the opening lines.
It wasn’t supposed to happen like that, tossing the love of my life against a brick wall and kissing the hell out of her. The single greatest moment of my life, and the one that holds more regret than soil can hold water.
My stomach bottoms out. He regrets sleeping with me. I can’t yell at him about not wanting me, so I’ll scream about something else.