Protect Me (Rivers Edge Book 4)(7)

Nate crosses his long, lean, muscular legs as he leans back against the  stainless steel island. Seriously, his legs are crazy-hot. Like the kind  of legs that could do serious damage when used as a weapon and even  more damage to a girl's already overheated body. They're practically  tree trunks holding up his body. Thick, hard muscles and sexy as sin  dark blond hair.

But what draws my attention more than his incredible legs are the  tattoos on his upper arm and shoulder. Yesterday, Nate was wearing a  t-shirt that covered up his ink. Today, in the form fitting tank top,  his tattoos are on clear display. They start mid-bicep and run up his  shoulder, wrapping around the back. They're intricate and detailed; a  beautiful display of dark lines and symbols. They're deep and personal  and ungodly sexy as hell.

Crap! Get it together, Lia!

I fan my suddenly flushed face and look over at Nate. His intense eyes  are trained on me. A slow smile spreads across his far too handsome face  as if he knows exactly what I was just thinking, and clearly has no  problems allowing my mind to detour and my eyes to wander.

"So, obviously, you weren't expecting me yesterday morning, so who were  you expecting?" Nate asks as he returns the conversation to a more  serious nature.

"No one. That's the problem. I was just startled," I reply.

"I get that. But why?" he asks, training those all-knowing eyes back on mine.

I squirm a little under his scrutiny and wonder exactly how to steer the  conversation in another direction. I have no intention of telling Nate  why I reacted the way I did, but something tells me that he's not going  to give up his quest for information too easily.

"You can just never be too careful, Nate. Don't you agree?"

"Of course, I agree. You just seemed like your fear was real yesterday,  not just a fear of a strange man walking around your place of work. You  were afraid of something more. I saw it in your eyes."

"Look, I just startle easily, okay? Thank you for your concern, but I'm  fine. Really," I say and look back at his face. His eyes bore into me  again, but I fight the urge to wiggle. I hold steadfast as he scans my  face.

"You're right," Nate says. "Sorry to push."

"It's okay," I reply as I turn back to the mixer on the counter by the  wall. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?" I ask. "I just finished the first  pot."

"That sounds great, and today you can actually make it regular. That's  actually why I stopped in. Well, that and one of your fresh cinnamon  rolls. Don't tell Ave because she would cut off my balls, but it was  probably better than the last one she made me. It was mouthwatering," he  says, the corner of his mouth rises up with the compliment. But the way  he says mouthwatering suddenly makes my body that much more aware of  his presence. My whole body is instantly humming to life.

After centering my equilibrium, I smile and say, "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."

Nate stares at me and all of the unsaid things float around us. He has  no idea that more than his secret is safe. I feel so safe. And that  scares the hell out of me.

I turn and grab the pot of coffee from the percolator. My hand has a  slight tremble as I pour the hot liquid into the insulated paper cup.  After I secure the lid on the top of the cup, I turn around and hand it  to the tall man in front of me. He's not only tall, but broad and  muscular. You can tell he works hard for his incredible physique. Women  everywhere must drool. Hell, he probably has a woman at home drooling  over him all day long. I chance a quick look down at his left hand and  don't see a ring. Not even the faint marking from where a ring once was.  Still, that doesn't mean that there isn't someone waiting at home for  Mr. Nate Stevens. Grabbing a white bag, I slip one of the fresh rolls  inside and hand it to him, as well.

"Thank you for the cup of coffee and the cinnamon roll. I should  probably let you get back to work," Nate says as he takes his cup and  crosses to the door. He turns around and makes eye contact one last  time.

I find myself holding my breath as I wait for him to say something - anything.

"I'll see you soon, Lia," Nate says with another thousand-watt grin,  revealing a dimple in his right cheek that makes my panties instantly  damp.                       
       
           



       

I struggle to speak. Words just don't seem to come. It's like my brain  completely forgets how to properly form thoughts and shuts down.

Nate throws me another knowing smile and unlocks the door. With a wink  of his uber-sexy right eye, he exits the same way he entered. Except  this time, he may very well have taken a sliver of my heart with him.





Chapter Three


Nate




Damn, that woman does things to me. I'm just so fucking thankful that  she didn't notice everything she does to me. When she opened that door,  my running shorts shrank two sizes. She's the perfect combination of  sexy and shy. I've always been into the more aggressive ladies, but Lia?  Her quiet, shy persona only enhances her inner and outer beauty. In  fact, it makes her sexy as hell.

I walk out into the alleyway carrying my perfect cup of black coffee,  the scent of the warm cinnamon roll assaulting my senses, when I see the  familiar face of my mother standing in front of me. And she's smiling.  Not just any smile, but one of those smiles that lets me know she knows  way more than she's letting on.

"Well, good morning, son. I didn't expect to see you this morning," my mom says with a smile on her face.

I step forward and give her a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I just stopped  by for a cup of coffee and something sweet is all. What are you doing  here?" I ask.

"Oh, I thought I'd stop by and see how that darling new woman is working  out. She's such a sweetheart, that one," she says with another knowing  look.

"Yeah, she seems nice," I reply, trying to act calm, cool, and collected.

"Mmm hmm," she agrees, again with that damn smile. "Anyway, I was  thinking of inviting her over to Sunday dinner since she's so new in  town and doesn't really know anyone yet. I thought maybe if she came  over and had dinner with a few of us, she would feel more comfortable  and would appreciate getting to know a few young ladies around her age."

"That sounds like a great idea, Mom," I reply before taking another sip  of coffee. Why do I feel like she's baiting me here? As a child, my  mother was always a master manipulator, and I supposed you would have  had to be, to raise five kids. With that said, I can't help but wonder  what she's up to here.

"I know you guys work this Sunday, but Avery and the kids will be there.  Plus, Erin, Travis, Josselyn, and Grant," she says. "Oh, and Will," she  adds. There's something about the way she says it. A slightly different  tone or something.

"Will?" I ask, eyebrow shooting skyward.

"Yes, Will. He's single, you know. I just bet he and Lia would hit it off nicely, don't you?"

I stare hard at my mom. She's staring up at me with a look of pure  motherly innocence, but behind that look roots evil. She's all twinkly  eyes and bright smile, but there's no doubt about it. She's definitely  up to something.

And I'm not falling for it.

"Whatever you think, Mom. Though, I doubt Will is her type," I reply casually.

"Maybe. Maybe not. I guess we'll see on Sunday, won't we?" she says as she walks around me towards the door I just exited.

"Goodbye, Mom. Try not to meddle too much in everyone's business," I add with a grin.

"I don't meddle, son. I develop very strategic plans and execute with  precision and expertise," Mom replies with a big smile dripping with  purity.

I bite my tongue. I don't want my mom meddling anywhere near me. Let her  focus on Will. "Talk to you later," I say over my shoulder as I head  towards home.

My pace quickens as the images of Mom fixing Lia and Will up take root  in my brain like that moment you sit in the dentist chair and he pulls  out the drill. I'm instantly edgy and tense.

Over my dead body, Mother.





*****




Monday night proves to be another hot, muggy Midwestern August night.  The humidity is high and the streets have all but closed up as the  residents of Rivers Edge find comfort inside their homes, in the air  conditioning. I'm starving, but need to stop by the hardware store first  and grab some more drywall filler to use in a few cracks in the living  room walls. Fortunately, there isn't too much to do in the living room  as far as remodeling goes. I plan on filling the cracks, repainting the  walls, and replacing the worn out carpeting. Then I can move on to the  next room.

I head down the aisle that houses the drywall supplies and run smack  into Lia. She's studying the same group of products on the shelf that  I'm after. Since she hasn't seen me yet, I take the opportunity to check  her out. She's not too short and not too tall - I'd guess around  five-six - and has a smokin' hot body. Her tits which are accented by  her tight tank top are the perfect size for my hands. My fingers itch to  feel their weight in my palms, squeezing them until she moans. Her legs  are endless - long and curvy. Her ass is perfection. I know because  I've already checked it out numerous times in the two short encounters  we've had. Her hair is up and her bangs hang down, swept to the right  side of her face. She's gorgeous. Stunning. Beautiful.