Shoving the glass at him, she said, “You make no sounds at all. It freaks me out.”
“You don’t like me.”
She should have expected him to make a bold statement. He was blunt and a lot of people didn’t like dealing with him because of it. Funny, it was one of the things she liked about him. He wasn’t really that rude, but she got the feeling he didn’t like to tap dance around anything. Maura could respect that. She had the same problem and it was one of the reasons she had very few female friends. From the time she hit her teens, Maura had never been good at playing the social game.
She wanted to take a step back but the counter was there. She rubbed her temples. God, she was getting another headache. They were starting to be her constant companion the last few months. The stress of running the office without her brother was starting to get to her. The trip to Hawaii might be good for her in more ways than one. Sure, Zeke was Conner’s business partner, but she couldn’t let Conner down. He had done so much for her and now she could do this for him.
“Could you at least step back?” she asked.
He hesitated then did as she requested. “You’re avoiding my comment.”
She released the breath she had been holding. “No I’m not.” Of course she was. She wanted this conversation like she wanted to wear pantyhose in August. “I like you, Rory. I’m just not comfortable around you.”
“Honesty.” He nodded. “I knew that Zee wouldn’t be involved with a woman without integrity.”
She’d had a feeling Zeke had told him they’d been involved. If not, someone in the office would have. They had been discreet, but people weren’t stupid. And for all of Zeke’s faults, he had been candid with her before they hired Rory.
“Listen, I know you two are together, that’s fine.”
He cocked his head to one side and studied her. It was different than most of the other times he had looked at her. Before, he had barely taken notice of her. No, that was wrong. He did pay attention, but not any more than he did anyone else. Now, though, he seemed to be looking at her with an interest she had never seen before.
Finally he spoke. “But it isn’t. Not for you...and not for Zee.”
“You give Zeke something I cannot.” And that hurt more than she would ever let anyone know. It always felt like someone had taken a knife to her chest. She blinked when her eyes started to burn. “I want him to be happy.”
He straightened and set his glass on the counter beside him before approaching her. With every step he took toward her, her pulse increased. Having Rory concentrate on her and only her was almost too much for her to take. Her nerves were sparking with an energy that she hadn’t felt before in his presence.
“Zee didn’t call it off because you couldn’t give him what he needs.”
She snorted to hide the pain. “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about.”
He settled one hand against the counter then the other, effectively caging her in. She felt trapped, but for some reason, she didn’t want to escape. Her nipples were hard against the lace of her bra and her mouth was suddenly dry. It was just like when they had been at her car.
“Zeke never explained it to you, did he?” Rory asked, his voice drawing the words out, his Irish accent thickening.
She shook her head because she could not speak. All the air in her lungs seemed to back up and her throat clogged. He was looking directly into her eyes and she felt herself melting.
“Zeke doesn’t like to play at BDSM.”
She sighed and inwardly cringed at the wistful sound. She hated that she sounded like a little lost girl.
“I know.”
“I do though.”
She shook her head even though she knew it was true. She had heard the rumors, but she had never believed it because Zeke hated BDSM. He didn’t like playing either role with men or women.
Rory nodded, one side of his mouth curving up. God he was driving her crazy with small gestures. No wonder Zeke was so in love with the man. He could probably seduce the most conservative man into bed.
“And here’s a little secret,” he said, his voice rougher than before. He leaned closer until his mouth was against her ear. His warm breath feathered against her skin and she shivered.
She needed to get some control over the situation and, not to mention, her body. “What’s your secret?”
He chuckled and she realized he had been waiting for her to ask. “Well, love, Zee likes to watch.”
He teased her earlobe with his teeth as her brain shut down. God that felt good. She hadn’t had a man since Zee and it had been so long.