More than used to their squabbling, Rick idly twirled a lock of Cherry’s brown hair around his finger. “Got plans for the day?”
“Not really. I came this morning because you asked me to.”
“It’s a standing invitation, love. My home is your home, anytime, anywhere, and for whatever reason.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
“You sound delighted.”
“No, I sincerely meant thank you. You just surprised me.” Those apple cheeks were pink again.
God, he loved how she blushed so easily. It made him feel protective. And hot. Definitely hot. Her sweet shyness and uncertainty just brought out the predator in him. Oh yeah, hot and predatory. He could eat her right up.
Cherry stared at him, her cheeks going even redder. “Rick.” His name was whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what? Like I could eat you right up? Funny, I was just thinking that.”
There was an answering spark in her eyes – thank you, God! – but then she bit her lip and glanced across the table to where Tim was mercilessly baiting Donna, while she threatened to de-man him. “Not now.”
“Later?” When she didn’t answer, he placed his mouth against her ear and breathed both seductively and teasingly, “Later, Cherry?”
“You’re like a kid with candy.”
“I like to suck my candy.”
Cherry nearly tipped the tin of Diet Coke she was holding in her other hand.
Rick chuckled. When there was no reply or response from her, he sobered, kicking himself mentally for maybe pushing her too far in company. He was about to apologize when she turned her head, her gaze meeting his.
Holy cow, her gaze was bright and held heat, even if she was trying to hide it. At least, he thought she was trying to hide it, but then she beckoned him closer and when he quite willingly laid his cheek against her softer one so that she could whisper in his ear, he half expected to be chastised.
“I like to suck my candy, too.” Her breath was warm in his ear.
Well hell, that just about paralysed him. ick blinked.
Cherry slowly retreated, but she turned her head at the last second so that those luscious lips brushed moistly against his cheek, then shockingly, heatedly, there was a brief, so very, agonizingly, brief suck on the corner of his mouth, then she pulled away and turned back to the table, leaving him staring at her in astonishment.
She liked to suck her candy, too. Did she truly mean…but then, she’d never had oral sex.Had she? Had she meant oral sex? Heat broiled low in his groin. Jesus. Oral sex with Cherry was something he planned, but he hadn’t been sure how she’d accept it, not with her weight issues, but it sure as hell had seemed like… Oh boy.
For the first time since he’d met her, Rick didn’t know what to say. He knew what he wanted to do, all right, and that was to lay her across the table and bury his head between her voluptuous thighs, but hell, not with his sister and his friend there. He had to get rid of them. Now. Somehow.
He didn’t know how, not without mortifying Cherry. Shit.
His attention was partially diverted by Donna’s mobile phone ringing, but only partially, because his head was still swimming with images of Cherry and oral sex, and the tingling sensation of that little suck on the corner of his mouth.
Picking up the phone, Donna studied the number. “Mum.” Flicking it open, she put it to her ear. “Hi, Mum. Have you heard from that arse, David? He’s such a jerk.”
Tim grinned and drained the ice chocolate from his glass. His gaze lit on Cherry and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. His gaze slid to Rick, and Rick’s face obviously wasn’t as bland as he’d hoped, because Tim’s grin widened knowingly and he winked.
Cherry’s fingers flexed in his hand and he gave them a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
Donna’s gasp caught his attention. “He’s hurt? David’s hurt? Is he all right? Is he—?” She bit her lip, her eyes wide. “He did what? Oh no!”
Concerned, Rick straightened.
“I’m coming home right now. You tell David to stay right there. Of course I know he can’t move, I just – I’m coming home now.” Snapping the phone shut, Donna sprang to her feet.
“What’s wrong?” Rick stood quickly. “What happened?”
“David sprained his ankle while painting the trimming on the verandah.” Donna’s eyes filled with tears and she sniffed. “I nagged him about painting it, that’s what we fought about, he said he didn’t have time and I said ‘What? For the last six weekends?’ So when I left, Mum said he felt bad and decided to paint it as a surprise. He fell off the ladder and sprained his ankle.”