“That’s how I felt about Ronan. He was always in my corner, even when we were growing up and fighting like cats and dogs.” A shadow passed over her face. “I miss him.”
“I’m sorry, angel. I didn’t mean to bring up bad thoughts.”
“No, it’s okay. He’s gone no matter if we talk about it or not, and not talking about it might make me feel better in the short term, but I’m partially afraid I’ll start to forget him.”
“Come here.” He waited for her to walk around to him and then wrapped his arms around her. The physical touch wouldn’t drive away all the bad things in the world, but it was all he knew how to offer. “You can talk about your brother to me whenever you want. I’ll always be here to listen.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was partially muffled by his shirt. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his back. “I’m glad you’re okay, Teague.”
He stroked his hands up her back to tangle in her hair and tip her head so he could see her eyes. “I’m here, angel.” He kissed one corner of her mouth and then the other. “I’m right here.” His next kiss took her mouth, slow and sweet, and he went rock hard at the little whimper she made when his tongue brushed hers.
Callie jerked back, but she didn’t leave the circle of his arms. “You’re trying to seduce me.”
“Trying? I thought I was doing a pretty damn good job of it.”
“You are—were.” She shivered. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
Maybe not, but he didn’t think he could let tonight end without tasting her again and feeling her come apart in his arms. “What did you have planned for tonight?” Because she obviously had plans in place, or she wouldn’t be digging in her heels so spectacularly.
“Dinner.” She slipped away from him and grabbed the jars of pizza sauce. “Movies. A full night of sleep.”
It struck him all over again that she wanted to take care of him. “I’m willing to negotiate.”
“Negotiate all you want.” She finished spreading the sauce and started on the cheese. “You need to take it easy.”
No, what he needed to take was her.
Teague finished his beer and pushed to his feet. He crossed the kitchen to her and caught her hips when she turned around. “Teague!”
“Here’s a newsflash, angel.” He pulled her closer, lining up their hips so she could feel exactly how turned on he was. “I’d have to be in a goddamn coffin not to want you.”
“Don’t say things like that.” Her hands came up to fist in the front of his shirt, but she didn’t push him away.
“It’s the truth.” He kissed her, taking her mouth like he’d wanted to since she walked through the door. She melted against him, and he backed her up to the counter, taking the kiss deeper yet. He knew he should back off, should let them go back to the domestic scene he’d been enjoying so much, but his head was full of too many things he couldn’t say. Not yet. Not without potentially scaring the shit out of Callie.
But he could show her.
“Do you think the pizza can wait awhile?”
“I think we can work something out.” She unbuttoned his shirt with quick movements, and slid it off his shoulders. Then she froze. “Oh, Teague.”
He didn’t have to look down to know what she saw—a rainbow of bruises up his side that were a match for the one on his face. “It looks worse than it is.”
“Don’t lie to me.” She traced a finger over the edge of the one covering his ribs, still an ugly purple. “This is why I wanted to wait. I couldn’t stand it if I hurt you.”
His heart gave a painful lurch, and he covered her hand with his own. “I’m not broken—just a little banged up.”
“Still—”
He kissed her again to stop her words. She didn’t want to hurt him. Well, he’d make damn sure she didn’t get the chance to worry about it. “Hands on the counter.” She obeyed with a little hiss of relief, the positioning leaving her body open for him, an opportunity he had no intention of wasting. He cupped her breasts, playing with her nipples through the thin fabric, and then slipped a hand up her skirt, and groaned. “No panties, angel?”
“You already know the answer to that.” Her lips brushed his with every word.
“The thought of you walking around Boston with only this sad excuse for a dress in between you and the rest of the world makes me crazy.” He pushed a finger into her, finding her wetter than he could have dreamed.
She spread her legs a bit wider. “My dress is cute.”