First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

“You will, huh?” Her heart melted, and was now laying in a molten pool somewhere around his feet.

“Yeah,” he said, his voice husky. She felt him stirring beneath the towel. Felt the now-familiar tingling between her thighs. Focus, Lexi, focus.

“I only planned to stay a few days. I don’t have enough clothes.” Or meds.

“What you’re wearing looks fine to me,” he said, eyeing the towel as if he was determining the fastest way to remove it.

“I’ll just wear this to the fair then, shall I?”

Ian’s face darkened. “Good point. I’ll buy you some new ones. Preferably long, concealing, loose fitting clothes fit for wearing in public.”

Lexi chuckled, but the idea of spending a few more days in town was appealing. Having a few more dreams to explore more of her fantasies with Ian – even more so.

She hadn’t taken a vacation since... well, never. Aidan wouldn’t begrudge her a few days, right? Hell, he’d probably cheer. He was forever trying to talk her into taking some time off.

Her meds were a problem, though. She always brought a little more than she needed, but she hadn’t planned on staying a whole week, and had already doubled-up for that little mishap at the Pub. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the kind of stuff she could waltz into the local CVS and pick up. Maybe if she stretched out the doses, took a little less each time, and didn’t try to cook for anyone over the course of the next few days, she could make it.

*

She was so close, he could sense it. She wanted to stay; she just needed the proper incentive.

Ian turned, pulling her into his arms. If he had a few more days, he’d be able to make her see that leaving him was not an option. Lexi couldn’t just leave. She couldn’t give him a gift like that and then take it away. She couldn’t rip out his heart and take it with her.

And he was not above playing upon happy childhood memories to keep her around until he could convince her to stay permanently. Hell, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.

“Is there anything I could do to persuade you?” he asked softly, his hands reaching under the lower hem of the towel to cup her delicious backside. She moaned softly into his chest.

“I want a ride on your motorcycle,” she hummed, petting his chest. “The big Harley. And no granny-speed either. I want full-throttle, back mountain roads.”

It sounded dangerous, but he was confident she would be safe enough with him. His bike was like an extension of himself, perfectly customized for him specifically, thanks to his highly skilled cousin-in-law, Kyle.

Ian cocked an eyebrow at her. “Done. Is that all?”

Her eyes glittered mischievously. “A moonlight swim at the lake. Dragonfire burgers and beer mandatory. Swimsuits optional.”

Oh yeah, he was so there. He nodded once. “Anything else?”

Lexi’s fingers stilled and she looked away. “I want more nights like last night, Ian.” Her voice was so quiet he could barely hear her. His heart stopped dead in his chest.

Ian tried to swallow and found he couldn’t. His blue eyes darkened to glistening sapphires as every one of his systems nearly ground to a halt. Unable to speak, he simply nodded.

“Every night,” she whispered, her breath hot against the skin of his chest.

Sweet Jesus in heaven, she really was going to kill him.

“Deal,” he rasped past the closure in his throat.

Ian gave Lexi some privacy to call her boss. Well, sort of. He moved to the bathroom under the pretense of shaving, but he was listening intently to every word.

“Yes, Aidan, I’m fine... No, no I’m feeling much better, thanks... No, no need to do that, really... Yes, just through the weekend. There’s this big county fair, and I haven’t been to one since I was a kid...”

Lexi went on to tell Aidan about the house and what Johnny had said about the renovations. Ian noticed she didn’t say a word about him.

“Lex, do you mind if I use the complimentary toothbrush?” he asked as he poked his head out of the bathroom, making sure his deep male voice carried easily.

Lexi shot him a look and tried to slap her hand over the phone but it was too late. “Aidan? Yes... no... no, I’m fine.” She sighed, shooting Ian an annoyed look. He grinned back at her, unrepentant.

“Ian.... Yes, Ian Callaghan... No, you’re thinking of Kieran... No, that was Shane, or Sean – I always did have a hard time telling them apart... Yes, there are quite a few of them... Now really, Aidan, I think you’re overreacting a bit...”

*

By the time she finally managed to hang up the phone she was beyond flustered.

“What the hell was that about?” she demanded, pushing open the cracked bathroom door to find Ian leaning over the vanity, wiping the last of the shaving cream from his face. Oh, and he was buck naked. Her eyes followed the rippling muscles downward, past the hardened ridges, along the very distinct masculine “V”, a soft sigh escaping before she could stop it. She forced her eyes back up – only to find Ian grinning in smug male satisfaction.