Delight (McKenzie Brothers, #3)

I’ve calmed down some and I’ve been wondering ever since about what he would have said had I stopped when he’d shouted to me. At the time, though, I was so close to tears that I hadn’t wanted him to see how much his words affected me. He’s a guy though, so I guess I should have made allowances, but after the amazing sex I didn’t think he deserved any.

“Talk to me, Rosie,” Ruben asks, breaking into my thoughts. “You’ve been scowling at the sticky bun for about five minutes.”

“Have I? Hmm.” I have no idea what he wants me to say because I’m sure not bursting out with my actual thoughts is such a good idea. “What do you want to talk about?” I ask realizing the playfulness of ten minutes ago has disappeared with me getting lost in my thoughts.

Ruben sighs, which drags my eyes back to him. “I don’t apologize—ever,” he smirks, “but I owe you one.”

He scoots over to me and kneeling against my hip, he takes my hands into his bringing them up to his lips. Ruben pinches the last piece of bun with his teeth and with his eyes alight with humor; starts to lick my fingers clean of the sugary confectionary.

The heat from his mouth lands straight between my legs and it takes a lot to stay still and not squirm around to ease the ache he’s creating—the heat he knows damn well he’s creating.





Chapter 13 ~ Ruben

Licking Rosie’s fingers is a really bad idea, and I’m not sure what I planned on accomplishing by doing this because I’ve given myself an erection, which is going to be noticeable if Rosie glances at my lap. But my eyes dance when I see the look on her face. She wants me just as much and I bet she’s forcing herself to stay put.

I don’t think she realizes that when she’s aroused the color of her eyes darken and a delightful flush covers her cheekbones. She’s beautiful.

Apologizing isn’t something I do, so I hadn’t lied there and I do need to apologize and…and do what I’m not sure.

Releasing one of her hands, I run my fingers through my hair and go for it. “I’m sorry.” That wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be, and I have her attention. “Look, I’ve never slept with, dated or wanted a member of staff—until you. When you were going and I said about keeping quiet, I could have phrased it differently or even explained, but you kind of took off.” I smile. “I’m new to this…this whatever it is between us and I handled it wrong. I was trying to protect you when I said about the staff. I didn’t want them to treat you differently because of me.”

Our hands entwine and when I feel a gentle pressure against mine, I feel as though all might be right between us. This woman drives me insane and no matter what I do, she stays in my head.

Placing a kiss on my knuckles she meets my gaze. “I thought you were ashamed to be seen with me. A waitress.”

Is she crazy? I release her hands and rising up, take her face between my hands and tell her, “Rosie,” I kiss her lips, “I could never be ashamed of you. Oh God, babe. Don’t ever think that. I really was just trying to protect you in your work environment.”

I kiss her again. Just small feather light kisses around her lips and nose. “I’m sorry that’s what you thought. I’m sorry I upset you after the most amazing coming together with a woman I’ve ever experienced.”

I’m not ready to talk about the love I’m thinking is behind my obsession with Rosie, but I’m unable to call it sex. It was so much more than just sex.

“Will you forgive me for being an ass and just blurting it out the way I did?” I try to give her the saddest puppy-dog look I can muster but I don’t think it works too well when she bursts out laughing.

“I’ll forgive you, just don’t keep looking at me like that because you look so funny and I could eat more food now.”

“I promise.”

Grinning, I hand Rosie a plate and sitting back, I watch her fill it with all Lorraine’s delicious food. I feel as though the huge lump of lead that was in my stomach has finally lifted now that we have everything cleared up.

Rosie sits back with her plate in her lap and is about to start eating when she notices my lack of movement, and asks, “Is everything, okay?”

“Um, yeah. It’s great actually. I was enjoying watching you, but now you’re sorted with food, it’s my turn.”

I feel giddy as a child being with Rosie. She’s so fresh and young, and just damn gorgeous to look at.

Settling beside her, I eat some seasoned rice with chicken as we both gaze down the valley.

This has been a favorite hangout of mine since I was old enough to drive. Even as a young lad, I used to come here for peace and to think. Until Rosie, I’ve never brought another person out here. I used to bring Rex when he was alive—my Golden Retriever. Not even my brothers know about this spot, or if they do they’ve never mentioned it.

“What were you like as a boy?”