“Just bring the fuckin’ bottle out here.”
“I’m afraid if I do, I’ll get smashed.” Her laughter wrapped around him.
“It’s good to hear you laugh. It’s been a long time.” Kicking off his boots, he settled back against the cushion.
With bottle in hand, she walked back into the room and plopped down on the couch. “I actually feel happy right now.”
“Maybe it’s the booze.”
She locked her gaze on his. “I don’t think it is.” Without breaking eye contact, she brought the glass to her lips and drank deeply, then put it down on the end table.
He sucked in his breath and his cock stirred as she ran the tip of her tongue over the contours of her lips, lips that were made for sinning. Easy.
“What about that pizza you promised?”
“Yeah… sure. What do you like on it?”
“I love sausage, extra cheese, ham, and tomatoes, but I shouldn’t have that. It’ll go right to my hips.”
Wheelie ran his gaze over her slender body and shook his head. “I don’t think you have to worry.”
“I do. I’ve gained a lot of weight.”
Pursing his lips together, he took his phone out of his pocket. “That’s bullshit. Is that what Tigger’s been telling you?”
The mention of his name made her smile fade and her eyes dull.
“Don’t believe it for a minute. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman. You need a man who’ll tell you that often, no matter what you weigh.” He tapped in the numbers to the pizza place and ordered a large with everything she wanted. “Should we get a salad?” She nodded and he ordered it with creamy ranch dressing.
Reaching over for the remote, he brushed his hand against Sofia’s and heard her gasp softly. From his peripheral vision, he saw her throwing peeks at him as he flipped through the channels on the TV. Settling on a show where there were a lot of explosions, he muted the television and turned toward her.
“What’s going on in your pretty head?” he asked.
“I was just wondering if you had a girlfriend. I mean, it’s Saturday night and you’re stuck babysitting me. If I was your girlfriend, I’d be pissed about it.”
“Oh yeah? Why?”
All of a sudden, her cheeks burned brightly and she shifted in place. “I guess I wouldn’t want you spending the evening with another woman.”
“Even if it was with a friend?”
“I’d be afraid something may go farther than that. I don’t think men and women can just be friends. I mean, there’s always a strain of sexual tension between them.”
Wheelie swept his fingers over her hand. “Are you feeling sexual tension between us?”
Moving her hand away, she locked onto his gaze and they sat still, barely daring to breathe. Heat brewed between them.
“Well, are you?” he whispered, scooting closer to her.
“Yes. What about you?”
Grasping her upper arm, he pulled her toward him. “Fuck yeah, baby.”
She tilted her head back and he brought his face close to hers. He could feel her warm breath fanning over his face.
Ding dong. Ding dong. Sofia jumped up like a bee had stung her and rushed around the room, panic plastered on her face.
“Relax. It’s the doorbell. Probably the pizza guy.” Wheelie rose to his feet and looked out the window. An older man carrying a pizza stood on the porch. “That’s who it is.” As he opened the door, he saw Sofia lean against the wall, holding a hand over her heart and breathing heavily.
After paying the guy, Wheelie brought the food over to the coffee table and then went over to her. She was still leaning against the wall. Grasping her wrists, he tugged her to him; she didn’t resist. He looped his arms around her and held her tightly.
“You’re shivering like a leaf,” he said. “It’s okay. I’m here. I won’t let anything hurt you.”
Resting her head on his chest, he felt her relax and snake her arms around him. A shock of physical awareness jolted through him at the feel of her soft body molded to him. He felt a tug in his jeans and he pulled away slightly in an attempt to cover his desire.
“You never answered my question,” she said into his shirt.
“What was it?”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“I’m surprised a nice, good-looking guy like you doesn’t have one. Why not?”
Because the one I want is already taken. “Not looking for one, I guess.” He pulled away. “Pizza’s gonna get cold.” He turned and went back to the couch.
For the next few hours, they laughed, watched a movie, and played Resident Evil 7. It was one of the best nights Wheelie’d had in a very long time.
When he glanced at his phone, he saw it was almost two in the morning. The time had just flown; it seemed like he’d only been there for a couple of hours. Sofia came back from the kitchen with a plastic bag and put the pizza box and paper plates in it. He helped her tidy the room, and then he picked up his jacket.
“Are you leaving?” Her voice had a tinge of sadness to it.
“It’s getting late.”
“Are you going back to the clubhouse?”
“Nah. I’m just going home.” Wheelie had moved out of the clubhouse in the early part of the year. Most of the single brothers lived at the club, but after years of not having much privacy, he decided he needed his own space, so he bought a three-bedroom home overlooking the Colorado River. It was in the Pinehurst community, and each morning when he woke up to peace and quiet, he wondered why it’d taken him so long to get his own place.
“Do you mind taking the vodka with you? You can keep it for the next time we get together,” she said softly.
“Next time you can come to my place. You’d really like it.”
She nodded, her eyes fixed on him. He went to the door and smiled. “It was nice tonight. One of the best times I’ve had in a long while.”
“Me too.” She padded over to him. “Thanks for the vodka, the pizza, the laughter, and telling me I’m pretty.” Her voice quivered and she dipped her head down.
He cupped her chin and tipped her head back. Latching his gaze on hers, he pressed his mouth on the soft cushion of her lips. A startled yelp escaped from her and she pulled away.
He straightened up. “I’m sorry. I crossed the fuckin’ line.” He spun around and had his hand on the doorknob when soft hands touched his forearms. She slid in front of him, stood up on her toes, and hooked her arms around his neck, pulling his face closer to hers. Desire shone in her eyes, and he yanked her to him and crushed his lips on hers, kissing her deeply. He wanted to devour her whole.
Clinging to him, her lips parted, allowing her moans of pleasure out and over his cheek. Raw intensity sizzled between them as they kissed frantically—breathing fast, heart rates faster.
Wheelie could feel her tits pressed against his chest, his jeans tightening painfully. Then the faces of his brothers flooded his mind. He willed them to go away but they were stubborn sonsofbitches. He owed loyalty to the brotherhood and to each brother, even Tigger.
Fuck! What a cock blocker. He pushed away gently and put his hands on Sofia’s drooping shoulders.