Full Contact (Redemption #3)(13)

“Sia.”

Looking back over my shoulder, I give Tag a wink and a wave, profoundly grateful he is forced to exercise restraint in the gym. No shouting and hollering and storming about today. Just silent fury pulsing toward me in waves.

“Sorry about Tag,” I say. “It was nice when I was younger to know he was watching out for me, but…”

“He’s afraid to let you go.”

Just like I’m afraid to let go of Tag. Emotion wells up in my chest and I stop in the hallway and hold out the folder. “You want to look at the designs?”

His fingers brush over mine as he takes the folder, electrifying my nerve endings. His hands are broad and strong, and for a moment I am captivated by his muscled forearms, the slight gleam of sweat on his tanned skin, the sprinkling of hair. How many nights have I watched him fight and wonder what it would be like to glide my finger along the ropes of those muscles, feel the hair tickle my palm?

He looks up and catches me staring, and although my heat rises, I can’t look away. His eyes hide a darkness, a stain on his soul.

“These are good.” He hands me the folder, breaking the spell. “But that first design you did? Fucking perfect.”

“It was just off the top of my head.” I take the folder from him and drop it in my case. “I didn’t really give it much thought.”

Ray cups my jaw with his hand and strokes his thumb over my cheek, sending a jolt of white lightning straight to my core. “Instinct. Trust it.”

Not my instincts. And especially not now when my body is responding to his touch while my mind is screaming no.

“Ray, I was hoping I’d catch you before you left.”

My eyes fly open as Shayla bounds over to us, all toned, sculpted muscles and not a jiggle in sight. Her gaze fixes on Ray’s hand on my cheek, and she gives me a tight smile.

“Oh, hi, Sia. That was you at the fight the other night wasn’t it?”

Oh God. How embarrassing is this. I give her an abrupt nod, then pull away. “I’d better get going. It’s almost dark. Fuzzy will freak if I’m still here when the sun sets.”

Shayla barks a laugh. “Why? You turn into a vampire or a werewolf or something?”

“No, but he does.”

Her cheeks redden, and she licks her lips. “I’d like to see that. Fuzz as a werewolf. He’d be covered with fuzz for real. Fucking hot. What I wouldn’t give for a bit of that.”

I glance over at Ray, but he’s watching me and doesn’t seem to care that his girlfriend is lusting over another guy in front of him. Also, AWKWARD. Tag is my brother and he belongs to Jess, although he doesn’t know it yet.

“I’ll leave you two…together.” I pick up my portfolio and head for the door.

“We’re not together,” Shayla calls out in an indiscreet, embarrass-the-hell-out-of-Sia tone of voice. “Me ’n’ Ray are just friends. I’m him, but a girl. Not a good combo when you got two dominant personalities in the bedroom.”

Stunned into inactivity, I stare at the front door. He’s not with her. My brain gets stuck in an endless loop of wondering if he would ever want to be with me and knowing it could never happen.

“Uh…thanks for that.” I turn and force a smile. “Actually, I was just here for business reasons.”

Shayla gives me a sly grin. “Sorry. I got confused. I guess all Ray’s petting was because you had something on your cheek, or maybe it’s that perpetual lost-kitten look that has men falling at your feet.”

What men? What the hell is she talking about?

“Shayla.” Ray’s warning growl does nothing more than egg her on.

Shayla grins. “And Sia was—”

“Leaving.” No way am I sticking around to have my feelings brutally exposed, especially when I’m not used to having feelings at all. I’m used to bland firefighters and blander accountants. I’m used to cold sheets, hot fantasies, and a box of vibrators under the bed. I’m used to staying strong, staying safe, staying sane. And yet I’m inexorably drawn to Ray, body and soul, as if we somehow fit together.

“Sia.” Ray’s deep growl stops me in my tracks, and I look over my shoulder.

“Seven o’clock. Tuesday. We go late, I’ll take you home. Keep Tag happy.”

“Sure. I’ll be there.”

Ray gives a satisfied grunt and I turn and walk away. But I can feel his gaze on me, burning into my skin. A shiver ripples down my spine, but I don’t know whether it’s from anticipation or fear.

Or both.





Chapter 5


He didn’t pee on my feet

“You’re going to ink Ray tonight? Shut the front door!”

Jess shrieks after I tell her about my meeting with Ray at Redemption, the “sexy” comment, the cheek stroking, and my oh-so-exciting evening ahead. Of course, shrieks don’t go down very well in tiny vegan cafés in the Haight District, and her outburst attracts a lot of attention. The unwanted kind.

“I kinda wish he was still a fantasy man.” I stir my lentil chili and then take a little nibble. Not bad. Jess is always trying to convince me of the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, and although she’s introduced me to some tasty dishes, I just can’t give up my hamburgers. “He’s a bit much to handle in real life. Very intense. Very dominant. And so damn hot I think I’ll combust every time I’m near him.”