Full Contact (Redemption #3)(40)

Wrapping my arms around myself, I lean against the low, stone retaining wall. “I think it was a little OTT. I mean, it’s not like we’re…you know…together.” I suck in my lips and look away.

“We were together last night.” Ray lifts me and settles me on top of the wall, then eases himself between my legs. “If that didn’t work for you, let me know.”

Didn’t work for me? What the heck is he talking about? Does he think I faked those orgasms? Or that I wanted him to go farther? Does he want an assessment of his A+ performance?

“I don’t understand.”

He steps closer, easing my legs apart and my skirt rides up, almost indecently, baring my secret for him alone.

“Neither do I,” he says. “I never lose control. Never come on that strong unless I know it’s something that gets you off. But when I told you to do something, you did it. No games. No pretense. It was like you wanted to do it. And it turned you on. Sent me over the edge and I went too far.”

His words do strange fluttery things to my stomach. But he must be wrong. Sure I was turned on, but it was because of him and not because he bossed me around. The guys I’ve been dating would never dream of telling me what to do in bed. I don’t allow myself to be that vulnerable. No one tells me what to do. No one sees beneath the surface.

“Look at me.”

My head jerks up at his sharp tone and his eyes smolder as he cups my jaw. “There it is. That’s why I can’t stay away.”

“I’m sorry about last night.” I trace along his corded forearm, his hair soft beneath my fingers. “It wasn’t you. It’s me. And for me…it was—”

“Too much,” he interjects softly. “Like breaking a butterfly’s wing.”

“I didn’t break. I just”—a smile teases the corner of my mouth—“flew away.” I lean into the warmth of his palm and he strokes down my hair.

“Come back to me, butterfly.” He loops his arm around me and kisses me. Soft and warm, his tongue slides between my lips to caress the inside of my mouth. My lower body turns liquid and I am grateful for the seat.

Ray pulls away and trails his fingers up my inner thigh. “So f*cking sexy in this skirt. Those shoes. Man sees someone else touching his woman when she’s dressed so fine and it’s hard to stay in control.”

Blood rushes through my ears, drowning out the faint warning in the back of my mind that I am not someone capable of the trust needed to sustain any but the most fleeting of relationships. This is supposed to be light. Fun. The fulfillment of a fantasy. Nothing more.

Giving in to the rush of desire, I glide my tongue over the seam of his lips. He tastes fresh and minty, and a little of me. Our kiss is sweet and gentle. A touching of tongues. A murmur of lips. I close my eyes and drown in the softness of his smile.

“Hell.”

My eyes snap open at Tag’s irritated bark. Moments later he appears in front of me, his face a remarkable shade of purple, muscles quivering like he wants to punch someone. Likely Ray, who has already turned around, angling his body to form a shield between me and Tag.

“Get your hands off my f*cking sister.”

Ray doesn’t move. “Nothin’ to do with you, Fuzz. Back off.”

“Tag, please.” I glance around the yard and catch sight of Jess pushing her way through the crowd toward us. Fight groupies can always sense a fight.

“He’s not safe.” Tag’s voice rises and a few people look over from the fight. “Not good for you. Why the f*ck won’t you listen?”

“I want to be here. With him.” I look up at Ray, his jaw taut, and then over at Tag. “And it’s not like you don’t know him, Tag. He’s your teammate.”

“Thought you’d learned your lesson that just because I’m on a team with someone doesn’t mean you can trust them.” The bitterness in his voice slices through my heart, but his words make me gasp. Tag has never once been anything but sensitive about what happened to me. He’s never used it against me in any way. The fact that he would do so now, and in public, takes my breath away. My mouth opens and closes, but in my shock I have nothing to say.

Lucky for me, Jess does.

“Tag O’Donnell.” She shoves him in the chest, pushing him off balance. “I cannot believe you just said that. What the hell is wrong with you? What were you thinking? How could you bring that up?” She looks over at me and the sympathy and concern on her face tip me from barely in control to undone. Emotion wells up in my throat, and I push Ray away and slide off the wall.

“It’s okay.” My voice wavers. “I’m good. It’s fine.”

But it’s not fine. I can’t breathe. Can’t talk. Can’t think. Just have to get out of here.

Brushing past Ray, I walk into the house. Behind me, I can hear Jess shriek. “Look what you did to her. What kind of brother are you? She’s the strongest person I know. She worked so hard to get over it, and now you take it and use it against her?”

Her shoes tap on the stone tiles, and then clatter across the linoleum floor, the sound slowing only when she spots me in the kitchen.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Curiously numb, I lean against the counter, my arms wrapped around my body. “I’m fine, really. I was just shocked he would bring it up, so I overreacted.”