All the Right Moves(42)

“For?”

John laughed and kissed her hair.

“Need I remind you we already used the second condom?” She threw a leg over his, not surprised to find he was getting hard.

“I’m a pretty creative guy.” He rolled onto his side so they were face-to-face and put his other arm around her, too. “Did I tell you how great you were last night?”

Startled, she looked up at him and laughed.

“At the party.”

“Oh.”

“Because after we got home, you were spectacular.”

He kissed the tip of her nose, then briefly kissed her lips before resting his chin on top of her head. She liked that her cheek ended up against his chest again. Loved that she felt the vibration of his deep, contented sigh.

“So, I was wondering. How come you’re so tan?”

“All the topics in the world and you come up with why am I so tan?”

“I couldn’t help it. That adorably pale butt was mesmerizing.”

She raised her head to stare at him. “Because you think it’s adorable, and only because of that, I’ll tell you. I’m tan from my weekly spa day. I try to fit in a spray tan between my mani-pedi and facial.”

The way he looked at her was priceless. “Now who’s adorable? Yard work, goofus. I mow the grass and weed in my swimsuit.”

“Lucky neighbors.”

“Most of them are over seventy. They wouldn’t care if I were naked.”

“Here I thought you were smart,” he said, his face lit with amusement. “You don’t have a clue about men.”

“The hell you say. I’m around enough of them.”

“When it comes to a naked woman, as long as a man is breathing—”

“Stop.” She groaned, squeezing her eyes shut. “Thanks for that— Just what I need, to picture Ed Gibbons from next door leering at me through the blinds...eww.”

He captured her hand and only then did she realize she’d been inching toward his cock. “When is yard-work day?”

“Why?” She peeked at him through half-closed eyes. “Do you want to help?”

“Depends. You ever wear a thong bikini?”

Laughing, Cassie tried to twist out of his hold.

He used the distraction to slide down and kiss her breast. He teased her nipple with his teeth and tongue, and she dug her fingers into his shoulder. The rough feel of his stubble against her skin sent pleasure shimmering through her. Already she was damp, and damn it, why didn’t she have a box of condoms stashed?

After giving her other breast equal attention, he kissed his way back up to her face. “Any chance you’ll be off tonight?”

“None.” She finger-combed his hair off his forehead. And smiled when it tumbled back down. “Even if I didn’t go in, it wouldn’t be so I could play.”

“You have to crack the books.”

“Yep, but tomorrow is my last exam, which is awesome. The bad news is that my professor wrote the textbook we used this semester, so I’d better know the material inside and out.”

“Can you get off early to study?”

“I’m hoping to, but only if Tommy steps up. I’m not counting on it.” She wanted to kick herself for adding the last part. Her brother had his good qualities. She didn’t want John thinking he was a total jerk. “I probably haven’t made it clear that it’s important I have the time off. But I will, and he’ll pitch in.”

John didn’t believe her. She saw the mix of pity and irritation in his eyes. But he left the matter alone. “Is there anything I can do to help? Quiz you? Stimulating massage?”

“Oh, right, that’ll work.”

“What?” His mouth curved in a guilty smile.

“Don’t ‘what’ me.” She ducked her head to rub her cheek against him, mostly to hide her pleased blush. He seemed to really want to see her again. It could’ve easily gone the other way so she’d tried to not get her hopes up. “Last night...” she said. “You were pretty great yourself.”

He hesitated. “At the party?”

“Actually, yes,” she said. “Not that you weren’t great back here, but I meant at the party...when I told your friends that I’m a bartender.”

“What’s that?” He nudged her into looking up. “I don’t recall saying anything.”