Protecting What's His (Line of Duty #1)(20)

She shook her head. “You don’t understand.”

“Help me, then.”

“Coming to Chicago was my decision.” She scrubbed a hand over her face. “I thought we would be better here. Willa would have more opportunities. But, oh God, I’m in completely over my head, aren’t I? I don’t know how to repair a flooded apartment or cook a decent potpie or even talk to my sister about what’s bothering her. I’m not qualified for any of it.”

He stroked her hair out of her face. “Listen to me. You’ve had a long night so everything seems a little worse than it really is. You and Willa weren’t hurt. The rest of it you’ll handle, because you don’t have a choice. Chicago or some other town, the same problems will follow you.”

Ginger choked on a disbelieving laugh. “Jesus. Your bedside manner needs serious work.”

“Sorry, but how bad can someone really f*ck up a chicken potpie? I’m sure yours are fine.”

Laughter bubbled from her throat. “I can’t believe I actually feel better after that locker room pep talk. But gee, thanks coach. I guess I’ll get back out on the field and show them whose house it is.”

“I like a woman who can make a decent sports reference.”

“Then get used to disappointment because my career in sports references just peaked at one.”

Sighing heavily, she slid off the counter, careful not to touch him. “So, it appears we’ve well and truly blurred the lines tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

“We were working our way up to something, I’m not sure what. But here we are, roommates, and that paints everything in a different light.”

His eyebrow quirked up. “Make an attempt to be clear, please.”

“I mean we can’t sleep together now. If we did, you’d never know if I consented merely because I was grateful for your help. And I’ll always wonder if you only invited us to stay to score points and get me into the sack.”

“Ginger, are you sure the ceiling didn’t hit you on the head tonight?”

Her face showed disapproval. “Now, Lieutenant, it’s impolite to discuss my recent upset.”

He gave her a look.

“There’s only one way redefine the lines and put us back on equal footing. I’m going to pay you rent until we get back into our apartment. That way, we’ll never have to wonder.”

“Ginger.”

“Wait. I have two rules. No more detectives coming into Sensation and getting in my hair. I’ve never needed a babysitter before and I sure don’t need ten of them now.”

God, this woman exasperated him. She stood a foot away from him wearing a transparent T-shirt and panties, oblivious to the danger she was in of being dragged to the floor and f*cked into submission, giving him rules.

“And the second rule?”

“Huh?”

“You said there were two rules.”

She appeared to be deep in thought. “Oh, right. The most important one. No sex until I’m back in my apartment.”

He barked out a laugh. “Baby, I’m not sure I can make it five more minutes.”

Ginger’s mouth dropped open, her wide eyes dropping briefly to the bulge pressing against his sweatpants. “Derek, I’m serious about this. I’m not going to be your live-in booty call.”

The hot mist from the unused shower had slowly begun filling the room, making the air around them warm and sticky. Water pelting the bathtub and glass shower door created a constant drumming noise, muting their voices to anyone but each other. It felt incredibly intimate, being half-dressed with her in his bathroom. Seeing her among his things. Hearing the soft hum of her voice through the curling steam.

Her hair, dry when he’d entered the bathroom, had begun curling in the humidity, sticking to her neck and chest, which rose and fell in a shuddering breath upon seeing the look in his eyes. Unerringly, his gaze landed on her taut, pink nipples, visible to him through her clinging nightshirt.

Derek stepped toward Ginger, forcing her back with his body. He kept walking until she sat on the counter once more. Placing his hips between her parted legs, Derek ran his hands slowly up her calves and circled her knees slowly, before gripping her bare thighs.

He spoke directly into her ear. “I don’t give a f*ck about blurring the lines. You won’t see my men at the bar anymore, but that’s the only one of your rules I’ll concede.” She started to argue, but he squeezed her thighs tightly to keep her silent. “I’m not a total bastard, Ginger. I’d already decided tonight wasn’t going to happen before I came in here. Otherwise, I’d be pounding an orgasm out of you right now.”

Her breath caught and she started squirming restlessly on the counter. Derek knew if he kept talking and pushed a little harder, he could have her here and now. But he wouldn’t allow it. She’d hate him afterward for taking advantage of her emotional state and back off permanently. One time with her would not be enough, so that didn’t work for him.

But God, her naked body was driving him insane. Derek made the mistake of burying his face in her neck to catch her wildflower scent. Her head dropped back, begging him for more contact, and before he knew it, his mouth opened to kiss and suck her damp skin. Ginger moaned, sliding to the very end of the counter. His survival instincts told him to move back, away from her, but his body ignored reason and moved closer. Naked thighs came up to circle his hips, and then her core was pressing and moving against his erection.