Razed (Barnes Brothers #2)(3)

“That’s better,” she muttered, finding a bench and dropping down on it, her moves all easy, boneless grace. She stretched out her legs and rotated one ankle.

He dragged a hand down his face.

He should have stayed the hell inside.

“I haven’t worn heels in months. You’d think I’d remember how torturous there are. I don’t know why we put ourselves through this,” she said, eying the glittery, sparkling spikes on her feet with acute dislike.

“Well, whatever the reason, please know that men across the world appreciate it.”

The words escaped him before he realized he was going to say them.

She shot him a look and then she started to laugh.

“Yeah. Y’all wear them awhile and then maybe that will mean a little more.”

“Hell, no.” He moved in restless circles around the small, semiprivate square, listening to the distant sound of music, keenly aware of the woman so very close.

“How long are you in town?”

He shot her a look. “A few days.”

He checked his watch. “I should go in soon. They plan on doing the cake around seven ten. I’ve got to get pictures.”

“Oh. Crap. Right.” Keelie stood up. “I forgot you were handling that.”

He shrugged. “I’ve already gotten a lot and they left the party packs out for the guests to get some pictures, too. Abby already fussed at me to make sure I have fun, too. A twenty-minute break isn’t going to hurt me.” Standing out here staring at Keelie was going to do him a lot of damage, though. He wouldn’t sleep without seeing her in that dress, without dreaming about peeling it off.

She passed by him and another jolt of her scent went straight to his head.

His cock tightened. Just once . . .

A yelp of pain jerked him, and his dick, back to planet Earth. He caught Keelie right as she would have toppled.

She crashed into his chest.

Five feet nine inches of sleek, strong woman. Automatically, he braced her weight with his arm around her chest.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough. His heart started to race. She was so close.

Her mouth . . .

“Ah . . .” She licked her lips.

His gaze dropped, tracing the damp path her tongue had just taken.

A groan ripped out of him.

Just once.


*

Keelie didn’t know what she’d expected when she’d kissed Zach a couple of months ago. A chorus of angels, an explosion of stars . . . something. Anything would have been nice.

But there had been nothing.

Now, though . . .

Her brain kicked off as Zane’s mouth brushed against hers. It was a soft, almost questioning touch. As if he sought permission.

Curling her hands into the lapels of his suit, she sucked in a breath as he lifted his head.

Permission granted! She might have shouted it, except she couldn’t breathe.

Instead, she did what he’d done, focused her attention on his mouth, and that seemed to convey the message just fine, because his head lowered once more.

At the same time, one big hand came up, cradling the back of her skull, and she shuddered as his tongue stroked along the seam of her lips.

Stars exploded behind her eyes.

Zane Barnes kissed her and stars exploded.

There might have even been angel song, but how could she tell? She heard nothing over the roar of her own blood rushing in her ears.

He nibbled his way along her lower lip, traced her upper lip with his tongue, taking his slow, sweet time, before he did anything else. By the time he deepened the kiss, she was clutching at him in desperation.

Then he slid his tongue into her mouth.

Her knees buckled and she sucked in a breath. At least she tried. That single action drew him deeper into the kiss and she wanted to sob from the pleasure of it as he tightened his hold on her.

She felt the world spin around her and then a rough brick wall was pressed to her back, while Zane’s chest was a hot, solid presence against her front. Trapped now, she arched. That drove her farther against him and she whimpered in pleasure as that single move had him brushing back against her.

So very close.

She throbbed.

That teasing contact left her pulsing and throbbing for more. She didn’t know if she could handle any more.

Stop. A logical little voice in her brain whispered. You should stop.

Like hell. Awkward, she pressed closer to him and the hand gripping one hip tightened ever so slightly. More. She wanted more.

As though he’d heard her, he started to guide her, a slow, easy motion that met his, and her breath stuttered to a halt as their movements had him passing right over her.

She tensed, jerking her head back and driving it against the brick wall. A sharp breath hissed out of her.

He did it again.

Pleasure twisted inside her and she felt it gathering in her core. He did it again and she started to moan, shuddering.

“Keelie . . .”

His lips trailed down her neck, but she didn’t hear him, didn’t hear anything as he continued to rock and move against her. Blind, she hooked one knee over his hip and swiveled against him. I need I need I need . . .

“Zane! Hey, Z!”

She didn’t even hear it.


*

Blood pounded in his head.

The sound of one of his brothers calling for him was one of the most unwelcome sounds he’d heard in a long time.