Catch (7 page)

I took total advantage of the situation and moved a hand to the back of her neck so I could deepen the kiss. As if she suddenly realized what we were doing, she stopped and pushed me away from her.

“How dare you!” There was a sharp jab at my chest and I looked down to see her perfectly manicured fingernail digging into my chest. “You lose your mind after what Nick did, and now you’re doing the exact same thing!”

She had a point. I would have admitted it, but all I could think about were those fingernails running down my back. “Tell me to stop and I will,” I challenged, wrapping my hand around the thin index finger at my chest.

She looked down briefly to see what I was doing, but then her narrowed eyes shot back up to mine. “When were you going to tell me you played professional baseball?”

“About the same time you were going to tell me you were Rupert Montgomery’s daughter,” I answered with a smirk.

“You’re an ass.”

“I’ve been called worse.” I shrugged, releasing her finger. “Wait—why are you mad at me? Is it because I hit that idiot, because I kissed you and you crave more, or because I didn’t tell you who I was?”

She struggled in reply. I could tell she was trying very hard to think of a comeback, but I didn’t give her much time to do so. As soon as her mouth slightly opened, I moved in and pressed my mouth against hers again. When I felt her lips part, I wasted no time in letting my tongue slip inside. A small part of me still thought she’d pull away and smack me over the head, but she didn’t. When she kissed me back, it was all over for me. I had no control left.

We were both breathing heavily by the time we decided to part.

I heard her mumble a curse word, which only made me smile knowing she’d lost control of herself, as well. “I’ve been craving those kisses,” I started, catching my breath. “You have no understanding of how badly I’ve wanted to do that since last time.”

I closed my eyes for a moment and slowly re-opened them when I heard her whisper my name. “Ryan… Come back to my place.”

Her hand flew to her mouth when realization hit. I held back a smile but didn’t take my eyes off her. God, I desperately wanted to go back to hers, but we’d only buried her father that afternoon; it would be wrong of me to take advantage of her like that.
Don’t be an ass, man. Let it go this time.

“I can’t,” I finally said, frustrated at myself even though I knew it was the right thing to say.

“Oh.”

I couldn’t handle seeing her pretty little face drop. “It’s not because I don’t want to, believe me. I just have training early tomorrow morning, and I live close to the ballpark.”
Oh, come on! Really, Ryan?
It was the truth, but she didn’t need to know about it. “But perhaps you could come back to mine?” I took a strand of her hair and began twisting it, kicking myself internally for not being strong enough to leave it at ‘no’.

She blinked up at me. Something was going through that mind of hers. I secretly hoped she’d change her mind and decide against the idea of coming back to mine. Perhaps she was stronger than me after all? “You don’t have to, Evangeline. Especially since today was, you know…” I said after a long silence filled the air.

My mind almost cheered…until I saw her nod.
Damn it.

I tried to smile and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead in hope she didn’t see the disappointment in my eyes. “Let’s go then.”

Chapter 8

During the entire cab ride to my place, I couldn’t help but think I’d made a huge mistake in bringing her home. Sure, I had wanted this moment to happen ever since the morning she left my apartment, but did it have to be on the day of her father’s funeral? I didn’t have much to say on the trip—or once we got to my place, for that matter—my mind too preoccupied with thoughts of how to politely explain to her I’d made a mistake.
You could try telling her the truth!

It wasn’t until we’d reached my room, and I was standing with my pants down, in boxer-briefs with a semi-hard-on and Evangeline on her knees in front of me, that I snapped out of my consuming thoughts. I barely remembered how I got there or feeling remotely horny; however, I couldn’t allow her to go on.

Noticing she was about to reach for my underwear, I grabbed her by the wrist and demanded she stop. I hadn’t meant to sound so assertive, but that was how she took it. She shot to her feet and ripped her arm from my grasp.

“But I thought―”

“No, Evangeline. I’m not going to ask you to do that.” How could I?
Here, why don’t you suck my cock; it might make you feel better after the day you’ve had.

“But you’re not asking anything. I
want
to do this, Ryan.”

“I said
no
, okay?” Before I could do anything stupid like change my mind, I turned and made my way to the bed, sitting down on the edge with my hands covering my face. I needed to get as far from her as possible. Even the small distance between us wasn’t far enough. I wanted her, yes. And had she been anyone else, I probably would have ignored the situation we were in and fucked her already. But she wasn’t just anyone else. Why the hell did I care so much about the way she was feeling?

“Perhaps I should just go.”

YES.
“No, don’t,” I responded immediately.
You’re an idiot.
I lifted my head and found her watching me with uncertainty. I couldn’t let her go. Not then. I’d probably never get a chance to see her again. “Please, don’t…I mean, I don’t want you to go. Sorry, it’s not you, I just… This is going to sound really lame, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but do you mind if we just cuddle tonight?”
Oh, yeah, that’ll work, you jackass!

“Are you serious?” She looked stunned and slightly amused.

For some reason, that bothered me. Why was it so hard for her to believe a guy like me would want to cuddle? “I’m dead serious,” I said, frowning.

She lost the smirk. “I don’t get it. The kiss… Why would you ask me to come back if you don’t even want me?”

That humored me. “Oh, I
want
you; don’t you worry about that. It’s just wrong, that’s all.”

“Because it was my father’s funeral today?”

“That has something to do with it,” I admitted. “But no, it’s not everything.” There was no chance I was ever going to admit the other reason was because she made me feel all sorts of weird things.

“So, then what is it? Because I’m strong enough to handle a little rejection from the likes of someone like you.”

Another smile broke out on my face. Damn, she was cute when she was trying to be tough. “It’s nothing I want you to worry about, and I already told you I want you.”

“Just not tonight?” It almost sounded as if she were disappointed by my decision.

“Correct.” I winked at her, determined to get myself out of my strange mood. “So, are you going to come over here so we can cuddle, or do I have to grab you then tie you down?”

Once we’d sorted out sleepwear, we were finally in bed, the lights off and my arm draped comfortably around her. I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t something I usually did, snuggle up to a girl—let alone let one in my room—but it felt oddly nice. I felt comfortable around Evangeline in a way I had with no other girl, except maybe my sisters. I loved my sisters more than anything but in the way siblings loved one another. The way I felt with Evangeline was different. Sure, she made me horny and thoughts of fucking her brains out still constantly ran through my mind, but there was something else, something which continued to nag me from the day I first met her.

I was almost asleep when I heard her whisper my name in the darkness.

“Yes,
bella
?” I answered, amazed I had thought of a nickname for her already,
and used it
. It meant ‘beautiful’ in Italian.
Huh
, it had a ring to it, and it definitely suited her.

“Are you awake?”

There was a stupid grin on my face and was glad she couldn’t see me. “Nope, just sleep-talking,” I mocked, pulling her in closer.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Oh? Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, nuzzling her neck. I couldn’t help it; having her that close, pressed up against me, and smelling so good was turning me on.

“I don’t really think…maybe I should just go home.”
Hell no.
I was not allowing that to happen.

“It’s late.” I lifted my head slightly so I could press a soft kiss on her cheek then moved up toward her earlobe, gently nipping it. “I’m not letting you go home at this hour, so tell me what you want me to do.”

I knew what she wanted; I could feel it in the way her body moved against mine. It suddenly became very hot under the covers.

With my free hand, starting at her thigh, I trailed my fingers torturously slow up her soft, bare skin. They slipped past her lacy knickers she kept on and up the inside of my oversized shirt she was wearing before I allowed my hand to rest on the underside of her naked breast. “I have a very good idea of why you can’t sleep, Evangeline.”

“You do?” she whimpered, gasping when I ran my thumb over her nipple and gently kneaded it in circular motions.

The way she was trying hard to control her movements and breathing was much the same way I was working to control my own. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the rumble and growing bulge below my waist.

“Uh huh,” I managed to get out, pressing my lips against her neck to occupy me.
Not working.
“I bet it’s the same reason why I can’t.”

I opened my eyes when I felt her twist around in my arms. It was hard to see, but I could just make out the silhouette of her face, her eyes staring straight into mine. “Shall I remind you that you were asleep no more than five minutes ago?” she said teasingly.

Oh, so she’s going to play that way?
“I can assure you I wasn’t. I was trying to sleep, but the thought of being inside you continues to keep me up.”
Way to give the girl mixed signals, jackass!

“Then why don’t we just get it out of the way? We have nothing to lose, right? We don’t even have to see each other again after tomorrow.”

I couldn’t help but laugh quietly at myself. Who knew I’d be the one so torn on the decision to have sex?

“So? What’s it going to be?” Evangeline added.

“Is that what you want? A one-night stand?” I asked in an attempt to stall. Unfortunately, my hand had other plans and made its way over to her other breast.

“Isn’t that what you do?” she replied with a response I never thought would ever have affected me. But the way it came out of her mouth felt like a slap in the face.

“
Ouch
,” I muttered quietly, but it came out loud enough for both of us to hear.

“Ryan, let’s be honest with one another. This has got to be one of the most bizarre situations I’ve been in. You started a fight with a guy over a girl you barely know, and then invite her back to yours for what exactly? To snuggle?”

My body stilled as the blood inside my veins simmered. “That asshole was sexually assaulting you, damn it!” I snapped unintentionally. Pulling my hand free, I added, “Should I have let him get away with that?”

“No, and thank you for offering to help, but that’s not what I’m saying. I’m talking about this. This, right now, doesn’t make any sense. Why am I here?”

“Do you want to have sex, Evangeline? Is that what you want?” I growled. “Tell me right now. If that’s all that you want from me, then say it.”

“Ryan―” Without letting her finish, I covered her mouth with mine. There was no
softness
about it. I took out all my frustration in kissing her and instead of pushing me away and telling me what an ass I was being, she kissed me back, keeping in time with my dominating tongue.

When I pulled away, we were both struggling to breathe. I closed my eyes for a moment, embracing the soft touch of her forehead against mine. “Sleep with me,” she whispered.

“Evangeline…” I couldn’t take it any longer; my self-control was only so strong and I was dangling on the very last thread.

“This is what I want. Forget who I am, Ryan. Forget about today. Let’s pretend I’m still the unknown girl you picked up at the club last week.”

Did she know how ridiculous that sounded? “That’s impossible.”

Feeling the final thread of my self-control snap, I kissed her again, rising to position myself firmly between her legs. The sound of her soft moan caused my cock to jump as I pressed it hard against her.

Collecting myself momentarily, I asked, “Last chance. Are you sure about this?”

“Damn it, Ryan, shut up already!” she growled, suddenly grabbing both sides of my face and smashing her lips with mine.

That was it. Evangeline owned me. The moment she took control and kissed me, I was at her mercy.

In the heated moment, I found my hand making its way up to the edge of her lace panties. Looping a finger around them, I tugged hard, pulling them far enough down that Evangeline easily wriggled her feet and they fell away. Letting my hand travel back up her thigh, I traced my finger down her entranceway before gently parting her moist folds so I could feel her properly. “You’re soaked,” I said quietly, letting my lips brush against hers.

“Fix it,” she ordered.

She didn’t need to tell me twice. I pushed an entire finger inside, causing her back to arch; a feeling which drove me completely crazy.