Page 11 of Knight With Benefits

My hands were wrapped around her flesh before I could stop myself, bracing her arms to steady her as she blinked up at me. I should have let go and stepped back, given her the space she’d clearly wanted the night before, but the feel of her softness in my palms had me hanging on as my shaft stiffened within my jeans.

“I was trying to bring you coffee, but I think I’m wearing half of it now.”

Her words pulled my gaze from her face down to her cleavage and the dark stain across one breast. Her arm was speckled with pinkened skin where the coffee had burned her, but she didn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t mind licking it off you.”

Her little gasp had my focus shifting again, and my cock throbbed as I zeroed in on her parted lips, her already sweet scent growing thicker with the smell of slick.

“I—What? Here.”

She thrust the mug she held into my chest, stepping back and forcing distance between us. I could have held on, kept her close to me, but a trickle of bitter fear filled the air between us and killed the amorous thoughts that had leapt into my mind. I’d never been one to force my attention on someone who wasn’t interested, and I wouldn’t start with Gwyn, no matter how much I was starting to crave her.

“Thank you.”

I let my fingers brush hers as I moved my hands to the mug, but she jerked away, keeping her eyes downcast as her chest heaved. The way she reacted made me wonder what had happened to her to make her so afraid, and anger surged forward to kill any lingering lust.

Clearing my throat, I forced everything away and pretended like the last few minutes hadn’t happened.

“There are some shingles missing in a few places, and you’ve got some soft spots that mean the wood below is rotting. I’ll have to rip up the old plywood and replace it before putting down new roofing to stop the leaks.”

Although she still wouldn’t meet my eyes, her chin lifted, and her features cleared as she nodded.

“I’ve got to go to the hardware store anyway, so I’ll grab tarps. If you can leave the ladder and maybe mark the spots, I’ll get them put up later and return the ladder to Da—”

“No.”

Guilt hit me in the gut as soon as I cut her off, her startled gaze finding mine as her breath caught and she jerked back. The burnt scent of fear thickened, and the urge to purr to ease her discomfort was almost overwhelming, but I doubted she would have welcomed the sound even if it helped her relax.

“No,” I repeated, gentling my tone. “I don’t want you climbing on the roof. It can be dangerous. I’ll swing by after I’m done with the work I need to do today and take care of it. Just pick up two ten-foot tarps, or if the tarps are too much, I can make painter’s plastic work for the weekend.”

The tension in her body eased and my bear retracted his claws from my insides.

“I don’t want to inconvenience you…”

She trailed off when I shook my head.

“I’ll be coming to The Hangout anyway, so it’s no problem. And I’ll see what I can do about the door before I have to go.”

I pulled my notepad out of my thigh pocket and scratched my number on a blank sheet before ripping it out and passing it to her.

“In case you get stuck inside,” I said with a wink when her brow rose.

She let out a weak laugh, but her shoulders dropped as she tucked the paper into the pocket of her faded jeans.

“I hope that doesn’t happen, but thanks. With my luck…”

She trailed off again, the little smile that had played around her lips fading as she looked at the door, but I knew it was more than just that problem weighing on her. It was hard to struggle for everything, and doing it alone was twice as tough.

“We’ll get this place going in no time. Don’t worry about it.”

The smile she offered didn’t reach her eyes, but it made me more determined to be sure the dream she’d described to me came true. Everyone deserved a chance at happiness, and if this was what she wanted, I’d make it happen.

Chapter Five

Gwyn

Irubbed my temples, the pounding between them the only thing I could focus on. I’d been woken up far too early by the screeching of the kids across the street as they headed to their school bus, and my body immediately let me know it was in too much pain to go back to sleep.

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