Page 53 of A Cowboy's Bride
“I'll need to wash up later,” he said, lowering his tone and putting all sorts of innuendo into his words. “Might need some help.”
If she hadn’t been aware of the buzz of connection between them before, he could tell she absolutely was now from the way her eyes sparkled. “Youarerather dirty.”
A terrible idea struck. He slid his right hand over the mudding tray he held below the table, coating his fingers in a thin layer of slick plaster. “What are you working on?”
“Research.” She said it quickly and with an uneasy expression.
So very not Petra-like. Aiden eyed her. “You’ll be doing the accounting for Red Boot ranch, right?”
She nodded, that odd expression turning slightly guilty. “I’ll set up the software they’ll use and do data entry, but I’m not certified for the actual tax and payroll stuff.”
“You’re not setting it up right now?”
More guilt. “Just exploring.”
Which was as much of adon't ask so I don't tell you any liesas he’d ever heard.
Under the table, he made sure his hand was good and coated. She deserved what he had in mind.
He dropped the tray on the table then leaned closer, cupping her face in his hands. Pressing their lips together, he kissed her soundly. A quick nip to her lower lip, and she gasped. Aiden took full advantage, adjusting her head to the side and taking the kiss deep enough to drive them both wild.
Petra pulled away, little huffs escaping from between her open lips. “That was dangerous,” she said, hands rising to touch her cheeks. She frowned, staring down at the grey dust off her cheek that now covered her fingers before glowering at him. “That was evil.”
“Just wanted to make sure you were sufficiently motivated to join me in the shower later.”
Petra rolled her eyes, but after checking Jinx to make sure the girl was okay, she scooted forward and caught hold of his T-shirt. “In for a penny, in for a pound,” she whispered before latching on and kissing him back as good as she’d gotten. A kiss with enough fire and sass that every cell in his body stood up and took notice.
Hands brushed over his chest before she dragged her nails down his torso and his muscles clenched tight under her touch.
She unlatched, leaning her forehead against his as they both breathed rapidly. Her blue eyes held his for the longest moment before she pushed away.
“Time to get back to work,” Petra announced before calmly turning to her computer, ignoring the grey streaks drying on her cheeks.
Aiden laughed, avoiding the questioning glare his brother offered, and returned to his task.
Sexy shower time before supper. It was always good to have something to look forward to.
Jinx was curledup in her chair with Dixie sprawled over her legs, reading a book Sasha Stone’s Uncle Walker had dropped off for her to borrow.
Petra’s stomach was full and happy, and little endorphins still bubbled in her bloodstream after the quick and efficient orgasm Aiden had gifted her in the shower. He’d also helped wash the mud off her cheeks, grinning evilly the entire time.
The man was trouble, but Petra was enjoying his mischief far more than she’d expected.
Aiden and Declan were doing the dishes. Jake silently sat at the table, one of his ever-present notebooks in front of him, but his gaze drifted back and forth between his younger brother and where Petra was puttering on her computer a couple chairs down the table.
She wasn’t about to ask what was on Jake’s mind. If he didn’t approve of her and Aiden fooling around, she didn’t care. They were adults. Their decision.
But when Jake’s phone pinged with a message and he cursed softly without apologizing, that got her attention.
“Jake?”
He met her eyes. “Small setback. Aiden? Can you give me a hand over here?” Jake glanced at Jinx to make sure she was occupied then spoke softly as Aiden settled in the chair next to Petra. “My contact within the ID database is out of the country right now.”
Aiden made a frustrated noise. “That’s the guy who’s supposed to help get Jinx new ID and registered for school?”
“Yep.” Jake checked his phone. “I wondered why he was slow getting back to me. Turns out, he’s gone for at least two more weeks.”
“That’s going to make it damn awkward,” Aiden complained.
