Page 8 of Wild Rush
Rush’s eyes met Reena’s, his gaze questioning, and with a small tip of her head, he returned his gaze to Mary and smiled. “Thank you, Mary. I’d love to join you.”
With a hand on Reena’s elbow, Rush urged her back into her seat before taking the one Mary offered. Too stunned by his presence to speak, she watched as another cup of tea was poured and a plate of scones passed over.
Rush undoubtedly complimented Mary on the scones, although Reena couldn’t be sure. The only thing registering in her ears was the pounding of her heart and the rasp of her breath as it flowed in and out of her nose in short little bursts.
She didn’t remember drinking her tea or eating the scone she’d been given before Rush’s arrival, but when she finally dragged her eyes off the man beside her and glanced down, Reena found both plate and cup empty.
“Well, it was lovely to have company for tea today, but I must be getting inside now. Things to do you know.”
Mary winked at Reena as she gathered empty dishes and stacked them on a silver tray.
Rush stood and tried to take the tray from Mary’s hands. “Let me carry that for you.”
“Nonsense. Get on with both of you now.”
Without another word, and with a skill even Reena’s years of waitressing couldn’t beat, Mary maneuvered herself and the loaded tray into her house and closed the door behind her, leaving them alone on the porch.
“I…” Reena licked her lips and swallowed as she turned to face Rush.
He was watching her with that deep blue gaze, the one that sent shivers down her spine and curled her toes. She was helpless to prevent her body from reacting to him. Her skin flushed, her muscles tightened and a throbbing beat echoed along every nerve ending.
She wanted to wrap herself around him. Wished she hadn’t stopped him from taking her virginity. God, she wanted to beg him to take it now. Instead the words that blurted out of her mouth were, “What are you doing here?”
***
Rush couldn’t take his eyes off the woman in front of him. He didn’t know how he’d managed to be polite to her neighbor. Reena seemed more gorgeous than he remembered and had his mind clouded with lust. The only thing clear in his hormone-addled brain was his need to touch her.
“Rush?”
Right. She’d asked him a question. “Vacation.”
“Vacation?” Her eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath her bangs. “Here?”
He grinned. “Yep. You told me so much about Baltimore I had to come see it for myself.”
“Really?” she asked, disbelief clear in her voice.
Unable to resist the need to touch her any longer, he reached for her hand. He took it as a good sign she didn’t pull away, instead weaving her fingers through his and holding on. “I thought maybe you’d be interested in showing me around.”
“Oh. Of course. Where are you staying?”
“I haven’t booked anywhere yet. I only got to town an hour ago, so I haven’t had a chance. Was hoping you’d recommend a place.”
“You could stay with me.” Her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes darted away from his. “I mean. I have a couple of spare rooms.”
Smiling, he tugged on her hand until she moved closer, until her breasts were an inch from his chest. All he needed to do was take an extra deep breath and they’d touch. The thought had his blood racing, his body tightening with need. In spite of the desire urging him to move closer, he held still, waited for her gaze to connect with his again before saying, “I’d like that. I’d like that very much.”
Her lips parted on a gush of air before turning up into a shy smile. “Okay. Good.”
Fuck. He needed to kiss her. It had been days since he’d tasted her.
“Reena.” With his gaze glued to her sweet mouth, he didn’t miss the nervous flick of her tongue on the gentle curve of her plump bottom lip. He groaned as need zapped through him.
She leaned in. “Yes?”
“I’m going to kiss you hello now.”
Rush didn’t give her time to protest or think about what he’d said before he pressed his mouth to hers. If she was against the idea, she’d push him away, but he had every confidence she wanted this as much as he did.
