Worth The Wait

“I don’t know when you even have time to date,” he said, and he sounded tentative, like maybe he was asking for more than the obvious.

“I don’t.”

His arm tightened around her. “So why the condoms in your purse?”

Violet reared up over him. She couldn’t see him in the dark, but she stared toward his voice. “How do you know—”

“I got your keys from your purse.”

“And you snooped!”

“Nope.” His hands closed around her waist. “They were right there, front and center.”

She felt like an idiot. Of course they were—she’d carelessly tossed them there a few days ago, worried that she might give in to him and wanting to be prepared just in case.

She wouldn’t tell him that, so instead she told a half-truth. “They’re just a precaution.”

“Yeah?” He pulled her down to rest against his chest. She felt his hand sift through her hair until he’d freed it from the band. He smoothed it down her back, saying, “In case Nathan got interested? Or a customer?” Bitterness sounded when he added, “You know Jason is married now, so he wouldn’t—”

Slowly balling up her fist, Violet drew back and punched him in the ribs. She was too close to him and feeling too weak to make it very forceful.

In fact, he laughed, caught her wrist and held it against his chest. “Legit question, Violet.”

“No, I’m not interested in Nathan that way. I told you he’s too macho. And I don’t do random—unlike some people I know.”

He laughed again, a sarcastic sound. “And my brother?”

If she could go back in time, she’d erase the very brief relationship she and Jason had indulged. But she couldn’t, and obviously Hogan knew about it.

It was before Hogan had ever moved to the area, and it hadn’t lasted long enough for anyone to remember. But in a small town, everyone was in everyone else’s business.

Knowing this was a serious subject, a touchy subject, knowing that even though she and Hogan hadn’t hooked up it mattered a lot to him, she searched for the right words to explain.

“I shouldn’t have asked.”

Hogan did that often, letting her off the hook. But not this time. “Jason and I are friends, nothing more.”

“Friends with a history.”

“Not that it matters—not to him and not to me. Honor is good for him, and vice versa. I’m happy for them both.”

With one hand he continued to hold her one wrist while with the other he stroked her back. “You slept with him.”

Violet winced. “Just that once.” Her heart thundered so hard, she didn’t know if that’s what hurt her chest, or if it was the pneumonia. “It was stupid, for both of us, and it never meant anything. For a while there I was afraid it would ruin our friendship, maybe make things awkward. But Jason was no more interested in a repeat performance than I was.”

The seconds ticked by, then Hogan teased, “Should I be insulted on my brother’s behalf?”

Knowing he believed her, Violet relaxed. “No. The chemistry just wasn’t there.” Not like the chemistry I have with you. Because it was uppermost in her mind, and here, now, in the dark discussing such intimate things, seemed like a good time to bring it up, she asked, “What about you? Am I likely to run into one of your...” She didn’t want to insult other women, so she settled on, “Flings?”

“No idea. Would you mind?”

If he’d let her go, she’d punch him again. He seemed to know it and held her snug even as she felt the laughter rumbling in his chest beneath her cheek. “Jerk.”

“I’ve never claimed otherwise.”

He didn’t have to. Anyone who knew him saw right away that he was, overall, a really terrific guy. Definitely a great dad. A good brother, a friendly neighbor.

Gorgeous, and sexy and—

“If you need anything during the night, let me know, okay?”

What if she needed him? No, bad thought. Bad, bad thought.

The quiet settled around them.

When she squirmed, getting more comfortable against him, he whispered, “For the record, I’m not proud of my temporary stint as a hound dog.”

Heat, scented by his body, wafted around her, making her warm and sleepy. “No?”

His fingertips trailed up and down her bare arm. “It was stupid and immature.”

“I didn’t realize.”

He squeezed her. “Are you laughing at me?”

“No.” She surprised herself when she kissed his chest. Just a quick kiss, but still... “Do you know why you became a hound dog?”

“Yeah, I do. Now go to sleep.”

“Okay.” She was too lethargic to argue with him.

Even as she drifted off, she stayed very aware of Hogan against her—and she knew he was still awake.

* * *

The knock on the door woke Hogan and he opened his eyes before realizing that Violet sprawled half over him. He lifted his head, awareness hitting him hard.

Her slender thigh draped his lap, a warm, soft weight against his morning erection. Her hair spilled over his chest and shoulder, her hand in a loose fist over his right nipple.

The knock came again.

Well, hell.

He didn’t want to move, definitely didn’t want to disturb her, but he glanced at the clock and saw it was after nine. He came up to an elbow, and she awakened.

He watched her dark brown lashes flicker before her eyes slowly opened. She looked at his chest, down his body—then shot her gaze to his face.

“Good morning.” Jesus, she was beautiful in the morning. He opened his hands on her back and resisted the urge to fondle her bottom.