Bare It All

Rather than go into detail—because, really, it made her feel too silly—Alice said, “And we might go to the shooting range to do some target practice together, too.”

Blank surprise washed over his face. “Target practice? You...with Pepper?”

Rushing past that seemed wise, as well. “And I would love to attend the wedding after they finalize plans. That is, if you wouldn’t mind too much.”

Sidetracked, he stepped farther into the room. “Why would I mind?”

“Because you’ll be there, and I didn’t want you to feel...I don’t know. Too crowded or anything.”

He stepped closer until only a few inches separated them. “I don’t know what that means, Alice.”

He smelled good, all rain-damp and warm. She drew in a deep breath, filling her lungs with his scent. It was enough to leave her dizzy.

Reese tipped up her chin. “Alice?”

“I don’t want you to tire of me.”

Frowning, he lifted his hands to cradle her face. His thumb brushed her cheek. “That’s not going to happen, so don’t worry about it.”

But of course it could. Maybe not today. And if Logan and Pepper married quickly, maybe not by the wedding. But Reese couldn’t know what the future would bring. “How old are you, Reese?”

He cocked a brow at the odd question. “Thirty.”

And yet he wasn’t married, which had to mean he avoided commitment...didn’t it?

“And you, Alice? Mid-twenties?”

“Good guess. I’m exactly in the middle.” She felt far older, though. Sometimes she felt so emotionally tired, worn out.

Defeated.

“That makes you twenty-five?”

“Yes.” Making the mistake of looking up at him, Alice said again, more softly this time, “Reese?”

Watching her with absorbed fascination, he brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. “That other kiss we discussed?”

The husky timbre in his voice sent her pulse racing. She went on tiptoe, lifting up to him, leaning in.

Ready. “Yes?”

“I don’t want to do it here, in Logan’s bathroom.”

Disappointment dropped her heels back to the floor. “Oh.”

Reese treated her to a knowing smile. “We need to get going, anyway.”

So soon? She hadn’t even made it out of the bathroom yet. “Is something wrong?”

“Other than me wanting to seduce you in a friend’s bathroom? No.” He kissed her forehead. “The weather isn’t letting up, and I’m a little worried about Cash, that’s all. I hope he’s not one of those dogs that spooks over thunder and lightning.”

The sweet sentiment warmed her even more than the anticipation of his kiss. Could Reese Bareden be more appealing?

She touched his bulging biceps. No, he couldn’t.

Everything on him was supersize—his muscular physique, his attitude...and his caring. “I left my bedroom door open for him, with the radio on. He’s probably under the bed right now. He goes there sometimes when I’m working.”

“You’re very good to him.” Lightning flashed outside the small bathroom window, followed by a crack of thunder that reverberated in the floor beneath their feet. “To both of us.”

He had that wrong, but she wouldn’t correct him on it. “So our visit is about over?”

“Yes. Logan invited us to stay for dinner, but I said we had other plans.”

That was news to her. “Do we?”

Again Reese kissed her, this time brushing his mouth over her cheek. “We’re going to talk while we get your jelly beans.” He trailed damp kisses along her jaw. “We’ll pick up something for dinner, too...while we talk some more—” down to her chin “—and once we get home and check on Cash—”

“We’ll do yet more talking?” Everywhere his mouth touched, her skin tingled. Somehow he made talk sound very seductive.

Near her ear, he whispered, “I want to know you better.”

Since she wanted to know everything about him, too, she liked that plan. Smoothing her hands over his solid chest, she nodded. “All right.”

“Damn, Alice.” His mouth opened on her neck, hot, damp. She felt the slightest of suctions, and her toes curled. “Agreeable women are such a turn-on.”

Knotting her fingers in his damp shirt, Alice held on—until Logan said, “Get out of my bathroom, you perv.”

Alice jumped away in guilt, and Logan quickly amended, “I meant him, not you.”

“Pepper let you off the couch?” Reese asked. “You managed to convince her that a bullet to the arm hadn’t handicapped your legs?”

“She’s reasonable when necessary.” Logan waited for them to leave the bathroom, but as he started forward, Pepper showed up and followed him into the john.

Biting back a laugh, Reese asked, “Going to lend him a hand, are you?”

Logan stood there, mouth open to say something, but Pepper shut the door in their faces before they could hear it.

Alice grinned. “They’re funny together.”

“Much more so than when they’re apart.” Taking her hand, Reese led her back toward the living room. His stride was so long, she had to trot to keep up.

“Why the rush?”

He immediately slowed, even pulled her up and into his side. “Apologies, but I need to sit down.”

“Why?” Reminded of the dark bruises around his wrists, Alice grew concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“I think I should call it the Alice Syndrome.”