Baby Fever (A Real Man Book 3) Read online

  Charlie and I used to go to the lake to get drunk and smoke a little pot way back in the day. Once Eva was sixteen, she’d tagged along with us a few times, sneaking some sips of beer from Charlie’s bottle.

  Oh yeah, seclusion, a little quiet.

  That’s exactly what I was fucking talking about.

  “Sounds good,” I said, acting cool, like I wasn’t really fucking looking forward to this. Hell, I wasn’t about to fuck Eva tonight, even if my dick got hard just looking at her. But having some alone time with her, working up to getting to where I wanted with her, was a good start.

  I finally let go of her wrist and dragged my thumb along her pulse point.

  “Lead the way.” I grinned. Yeah, this was really fucking good.

  3

  Eva

  I sat on the hood of Dex’s Mustang, looking over at the lake and wondering what was really going on. I’d seen Dex around town, and although we’d drifted apart as the years passed, we’d always remained friends. Not like how he was with Charlie, but that was a given since the two of them spent nearly every day together.

  I turned and looked at him.

  “What’s this really about?” I asked, wanting the truth. Did he need something? Was he in trouble? Was this something that Charlie couldn’t know about?

  A million different things were slamming through my head.

  Oh God. What if this has to do with Dex fucking someone Charlie had been with?

  I didn’t know how that really worked, but I assumed it would still be fucked up in guy code.

  I shook my head, not sure what I’d say or do if that was the case. Hell, that’s probably why he was acting all interested in me … he needed my help.

  And maybe I’m just reaching here? Maybe this has nothing more to do than him wanting to hang out with me?

  I stared at the lake, the silence stretching. However, it wasn’t an uncomfortable one.

  “This really is about me wanting to talk.”

  I looked at him after he spoke. He was watching me intently, the shadows playing across his face. He looked dangerous, in a way, but I liked that.

  “That’s the truth, Eva.”

  I heard the sincerity in his voice. Everything in me was on high alert, and just being beside Dex, smelling the heady, masculine scent of his cologne filled my head, made me dizzy.

  I was also a little ashamed to admit I was aroused. It had always been like this, though. He’d just walk by and I’d smell him, see the muscles rippling under his clothes, and I’d instantly want him.

  “Okay, so what should be talk about?” I tried to sound like this was normal, and although we’d had plenty of talks over the years, this felt different.

  This felt intimate.

  “How have you been?” he asked, his focus still on me.

  I shrugged. “Fine, I guess, if working at the bar and having to beat off the drunks is an accomplishment.” I was teasing, but I saw the dark look crossing over his face with each passing second.

  “You shouldn’t work there,” he said, his voice hard.

  I smiled, hoping to lighten things. “I was just kidding.”

  He didn’t look convinced.

  “Besides, I can handle myself; you know that.”

  He looked at the lake and I saw his clenched jaw. “Yeah, I know that, but if motherfuckers are bothering you—”

  I placed my hand on his forearm, his skin warm, his muscles tense. “Hey,” I said softly and waited for him to look at me. “I can handle myself. And if they get out of hand, you know Jarren won’t stand for that.”

  He stared into my eyes for long seconds, not speaking, but even just having his gaze on me I felt like he was stroking his fingers along my bare flesh.

  “Yeah, I know, but I still don’t like it.” He looked down at my hand on his arm, and I was embarrassed I was still touching him. But before I could move it away, he placed his much bigger had over mine. “No, keep it there. I like the way it feels.”

  God, my heart jumped right into my throat.

  I probably should have removed my hand anyway, but I liked the feel of his muscles tensing beneath my palm. I’d caused that, and I could see that reality written on his face. I felt it in the way he tightened his hand on mine.

  “You know I always noticed you, Eva.”

  The way he said those words had my heart stopping a little bit. I knew what I wanted him to mean, but that didn’t mean that’s what this was about.

  “I noticed you, too,” I said, smiling, but knowing it didn’t really reach my eyes.

  He didn’t speak for long seconds, and as the air between us became heated, thick, I had a very real feeling Dex meant something more … intimate.

  He slowly shook his head, and my throat tightened further.

  “Do you understand what I mean?” His voice sounded thick, serious.

  I didn’t answer, because I didn’t know if I wanted to admit anything, at least not right now.

  “I’ve noticed you … for years.” His voice was low, soft even.

  He leaned in just an inch, and I felt the light puffs of his cinnamon breath brush across my lips. A tingling settled over me, and I had this strange feeling Dex might try to kiss me. And when he lowered his gaze to my mouth, something in me shifted.

  I wanted his mouth pressed to mine.

  I wanted his tongue moving along mine.

  I wanted to be in his bed, under him, with that massive cock I knew he had deep inside of me.

  God.

  But despite wanting this, fear took hold. I didn’t know why I was scared as hell, but either way I tensed. Dex must have sensed that from me because he backed off an inch.

  “I…”

  What in the hell was I supposed to say? Wasn’t this what I’d wanted, to have Dex interested in me?

  But instead of embracing it, I was afraid of my own feelings.

  “I should probably go.” I got off the hood of the car, my legs feeling like they were made of pudding, and my mind swirling with this small exchange. Nothing had even happened, yet I was running.

  “Eva,” Dex called out, his voice deep but firm. I looked at him and watched as he came closer. God, I wanted him to touch me again. I wanted him to look at my mouth as if he was starving to kiss me.

  “You’re okay?” he asked, genuine worry in his voice.

  “I’m fine. It’s just late, and I should be getting home.”

  “I’ll follow you, make sure you get home safely.”

  “You don’t have to.” I was trying in vain to keep the shakiness from my voice. I was so aroused, so wet, so needy, that it was hard to even think straight right now.

  “I know.” He took a step closer. “But I’m going to follow you home and make sure you get in okay.” There was this hardness in his voice, this “I’m not taking no for an answer” tone.

  I nodded, feeling good that he was firm, that he wasn’t letting me back down so easy. Call me weak, but I liked that … loved that.

  “Dex—”

  “Don’t fight me, Eva.”

  The way he said that had all these thoughts running through my head.

  “Don’t fight me while I’m deep inside of you and you’re begging for more.”

  “Don’t fight me when I have your hands pinned above your head and I’m owning every part of you.”

  “Don’t fight me as I love you, Eva.”

  “I won’t fight you,” I whispered, and I watched as his nostrils flared slightly, as if my words had gone deep inside of him … as if that’s just what he wanted to hear.

  “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

  I followed him over to my car, where he opened the door for me. When I bent down to climb in, I swear I heard him inhale deeply right by my hair. This shiver worked its way through me. I looked up at him once I was seated in the driver’s seat. I saw how tightly he held onto the door, so much that his knuckles were white. I wished I knew what he was thinking.

  “I’ll be right behind you.”
He shut the door, and I sat there thinking about what in the hell was going on.

  This felt different, and I didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing.

  4

  Dex

  I’d wanted to stay at the lake longer, talk more with her, but I could see I was freaking her the fuck out.

  Hell, if she knew what I really wanted with her, to do to her, she’d probably run for the fucking hills.

  But that wasn’t going to stop me from going through with this and telling her exactly how I felt and what I wanted.

  I pulled into her driveway, right behind her car, and cut the engine. Maybe I should have just watched her walk in the house and drive off, but I wanted Eva like a fucking fiend needing a fix, and there was no point in waiting to tell her any of this.

  I cut the engine and got out at the same time she did. She looked genuinely surprised, but I could also see she was a little happy to see I hadn’t just driven off.

  “I can get in the house okay.” She smiled, and fuck, did it do something nice to my chest.

  “I know you can, but just driving off would have been a bastard thing to do, yeah?”

  She didn’t respond, but started looking nervous. I knew she wanted me, and pretty badly, given the way she’d responded to the little touch I’d given her, the words I’d said, and the fact she’d retreated right before I started to kiss her.

  Yeah, this was pretty strange for her, no doubt, but it was right, and I just needed to show her that.

  I needed to prove that to her.

  She turned and started making her way up to the front door. I knew I should have given her room, but I couldn’t fucking help myself. She suddenly stopped, turned, and this hard look crossed her face.

  “Dex, I don’t know what in the hell is going on, or if you’re going through some kind of phase—”

  “Phase?” I lifted an eyebrow, knowing my amusement was clear.

  She nodded, trying to appear so strong.

  It turned me on.

  “Yeah, like you’ve run through all the women in town and I’m the last resort.” Her voice was shaky. “Or trying to fuck your friend’s sister.”

  I was getting annoyed, not because she was bringing any of this up, but because she must actually find truth in some of it.

  “You think I sleep around?”

  She didn’t answer, but started biting her lip.

  “You think I want to fuck you because it’s some kind of notch on my belt? Like it turns me on because you’re my fucking best friend’s little sister?”

  Again, she said nothing. I took a step closer. “I haven’t been with a woman in so long it would be embarrassing if I gave a fuck, Eva.” I looked down at her mouth again. “I haven’t been with a woman because I’m not interested in them. I know what I want, have finally realized what I’ve been missing out on, and I’m done with that bullshit.” I moved a step closer, and I had to give it to her, she didn’t back down. “And for the record, I’d never betray Charlie that way. When I’m with you it’s for the right reasons, understand?”

  She didn’t respond.

  This low, almost animalistic sound came from the back of my throat, and I didn’t even try to mask it. It was a fucking testament to how much I wanted Eva right now.

  “I don’t want any woman but you.” I saw her throat work, and although this was probably coming out of left field for her, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything. “You want me to leave right now?” I waited a heartbeat for her to respond. Finally, she shook her head slowly.

  “Dex.” She whispered my name, and it sounded so fucking sweet coming from her lips.

  “I want you,” I said again.

  And not just for right now.

  I wanted her for the rest of my life.

  I moved closer to her and placed a hand on either side of her head, caging her in, making her lean right up against the side of the house. I inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet yet fresh and crisp scent of her. It made my cock rock had.

  I leaned in so our faces were only an inch apart.

  “You’re kind of moving in fast, aren’t you?” she asked, trying to sound strong. I could tell she was, but I also heard the tremble in her voice.

  I knew, without even touching her, she wanted me. “No, I don’t think I’m moving fast at all.” I pressed a little closer to her, crowding her, making her know I was serious as a heart attack.

  “I don’t know what’s going on here,” she whispered, her eyes wide, her pupils dilated. Oh, she wanted me all right, if her increased breathing and erect nipples were anything to go by. Hell, I could see the hard little tips pushing against the material of her tight top.

  “You want me to tell you what’s going on, Eva?” She licked her lips, and I lowered my gaze to watch the act. My cock jerked hard, pressing against my zipper, wanting the fuck out.

  “Dex.” She breathed out my name again, and fuck, it sounded good.

  I stared right in her eyes and moved one of my hands closer to her face so I could run my thumb along the curve of her jaw. I felt her shake slightly, and I leaned loser, my lips nearly brushing her ear. “You’ve been mine for a long fucking time, Eva.” I heard her sharp intake of breath. “But I stayed away because that was the right thing to do.” I pulled back so I could look into her eyes again. “It was a stupid move; I can admit that.” The moment of silence stretched.

  “This is insane.”

  Yeah, it fucking was, but it was the truth. I wasn’t going to hide anything from her.

  “You’ve never shown any interest in me.” Her voice was so low, hesitant even.

  “We weren’t close because you’re Charlie’s baby sister. That was crossing a fucking line.” I heard her swallow.

  “I’m still Charlie’s little sister.” She stated the obvious, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

  “I realized what I’ve been missing, Eva. It’s the fucking truth. Life bitch slapped me, baby.” Her eyebrows pulled down a little. “I’m getting old, and I want to settle down. I want a good woman by my side; I want to have a family I can care and provide for.” I continued to stroke my thumb along her jawline. “I won’t lie. When I first saw you for the gorgeous woman you are, my first reaction was how badly I wanted to fuck you. I wanted to be inside of you, Eva.” I shook my head at my words.

  Fuck, I’m a bastard.

  She inhaled sharply and parted her lips, as if she couldn’t get enough air into her body.

  I leaned in another inch until our lips were close enough that when I spoke they’d brush together. “But I haven’t been with a woman sexually in years, baby. That’s the god’s honest truth.” I stared into her eyes. “And wanting you, but not having the balls to tell you that has been pretty fucking hard.” My heart was beating faster, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. “I’ve jerked off to you so many times, Eva, just thinking about how fucking gorgeous you are, and how much I want you as mine.” She sucked in a breath and I found satisfaction in it. “I can admit to being a motherfucker and being too afraid to make a move on you. I can admit to staying away because I didn’t want to rock the boat with you and Charlie.” She inhaled slowly, but I could see my words were sinking in. “I can admit that not telling you how I felt was the worst fucking mistake I’ve ever made.”

  “Dex,” she whispered, her warm, sweet smelling breath moving along my mouth and making my cock jerk even harder. “I stayed away, too. I wasn’t honest with myself or you either.”

  God, I wanted her in my life so damn badly. “There’s only one woman I want as mine for the rest of my fucking life, Eva.” I moved my thumb so I could now brush it along her bottom lip. “There’s only one woman I want as the mother of my children.” I continued to brush that digit along the swell of her lip. I was transfixed at what I was doing. And when she slipped just the tip of her tongue out and gently ran it along the pad of my thumb, I thought I’d come right then and there.

  Christ.

  “This is so crazy,” she said, but
it held no heat, no emotion.

  “But it’s also so right, Eva baby.”

  She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to. This was wild, untamed, and felt so fucking good. Damn, I hadn’t even been inside of her yet, and I knew it would be the best I’d ever had.

  “What if I don’t want this … whatever this is?”

  I watched her mouth move as she spoke. “You don’t want this? You don’t want me?”

  She shook her head but didn’t say anything.

  I grinned, but it wasn’t one of amusement. “You can claim you don’t want this.” I leaned in close. “But you and I both know that’ll be a fucking lie.” I inhaled deeply, smelling the sweet scent that came from her. “I bet if I placed my hand between your legs you’d be wet for me, Eva.” I leaned back an inch so she could get a good look at my face. “Are you wet for me, Eva?” I couldn’t stop the low growl that left me at the thought she was primed for me, ready to take me into her body.

  “Don’t you think this is a little fast?” she asked softly and swallowed, obviously trying to seem reasonable. Hell, I was glad one of us could think straight. As it was, I was hard, possessive of her, and ready to take Eva right up against the fucking building.

  “I’ve known you for years,” I murmured and glanced at her mouth again.

  Fuck, I want to kiss her.

  “It was never like this, Dex.”

  “It should have been.” I closed my eyes and groaned. “Say my name again.” She was silent a second, and I looked at her again.

  I felt her breath tease my face. “I like hearing it come from your mouth.”

  She didn’t speak for long seconds, but that was okay. For her I’d wait for the rest of my fucking life.

  “Dex, we should stop,” she said, but there was no heat behind her words. She didn’t mean them.

  “If you truly want me to stop, then all you have to do is tell the truth, Eva. Don’t fucking lie. If you don’t want me, don’t want this—”

  “And what is this, Dex?” she said, cutting me off.