Kelly rolled to her back, propping herself on her elbows and staring at him as he moved to the bottom of the bed. He was so obviously aroused it made her mouth water. His c**k pressed against the sweatpants with implicit demand, a thick length of steel-hard flesh that she ached for.
“I don’t like being teased like that,” she pouted. “Come back here and kiss me properly.”
“You don’t deserve it yet.” His voice was a dark croon, his expression arrogant, certain. Smug.
“I don’t deserve it?” Disbelief warred with amusement. “I’ve been of age for at least six years now, Rowdy. Ready, willing and able. And”—she stretched her legs out slowly, looking at him from beneath lowered lids—“I think I’ve waited too long. You didn’t give me a chance to fully enjoy it last night.”
His eyes narrowed, a seductive droop of the eyelids, the exceptional green eyes glittering from between heavy black lashes.
“Oh, I agree.” His voice lowered, his hands gripping the railed footboard of the bed, his fingers curling around it, clenching. “We’ve waited too long, Kelly. Now, let’s see how bad you want it.” He winked slowly. “Better shower, baby, I think you’re due at the marina this afternoon. I’ll take you in on the Harley.”
And just as easily as that he turned and sauntered to the bedroom door. He didn’t look back, didn’t pause. He opened the door and left the bedroom, his broad, bare shoulders straight and strong. Too damned sexy for his own good.
Dammit.
Mackay’s Marina was one of the smaller ones, specializing in rentals and mechanical servicing. Some berths were leased out, and the attached restaurant and convenience store added to the overall “one stop” friendly atmosphere of the landing.
Mackay’s Marina had begun with Rowdy’s grandfather, Joseph Mackay, and then under Ray Mackay’s guidance had turned into a thriving, yearlong enterprise. One he wanted to turn over to Rowdy as soon as his son was willing.
The bait shop and sporting goods section of the main buildings were separated from the store and restaurant by the main office. Kelly’s mother had put in the convenience store and additional gas pumps after their marriage on the condition that part of the enterprise go to Kelly once they retired. It was an agreement Ray and Rowdy had accepted easily.
Kelly was ringing up the variety of goods that old man Tanner and his son Ricky had picked up, when she saw Rowdy and Dawg walk into the main room. Natches had just left a few minutes ago after spending nearly an hour flirting and straightening the shelves at the side of the room.
She would have been a fool not to notice that the careful restraint in his demeanor toward her had changed. He watched her now with a subtle interest; a promise unique to the Mackay boys. She knew their moves, and knew the instant he walked in the room that he was no longer simply watching over her as he and Dawg had done in the past year. The additional element of desire was no longer hidden from her.
“Kelly girl, you need to put these fishing rods on sale.” Ken Tanner’s scowl was fierce, his brown eyes eagle-bright. Wisps of gray hair stood on end over his head, and his lined face was normally fierce, though he had a heart of gold.
“I’ll tell Ray, Ken. But you know how he is. That will be $14.62.”
She took the money from him, ignoring his son. Ricky was a shifty-eyed little prick who took pleasure in poking at others’ weaknesses. Thankfully, he reined it in while his father was around.
As she counted out his change, she caught sight of Rowdy moving behind the counter while Dawg started straightening some of the higher shelves across the room. Dawg had spent his summers working at the marina before he left high school. For him, Rowdy, and Natches, it was almost automatic to work when they were hanging around.
“Hey, babe.” She stiffened as Rowdy moved behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “Tired yet?”
She felt the flush that suffused her face as Ricky’s gaze became frankly assessing and old man Tanner grinned in delight.
“Rowdy Mackay. Boy, it’s about time you came home. You just visiting or staying?” Ken’s raspy voice boomed through the store.
“Hello, Ken. Ricky.” He moved to the counter, shaking the gnarled hand reaching out to him. The older man’s hand was a pale, weak extension when clasped in Rowdy’s strong, darkly tanned hands. “I’m home to stay this time.”
“Well, it’s about time.” He nodded firmly, his knowing gaze shifting to Kelly for a long second, a hint of compassion entering his eyes. “You going to take care of our girl here?”
“Ken!” Her face flamed hotter at the question as she chastised him.
“Like all of us ain’t watched you twitching around him since you were too young to know what a twitch was.” He snorted, frowning back at her. “Don’t you be playing dumb, girl. Just ’cause I’m old don’t make me blind.”
She ignored Rowdy’s chuckle as she quickly bagged the items Ken had bought and handed them across the counter.
“I hope you catch lots of fish, Ken,” she gritted out between her clenched teeth, pasting a facsimile of a smile on her face.
She was as fond as she could be of the old man, but he wasn’t one to mince words.
His snicker was amused, kindly. “It’s all in the bait, girl. It’s all in the bait.” He nodded to Rowdy with one of the few smiles Kelly had ever seen out of him. “Let’s go, Ricky.” He nudged at his son, heading toward the lake-side door. “See you later, Rowdy.”
“Later, Ken.” As he spoke, Kelly felt his hand settle in the small of her back, his fingers rubbing in tiny circles over the loose cotton shirt she wore.
“Stop that,” she hissed, turning on him as Ken and Ricky left the building, the glass door whishing shut behind them.
She pushed his hand away, propped her hands on her hips, and glared up at his smiling face as he crossed his arms over his chest and smiled wickedly back at her.
“You’re just going to make me pout if you start refusing my pitiful advances, Kelly,” he sighed. “And here I stayed awake all night last night with a numb arm just so you could sleep comfortable.”
Dawg’s snicker was clearly heard.
“Dumb and dumber,” she muttered, though she couldn’t keep the smile from her face as he reached out to run the backs of his fingers over the side of her neck. Shivers raced through her at the small caress. And it wasn’t fear. She could feel the pleasure suffusing her body, dampening the flesh between her thighs.