Free For All (Red Light, Book Four) (10 page)
“Yes.” I snuggle against his side when he holds out his arm, tucking me close to the furnace of his body. The weight of his muscles around my shoulders leeches any of my uncertainty. When he holds me, nothing can do me harm. “Just going to miss you.”
“I’ll be right up the street. Want me to bring over some lunch? I’ll probably take a half hour break around two or maybe three, before the second show starts.”
“Is it natural to need someone as desperately as I need you?” I’m starting to think Rick might be my drug of choice. I’m hopelessly addicted. But is he something damaging like heroin or lifesaving like a diabetic’s insulin? It can only be the later.
“I’m not sure, Sarah.” He pauses, twisting his fingers in my hair and canting my head so that he can stare directly into my eyes. “But I’m so glad I’m not alone in this. Otherwise, they’d lock me up as some creeper for stalking a lady of the night.”
I can’t help but laugh. How right he is. “In that case, I’m grateful you have no restraining orders on me. Maybe I’ll bring you lunch. How does chicken satay from De Haven van Texel sound?”
“Amazing,” he whispers against my lips.
We jump like guilty teenagers when a rap on the glass behind us cuts through our dreamy stare, which might have lingered for a minute or ten. I never can be sure when the world narrows to just the two of us.
“Mari!” We both grin as we wave to our friend without breaking apart. The faux redhead occupies the window across the street from mine. We’ve stalled right outside her space.
She blows Rick a kiss then points to her watch.
“Ah, shit. I’m gonna be late again.”
“Say hello to Tommy for me. He’ll understand.” I turn toward my studio. Rick doesn’t leave my side. He always waits for me to open or lock up at the end of the night, ensuring everything is as it should be before he leaves me to my business.
“No kidding.” Rick rolls his eyes. “That bastard keeps asking for details as though we’re onstage at his club every night. Have sex in public once and people think you’re an open book. You know he won’t leave me alone about doing an encore at the club?”
“If you decide you’d like to give it a go, you only have to ask.”
“And you wonder if I’ll get bored with you? Crazy woman.” His pupils dilate and he steps closer as I fiddle with the lock on my window. “Hell, I might need to come by during break for a quickie after thinking about that for a few hours. Like the good old days.”
“My heart is ever at your service.” I climb the first two stairs then turn around to execute a tiny bow before kissing his cheek now that we’re eye to eye.
“Shakespeare? Did you think I wouldn’t know because I’m more brawn than brains?” He steals one last taste before backing up a pace then two.
Maybe we can work on our insecurities together. We have a lifetime after all.
“Believe it or not, I kind of like the bard.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s my favorite too.” I wink. “Have a good day at work, Flavius.”
Rick’s laugh rumbles through the street, causing several heads to turn. “At least you didn’t call me the fool.”
“Well, you do intend to marry the whore.”
Thunderclouds gather in his gorgeous eyes.
I shrug and wiggle my brows.
“Okay, okay, truce.” He holds his hands up, palms out. “Have fun. Be safe. See you for lunch.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I stare straight into his eyes until he can’t mistake my intention. “I’m starving already. And no snacking I do between now and then will put a dent in my hunger.”
“I love you, Sarah.”
“Love you too, Rick. Always.”
About the Author
Jayne Rylon’s stories usually begin as a daydream in an endless business meeting. Her writing acts as a creative counterpoint to her straight-laced corporate existence. She lives in Ohio with two cats and her husband, who both inspires her fantasies and supports her careers. When she can escape her office, she loves to travel the world, avoid speeding tickets in her beloved Sky and, of course, read.
Jayne is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Central Ohio Fiction Writers (COFW), International Heat and Passionate Ink.
Jayne welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her
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Also by
Jayne Rylon
Red Light 1: Through My Window
Red Light 2: Star of Christmas
Print books by Jayne Rylon
Cougar Challenge: Cougarlicious
anthology
Cougar Challenge: Needing a Cougar
anthology
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