Page 12

Chapter Twelve

KADEN

F rankie looks adorably pink when she slips out of the pantry. Her mama’s sharp eyes don’t miss a thing, but she pretends like her daughter and her daughter’s fake fiancé weren’t making out before the main course was served.

Dinner goes by quick, and soon Mama Lodato is saying goodbye. This time when she goes in for a cheek kiss, I don’t flinch.

She pinches her da-ughter’s cheek and says, “Don’t do anything I would do,” and then disappears, leaving behind a cloud of perfume.

“Sorry again for Mom popping up unannounced.”

“It’s all good.” I pick up the plates and stick them in the dishwasher.

“She liked you.” Frankie follows behind with the glasses.

“I was nervous as hell.” I wipe down the table.

“That was partly why she liked you. Kaden Gunner, famous quarterback, was intimidated by little old Maria Lodato.”

“Intimidated seems like an overreach.” I toss the paper towel into the trash and then grab a bottle of wine. “Want some?”

“I should go.” She looks toward the door.

“Now who’s intimidated?” I step toward her. The kiss in the pantry wasn’t enough for me. It was barely an appetizer. I need something more to feed the hunger growing inside me.

“It’s recognizing and playing to your strengths, and in this case, it’s not being around two hundred pounds of pure American beef.

” She reaches for her purse, but I’m quicker than her, and I grab it first, tossing it into the living room, where it lands on the sofa.

She pivots toward it, and that’s when I grab her and haul her into my arms.

“I’m glad you think I’m hunky.”

She wriggles in my grip, but I’m way stronger, and I easily carry her down the hall to my bedroom.

“I never said you were hunky. I said you were?—”

“An irresistible piece of meat. That sounds like hunky to me.” I flash her a grin, which doesn’t result in her turning into a puddle of pliable female flesh.

Instead, she rolls her eyes and tries a different attack. “You’re disobeying my mom. She said not to do anything she would do, and being carried off into some random man’s bedroom is definitely something she would do.”

That gives me pause, but I don’t want to push this with Frankie. It’s a tender spot for her.

“Men who listen to their mamas are down on the bottom of the attractive meter. Women like rebels and thieves.”

“Since when?”

“The beginning of time.” I kick open my bedroom door and walk over to the big recliner situated in front of a massive TV.

“Why does your bedroom look like a game room?”

”Because it’s where I like to have fun.” I drop down in the chair.

She tries to escape, but I hold her in place, swinging her legs over one arm and wrapping my arms around her torso.

“I can just about imagine,” she says, and this time, her tone is slightly frosty.

“If you’re envisioning me playing FIFA soccer against some NBA players, then you’re spot on.”

“How much fun have you had with other women in here?”

Very frosty.

“Zero.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“My body’s a temple, Kitten. I’m not offering it to random people.”

”But you’re offering it to me.” She points to herself as if she’s not worth the whole world.

“Exactly. You’re not random. You’re fiery, bold, forthright Frankie. A great friend. A great lawyer. A great daughter. You’re everything.”

She blinks a few times, rendered speechless, and then pushes out of my embrace. “I need to leave.” She thrusts her hands through her hair. “I can’t deal with this. You need to take this back.” She tugs at the ring on her finger.

I cover her hands with my own. They tremble under my touch. Confused, I bring her fingers to my mouth. “Kitten, why are you scared?”

“This doesn’t make any sense, Kaden. I’m not famous football player girlfriend material. I don’t have blond hair. I don’t have a banging body. I’m not small and delicate like my mom. I’m big. Look at my hands.” She spreads her fingers wide.

“They’re pretty.” I don’t know what I’m looking at.

“I’ve got man hands.”

“They don’t look like man hands.” I place my hand next to hers.

It’s small compared to mine. “They look like Frankie Lodato’s hands.

Capable. Strong. Nice nails.” I run my finger across the top of one.

”And I don’t want someone small and delicate.

I like your size. You fit me.” I bring her close, letting her measure her frame against my bigger one.

“If you were smaller, I’d be afraid to hurt you, but you’re right sized.

” I brush the hair away from her face and catch her chin between my fingers. “Me sized.”

This time when I kiss her, I take my time.

The pantry was a quick one, a stolen peck that I couldn’t resist. But now, in my bedroom with her trying to flee, I make a case for staying with my mouth and tongue.

I lick the roof of her mouth, battle her tongue.

I bite her lower lip and then soothe the wound with a lick.

I kiss her deep and long until the fight drains out of her, until her arms find their way around my neck and she molds her strong, gorgeous body against mine.

I pick her up easily and press her jean-clad pussy against my denim-covered cock. Using the leather chair for support, I lean back and rub her up and down against my shaft, letting her feel my heat and want.

She shudders and starts to ride me all on her own. Her fingers bite into my shoulders as she levers herself along my aching erection. One of my hands palms her ass while the other skates up her back, marking each bone of her spine, the angel wings of her scapula, the elegant curve of her neck.

Her body tenses as she seeks a release that is just out of reach. I shift upright and walk toward the bed. As I lay her down on the mattress, I break off our kiss. “What size are you, Kitten?”

“You size.”

I smile. “That’s right.”