Rory: Hope City, Book 7 by Maryann Jordan (uplifting books for women txt) 📕

they found a little tickle spot. Gliding her arm around so that it rested across his stomach and her fingers splayed against his back, she sighed heavily. “You’ve already apologized for that, Rory. And I’ve already accepted. You’ve now had a chance to get to know me and meet my family. So the past is exactly that—the past. I’m no longer a lonely girl looking for company. I’m no longer a young woman whose grandmother’s definition of what a lady should and shouldn’t do was so drilled into my head that I didn’t scream and kick when a man tried to accost me. And you are no longer a man who judged me falsely. That’s all in the past. From now on, you and I face forward.”

“Face forward, huh?” Rolling so that their naked bodies were pressed together, he grinned. “Like this?”

Laughing, she lifted her leg over his, feeling his cock swell against her stomach. “Oh, yeah. Exactly like this.”

He kissed her deeply, giving her everything he had to give, taking everything she had to offer. His hands roved over her back and ass, stoking the fire that was building inside. He separated only long enough to reach behind him to grab a condom.

“I’m on the pill.” His eyes opened widely, and she hastened to add, “And I’m clean.”

“So…?” His voice carried the same hesitancy.

“Well, as long as you’re clean, too, then we can dispense with the condom—”

“I’m clean.”

Her mouth opened, but he jumped in again. “We’re tested for my job. I’ve got the proof of my last testing on my phone, and I’ve been with no one else.” He lifted his hand and cupped her face, bringing it closer to his. “But I want you to be sure. I want you to have no doubt.”

Her skin felt seared with the intensity of his gaze. Nuzzling her nose with his, she murmured, “I trust you. I want you—umph.” He rolled quickly, landing on top and sliding his hips between her open legs. She laughed… then they made love with nothing between them.

23

“Sandy!”

Hearing her name called out from the high-top table to the side of the Celtic Cock, Sandy walked toward her friends, her smile wide. Bekki, Caitlyn, and Harper turned their smiles her way, but it wasn’t until she reached the table that she recognized the fourth woman. “Hey, everyone. Erin, it’s nice to see you again.”

Erin smiled and inclined her head to indicate Sandy should take the seat next to her. She was thrilled to see Rory’s twin at the bar, knowing she didn’t usually go out. Before she had a chance to speak, Bekki jumped in.

“Did you read what I sent about Perkins Electrical?”

Settling into her seat, she waved toward Maeve behind the bar and turned her attention back to Bekki. “Yes, thanks. After I read the articles you sent, I did more reading on my own.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t have a chance to do more research for you, but I’m up to my ears in my own investigating.”

“It’s okay,” she assured. “I just keep asking the builders to make sure that all the work is inspected the way it should—”

Bekki’s raised brow caused Sandy to halt in mid-sentence.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Bekki said, shaking her head. “From what I can tell, City Hall has a problem with their contract bidding, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a problem with everything from building permits to inspections as well.”

Her Lemon Drop was placed in front of her and she turned to thank the server, jerking in shock at the sight of Torin. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him out from behind the bar. “Wow, thanks, Torin.”

He offered a chin lift then scanned the others, asking, “Anyone need anything?”

Sandy glanced at Harper, Bekki, and Caitlyn, seeing equal surprise as they shook their heads.

He turned to Erin and lowered his voice. “You good?”

A light blush hit Erin’s cheeks and she nodded. “Yes, thanks.” Her voice was soft, and it hit Sandy that the only time she’d been around Erin was during Harper’s wedding. There was nothing shy about Erin, but neither was she loud. Remembering what Rory had shared with her, she wondered if Erin had been lonely since leaving the military and was thrilled that she’d come out with the girls. Instead of leaving, Torin stood next to Erin, his hand resting lightly on the back of her chair.

Bekki and Caitlyn quickly turned to each other to chat, and Sandy knew it was to take the focus off of Erin. With the same thought, she looked at Harper. While Harper chatted about work, Sandy kept an eye on Erin and Torin. “A lady never eavesdrops on someone else’s conversation. At least not overtly. If it can be done with no one else knowing, then in certain circumstances it can be acceptable.”

Sandy had developed the ability to listen to one conversation while someone else spoke to her, a skill honed during the times her grandmother droned on. Don’t worry, Grandmother, I can do this. Inwardly grinning at the idea that her grandmother would roll her eyes, she was disappointed that very few words were spoken between Torin and Erin but had to admit the looks were as telling as any mountaintop shouts. Every time Erin glanced down toward her drink, Torin’s eyes shot her way. Every time he twisted his head to glance about the bar, Erin watched him carefully.

After a moment, he passed his gaze around all of them. “Gotta get back to the bar. Watch your drinks and don’t go to the ladies’ room by yourself.” As they nodded, he turned to Erin, waited until she lifted her eyes to him, and said, “Let me know if you need anything.” With that, he started to turn away, but Erin’s hand on his arm stopped him.

“It wasn’t your fault, you know? You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Torin held Erin’s gaze for a long moment, and Sandy could swear the sounds of the bar stopped