Ticket To Love Read online

  Damn it, how had this gone back to marriage again?

  Chapter Seven

  “That was funnier than I expected it would be,” Grams said after the movie as she climbed into the passenger seat of the Mustang.

  “It really was.” Eve closed the door and walked around the car. After climbing in, she straightened her shirt and put the keys in the ignition, but didn’t start it. “So, where to next?”

  “Nowhere. Something’s on your mind. Throughout the movie, you kept staring off into space, and you couldn’t sit still. You fidget when you’re upset. We’re going to sit here and you’re going to tell me what it is.” She placed her hands in her lap.

  Eve smiled. Her grandmother knew everything. “It’s about a guy.”

  “Finally.” Her tone was filled with relief.

  “It’s not like that.” Or at least Eve didn’t think it was. Surely her grandmother thought something romantic. There was nothing romantic between her and Brad. Just lust-filled kisses that made her toes curl.

  “Tell me, and I’ll be the judge of that.”

  Eve rubbed her palms along the steering wheel. “Brad is my neighbor, and he drives me crazy. I know I’ve mentioned him before.”

  Her grandmother nodded.

  “Anyway, lately we’ve been more involved in each other’s life. It’s weird.” She’d always been able to tell her grandmother everything, but she disliked talking about men. “Well, he keeps kissing me.”

  “Sounds like he has feelings for you.”

  Brad liked her? Hot, hunky personal trainer with tattoos had a thing for her? Yeah, right. “I don’t know.” Sure, he might be attracted to her, but it couldn’t be anything more. “Anyway, he isn’t my type. It would never work with him.”

  “Why isn’t he your type?” Grams asked.

  I don’t know. He just isn’t. “We fight all the time. I know I’ve told you about his dog getting into my trash and that stupid tree. We’d probably never be able to agree on a restaurant for dinner.”

  Grams chuckled. “Sounds like you two have a good spark. Things would always be interesting.”

  Eve shook her head. She didn’t want to hear about some “spark.” That was what Brad had said, and something about making the sheets catch fire.

  “He’s obviously under your skin. Are you attracted to him?” Grams stared at her, not letting Eve look away.

  Damn it! “I-I…” Eve had no idea how to answer it.

  “Give it a shot. What do you have to lose?” Grams paused. “Better yet, what do you have to gain?”

  Eve raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “If you’re seeing each other, he might be more willing to get rid of that tree.”

  Had she heard her grandmother right? Wouldn’t that be kind of like…using him? “I can’t date him to get what I want.”

  Or could she?

  “No, that would be wrong. I’m just saying, if you’re dating, you’re more likely to get him to do something about that tree than if you’re rejecting him.” She yawned. “Let’s get a cup of coffee before you take me back.”

  “Sounds good.”

  As Eve started the car, Grams said, “Just wait until he learns you’re the one who won the lottery.”

  She couldn’t tell him. Brad had this weird obsession with money and how it was spent. She wasn’t sure she could deal with someone who might obsess over every penny spent. And she had a lot of pennies to spend.

  ***

  Brad took a swig of his beer then set it back on the coffee table. His favorite college football team was getting their ass handed to them. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to continue watching the game.

  Bo barked by the front door.

  “Quiet.” That dog was always yapping. Someone just walking by, caused him to howl.

  But Bo didn’t quiet down. Groaning, Brad got up to see what it was. He peered through the sidelights by the front door. Eve paced his front yard. He opened the door. “Hey, you’re driving my dog crazy and I’m trying to watch a shitty football game. Mind telling me what you’re doing?”

  “Uh.” She stopped and stared at him. “I, uh…”

  “You what?” He glanced toward her house. No trash can on the ground.

  “I wanted to talk.”

  It was never good when a woman wanted to talk. “Yeah, okay. What about? You made it pretty clear earlier you didn’t like me.”

  “About that.” She rubbed her hips in an antsy way. “Can I just come in?”

  He shrugged and stepped back. “Sure, come on in. Next time use the doorbell.”

  Eve climbed the steps, keeping her gaze on the ground as she brushed past him. Brad, however, watched her hips in her loose pink dress. He liked dresses—especially on a woman he wanted to get in bed. Just one easy article of clothing to slip over her head. Even better, he could lift the dress to have access to her sweet center with his hands and mouth.

  He followed Eve into his living room, where she plopped down in the leather recliner. His chair. He’d let it slide, but if her coming in here was going to be a regular thing, she’d have to learn her place was not in his chair.

  “What did you want to talk about?” He sat on the couch.

  “This thing between us.”

  She had his attention. “You said there was nothing between us.”

  “Well, there is something.”

  Was she bipolar? “I wasn’t the one denying it. But you said I wasn’t Mr. Right, and that’s who you’re looking for. So just keep looking.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “What if you are and I’m just being stubborn?”

  Seriously? Was she off her meds or something? “What do you suggest?”

  “We could kiss again.”

  They’d kissed several times. Brad did not want to just kiss. He wanted to touch her and bring her pleasure until her sweet lips called out his name. He wanted to know if she had dark nipples or rose-colored. “I don’t want to kiss.”

  Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”

  “I want to make it to at least second base. Possibly third. It’s much too early in our relationship for a home run.”

  Eve glanced at the TV, running her hands back and forth against the tops of her legs. Her dress slid up a little more each time. “You’re watching the game.”

  “I was about to turn it off before you stopped by. It wasn’t going the way I wanted it.”

  Her cheeks turned a rosy color. “Oh.”

  “My team is losing, and I don’t feel like seeing that. I do want to see you in my bed.” Brad grinned. Now was the time to see how serious she was. He stood and held his hand out to her. She stared at it, but didn’t take it. “Well?”

  “R-r-right now?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Right now. I want to kiss much more than your lips. You’re the one who brought it up.”

  Brad expected her to run for the front door, but instead, she took his hand. As she stood, she kept her gaze locked on his. “Okay.”

  She agreed? Holy hell, he was going to go to second base with the girl next door.

  ***

  Eve’s heart was about to pound out of her chest. She could do this. Kiss him and do all that other stuff.

  No, no she couldn’t.

  Yes, yes she could.

  She took a seat on Brad’s bed and ran her palm across the blue cotton. This was awkward. Why had she come in here?

  Brad cupped her chin and tilted her head up. He stared down at her, his eyes full of passion, and it scared her. It looked like he was ready to pounce.

  A shiver swept up her spine. She was going to do dirty things with her neighbor, the guy she disliked due to a tree and a dog.

  Where was the dog? Hopefully Bo wasn’t a pervert that liked to watch these kinds of things. Before she could go much further into her thoughts, Brad’s lips were on hers. All thoughts of perverted dogs left her mind. How did Brad do this to her?

  He pushed her so she lay back on the bed and then climbed on top of her
.

  Well, hello! Man, there was something about a hard body on top of her that got her going. Even better, it was Brad.

  She laced her fingers around his neck. This was what she wanted…right?

  Brad skimmed his hand down her sides and she almost giggled. She couldn’t let him find out how ticklish she was. Just the slightest touch to her sides could send her into a laughing fit. His hand softly rubbed up her stomach and to her breasts.

  Wow, he wasn’t kidding about second base.

  He squeezed gently, sending a rush of tingles through her, but then stopped. He broke the kiss and stared down at her. “This isn’t right.”

  What? Were her breasts lumpy or something? “What do you mean?”

  “It’s so planned. It’s not spontaneous. The other kisses were so filled with passion. And this one is good, but I feel like we’re doing this because we have to.”

  “You don’t want to make out with me?” She propped herself up on her elbows as he rolled off her onto his side.

  “I do.” He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. “But I feel like we’re doing this just to prove something.”

  “Okay.” Rejection tore through her. She’d agreed to do this and now he didn’t want to. Talk about a complete one-eighty. Guess she’d been right all along. He wasn’t Mr. Right.

  “It’s like when I was married…”

  Finally, she might learn something about him. She gazed at him, ready to hear more, even if it was about another woman.

  “We never just had sex to have sex. We were both so busy that we actually sat down and scheduled sex.” He sat up and smacked his thighs. “Scheduled it! On a sex day, we’d get into bed, roll toward each other—”

  “I got it!” Eve didn’t want hear about his intimate life with his ex. “Apparently, I remind you too much of her.”

  “What?” He shook his head. “No.”

  Eve quickly stood. Heck, her shoes were still on. She could just walk out. “Between the way I spend money, to coming over here to do this, I’m just like her. See, I told you, this will never work.”

  She started toward the door, but he must’ve gotten up because he grabbed her arm. “No. You’re not her. I didn’t want you to think that. I was just explaining why this felt so weird.”

  “Or maybe it’s weird because there’s nothing between us.” Just like she’d been saying all along.

  He groaned and shoved her back against the wall, lowering his lips to hers.

  Whoa, there it was. The pull of passion that took control of her, tore through her. She needed more. She gripped his shoulders, shoving herself against him.

  Brad wasted no time. His hands were under her dress and tugging it over her head. Once it was off, he tossed it across the room. His gaze drifted over her body and he grunted before falling to his knees.

  What was he doing? “Brad.”

  His hot mouth met her stomach as he laced his fingers into the top of her panties. He kissed lower and lower, and finally his warm breath blew against her sex. She closed her eyes as her pleasure built, swirling in her stomach. She leaned her head against the wall and arched her back.

  Over the thin material, he licked her in just the right spot. She thought she was going to come right there. Brad slid her panties down, and she stepped out of them.

  “You’re beautiful.” He slid a finger through her folds.

  She nodded like a doofus, but what else could she do? She couldn’t speak when his face was right at her pussy.

  As his mouth sucked on her sensitive nub and he pushed his fingers into her core, she whispered, “Oh, my.” This would be quick. Every nerve was on fire.

  Brad moaned slightly, sending a vibration through her. She gasped as her impending orgasm grew more intense.

  As his tongue circled her clit, his fingers picked up the pace. His warm mouth left her. “Come for me.” Then he sucked her nub.

  His encouragement sent her over. Her release tore through her body so quick and hard her knees buckled. Still sucking on her, with his free hand he caught her by the waist, holding her in place. The climax flew through her like a strong gust of wind. “Brad!” she cried out, not able to contain herself any longer.

  Finally, she calmed down and was able to catch her breath. Brad kissed her stomach and helped lower her to the floor.

  Wow, that was good.

  No, that had been fucking fantastic.

  He stared deeply into her eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

  She nodded. How could she deny him?

  Brad kissed her, giving her a taste of the salty juices he’d just drank. The kiss was slow and sensual, and lasted only a moment before he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. “God, the things you do to me,” he said.

  “Oh.” Eve grinned. “I think it’s the things you do to me.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. It was over, we were fighting, and then I just had to have you. I don’t think I could ever get tired of you.”

  But was this all they had? Spontaneous fun?

  “Did you want me to…?” She dropped her gaze to the bulge in his jeans, imagining his length filling her mouth.

  He sat back and smiled. “I want you, too, yes. But not now.”

  He didn’t want pleasure? Most men gave simply so they could get.

  Brad leaned backward and grabbed her dress before handing it to her. “I’d much rather you stay naked, but if you do, I’ll hit a home run for sure.”

  Her core clenched with need. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to stop at third base when it was so enticing to steal home.

  Chapter Eight

  Brad handed Eve the plate holding her slice of pizza. She took it, still staring at him with that nervous look on her face. He’d had to practically tie her to the couch to get her to stay after their fun time in his bedroom. He wasn’t sure how much experience she had with the opposite sex. Usually after a man and woman played, they hung out for a bit afterward. Especially if they wanted a relationship. And he assumed she wanted one, because he wanted to be more than just neighbors at this point.

  “So,” he plopped down next to her, “decided on that business you’re going to start?”

  “No.” She took a bite of her pizza. “I chatted with my friends about it and still didn’t come up with anything. Maybe I won’t go that route.”

  Starting something new was always a big risk. He didn’t get the sense she was a risk-taking kind of girl. “What about opening your own marketing firm?”

  She huffed and shook her head. “I hated that job.”

  “If I could quit my job and do whatever I wanted, I think I’d open up a woodworking shop.” He pointed toward the TV. “I built that stand with my dad’s help. He’s amazing at woodworking.”

  “You did?”

  He nodded. He was proud of that piece. In the evenings after work, he’d picked out the wood, sanded it, and stained it. He’d had big plans to make all the wood furniture in his home, but then in the stupid divorce, he’d had to sell his tools in an estate sell. In every way she could, Charlotte had hit him where it hurt the most. One shouldn’t hate a person, but what he felt for her was pretty darn close.

  “Wow, there’s more to you than I knew,” Eve said.

  “As I’m sure there’s more to you than your dislike of dogs.”

  She set her plate in her lap. “I don’t not like dogs.”

  He grinned and bit his pizza. After he swallowed, he said, “From my side of things, it sure seems like you do.”

  “I just…” She sucked in her bottom lip. “I told you, I never had pets growing up. I don’t know much about them.”

  “Maybe we should get you one.”

  She twirled a strand of her hair. “Maybe a cat.”

  He placed his empty plate on the coffee table. “No. I don’t like cats.”

  She giggled. “Why not? They aren’t a nuisance like a dog.”

  “See? Told you. You don’t like dogs. At least I’ll admit I don’t like cats
.”

  She playfully punched him. “Stop. If not a cat, then what?”

  He thought a moment. If she’d never had a pet, what would be a good start—besides a cat? Something that didn’t require the vet maybe. “A guinea pig?”

  She squinted. “What would I do with that?”

  “Feed it, I guess. I don’t know much about them.”

  She shook her head. “Maybe I should get a puppy.”

  Oh yeah, she had a hard enough time with adult dogs. That’s just what she needed, a puppy to house-train. He could just imagine how she’d react the first time it piddled on her carpet. “Or a rescue adult at the shelter. Maybe a senior dog. They need love, too.”

  She shrugged and tossed her hair behind her shoulders. “I’ll think about it.”

  He smiled, took her plate and set it with his, then reached for her. It was time for another taste. He couldn’t resist her any longer. Staring into her eyes, he waited to see if she’d protest, but instead, her mouth parted and she moistened her lips.

  He grabbed her shoulders and crushed his mouth to hers. Just as things heated up, his cell phone blasted from his pocket. Who the hell was calling and interrupting this perfect moment? Reluctantly, he broke the embrace. “Hold that thought.”

  Standing, he pulled the phone out and saw it was his ex. Why was she calling? He glanced toward Eve, who rubbed her arms and looked like she wanted an escape. “I’m gonna take this. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I’m gonna head home.” She stood and straightened her dress.

  He nodded and moved toward her to kiss her goodbye as he pressed the answer button, but she was already making a mad dash toward the front door.

  “Charlotte,” he said.

  “Hey, Brad. How are you?”

  Better once this call is over. “I’m okay. Why are you calling?” Every now and then she got a wild hair and called him to chat. He hated it. He didn’t care what she was doing with her life.

  “I wanted to let you know I’m getting married.”

  Hopefully to a rich man who’d give her a hefty allowance. “Well, that’s great. I’m happy for you.” Maybe she’d leave him alone now.