No Limits

“Not even close.”

The rough velvet words weakened her resolve. “Then—”

“My worry is a man and woman alone with beds nearby.” He drew her up to her tiptoes. “Unless that’s what you want.”

She couldn’t think. “What?” she whispered.

His breath teased over her lips. “Us, together.” His voice went deeper, rougher. “Making use of the beds.”

When she only stared at him, she saw the smile in his eyes—seconds before his mouth touched the corner of hers.

“Sex,” he breathed.

“Oh.” He wanted to have sex with her. “You’re coming on to me?”

Wry humor kicked up the corner of his mouth. “Seriously? You can’t tell? I must be losing my touch.”

No, his touch was dead-on, heating her with sizzling awareness. “But you just sent Mary away!”

As if she should have understood, he said, “You aren’t Mary.”

The surprise bubbled out as a small laugh. Appalled at herself, Yvette put a hand to his chest. She meant to lever herself away, but instead, the solid muscles had her curling her fingers against him. “No,” she said with apology. “I’m not.”

His thumbs started that wicked caressing again. “I’m glad.”

Only because he didn’t understand the major difference: Mary could accommodate him, but she could not.

Knowing she had to be fair, Yvette tried to explain. “You might want to rethink things. With Mary, I mean. See...I don’t...” Was there a polite way to put it? No, there wasn’t. “Do that.”

Comical confusion showed in his expression.

And no wonder. She sounded so absurd. “That is, I’m not... I can’t...”

“Can’t?”

“Won’t?”

He searched her face. “Pick one.”

She blew out a breath. “Don’t.” Now she pushed away from him, but landing back on her own feet without support left her shaky. “I don’t.” Gesturing, she explained, “Do that.”

Dubious, his gaze roamed over her from head to toes and back again. “You don’t have sex?”

“No.” And now, with him so near and so...focused, she had more regrets than ever.

“You’re not a virgin.”

She sputtered over the accusing way he said that. “No, but that was then, and now...” She rubbed her brow. “Sorry if I’m confusing you. But I don’t do any of that anymore. I mean dating or sex or anything. So anyway, you see, there’s no problem.” Her smile fell flat. More discussion was not going to make any of this better. Knowing that, she backed up one step, then another. “I’m going to head out now.”

Discontent furrowed his brows, making his blue eyes incendiary. “You’re going to say that and then just book?”

Definitely. Inching toward the door, she nodded. “I’m exhausted.” To give credence to that excuse, she staged a huge yawn. “I need some sleep. You probably do, too.”

He didn’t move.

“So...I’ll see you there. Whenever. Don’t hurry on my account, though.” She backed through the doorway. “I think Mary is still waiting for you.”

The frown got darker. “Forget Mary.”

“Okay, sure.” She continued inching away. “You have a key to get in, right?”

Muscled arms crossed over his chest and he looked down his nose at her. “Yeah.”

“Okay, then I’ll leave the door braces off.”

“Door braces?”

“Added security. You know...those bars that... Never mind. I’ll show you. Later.” She cleared her throat. “When you’re there. Though probably not until tomorrow because I’m going straight to bed—”

“I’m coming now.” He started toward her.

“You don’t have to!” More than anything she wanted to avoid another confrontation until she had her wits collected and could speak without sounding like an idiot. She could accomplish that by being in her room with the door closed before he showed up. Tomorrow morning...well, she’d get up early as usual, maybe go for a jog to clear her head and help collect her thoughts.

She hadn’t expected him to want to pick up where they’d left off.

Three years had passed!

But since he did, and since she couldn’t, she’d have to figure out a way to explain it all to him without actually baring her soul.

Still retreating, she almost bumped into someone, looked over her shoulder and apologized to Rowdy’s wife.

“Don’t mind me,” Avery said, her arms laden with dirty glasses after clearing tables. She continued on as if it was a normal night.

As if Yvette weren’t backing away from a superhunk who inexplicably wanted sexual involvement with her.

The night ranked right up there as one of the least normal she’d had—since moving away.

CHAPTER FOUR

CANNON WAS ON her by the time she looked away from Avery.

Green eyes flared wide when she realized he intended to leave with her—as in, right beside her with his hand curled around the nape of her neck beneath her long ponytail.

Unaccountably provoked, he whispered, “Let’s go,” but her feet remained glued to the floor.

Lacing her fingers together, she blinked up at him. “You don’t have to do this.”

He flexed his neck to relieve the knotted muscles there. “This?”

“Dogging my heels.”

That pissed him off.

Until she clarified, “Protecting me.”

No, maybe he didn’t. But he wanted to. Bad. Hell, he was half-hard and all he’d gotten from her so far were denials, rejections and hilarity at his interest.

And that far-fetched tale about her not having sex. He urged her forward, and she reluctantly gave in.

“This is pointless.”

Determined to prove her wrong on that score, he kept them both walking.

She dug in, saying, “I’m not going to cheat you.”

Even in the crowded, noisy bar, a few people looked up—including Mary, who stood among a small crowd of men.

Steering Yvette to the side, Cannon said, “Keep it down, will you.”

Appalled, she looked around, more upset than she should have been. She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, and that implacable mask of poise fell into place.

Now, in a much softer tone, she said, “I’m sorry, but I want you to know. Soon as I sell everything, I’ll send you your half. You don’t have to hang around. I’m sure you have other, more important things to do.”

He wanted to do her, and that was as important as it got. She might not realize it, but the more she tried to run him off, the more determined he was to stay. “Understand something, Yvette.”

A little wary, she asked, “What?”

Smiling to soften his inflexible tone, he leaned closer. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Huffing, she gave in, no longer fighting him as they headed across the floor, but still stiff-necked under his hand.

Good thing he had a healthy ego. He sensed she wanted to avoid something, but he wasn’t convinced that it was him. There was something more going on.

He planned to find out what.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered.

“We’ll talk when we get home.” They were almost to the door when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

Senses prickling, Cannon turned—then ducked out of reach as someone threw a wild haymaker.

Tucking Yvette back behind him, he said, “What the hell?”

Sour beer breath blasted his face when a man swayed toward him and shouted, “You insulted ’er.”

Looking beyond the idiot slurring his words, Cannon saw Mary watching, her hand over her mouth in dismay. Shit. He hated drama over women. “No insult intended.”

The guy wouldn’t let it go. “You thin’ you’re such a hotshot?”

Sighing, Cannon felt the fascinated gazes of the crowd. The guy challenging him was big and muscular—but not a real match by any stretch. It’d be manslaughter if he took him on. “Look,” Cannon said, “why don’t you let me call you a cab?”

“Fuck you!” He poked at Cannon’s chest. “You were shitty to ’er.”

Cannon caught his hand, jerked him forward then around and put him in a headlock. It’d be so easy to put the guy to sleep...but that didn’t seem fair. He looked up at Mary. “Happy now?”

She gasped. “I didn’t know he’d come after you!”

Without much effort, Cannon contained the wild flailing of the man he held and said to her, “You didn’t put him up to it?”

“No! I would never do that.”

He wasn’t sure if he believed her or not, but it didn’t really change anything anyway. “You know him?”

Miserable, she nodded. “He’s a...friend.”

“Then see that he gets home.” Cannon released the man—then had to push him back when the idiot reached for him again. Pointing at him, Cannon said, “No more.”

Too drunk to listen, the guy tucked down and charged.

Shit, shit, shit. Pulling the punch as much as he could, Cannon struck him with a straight right jab—and watched him sink, boneless, to the floor.

Stepping to the front of the crowd, Rowdy watched the drunk stir. “Sorry, I got here quick as I could.”

“It happened fast.”

“Bar fights usually do.”

That had Cannon snorting. There’d been no fight to it.

“Thanks for going easy on him.”

“No problem.”

Shaking his head, Rowdy said, “You are freakishly calm.”

With a shrug, Cannon said, “Not always, but I’m not going to get bent over a drunk.” He turned—and didn’t see Yvette. He searched the room.

“She’s gone,” Rowdy told him. “Lit out the second you got preoccupied.”

Now, that riled him. Only half under his breath, he muttered, “Fuck.”

The drunken idiot groaned. Together, Cannon and Rowdy helped him to his feet.

“All of you,” Rowdy said to the small group. “Time to go.” They grumbled, but followed Rowdy as he started toward the door. As if they weren’t escorting a bloody-nosed patron and his cronies to the curb, Rowdy asked, “You plan to move in on her?”

In more ways than one. Shrugging, Cannon held the door open as the small group departed with their buddy. “I told you, half of everything is mine.”

The last man, on his way out, handed Rowdy some cash to cover their tab. “Sorry about that.”

“If it happens again, he’s banned from returning.”

That caused more grousing, but a second later they were all gone.

Still by the door, Rowdy rested back on the wall. He stared toward Mary, who’d already moved on to a different tableful of men. “She’s trouble.”

“You could have warned me earlier.”

“You’re a big boy.” When Ella the waitress came by, Rowdy handed the money to her. “Besides, she’s only trouble when she finds an idiot to help her dole it out.”

Ella took a minute to bounce her gaze back and forth between them before sighing dramatically. “Y’all are going to cause a riot if you just stand there looking so mouthwateringly scrumptious.” She patted each of them on the chest and headed off for the cash register.

Cannon grinned after her. He and Ella had hit it off right from the start back when he’d first worked at Rowdy’s. She teased, but never, not once, had she honestly come on to him. He was willing to bet the same was true for her treatment of Rowdy.

“So you plan to claim your inheritance, huh?”

Only half listening, Cannon nodded. “For now anyway.” If he refused it, how could he cozy up to Yvette?

“What does she think of that?”

“Don’t know yet.” Should he still go to the house? Yvette had been clear on her preferences. She didn’t want him there.

“You get challenged a lot?”

“That wasn’t a challenge. That was just drunken stupidity.”

“I guess other guys have enough self-preservation not to go there, huh?”

Cannon shrugged. “Maybe I’m just a nice guy.” And maybe Yvette truly didn’t need him anymore—

Laughing, Rowdy nudged him. “Yeah, you’re nice enough. So here’s some well-meaning advice—when in doubt, go with your gut.”

“Meaning?”

“You want to go to her. I can see it. Hell, everyone in here can see it.”

That prompted Cannon to look around, and he found the room ripe with speculation. He drew in a deep breath...and caved.

With new determination, he pushed off the wall. “Yeah.” He’d go to her, and if she was already in bed—probably avoiding him—well, then, at least he’d be there, close by. And in the morning he’d catch her for a nice long chat, and more. “Thanks.”

“Cannon?”

He paused.

“Go easy on her, too, okay? I think she’s probably more fragile than she’s letting on.”

Damn it, since he’d always trusted Rowdy’s insight, a new urgency gripped him. “See you tomorrow.”

Turbulent thoughts pushed him to drive too fast. When he reached the house, he found it lit up like Christmas with every outdoor light on. It was by far the most illuminated house on the block. Bright lamps decorated either side of the front door and over the driveway, and floodlights shone over each side of the yard.

Yvette had parked in the driveway, so he pulled in behind her. If she had thoughts of leaving before him in the morning, he’d know, because she’d need him to move his car.

He felt manipulative, but what the hell. For now, it worked.

He tried the doorknob, found it locked, and dug out the key to get in. Would she be curled up on the couch watching TV? Maybe in the shower? Or would she be tucked into bed? Each visual was nice, but he preferred the shower scene.

Unfortunately, when he stepped in, silence greeted him. So she had turned in? Hard to tell with so many lights on, but yeah, one glance down the hallway and he saw her closed bedroom door.

Disappointed, he dropped his overnight bag and looked around. The house was different, but how he felt about it wasn’t. The open dining room drew his gaze. It took only a nanosecond for him to recall exactly how Yvette had looked caught up against the thug’s body—and how her helplessness had turned him inside out. Thinking of how differently that day could have gone stirred his rage anew.

Yvette might not need him to be here with her now, but he needed it.

Doing his best to block the black thoughts, he roamed the house, first going down the hall to the room he’d use. Not her grandfather’s room, but the spare room—the one closest to Yvette. He set his overnight bag beside the bed and emptied his pockets on the nightstand. The bed was only a twin, but he’d manage.

Turning to the wall, he thought of Yvette on the other side. Did she sleep on her side, snuggled into her pillow? Or on her back, her legs open and relaxed? Heat crept up the back of his neck; he placed his palm on the wall, thought of touching her and had to fight the urge to knock on her door.

Leaving his shoes by the bed, he made no sound as he reentered the hall. At Yvette’s door he paused to listen, but it was so quiet that he imagined her holding her breath. Hard as it might be, he wouldn’t disturb her.

Not tonight.

Instead he went into the kitchen, where a low light shone over the stove. If she kept this up, the electric bill would be through the roof. But he wouldn’t complain.

Not with the proof of her difficulty there on the kitchen table.

Dead bolts, bars for the doors and alarms filled the tabletop. Seeing a few empty packages, he went to the window over the sink and found a narrow bar wedged into place, giving the lock a little backup on the off chance someone tried to get in. He checked the other windows and found the same. Striding to the basement door, he located the lock bar wedged under the doorknob, ensuring no one could sneak in—as they had three years ago.

She’d taken security measures to extremes. For her peace of mind, he could make a few more improvements.

And he’d stick close. For the foreseeable future, he’d protect her, whether she liked it or not.

* * *

WEARING ONLY JEANS, not yet shaved or showered, Cannon stood in the middle of the kitchen the next morning and cursed. Where the hell was she?

If he’d had any doubts about her dodging him, they were now confirmed.

The coffeepot remained half-full, and her car was still in the driveway. But her open bedroom door and the empty house told him she’d taken off.

On foot?

To where?

He’d be more concerned except for the note she’d left in front of the coffeepot that read, “Help yourself,” signed with a feminine, curly Y.

At only a few minutes after 7:00 a.m., morning sunshine poured in the kitchen window, spilling warm amber light over the counter and floor. Today would be a scorcher.

He always woke early, usually to work out, often to jog.

After a near-sleepless night where he’d pondered a dozen different scenarios, he’d planned a confrontation with Yvette. He’d expected to be there in the kitchen, alert and ready to sort out the confusion, when she emerged from her bed.

Still edgy with carnal need, he’d imagined catching her half-awake, maybe in a nightgown, her hair tumbled, her defenses down, warm and drowsy, sensual and sweet...

Instead she’d gotten up before dawn, made coffee for him and then skipped out.

The idea that she might be running from him ramped up the raw, basic urge to claim her. Filled with the predatory need to chase—and catch—her, he paced the floor, cursing himself for not getting her phone number. But he hadn’t expected her to bolt last night, and he sure as hell hadn’t expected to find the house empty this morning.

Maybe where it concerned Yvette Sweeny, he should stop making assumptions and come up with a strategy instead.

Where to start? Confused ideas clamored in his brain, impossible to sort out. Drawn by the scent, he decided a little coffee wouldn’t hurt. He wasn’t a caffeine junkie, and in fact avoided it while training. But it was one of those small treats he allowed himself between preparing for fights.

One taste and he groaned. Perfection. Strong enough without being bitter.

If Yvette ever returned, he’d thank her for it.

While waiting for her, he finished his mug off and poured another. Eight o’clock came and went. Frustration mounting, Cannon went about checking all facets of security concerning the house. He wanted to know what was needed before he made some calls.

As he’d already noticed, the lighting was over-the-top, so he would suggest motion sensors. With the occasional stray cat or critter, they could be bothersome, but it was better than lighting up the whole neighborhood.

Before the sun set again, he’d install the additional dead bolts for her. Trotting down the basement steps, he checked out the window that had been used to break in so long ago. It was now secured with a metal grate that locked from the inside. Barefoot, Cannon crossed the cold concrete floor and touched the sturdy bars.

Anger intruded, settling in his gut like molten lead. In pure reaction, he curled his hands into powerful fists. If he could fight the past, he would. If he could go back and somehow do it all differently, the miserable fucks would never make it to prison.

Instead Yvette had to deal with the memories, same as he did. If he lived to be a hundred, it would still enrage him to think about it.

She could deny it all she wanted, but he knew it’d be the same for Yvette. Or worse. Much worse.

Trying to ease the strain, Cannon rolled his shoulders and looked around the open area of the basement. Without analyzing his decision, he configured a floor plan in his mind, knowing right where he’d put each piece of workout equipment. The overhead beams could easily support a heavy bag if he used the right hardware.

Back upstairs, he gave Armie a call. The phone rang six times before his friend answered with rushing breath. “You’re late.”

“And you sound winded.”

“I’m working out my frustrations.”

Huh. Did that mean the lady hadn’t waited for him after all? Ready to rib him, Cannon said, “I take it you didn’t get laid?”

“Actually, smart-ass, I had a three-way.”

“Yeah?” Nothing new for Armie. Sounding as serious as he could, Cannon asked, “What’s the other guy’s name?”

“Funny—not.” He could hear Armie guzzling water before he explained, “This time it was Beth and her friend Carly.”

Ah, so Beth with the many piercings and tats had not only waited, she’d brought along added enticement. He already knew it wasn’t Armie’s first ménage, but if he’d just indulged, why was he frustrated?

“Actually,” Armie said, “they asked about you.”

Him? He had to wonder how that conversation had gone—and when. But he said only, “Of course they did.”

“I told them no-go. Said you were a virgin.”

Cannon couldn’t help but laugh. “Bullshit.”

“Okay, I told them you were a lousy lay. Whatever. They settled for me.”

Glad that Armie knew him well enough not to bother trying to draw him into an orgy, he said, “Gee, thanks.”

“So is there a reason for this call? ’Cause you’re interrupting my routine.”

Cannon grinned. Didn’t matter how late Armie stayed out at night—sometimes all night—he still hit the rec center bright and early, and always jumped right into his workout. He was fanatical about staying in shape, about being healthy.

And about getting laid.

“Yeah, sorry. Just wanted you to know that I won’t make it in for a few more hours.”

“Dodging me? Damn, Cannon, I know I scare the average man, but you don’t need to worry.” Tone going suggestive, Armie asked, “Or is that sweet little thing you drooled over last night keeping you otherwise occupied?”

“Yeah, but not the way you mean.” Hard to sleep with Yvette when he couldn’t get her to stay in one place long enough to even kiss her. Maybe next time he saw her, he’d take care of that right off, then figure out the rest. “Got any free time this week?”

“Changing the subject, huh? Must mean you struck out in a big way, you poor bastard.”

“Are you busy or not?”

With new humor, Armie said, “I have a date every night, but I can rearrange things. What’s up?”

Cannon shook his head at the ready accommodation; Armie canceled dates as easily as he got them. “I want to set up some workout equipment.”

“Sticking around awhile, huh?”

“I think so.” But either way, he’d make himself at home here so that Yvette couldn’t easily boot him out.

With forced indifference, Armie said, “I thought your little sister turned the downstairs into a separate area for her roomie.”

Since Armie had helped him expand the outdated bath for that very reason, he already knew the answer. Was he interested in the roommate? Cannon had met her on a few occasions, each brief, so all he really remembered was medium blond hair, dark eyes and a cute bod.

Yeah, Armie was probably interested.

But that’d put him too close to Merissa, and Cannon didn’t like that idea, so he issued another warning, this one more direct. “I don’t want you messing around with the roommate.”

Armie snorted. “Don’t sweat it. She’s not my type.”

“What type is that?”

“Same as your sister—a nice girl.”

Cannon laughed at how Armie inferred being “nice” made a female unacceptable. In the case of his sister, he was glad. It’d be way too uncomfortable to think about Armie, with his over-the-top sexuality, anywhere near his little sis. “Rissy’s got her own life going on and I see no reason to move in on her.” He took a breath and admitted, “I’m staying with Yvette.”

Silence—and then, “That was fast.”

“Again, not the way you’re thinking.”

“Damn, man, I’m thinking she’s hot, you’re male and you’re arranging a lot of alone time with her. Don’t tell me it’s so you can hold her hand and watch old movies, because I just might puke.”

“It’s complicated, that’s all.” Cannon took a minute to explain the situation to Armie.

“Fuck,” Armie said with feeling. “I thought she was the girl, but I wasn’t sure. Must be rough for her.”

“Not as much as you’d think.” Or else Yvette did a great job hiding it. “Anyway, I plan to stay with her until the place sells—or until I’m sure she’s comfortable being alone.”

“Uh-huh.”

At that mocking tone, Cannon’s shoulders tightened. “What?”

“You’re all noble and shit, I don’t doubt it. That’s just you. But you’re also looking to get boned in the bargain, so just admit it.”