Read Rough Justice for Free Online Page B

dropped his shirt and followed her to the kitchen. He sat at the table and she went to the sink to fill the coffeepot with water.
    “It’s been a crazy night,” she said.
    “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it.” Ivan closed his eyes, leaned his head back and combed his fingers through his hair. Muscles in his arms bunched.
    Roxie paused with the pot in her hand. Her eyes raked the flexed contours of his chest. Masculine, strong and sexy as hell. Flutters filled her tummy. She wouldn’t have thought any moisture was left in her body, but her mouth watered and her pussy clenched. Her eyes slowly lifted until she stared into his piercing green depths. Puckered nipples poked against the silky material of the robe. With each ragged breath, the fabric scraped against the sensitive, taut tips.
    She looked away first. “Do you like cream in your coffee?” After she poured the water into the coffeemaker and added grounds to the basket, she went back to the table and sat next to Ivan.
    “So do you and Jay have little parties often?”
    Reaching out, she grasped his hand on the table and shook her head. “Never! This is the first time for me.” She glanced toward the bedroom. “I don’t know about Jay.” Turning back to Ivan, she said, “What about you?”
    He chuckled. “First and only time for me.”
    Roxie’s tummy swooped. Evidently she’d enjoyed the encounter more than Ivan had. The way Jay knocked off, just like he always did after copulation, told her he’d found satisfaction in their sex play. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “What’s the story with you and Jay?”
    “We have a long history. Six months ago we decided to see other people. I say we broke up,” she shrugged. “But I guess we really haven’t. He’s still my best friend. I trust him.”
    “Are you in love with him?”
    She went to the cupboard and grabbed two mugs and poured the coffee. “Did you say you wanted cream?”
    He shook his head. “Black.”
    She brought the cups back to the table.
    “Thanks.” He took a sip. “So?”
    Did she love Jay? “Yes…and that doesn’t change anything.” For several years she and Jay had been good together. They still had passion for each other. They still had great sex. “Jay and I have different goals.”
    They were on different life tracks. Jay dreamed of the big league and she knew working as a stripper, while fun, wasn’t exactly shooting for the moon. But she just wasn’t ready to give up dancing. Someday, she hoped she could open a small shoe shop. Specialty items, and not just for strippers, but edgy styles that department stores didn’t carry. But that was a long way off.
    “I want to see you again.” Ivan took another sip of coffee. “Without Jay. I’m not into sharing.”
    “I understand.” And she did. She also wished he felt differently. “I’ve dreamt of you for months. Tonight was incredible.” She lowered her eyes. “But I won’t give up Jay.” They had too much history to toss on one amazing night. Part of her realized she and Jay might not have a future as a couple, but an equally strong part hoped they did. But first Jay needed the opportunity to play baseball. He’d get his big break. And when he did, she’d be there to celebrate with him.
    Pressure tightened her chest. Yet she didn’t want Ivan to leave. She wanted to drag him back into the bedroom or at least have him stick around long enough to see if maybe he could…
    She didn’t know. Maybe he’d get used to the idea of Jay being with her too. That wasn’t likely, judging by his haste to leave. So as far as tonight, the extraordinary time they’d shared would be an isolated event. Roxie wouldn’t end her special friendship with Jay…not after one night with Ivan. No matter how much she liked him. A dejected sigh escaped her slightly parted lips. “This sucks.”
    Ivan pushed his cup away. “I should go.” He went down the hall, presumably to the bedroom to collect his belongings.