Willows, Jennifer - Lust for Life [The Moreland Brothers 2] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Jennifer Willows Page B

screeched at him.
    “What the hell! I could have taken this off first, you know.”
    “Yeah, but this way is better.”
    “You are dumber than a box of rocks, Deven.”
    “You know you love it, Charli.” The insufferably sexy male winked at her. Winked? Too cheesy, but somehow, Deven made the practiced lame move seem…she didn’t know what word could describe the sensuality held in the mere lowering and lifting of the lid. While she was attempting to make sense of the look in his eyes, he continued speaking and she was left to catch up, hoping she didn’t lose too much of the conversation. “But this is where I bid you adieu otherwise we won’t make it to the airfield in time to catch decent wind for our trip.”   His eyes still said he wanted to climb in the steaming water and knock her socks off.
    Charli’s shower was quick and perfunctory, just a thorough sudsing all over twice. When she got out of the shower, she grabbed the towel Deven left for her. She pulled on her velour suit, zipping the jacket closed as she had no tank to go underneath. Deven showered in the extra hall bath and was ready within five minutes. They climbed in the Tesla and rode back to her house. The trip didn’t take long, and they were in her home by two.
    Charli invited Dev inside, offering him a drink or other refreshment while he waited. He refused, but did take a seat on the proffered couch. Charli made simple choices for her weekend wardrobe. A few T-shirts, a jacket, two pair of jeans, and sweats. She grabbed one dress, just in case they were going out. The shoes she was wearing would suffice for all her outfits, save the dress, so she took a pair of Manolo heels and a hat. Her finishing touch was to blow her hair out with a round brush to give it some bounce.
    Deven seemed content to wait for her patiently in the living room, but he was nowhere near silent as she got ready.
    “How long have you lived here?” It was the first question he asked of her, and more than ten minutes after they came inside. As the query broke the silence it took her aback, and she finally mustered up the words to answer him.
    “Uh… Give or take seven years.”
    “How did you end up buying at such a young age?”
    “I wasn’t really that young, Deven. I was twenty-two when the process started and closed on the sale the week after my birthday.”
    “That’s a good question. When is your birthday?”
    Charli laughed, wasn’t that a bit backwards? They spent so much time having sex that they didn’t even take the few minutes to get acquainted first.
    “So you think that’s funny, Charli?”
    “No… my birthday is March 15.”
    “Ahhh… makes sense, the Ides of March. My birthday is September 3.” She could hear the chuckle in his voice and shook her head, preparing to dress herself.
    Tugging on a heather-gray V-neck tee from her reserved clothing, she paired it with a bright-green scarf looped around her neck and a pair of dark skinny jeans. Pulling on her shoes, Charli took the remaining clothing she packed and walked through the house. She checked her bathroom and kitchen for trash bags so they would be ready for her Monday morning pickup.
    Deven’s eyes were stormy and lusty as she passed him with her bags. She thought he would touch her, and she stopped her exit short hoping he would. But he merely cleared his throat and took her trash, leaving Charli to feel dissatisfied mixed with a vague sense of disappointment.

    * * * *

    Deven enjoyed taking in the view at Charli’s house. The living room was mostly neutrals, walls a taupe color, couch a brown leather sectional. She had a series of large African masks clustered on one wall and two of Makenzie’s signature paintings on another. There was no clutter to speak of. The house was immaculate, not even a stray dust mote marring any of the spotless surfaces, nooks or crannies. Her home was evocative of her personal scent, subtle yet exotic spice, just a hint of floral. It was