Hold It Close (MacAteer Brothers Book 3)

by ML Nystrom

  Maybe not Garrett. He mentioned his living arrangements, and I wasn’t sure I’d want to be stuck in a small camper, but since he parked behind his oldest brother’s house, I was sure he had access to more than just that tiny space.

  Garrett. He’d been on my mind a lot lately. I couldn’t deny the attraction I had to him. I’d never considered myself to be a sexual person. I enjoyed sex, but this constant craving for Garrett was a new experience. Every time I saw him working, lifting a piece of lumber, sawing it to fit, and nailing it in place, I thought about those hands as they lifted me and tore off my panties with ease. The memory of his hard cock sliding into me was enough to make me flush with heat. Goodness, I even found him sexy wearing his safety glasses.

  I needed a new toy. Or two.

  I settled myself on my sofa, blanket on one side, gigantic coffee mug on the other, and the remote in front of me. The cottage had a small fireplace, and I wished I had a few logs to put in it. I clicked on the TV and was debating whether I wanted to get up for a bowl of cereal when I heard the scratching. Something was outside my front door.

  I opened it to a wintery blast of air and the shivering stray dog. His ribs had filled out considerably since I’d been feeding him regularly. We had come to an agreement that he could stay under the cottage and I’d put out food and water for him. I wasn’t sure what I got out of this arrangement, but so far, it worked out.

  He looked up at me with his puppy brown eyes and seemed to be asking to come inside. He was filthy and stank to high heaven, but I couldn’t say no.

  “Come on in, stinky butt, and stay off the sofa.”

  He trotted in, straight to the braided rug in front of the empty fireplace, turned three times, and flopped into a compact circle. The doggy sigh he huffed out said without words, Thanks, I needed this.

  I took the time to get a coffee and a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Jodie would have a fit if she saw the variety of kids’ cereals in my cabinet. I had soups and crackers in there as well, and a collection of frozen pizzas and dinners, but cereal always ended up my standard go-to meal. I did like to cook, but the effort was too much for just one person. The dog looked up with interest at my munching.

  “You want some of this, you’ll need a bath. You really do stink.”

  It was a bit weird talking to the dog, but no one heard me, so why not? I poured a second small bowl of the colorful sweet pieces. “Can you eat cereal? Chocolate is forbidden to dogs, but that’s all I know about. My sister told me her dog is kept on a strict diet and no begging from the table allowed. I have dog food, but it’s a snow day. That means treats and other good stuff. Want to try it?”

  I put the bowl down. The dog didn’t even sniff the stuff before he walked over and inhaled it in a few gulps.

  “What color are you supposed to be under all that dirt? If I draw a bath, will you take one?”

  He sat on his haunches and looked up at me, ears forward and head cocked to the side.

  “Okay, pal, I’m going to go fill the tub. Please don’t rub on anything.”

  I went into my bathroom and opened the taps to my claw-foot tub. I wondered how hard it would be to get him in, but the dog followed me and jumped in the water by himself. He barked a big Ahooof and splashed around, getting me thoroughly wet in the process. It figured he’d be the oddball animal that likes bathing.

  “Ease up, stinky. I already showered once this morning. I’m afraid I don’t have doggie shampoo. You’ll have to deal with gardenia body wash.”

  He sneezed and gave me a doggie smile with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

  “You really do like this, don’t you?”

  He barked again as if saying Yes, now get on with it.

  “All right, I’m getting there. Gosh, I hope you don’t have fleas. Is that even a thing for dogs in winter?”

  As I scrubbed the dog’s coarse, short coat, layer after layer of nastiness rinsed away, and the dull mud color revealed a mixture of tan, black, and white hair. No telling what the parentage of this animal could be. The mutt son of another pair of mutts, no doubt. Black muzzle, short floppy ears with black tips, long tail with a fan of hair.

  “I bet if we got your DNA tested, we’d find all the terrier breeds ever known to man in your blood. That’s right. All the breeds.”

  It took three large bath towels to dry him off. He tried to jump up and lick my face during this process.

  “You have a family somewhere, don’t you? At least I bet you did. Goodness, I wish you could talk. That would be some story, wouldn’t it?”

  He put his paw on my knee as I rubbed the last towel over his chest and neck and happily panted.

  “Now I have to clean the tub before I can clean me again. Just look at the ring you left.”

  He did a long shake starting from his nose and ending with a butt wiggle. Then he pranced out of the bathroom, I guessed to flop in front of the fireplace again.

  A half hour later, I joined him, wearing my thick bathrobe and resuming my position on the sofa. “You used up the hot water. I had to finish in cold. Thanks a lot, pal.”

  He lifted his head from his curled-up position on the rug and gave me his curious-head move again.

  “You know, I need to give you a name if we’re going to be roommates. Lucky is so clichéd. Zeus? Ugh, you don’t look like a Zeus. I could call you Stinky, but that doesn’t apply anymore. What do you think, pal?”

  He woofed at me and opened his mouth to pant.

  “Pal? How ’bout Pal?”

  He got up, walked over to me, and placed a paw on my knee.

  “Okay, then. Pal it is.”

  He jumped up on the sofa and snuggled into my hip. I threw the blanket over both of us.

  “What are your opinions about True Blood? It’s this series about vampires and romance and murder-mystery paranormal kinda stuff. I’m halfway through the first episode, but I can start over.”

  A doggie snore met my ears. I grabbed my box of origami papers and started folding some flowers and fan boxes to put them in. I loved the methodical folding, creasing, and turning. Many meetings at the bank or long conference calls had been accompanied by my paper art. Busywork maybe, but a great way to pass the time.

  Cereal was a wonderfully convenient food, but didn’t last long. Roughly two episodes later, I was ready for something more substantial. I rose from the warm nest of blanket and sleeping dog and took in a breath of chilly air.

  “Whoa. It’s colder in here than I thought. Be back in a minute, Pal.” I went into my little kitchen alcove and filled the dog’s cereal bowl with kibble before perusing the fridge contents for myself.

  “Tomato soup and grilled cheese? Classic comfort food, right, Pal?”

  The dog stuck his nose into the food bowl and didn’t answer, but I knew he agreed.

  A shiver ran down my spine. Goodness, it was cold in here! While the soup heated in the microwave and my version of a grilled cheese sandwich crisped in the toaster oven, I checked the thermostat.

  The heat was set on seventy degrees, but the reading said fifty-two. Not good.

  I tapped at the plastic cover as if that would change the temperature. “The oil tank got filled last week. You remember? You growled at the delivery guy when he pulled in to hook up. I can’t be out. Must be something else.”

  Talking to Pal gave me something to do while I contemplated my situation. Should I go somewhere? I could go to Jodie’s house, but what about Pal? Besides, my car had a thick frozen blanket of white, so I would have to dig it out first. Did I have an ice scraper? Probably not, as this was the first winter I’d ever spent without a garage for my car. Maybe the pilot light blew out on the furnace in the utility closet. I was sure YouTube had videos about how to relight it, but did I want to try that by myself?

  The gauge dropped another degree as I stared at it. Barely lunchtime, and the temperature inside my cottage had gotten to the point of discomfort. The bell dinged on the toaster oven, and I pulled open the door to the
ashy smell of burnt bread.

  “Blech. This snow day is getting worse, eh, Pal?”

  My phone buzzed on the counter, signaling I had a message.

  Garrett: Owen texted to say he was staying home with Melanie and the baby. I’m guessing he let you know we’re not coming out today?

  Me: Yes, he texted early this morning before I woke up. Pretty snow isn’t it? What are you doing today?

  Garrett: Had breakfast with Connor and the kids and played in the snow. Built an igloo and had a major snowball fight. They’re inside conked out. You okay?

  Me: I’m fine. A little cold, though.

  Garrett: I’m watching all of them sleep in front of a Disney cartoon movie. Including Connor. What do you mean cold?

  Me: Heat is out. How hard is it to relight the pilot?

  Garrett: Can’t be out of oil. I saw the delivery last week. Shouldn’t be the pilot either.

  Me: I’m not going to argue with you, but I can’t think of anything else to do.

  Garrett: On my way.

  Me: What? You don’t have to come out here. It’s snowing!

  Garrett: I’ve been in worse snow in Jersey. I have a four-wheel-drive work truck, and you need heat.

  Me: I can go to a hotel that takes dogs.

  Garrett: ???

  Me: Pal came inside this morning.

  Garrett: Pal?

  Me: The dog.

  Garrett: YOU LET THE DOG IN YOUR HOUSE!!

  Me: Don’t yell at me. He was cold.

  Garrett: I’m coming over there now.

  Me: Stubborn.

  Me: Garrett?

  Me: Garrett??

  I tossed my phone back on the counter with a huff. Pal looked at me with his curious-head expression.

  “Now I have to go put clothes on. Mr. Fix-It insists on coming over even though I’m perfectly able to handle myself.” I walked into my bedroom to put on my heavy yoga pants and tank top under a sweatshirt. Hmmm, makeup or bare faced? If I put on makeup, he was going to know I made an effort. Bare? Meant I didn’t care. “Brr…. It really is cold in here. Maybe I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

  An hour later, Pal jumped off the sofa and prowled to the door with a growl. A knock on the door told me Garrett had arrived. He heaved two large boxes into the interior of my little cottage before standing up and knocking the snow from his boots.

  “Still coming down and supposed to be this way all through the day tomorrow. I stopped by Home Depot to pick up some space heaters in case you need them. I’ll take a look at the furnace, then check the tank.”

  Pal got between Garrett and me and barked.

  “Is that the same dog? Looks different.”

  I flung the sofa blanket around my shoulders. “Yes, that’s him. I gave him a bath. That’s why he smells like flowers and not stinky dog butt.”

  Pal barked again, but the hair on his back stayed flat.

  Garrett took off his work glove and extended a hand to the dog’s muzzle. “Lay off, boy-o. I expect you’ll be thanking me when you’re not freezing your doggie balls off.”

  The cold air in the cottage had me huddle back up on the sofa, curled into as tight a ball as I could manage. “Can you fix it?”

  “I won’t know until I look.”

  He checked the furnace and found the pilot light out. The unit clicked as he tried to start it several times, but nothing happened. “Not getting fuel. Stay here.”

  Pal followed him outside as he pulled on his gloves and crunched into the thick white snow. I heard him yell for the dog several times. “Oy, Pal! Don’t do that there! Crazy mutt.”

  A few minutes later he was back inside. “Dog did his business, so be careful where you step. You’re out of fuel.”

  My eyes widened, and I protested. “How is that possible? I pay for a keep-full program. They are supposed to come out and top off the tank every two weeks. They were just here.”

  He stripped off the wet gloves and opened one of the heater boxes. “You have some rust spots in the back of the tank that opened up. Looks like four puncture holes. I can patch them, but your fuel is gone. Oil heat isn’t that efficient, and it’s expensive. If you can afford a new furnace, a gas one this time, I can set it up for you in a day or two and get it hooked up to the main line.”

  I sighed. “Well, the yard is already torn up by the plumbing lines. Might as well keep going.”

  He grinned at me as he set up one of the heaters in the main room and flipped it on. Warm air immediately started filling the room. “I can hook up some gas logs in your fireplace too if you like. Get a blower for backup heat.”

  “This is North Carolina, you know. Real winter isn’t very long. I don’t know if I really need backup heat.”

  “Never hurts to be prepared.”

  “What if the electricity goes out?”

  “Gas logs will still burn. Only the blowers will stop.” He lifted up the second box. “Mind if I set this one up in your… ah… your bedroom?”

  I swallowed before waving him toward said room with a flourish. “Be my guest, although I’m perfectly capable of setting it up myself. By the way, if you’ll give me the receipt, I’ll write you a check for the heaters and paying me an emergency house call.”

  He grunted a noncommittal sound and Pal followed him into the other room while I looked around for a distraction. All my awareness focused on Garrett in my bedroom, moving around my bed to look for a free outlet.

  “Hey, Garrett? Can I get you something to drink? Coffee or tea?”

  His voice came back muffled. “Coffee would be great. Oy, Pal. Get your arse outta there. Your dog is drinking out of the toilet.”

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Why is he my dog?”

  “You fed him. You bathed him. You let him in your house. Your dog.”

  “I guess you have a point.”

  I walked through the bedroom into the bathroom and pulled the animal back from the porcelain bowl. “No, Pal. Leave it alone.” I closed the lid, and Pal sat on his haunches looking at me like I’d taken away his best friend. “Stop trying to guilt me. You have a full water bowl in the kitchen.”

  The dog woofed and wagged his tail but stayed with me.

  I stepped back in the bedroom, and the fresh heat washed over me. I tipped my head back and closed my eyes. “Mmmm, that feels so good!”

  Oh, poop. Why did I say it like that? I’m in my bedroom, next to my bed, with the man I’ve been dreaming about and wishing would join me in it.

  My eyes popped to see Garrett’s gaze on the pretty white comforter, a pensive look on his face.

  “Do you ever think about that night?”

  As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t lie to him. “All the time.”

  His eyes shone, and he stepped closer to me. He put one hand on my neck and leaned down to cover my mouth with his. He traced the seam of my lips with his tongue until I opened for him. The flavor of coffee and man filled my head, and I moaned. Need burst in my belly. He slanted his mouth and took us deeper.

  Three steps. Three steps and we would be on my bed. In ten minutes, I could be coming. Cheese and crackers, I wanted him. I wanted to have him inside me again. I wanted his hard body above me driving in and out. I wanted his mouth on my breasts and between my legs. I wanted… I wanted—

  He pulled back suddenly, putting space between us. “I’ll go patch those holes. You can call the oil company for a partial delivery to tide you over until we get a new furnace sorted. That plan work for you?”

  My body quivered. No, it didn’t. What would he do if I shoved him back on the bed and mounted him? How ’bout that plan? “Yes. That works.”

  Pal stayed with me in the house and we watched Garret through the window as he pulled the stuff he needed from the back of his truck. The dog’s ears moved forward, and he whined when Garrett disappeared around the side of the house.

  “Me too, Pal. Me too.”

  A half hour later, I got a text.

  Garrett: P
atches are set and will be solid in about four hours. Have the oil company come out and check them when they fill the tank. I’m heading back to Connor’s. Call or text if something happens.

  He was leaving?

  Me: Why don’t you come in for a bit and thaw out?

  Garrett: If I come in that house, I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning.

  Me: I’m good with that.

  My phone rang.

  “I’m not.” Garrett took up where the text left off. I saw him get in his truck with the phone to his ear. “I’m coming to terms with breaking off my engagement. We started this ass-backwards on New Year’s, but I’m afraid this could be a rebound crutch. We both have pain to deal with, and there’s too much chance for both of us to get hurt again. I like you, Bertie. A lot. If circumstances were different, I’d be in your bed right now, making us very happy. As it is, I have too much respect for you to use you like that.”

  My body screamed use me, use me, but my mind appreciated his logic and his control. “I can agree with that train of thought. Thank you for helping me today.”

  “See you when this weather breaks and we can get back to work.”

  “Have a good day, Garrett.”

  He drove off down the snow-covered road.

  I refreshed my coffee and sat back on my sofa with my blanket. One phone call later, I had a delivery scheduled before the end of the day. I opened my laptop as Pal jumped up to snuggle with me.

  “Don’t get shocked at my shopping selections. I need some self-care, and this is the best and safest way to get it.”

  I didn’t order one new toy. I ordered three.

  Nine

  Gallaghers’ Pub celebrated Valentine’s Day with an overabundance of hearts. Paper garlands in the shape draped over the walls and behind the bar. Accordion foldouts decorated tables. Mylar heart confetti was scattered over every available surface, making its way into the clothing and hair of more than one patron.

  Garrett sat at his usual spot at the bar. Gordon’s sister manned the taps and served. Sloane’s hair was blonde with pink streaks today. She changed color almost as often as her clothes. Blonde, brunette, blue tips, red highlights, teal streaks, something different every time Garrett saw her. He marveled at her energy level in keeping up with the bar. He’d seen her skinny body lift an entire rack of bar glasses.