by Reese Ryan
“No, your instructions were perfect.” She closed her car door after confirming it was okay to park there. “This must be Neeko. Is it safe to pet him?”
“Neeko loves the ladies.” Trey chuckled, patting the dog’s side. “Go right ahead.”
Lita patted Neeko’s back, and he wagged his long tail and his ears flopped. She liked that the dog’s ears hadn’t been cropped and his tail hadn’t been docked. “Aww…you’re a big teddy bear.” She grinned. “Like your daddy here.” She glanced up at Trey.
“Guilty.” Trey couldn’t help smiling. He winked. “I prefer to embrace my softer side.”
Lita broke out into a big grin. “There goes that perfect dad again, making the rest of us look bad,” she teased. Then she cast a nervous glance at the house. “Is Meeka inside?”
They’d agreed not to tell the kids about Lita spending the summer at the house. So he could understand why she seemed anxious about finally seeing her daughter again.
“Meeka wasn’t feeling well. She’s fine, she’s just a little tired,” he quickly assured her, placing a hand on the soft skin of her bare shoulder. “She’s gone to bed for the evening. But you can see her first thing in the morning,” he added, hating how disappointed she looked.
Lita nodded, her disappointment evident. Still, she seemed to relax under his touch.
“I asked my housekeeper to freshen up the guest room.” Trey walked over to the keypad and punched in the code. The garage door went up. “Now, let’s get your luggage inside and get you settled.”
Trey insisted on handling the luggage himself while Neeko made it his job to entertain their houseguest for the summer, much to Lita’s delight. It warmed his chest to see her smile and laugh after the anxiety he’d seen on her face moments ago.
He gave Lita a quick tour of the house and then showed her to her room, just down the hall from his bedroom. The spacious room had its own private bathroom, and he’d moved the desk from his oldest son’s old room into the one she’d be staying in so she’d have a comfortable place to work during her planned stay over the next two months.
“Your home is beautiful, and this room is perfect, Trey.” Lita set her laptop case down on the desk. “I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality.”
“Like I said, it’s nice to have company in the house again.” He shoved a hand in his pocket. “I know it was a long trip, it’s late, and you must be tired, but if you’re hungry, I have leftovers from dinner. Say the word, and I’ll reheat them, or we can order whatever you like.”
“I grabbed a bite on the way in,” Lita said. “I hope you don’t mind if I just take a quick shower and turn in for the night. I’d like to be mentally and emotionally prepared for my meeting with Meeka tomorrow.”
“Of course. You have a private bathroom right through there. It’s stocked with everything you need. Give me a call if you need anything else.” Trey walked toward the door, expecting Neeko to follow.
When he didn’t, Trey turned back to him and patted his leg. Neeko came to him, but he looked back at Lita longingly.
“You’ve been here all of five minutes, and already you’ve stolen my dog’s heart.” Trey grinned, rubbing the dog’s head. “I know exactly how he feels.”
Trey closed the door behind him, his heart dancing in response to Lita’s soft smile and deep blush. He couldn’t say how Meeka was going to react to her mother’s arrival. But he was certainly glad she was here.
Lita stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and ran her fingers through her hair. She’d showered, shaved her legs, and slathered lotion over her body. All that was left was for her to wrap her hair in a scarf and go to bed. After all, it had been a long day.
She’d met with two clients in person and two via web conference. Then there was the long drive from Charlotte to the beach in Pleasure Cove. Meeka had gone to bed for the night. She should too. She needed to be mentally prepared for whatever tomorrow would bring.
Maybe her daughter would be glad to see her and want to talk things out. Or maybe she’d insist she leave. Lita was prepared for that possibility. And Trey had already told her it was his house, and as long as she wanted to stay, she could. So she wasn’t going anywhere. Not until Meeka talked to her.
Still, the possibility of her sweet daughter, whom she loved more than life, reacting to her that way broke her heart. Lita massaged the knot in her neck and lifted her shoulder up and down to ease the tension.
She wasn’t necessarily hungry, but she could eat. And there was the scrumptious smell of food in the house when Trey had given her a tour of the place earlier. She couldn’t help wondering what had smelled so good.
Though she was tired, her mind was too wired to go to sleep. Maybe a quick walk on the beach would help tire her out, even if it meant taking another shower before bed. If she was being honest, a part of her was eager to spend more time with Trey and Neeko, his sweet Doberman Pinscher. Patting the dog’s warm side and smoothing her hand over his sleek, black coat had been soothing. With the high anxiety she was feeling, she could use an emotional support dog, even if just for a few minutes.
Lita slipped on a pair of shorts and a tank top, then she ran her fingers through her hair again. Ready or not, Trey Hampton was going to see her bare face without a hint of makeup.
She opened the door to her room and almost immediately she heard Neeko bark. Not a menacing bark, but a friendly one. Lita couldn’t help smiling as she made her way down the stairs.
“Hey there, Neeko.” She waved at the dog, and he hurried to her side.
“Did you find everything okay?” Trey looked up from where he was sitting in front of the television.
“I did, thank you.” She smiled. “You thought of everything.”
Trey stood, his gaze trailing down to her bare legs, then back up to her face again. A soft smile spread across his face.
“What? I look totally different without my makeup, right?” She sat one seat away from him on the sofa and leaned down to rub Neeko’s side.
“Yes. I mean…no. I mean…you look like you, but even younger. In fact, you look even more like Meeka than I realized,” he stammered. “You two could be sisters…like, legit. I’m not bullshitting you,” he added when she gave him an incredulous stare.
“Well, thank you.” Lita smiled, folding one leg beneath her on the couch.
Trey’s eyes drifted to her exposed thigh, but then quickly turned away. He stood. “I…uh… Can I get you anything to eat?”
“Something certainly smells good,” she remarked. “What do you have?”
“I grilled earlier. That’s my preferred method of cooking during the summer. I’ve got ribs, chicken, and pork chops. And a few sides. I was feeling lazy, so those I bought. There’s a great restaurant in town, Sweet and Savory Pies. I picked up some potato salad and three bean salad there. Oh, and of course, pie. They make a great berry pie there.”
“Yes, I want all of that.” Lita gestured toward the kitchen and laughed. “I hope you didn’t go all out on my account.”
“Well…we had to eat anyway, right?” Trey almost looked bashful when he shrugged.
Lita smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. Trey Hampton really was a very sweet guy. A week ago, the last thing in the world she wanted to be was a grandmother. But if she was going to be one, she was glad her grandchild would have a grandfather as kind and generous as he was.
Maybe it was just a pretense, and the man was actually some awful monster. But she doubted it. His laidback, kind demeanor seemed too genuine.
Besides, Mercedes, Jillaine, and Nicole had spent the rest of their Sunday evening together checking out Trey Hampton’s current website and his business and personal social media accounts.
She’d acted as if she didn’t care when her friends had combed through every photo and every post the man had made on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. However, when her friends had finally left for the evening two bottles of Malbec later, Lita had spent the rest of the night doing the s
ame. It was all publicly available information. Yet, she felt like she was invading the man’s privacy by studying his thoughts over the years.
There were lots of pictures of his sons, and every year on their birthdays, he’d tagged them in a gushy, emotional post that had brought her to tears. And from his sons’ posts on Father’s Day and on Trey’s birthday, they clearly loved him too.
There were countless photos of the sunrise and sunset on the beach. Photos of Neeko catching a Frisbee or just generally being his regal self. And she’d read his posts on topics regarding everything from politics and human rights issues to the television shows he loved and hated.
Lita honestly felt like she knew this man. Yet, she felt guilty about how she’d learned so much about him.
“We do have to eat,” Lita said finally. “And I’m going to help with the groceries.”
Trey waved her off. “Consider it part of your rent. Besides, I always buy and make too much food. Most of it ends up going to waste. I’d much rather there be someone else here to eat it. As long as you don’t mind me experimenting on you with my new recipes.” He petted Neeko’s head.
“You cook? Like, cook-cook. Not just grill?”
“I do indeed, ma’am.” Trey grinned. “Remember, I’ve been a single dad for twenty years. Learning how to cook wasn’t optional. My mother would’ve had my hide if I’d only fed her grandchildren fast food or convenience food every day. I’m fifty years old and I’m still afraid Millie Hampton will beat my ass if I get out of line.” He chuckled, climbing to his feet. “C’mon. Let’s make you a plate.” He reached his hand out to help her up from the couch.
Lita put her smaller hand in his large one, and he pulled her to her feet. Instantly, her mind went to the moment he’d helped her to her feet in his hotel room and the kiss that had followed.
She glanced up at him, her breath hitching. His dark, hooded gaze, focused on her mouth, indicated he was thinking of their kiss too. Which could never, ever happen again.
Lita gently tugged her hand from his and stepped away. “Where can I wash my hands?”
“The guest bathroom is right there.” His voice was low and husky as he indicated the general direction of the bathroom with the tip of his chin. “I’ll wash my hands at the kitchen sink.”
As Trey turned and walked toward the kitchen, Lita admired his strong, solid physique.
He wore a My Son is in the Navy T-shirt and a navy-blue pair of board shorts that matched the lettering stenciled on the T-shirt.
Who knew that being a devoted dad was so damn hot?
Chapter 8
Trey rushed to the kitchen, adjusting himself when he was out of Lita’s sight. Damn, that woman was fine. And how the hell did she manage to be even more beautiful dressed in a plain, fitted tank top and a pair of black shorts, her face scrubbed completely free of makeup?
He’d always thought of makeup as being something women wore to enhance their beauty and camouflage perceived flaws. Maybe that was why Lita wore it too. But the woman, who already looked damn good for her age, appeared even younger with a freshly scrubbed face. Had he encountered her like this, he would’ve passed, assuming she was too young for his taste.
Trey remembered how much his sister had hated it when people had said she and their mother could be sisters. Their mother would giggle, and his sister Tia, who was eleven years his junior, would scowl. There were few things his sister hated more. So he’d be sure not to tell Meeka that she and Lita could pass for sisters—even if it was true.
He washed his hands at the sink and took a deep breath. Trey reminded himself of all the reasons he shouldn’t kiss Lita Woods, take her to his bed, and make love to her.
Because no matter how attracted he was to this woman—and he was insanely attracted to her—she was the mother of his future daughter-in-law. And Lita was right; the two of them hooking up would only make the situation messier.
Relationships were complicated enough on their own. Interconnected relationships were the worst. He’d seen it up close and personal. His two older brothers, who were twins, had married women who were cousins as close as sisters. As things had gone up and down in one relationship, it had impacted how things had gone in the other. It’d been an ugly ten-year saga in their family. One he wasn’t trying to repeat.
Besides, he wasn’t looking for a relationship. He’d been just fine dating casually for the past few years. He was fifty years old, and yet he’d only lived alone for three of those years, during which his youngest son had gone off to college.
So while it was nice to have some company at the house again, it didn’t mean he was ready for anything more than that.
And a casual hookup with the woman who was going to be his grandchild’s maternal grandmother? Building bombs in his garage would be a safer bet.
Trey sucked in a deep breath and muttered under his breath, “Just keep it together, man.”
“Keep what together?” Lita asked as she entered the kitchen, Neeko on her heels.
Damn that woman’s thick, toned thighs were made for a pair of shorts. And what the hell had she slathered all over her skin? Some kind of honeysuckle-scented oil? “Uh…nothing. I was just thinking about…nothing.” Trey dried his hands and smiled, hoping he didn’t come off as a blathering fool. “Ribs, chicken, or pork chop?”
“Ooh…let’s start with the ribs and see where it goes from there. We’re well beyond the stage in this relationship where I pretend to eat like a bird.” She laughed, then slapped her upper thigh. “Besides, I think these hips make it pretty clear I enjoy a good meal.”
There was that word: relationship.
“That body makes it obvious that you work out.” He pulled the roasting pan, filled with two racks of ribs, out of the refrigerator.
“I do,” she acknowledged. “But only so I can eat whatever the hell I want without having to be rolled through the front door.”
“That’s pretty much my sole motivation for working out.” Trey chuckled as he patted his belly. There was muscle underneath, but he liked his beer far too much to develop a six-pack at this age.
“One more thing we have in common.” Lita shifted her gaze to the refrigerator. “Here, I’ll help make our plates.” She pointed a finger at him. “Because I know you’re not going to let me eat alone.”
“You know a brother always has a little more room for some down-home barbecue.” Trey patted his belly again. He pulled out the dishes and silverware, and they made themselves plates and heated their meals in the microwave. Then they sat down to eat.
“Oh my God, Trey. These ribs are so good. They’re falling off the bone. And this is an actual rack of ribs. I haven’t had this in such a long time.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He winked. He’d honed his skills as an amateur grillmaster at his father’s side as a teenager and then a young adult. Mason Hampton was still the undisputed barbecue champion of the Hampton family, but Trey could definitely hold his own.
Trey watched as Lita ate the rib. Her eyes drifted closed and she smacked her lips—shiny with oil from the meat.
What was it about this woman?
Even the smallest things she did, like eating a damn rib, did things to his mind and body. Made him want to throw her over his shoulder like some caveman, carry her to his bed, and give her a whole lot more reasons to go mmm and ahh.
“Trey.” Lita was waving a hand in front of him to get his attention.
His face went hot. Being around Lita made him act like a schoolboy with a hardcore crush. He cleared his throat. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.” About you. “You were saying?”
“I was asking if you have a busy day tomorrow? If not, maybe we can start working on your website.”
“I have to go into the office for a little bit tomorrow morning, but my afternoon is wide open.” He sipped some of the ice tea he’d poured for the two of them. After the way their last evening hanging out together had ended, he thought it best not to open a bottle of wine. “But
there’s no hurry. We have all summer to get to that.”
“We made a deal.” Lita sipped her sweet tea too. “I want to be sure I’m holding up my end of the bargain. So if not tomorrow, we should at least do the preliminary interview the day after so I can get the ball rolling.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, then shifted the conversation. “When’s the last time you were at the beach?”
“The North Carolina beach?” She narrowed her eyes and scrunched her nose as she thought about it, and she managed to make that look adorable. “It’s been a while. Meeka and Devante were still pretty little. But my friends, who you heard on the phone acting up on Sunday, we often travel together to beach locations in the Caribbean and South America. We’ve been to Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.”
“You ladies really are living your best lives, aren’t you?” He chuckled. “Good for you. I’ve done some traveling since the boys have gotten older too, but usually alone.”
“I’ve taken a few trips on my own.” Lita wiped her hands on a napkin and picked up her fork. “And those trips are wonderful too. But it’s always so much more fun for me when I go on an adventure with my friends or with Meeka.” Her smile dimmed and her eyes cast downward. “We haven’t gone anywhere together in a while. I don’t imagine we will anytime soon.”
“Yes, you will.” Trey put his hand over hers and squeezed. “But this time, you two will probably just have a little nugget traveling along with you.” He grinned. “Or maybe the little guy can stay home with Pops while you ladies go on your adventure.”
“Pops, huh?” Lita smiled, and it made his heart flutter in his chest. “I see you’ve already picked out your preferred grandparent name.” She gently pulled her hand from beneath his. “I can definitely see you as a Pops. And a good one.”
“Have you picked yours?” He got up to grab the pie, then returned to the table.