“I thought Colton was the bossy one. You’re supposed to be our rock, the nice guy with sexy dimples.” A tiny smile escaped her lips.
“While Colton’s in Afghanistan I’ve got to fill his shoes. He’s protecting our country. I’m protecting you.”
Rachael softened and nodded. “Okay. I’ll come home. But can we wait a few days? I don’t want Mom to see my face like this. So much for showing you all that I can be Miss Independent.”
“This isn’t your fault. You’re not responsible for someone else’s actions.” If he had a nickel for every time he heard that in therapy growing up. It only took fifteen years for him to finally believe it.
“I have nothing to show for myself, Luke. No job, no money. No clothes. Dylan…he made me…dress a certain way. Eat particular foods. Diet. Wear my hair…” She ran her hand down her limp hair before picking at the sub roll.
“I’m assuming the asshole didn’t pick out today’s wardrobe?”
Rachael tried to smile, wincing when her grin threatened to escape, and touched her cheek. “He’d be mortified.”
She looked like a homeless woman, but he supposed she was. After Rachael picked at her sandwich she agreed to lie down and take a nap. When she zonked right out it gave Luke a few minutes to catch up on his messages from work and family. Not wanting to talk on the phone and wake her, he stuck with texts. The first he sent was to his mom to tell her Rach was okay and they’d be home in a few days; then he sifted through the thirty-seven unread texts.
Taking care of work first, he rescheduled his shifts. When he got back he’d be working seven days a week and wouldn’t be around to help his sister. At least Rachael would have their mom. And Lucy. The sisters were never close but they would have time to connect when they were reunited. They needed each other whether they knew it or not.
Instead of responding to all of his siblings’ texts, he replied in a group message, giving them the low-down on Rachael. The last text he opened was from Sage.
Damn, his heart sped up just looking at her name in his inbox.
Let me know if you’d like to schedule an appointment. My calendar is filling up.
He laughed despite himself. The minx left that message on purpose. She couldn’t come right out and say she missed him, although he knew she did, and she didn’t want to sound needy. Not her style.
The woman was a complicated mix of strength, stubbornness, and sass with a dash of compassion. Offering to be a surrogate for her barren sister was one of the most selfless acts of love he’d ever seen. Uncomfortable with her generosity, Sage Wilde did not like people to see the caring side of her. Upfront and brash was more her style.
His fingers lingered over his phone before he replied:
Family emergency in California. I’ll be home soon. Don’t fill up all your slots on your calendar. I’ll need a few hours for our next…appointment.
He hit Send and grinned.
“I recognize that look.” Luke glanced over at Rachael, who pulled herself to a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. “Who’s the girl?”
“How are you feeling?”
“You’re evading.”
“Hungry?”
“For some gossip.”
“I’m not one to kiss and tell.”
“Ah.” She smirked. “So there’s kissing. Anything else? Wedding bells?”
Sage? Wedding bells? She’d probably planned her share of weddings for other people, but he couldn’t see her being content in a church with a white dress. She was more a tropical island wedding girl. Nothing too emotional or sentimental. Too bad Luke and his family were the sentimental type.
“Hm. Very telling. Not only are you evading, but your mind is picturing marriage. Kids. House. You’re quite obvious, Luke Riley.”
“Shut up, kid,” he teased. “Let’s get out of here.”
***
Sage
I’ll need a few hours. Oh, what Luke Riley could do to her for a few hours. The possibilities were endless. The cold water she sipped did nothing to cool the burning she felt in her cheeks and her chest.
It had been way too long since she’d last had sex, and it seemed even longer since she had seen Luke. A family crisis in California? She remembered him talking about a sister out there. Something serious must have happened for him to leave with no notice and to stay away for so long.
Not that she knew him very well. They’d only gone out a few times, if their encounters could be considered as much. More like somewhat planned chance encounters. Sage didn’t like leaving things up to fate. Planning was important. And knowing details, facts, dates, times, and events was important. Maybe Lucy could tell her when Luke would be back so she could properly schedule him into her calendar.
Without delay she picked up her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and dialed.
“Yeah?”
“Is this Lucy Riley?”
“Yeah.”
“Good morning. This is Sage Wilde. Am I catching you at a bad time?” She pushed back her office chair and walked over to the window that overlooked the empty parking lot.
“I was sleeping.”
Sage looked at the clock. Nearly noon. “I’m sorry to interrupt your sleep. You must keep erratic hours like your brother.”
Silence.
“I’m just making a courtesy call. Checking to see how your family is faring.” She made courtesy calls all the time. A few days before the wedding, reunion, party, or whatever. To make sure there weren’t any loose ends, see if the family changed their minds or were having nervous breakdowns. That happened frequently when planning large functions.
Silence.
Although Sage wasn’t planning anything for the Rileys and she wasn’t checking in on a family function. But maybe she should. “I’d like to offer my services, free of charge, to help plan your mother’s party. I realize your family is under a lot of stress, so if I can help relieve it by taking the planning off your shoulders, I’m more than happy to.”
Sage paced her office, rolling her eyes at her middle school behavior.
“I thought you were planning it with Luke.”
Damn, so he didn’t tell Lucy that he’d fired her. Or rather, never hired her. “He thought he could do it on his own, but in light of recent events I have volunteered my services pro bono.”
Fishing expedition that it was, no bites were being taken. “I thought only lawyers did stuff like that.”
Smart girl. “It’s good PR for party planners as well.”
More silence. Finally, Lucy said, “Luke will be home in a couple days. Probably Thursday. Why don’t you talk with him about it?”
Success! “Sure. I’ll do that.”
“And Sage. All you had to do was ask.”
“Excuse me?”
“You wanted to know when Luke would be back. Asking would have gotten your answer faster.” Lucy hung up before Sage could reply.
Brat. Sage couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s intuition.
Thursday seemed so far away. In the meantime she’d brainstorm a list of questions and suggestions for Mrs. Riley’s party. Since her birthday was in a few days Sage needed to come up with a new plan. Or rather, Plan A. And then a plan B.
Three hours later, she had a spreadsheet, a T-Chart, and three scenarios, depending on the size and budget of the party. Would it be a surprise? Family only? Since Mrs. Riley had done so much for the community and taken in dozens of foster children over the years, there could be hundreds of lives she touched. She was a saint and deserved a celebration worthy of all her goodness. Sage put some feelers out, contacted her long list of connections, and discovered just how much the woman had done for children and families over the years.
If only Sage’s parents had an ounce of the love that Mrs. Riley had. Has. The woman hasn’t stopped. She may not be adopting any more children, but her door has remained open for children of all ages. Her foundation, A Home for All, raised awareness and funds for children who needed a home
, focusing primarily on troubled teens who were often difficult to place. This was definitely a newsworthy story, but she wouldn’t contact the local media without asking the family first. Some people were uncomfortable advertising their philanthropy.
According to her research, Doreen and Keith Riley started taking in kids almost forty years ago, after they found out they couldn’t conceive. What started as temporary foster care turned into adoption for six lucky kids, Luke being the first. Sage spoke with three different agencies who knew Doreen and her late husband, and took copious notes. Yes, the woman deserved more than a backyard barbeque for her sixtieth birthday.
Calling in favors, she contacted Rose, the owner of Seal Cove B & B, a beautiful inn on the coast that didn’t open for tourists until May. After hearing Doreen’s story, Rose agreed to open—free of charge—for the party and even offered the guest rooms at discounted rates for anyone interested.
The next three days she kept busy with her clients and planning the Riley event. Her brother-in-law was donating a cake from his bakery, Sweet Spot, and a local winery had offered four cases of wine. She’d given Lily from Lily’s of the Valley a great deal of business over the years and banked on her donating a few arrangements. Lily did one better by not only offering to make centerpieces for all the tables, but by setting up a link on her Facebook page for people to donate to the charity Doreen and Keith Riley founded.
At this rate Sage would have to turn away guests. The inn could hold sixty comfortably in the main dining room if they had a sit down meal. Option B would be hors d’oeuvres with a smattering of tables, and one hundred guests. She’d let Luke decide.
Satisfied with her work, she put her files in a folder on her desktop, saved it to her server, and printed hard copies. Just in case. Stifling a yawn, she stretched her legs under her desk and peeked at her clock. Nearly ten and she was wiped. No more late nights for her.
Before shutting off the lights to her office, she took in the furniture and drab white walls, mentally noting the facelift the space needed. Thankfully she made it home without falling asleep at the wheel and took a quick shower before sliding in between her covers.
Ten minutes later, Sage swung her legs out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The middle of the night pee runs were starting to get annoying, and she still had thirty weeks to go. After doing her business, she lifted her shirt and was surprised to see a rounded stomach. The doctor had told her she’d show early. Between being so thin and carrying twins, stretching out like a beached whale was inevitable. She really needed to have sex soon, before her body made Luke run for the hills. Or the flatland.
She climbed into bed once again, fluffed her pillow, and checked her phone one last time. No texts. No missed calls. The past three days she’d distracted herself with the Riley party in an effort not to think about the obvious dismissal Luke gave her. Sage Wilde was a professional, though. The party would go off without a hitch, with or without sex.
Chapter Six
Luke
“Seriously, dude. Take a day off. You look like hell.”
“Thanks, Brian.” Luke hung up his helmet and stripped off his gear. The chimney fires hadn’t lessened even as the temperatures started to warm and March got nearer. Hopefully the station wouldn’t be as hectic as it had been over the past few months. The flu had hit hard and a lot of guys were home sick, and Luke was more than happy to work. He needed the distraction. Rachael wasn’t in hiding, but she didn’t want to talk to anyone about what happened in California. She was staying with their mom, and Doreen was thrilled to have her daughter back home under her wings.
The one regret Luke had was not making time for Sage. Stripping his shirt and pants and tossing them in the laundry bin, he walked to the showers, where he turned the faucet on as hot as it would go. He stood under the spray watching the ash wash down his body and swirl down the drain. The smell of smoke filled the stall. He waited until most of the grime was gone and then picked up the soap and scrubbed. Luke was a mess. Physically and mentally.
Work was good and the hard labor kept him physically active, but his mind had time to wander. Between his sister and the asswipe, the now-belated birthday party he was supposed to plan and hadn’t started, and Sage and their sex life that was oh-so-close but nonexistent, he didn’t know what to tackle first.
Sex would be the most rewarding, and the most selfish. He had responsibilities to tend to. Of course, killing two birds with one stone, he could plan his mother’s party while in bed with Sage.
Luke cringed. No. Definitely not a good idea to think about his mom while naked with a woman. Still, a trip to Sage’s condo could satisfy two things on his list. Feeling more energetic than he had in weeks, Luke soaped his body once more, washed his hair, and quickly toweled off. It wasn’t until he checked his reflection in the rear-view mirror of his truck that he realized he hadn’t shaved. He rubbed his hand across his scruff, trying to think of the last time he shaved. Hopefully Sage wouldn’t mind.
Remembering his manners, he sent her a text while his truck warmed up.
How does your calendar look tonight?
He hit Send and waited a minute before adding:
As in now. I’m on my way to your place.
He tossed his cell on the passenger seat and pulled out into traffic. Not that there was much in Portland on a Tuesday night. The roads were fairly clear at nine and it only took ten minutes to get to Sage’s downtown condo. Snowbanks took up most of the parking spots, so he drove around before finally squeezing into a space a few blocks down the road.
The downstairs windows to her condo were dark, but a faint light glowed on the second floor. Bedroom. Yes. She was waiting for him there. Perfect.
Luke rapped his knuckles on the front door and waited. And waited. Bouncing on his toes to stay warm, he knocked again, this time louder. Still not getting a response, he tried the door. Locked. Then rang the bell. A moment later a hall light went on and he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
“It’s me. Luke.” The door opened to a sleepy-looking sex goddess. “Hey.”
“Luke?”
“Were you expecting someone else?” He took in her tousled hair, snug-fitting teal silk tank top, and matching pajama pants.
“I wasn’t expecting you. Or anyone.”
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.” She backed up, allowing him to enter. “Is everything okay?”
“No.” He kicked the door shut with his foot and pulled her into his arms, lowering his mouth to hers. Gently sucking on her lower lip, he felt her melt into him as she reached around his back and hugged him. “Now it is.” He took his time exploring her mouth, the curve of her lips, the soft skin of her neck. “Everything is wonderful now.”
She moaned and leaned deeper into him. This. This is what he’d been missing. Luke ran one hand up and down her back, ending on her butt, while the other skimmed her neck and massaged her scalp. He pulled back just enough to look into her emerald eyes. “Wanna get naked?”
“Hell, yeah.” She reached for his hand and yanked him up the stairs. Once at the top she pulled off her tank and tossed it at his face with the other hand. Somehow she managed to kick her silk bottoms off as well, and by the time she reached her room she wore only a pair of black panties. “You’re overdressed for this party.” She ran her hands up his stomach, causing him to suck in some much needed oxygen, and stripped him of his shirt. “Holy mother of abs! You have those sexy pelvic things. That V. Only guys online have those muscles.” She ran her hands along his obliques and across his pelvis.
At this rate he’d only last a few seconds. A minute tops. Sage wrestled with the button on his jeans and then his zipper while he unsuccessfully tried to toe off his boots. He needed to unlace them first, but her hands near his crotch made it difficult to communicate. “Boots. Laces. Wait.” He cupped her chin, bringing her face up to his, and sucked on her tongue as he moved her to the bed. When the backs of her knees hit, she fell into her mattress, givin
g him a second to sit down and unlace. But Sage didn’t lie patiently. She slid her nearly naked body up his bare back and reached around to toy with his nipples.
“Damn, woman.” Finally free from his boots, he rolled on top of her and covered her body with his.
Sage was relentless, giving, giving, and giving before he made her stop so he could return the favor. A tangle of naked limbs and soft sheets and loud, long moans filled the bedroom before they both cried out in ecstasy.
***
Sage
“How did you—?”
“Yoga. Lots of yoga.”
“Wow. I like.”
“Yeah? You can join my yoga class. I’m teaching a prenatal class once a week at my sister’s gym.”
“Is it naked yoga?”
Sage laughed. “No. I save that for my bed.”
“K. I’ll join naked yoga in your bed. Don’t plan on seeing me in your regular class.”
“Hm. I have some moves I can teach you,” Sage purred as she climbed on top of him. “Not that you don’t have your own perfectly fine moves,” she consoled after noticing his pouty face.
Luke’s facial scruff would have been a turn-off, but when he rubbed it against her neck, her chest, in between her thighs…holy smokes! She hoped he never shaved again. His black hair stood at all ends after being played with and pulled at for the past thirty minutes. The man could make her squirm and scream, and Sage didn’t consider herself a noisy lover. Must be the pregnancy hormones.
If his Cheshire grin and deep-set dimples didn’t scream satisfied, his half-lidded hazel eyes sure did. Sage sat up and ran her hands along his ridges. “These are incredibly sexy.”
“Mm. So are these.” Luke cupped her breasts and pulled her toward him. She’d already gone up a half a cup size. Not that going from an A and a half to a B was anything to brag about. And once she really started to show he’d want nothing to do with her. By then the party would be over. Parties. Her plan. “Oh, wait.”
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