The Parent Pact (Book Three of The Return to Redemption Series)

by Laurie Kellogg

  She moistened her lips and rasped hoarsely, “I don’t know. I guess I’m worried you’ll be disappointed.”

  Wow. He thought only men had that kind of anxiety. “That’s not possible, Annie. At least, not if you let me make love to you. If you don’t,”—he laughed—“well, yeah, then I’ll be real disappointed.”

  Her mouth curved in a tremulous smile. “Remember, I haven’t dated much.”

  Obviously she didn’t understand her innocence was part of her immense appeal. All the women he’d ever slept with were as sexually jaded as streetwalkers.

  The only way Annie would relax was if he let their weekend progress naturally. He tipped her chin up and kissed her on her nose. “You let me know when you’re ready.”

  She released a long breath of unmistakable relief.

  He pulled off his suit jacket and tie and tossed them over a chair. “I have an idea. Let’s stroll down to the lake and take out one of the boats.”

  “That sounds like fun.” She looked down at her elegant dress. “Can I go in this?”

  “I don’t see why not. You can take your heels off on the boat.” Tyler left Annie alone for a few moments while he called the caretaker to prepare the speed boat.

  When he returned, he took her hand and led her down the long central hallway to a set of French doors. He opened them, revealing a gigantic solarium that not only housed a freeform indoor pool and an enormous hot tub, but a garden of exotic flowering plants and greenery which were sufficiently fragrant enough to diminish the faint chlorine odor. At the deep end of the pool stood a giant rock-climbing wall with a two-story waterfall.

  “Ohh, Tyler....” She breathed out a long sigh. “This is gorgeous. It’s an indoor tropical paradise.”

  “It’s not too shabby outside, either.” He held the exterior door open and watched the awe on her face as she took in the rolling acres of professionally landscaped grounds surrounded by woods.

  As she gazed at the panorama of the glistening lake nestled against its Pocono Mountain backdrop, her breath hitched. “Not too shabby at all,” she agreed.

  Autumn had dressed the trees in their most brilliant colors, covering the surrounding hills in a Jackson Pollock splatter of red, brown, orange, green, and gold. Annie followed Tyler along the paved path, across the yard, and down to the marina, all the while squealing her delight at the variety of flora and fauna she spotted along the way.

  Harry, the white-haired caretaker, waved as they approached and stepped onto the first dock. “I put a couple of rods, a tackle box, and some bait on board in case you’re in the mood to do some fishing, Mr. Tyler.”

  “That’s great. Thanks.”

  “Oh, my goodness!” Annie pointed at the sky as she slipped off her heels. “Is that a bald eagle?” she asked, letting Tyler lift her into the eight-passenger power boat.

  “It sure is.” Harry nodded. “They’ve been making a big comeback in this area.” He pointed to the small on-board fridge. “There’s beer and soft drinks you can help yourself to.”

  “Thanks.” Tyler saluted the old caretaker as he let out the throttle slowly, pulling away from the dock. “We’ll be back before dark, Harry.”

  He steered the boat away from the shoreline and grinned at Annie. “What’s your feeling on speed?”

  “I say the faster the better.”

  The engine roared as he gave it more gas, and the boat hurtled across the water. She laughed as her neatly coiffed curls danced in the breeze. “Ben would be so disappointed to see what my hair must look like now,” she hollered over the engine.

  “I doubt that,” he yelled back, admiring the pink blush the wind had painted on her cheeks. “You’ve never looked sexier.”

  They zipped around a small portion of the lake’s fifty-two miles of shoreline, slowing down every now and then to explore dozens of inlets along the way. Each time Annie spotted some white-tailed deer or other wildlife, the animation in her face made her look so beautiful, his chest ached with the urge to kiss her. When she noticed a small black bear in the woods, she nearly fell overboard in her excitement.

  About an hour before sunset, he backed off on the throttle. “The fish should be starting to bite about now. Do you feel like throwing a line in?”

  “Sure.”

  He stopped the boat close to shore, let down the anchor, and pulled out the rod and reels. “Would you like me to bait your hook for you?”

  “No way.” She spun her back to him to prevent him from helping her. “You have to remember my dad never had a son. I used to fish with him all the time.”

  He laughed, casting his line into the sparkling water, “A baseball fan and you fish, too? What more can a man ask for?”

  She threw her line in the same direction as the current while he pulled a container of disinfectant wipes out of the cabinet and gave her one. As they each wiped their hands, the amused gleam in her eyes suggested she might finally be relaxing. “So do you always get dressed up to go fishing?”

  “Nope.” He slid his arm around her and pulled her to his side. “But then, I’ve never dated a down-to-earth woman like you before.”

  She stiffened and fell silent, evidently misinterpreting what he’d meant.

  “I didn’t mean what that sounded like.”

  “Sure you did. And you’re right. A woman with any class would’ve passed on fishing rather than risk getting worm guts all over her designer cocktail dress.”

  He secured their poles in the rod brackets and pulled her down on the seat next to him. “You know, when we first met, the thing that attracted me to you was your sense of humor. I like that you can laugh even when things get tough. But it’s frustrating that every time I try to get closer to you, you use jokes as a shield to keep me at a distance.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m a little embarrassed by my lack of sophistication.”

  “But it’s one of the things I love about you, Annie.” He twisted one of her curls around his fingertip. “You’re never too worried about putting on airs to enjoy life.”

  They fished in a companionable silence for about an hour and caught five bass that were too small to keep. While the sun dipped behind the trees on the western shore, lavender and pink streaks painted the sky. She stared at the beautiful sunset for several moments and sighed. “I have to thank Ben. I’m really enjoying this.”

  She turned toward Tyler and cupped his face between her soft palms. When her pliant lips brushed his, her mouth tasted as luscious and perfect as ever. He held completely still, fearing if he moved even a fraction it might spook her. Instead she wound her arms around his neck inviting him to hold her.

  He pulled her closer and deepened their kiss, tasting her mouth fully. For several breathtaking moments, his heart ceased to beat. He drew back slowly, and when her eyes finally fluttered open, he smiled and whispered, “I think it’s time to pull our lines in and go back to the house.”

  The sooner they had dinner, the sooner it would be bedtime.

  ~*~

  Ben watched Sabrina top the kids’ hamburgers with pickles for eyes and a long squeeze of ketchup as a smile. She sprinkled salad around it for hair and added two wedges of tomato as ears. If ever a woman was cut out to be a mother, she was.

  He stuck a carrot stick in the center of each burger as a nose. “I’ve had a really good time today with you and the kids.”

  “I did, too. I’m glad you came to help.”

  As usual, her smile liquefied every bit of his six-foot-four-inch body. He grabbed the counter to keep from dissolving at her feet. She’d had this effect on him since the summer she turned sixteen, and Tyler brought her with him on a week-long stay at the family’s estate.

  Ben had fallen hard for her and spent the entire first day of Sabrina’s visit entertaining her with horseback riding, waterskiing, tennis, and bowling. By late afternoon, she begged him to stop trying to impress her and to simply go join her for a long walk in the woods. For the first time in his twenty years, Ben had discovered what
it was like to have a girl simply want his company.

  They spent the next day playing cards, watching videos, and simply talking. On the fourth day of Tyler and Sabrina’s stay, Luke joined them, and Ben experienced another first in his life. The adoration in Sabrina’s eyes, whenever she looked at his friend, initiated Ben to jealousy’s white-hot, searing pain.

  He’d been battling it every day since.

  He shook off his memories and slid Mandy and Noah’s plates in front of them. “You know, we’d make a great team as parents.”

  “You’re going to be a wonderful father.” Sabrina smiled over her shoulder as she returned to the kitchen area for the bubbling pot of vegetable soup. “That is—as soon as you learn to stop spoiling the kids. They still haven’t come down from the candy and ice cream you fed them after school.”

  Drawing in a deep breath, he followed her and took her hand. “Say the word, and I’ll let you teach me some restraint.”

  She stared at him silently.

  “What do you say?” he whispered. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “I’m not kidding.” Ben cupped her cheek in his palm. “I want you to be my wife.”

  She stared into his eyes for several heartbeats before she jerked her face away and removed four bowls from the cabinet. “Ben, I love you—but not like that.”

  “That’s okay. I’m crazy about you. I know you want a family as much as I do.”

  And the guy she was in love with wanted no part of that life.

  “In the days of arranged marriages, romantic love grew out of respect and friendship. Don’t you think that could happen in time for you?” he asked.

  “Maybe. Except, I’m only twenty-nine. I’m not ready to give up waiting for—”

  “Luke?” he finished for her. “I’m not blind, you know.”

  “Well, he sure is,” she muttered, ladling soup into the bowls.

  “Oh, believe me, he’s noticed. But he doesn’t want to hurt you. When are you going to accept he isn’t willing to commit to anyone?”

  She turned away and simply shrugged.

  “How old do you have to get, Sabrina? How long do I have to wait before you realize what a good life we could have together?”

  “I’m not sure. I only know now is too soon.”

  ~*~

  Annie followed Tyler to a suite upstairs to clean up for dinner. While he used another bathroom, obviously completely at home in the mansion, she tried to repair the damage the wind had done to her hair. The marble bathroom reflected back in the gilt-framed mirror, emphasizing its lavishness.

  What was she, of all people, doing in a magnificent place like this, wearing a six-hundred dollar beaded dress and designer shoes?

  Ben had hidden the price tags while they shopped in Manhattan that morning, but she hadn’t been able to resist peeking at the sales slip he’d signed. Between new undergarments, her dress, shoes, clothes for the weekend, and her beauty treatments, he’d spent well over a two grand without even blinking. And Tyler had accepted everything his friend had done and the luxury here as if it were a common, everyday occurrence.

  Tyler might have grown up poor, but this was the lifestyle he wanted. He’d done everything he could to make sure he would never have to scrimp again.

  What had she been thinking when she’d let herself be talked into getting emotionally involved with him? There was no turning back from the inevitable pain to come. She’d stupidly let herself fall deeply in love with a man she had no hope of having a future with. The only thing she could do now was to try to enjoy her relationship with Tyler while it lasted.

  When she returned downstairs, she followed the soft strains of music to the formal dining room. Tyler was already seated at the elegant table set for two, wearing his jacket and tie again. A silver candelabra with half a dozen tapers flickered on the table, making the crystal stemware on the starched white linen tablecloth sparkle like diamonds. In the background, The Righteous Brother’s crooned Unchained Melody.

  Tyler smiled at the sight of her in the archway and stood, holding his hands out to her. “Dinner will still be a few minutes. Would you like to dance?”

  Heat crept up her neck to her cheeks. “Uhh, I don’t really know how.” Once again she fell short of the woman he needed. “I’ve only ever danced by myself in front of the mirror.”

  “I don’t see any Dancing with the Stars judges here.”

  “But I’ll probably step on your feet.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve got shoes on.’ He pulled her into his arms. “Just imagine we’re Beauty and The Beast swirling about the ballroom.”

  He took several expansive steps, sweeping her around into the large foyer while her feet barely touched the floor, and she laughed. “There’s only one problem with that plan. Beauty is leading tonight.”

  “Oh, no. Compared to you, I’m definitely The Beast.” He twirled her in a wide circle, making her feel as if she’d been transported into a fairytale as he sang the romantic lyrics to the seductive song used to underscore the pottery scene in the movie Ghost.

  While they swayed to the music, she rested her head on his shoulder and listened to his deep baritone. It didn’t get more romantic that this. When he stopped singing, she gazed up and found him watching her, his brow wrinkled.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing, really.” He smiled. “I was trying to figure out how to convince you to reconsider decorating one of my guest bedroom’s for Noah so he’ll feel more like my house is his home, too.”

  More than anything she’d like to be able to give that to her son. “If Noah tells his friends he has a bedroom at your house, what’s to stop people from assuming I’m sleeping with you?”

  “So what if they do? We’re two consenting adults.”

  “I don’t know about you, but I don’t enjoy having people talk about me behind my back. And believe me, Paula Larson and Sheila Cooper would take great joy in shouting it to the world that I’m a low-class tramp.” Drawing back, she stared into his eyes. “Your timing tells me you’re searching for a way to suck me deeper into this relationship so I’ll—”

  “Maybe I am.”

  “Don’t. We agreed this thing between us is a temporary fling until we each find someone better suited to us. I plan to enjoy it as long as it lasts, but that’s all it can ever be.”

  “What if I believe it can become something more?”

  “Then you’re in for a big disappointment.”

  Chapter 10

  “You were hungry.” Tyler watched Annie lick her lips after he fed her the last chunk of the buttery Alaskan King crab casserole.

  “I guess.”

  Or maybe she’d simply been stalling—or avoiding the conversation Thomas had interrupted when he announced their dinner was ready to be served.

  There was no point in continuing to discuss taking their relationship to the next level and disrupting the meal. There would be time enough later that weekend to convince Annie they could be happy together.

  “I’m definitely stuffed now.” She rubbed her stomach. “I loved the crab. I’ve never had it before.”

  “Your orgasmic moaning kind of gave that away.” He grinned. And left him harder than a tungsten torpedo.

  “I’m sorry.” She blushed, draining her second glass of champagne.

  “Don’t be. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” If she moaned like that when he made love to her, he wouldn’t last more than a few seconds.

  Thomas cleared their dinner plates and replaced them with frosty parfait glasses layered with chocolate mousse and whipped cream.

  Tyler glanced toward the foyer where the winding Gone-with-the-Wind staircase led to the bedrooms. “Thomas, we’re both too full for dessert right now. Would you mind putting those in my suite’s fridge with a couple of spoons, so we can have it later?” In bed.

  “Very well, Mr. Tyler. I’ll say goodnight then. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ring me.”
r />   “Thanks. You’re the best.”

  The moment Thomas left, Annie squirmed in her seat. “Uhh—do you mind if we call to see how the kids are?” she asked, obviously hoping to buy herself a few more minutes.

  “Sure.” He checked his watch. Not quite nine-thirty. “Considering how Ben spoils Mandy, the kids are probably still awake since they don’t have school tomorrow.”

  He pulled out his cell phone and connected to his home number. After thanking Ben and Sabrina for giving them the weekend, he switched the phone to speaker so Annie and he could both say goodnight to the kids.

  As soon as they ended the call, he pulled her to her feet and into his arms. “Okay, sweetheart, enough procrastinating. You promised to seduce me tonight.”

  “I-I don’t think I can,” she whispered.

  He stared down at her trembling in his arms. “You know I’d never hurt you, don’t you?”

  She nodded, moistened her lips, and rasped hoarsely, “I’m just a little nervous. I’ve never had sex before—that I can remember, anyway. And you’ve built this up in your mind so much, I’m afraid I won’t—”

  “I thought we settled that this afternoon?

  After two years without sex, he’d be worried now, too, if she hadn’t come so quickly in the bathtub the morning he’d walked in on her. Most men only dreamed of being with a woman as responsive as Annie. “Believe me, you won’t let me down.”

  A tremulous smile curved her mouth. “How can you be so sure? The only male equipment I’ve ever seen is on a six-year-old, and the only thing I know about having sex is what I’ve read in romance novels. I don’t know what to do in the boudoir any more than I do in a ballroom.”

  “Yet I still loved dancing with you.” He tipped up her chin and stared at the uncertainty in her eyes. He just had to be patient. “Sweetheart, I was married to a woman who knew more tricks to please men than most hookers. You have no idea how much it excites me to know no other man has ever really made love to you.” He twirled one of her curls around his finger. “Just let your imagination take over. Whatever feels good to you, will feel just as great to me.”

  “After reading hundreds of steamy romances, my imagination doesn’t need much help.” The sudden relaxing of her shoulders suggested his reassurance had eased some of her nervousness.