Leaning in again, he captured her plump lower lip between his teeth, then soothed the nip away with his tongue. The sweet intoxicating tang of lemon bars exploded in his senses, drawing him in like a bee to nectar.
Pippa put her free hand over his and molded her mouth to his. Her heart beat rapidly against his chest when he moved closer and changed the angle of his head, deepening the kiss, caressing her tongue when her lips parted, inviting him in.
Twisting his hand under her lean elegant one, he pulled it down to his side, lacing their fingers as he slid his other hand around her neck, cupping the back of her head. He prolonged the sweet kiss, resisting the urge to pull her body closer to his, to turn the kiss into a full contact sport. She didn’t suffer from the same hesitation and stepped in, pressing their bodies closer together, and lowered the half-full coffee pot into the sink with a clatter.
He jumped at the sound. Tearing his lips away, he darted an eye toward the hallway. The twins would be coming down any moment. “Damn, I’m sorry. I forgot about the kids. Shit, they could have come in and found Mommy…aw, shit! I’m sorry, I got carried away.” He sighed as he pressed his forehead to hers.
“It’s okay. They’re still in the bathroom. They’re arguing about the right way to squeeze the toothpaste from the tube.”
“I’d love to take a chance, but what would the kids think?”
“Oh, I think they’d think Hot dog! Mom’s dating a guy who owns a Christmas tree farm. Score!” She laughed.
Clay untangled his fingers from hers and stepped back, putting a respectful, kid-safe distance between them. “I like you, Pippa. At the risk of sounding corny, I think you and I could make beautiful music together. I’m okay with keeping this…us…a secret from them, if that’s what you want. Sneaking around can be hot.”
He waggled his brow and shot her a wink.
She laughed, reacting the way he’d hoped she would. “Yeah, I suppose it can be.” She sobered before she continued. “I do think it would be better to keep it from the kids. I don’t want them to get attached to you. It would be hard on them when you leave. If they don’t know you, then they can’t be hurt when you suddenly disappear from our lives. Because that’s how it will end.”
He started to interrupt, but Pippa put a hand on his chest, stopping his words, the heat of it seeping toward his heart.
“It will and you know it. I do like you, Clay. But I don’t really know you. And you don’t really know me, either. Since my kids were born, I’ve been the only person responsible for their physical and emotional well-being. I’ve never introduced them to anyone I’ve dated.”
He scrutinized her face. “You’re ending us before we begin. It’s not if but when. When we don’t work out. I see your point, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We’ll take one day at a time. We don’t have to declare undying love for each other.” He brushed his thumb across her cheek, his gaze searching hers. “Spending time with you, getting to know you so far, has been…interesting. Since the day I met you, I’ve been intrigued. Each moment I’ve spent in your company has been… Jesus, it’s been like being home.”
He waited warily for Pippa to nod.
The idea of being shut out of her life, of her family, chafed his soul. When had his feelings grown to this magnitude? He shook the sensation off. As soon as his mom got well enough to live on her own again, he’d leave. It was good that they both recognized that. “I think we can enjoy each other and have fun doing it. And keep it a secret. And I’ll consider any time I get to spend with your kids a bonus.”
“That’s about the nicest thing a man has ever said to me.”
Clay laughed. “Really? Jeez, you’re easy.” He picked up a plate to scrape it into the trash. “Say, I have an idea. Why don’t you bring the kids to the farm tomorrow? They removed Mom’s cast, so she’s getting a pass for the day. I’m bringing her home for a visit and I know she’d love the company. What do you say? An afternoon in the sun? The kids can help with light chores. Scott told me they loved feeding the chickens.”
“I don’t know.”
“It will be fun. I know Mom would enjoy meeting your kids. She loves children, always has. Should have had more of her own, but I’m all she got. Mason and Mia will have a great time. But no pressure. You decide.”
He shamelessly played the Mom card on Pippa and from the look on her face, it worked.
“What time were you thinking?”
“I’m picking Mom up at eleven for lunch. Maybe a little after one?”
“Okay, we’ll come.”
The kids clattered back into the room, Mia grasping a large book in her arms.
“Mr. Clay, would you mind reading us a story?” She held up the book.
“Hmm, the Stinky Cheese Man. Books like that will smell up the room. Are you sure you want me to read that?”
“Yeah!” The kids responded in unison as Mia grabbed his hand, dragging him to the family room.
“Hold up, I need to help your mom clean the kitchen.”
Pippa made shooing motions. “You go ahead. I’ll finish here.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” he asked, remembering what he’d said about spending time with her kids. This would give her another opportunity to witness his sincerity.
“Oh, no. I don’t mind at all.”
He smiled and let himself be dragged to a comfortable love seat and pushed down. The kids scrambled up on either side of him and squeezed in close. He began to read the story to them, keeping one eye on their lovely mother. A sweet smile lit her face as he indulged in bringing the characters to life by giving them odd voices. The kids’ giggles, when he squeaked like an old woman or dropped into a gruff, heavily accented voice for the old man in the story, tickled his heart in a way he’d never experienced.
Halfway through his recitation, Mason leaned against his arm, yawning sleepily. Any tugs on his heart earlier paled in comparison to the swelling sensation he felt at the slight pressure. When he finished the story, to his delight both kids were nestled comfortably at his side.
He glanced up, catching Pippa’s eyes. The soft expression on her face drove home a truth he’d avoided admitting to himself since the sad, dreary day he’d met her. When she’d sung at a funeral while he’d stood guard, prohibiting protesters from making a mockery of a solemn farewell to a slain soldier. Her voice had moved him, along with the other mourners, to tears.
He wanted this woman. And he wanted her children too.
His breath stalled in his chest as the thought crashed through him like a runaway tire careening downhill. Clay Mathers, who had never needed anyone—the self-sufficient military strategist and world-renowned writer—needed this small family almost more than he needed to breathe.
From the night he’d planted the magical trees in the yard, he’d known this woman was a package deal. He’d never considered children of his own even a remote idea. But, having spent what little time he had with these amazing, miniature human beings made him realize there was plenty of room in his life for them. And possibly more.
The smile on Pippa’s face dimmed and turned wary and he knew his expression must have been showing his shock. He’d never entertained even fleeting thoughts about a wife, let alone children. God, he was getting over his head here. What had started out as a means to getting a sexy woman into his bed for the duration of his stay in Granite Pointe had evolved.
And he didn’t have the slightest idea of what to do about it.
This was uncharted territory for him, a strategist who plotted troop movements with calculated precision and designed surgical strikes into enemy territory in a way that limited the body count. He’d started this campaign to win Pippa over, but the knowledge that his heart, or hers, could end up being the biggest casualty terrified him.
Mia stirred next to him, taking the book from his hands and tossing it on the table in front of him, the loud thud pulling him from his thoughts. She nestled against his arm and laid her small hand on his shoulder.
“You did a better job of reading that story than Uncle Sam does. But please don’t tell him I said so. It would hurt his feelings.”
“My lips are sealed.” Clay chuckled, watching Pippa drying her hands on a towel as she walked toward them.
Pippa slapped the towel over her shoulder, bent and picked up Mia . “I think it’s time for two little Sanders to head to bed. Tell Mr. Clay good night and let’s go.”
Mason wrapped his arms around Clay’s neck and climbed into his lap. “Can you carry me? Mommy’s carrying Mia, even though it’s my turn.”
“Your turn?” he asked.
“There’s two of us and only one of her, so we have to take turns. Saturdays are Mia’s night, but since you’re here, we both can have a turn tonight. Please, Mr. Clay?”
Pippa rolled her eyes. Given his confused feelings about this small family, his instinct was to decline and hightail it to the safety of the farmhouse, where no one needed tucking in.
But the slight weight of Mason’s arms around his neck and the hopeful tone made him tighten his arms around the small body and stand.
“Lead the way.”
Shooting him a grateful smile, Pippa turned and walked toward the stairs. His gaze followed the graceful sway of her hips, and he swallowed hard against his body’s response. He was holding a small child in his arms. He had to stop thinking that way.
It would only lead to trouble.
14
The day had dawned cool and crisp, and Pippa had been awake to see the sun rise through her bedroom windows. Sleep had been elusive as a continuous loop of the evening spent with Clay played through her mind. His playful interaction with the kids in the yard, at the dinner table and while reading them a story had enchanted her. The short, sweet kiss they’d shared in the kitchen beguiled her with its promise. The sight of him tucking first Mason, then Mia under the covers and pressing a swift kiss on their foreheads while sleepy smiles etched dimples into their cheeks brought tears to her eyes. The thought of what they were missing by not having a father saddened her. Oh, she was enough for her kids—they’d never known any different life. She had been the one constant in their lives from birth. She’d celebrated each milestone with happiness tinged by sorrow.
But were her children enough for her? As soon as the thought swept into her heart, guilt followed. Every parent had to give up something of themselves, instinctively putting a child’s needs ahead of theirs. It was no different with her. That didn’t change the fact that she craved the type of adult companionship Clay represented.
After helping put the twins to bed, Clay had held her tightly in his arms and suggested a sleepover. When she turned him down, telling him it wasn’t the time, his good night held tones of reluctance. His lips, sweet and tender earlier in the evening, became demanding and suggestive as he kissed her at the front door. And holy cow! She was definitely open to the possibilities.
Tingles of anticipation quivered through her on the drive to the farm, and she was giddy when she followed Mason and Mia up the porch steps of the farmhouse to where Clay and his mother waited. Seeley was seated in the comfortable rocking chair by the lost treasures box, her partially clenched fist raised in greeting, a crooked smile on her face.
Clay, in contrast, looked stoic, the line of his jaw set in granite, softened by an odd shimmer in his eyes. Pippa recognized the heat in his eyes for what it was…desire. The intensity of his gaze as he stood with feet spread wide and powerful arms crossed over his broad chest turned her feet into unwieldy blocks of concrete.
She covered her sudden stumble with a cough, then greeted her client. “Good afternoon, Seeley. I’d like you to meet my children, Mason and Mia.”
“H-how d-do you do?”
The kids glanced at each other before Mia, the more adventurous child, responded. “Hello, Mrs. Seeley. We’re glad to meet you. And we’re sorry about your accident. Mommy said you had a brain attack. Did that hurt?”
Seeley laughed. “Y-y-yes, it d-did. B-but I’m g-getting b-better.”
Mason stepped around his sister to stare at Seeley’s legs. “Mom said you got your cast off and they’re going to teach you how to walk again. It’s stupid that you forgot how to.”
“Mason!” Pippa exclaimed, shock rumbling through her at his unexpected rudeness.
He hung his head and started to apologize, but Clay squatted in front of him and put a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
Pippa held her breath, not sure what Clay would say.
“You know what, Mason? I say dumb things all the time. In fact, sometimes, what I say just comes out wrong and isn’t what I meant at all.”
Holy cow, Clay must remember what it was like to be on the receiving end of public correction. Not to mention his verbal mishaps with her. He provided Mason a face-saving out, handling the situation better than many long-time fathers. A fuzzy glow of respect, tinged with desire invaded her.
Mason nodded his head vigorously. “That’s what happened to me. I meant the attack was stupid. I’m sorry, Mrs. Seeley.”
“’s o-okay, M-M-Mason. K-knew w-w-what you m-meant. Y-you’re right. S-stupid.”
“How long will it take you to learn to walk again?”
Pippa knew the idea of having to relearn something as basic as the ability to move from point A to point B had to be intriguing to a kid who had only two speeds, motionless and racing.
Seeley shrugged. “Don’t k-know. Depends on h-how h-hard I w-w-work.”
Mia took her brother’s hand. “Can we help you?”
“T-that’s sw-sweet of you to offer.”
Clay stood up and moved next to Pippa, close enough for her to feel heat from his body through her sweatshirt, his familiar pine scent wafting through her senses.
“It’s time to feed the chickens. Who wants to help?” he asked.
Pippa laughed as two small hands and one clenched fist shot into the air. Electricity zipped through her when Clay brushed against her as he edged around to grab Seeley’s wheelchair. He carried it down the steps, opened it and set the brakes before returning to the porch. He scooped Seeley up as easily as he had picked Mason up the night before. Seeing the trust and love on Seeley’s partially frozen face as he carried her cautiously down the steps lightened Pippa’s heart.
Oh, yeah. This was a man she could…adore. She refused to allow her thoughts to go anywhere near the L word. It was too soon, and too dangerous. It remained in her best interest to protect not only her heart, but Mason and Mia as well. She needed to continue to play it cool with Clay when her kids were around, regardless of how hot this impossible man made it. She only prayed that she could pull this off.
“Don’t you want to help, Mommy?” Mia motioned for Pippa to follow.
Her children stood on either side of Seeley holding the armrests as Clay released the brakes and began wheeling it down the path. Pippa shook off her errant thoughts and followed the foursome toward the barn and the waiting chickens.
* * * *
An hour passed quickly. The chickens had been fed, the kittens had been oohed and ahhed over and the dog had been tossed sticks during a hilarious round of fetch. Even Seeley had gotten into the games with the kids, holding a gray and white kitten while Mia played with its sister by the footrest of the wheelchair. Mason had offered a stick for the older woman to throw for the big black Lab named Claus.
Seeley had difficulty releasing the stick, but Mason had demonstrated maturity beyond his years as he patiently helped her practice unclenching her fist. Pippa wasn’t sure whose smile was bigger when Seeley managed to release it—her client’s or her son’s. But they celebrated with an impromptu hug. Clay had reached for Pippa’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, his face transformed by the delighted grin that stretched the corners of his sexy mouth and creased happy lines by his eyes. She lost her breath as the attraction she felt for this man speared through her.
Clay had wheeled Seeley into the Sleepy T gift barn, where she’d invited the kids to help her count some ne
w inventory. It would be good practice for the twins, especially since they wouldn’t realize it was a math lesson.
Then, he led Pippa toward the Adirondack bench positioned just outside the shop. The seating was comfortable, but small, causing their thighs to rub when they settled in. Pippa’s stomach rolled deliciously with the friction of the contact. Clay laced their fingers together, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand. The twins’ chattering voices and Seeley’s halting responses came through the shop’s open door, the kids counting confidently, Seeley gently encouraging.
“Thank you for inviting us out today. The kids are enjoying themselves,” she said.
“What about you? Are you having fun?”
She laughed. “I won’t deny being entertained when the rooster pecked at your shoe. I wasn’t sure if your reaction was meant to make the kids giggle, or if you were genuinely shocked.”
“Hey, that thing snuck up on me. I was legitimately surprised.”
“Uh-huh. At first I thought Mia was yelping.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought Seeley was going to fall out of her chair laughing.”
“I’m not used to being around fu—uh, freaking animals that can’t tell the difference between corn feed and leather.”
“Well, they are just animals.” She changed the subject. “Seeley seems to be enjoying herself. Her movements are freer than they were just last week. I wish Steve had been here to see her throw that stick. He’s going to have her walking the bar next week and using a walker the week after. Her speech is much less garbled than it was a week ago.”
“You noticed that too? I worried that it was just wishful thinking. When I picked her up today I found her in the lounge singing with Stanley. It’s amazing how much progress she’s made.” Clay leaned back, running his arm along the back of the seat, dropping a hand onto her shoulder, the heat of it sending tingles through her breasts, like they wanted a little attention.
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