A Home for Haley

by Mary Jane Morgan

  “Good idea seeing as how this is my bed,” Haley said, her voice laced with fake sweetness. Ethan lifted Maggie and set her on Kayla’s lap. The puppy licked his daughter’s face, and she grinned from ear to ear. Maggie scampered over to Ryan and licked his face. When she headed toward Ethan he protected his face with his arm. “No face kissing for me.” He set her away from him and she headed for Haley.

  Haley covered her face with her hands. “Not on the face, little girl.”

  “She just wants love.” Kayla pulled Maggie back onto her lap and she settled right in, her soft dark eyes watching Kayla.

  “This is a bad idea,” Ethan said. “She shouldn’t be on the bed. How about we all rally and go out for breakfast?”

  “No,” Kayla all but yelled. “I’m not leaving Maggie. She’d be lonely and scared that I might not come back.”

  A knot lodged in Ethan’s throat.

  “She has a point. After all, she’s only been here one night.” Haley smiled at Kayla and continued to rub the girl’s back. Kayla edged closer, and Ethan couldn’t help but soften. With a sigh, he turned to his side, watching his daughter and the new love of her life, but often shifting his gaze to Haley and wishing things could be different between them.

  Both kids crawled under the covers and giggled when Maggie licked their ears. Haley glanced at Ethan and he smiled. “You look good in the morning,” he said before he could censor himself.

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure I do. You have a cowlick by the way.”

  Kayla shot her dad a look and giggled, then quickly turned her full attention back to Maggie. She leaned her cheek on top of the puppy’s head. “I hope you like your new family.”

  Haley and Ethan’s gazes locked, and emotions swirled through him. This is what family was supposed to feel like, he thought. He’d never felt this comfortable, easy, feeling with Ellie. He smiled at Haley. “This is pretty nice, even if we did wake you up.”

  She smiled back. “You’re right. It’s pretty nice.” She took Kayla’s hand and kissed it, then did the same with Ryan.

  Ethan held out his hand and Kayla giggled. “Only kids get kisses.”

  “Not true, so no skimping,” he said with a wink.

  Haley’s face flushed. He was about to give her a break, when she took his hand and kissed the top of it. “Are you satisfied now?”

  Grinning, he shook his head then rolled onto his back, which the puppy seemed to take as an invitation and leaped onto his stomach. Both kids squealed and joined her.

  Haley laughed as the kids burrowed into him and the puppy tried to dig her way into the bodies. “I guess I’m the only one not falling for your charms,” she teased.

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Guess I need to work on my technique.”

  “I guess you do.” With a saucy grin, she flipped off her covers and headed to the bathroom. Ethan watched her long, slender legs until she was out of sight.

  He shut his eyes. Out of sight, but certainly not out of mind. He was beginning to think this woman would always fill his mind. He hoped someday there would be a way for him and Haley to explore the tenuous and fragile feelings they had for each other. But with the turmoil that surrounded his family, plus Haley’s own need to heal, he had no idea how or when that might happen.

  ****

  Haley sat on a chaise on the back deck and breathed in the warm evening air. The kids were out with Dottie and Jo and she was enjoying the quiet before Ethan got home. The roses were in full bloom and their sweet scent swirled around her. She pulled in a deep breath. Nothing smelled as good as roses. A male cardinal landed on the deck’s railing before flying over to the bird feeder a few feet away and pecking at the sunflower seeds.

  Maggie trotted around the yard sniffing everything and running to her heart’s content. Stopping suddenly, she grabbed a stick, shook her head, then pranced around with it, her head held high.

  Haley grinned at the puppy’s antics, glad that she’d allowed Ryan to join Dottie and Jo’s outing with Kayla. She’d needed this time for herself if for no other reason than to day dream about Ethan. Not that she should be doing that, but she couldn’t seem to help it. For the first time since Ryan had been born, she had hours to do nothing, and she planned on enjoying every minute of it.

  Dottie and Jo had taken the kids to a movie and then dinner since it was Jo’s last night before heading back home. Haley had been hesitant about Ryan going without them, but Dottie had insisted he would be no problem.

  Thank goodness she’d relented and let him go. She was the most relaxed she’d been in what felt like forever.

  After a long soak in the tub earlier, she’d thrown on a pair of shorts and shirt and come out here to soak up some sun. The quiet was wonderful, and being free to enjoy these few hours without any responsibilities felt like heaven.

  Her cell rang and she glanced at the screen and frowned, surprised to see her mother’s number. She hadn’t talked to her mom since she’d called her to tell her Dale had died, and the last thing she wanted to do right now was ruin her peaceful evening, so she ignored the call.

  After a couple more rings, silence once again reigned. Haley closed her eyes and let her mind drift. She was almost asleep when the sound of a car door shutting jerked her awake. Ethan bounded up the steps, carrying his briefcase. He stopped when he saw her.

  “Well, don’t you look like a lady of leisure. Where are the kids?”

  “Out with your mom and Aunt Jo. Ryan wasn’t about to be left behind. I hope he doesn’t run them ragged.”

  “I think they can handle him for a few hours.” Ethan set his briefcase on the patio table and sank onto the chaise next to her. “You look relaxed.”

  “Thank you. I’m being smart for once and taking advantage of the calm and quiet.”

  “Am I bothering you?”

  She shook her head. “No. Not at all.” At least not the way he’d meant.

  “I’m going to go get out of this suit and take a quick shower. My business luncheon—thus the suit—was a total bust. Afterward, I met Matt at the club, played a couple of games of racquetball and got rid of some of my frustrations.”

  “Who won?”

  “It’s not about winning or losing, Haley. It’s about getting exercise and having fun.”

  “So you lost, right?”

  He grinned. “You nailed it.”

  “Does your brother always beat you?”

  “Not always. Pretty often though. Guess I’m a glutton for punishment.” He leaned his head back just as Maggie raced onto the deck, yipping at him like a wind-up toy. Ethan scratched her behind the ears and she quieted instantly. “This dog is just about perfect. Aren’t you girl?”

  “She cried for fifteen minutes when Kayla left.”

  “It’s good to see her and Kayla bonding so well.” Ethan gave Maggie a pat. “The other morning before Kayla and I crawled into bed with you, I found Kayla sitting on the floor holding Maggie and crying and spilling her guts about her mother. God, it about did me in. Kayla thinks her mom stays away because of something she did.” He rubbed at his chest. “I knew she felt like that, because her therapist gave me the thumbs up, but hearing it . . .” Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and blew out a heavy breath.

  “That had to have been tough,” Haley said, reaching out and running a hand over his arm.

  He nodded. “Yeah. Pretty tough.”

  “Did you tell her it wasn’t her fault?”

  “Hell, I could barely think, let alone talk intelligently.”

  Her heart went out to him. “I think I know you well enough to know you’ll sit her down someday soon and talk with her about it.”

  Ethan cast her a sideways glance. “And the sooner the better, huh?” Without waiting for her response, he stood. “I won’t keep you from your time alone. The humming birds should be coming in for their evening feeding before long. Enjoy.”

  “I intend to.” Haley closed her eyes, wishing she would have been able to think of something
to say that might have helped Ethan feel better, but what in the world could she say to ease the kind of hurt that Ethan must be enduring? Kayla wasn’t even her daughter and she was pretty sure she couldn’t have kept from crying right along with the heartbroken little girl.

  After a few minutes, Maggie shoved her cold, wet nose in Haley’s hand and whined. Without opening her eyes, Haley stroked Maggie’s silky fur, and the pup quieted instantly. A minute later, Maggie jumped up and landed on her stomach, all but knocking the air out of her. Haley set Maggie down on the deck and stood. She might as well go inside and get more iced tea, and put Maggie in her crate for some down time, if she wanted to get her own quiet time.

  She called to the puppy, who had scampered to the edge of the deck to bark at birds. The pup raced over to her, all wiggles and happy eyes, and Haley couldn’t help but smile at Maggie’s enthusiasm. “Nap time for you, little one,” she said heading upstairs and trying not to trip on the wiggling mass of fur that followed right at her bare feet.

  When Haley entered Kayla’s room and opened the crate’s door, Maggie looked at her pleadingly. “Come here,” she coaxed when Maggie didn’t move. “I’m going to give you a toy, so don’t look at me like that.” She picked up a squeaky toy and Maggie dashed over to her. Haley tossed the toy in the crate and then put Maggie in. After pawing at the door a minute, she grabbed her toy and lay down, chewing on it and making it squeak over and over. “Good girl.”

  Haley left the room and closed the door behind her. She’d get Maggie out to play before the kids got back so she’d work off more energy before bedtime. Lord knows Haley didn’t want to be kept up all night with a wired puppy.

  She started toward the stairs and then stopped. Ethan was singing along with George Strait. Who’d have figured him for a shower musician? And not a bad one, she thought. The man had some hidden talents. She sighed, remembering a few of his other hidden talents and wondering if she’d ever know more of them. The man sure could kiss. Oh, what she’d give to experience that again. She closed her eyes and re-played some of his kisses, letting her mind wander.

  “What are you smiling at?” a deep voice asked.

  Her eyes flew open and she covered her hammering heart with her hand. “You startled me.”

  He took her elbow. “What were you so deep in thought about?”

  She felt her face heat up. “Nothing.”

  He moved closer. “Liar.” She swallowed hard. He backed her against the wall and nibbled on her neck. “I promised myself I’d behave, but you’re driving me crazy and we have the house to ourselves. What should we do with our time, Haley?”

  Her knees turned weak as adrenaline surged through her. She glanced down at his bare chest. He smelled clean and all male and absolutely delicious. “I was about to get more tea and go back outside to watch the hummingbirds,” she finally managed to say.

  “Fine by me if you’re sure that’s what you really want to do.” He trailed a finger down her neck and between her breasts.

  Her breath hitched. She shifted her gaze from his chest to his sexy mouth, and all the air whooshed out of her. “Ah, are you hungry?”

  “Yes.” He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “I’m very hungry. Do you have any idea how crazy you make me?”

  She stared at his full lips and her mind went fuzzy. “No,” she finally managed to say.

  He took her hand and led her into his bedroom, shut the door and locked it. “Just in case they get home early.”

  Blood rushed through Haley, roaring through her veins like a river out of its bounds. Lord knows she was out of her self-induced bounds right now. She licked her lips. “I thought we decided to go slow.”

  “We did.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “But it’s about to kill me. I need you, Haley. I don’t want to push you, though, if you’re not ready.”

  A fleeting thought of Dale floated through her mind, but she shoved it away. She’d never been this turned on with anyone, including Dale, and she wasn’t going to deny her feelings for Ethan anymore. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him. “I’m ready.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes.” He smelled so good she couldn’t keep her hands off of him. Or her lips. She peppered his chest with kisses, tasting as she went. “I want you.” She couldn’t believe she’d said that, but no guilt stole through her, only heat and need. I’m more than sure. I’m desperate.” She nibbled on his lower lip. “What are you going to do about it?”

  A wicked grin lit up his face. “Anything you want, baby. Anything.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Ethan picked her up and carried her into his room, slammed the door shut behind them with his foot and then somehow managed to get the door locked before walking to the bed and laying Haley down. “Impressed with my finesse?”

  She laughed. “Kiss me while I make up my mind.”

  His smile evaporated as he leaned over her, his lips a whisper away from hers. She pulled his head down and he kissed her softly, then ran his tongue over her bottom lip before deepening the kiss, going from sweet to breath-stealing hot in a second. She moaned and held him closer. He pulled his lips away from hers, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again. “You’re all I can think about.” Haley melted at the sweetness of Ethan’s words. In a flash, he became demanding and hot. So hot. She arched into him and wrapped a leg around his hips.

  He came up for air with a gasp. “God, Haley, you drive me insane.” He ran a hand down her back, cupped her bottom and tugged her even closer. Groaning, she rubbed against him and he slid his hand down her thigh and back up over her hip, running his fingers under the waist band of her shorts. “These need to go,” he muttered into her mouth.

  Haley pulled her mouth from his, wiggled out of her shorts and tugged her tee off, tossing it onto the floor. His dark eyes clouded with lust as he traced the lacey edge of her black bra, then replaced his fingers with his tongue. Haley’s breath hitched and her heart took a dive as every thought vanished and all-consuming need licked through her.

  “Get out of your shorts,” she rasped, tugging at them. He stood and jerked them off, then lay back down, pulling her on top of him. With one quick flick, he unfastened her bra and slowly pulled it away, his eyes soaking her in. She wiggled out of her panties and his gaze locked onto her. “You’re truly are killing me. You know that, don’t you?” He wrapped his hands around her bottom and settled her snug against him, his brain muddled with need and his heart pounding against his ribs.

  Haley leaned down and rubbed her aching breasts against him. “God you feel good.” Smiling, she placed her hands on his chest and arched up, offering a breast. He sucked a taut nipple, twirled his tongue around it, then sucked again, and she almost came undone. “I need you in me. Now.” She raised her hips and guided him inside her, sliding all the way down and then back up.

  “If you don’t stop that, this will be over way too soon,” he murmured in her mouth.

  “But I like doing this,” she said with a saucy grin.”

  He flipped her onto her back. “That’s good to know.” He kissed her long and hard, tasting, sipping and nibbling. She wrapped both legs around him and arched up to him. Not sure he could take much more of this, he eased away, and she cried out with need.

  He wanted to ravage her, but he somehow managed to refrain. He’d waited a long time for this and he wanted to draw it out. Still breathing hard, he lay on his side, propped his head up with a hand, then coasted his other hand down her flat stomach, making circles as he eased his way toward her center. Haley gasped and her hips jerked off the bed. He leaned down and kissed her quivering stomach. She opened for him, straining for more.

  He nuzzled her breast, forced himself to go slow. “You like that?”

  “Yes,” she answered breathlessly. He took a breast into his mouth and teased her with his tongue as his hand slid down between her legs, where she was ready. So ready. He almost lost it. He dipped a finger into her, added a
nother, then slowly eased out. She arched higher. “Please, Ethan.” He stroked her, giving her what she wanted. When she exploded around his fingers, he watched in wonder, barely controlling his own need.

  “Oh. My. God.” Haley went limp, a satisfied smile on her face.

  He stroked her hair away from her face. “You’re incredible.”

  “I can’t move,” she said as her breath came in gasps.

  “I’d bet a month’s salary, I can make you move.” Grinning he tugged on a nipple, laved it with his tongue then made a slow trail down her belly.

  Her muscles clenched. “You don’t play fair.”

  “That’s because you drive me insane.” He eased above her, parted her legs and covered her mound with the palm of his hand, rubbing gently. She opened wider, inviting him in.

  Never taking his eyes off of her face, he entered her. When he was in as deep as he could go he pulled out, taking it slow and savoring every second. When he knew he couldn’t take this one more minute, he thrust into her and began the rhythm that took them both over the edge in a matter of minutes.

  He collapsed on top of her and she wrapped her arms around him, feeling his heart pound against hers. She’d never felt so sexy and so fulfilled. She let out a long, satisfied sigh.

  After a few minutes he raised his head and smiled, kissed her lightly, and then rolled onto his back, taking her with him. He eased her head down to his chest. “That was incredible. You are incredible.”

  “I think you’re the one who’s incredible, but we can have do-overs and discuss this further.”

  He chuckled. “Deal. Just give me thirty minutes.”

  She raised her head and kissed him. “Take as long as you need. I’m perfectly content right where I am.”

  ****

  Ethan’s stomach growled and Haley ran a hand down his taut belly. He grabbed it and kissed her palm. “You wore me out and I’m starving.” Ethan scooted out of bed, pulling Haley with him. He tossed her clothes to her and then pulled on a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Haley got dressed in record time, and he took her hand just as his stomach let out another rumble. “I can’t believe you’re not hungry, you little tigress.”