Steele Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  He hurried in front of Lily, holding her behind him with one hand as the driver slammed the truck into park, right in front of the arch, and hopped out.

  An average-sized man with a stark bald head and bright blue eyes hurried toward them. His eyes darted around, and then focused in on them again. “Gunner Steele?”

  “Klein?” Gunner asked back.

  “Tell me where Sutton met his wife,” the man demanded.

  Gunner searched his memory for the story Agatha had shared with him. “They loved each other when they were young, but she was blackmailed into marrying the Duke. Sutton rescued her from that weasel a couple years ago.”

  “It’s close. A year and a half ago, not two, and that man was a mangy mongrel not a weasel. What was Sutton’s son’s name?”

  Gunner hadn’t known Sutton’s son, but some of the other security guys had been in his platoon with him when he died. “Doug.”

  Klein nodded, studied Gunner’s eyes and muttered, “I have to be sure. What’s your sister Lottie’s middle name?”

  “Lynn.” Gunner was tiring of the questions and wanted Lily off this street. “We need to get her inside, she’s freezing.”

  Klein held up a hand. “Just one more question.”

  Gunner refrained from rolling his eyes. This man was going out of his way to help them and was bringing them to his home. If Gunner hadn’t been told by Sutton what Klein looked like and that he was eccentric, he’d be concerned too. But how many other couples were waiting by the elk arch in their swimsuits? “Okay.”

  “Is your brother Jex dating his assistant Pearl or is all the flirting to up his followers?’

  Gunner smiled. “We all tease him about dating her, but as far as I’ve seen it’s all in fun.”

  “Ripper.” He flashed Gunner a smile and nodded to Lily who had eased out from behind Gunner during the exchange. “Pleasure to meet you, love.” It had taken Gunner a second, but this man was definitely Australian. How had he ended up in the Queen’s Navy?

  Gunner didn’t waste time, escorting Lily around to the passenger side, and then lifting her into the truck. She pushed his hands away and muttered, “I’ve got it.”

  Gunner’s stomach dropped. He was the one who’d deceived her the past few days and pulled away from their embrace, so he wasn’t sure why her rejection hurt. It was for the best. He couldn’t just fall in love and carry her off on his missions.

  She slid over into the middle seat. Gunner climbed up after her as Klein also jumped in.

  “Buckle up,” he called before dropping it into gear and roaring into a turn, flipping a one-eighty and flying back down the street.

  Lily fell against Gunner. He steadied her with his arm and smiled at her. Apparently, she was still mad at him though as she didn’t return the smile and quickly pulled away, yanking her seat belt on. He wished he hadn’t released her from the hug, he wished he hadn’t had to lie to her, but he had a job to do. His attraction to the impressive woman sitting stiffly beside him needed to take a backseat. He hoped he really was as strong as he thought.

  Lily tried to hold herself straight, so she didn’t brush against Gunner. That hug had been absolutely beautiful, even more so than their teasing and almost kiss in the water last night. His being tender with her and holding her close had aroused all kinds of warm and appreciative feelings toward this tough, serious man, as if he were her safe spot and the most excitement she’d ever found. But then he’d pulled away and it all rushed back: he’d lied to her and was only here because he’d been hired by her mother; and she didn’t know that she could trust him.

  “Sutton didn’t give me much,” Klein said. “Big surprise there, Mr. Cool Englishman who’s tougher and more dapper than James Bond.”

  Lily didn’t know Sutton at all, but Gunner didn’t react to the comment, so it must’ve been true. She glanced at the dash of the truck, it had more buttons and gizmos than an airplane cockpit.

  “I’m just grateful I can finally repay the old chap,” Klein said.

  “For what?” Gunner asked.

  “Saved my life back in the Queen’s Navy.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, sir,” Gunner said. “How did you end up in the Queen’s Navy? Aren’t you Australian?”

  Klein smiled. “Quick story: I was born in Perth but me Mum and Dad relocated to England while I was an ankle biter.”

  Lily thought ankle biter meant child, but she wasn’t one-hundred percent sure. Gunner’s arm brushed hers and butterflies erupted in her stomach. She pulled her arms tighter around herself, trying to be strong when she wanted to turn into his embrace again.

  “After university and a stint in the Navy, I relocated to Sydney and made my fortune in the shipping industry, lots of hard yakka, but I won’t complain about being rich. It’s given me loads of opportunities to help.” He glanced at Lily as they drove west of town. “Are you cold in your bathers, love?”

  “B-bathers?” she asked.

  “Your swimsuit,” Gunner said.

  “Oh.” Lily laughed. “Yes, I’m cold.”

  Gunner stiffened next to her, but she didn’t feel too bad for him. She’d said she liked him, after he’d earned her trust and then damaged it. She’d acted like a sappy fool, again, and instead of reassuring her, he’d pulled away. Awkward, embarrassed, humiliated, falling in love with the a man who was too tough and focused to return her affection. She wasn’t sure where she was right now. She was glad Klein had picked them up, for a lot of reasons.

  Klein turned up the heat and soon pinpricks of sensation in her toes told her she might not lose them.

  “I bought a few things for the two of you at the servo, but it didn’t have a very good selection. We’ll go tomorrow and get more if you need.”

  “Thank you.” What was a servo?

  “So, what brought you to America?” Gunner asked.

  “A Sheila.” Klein laughed heartily and grinned at the two of them. “What makes a man do anything wanky?” His eyes went to the ceiling. “Sorry, love.”

  Lily stared at him. Had his wife passed? How did she ask that? She was pretty sure he hadn’t been talking to her right then.

  He gave Lily a sideways smile. “The Mrs. didn’t like it when I teased her too much. But she was such a beaut when I teased her, I couldn’t help meself.”

  “I’m sorry she’s gone.”

  “Thanks, love. It’s been a rough spell for me, I was pissed for months.”

  Lily pressed her lips together, not sure how to respond to that one.

  “No worries, love. I gave that up. Me sweets Marley wouldn’t have liked it and besides teasing her nonstop, I toed the line. Couldn’t risk losing my beaut.” He winked and Lily could bet a lot of money that he’d never toed the line. “Now enough about me. What’s the story with you?”

  Lily waited. Gunner could give his version. She didn’t really care at the moment. All she wanted was warmth, a bathroom, and food then a change of clothes and a bed. Gunner shifted and his arm and leg both pressed against her, and she couldn’t forget that hug in the park. The warmth had been a bonus but being in his arms had meant so much more than warmth to her. If she was honest, she’d admit that she still very much wanted to develop something more with Gunner. Dang him.

  “Lily’s got some dangerous men after her. We fled from southern Idaho in a friend’s truck with no money, weapons, phones, or clothes.” He gestured to his bare chest reflected in the dash lights, and Lily had to swallow hard and look away. “I appreciate you coming for us and being willing to help.”

  “Defo. I didn’t have much going but cleaning me weapons and planning the next hunting expedition. This’ll be a rip for me.”

  He pulled up to a gate with a tall fence stretching as far as she could see into the darkness and typed in a security code. Lily waited for the gate to swing open, but another pad came out and he pressed his thumb against it, then a third pad that he spoke into, “Klein Martin.” The gate finally swung open.

  Lily
glanced at Gunner, for some reason unable to not tease with him. “Some old chap is serious about his security,” she said in a mock undertone.

  Thank heavens. The tough Gunner Steele and her own knowledge of self-defense were good, but knowing that they were going to sleep in a lockdown like this was comforting. She really wanted to sleep and just shut everything out for a while. Not just her mother and those men coming after them with machine guns. Gunner was messing with her usually level head.

  Gunner gave her his full grin, and she melted despite herself.

  “Someone’s cheeky,” Klein said. “Good on ya.”

  Luckily for Gunner, he tried to hide his smile and didn’t say anything.

  “Me Marley would’ve liked you.” Klein pulled down a long drive. Lily couldn’t see much into the woods beyond lots of pine trees.

  A large house finally appeared. It fit perfectly into the rustic surroundings with massive wooden beams decorating the porch and wood trim around the numerous, large windows. It was lit with exterior lights and the exterior finish appeared to be a wide hardy plank. Klein drove around the side and one of the five garages slid open.

  He eased the truck inside, hopped out, and fished some bags out of the rear seat. Gunner slid out also, extending his hand to Lily. She wanted to refuse him, but it wasn’t really her style to be acting so put-out. Yet she wanted him to know that lying to her the past few days and his recent rejection at the elk arch had hurt.

  She put her palm against his, and all those lovely feelings she’d felt every time they touched surfaced again. Gunner startled, as if he felt them also, but he said nothing. It was wanky being attracted to a tough, military boy. Lily smiled. She might steal that expression.

  Gunner’s eyebrows lifted but he didn’t question her smile. He also didn’t release her hand as they followed Klein through the spacious, spotless garage and through a door into the house. Lily liked the way their hands fit together. She liked feeling like she was with someone. She’d never had a special someone. Could she trust him? Her heart was saying she should. Her mind was trying to keep up with this emotional roller coaster.

  He escorted her to the closest bathroom, right off the mudroom and the garage. Klein handed over a long-sleeved t-shirt that said Jackson Hole and some yoga-type pants. “They’re going to be … tight on you, love. Me Marley was a little one. I loved every inch of that body.” His eyes got a faraway look in them.

  Gunner studiously avoiding looking at Lily, but his jaw was twitching as if he were holding back a smile.

  “Guess I forgot how …” He glanced over Lily and then away, “tough and well-formed some Sheilas can be,” Klein continued.

  “The clothes will be perfect,” Lily reassured him, her cheeks flushing. She knew she was fit, and she wasn’t that tall at five-eight. His Marley must’ve been miniscule. “Thank you.”

  “It’s me pleasure.”

  Lily released Gunner’s hand and hurried into the bathroom. She used it quickly then slipped the long-sleeved t-shirt over her head. It was skin tight. The pants weren’t much better. She slid back into the cheap flip flops and looked at her rat’s nest of hair. Maybe later she could shower and wash it but right now she needed food. She finger-brushed her long hair, and then braided it at the bottom. Her mother would be disgusted to see her unkempt, but Gunner still seemed to think she was attractive.

  Hurrying from the bathroom, she was surprised to see Gunner waiting for her. One glance at him and she burst into laughter. “You too, huh?”

  He rolled his eyes. He was still wearing his swimsuit and had on a long-sleeved Jackson Hole t-shirt that was so tight every muscle was on fine display. “Apparently I’m ‘heaps of a Bruce’.” He smiled. “It means a big guy.”

  “You are a big guy.” She didn’t mind his too-tight shirt but was self-conscious in hers, which was silly, as she’d spent the past six hours in nothing but a swimsuit. Tugging at the corner of her shirt, she said, “Did you not get pants?”

  “Couldn’t get them past my knees.” He looked her over. “You look … good.”

  “Did that hurt you?”

  “Giving a compliment?” A soft smile appeared. “I’m finding it’s easy with you.”

  He took a step closer and Lily’s breath shortened. She couldn’t do much besides stare as he moved in even more and rested one hand behind her on the wall. “I’m sorry I hid the truth from you.”

  She swallowed and didn’t know what to say, so she simply nodded.

  “And I’m sorry I pulled away earlier.”

  Lily could not believe the tough guy could apologize.

  “You’re confusing me,” she admitted. She wanted to forgive him and kiss him, but he had hid the truth from her, yet he hadn’t known her and had come into the situation with only the information from her mother. She couldn’t imagine what her mother would have told him.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “If it helps at all, I’m confused too.”

  “About what?”

  He shrugged his broad shoulders. “How to act with you. If we can go somewhere after this is resolved.”

  Wow. That was more open than she’d expected.

  “You’re impressive to me, Lily. If I was a normal guy, I’d be pursuing you, pouring out my heart to you, but my career and life make that … tough.”

  Lily’s heart swelled. “So, you … like me, but you don’t know how to fit me into your world?”

  He gave her half a grin and eased even closer. “That’s a good way to phrase it.”

  Maybe he deserved another chance, at least she deserved one sweet kiss from him. Would he kiss her now or clam up and pull away? The searing look in his dark eyes said the kiss was a distinct possibility. The desire arcing between them could’ve started a forest fire.

  Lily lifted both palms and flattened them against his broad chest. “I really like the shirt.”

  His breath was coming in fast pants, but he said evenly, “Yours is nicer.”

  Lily smiled.

  In one swift movement, Gunner pinned her against the wall with his body. Lily gasped in surprise and pleasure as both his hands cupped her face, and he slowly lowered his head to hers. Their mouths were centimeters apart. His warm breath on her lips making her tingle with anticipation. Lily closed her eyes and parted her mouth. She was not going to turn her head and tease him this time.

  “Ripper,” came from much too close. “I thought you two were hungry and knackered, but here you are with the energy to pash.”

  Gunner slowly drew his head back, but kept staring at her. His eyes were hungry, for her, as they moved over her face. Lily felt faint and irritated. Dang Klein for interrupting them. But he was right, she was hungry and tired, and she should be questioning how easily she could fall into Gunner Steele’s arms.

  “Come on, you bludgers. Let’s get some food in you then I’ll show you your room. You can pash all night for all I care, but I want to feed you, give you your instructions, and get some sleep too. I’m not used to all this excitement.” He winked at Lily. “Come on.”

  Gunner finally stepped back but took her hand again. Lily glanced up at him as they quietly followed Klein down a wide hallway and into a large open space with a kitchen, dining area, and living room combined. He’d apologized for keeping things from her twice now, he was sorry he’d pulled away in the park, he’d admitted she was impressive to him and he’d date her if he could, and he’d almost kissed her. She wasn’t one to hold a grudge, unless it was against her mother, but could she let herself fall for him? Gunner Steele was a somber but extraordinary man, and she was far too invested in him already. She found herself thinking, as they sat at the counter and Klein started pushing dishes of food at them, that her mother sending Gunner Steele her way was the first good thing Bella Jolie had ever done for her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gunner put away a lot of food, grateful that Klein’s other hobby, besides killing things, was cooking. He was far too aware of the irresistible woman seated clo
se by him. She didn’t eat as much as he did, but she was obviously hungry too. He was feeling sleepy and wishing he could get Lily alone and finish what he started in that hallway, but it was probably good Klein interrupted them. Gunner needed Jex here to smack him upside the head and demand to know when his brain had vacated the spot between his ears. He truly didn’t know what he was thinking, and when he was close to Lily, he didn’t want to know. What man wanted to waste time thinking or analyzing when he had a woman like Lily in his arms? He’d tried earlier to convince himself that was all it was, his manly reaction to a gorgeous woman. She was gorgeous, but for him her allure went so much deeper than that. He’d been honest with her that he was confused and for the first time in his life wishing he were a normal man who could settle down with a beautiful wife in the suburbs. Lily seemed to be the fit for him.

  He shook his head, trying to stop all the analyzing and worrying, and drank some more water. He was as thirsty as he was hungry. Klein had told them stories during dinner: how the bludger Sutton had saved his life; how he’d met and fallen in love with his “Mrs.”; how they’d both reacted to the breast cancer. Klein was an interesting guy and somehow made even cancer stories funny. He’d bought his wife a shirt that read, “Of course they’re fake, the real ones tried to kill me.” Lily had laughed hard about that one then sobered and expressed sincere sorrow for his loss.

  “Well, the pair of you had better get some rest.” Klein stood and fished a cell phone out of a drawer, handing it to Gunner. “This one’s for emergencies. It’s got the coppers, Sutton’s number, and my number programmed into it.”

  “Thank you.” Gunner pocketed the phone. He wanted to call Sutton and check in, but that could wait a few minutes. “Let me help you clean up.”

  Klein waved off the offer, but Lily was already on her feet, grabbing their dirty plates. Gunner followed her with their cups and silverware. They loaded food into Tupperware and dishes into the dishwasher.

  Klein’s phone rang and he murmured, “Excuse me.” Pulling it out, he grinned and slid it on. “Sutton, you dodger, sending me ankle biters looking for a handout.” Klein winked at them but then his smile disappeared quickly. “Is that right?” He strode up to Gunner and handed him the phone.