by Candis Terry
“Good.” She came around the desk, curled her fingers in his shirt, and forced him to look her in the eye. “Then let’s get one thing straight, shall we? I am not going to change a thing about myself to accommodate you. I am not going to stop wanting you. And I sure as hell am not going to stop trying to make you want me too. Got that, boss?”
“You don’t play fair.”
“Nobody ever said life was fair.” She uncurled her fingers and stepped back, giving him a frustrated push. “Especially in love and war. Haven’t you ever heard that before?”
For a moment he stood there looking gorgeous and confused.
For a moment she felt bad.
Disbelief curved his lips downward. “Are . . . are you saying you love me?”
“Are you saying you don’t think you’re loveable?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I mean yes. I don’t think I am.”
That crushed her. “Why?”
“I think I fit more into the tyrant category. And who could ever love a tyrant?”
“You’re not a tyrant.” Anger fled and compassion stepped up. “How do you even come to that conclusion?”
“Don’t make a big deal out of it, Brooke. I know who I am.”
“Apparently you don’t.”
“Yes. I do. I’m a workaholic who makes no time for anything outside of work. Everything I do is solitary because I don’t make time to make a lot of friends. And I don’t make a lot of friends because I don’t have time for them. I don’t make time for relationships of any kind. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Each word jabbed her in the heart. She didn’t see him like that at all. If she did she’d never have fallen so hard for him. But why would he shut himself off from everyone? What was the actual deep down reason that made him do such a thing?
She didn’t understand at all why he held himself back from enjoying life. Or enjoying her. But those were things to be discovered another day when emotions weren’t high and the chances of saying something both of them would regret were countless.
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.” He inhaled a breath that tightened the cotton shirt across his chest. “Then you understand why what happened last night . . . shouldn’t ever happen again?”
Dear God. If he could only feel the way he was looking at her right now, like he wanted to wrap her in his arms and hold on tight. And, hopeful romantic that she was, she noted that he’d said shouldn’t not couldn’t. Two totally different things.
“Loud and clear, boss.”
“So we’re just going to go back to the way things were twenty-four hours ago?”
“You know I’m good at following orders,” she said. “But that request is completely delusional.”
“And why is that?”
Men. She withheld an eye roll.
“Because within the last twenty-four hours you wanted me. And you gave me this beautiful bracelet as a thoughtful gift. And we had amazing sex. Four times. But don’t worry, boss man. Like always, I’ve got everything under control.”
“And what exactly does everything encompass?”
A crazy sense of relief flowed through her when he didn’t deny wanting her.
“It means that in the future I’ll plan my work and work my plan.” And her plan was to continue to make him see that life didn’t revolve around a messy desk—unless that happened to be the place you were having wild monkey sex.
Frustration rolled off him like heat waves in the Sahara. Dec left his grandfather’s cabin and Brooke to get some fresh air. And a drink. He definitely needed a drink and it wasn’t even noon. So he settled for a strong cup of coffee and a slice of lemon meringue pie at the Muddy Cup Café in beautiful downtown Sunshine.
Sometimes a guy just needed to clear his head. To figure things out. Because right now he was more confused than when he’d woken up this morning. Why not do it with caffeine and sugar? A sound idea except the coffee made him think of the fresh pot he’d made that morning for Brooke but hadn’t stuck around to share, and the sugar made him think of the sweet caramel mousse he’d licked off her delicious body last night.
Now he was on his second cup and trying not to think. At all. Not helping was reading the local trash paper Talk of the Town. The front-page headline made his eyes cross.
GUNS OF STEEL:
HOTTEST BICEPS IN HOLLYWOOD
And this had exactly what to do with living in Sunshine Valley?
His family had some previous issues with Talk of the Town when the editor, who dreamed of a job working for the Weekly World News or the National Enquirer, had run an unfavorable story on Jordan and Lucy that nearly destroyed their fragile relationship. Both his brother and future sister-in-law had told off the bitter woman who ran the place, but nothing had changed. The news coming out of the modest building on Main Street was still a pile of garbage and lies and would have been put to better use in a construction site outhouse.
“Can I interest you in another piece?”
Declan looked up to find the middle-aged server with fiery red hair leaning one hip against his table in an obvious attempt to flirt. He wasn’t sure whether she was offering another piece of pie or something more personal.
“Thanks. I’m good.”
“I’ll bet you are.” She winked. Then after refilling his coffee cup she said, “If you change your mind, just give me a nod.” Luckily she didn’t hang around and wait for him to change his mind. Instead she carried the steaming carafe to the next booth and used her same flirting techniques on the two elderly gentlemen enjoying a late breakfast.
Dec folded the so-called newspaper and pushed it across the table. There was only so much nonsense one could take in a day.
He was pretty sure the paper had gone to the extremes of exaggeration when it printed a story about Bill and Hillary Clinton adopting an alien baby. The trouble was, not even these outrageous stories could take his mind off Brooke. Before he left the cabin she’d shut herself inside the office and immersed herself in work. It was exactly what he deserved. He should have let her know how much the night before meant to him. Instead, he’d fallen back on his old ways and told her it couldn’t happen again in the future.
The conversation had been another stabbing reminder why he stayed away from personal relationships. He just wasn’t any good at them. Even the relationship with his twin brother had deteriorated over the years.
Yes, since the death of their parents and since Jordy had come home, it had gotten better. But there was a time when—without going into the whole twinsie communication thing—they were as close as two brothers could be. But something had happened to Dec when his twin took off for greener pastures and neglected everything in Sunshine. Including his own family.
Though he wanted his brother to be successful, Dec had taken offense. Jordan had always been the more outgoing, the more physical one. While Dec hadn’t let any grass grow beneath his feet where the girls were concerned, and without allowing himself to fall into the geek category, he’d studied his ass off. He’d had to. School hadn’t come easily for him because of his dyslexia—a secret his parents had taken with them to the grave.
Back in the day, had his brothers known, they would have teased him mercilessly. Not that they didn’t love him, but they were rough-and-tumble boys who beat the shit out of each other for fun.
His teachers had misdiagnosed him with ADHD because he’d been clever enough to figure out how to distract from a situation when he didn’t understand something. When he was correctly diagnosed with dyslexia, everything changed. He figured out how to deal with the problem and how to overcome it as much as possible. But while doing so, he’d been reserved and missed out on a lot of social skills—something that continued to this day. As long as he stuck to the one thing he knew—business—he figured he’d always be all right.
He’d never expected an amazing woman would step into his carefully planned world and mix it up so he felt like he had to learn all over again.
The fiery-haired waitress grabbed a menu and escorted the blonde to a booth in the opposite direction. Though she hadn’t noticed him, she sat facing him, which gave him ample opportunity to observe her.
She ordered tea, not coffee. Sourdough toast, no butter, no jam. And she didn’t remove the dark sunglasses.
Dec’s curiosity soared.
Who the hell was this woman?
He watched as she pulled her cell phone out of a black purse, typed something in, and then smiled. Who was she texting? And what would bring such a reticent smile to her face? Why not a full smile?
And why was he so obsessed?
Yes, she was an attractive woman, but that’s definitely not what stirred up his attention. At the moment he couldn’t think of anyone but Brooke in that sense. But the mystery the woman had brought with her when she’d shown up at the vineyard couldn’t be ignored.
He picked up his coffee cup and made his way to her table. “Mind if I join you?”
Startled, she looked up from behind those sunglasses and frowned. “I’d prefer to have my breakfast alone, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind.” He sat down opposite her and set his cup on the table. “Because I’m curious.”
“About?”
As if she didn’t know.
“About why you showed up at our family vineyard. About why you seemed surprised when you were told that our father—and mother—were dead. About why you abruptly left without enlightening my brothers and me as to why you were there to see our father.” He sipped his coffee. “Among other things.”
“And I believe I told you it was personal.”
“Actually, you said it was business. So now I’m even more curious.”
Lili MacKay’s lips flattened into a thin line.
“So which is it, Ms. MacKay? Business? Or personal?”
From behind the dark lenses her eyes darted left and right as though looking for an escape. Too bad he was between her and the door, and she wasn’t going anywhere until she told him the truth.
“Why do you care?”
“Because you came to our family vineyard, looking for my father. Isn’t that enough?”
“Look, Mr. . . . Kincade. My business isn’t with you. And if you don’t mind, I’m really not in the mood to share my deepest darkest secrets with a complete stranger.”
Dec sat back, the vinyl booth cool against his spine.
“And now you’re talking about secrets. So tell me why I shouldn’t be curious as hell about you.”
“I’m really not all that exciting.”
“My father—if he were alive—might disagree. Yes?”
The harsh intake of air she pulled into her lungs said he’d nailed it.
“I think it would be a good idea if you came back to the office with me.”
Her head tilted. “Why?”
“How many ways do you want me to say it, Ms. MacKay? You either want something or you have some vital information. I think it’s important that my brothers and I know which it is. We’ve already been dealing with enough after our parents’ deaths. I certainly don’t see you keeping your deepest darkest secret constructive.”
She finally removed the sunglasses. “Others might disagree.”
Holy shit.
Dec had a feeling he now knew why Lili MacKay had suddenly appeared in their lives. If he was right, it would crush every single thing any of them had ever believed.
Chapter 13
Much as it happened in a complicated business deal, a change of tactics and demeanor became necessary for Dec to get Lili into his car so he could drive her to where his brothers would meet them at the vineyard office. Not that Dec didn’t trust her to drive her own car, but . . . he didn’t trust her. She had a scared rabbit look all over her, including the trembling of her hands as she fidgeted with things in her purse.
“No need to be nervous,” he said, glancing over at her and for some reason feeling sorry for whatever situation she might be in. He didn’t know how forthcoming she might be. He only hoped she’d tell the truth and kill the terrible suspicion rising inside him.
“That’s easy for you to say.” She brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “You have the upper hand.”
“How’s that?”
“You aren’t walking into the lion’s den.” Her glare burned him, even from behind her sunglasses. “You are the lion’s den.”
Contrary to his feelings, he chuckled. “You remind me of my sister.”
Her eyes popped wide. “You have a sister too? And two brothers?”
“Four brothers. Two weren’t there when you came in. But they’ll be there now.” He could guarantee it.
“Great.” She sighed and looked out the window.
The rest of the drive was silent. When they reached the vineyard parking lot, she hesitated before she got out of the car. Dec felt a need to calm her fears but really couldn’t figure out why he’d feel protective of her at all. Basically he was only there as a guard to make sure she didn’t escape before she clued them all in on her mission.
Once she was outside in the fresh air she seemed to pull herself together. She held her head high, straightened her shoulders, and with her sunglasses firmly in place, walked toward the office with determination.
Inside the office the brothers were waiting. Well, actually they were arguing about whom they thought would win the World Series that year, but that was nothing new. Quarreling seemed to be a daily occurrence. Just one of the many things that made being a sibling fun.
When he and Lili came into the room the conversation stopped and even he felt the force of their displeasure.
“Ms. MacKay.” Ryan waved his hand at the empty chair opposite his desk. “Have a seat.” The brothers were in various positions around the room, either leaning against a wall, the desk, or sitting with their arms folded. Regardless of their physical positions, they were a united force. If he’d been anyone other than one of them, he might be intimidated as hell.
“I prefer to stand, thank you,” Lili said.
“For a quick escape?” Jordan asked. When her head snapped around to glare at him, he said, “Have a seat, Ms. MacKay. And that is not a request.”
Pressing her lips into a thin line that proclaimed her annoyance, she plopped down in the chair.
Ryan leaned back and steepled his fingers together. “Declan says you’ve decided to enlighten us about the reason you came to see our father.”
“More like I was persuaded to enlighten you.”
“Dec is a businessman who persuades people to trust him with their money,” Ryan said. “And he’s very good at it.”
“Apparently.” She folded her arms and crossed her legs.
Her body language was closed off and Dec hoped they could make some kind of progress before everyone had a meltdown.
“Would you care for some coffee? Tea? A stiff drink?” Ryan tried to use humor to ease the woman’s obvious tension.
“What I’d like . . .” She glanced at the faces surrounding her. “Is an introduction to each of you. I always like to know the enemy by name if possible.”
“We’re not your enemy, Ms. MacKay.” Jordan gave her a tight smile he’d probably used on the ice against his opponents. “Yet.”
“Who are you? Mr. Intimidation? And what is it you do besides give out veiled threats?”
“I like your spunk, kid. Jordan Kincade.” He offered his hand, which she timidly shook. “Second in line brother. Fraternal twin to Declan, whom you’ve already met. Former NHL player for the Carolina Vipers. Currently a pain in the ass to my siblings while I figure out what to do with my life besides marry the woman of my dreams in a few months.”
His light banter made her smile as she pointed to the man behind the desk. “And you?”
“Ryan Kincad
e.” He also offered his hand. “Firstborn. Divorced. Father to nine-year-old Riley. General manager for the vineyard.”
Next she looked to Parker who, while no question the easiest-going brother, currently wore a scowl. Still, he managed to offer his hand. “Parker Kincade. Fourth in line. Single. Chef and owner of a Portland food truck.”
She glanced up to Ethan, who sat perched with one hip on the desk. “And you?”
“Ethan. Baby brother. Single. Firefighter.” He grinned. “Nicest of the bunch.”
“I call BS on that.” Jordan punched his arm.
“Our sister Nicole is missing because we weren’t sure what you had to say,” Ryan said. “She just turned eighteen and is still quite emotional after the loss of our parents.”
“My condolences.” Lili swallowed. “There sure are a lot of you.”
“True,” Ryan admitted. “And when locked together in a room for too long we get a little tense. So maybe you can relieve our curiosity by telling us what business you had with our father.”
Ryan might be the quietest brother, but he could also be intimidating as hell. A trait he learned being the oldest, and therefore the one assigned to keep the rest of their sorry asses in line.
Lili took a deep breath, reached in her purse, and pulled out an envelope that she handed to Ryan.
After a brief hesitation, Ryan unfolded the paper inside. In 0.3 seconds his eyebrows jacked up his forehead and Dec’s stomach twisted.
Eyes piercing, Ryan glared at Lili. “Is this some kind of joke?”
Lili flinched. “I assure you it’s not.”
“What the hell is it?” Declan stepped forward and snatched the paper from Ryan’s hand. He read the words. Twice. Then he cut a glare across the desk at the blonde who seemed to be shrinking in her chair.
Verification of his suspicion.
Fuck.
“Take off your sunglasses,” Dec demanded.
“I’m not sure why that matters.”
“Please do it anyway.”
Slowly she lifted a hand and removed the sunglasses.
A united gasp and one “holy shit” pervaded the room.