“I owe you a hot chocolate, but I hope you don’t mind waiting.” He dropped the leaf and nodded toward the teenager gazing at her brother with adoration in her blue eyes.
Oh boy. Could she ever relate. She felt just as ditzy and out of control.
“I think I’d better take my sister home.”
She nodded.
He turned his attention to the girl. “Missy, we should probably get going.”
The teen cocked her head at a defiant angle, and for a moment, Evie thought she was about to protest, but then she glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah, I want to be well-rested for my first day of work tomorrow.”
Evie returned her smile. “Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Trust me. Your back will thank you at the end of the day.”
“Okay. See you at noon.”
With one last nod, Lucas thanked Mr. Wyne for his hospitality, the guys for a good game, then shoved the sexy Stetson on his head and ambled toward his truck with his sister.
Evie stood and watched his retreat, every sweet, cowboy-booted, step of the way, uncaring who noticed, because…mamma mia, the guy could fill out a pair of Wranglers.
“Better put your tongue back in your mouth, sis, or someone might step on it,” Nico joked, dropping an arm around her shoulders.
“I can’t help it.” She laughed. “Santo cielo! He’s…” She paused, at a loss for words.
“Hot.” Faith helped her out.
“Yeah.” She pointed to her friend and nodded. “That.”
But the cowboy wasn’t the only one who was hot. Her whole body simmered and tingled. A completely new experience. An exciting one. Never in a million years did she think she’d ever feel this way, especially about a soldier.
Even more astonishing was her brother’s apparent approval.
Just her luck Nico gave it the week she’d decided to go no male.
Chapter Four
Lucas slipped on his boots and stood, refusing to dwell on the reason his palms were sweaty and stomach felt as if he’d swallowed a damn bee hive. He was just taking his sister to work, then heading to work himself.
No big deal.
He walked down the hall and wrapped his knuckles off the bathroom door. “You about ready, Missy?”
The door had been closed for nearly an hour. Surely, she’d come out of there soon. Good thing he’d grabbed a shower earlier. Man, what in the world can a sixteen-year-old be doing that takes so long?
A second later, the door swung open.
“Just need to put my sneaks on.”
Emerging in jeans and a T-shirt, with her hair pulled back in a pony, she looked cute, but…Jesus, that required an hour? He’d hate to see how long it took her to get ready for prom.
He stepped inside to check himself in the mirror, then scowled. What the hell was he doing? Pivoting around, he marched out of the room and down the stairs. He was losing sight of his priorities.
His move up north wasn’t to find a woman. It was to make a home for his sister so she didn’t end up in foster care. She was the woman he needed to concentrate on.
And yet, the pretty Italian, with caramel colored hair and eyes, continued to invade his thoughts. It didn’t help that she’d felt incredible in his arms when he’d helped her off the ground last night. Neither did the way she gazed at him like she wanted to eat him up.
He was only human. Hell. He’d nearly lost control twice with her yesterday. And they’d only just met.
“Okay. I’m ready,” his sister announced, meeting him by the front door with her coat on as he slipped into the winter coat Mason had encouraged him to buy.
There was an actual sparkle in her eyes today. He liked it.
“You’re going to do great.”
She shrugged, her expression closing up before she slipped out the door.
He stared after her, cursing under his breath. What’d I say?
Damned if he knew. He just didn’t get women.
Jamming the Stetson on his head, he prayed for patience and strode out the door.
This brother thing was new to him, so the sister thing was obviously new to her, too, he reasoned on their quiet drive to Martelli’s Pizza Bar and Grille. He’d love to know why she was so hot and cold toward him. Made no sense.
He pulled into the busy parking lot, but got lucky with a spot near the front door.
“Thanks,” she said and made to get out.
“Hang on. I’m going in with you.” To make sure things got squared away. Yes. It had nothing to do with seeing Evie, again. Absolutely nothing.
Missy’s shoulders slumped. “Fine.”
Yep. Never figure them out.
He held the door open for an elderly couple leaving with Styrofoam leftover containers in their hands.
“Thank you, young man. Merry Christmas.” They smiled, and he returned the sentiment before following his frowning sister inside.
The delicious aroma of marinara, garlic, and melted cheese filled the air. His stomach rumbled in appreciation, while his gaze took in a clean, spacious dining area already partially decorated for the holidays with a tree in the corner, garland looped around ceiling fans, and plastic snowflakes hanging from half the ceiling.
Judging by the opened boxes of decorations in the corner, he gathered Evie was decorating between customers.
The restaurant was bigger than he’d expected. It wasn’t a typical pizza joint, although red-checkered tablecloths covered the tables already filled with jovial customers, and a clock in the shape of Italy hung on the wall across from the bar where Nico stood bullshitting.
“Hey, how’s it going?” His friend nodded at them.
He nodded back, while his sister mumbled a greeting and blushed.
“Missy, Lucas, hi,” Evie greeted, coming out from behind the pickup counter with a clipboard in her hand. “I’ve got some paperwork for you to fill out. Let’s take this booth over here.”
He tried, really tried not to notice, but…damn. T-shirts and jeans were made for a woman built like her. Curves in all the right places. She’d look good in a paper bag.
Even better out of it.
Ah hell.
Pathetic. He needed to get control of his thoughts. He removed his hat and set it on the booth before sliding in.
“What kind of paperwork?” Missy asked, sitting across from him.
Evie joined her and smiled. “Just an application and the dreaded tax forms.”
“Oh.” His sister glanced at them, her brow furrowing.
The phone rang behind the counter, and the petite bombshell rose to her feet. “Sorry. I’ve got to get back to work. If you have any questions, ask.” Then she rushed back behind the counter.
With those mouthwatering curves away from his general vicinity, he regained lung and brain function. “I have a bit of time before I have to get to work, how about I help you fill these out? They’re not as bad as they look.”
Relief eased the creases in his sister’s forehead, and she actually cracked a smile. “Okay. Thanks.”
Happy for any breadcrumbs she tossed his way, he quickly moved to her side of the booth and spent the next five minutes explaining the joys of tax options.
Baby steps.
The teen was no slouch. He inhaled and straightened as his chest filled with pride. She caught on quick, and within six minutes, she was back at the counter handing Evie her paperwork and personal papers.
“Great. I’ll be right back.” The woman took the clipboard and disappeared in the back room for a few minutes, then returned to hand his sister her papers, along with a red Martelli’s Pizza T-shirt. “I think I got the size right. You can put your coat and things in the back room, and change into the T-shirt now, if you want.”
Missy’s face lit up. “Sweet.”
Evie turned to him and grinned when his sister rushed to the back. “Hope she’s still that excited when she sees the stack of dishes waiting for her in the kitchen.”
He laughed. “I think she’ll be okay t
oday. Not sure how she’ll feel after a few days of it, though.”
“True.” She chuckled. “I was going to ask if she wanted to help me decorate, but thought it was probably best if she stuck to the dishes.” Reaching into an opened box of decoration, she pull out a few more snowflakes. “What do you think? Are you going to put up a tree this year?”
He twisted the brim of his hat around in his hands. “I don’t know. I asked her if she wanted one, but she said no. Still, it’s early yet. She may change her mind.”
Evie placed the snowflakes on the counter, then grabbed the ladder from against the wall. “Yeah. She might.”
“Here, let me help you,” he said, stepping into action. “Where do you want it?” He set the ladder up where she pointed, then held it while she climbed.
With every intention of averting his gaze, he managed not to ogle the abundant swell of her chest, but found himself staring at her sweet ass while she hung a few more snowflakes.
Damn, what a view. Round, and curvy, and eye-level.
The woman unknowingly slaughtered his concentration. Killed his good intentions. Tested his control. And when she leaned to reach a spot on the ceiling, her shirt rode up until he caught a glimpse of smooth skin, and a peek at black lace.
Desire sliced through him fast and fierce, tightening his groan with steel force. He was ten seconds away from doubling over when she lost her footing and began to fall. Lucas let go of the ladder and caught her easily in his arms.
“I got you, darlin’.” He drew her in tight, nodding to let her alarmed brother know he had it all under control. “You okay?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
When she slid her arm around his neck and settled her soft, gorgeous curves against him, his tongue wasn’t the only organ to grow thick.
Damn.
She felt great, even through his opened coat.
“Santo cielo! I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” She blinked up at him.
Hearing her speak Italian was endearing. He laughed. “Of course not.”
“But I weight a ton.”
“Seriously?” He shook his head and sighed. He was never going to understand the opposite sex. They should make a damn manual. “Women must have a different scale than men. You’re light as a feather. Trust me.”
Appreciation lit her eyes and lent color to her cheeks. “Thank you. That’s sweet. You’re sweet. But…you can put me down now.”
He had every intention of doing just that, except the wires in his brain must’ve crossed, because he pulled her in closer and stared into her warm, open gaze. “I like holding you in my arms.”
“I like it, too.” Her blush deepened. “But we should probably both get to work.”
Work. Shit.
“Sorry, darlin’.” He set her on her feet and stepped back. “You have this kind of zombie effect on me.”
Bewilderment clouded her gaze, and a smile tugged at his lips. “You kill my brain cells.”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Ditto, cowboy.”
Ignoring the nearby customers’ curious stares, he was about to toss his reservations aside and ask the beauty out, when his sister reappeared.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked, eagerness pulling some of the shadows from her face.
Damn. His sister’s timing sucked, but it was great to see her mood lighten.
Evie folded the ladder and set it back against the wall. “I have several things.”
“I’ll let you get to it,” he said, shoving the hat on his head. “My last tour ends at four-thirty. What time do you need me back to get Missy?”
“Actually, I can bring her by the resort around then,” she replied. “I’m dropping off a standing order for Ethan at that time.”
He scratched his temple. “Yeah, he did say something about pizza tonight.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.” She grinned. “We’ll see you later.”
“Okay. Great. Thanks.” He turned to his quiet sister. “Good luck with your first day.”
He received a slight lift of her shoulder in response.
Back in the doghouse again.
It’d be great to know what the hell he’d done. He needed to find that damn manual and fast. There had to be at least one chapter on sisters. Next weekend at drill, he was going to corner Nico and Jeremy and ask for pointers. Both men had kid sisters. The guys had to have some tips for him. Though they’d seen the last of their teens a good half-decade ago, at least they’d grown up with their siblings.
He skimmed his gaze over Evie hourglass figure. Yeah, definitely not a kid.
With a quick wave to Nico, he headed outside into the cold northern air and welcomed the crisp breeze. His damn body was still blazing from holding her in his arms.
Avoiding her was key to keeping his concentration on Missy. But, now that she was his sister’s boss, eluding was out of the question.
A lot of cold showers were in his future, or else he was going to do something he hadn’t done in a long time.
Date.
***
As Evie walked into the Wyne Resort with Missy, a thrill raced down her spine at the prospect of seeing Lucas again. All day, her body recalled the feel of those warm, strong arms wrapped around her, and the solid strength beneath the cowboy’s coat.
Another round of goosebumps covered her skin. Fourth time today. The guy was potent. And she’d sworn off guys, dammit. Just thinking about him induced reactions to her neglected body. Followed by guilt. She was with his sister for goodness sakes.
Her grip tightened on the takeout bag filled with breadsticks and wings she was delivering to Ethan Wyne. “Well, Missy, you survived your first day. Are your feet sore?” she asked the girl who carried two pizza boxes with her as they crossed the lobby and headed toward the Wynes’ family wing.
“A little.” The teen smiled. “But I’ll be fine for tomorrow.”
They’d worked out a set schedule of twelve hours a week, including weekends, that she wanted to run by Lucas. “Great. I’ll double-check with your brother to make sure he can get you to and from work at those times, and you’ll be good to go.”
The girl nodded, and opened her mouth, but said nothing.
Evie set a hand on Missy’s arm and pulled her aside out of earshot of the few guests ambling about. “Is everything okay?”
Missy nodded again. “Yeah. It’s just…different, but I’m good.”
She didn’t see how the girl could be good, but didn’t push it. “Well, I’m around if you ever need to talk. Don’t hesitate, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks.” The pretty adolescent straightened her shoulders. “We should probably deliver this to Ethan and Tyler before it gets cold.”
She released her and winked. “You’re right.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence, and as she knocked on Ethan’s door, she made a mental note to keep an eye on her new employee. Something was definitely bothering the young girl besides the loss of her dad.
“Hi, Evie. Hey, Missy, right on time. Come in,” the oldest Wyne brother greeted, then stood back to allow them passage.
He was a sweetheart. A single father who’d recently found love with a gorgeous Broadway star, and she couldn’t be happier for him or his young son.
“Tyler’s in the kitchen, and Phoebe’s on her way from rehearsal.”
“Oh, that’s right. She’s in the Irving Berlin holiday musical at the Ross Theater, isn’t she?”
Ethan nodded. “Yes. It starts next weekend.”
It was one of Evie’s favorite movies. And the woman was wicked-talented. Her performance in Phantom the past summer had blown her, her mom, and Nona away. Heck, the whole county. And next year, the whole world would know when the movie premiered that the actress completed shooting a few weeks back. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Me, too,” Missy said, a spark of excitement lighting her pretty blue eyes.
Ethan chuckled. “Me, three.”
“Well...” She handed him the bag
. “I don’t want to intrude. Just came to deliver your food, and bring Missy to meet up with her brother.”
The handsome man grinned. “You never intrude, Evie, and Lucas is coming here as soon as his hike is over. So, stay and have supper with us.” He cocked his head and winked. “I have it on good authority the food’s delicious.”
She laughed. “Okay, you talked me into it. Their breadsticks are killer.”
Especially to her hips.
“I’m addicted to their pizza,” the teen claimed, leading the way down the hall to the opened kitchen/family room, no doubt familiar with the place from that video game butt-kicking mentioned yesterday.
Tyler greeted the girl with an arm bump after she’d set the pizza on the table. “Sit by me,” he insisted, then turned to her and waved. “Hi, Evie.”
“Hi, Tyler.”
With dark hair and dark eyes, and the Wyne lineage in his favor, the cute little boy was destined to grow up gorgeous. It was a safe bet.
She unpacked the food while Ethan set out plates, and was helping with the drinks when Phoebe walked in.
“Look who I found in the hallway.” The stunning actress smiled as she stepped aside for Lucas to enter.
“Hey, everyone,” he greeted with that sexy drawl of his while he removed his hat.
Evie’s pulse instantly hiccupped while awareness spread down her body. There was just something about that man. He affected her whole being. “Hi.” She smiled and sat down.
Ethan rushed forward to kiss his girlfriend on the cheek before cupping the cowboy’s shoulder. “You’re just in time. Pull up a chair. How was the hike?”
“Thanks. The hike was good. No one tried to hot-dog today,” he replied, taking the seat next to her. “How about you, Missy?” His attention turned to his sister. “How was your first day?”
“Oh, that’s right,” Phoebe exclaimed. “You started at Martelli’s. How’d it go?”
“Good. It flew by. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
“Have you given any more thought about joining the workshop?” the actress asked.
Missy dropped her gaze to her plate and shook her head. Her brother frowned at Phoebe. “What workshop?”
Wine and Her New Year Cowboy (Citizen Soldier Series Book 4) Page 4