He kissed her, starting slowly and increasing the intensity until her breathing began to pick up speed.
“We’ll see. It’s been a long time since our shower scene.”
Her face felt hot. “Let go, Brett. Your mother’s waiting.”
“Someone’s always waiting for us, Allison. Or in the next room.” He nibbled the edge of her neck. “We’ll just have to be creative...and quiet.”
She backed out of the room. “Behave or I’m going to a hotel.”
Brett threw back his head and laughed. “Don’t threaten me, Allison, or I’ll take you up on that idea and we’ll both be in a hotel with a nice king sized bed and room service.”
She walked briskly down the hall.
“And a mini-bar and a large shower.” He caught up with her at the top of the landing and raced her down the stairs. He spun around at the bottom, grinning up as she stopped on the last step. “Sounds pretty good to me.”
She shoved his chest and slipped around him, thrusting her chin in the air. “Keep dreaming big guy.”
“Brett, Allison,” Margaret called from the room next to the stairs. “In here.”
Allison followed the voice into another decorator room. Overstuffed burgundy sofas faced each other in front of a large stone fireplace. Heat from the flickering gas logs tempted Allison’s cold hands.
“Why don’t we go into the den, Mom? Why all the formality?”
“I know we’ll end up there all day tomorrow and probably tonight, Brett.” Margaret shot her son a warning glance. “I thought we could sit in here like a civilized family for just a few minutes. At least until your father gets home.”
Brett dropped onto the sofa and patted the seat next to him for Allison.” All right.” He snatched the beer mug off the small table between the sofas. “Now you have to decide. Beer or wine?” He glanced at Allison.
“Wine.”
He handed her a glass from the silver tray and leaned back, laying his arm along the back of the sofa.
Margaret sat across from them, her legs crossed at the ankles, one hand resting on the arm of the sofa, her wine glass in her other hand, its crystal base resting on her wool slacks. “Finally, we can sit and talk.”
“I knew I’d find you in here.”
They all turned to the voice of Mr. Tyler entering behind them.
He moved to Margaret and leaned down to kiss her lips briefly, then sat down next to her, resting his elbows on his knees. A position Allison had seen Brett use countless times.
“So she insisted on the civilized part of the house, huh?”
Margaret glanced her husband’s way and spoke chastising words in a soft loving voice. “I can’t do anything in this house without one of the men questioning it.” She turned to Allison. “It is so difficult to live with a houseful of men who would be just as happy if we never had a formal living room or dining room. I swear, I think they’d sit in front of the television with paper plates on Thanksgiving if I didn’t insist on something fancier.”
Allison smiled. She’d heard this complaint all her life. “I think you and my mother would get along very well. She feels the exact same way about my dad and four brothers.”
“Well, I sympathize with her. At least I only had two sons.” She leaned back, speaking wistfully. “I think I may be jealous too though. She did have you. I wish I’d had a daughter to help balance things out around here.”
Curtis turned to his wife. “I told you we should try again after Hal.”
She slapped her hand to her heart. “Heaven’s no. After Brett and Hal I was gray. I wasn’t taking a chance on another boy.”
Curtis and Brett laughed at Margaret’s dramatics.
“Mom, you’ve had an easy life and you know it.”
She smiled. “A good life I’ll agree with, now easy...I’m not so sure of.” She placed a hand on her husband’s leg. “But it certainly was the life I wanted.”
Curtis covered her hand and looked down. After a few minutes of silence, he looked back up to Allison.
“Michael said everything went well this afternoon. What did you think, Allison?”
“Curtis.” Margaret said in a warning tone. “That is really none of our affair. She may not want to discuss it.”
“No, Margaret. It’s fine.” Allison paused. “You’ve all been so helpful.” She looked at Brett. “I’m so grateful. I’m not sure what I...” her voice caught.
Brett dropped his hand to her shoulder and squeezed it, warmth spreading through her body. She turned back to the Tylers. “It’s made everything so much easier.”
“You poor dear. I hope you don’t mind that Brett told us what’s happening.” Margaret bent forward. “I just cannot imagine what...it is just so hard to believe. I’m impressed how well you are holding up.”
“Allison’s very strong, Mom. She’s been through a lot and doesn’t let anything get her down.”
Allison glanced at Brett, her cheeks burning. “Now, Brett. That’s not true. I nearly imploded when this happened.”
“Only for a few minutes and then you were ready to fight. And fight we will.” He rubbed the side of her arm. “We’ll win, too.”
She wasn’t nearly as strong inside as he said. And he knew it. “I hope so,” she said in a weak voice.
“Allison. Allison.”
She felt a large hand shaking her and a warm breath in her ear. Where was she? Her heavy head lay against something soft.
“Just like in Orlando, you fell asleep,” he whispered. “I’m beginning to get a complex.”
Her eyes popped open. Brett. She was at Brett’s parent’s house. She glanced around the room. Empty.
Sitting up, she moved quickly away from his shoulder. She was in the Tyler’s family room. They had settled in to watch a movie after dinner, Brett and Allison on a couch and his parents on a love seat.
“I can’t believe I fell asleep.” She pressed her hands to her face. “With your parents sitting right here in the room. What must they think of me?”
“That you were tired and relaxed.”
“Don’t tease, Brett. This is awful.”
“It doesn’t matter, darling. Mom fell asleep in Dad’s lap.”
“But they’re married and this is their house. I’m a guest. A pretty tacky guest at that.”
“At least you didn’t snore.”
She stood up. “I’m going to bed and tomorrow I’ll apologize to your parents.”
Brett drew up beside her and placed his hands on her shoulder. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Allison. You just fell asleep. I pulled you against my shoulder to make sure your neck didn’t get stiff.” He kissed the top of her head. “Nothing to be embarrassed about or apologize for.” He turned to his side, keeping one arm around her. “Let’s get upstairs.”
“I’m still mortified.”
Switching off lights, he led her up the stairs, opened her bedroom door and followed her in.
“Go to bed.” She held up her hands. “Your bed. I’ve done enough tonight already.”
“I just want a good night kiss. That’s all I’ll ask for. Tonight.”
He kissed her lips lightly, circling her waist and dragging her body close to his. Her foggy mind grew hazier with each movement of his delicious lips. Just one kiss would be all right, then he would leave.
Running his hand up her back, he pressed her closer to his chest. Her arms wrapped around his back.
Just a little longer and then he would leave.
“Baby, you feel so good in my arms.” He whispered in her ear and then kissed down her neck. Exactly where he knew she liked it. Oh no, this was not good. He had to leave.
He moved his hand down to her butt and drew her into his hard body. Her skin grew warmer and warmer.
“Brett,” she gasped against his chest. “You have to go.”
“I know. I will.”
Suddenly light spread through the open bedroom door. They jumped apart.
“What the hell?” Brett moved t
o the door and stuck his head into the hall. “Dad?”
“Forgot the damn alarm.” Curtis’ voice streamed over the landing. “Hope the light didn’t bother you.”
“No, we’d just walked upstairs.”
“Good. I forget sometimes, we’re so used to being alone. See you tomorrow son.”
“Good night, Dad.”
Brett turned around and Allison stood behind him, her hand on the doorknob. “Time to go.”
“We never get a break, do we? I knew we should’ve gone into the shower.”
“Leave. Now.”
He backed into the hall. “I’m gone.”
She closed the door and debated whether to lock it. Surely Brett wouldn’t sneak in.
Would he?
Her hand dropped from the lock.
No. He wouldn’t.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Allison, you ready?”
She ran across the room and slung open the door to find a grinning Brett.
“Ready for a Tyler family holiday?”
“You’re looking mighty handsome today, Mr. Tyler.”
“Why thank you ma’am.” He brushed at a non-existent piece of lint on his navy pull-over sweater.
She gave in to temptation and touched it. “Wow. Cashmere?”
“Birthday present.” He moved her fingers to his lips. “My mother’s idea of how I should dress.”
She smiled at the large face of his scarred black sports watch sneaking out of his cuff. Bet his mother wouldn’t have suggested that to go with the outfit.
“Good taste. I knew I liked her.”
“She’s not so bad, I guess.”
“You love her and your dad. It’s so obvious.” She stopped as he stepped in closer. “I know you missed them.”
“I did.” He put an arm around her waist. “And hopefully we can work things out. Not have to go through this crazy little separation game again.”
Her head fell back to look into his serious face. “I haven’t seen them do anything that would make you want to stay away.”
“You may not.” His eyes darkened. “Or you may at today’s festivities. When my brother and his family show up.”
“Why then?”
His fingers tightened on her hip. “Hal’s a lawyer in Dad’s firm and they live about five miles away from here. Dad’s happy with Hal’s career choice, Mom’s happy with Sally and the grandchildren and everyone’s thrilled they all live so close together.”
“Is Hal happy?”
“Sure.” Brett shrugged. “He loves being a lawyer and living here. Their influence in his life has never bothered him. I think he has a lot more in common with them than I do.” He looked past her into the bedroom. “I was more like my grandmother. A little rebellious.”
“They just love you and want you nearby.” She reached up to touch his smooth cheek. That wouldn’t last long, the way his beard grew. And she kind of liked the rougher look he usually had. Although he looked handsome now, he seemed a little too polished for the normally carefree Brett. “I can understand that. I know I’m overly protective with Kelly, too.”
His eyes darted back to her face. “She’s ten, Allison, not thirty-six.”
“I know. But I’ll probably still be giving her suggestions and trying to run her life when she’s thirty-six, too. You know me, always in control.”
The muscles in his jaw relaxed. “Yes. I know you. But I also know there’s another side that not everyone sees.” He leaned into her ear. “I seem to recall you happy to lose control on my living room floor.”
“Brett.” She splayed her hands on his chest, shoving him away as he laughed.
A voice in the distance interrupted. “Are you two ready for breakfast?”
Brett kept his eyes on Allison’s blushing face as he yelled down to his mother. “We’ll be right there.”
The day ran smoothly until they dove into the leftovers around seven that night.
Hal and Sally had arrived after breakfast with their two toddlers. He was perfectly groomed, a younger version of his father. She was perfectly groomed, a younger version of Margaret, right down to her polished nails and glowing skin. And Allison liked them.
Hal had the same outgoing personality as Brett and it only took a few minutes for Allison to feel as if she’d known him forever. But Sally was the biggest surprise. She had worked at a bank until her second child was born and was anxious to get back to her profession. She begged Allison to share her secrets of working and raising a child and was thrilled to have someone to discuss career strategies.
Brett raved on and on about how Allison’s genius father restored vintage automobiles and Hal and Brett tried to outdo each other with embarrassing stories from their past, each more exaggerated than the last. By the afternoon, Margaret had begged them to stop, claiming they were destroying her precious memories of their childhoods.
As Allison learned more about them and they asked questions about her life, her daughter, and her family, she realized their families weren’t so different. Loving parents and rambunctious children.
She began to wonder if the problem Brett had with his family was all in his head.
Until that night.
His brother and family had left and Margaret, Curtis, Brett and Allison sat at the kitchen table picking at leftovers.
“How’s the business going, Brett?” Curtis poured gravy over his stuffing and reached for the salt shaker. He muttered under his breath as Margaret moved it out of his reach.
Brett’s shoulders squared.
“Fine. It’s going fine.”
“Do you have a business plan?”
Brett’s hands clenched before he dropped them to his lap. “I have a plan.”
Curtis stabbed a piece of turkey and dropped it on his plate. “Are you still working out of your house?”
“Yes.”
“You know, son, if you need some funding for an office, I’ll be happy to arrange—“
Brett pressed his back against the wooden chair. “I don’t need another office, Dad. I’m fine.”
“But where do you meet with your clients?”
“Dad...”
Curtis took a long drink of coffee, watching his son over the rim of the china cup. “I was just offering to help, Brett. I know how hard it is to start a business.”
“I know, Dad, but I don’t need any help. I’m fine.”
Silence.
“Curtis, pass the cranberry sauce to Allison.” Margaret stirred cream into her coffee with a sterling silver spoon. “Are you still in the rental house, dear?”
“Yes, mother. The same house.”
“Are you planning to buy something? I know that house is very small.” Margaret reached behind her to retrieve the ceramic coffee pot, then filled Curtis’ cup.
“It’s a nice house, mother.”
“Can I get you anything, Allison?” Margaret’s arm paused in the air, coffee pot still in her hand.
Allison shook her head. “I’m fine, thanks.”
Margaret smiled and placed the pot on a china trivet on the table, shoving several other plates closer together to create an empty space. “I’m sure it is dear, but Caroline needs room. To have her friends over. She’ll be dating soon and --”
Brett took a deep breath. “There’s plenty of room, Mother.”
Allison’s eyes darted back and forth following the conversation. Why didn’t he tell her about his plans to build a house?
“Well if the down payment is a problem.”
Brett jumped up, his thigh hitting the edge of the table rattling the silverware. “I think I need some fresh air, if you would excuse me.”
“Brett...” his mother pleaded.
He stalked to the door leading to the back deck.
Margaret waited until the door clicked shut. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Allison. I don’t know why he gets so upset when we ask a few questions. We just want to know how he’s doing.”
Curtis shook his head, but ke
pt eating.
“Maybe he’s tired,” Allison suggested. “He’s spent a lot of time helping me recently. I’m afraid I’ve really been leaning on him for support. Probably more than I should.”
“Oh no, dear.” Margaret touched Allison’s arm. “Brett wouldn’t do anything he didn’t want to. If he’s helping you, it’s because he wants to. That’s what friends do.”
Allison glanced toward the door and the darkness swallowing Brett. And now he needed her.
“You’re absolutely right, Margaret.” She stood. “I think I’ll go outside. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course, dear.”
Brett sat on the rail of the deck, partially visible from the kitchen lights filtering through the blinds. He must be freezing in his thin sweater. Brown leaves tumbled across Allison’s feet as she moved toward Brett.
“It’s cold out here,” Allison said. Her cotton dress was in a fall color and was perfect for November in Florida, but provided no warmth in the Northern Virginia chill. “Hard to believe it’s so different from Florida.”
She moved close to Brett, her shoulder next to his arm. The muscles in his jaw twitched as he pressed his lips together.
This was not going to be easy.
“Sorry, Allison. I didn’t mean for that to happen.” He shook his head. “I should have known it would though. We were so close to getting through the holiday without it, but...”
“It didn’t bother me.” She interlaced her fingers with his hand hanging at his side. “I know you don’t see it, but my family’s not a lot different.”
“Hmmmph...I’ve met your family, Allison. They are not like mine.”
“You didn’t see them when I told them I was going away to college. Major fight.” She lowered her voice, imitating her father. “What’s wrong with the University of South Florida? It’s right here. You don’t need to go all the way to North Carolina to go to college.”
She laughed. “And then when I said I wouldn’t be coming back to Tampa for graduate school or to work, before I got pregnant of course...it wasn’t pretty. I thought I’d have to supply references for the companies I wanted to work for. Dad even wanted to call the apartments to see if they were safe for his little girl.” She rubbed her thumb over his cold knuckles. “I was the first one in my family to leave, too, you know.”
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