Treat Her Right

by Lori Foster

  Beneath the hot early-evening sun, Wynn’s broad, toned shoulders looked dewy with perspiration and flexed with feminine muscles. Her belly… He swallowed hard. Her belly was flat, taut with her straining efforts, her waist lean and supple, dipping and curving. She looked sexy and healthy and strong and so utterly female his muscles cramped.

  The effect of those long legs had nearly been his undoing that morning. Now seeing her upper parts more bare than covered was enough to make him sweat along with her. He just adored female bellies, and hers was especially enticing.

  He felt Dani’s hand on his arm and managed to wipe away the gleam of lust before looking down at her.

  “You should help her,” Dani declared.

  Oh, no. Zack had no intention of getting anywhere near Wynn. He shook his head and finished undoing Dani’s car seat. By age, Dani was old enough to forego the special seat, but by size… His daughter was so petite it’d probably be another year before he felt comfortable with only a seat belt for her protection. “We’ve got our own work to do, Dani.”

  But no sooner did he have his daughter free from the seat than she opened the car door and slithered out. “Hello Wynn!” She waved both arms, drawing the neighbor’s attention.

  Wynn stopped struggling with the box and looked up. She wiped a forearm across her brow, squinted in their direction, then broke out in a smile. Even from the distance, Zack could see the open welcome in that smile.

  He cursed, but silently.

  Cutting across the yards, Wynn headed toward them. He wanted to groan. He wanted to ignore her and go inside.

  He wanted sex, damn it. With her.

  No.

  “Hey you two!” She stopped by Dani’s side of the car, hands on her hips, legs braced apart. “How’d the shopping go?”

  Dani tipped her head way back to grin up at Wynn. “We bought lots of stuff. And we saw a movie, too.”

  Wynn automatically went to her knees. Zack remembered her doing that earlier, too, when she’d spoken with Dani. Was it an allowance she made for her height? A man wouldn’t be expected to do that, but a woman?

  Or did she just like kids enough that she wanted to greet them on an eye level?

  “A whole new wardrobe, huh? Terrific.” She glanced up at Zack. Her hazel eyes looked warm and welcoming, even intimate, at least to his overeager imagination. “Got it all taken care of?” she asked.

  He cleared his throat. His brain was already in sexual overdrive, his body too long deprived, and now Wynn got on her knees in front of him. Her face, her beautiful mouth, were level with… No. It was too much.

  Zack turned away and began yanking bags out of the car. “She should be all set for fall.”

  “I went shopping, too,” Wynn told him, her voice now sounding confused by his dismissal. “I bought a hammock for the backyard.”

  Zack froze with his arms loaded down. Slowly he turned to face her. “A hammock?” Surely she didn’t expect to lounge around in a hammock. Not where he could see her? “Where do you intend to put it?”

  She pointed. “Those are the only two trees big enough and close enough together to work. I always wanted a hammock, almost as much as I wanted my own house. After I finished unloading boxes, I couldn’t resist. This weather is perfect for lying around outside and reading or napping.”

  A thousand questions went winging through his mind, but he heard himself ask, “You went shopping in that?” The way he was staring at her halter, which looked far too enticing molded over soft, heavy breasts that were in perfect proportion to the rest of her big body, he knew she knew just what he meant.

  Then when he realized what had come out of his unruly mouth, and how incredibly possessive he’d sounded, he quickly added, “You’re talking about in my trees?” Both yards had an abundance of shade, but the trees she’d pointed at were the ones edging his property.

  She’d be right there, visible to him, flaunting herself to him, wearing on his determination. He couldn’t handle it. He’d never had a problem with temptation before, but he’d never met Wynn before, either.

  She blinked those awesome hazel eyes at him, and even that seemed provocative, deliberate. Hell, her breathing seemed designed to drive him nuts.

  Her expression intent, watchful, she came to her feet. He didn’t mean to, but his gaze switched to her legs, then quickly lifted back to her belly. She wasn’t overly muscular there, not in the least mannish, just very smooth and lithe and softly rounded just as a woman should be.

  His heart punched into his ribs.

  Hands on her naked waist, one hip cocked out enticingly, she waited for his gaze to finally rise up to hers. It took him far too long to get there, but then, she had a lot of skin showing.

  When their eyes met, Wynn smiled, but there was nothing friendly in the tilt of her lips or the narrowing of her eyes. “I changed when I got home,” she informed him, “before getting the box out of the car. And the trees are actually mine. I specifically asked before buying the house. The Realtor checked the property line just to be sure.”

  Zack wanted to howl. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t give a damn about the trees or whom they belonged to. He wanted to put his daughter down for a nap, then drag his neighbor off to bed—or to the floor or the ground or against one of those stupid trees…

  He managed his own strained smile. “I see.”

  Dani, not understanding the sudden tension between the adults, reached up to tug on the hem of Wynn’s shorts. “We got pizza for dinner.”

  Wynn’s smile was genuine when she looked at his daughter. “Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful day.” She ruffled Dani’s hair, then saluted Zack. “I better get back to work. I want to get the hammock set up.”

  “You can eat with us!”

  Zack cursed softly at his daughter’s invitation, but not softly enough. Wynn heard.

  Even though her chin lifted and her eyes were direct, she looked hurt. And that hurt him. Damn it, he didn’t want to insult her, but neither did he want to be further forced into her company.

  “Thanks sweetie,” Wynn said to Dani though she continued to look at Zack, “but I’ve got too much to do.”

  “Don’t you like pizza?” Dani asked, stubborn to the core and always determined to get her own way.

  “I do, but it’s been a busy day, and I’m not done yet. Maybe another time, okay?”

  Wynn turned away and almost stumbled. For the first time, Zack noticed the weariness in her long limbs, the slight droop to those surprisingly wide, proud shoulders.

  Suspicion bloomed, with it annoyance. Using the same tone that always worked for his daughter, Zack uttered, “Wynn.”

  She paused, turned to face him with one brow raised.

  He stared at her face and noticed the exhaustion. Damn it. “When did you eat last?”

  “What?” She couldn’t have looked more confused by his inquiry. Beside him, Dani all but jiggled with excitement. She knew her father too well and knew he’d just made up his mind.

  “Did you have lunch?” Zack demanded, and got a blank expression. He sighed. “Have you eaten anything since the muffins and coffee this morning?”

  Rather than answer him, Wynn replied, “I appreciate your concern, Zack, but I’m sure you’ve got more important things to do than keep track of my meals.” Again, she turned away.

  He should just let her go, Zack thought, watching her leave and doing his best to keep his gaze off her ample and well-shaped rear end. But his daughter watched him with a look she’d probably picked up from him, one that showed extreme disappointment in his behavior. Dani no doubt expected him to rectify his bad manners, and he knew he should. Even with the womanly sway to her hips, Wynn looked ready to drop, her feet dragging.

  She’d been neighborly and friendly and he’d been a surly jerk. All because he hadn’t had a woman in too long and she appealed to him on some insane yet basic level. That couldn’t be blamed on her.

  Zack bent low and said to Dani, “Start carrying th
e bags up to the porch and I’ll be right back.”

  With a severe look, Dani ordered, “Talk her into eatin’ with us.”

  He sighed. “I’ll try.”

  Dani pushed against him. “Go! Before she’s all the way home.”

  Wynn had nearly made it before Zack reached her. She had to have heard his approach, but she ignored him. He caught her arm and turned her around to face him. “Wait a minute.”

  Seeing he was alone, she barked, “What now?”

  He couldn’t help it. He smiled, then actually laughed. “Without Dani listening, I get the full brunt of your temper? Is that it?”

  “Don’t kid yourself.” She looked furious and still hurt. Pushing her wild hair out of her face, she sneered, “If you had my full temper, you’d be flat on your back right now.”

  Her threat brought with it an image of him on his back, her over him, riding him slow and deep. Her legs were so long and so strong he had no doubt her endurance would be endless, mind-blowing. He glanced down at her breasts, thinly covered by the soft material of the halter. Without his mind’s permission, he imagined them naked, her nipples puckered, begging for his fingers, his mouth. Her chest glistened from the heat, her skin was radiant and so very soft looking.

  No words came, no reply, but she must have read his mind because she drew back and her anger melted away. “I didn’t mean that,” she whispered in a shaky voice.

  He couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Mean what?”

  She hesitated, their gazes locked, then she shrugged with a blatant challenge. “Sex. That’s what you were thinking. Though I suppose you’ll deny it now.”

  Zack rubbed his face. “No, I won’t deny it.” His neck and shoulders were still sore from the night before, when he’d dealt with two very unusual crises, and now his body throbbed with sexual tension. “Look, Wynn…”

  “Hey, I understand. Dani is a sweetheart, but kids have a way of speaking out of turn. No harm done, and I really do have plenty more work to do.”

  He dismissed what she said to ask, “You’ve been working all day, haven’t you? I bet you haven’t eaten at all except for that muffin at dawn.”

  “It wasn’t exactly dawn—”

  “Close enough.”

  “—and my eating habits aren’t your concern.”

  Why did he have to have the most frustrating woman in creation move in behind him? Why did he have to find her so appealing that even his teeth were aroused? He was tired, achy, sexually frustrated, and now he had to deal with this.

  Knowing Dani would only show so much patience before she decided to come help him out, he admitted, “I want you. That’s why I was rude.”

  Those golden eyes opened so wide, she looked comical. He heard her swallow. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

  Zack looked toward the trees where she planned to hang her hammock. “Between Dani and work, I don’t get a lot of chances to date and it’s been a long time—too damn long—since I’ve been with a woman. I didn’t get enough sleep last night or I’d probably show better restraint today, but I’m running on four hours tops, and all my understanding and restraint is saved up for my daughter.”

  She said, “Oh.”

  “I don’t want you to worry that I’m going to come on to you—”

  “I’m not worried,” she rushed to assure him.

  “—because I have no intention of doing that.”

  She said, “Oh,” again. This time with regret, if his tired ears didn’t deceive him.

  “Yeah, oh.” He shook his head. “Come and eat with us, then I’ll help you get that box to the backyard and from there we can be sociable, but not overly friendly. Okay?”

  “Not overly friendly,” she repeated, “because you don’t want to want me?”

  “That’s right.” Talking about it wasn’t helping. He felt like an ass, more so with every word that left his mouth. “It wouldn’t be a good idea what with us being neighbors and everything.”

  “I see.”

  She looked perplexed. Zack sighed again and looked around to see his daughter watching intently, arms crossed and foot tapping. He turned back to Wynn. “You understand, surely. Being neighbors is one thing. But it could get awkward if we took it any further than that.”

  She nodded. “Awkward.”

  His eyes narrowed at her patronizing tone. “That’s right. Relationships have a way of complicating things, especially if they don’t work out, and since I’m not looking to get involved—”

  “It couldn’t work out?” She smiled. “Well, you got me there.”

  What in the world did she have to smile about? He wasn’t amused. In fact, he was getting close to annoyed. “We’d still be living next door to each other.”

  “I’m sure not planning on moving!”

  “And then we’d both—”

  “Feel awkward.” She gave a sage nod. “I see your point.”

  Zack ground his teeth. “Will you join us for pizza or not?”

  She licked her lips and tilted her head. “Can I clarify something first?”

  “Make it quick. Dani will be on us any minute now.”

  “I’m standing here all sweaty and hot and my hair looks worse than usual and yet…you say I’m turning you on?”

  Zack wanted to throttle her. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he’d tried being honest with her, and now she felt free to provoke him.

  She did look hot and sweaty—like she’d just been making love most vigorously. He stiffened his resolve. “Let’s not belabor the point, okay?”

  “Okay.” She searched his face. “I just wanted to be sure.”

  Together they started back toward Dani. Zack could feel the heat of Wynn at his side, could smell the intensified scent of sun-kissed feminine skin, of shampoo and lotion and woman.

  “How long’s it been?” she asked with unparalleled nonchalance, as if that wasn’t the most personal topic around.

  Of course, he’d brought it up. He didn’t look at her. “Long enough.”

  “For me, too.” She smiled toward Dani and waved. “Although I don’t think that’s why you turn me on.” She glanced at him, her long lashes at half-mast, her lips slightly curled. She leaned closer and breathed into his ear, “I think it’s your gorgeous bod that’s doing the trick.”

  Zack stumbled over his own feet, which left him standing behind Wynn. She walked over to his yard, took Dani’s hand, and together they marched around front to the porch. He heard Dani say, “I can show you my new clothes!”

  And Wynn replied happily, “Right after we eat. I’m starved.”

  WYNN FINISHED OFF her fourth slice of pizza and sighed. She hadn’t realized she was so hungry until she’d taken the first bite. Then she’d had to be careful not to make a glutton of herself. “That was heavenly. Thank you.”

  Zack just grunted, but Dani said, “You ate as much as Dad.”

  “Not true! He had one piece more than me.” Then, eyeing Zack, she added, “But he has a lot more muscle so he naturally needs more to eat.”

  Zack choked on the drink of cola he’d just taken, and slanted her an evil look. It was all she could do not to laugh.

  He wanted her.

  He didn’t want to want her, but he did. That was a good start. She could work with that.

  On her end, she was crazy-nuts about him already. Not only was the man handsome and well built, but he had a soft streak for his daughter, an outrageous honesty, and his house was spotless. She’d never known a bachelor who enjoyed cleanliness as much as she did.

  “Your house is set up different from mine.” She looked around, admiring the orderliness of it.

  Zack lounged back in his seat. “It’s basically the same, I just had a few walls taken out to open things up.”

  She’d have done the same if she could afford it, but for now, having her own home more than satisfied her. “It’s bigger, too.”

  He shrugged. “Not by that much. I added on to the dining room when I got the hot tub,
and had the patio doors put in.”

  Wynn had noticed the large hot tub right away. It sat outside his dining room, to the left of his kitchen at the edge of the patio, and was partially shielded by a privacy fence.

  The sliding doors really made the dining room bigger and brighter. Her house only had the one kitchen door that opened to the side yard. Wynn had noticed that from Zack’s kitchen or his patio doors, he could look at the entire side view of her house, and see into her front and backyard. The only thing that would obstruct his view were the trees.

  This topic didn’t have him grinding his teeth, so she pursued it. “The landscaping in the back is gorgeous.” He had as many mature trees as she had, with one especially large tree close to the house. Long branches reached over the roof and shaded the kitchen from the afternoon sun. Zack had hung a swing from one of those sturdy branches for Dani.

  Around the patio, he had a lot of lush ground cover and shade-loving flowers bright with color. It took a remarkable man to plant flowers, but then she’d already made that assessment about him.

  “Thank you. I needed the covered deck so we could get to the tub in the winter without plodding through the snow.”

  “You use it when it’s cold?” Imagining Zack mostly naked and wet made her tongue stick to the roof of her mouth. It’d be great if he offered to share, but she wouldn’t hold her breath.

  He shrugged. “Off and on all year.”

  Wynn cleared her throat and steered her mind to safer imaginings. “I like the way you’ve decorated. It’s nice and casual and comfortable.” Everything was done in mellow pine with shades of cream and greens. There were a few plants, lots of pictures of Dani, and a couple of photos she assumed to be of his deceased wife. The woman was pretty, fair like Dani, but with longer hair. She looked very young, and Wynn made a point of not looking at the photos too long, despite her curiosity; she didn’t want to dredge up bad memories for Zack. When she asked him about his wife, it would be without Dani listening.