BARELY BEHAVING

by Jennifer Labrecque

  "Hi. I just met your sister. I didn't want to interrupt but I thought I should check on the patient after I took care of my brood."

  Niall squatted down to the dog's level. "How are you, girl?"

  "Niall has two cats and two dogs," Tammy explained to Olivia. She refrained from pointing out that he looked awesome in moss green shirt.

  He ran his hands along the dog's hindquarters. "How's her limp?" he asked, looking up at her from his squatting position. He had the most extraordinary eyes. And he'd asked her a question.

  She pulled herself together. "Marginal improvement this morning and quite a bit tonight."

  "Why don't you stay for dinner, Niall? Tammy always makes a huge tuna casserole. I'm sure you're hungry. And Tammy's a wonderful cook."

  Heat crawled up her face, and not the I-can't-wait-to-jump-your-bones variety. Oh. My. God. She was already sleeping with the man and she was still embarrassed by Olivia's obvious matchmaking attempts. What was next? Having Tammy open her mouth so he could check out her teeth? Or maybe Olivia could point out how Tammy's wide hips would be great for childbearing? Hormones or not, Olivia was out of control.

  And about the only thing Tammy could do was second the invitation. "We'd love to have you join us."

  "Are you sure it wouldn't be any trouble?" Niall looked hungry and eager. He looked that way a lot. It was sort of endearing.

  "Not at all," she assured him.

  "Great. Excuse me, I'll be right back." Olivia headed to the bathroom. Apparently another benefit of pregnancy—a bladder the size of a walnut.

  The door had barely closed before Niall pulled her into his arms and kissed her like a starving man. He came up for air and leaned his forehead against hers.

  "Every time I passed my office today, all I could think about was last night. Sitting at my desk today was torture."

  The look in his dark eyes clearly said he was ready to take up where they'd left off the night before. And, God help her, she wanted his hands and mouth all over her again. "Niall, you can't look at me like that. At least, not until my sister leaves."

  "Like what?"

  "Like that. Like you can't wait to—"

  "I can't," he interrupted, nuzzling her neck.

  "You don't even know what I was going to say." And she was fast forgetting as he nibbled at the sensitive spot just below her ear.

  "Whatever it was, I want to." His hands skimmed beneath her sweater and stroked the length of her back while his lips explored her neck. She ought to pull back. She really should. She would in just a minute, but he felt so good.

  Finally she mustered the wherewithal to step out of his arms. "Stop. Remember, we're going to be discreet."

  His hand molded her breast through her sweater, in a gesture that screamed possessiveness. "I don't care who knows."

  His thumb teased against her nipple and she leaned into him, even as she argued with him. "Good for you. I care. Especially not Olivia."

  "Why especially not Olivia?"

  "She's not herself right now. She's pregnant—you know, very emotional."

  "But what's that got to do with—"

  The toilet flushed and Tammy smacked his hand away. She straightened her clothes and he reluctantly shoved his hands in his pockets.

  "Just behave. And don't look at me like that." Well, that was a change. Her admonishing someone to behave.

  "I'll try. But I probably need one more kiss to sustain me through dinner." His mouth swooped down on hers and he crushed her to him. It was fast and hard and left her totally hot. He released her and she took a step back, almost tripping over the dog. Fair Game's presence offered a much safer subject than her sister's desire to marry her off.

  "Did Trena find out anything else about Fair Game today?" Tammy managed a normal, although slightly breathless, voice.

  Olivia rejoined them, looking at the two of them. Her sharp-eyed sister didn't miss Tammy's flushed face.

  "Niall was just bringing me up to date on the dog," Tammy said.

  Olivia nodded. "Please, don't let me interrupt."

  "The owners we found through the National Association—their number was disconnected and they've moved from that address. It's a dead end," Niall said. "So, the better shape we can get her in, the faster we can find a new home for her."

  "I'd say she's responding well. Much less nervous. More confident. She's very easy to work with. The cold pack on her leg didn't seem to faze her at all." Tammy kept her tone detached. Fair Game was just another case.

  "Perfect. That'll make it much easier to find her a new home—if she makes it."

  She knew he wasn't being cruel, just realistic, but his words cut with a surgeon's precision.

  "A month, right?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Good. Thirty days isn't that long." She could last thirty days. She'd managed three years with Earl without any real lasting attachment.

  Olivia quizzed Niall on the adoption process and the three of them wandered out to the kitchen. Tammy finished making the salad and then, throughout dinner, conversation flowed easily with lots of laughter sprinkled in.

  And always the underlying awareness, the ever-present hunger that simmered between Tammy and Niall. His hand brushed hers when he passed her the rolls and sent shivers down her spine. Her leg bumped his beneath the table and heat flashed through her. A glimpse of passion in his eyes hitched her breath.

  Inevitably, the discussion rolled around to Christmas.

  "Are you staying in town for Christmas or will you travel to be with your family?" Olivia asked Niall.

  A huge grin spread over his face, his enthusiasm giving him an almost boyish look. "I may be a new transplant, but Colthersville is home now. We'll be here. Plus, I'm working Christmas Eve morning. Animals don't seem to realize it's a holiday."

  Tammy didn't know she'd been holding her breath until she released it. And it really had nothing to do with her whether he was here or not for the holiday.

  She caught the look on Olivia's face and knew what was coming next. Part of her wanted to kick Olivia under the table, the other part of her wanted … what?

  "Would you like to join us for Christmas dinner at my house? That is, if you don't have any other plans? Or if you'd prefer your own company, we won't be offended," Olivia offered her most gracious smile.

  Niall had told Tammy he didn't like to eat alone and she also had the distinct impression he'd never turn down the offer of food.

  "I wouldn't want to intrude on your family," he said without a whole lot of conviction.

  "We'd love to have you. I wouldn't have invited you otherwise. Tammy'll swing by and pick Pops up on the way out. Our brother, Marty, and his wife, Darlene, may or may not be there." Olivia laughed. "Not too big of a crowd. There's plenty of room for you. And you would like my husband, Luke."

  It was the barest glance, but Niall looked at Tammy, as if he was trying to decide if she wanted him there. "That's awfully nice. I'd love to."

  "Good. You could ride out with Tammy and Pops or I can give you directions when the time's closer."

  Tammy checked the urge to open her mouth and show her teeth. Red alerts went off in her head. It sounded like couples. It sounded like a setup. Luke and Olivia. Darlene and Marty. Tammy and Niall.

  Whoa. She was blowing this out of proportion. By Christmas, she and Niall wouldn't be lovers, simply neighbors. No big deal.

  "We can figure it out later." Niall said.

  Tammy started until she realized he meant the transportation, not the relationship.

  Olivia tried, but couldn't hide a yawn behind her hand. "Sorry. I'm just exhausted these days."

  And she still had a twenty-minute drive ahead of her. Tammy pushed her chair back. "Okay, Olivia, I'm officially kicking you out. Time for you to go home and get to bed."

  "But the dishes—"

  "Are no problem," Tammy said.

  "Don't worry about it. I'll help with the dishes," Niall assured Olivia. "It'll take no time."

/>   Olivia stood and swayed on her feet, clearly exhausted. "Okay, maybe I will just go. And poor Hortense is probably starving." Fat chance. Olivia'd told Niall all about Hortense during dinner. "It was nice to meet you. If I don't see you before then, I look forward to seeing you at Christmas."

  "Likewise. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you." Niall looked at Tammy. "Why don't I take the dog out back for you before I go?"

  Without waiting for a response he grabbed the leash from beside the back door and led the dog out. Tammy walked Olivia to the front door. She didn't like Olivia driving when she was so tired.

  "Be careful driving home. And thanks for dropping off the books. I'm glad you stayed for dinner."

  "I'm glad I got to meet Niall. He's perfect for you."

  "You're delusional."

  "Maybe. But I'm neither stupid nor blind. There's so much electricity between the two of you, I almost got zapped a couple of times. Now I'm going to be a good sister and leave so you two can tear one another's clothes off like you've been wanting to do since he showed up tonight." So much for discretion.

  * * *

  Niall stared at the ceiling of Tammy's bedroom, totally spent. Totally content to lie there with her still on top of him, her head resting on his chest, her naked breasts pressed against him.

  He lazily swept his hand down her bare back and up again. He didn't think he'd ever tire of the feel of her skin. A dangerous sentiment for a man in a temporary affair.

  "Umm." Her sigh stirred his chest hair.

  "I liked your sister." He dropped a kiss on her tousled hair.

  "Olivia's easy to like. But don't feel like you have to take her up on her Christmas dinner."

  "Why wouldn't I want to go? It's free food and very good company."

  "I have a feeling the food's the main attraction." She laughed and propped her chin on her crossed hands. She idly skimmed her toe along his calf. "You'll like their place. It's great. The house sits in the middle of two hundred acres, some of it in open field but most of it wooded. Memphis and Gigi would love it."

  "If it's fenced, you should take Fair Game out next week to let her run. The exercise would be good for her."

  "What if it's too much for her?"

  He rimmed the dimple above her right butt cheek with his finger. Tammy had an awesome set of dimples. "Wait until you see her run. It's what she was bred to do. But I could always come with you if you're worried about her injuring herself."

  "Why don't we play it by ear?" She reached up and traced the scar on his upper lip with her thumb. "How did that happen?"

  "Does it bother you?" He'd always been self-conscious about his scar.

  "Only from the standpoint that it's terribly sexy."

  "Do you really think so?"

  "Definitely. Hasn't a woman ever told you that before?"

  "No."

  "Then there's something wrong with the women you've known. You've got this gorgeous mouth and then this mysterious scar. It keeps you from being perfect and adds an element of mystery."

  She thought he was close to perfect? And mysterious? And she'd called his mouth gorgeous.

  "You are very, very good for my ego." She was good for him period. When he was with her, he felt more alive than he ever had in his life.

  "So, where'd you get that scar?" She shifted and her nipples teased against his chest.

  "It's not very glamorous. Certainly not very sexy." He grimaced. "I don't want to spoil the image you have of me."

  She played her finger along the line. "Now I definitely have to know."

  "I fell and busted my lip on the toilet when I was a kid." He laughed at the dismal truth.

  Tammy laughed with him, not at him. "You're right. It's not very glamorous. But it's still very sexy. How old were you?" She lazily stroked his collarbone, as if she, too, needed to touch him, even though they were still in full body contact.

  "The day before my fifth birthday. I had a heck of a time eating birthday cake with the stitches in my lip. It also made for some interesting birthday pictures—I'll show you one day. I had one fat lip for a couple of days. Mom still laughs about it."

  She grew very still, her hand motionless over his heart. "Are you close to your parents?"

  Something in her tone and her very stillness told Niall there was more to this question than met the eye. "I suppose. They divorced when I was a sophomore in college. My sister, Lydia, had just graduated from high school and she took it pretty hard. My older brother, Bart, and I were both into our own thing. It was a little weird going home for holidays for a while, but we've all adjusted. They've both remarried and seem happy enough."

  "They stayed together for you kids?" she asked.

  He stroked her hair, enjoying the silky play against his fingers. "It sort of looks that way. Except I really don't remember them not getting along. Mom says they just sort of drifted apart."

  "And you still want to get married?"

  He wasn't a man to take chances, but he stood on the edge of the cliff and jumped. "Are you proposing?" A quirky feeling settled in his belly, despite his teasing tone.

  He felt her harsh intake of breath. "That's not funny, Niall."

  He'd never heard such a sharp tone from her before. What had he expected? That she'd profess he was just the man she'd been waiting for? Yeah, right. "No, I don't suppose it is funny. My parents were happy together for several years. They had three good kids. They're happy enough now, even if it's not with each other. Sure, I still want to get married. I want to wake up in the morning and see my wife's head on the pillow next to mine. I want to know she'll be there when I come home at night." Funny how her face was etched on both those pictures in his mind.

  "You're such a romantic."

  He was pretty damn sure she didn't mean that as a compliment this time. And he was pretty sure this wasn't about marriage but more about their parents.

  "How old were you when your mother left?"

  "Nine." Even though she remained atop him, she withdrew as obviously as if she'd walked to the other side of the room.

  "That must've been tough, being bounced from parent to parent."

  "There wasn't any bouncing going on. She just left. We came home from school one day and she was gone. She packed her clothes, left a note propped on the kitchen counter and that was that." Her voice, usually so rich with emotion, lacked any inflection.

  Damn. He'd misunderstood. He thought her parents had divorced and she'd been shuffled between parents—not totally abandoned by her mother.

  "You never heard from her? Not a phone call or a postcard or a birthday card?" Niall recalled the times his mom had hauled him to Little League, brought cupcakes into school on his birthday and sat by his bed when he'd had a nightmare, and his heart ached for Tammy.

  "I don't even know if she's still alive." Tension underscored her matter-of-fact words.

  "Have you ever tried to find her?"

  "Why would I want to do that?"

  "To lay it to rest."

  "I don't need to see her. I came to terms with her leaving years ago." Despite the hard set of her jaw, he saw that she meant it. "What would really bother me, what I don't want, is your pity."

  "It's a good thing. You wouldn't get it. Do you really think I could ever see you as an object of pity?" She gave him an inscrutable look. "It just shows what a strong person you are."

  He wrapped his arms around her and rolled them both to their sides. "Now I can see you better." With a finger beneath her chin, he tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "You're a lot of things. Pitiful isn't one of them. You're funny, refreshing, sensual, generous and brave. Oh, and there is that beautiful thing." He wasn't just being flippant. It wasn't nearly as important as the other things that made her who she was.

  "You make me sound like a veritable paragon of virtue. How do you suppose my three husbands were able to walk away?"

  That was a question that begged answering. Why would a man walk away from her? Not once, not twice, but three tim
es. He'd actually spent some time thinking about it and only had one plausible explanation.

  "It's simple. Idiots. They were idiots."

  He coaxed a glimmer of a smile from her. A nasty thought occurred to him. "Do you think I'm a loser because Mia didn't want to marry me?"

  "Clearly she was an idiot as well." And clearly she was responding tongue-in-cheek.

  "I'm sort of serious." As in he needed some serious reassurance.

  "No. I think you and Mia started out together and wound up on different paths. From what I can tell, you're the veritable paragon of virtue."

  "I'm trying to decide if I should risk letting you see my bad side."

  She boldly appraised him, cocking her head to take in a different angle. "All your sides look pretty good to me. And it doesn't matter how nice you are, you can't stay the night."

  He was beginning to understand her, to read between her lines. Things had gotten too personal, too serious between them. Like an engineer controlling a train, she'd switched tracks, steering them back to her comfort zone. He followed her lead. "Are you kicking me out? The night's still young."

  She skimmed her hand over his equipment, which found a new lease on life. She leaned down and teased her tongue along his thickening length. "If you try hard, you might convince me to let you stay a little longer."

  He was sure of three things. He'd agreed to an affair that would end far too soon. He was perilously close to falling in love with her, if he hadn't already. And the third thing he knew for sure, the only one he had any real control over, was that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, for the moment, at least.

  Niall settled against the pillows, his body tensing with anticipation. "I feel sure I'm up to that task."

  * * *

  10

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  Tammy watched Niall sleep, his dark head a contrast to the pillow case, his size dwarfing her double bed. One day left. Twenty-four hours from now this would be over.

  She memorized the play of light and shadows across his face, the feel of his muscular thigh beneath her leg, the even rhythm of his breathing, the slight arch to his left brow, that sexy scar, his smell on her sheets and her body.