by Cathie Linz
“You were speaking of marriage earlier, does that mean you are thinking of marriage and Chloe?”
“Whoa!” Steve held out his hands as if to prevent the older man from continuing down that road of discussion. “We haven’t even known each other that long.”
Patrick shrugged. “That doesn’t matter. I knew my wife was the one the first moment I laid eyes on her. A month later, we were married.”
“I don’t believe in that love-at-first-sight stuff,” Steve scoffed. “Besides, the first time I laid eyes on Chloe I knew she was a librarian. That’s about it.”
Patrick frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She’d deliberately worn this frumpy outfit. She claimed it was for some program they were doing at the library—where she dressed up as a dowdy secretary. But I think she was trying to fade into the background. It worked.” Steve had no idea why he was telling Patrick this. Since Steve had only had half a bottle of beer, he couldn’t blame his loose tongue on alcohol.
“Did it?” The question came from Striker. Steve had almost forgotten his brother was still with them, eaves-dropping on their conversation.
“What do you mean?” Steve demanded, still irritated with his brother for beating him at arm wrestling.
“Just that you seem to be spending a lot of time with someone you thought faded into the background.”
Steve shrugged. “I don’t know. From the get-go, there was just something about her….”
“Ah.” Patrick nodded. “Now that’s more like it.”
“What?” Steve demanded.
“Just something about her. That’s how it was with my Irene. We just clicked.”
It wasn’t the first time Steve had heard about something just clicking. There was a history of that in his own family. His grandmother had just looked at his grandfather right after World War II and bingo. Love at first sight. And then there were his parents. His dad had seen his mom at a dance and that had been that. One look, that’s all it took. Wasn’t that how some song went?
But times were different now. Women were different. Relationships were different.
Besides, falling in love at first sight wasn’t something you inherited in your genes.
Steve had thought he was in love with Gina and look how well that had worked out. He wasn’t about to have his heart drop-kicked that way again.
What, one bad call and you’re out of the game?
No, I just play it differently now. No strings. No attachments.
Yeah, right. So why are you having so much fun with Chloe?
Fun. He was having fun. Not falling for her.
Besides, she got it. She got him. She understood what was going on here.
Then she’s smarter than you are, jarhead, his inner voice mocked.
Steve decided that talking to oneself was not very productive so he returned his attention to Patrick. “Sorry I couldn’t do more to help you out.”
Patrick shrugged. “I’m not giving up. I have an idea.”
“Those four words have gotten plenty of men in trouble. Especially when there’s a woman concerned,” Striker said.
“Wanda is a very attractive woman.”
Striker made a face and held up a hand. “Please. I don’t want to go there. She’s my grandmother.”
“She wears that T-shirt that says Age Is Mind Over Matter, If You Don’t Mind, It Doesn’t Matter. I like that philosophy.”
Steve just rolled his eyes. So did Striker.
“She’s a passionate woman,” Patrick continued. “She has a real passion for life, for everything.”
Steve finished the rest of his beer in one gulp. Striker followed suit.
“You young people.” Patrick shook his head. “You think you have all the time in the world. It ain’t true. When you reach my age, you know better.”
Steve knew one thing that was true. When he thought of a passionate woman, he thought of Chloe. Not his grandmother.
The minute Patrick left them alone, Steve said to Striker, “Now you know what I’ve been dealing with.”
“Yeah. I don’t envy you one bit. By the way, I didn’t fall in love with Kate at first sight, you know.”
Striker had married the Texas attorney several years ago and they now had a young son named Sean.
“So you didn’t fall for Kate at first sight. Am I supposed to be relieved at that news or what?”
“No, you’re supposed to pay attention. Because while I didn’t fall for her at first sight, there was something about her….” Striker’s expression softened before the mockery returned as he smiled at Steve. “So you’d better beware, baby brother. Sounds like you may be checking your heart out to this librarian.”
“What’s that stupid phrase you made up? Oh yeah, I remember now. That skunk just ain’t gonna mate,” Steve drawled.
“Deny it all you want. I know the signs. The skunk doesn’t have to mate, but you and the librarian will. And here I was thinking you’d sworn off romantic entanglements after that last gold digger.”
“Who says I’m romantically involved?”
“Rad.”
“Like he’d know.”
“He fell for a bookworm himself. He claims you’re showing all the signs.”
“He hasn’t seen me, he’s only talked to me on the phone.”
“Okay, then you sound like you’ve got the signs. He’s good at reading people.”
“I’m glad to hear he’s good at something.”
Striker returned Steve’s grin.
“Okay.” Striker held up his hands. “Far be it for me to give you advice.”
“Yeah, right,” Steve scoffed.
“Let’s return to more important matters.” Striker placed his elbow on the table in preparation for another arm-wrestling match. “What do say about two out of three?”
“You’re on!”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Chloe shook her head as she fastened the Rollerblades onto her feet Saturday morning.
She’d had her hair cut during the week into a layered style that framed her face at the front while remaining at shoulder length toward the back. The up-to-date look gave her confidence.
It was one of those unexpectedly perfect Indian summer days that had everyone out in the park to enjoy what might be the last remnants of warm weather. Steve looked great in running shorts and a USMC T-shirt. He was obviously in excellent condition. She was seeing more of his muscular body than she ever had before. And she found she was totally enjoying the view.
She’d had to work a split shift on Thursday night so they hadn’t gotten together then. But on Friday he’d brought her favorite Chinese takeout and they’d spent the evening watching Sweetie cavort around the living room.
Chloe had had to kitten-proof the place. Or try to. Sweetie still had a way of getting into things. Wherever there was a pile of books, the kitten would launch off them, making them slide onto the floor. And earlier this morning Sweetie had somehow managed to climb onto the top shelf of the built-in bookcases in the living room and then been too scared to jump back down.
Chloe had rescued her, not that Sweetie had been that appreciative. Instead she’d torn off to some new kitten adventure.
No, Chloe’s life was no longer as neat and orderly as it had been just a short while earlier.
And for that, Chloe was truly grateful. She’d had no idea how staid she’d become. The old Chloe would never have agreed to go in-line skating.
Actually the new Chloe was having a few second thoughts as well.
“Hey, you’re the one who said you’d always wanted to try in-line skating,” Steve reminded her.
To which Chloe retorted, “I’ve always wanted to try hot-air ballooning too, but…”
“Great. We’ll do that next weekend.”
“Only if I survive this adventure first.”
“Oh ye of little faith. Come on, stand up.”
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered.
“Here, hang onto me.” Stev
e offered her his hand.
She stood, grabbing for his shoulders as her feet went in opposite directions.
“I’ve got you.” He held her in one arm, her body pressed close against his. His deep voice rumbled against her. The thin cotton of her T-shirt and his provided little protection as her breasts pushed against his chest. “You’re okay.”
She wasn’t so sure about that. Was it okay to have her heart hammering like a wild thing? Was it okay to go weak at the knees because of him? Her face rested against the warm cotton of his soft T-shirt.
He smelled good. Clean. Male. No cloying after-shave. He didn’t need any to be sexy.
His hand moved up and down her back to reassure her. She’d released his hand when she’d first started to feel herself falling and had grabbed his shoulders instead. Her head fit just under his chin. How nice just to stay here like this.
The renegade thought made her nervous.
And just like those turtles Wanda was so fond of, when Chloe got nervous she withdrew. A little. She’d made some giant strides, but there were still times when she had to pause and reassess things.
Since she still felt unsteady on the Rollerblades, she wasn’t about to let go of Steve entirely, however. “Sorry about latching onto you that way.” She belatedly shoved her glasses back into place.
“Hey, I don’t mind, believe me.” He now had his hands braced on her waist.
“I don’t usually lose my balance like that.”
“I have that effect on women.”
She laughed. “So I’ve heard.”
“Time to put your helmet on.” He plunked it on her head.
It made her feel dorky looking but it wasn’t as large as the helmet she’d worn on the Harley.
“Are you ready to try again?”
She was. He made her want to try all kinds of things again. Things she shouldn’t even be thinking about. Things she’d never thought about before. Things she’d given up on. Things she’d never even attempted.
“You can do this,” Steve told her.
Of course she could. She’d ridden on a Harley. She’d eaten sushi. She’d met his parents. What were a mere pair of Rollerblades compared to those things?
Confidence was an amazing thing. Once you got it, there was no telling how far you could go.
Chloe got as far as five feet down the path before realizing she was actually in-line skating. On her own!
Well, she was holding Steve’s hand, but that was for moral support, not to prevent her from falling on her face.
“You’re doing great,” he congratulated her.
“I think the reason I felt so uncomfortable is that it doesn’t feel like I’m on solid ground. It felt like I could go any which way.”
Steve gave her a look. “Are you thinking again? Analyzing things?”
“No. I was just making conversation.”
“It’s a nice day is making conversation. You were definitely analyzing, which is intense thinking.”
“It is?”
“Affirmative.”
“Listen, it occurs to me that you’re not being logical. On the one hand you accuse women of being too sensitive and emotional yet on the other hand you don’t want me thinking too much. What, you just want me to stand beside you and gaze up at you adoringly?”
“If you were doing that in a wet T-shirt, it would be even better.” His smile was pure male.
“So you’re saying that all you’re really interested in is a woman’s breasts?”
“Of course not.”
“Good.”
“Great legs are also a good thing.”
“Of all the chauvinistic…!”
His wicked grin made her pause.
Chloe sighed. “You were pushing my buttons again.”
“You make it entirely too easy.”
“Yes, I do. I’m going to have to work on pushing your buttons.”
“I’m telling you, a wet T-shirt would do it.”
“I didn’t mean those buttons.”
“You’re so cute when you’re serious.”
“So you take pleasure in telling me.”
He took pleasure in the feel of her fingers curved around his, in spending time with her, in watching her emotions flash across her face, in the way she wrinkled her nose before pushing her glasses into place to bestow a reprimanding look upon him. He got a kick out of her enthusiasm in trying new things and he couldn’t resist the urge to tease her.
“How about some fennel cakes?” She pointed to a stand ahead. “My treat.”
Five minutes later they were sitting on a bench near a fountain that was shooting water in the air in an aquatic ballet. Little kids sat around the edge of the fountain, totally wrapped up in the alternating rhythms of the display—leaping drops, darting spurts and liquid streams.
“Neat, huh?” She turned to face him.
“Yeah. Neat.” But he wasn’t referring to the fountain. Or the fennel cake. He was referring to Chloe. The librarian who had powdered sugar on her lush lips that he wanted to kiss. Again. And again.
So you’d better beware, baby brother. Sounds like you may be checking your heart out to this librarian.
Striker’s warning echoed inside Steve’s head.
“So how are things going with you and the bookworm?”
“Fine. How are things going with you and your bookworm?” Steve retorted.
“Outstanding.”
“Then why are you bothering me? You don’t need to borrow money or anything do you?”
“Very funny. Pardon me while I choke with laughter.” Rad made several grunting noises.
“I hear indigestion comes with old age,” Steve said. “You might want to see a medic about that.”
“You’re in rare form today.”
“Yeah, I am, aren’t I?”
“And so modest about it, too.”
“Right. After all, all of us Kozlowski brothers are known for our modesty.”
“And here I was thinking we were known for our sex appeal.”
“Well, I am, but you’re an old married guy with indigestion. No appeal there.”
“Hey, I didn’t call you to get hassled,” Rad retorted. “I could have talked to Striker for that. He’s better at it than you are.”
“He’s a legend in his own mind.”
“Hey, I heard that,” Striker said.
“Oh, didn’t I tell you that Striker was in town visiting us?” Rad inquired with mocking innocence. “He’s on the other phone line.”
Steve was unfazed. “Listen, I just saw Striker in person a few days ago so he already knows how I feel about him.”
“Bitter because I beat you at arm wrestling,” Striker stated. “Yet you still think I’m a legend in my own mind?”
“You can’t help it,” Steve replied. “It comes from living in Texas now.”
“You haven’t been talking to Dad have you?” Striker’s voice had turned serious.
“Of course I have.”
“So he’s still p.o.ed about me taking over King Oil? I thought he’d gotten beyond that.”
“We didn’t talk about you. Contrary to your belief, the world does not revolve around you. And it certainly doesn’t revolve around Rad.”
“I’m still on the line here,” Rad growled.
“Yeah I know.” Steve grinned. “Makes it even better to push two brothers’ buttons at once.”
“Striker, tell me again why we called this idiot?” Rad demanded.
“To harass him about the bookworm who’s got him wrapped around her finger.”
“She’s a librarian. And she doesn’t have me wrapped around anything. What’s with you two? Don’t you have more important things to jabber about? You sound more like matchmakers than Busha does. Is that what being married does? Turn your brain to mush and make you all sappy? What’s it gonna take to convince you two that I’m not interested in marriage? I’m just here on leave for a few weeks, no big deal.”
“It wasn’t, until
you hooked up with a bookworm,” Rad stated.
“Rad, did you warn Steve about bookworms?” Striker asked.
“Affirmative,” Rad replied. “The minute Steve told me about her.”
“Hey, if you don’t want advice then don’t come crying to us about your love life when it goes bad,” Striker told Steve.
“Roger that,” Rad agreed.
“I’ve got a plan.”
“Oh no,” both his brothers groaned.
“Yes, but my plan is going to work, unlike your lame-brain plans.”
“Famous last words,” Rad said right before Steve hung up on him.
Despite what his brothers thought, Steve had things under control. He was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was trained to maintain control and successfully complete missions. And that’s what he’d do with Chloe.
Romance was not an option. Not for either one of them. They were a team. Alpha Libras. Not a couple.
Steve wasn’t in the best of moods the following Saturday. All week he’d told himself that everything was going according to his plans. Then he’d fall asleep and dream of Chloe at night. Wearing her sexy Chicago Bears nightshirt. Or wearing nothing at all.
That wasn’t part of the game plan. So okay, he was experiencing a minor speed bump here. Nothing major. Nothing he couldn’t handle. That didn’t mean his buttinsky brothers were right about him falling for Chloe.
The roar of a Harley interrupted his irritated thoughts. It wasn’t his Harley. It was Patrick’s Harley. The older man pulled to a stop by the curb in front of Wanda’s bungalow.
“What are you doing?” Steve demanded.
“I told you I had a plan.”
“That was more than a week ago.”
“Well I had to perfect it now, didn’t I?” Patrick retorted.
“Where did you get the Harley?”
“It belongs to one of my sons.”
“The Chicago policeman?”
Patrick nodded.
That explained the machine, but it didn’t explain Patrick’s presence.
“And your plan involves you riding a Harley?”
Patrick nodded.
Steve suddenly didn’t have a good feeling about this. But before he could comment, his grandmother came out of Chloe’s house and joined them. Chloe was right by her side. Wanda had gone over to bring Sweetie a new toy, as she did every few days.