Welcome Home, Bobby Winslow

by Christyne Butler

  While Leeann’s cell phone remained pitifully silent.

  She entered the circular drive outside Bobby’s house at a quick pace, her usual smooth running form a jangled mess of nerves and unsteady breaths. Leaving her house for a run in just a windbreaker and shorts probably wasn’t the smartest move now that the sun was almost gone, but her head had been so jumbled since learning of Bobby’s return, she was thankful she’d remembered to put her sneakers on.

  She slowed to a stop, muscles quivering from the physical exertion and the cool night air. It took a few more breaths—deep and cleansing this time—and another check of her cell phone. Nope, no calls. Reminding herself of the decision she’d come to, she found her resolve again.

  Knocking on the front door, she waited. When no one came she checked the security keypad and found it turned off. Using the key Bobby had given her for only the second time, she let herself in. She’d come by once, to grab one of the laptops so she could work on the camp plans. Being here while he was away just didn’t seem right.

  The lights were on with the stereo tuned to the local country music station. The tasty aroma of home cooking filled the air, but the house was still. Except for the familiar growl from the canine welcoming committee at her feet.

  “Hello, Daisy, nice to see you again, too.” Leeann placed her hands on her hips. “Where is he?”

  The dog just stared at her, but Leeann didn’t flinch. “You might as well tell me. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Daisy turned and headed for the stairs, pausing to look back at Leeann when she didn’t follow. So she joined the pup and they headed to the lower level together.

  The dog offered her one last look before she disappeared into Dean’s bedroom. Leeann recognized the familiar noises coming from the gym. Bobby and Dean were in the middle of a workout.

  She hadn’t come here to confront Bobby about the distance he’d put between them by leaving and his silence while he’d been gone. Besides, she’d figured her aunt was right, he needed time to work through everything she’d told him.

  Still, the fact that he’d returned today and hadn’t called her…

  She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, hoping he was ready to talk now—or at least listen—because she had plenty to say.

  “You know, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”

  Bobby’s words caused Leeann to pause just outside the door.

  “No kidding?” Dean’s familiar sarcastic tone made her smile. “I’d been wondering what that burning smell was—”

  “Shut up and listen, okay?” Bobby cut off his friend. “I think I’ve come to a few decisions.”

  “Well, hold off on your grand announcement for a minute. I need to get some clean towels from the laundry.” Dean walked out of the exercise room, surprise lighting up his face when he spotted her standing there. “Hey—”

  Leeann held her index finger to her lips, motioning for him to follow her. Amusement danced in his dark eyes, but he nodded and trailed behind her as she returned upstairs. They walked into the mudroom where the washer and dryer were located.

  “Okay, you want to tell me what’s going on?” Dean asked, reaching for a stack of folded towels. “And how did you know we were back in town?”

  “A little redheaded birdie told me. Aren’t you going to be late for your date?”

  He quirked a brow at her.

  “You’ve been back less than three hours,” Leeann continued. “And you already have plans for the night.”

  “What can I say?” Dean grinned. “I’m good.”

  “And I’m going crazy. We hardly spoke the whole time you two were gone. Something I’m sure you’re aware of.”

  The playfulness disappeared from Dean’s eyes. “He’s had a lot on his mind lately.”

  “Bobby told you, didn’t he? About my past.”

  A light blush crossed the man’s cheeks and Leeann regretted her abrupt tone. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have. It’s okay, Dean. I never asked him to keep what happened to me just between the two of us. Even though I’m sure you’ve figured out it’s not something I’d like shouted from the rooftops.”

  Dean returned her stare for a moment, then nodded, his embarrassment replaced with concern. “He needed someone to talk to. What happened to you—I know it was a long time ago and you’ve obviously worked through it, but it really tore him up. And you…girl, you’re—”

  “Amazing. Yeah, so I’ve been told.”

  “And now you’re chomping at the bit to have some alone time with my buddy.” Dean held out the towels toward her. “Which I totally understand. Go easy on the guy, huh? I don’t think he has any idea what he’s doing.”

  “Didn’t I just hear him say he’s made some sort of decision?”

  “True, but he could be talking about what’s for dinner.”

  Leeann offered him one raised eyebrow.

  “Naw, I don’t believe that either.” Dean nodded. “Okay, I’ll make myself scarce for the night.”

  Guilt swamped her. “You don’t have to rush out right now. I mean, if you need to take a shower first.”

  “I’ll just grab my stuff. I’m sure Katie won’t mind if I get ready at her place.”

  Leeann rose up on tiptoe and placed a light kiss on his cheek. “You’re a great guy, Dean.”

  “Shhh, don’t let that get around.” He offered her a wink while pulling out his wallet. Seconds later, he pressed a foiled packet into her hand. “Here, take this. Just in case.”

  “Dean!”

  “Hey, a girl can’t be too safe, ya know?”

  A few minutes later, she saw Dean heading for the garage. Waiting until the taillights of the pickup disappeared from view, she slipped the packet into the hidden pocket of her shorts before heading back down the stairs, towels in hand.

  After slowly exhaling another deep breath, she entered the gym. Bobby sat at the shoulder press machine, his back to her. With its inclined bench and overhead pulley system, it was a piece of equipment she’d seen him use often during his sessions.

  Like right now.

  As he raised and lowered the bar, the muscles in his shoulders and arms stretched and contracted in a smooth controlled motion, showing off miles of gleaming skin. His only clothing was dark shorts and sneakers.

  “It’s about time you got back.” Bobby’s words caused Leeann to jump as he lowered the overhead bar to its starting position with a clang. He held out one hand. “I’ve got a river of sweat in my eyes. Throw me a towel, would ya?”

  She did as instructed, hitting him right in the head.

  “Thanks.” He draped the towel over his face, but kept talking. “Like I was saying, I’ve made a decision. I still need to talk to Leeann again about her offer to use her land and the pond for the camp, but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.” He quickly swiped at his face before running the towel over his chest and down each arm. “Not after I make her an offer she can’t refuse.”

  Okay, that sounded a little Godfatherish, but darn if her heart didn’t do a little flip-flop right in her chest. If that meant what she hoped it did…

  “There are a couple of conditions, but I’m going to ask her to come on board as the camp’s director.”

  Okay, that wasn’t exactly what she’d wanted to hear. “Conditions?”

  Bobby’s head whipped around so fast he nearly fell off the bench. “Lee?”

  “In the flesh.”

  “What the hell?” He stood. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, it’s nice to see you, too.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned against the long table Dean used for full-body rubdowns. Ignoring the butterflies zooming around in her stomach, she prayed she looked more at ease than she felt.

  The last thing she’d expected was Bobby to offer her a job. Darn her heart, she’d actually hoped for another kind of proposition all together.

  “So, let’s hear these conditions.”

  “Lee…I…” His words faltered,
his gaze shot around the room. “Where’s Zip?”

  “He’s gone. I told him I wanted to talk to you. Alone.”

  “You did?”

  “It sounds like you want to talk to me, too. At least long enough to make me ‘an offer I can’t refuse.’ Wasn’t that how you put it?”

  “Ah, yeah, I did, but…”

  When his voice trailed off, she pushed away from the table and headed across the room, but froze when Bobby took a step backward. He bumped into the machine and landed hard on his butt, straddling the bench again.

  He didn’t want her close to him?

  The question caused an explosion of pain to envelop her body, clouding her already mangled thoughts. She stared at him, but he wouldn’t even hold her gaze.

  “Lee, I’m in the middle of workout.” He looked straight ahead, his gaze on the archway that led to the pool. “I don’t think this is the time or place—”

  “I think this is the perfect time and place.” She cut his words off, moving forward until she stood in front of him. “What’s the problem? I’m dressed for a workout. I’ll join you.”

  His eyes snapped to hers, wide and unblinking. “You’ll what?”

  “Will that make it easier for you? Because what we really need to discuss isn’t the camp, it’s us. I get that you needed time to deal with…to come to terms with my past. Which I’d hoped you might have thought about once or twice while you were out of town.”

  Bobby fell back against the incline, one hand held out as if to stop her. “Lee, wait—”

  “No, I’m not going to wait. Not one moment longer. Forgive me, but I’m assuming you used some of that time away to come to a conclusion about me, about us.”

  “I did. I have.” He moved his hand to the overhead bar and gripped it tight. “Dammit, you heard me say I want you working—”

  “I’m not talking about the camp! I’m talking about me wanting you in my life, wanting you in every way a woman wants a man.”

  She looked up, and her frustration dissolved into a longing she’d never felt before as she caught Bobby watching her. His gaze blazed hot as it started at her feet and slowly traveled up her legs. He paused for a moment at where her hand rested between her breasts.

  Her determination weakened as uncertainty crept in, but she pushed onward, pulling down the zipper until it stopped just above her belly button. “And I don’t mean that I need you as a way to fix the past or make me whole again, because I am whole.”

  That got his attention back to her face. She took another step forward until her leg brushed against his, his skin cool and damp. “I’m a woman who made a decision about what she wants and needs. That’s you, but if you don’t—”

  “I do.”

  The certainty in his voice, in his eyes, suddenly had her hopes soaring in a way that just moments ago didn’t seem possible. This roller-coaster ride of emotions was making her dizzy.

  “You do what exactly?”

  That sexy, roguish smile returned. “Want you, too.”

  She opened her mouth, but for the first time tonight, she didn’t know what to say. Snapping her mouth shut, she caught her bottom lip between her teeth just to make sure she didn’t say the wrong thing.

  “Look what you do to me,” she finally said, unable to remain quiet. “You get me so crazy, I can’t—I don’t think before I speak or come barging into your home.”

  “Lee, the distance between us, both figuratively and literally, isn’t because I don’t want to be with you.” He dropped his hands to his lap, the towel fisted in his grip. “Yes, I had to deal with my anger over what happened to you, but I thought it was pretty clear that night in my bed how much I desired you. You’re the one who had to be sure of what you wanted, for whatever reasons.”

  “Whatever reasons? What does that mean?”

  His naked chest expanded as he inhaled a deep breath, then released it. He dropped the towel and reached for her hand, gently tugging it from where she’d grabbed on to her windbreaker. “It means that however you want me, for however long you want me, I’m here.”

  Just like that, almost twenty years after they’d met, Leeann Harris fell in love with Bobby Winslow all over again.

  She returned his gentle squeeze then used his hand for balance as she easily straddled him, loving the surprise that came over his features at her spontaneous move.

  “What—what are you doing?”

  His question sounded more like a strangled plea. Leeann released his hand, placing hers on his wide shoulders. The hairs on his legs tickled as she slowly slid closer to his chest.

  A hot blush crept over her skin as she encountered the physical evidence that he was as aroused as she.

  Keeping her gaze locked with his, she watched Bobby’s expression morph from surprise to desire. Her fingertips pressed into his muscles, his strength an anchor she could hold on to, relax into, as she reassured herself who she was with and what she was doing.

  Making love. Her and Bobby.

  Without thought, she pushed up on her toes, her hips pressing against his, cradling his erection between her thighs. “Is this okay?”

  He raised his hands to the overhead bar, his grip causing the muscles in his arms, chest and washboard abs to tighten, flex and ripple. “This is perfect, Lee. As long as you’re sure?”

  “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” She leaned forward then pressed her mouth to his.

  The kiss was tender and sweet, despite their position and state of undress. He sipped at her as she brushed her mouth back and forth over his. He tasted salty and minty and she eagerly parted her lips, urging him onward as the kiss deepened and lengthened.

  Her windbreaker—too warm, too confining—stuck to her skin. She briefly released Bobby from their kiss to yank it over her head. The need to be skin on skin had her pulling her arms free.

  When his eyes glazed over, she was glad she’d kept on the baby-blue lace bra instead of trading for the sporty style.

  Wanting to remember this moment, she concentrated on taking it all in. The bright lights, the tangy smell of chlorinated water, the soft country music in the background. She stamped onto her memory the strength of his powerful legs beneath her backside, the sheen of his damp skin and the potent longing in his eyes.

  For her.

  Letting her jacket fall to the floor behind her, she dragged one bra strap, then the other, from her shoulders. They hung loose against her arms, the lace clinging to her breasts. She dropped her hands to Bobby’s chest. His heartbeat thumped strong against her fingertips as she brushed her lips over his again.

  Bobby reared up, capturing her mouth. She pressed even closer, their hips moving in a natural rhythm. The friction of their clothes heightened her anticipation.

  It was then Leeann realized he still held tight to the metal bar over their heads.

  She broke free and straightened, closing her eyes against the sudden sting of her tears. Blindly, she trailed her fingers over the corded muscles of his arm until she reached his wrists, then his clenched fists.

  “Lee, I don’t want to hurt—to scare—”

  His voice was as rough as his touch was gentle when she pried his fingers loose. She let her head fall back, opening herself to him, then placed one hand to her breast.

  “Touch me, Bobby, please.”

  His fingers brushed over her skin; soon one hand became two. Still she kept her head back, eyes closed. His hands went to the tiny front clasp of her bra and with a simple twist it opened and disappeared from her body.

  He shifted, rising, bringing their bodies together as he wrapped one arm around her waist, his mouth now at her neck.

  “It’s me, it’s Bobby,” he whispered against her skin.

  Leeann brought her head forward, her hands sliding into his damp wavy hair. “I know.”

  “You are so beautiful, Lee.”

  He cupped her breast, taking her taut nipple into the wet heat of his mouth. Gentle suctions, the rasp of his tongue, created
sensations that had her flying. She rocked her hips as he moved from one breast to the other, his mouth never leaving her skin.

  “Bobby, please…” She dropped one hand between her thighs, stroking the length of him through the cotton material of his shorts, loving how he responded with low, guttural groans.

  “Let’s—” His mouth moved up her neck again until he reached her ear. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  She shook her head. Everything was perfect right here. She wanted the bright lights, wanted to see his face as he made love to her, wanted to be the one in control this first time.

  How could she tell him all that? How could she explain without breaking the magical spell they’d woven around each other in these past moments? “No, please…I want to be with you right here, right now.”

  His hands moved to her waist and gave a gentle squeeze. He understood. Without words, without details, he knew exactly what she needed and why.

  He leaned back, a slight grin on his sexy face. “I don’t have anything—any protection here.”

  She braced her hands on his rock-hard thighs and slowly pushed herself off his lap. Never taking her eyes from his, she toed off her sneakers and then her socks before pulling the tiny foil packet from the pocket of her shorts.

  His smile widened. “You planned this?”

  “Let’s just say I had high hopes.”

  She tossed him the packet, then tucked her thumbs into the edge of her shorts and slowly pushed them and the matching blue-lace panties down over her hips.

  Bobby mirrored her actions, removing his shorts. She helped by sliding off his sneakers. He quickly sheathed himself. As if he couldn’t stand them being apart for one more minute, he pulled her back onto his lap, his mouth taking hers in a heated kiss.

  She held on to his shoulders as she again pushed herself to her toes, sliding over him. His hands were at her waist, supporting her, guiding her.

  “Slow and easy, honey,” Bobby whispered against her mouth. “Take all the time you need.”

  Her eyes locked with his. She allowed him to see deep inside her heart as she took him deep inside her body. He filled her completely and she slowly moved, becoming reacquainted with his fullness.