Just Plain Lucky

by Tesa Devlyn

  He pulled his lips from hers. “Guess I shouldn’t do that. I don’t want to ruin that work of art.”

  Liana giggled. “It’s an extravagance I indulged myself in after you left last night.”

  “You should have put it on before I left.” He moved his hands down her hips and gripped her thighs.

  “I had it on under my dress.”

  “Wow. Don’t tell me that.” Michael moaned, and buried his face in the fluffy collar of her chenille robe.

  She should step out of his arms and get dressed. She’d promised him breakfast. He had work to do and Brittany might come home early.

  With every bit of restraint, she pulled away and put the island between them. “Black coffee?”

  “Yes, ma’am. There you go again—changing the subject.”

  He moved around the bar and placed one hand on either side of her just like he had last night. This time his front pressed to her back. Even through the thick fabric of her robe she detected his heat and hardness. She leaned against him and nuzzled her face into the side of his neck.

  Oh, how she wanted to stay here, maintain the contact with his masculine body, but after what he’d said last night…she couldn’t deceive him by giving into what they both wanted before he knew the full truth.

  “I have no doubt making love with you would be incredible.” She turned in his arms and handed him a mug. “Nor do I doubt how complicated life would become.”

  A half smile tilted Michael’s delicious mouth. He took the mug, but didn’t move away. “Liana, meeting you has already complicated my life. Making love could make it all simple again.”

  Liana sipped her coffee. “Think so?”

  “Yep. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in over a week. I’m so distracted, my crew had a heyday razzing me.” He took a drink of coffee and rolled his lips together. “Think we could discuss what keeps us apart?”

  His proximity wouldn’t let her form the words to explain anything, let alone the deep subjects of her past. He completely fogged the logical side of her mind.

  She cupped her mug and gazed into his eyes. “I-I’m not prepared for such a serious conversation right now.”

  He tilted his head and feathered his fingers over her cheek. “All right, so where does that put us? It sounds crazy since I’ve only known you a week, but more than my body needs to be close to you, Liana.”

  He set his mug on the counter, grasped her wrists and pulled her against him.

  “This isn’t casual for me. I have an impressionable teenager I rescued from his promiscuous mother. I refuse to expose him to the same thing. What I want with you isn’t short termed.”

  “How can you know? It hasn’t been a week, it’s less than a week.”

  “There are no guarantees, but I know how I feel.” He cupped her bottom and buried his face in the side of her neck. “What time does Brittany get home?”

  Liana could hardly think with his hard body planted against hers. He left no doubt about what he wanted. “Probably late morning. I should call her and check in.” Oh, how she wanted to finish this. Take him to her room and do all the things she’d dreamed of since they met at Ciao Mambo. If only it were that simple.

  She pressed her hands against his chest. “Please put me down.”

  Michael rested his forehead against hers for a moment before he slowly let her feet touch the floor. He shoved his fingers through his hair and exhaled a frustrated breath. “I need to get to work.”

  “What about breakfast?”

  He shook his head and scrubbed his face with both hands. “Maybe later.” He turned and left the house.

  Chapter Five

  Liana braced her arms on the sill of the kitchen window while Michael unloaded the tools for his day’s work. She released a tension-filled sigh. Maybe making love would simplify things for Michael, but for her? No. Not with Frank waiting in the wings for her to slip-up; display a behavior he could use to drag her to court and take Brittany away.

  Panic coursed through her. She couldn’t let that happen. She’d make Michael a hearty breakfast, but she wouldn’t stick around. She had to leave before she gave in to her heart’s desire.

  Liana built the fire in the fireplace. Why had she worn a lace teddy to bed? She didn’t have anyone to impress. In her bedroom, she stripped out of the indulgence and tossed it in the laundry basket.

  “Am I kidding myself?” She stomped to the shower. “I deluded myself into thinking I could have a love life.”

  The lace had felt good against her skin. The fantasy of sleeping in something Michael would like added to the delicious sensation. Had she subconsciously hoped he’d see it this morning and go crazy?

  The hot spray of the shower eased away some of the tension and exhaustion. She had to sleep or she’d get sick.

  After a vigorous toweling, she performed her usual skin care routine. Outside, Michael banged and sawed. His closeness made her breasts tingle. She stomped into her room, tossed the damp towel in the laundry basket and pulled on some underwear. “Get a grip. He’s off limits!”

  Michael wasn’t the only one with an impressionable teenager. Brittany liked Michael, but friendship didn’t compare to discovering her mother had almost jumped into bed with him. Dammit. Why couldn’t she have met Michael after Brittany turned eighteen and moved off to college? At that point Frank’s power would end.

  Liana slipped her feet into a pair of clogs and headed for the kitchen, prepared to face the day and her resolution to stay out of Michael’s bed.

  An hour later, with a plate loaded with hash browns, an omelet and crisp bacon in the warming oven, Liana headed out the door to let Michael know his breakfast was ready.

  Shovel in hand and up to his knees in mud, he dug away at the trench for the footings he planned to pour next week.

  She hesitated before calling out to him, but stood there, drinking in the sight of his strong, muscled body at battle with the frozen earth. Her heart pinged with sorrow. She may never know the thrill of making love with him or the sweetness of waking in his arms.

  “Michael, time to eat.”

  He barely looked at her. He had to be frustrated over their close encounter. She certainly was. He stabbed the shovel into the pile of muddy earth and wiped his forehead with his shirt sleeve.

  “Liana, I can’t go into your house, I’m covered with mud.”

  “I’ll set it on the picnic table. Are you warm enough to eat outside?”

  He looked up at the sky. “Yeah, it’s warming up. I’m glad it cleared off.”

  Liana tightened her hold on her sweater and shivered. “If you say so.”

  Michael climbed out of the trench and walked toward her. Dear heavens, even covered with mud and sweat the man turned her into a puddle of molten liquid.

  “I’ll get a pan of warm wash water.”

  “What about you? Did you eat?”

  “I need to get some work done before Brittany comes home. She’s going to shop with Meagan most of the morning. If you need anything, please call.”

  Michael’s mouth tightened. “You don’t have to run away. I won’t tear off your clothes.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous! I’m the one who wants to tear off my clothes. I trust you implicitly. It won’t work, Michael. You won’t be happy when you learn more about me.”

  Michael tilted his head back and laughed. “I wouldn’t be happy if you tore off your clothes and made love with me? Are you crazy? I’d be ecstatic!”

  Liana blinked against the pesky tears she’d experienced a lot lately. “I don’t have an answer right now. Please just eat your breakfast and go home early. I’m sure Leif wants to spend time with you.”

  “I’ll get the footings dug and the forms set.” He continued toward her, his amber gaze drilling her for the truth. “Never doubt it, Liana. I want you. All of you.”

  Liana hurried into the house for a pan of hot water, a bar of soap and paper towels. When she returned, Michael waited next to the picnic table.
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  He washed while she took his plate from the oven and carried it outside. At least she’d covered the patio chairs so the upholstery was dry.

  Michael laid paper towels over the taupe brocade seat before he sat down. “This looks great. Thank you.”

  Before she stepped away, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. He kissed the back of her hand, his gaze conveying a wealth of feeling.

  Pain thrummed in Liana’s heart. She wanted more from Michael than his beautiful body. She wanted the dream, but the nightmare from her past may never let it happen.

  “I’ll see you later.” On impulse, she kissed his lips, tugged from his hold and hurried into the house.

  ****

  “Your numbers are great, Liana. You’re a real asset to the brokerage.”

  “Thank you, Stan.” Liana gave her broker a quick smile. “I appreciate your understanding on the office schedule.”

  “You have enough out of state referrals to keep you busy. I respect your need to spend more time with your daughter, so consider it done. I’ll revamp the schedule to reflect two office days and the rest from home. Just let me know if the referrals dry up and you need more walk-in business.”

  “I will. Thanks again.” Liana swiveled her office chair, and handed Stan her client schedule for the next week. “Two more couples from Canada plus the final counter offers on five properties.”

  Stan gave a low whistle and smacked his lips. “Just don’t burn yourself out. I’d hate to lose you.”

  Liana reached across her desk and patted his hand. “Never fear. You treat me very well.” She glanced at her cell phone. The message light blinked.

  “I heard through the grapevine Michael Saxon’s remodeling your house. Good choice. He did some work for me last summer. I was impressed with his speed and quality.”

  “That’s good to hear. Since I’m relatively new to town, I had to make my best judgment call.”

  Liana glanced at her computer. Michael had emailed about an idea. Could she be home by four? Intrigued, she confirmed the appointment. A shiver of emotion made her wiggle in her chair. The past week had been a crazy rollercoaster and she bordered on exhaustion.

  One challenge at a time. That’s all she could do.

  With the revised buy and sell agreement for the Cummings completed, she faxed it to them for review and signatures.

  Her second home and vacation home clients had saved her from the real estate slump. Thanks to her contacts in the San Francisco business world. It didn’t hurt that Kalispell and Whitefish were beautiful resort areas.

  If only she could compartmentalize Michael this easily.

  Most women would think her crazy for not jumping into bed with him. He’d saved her on the house remodel disaster, he liked Brittany and she liked him. He was handsome, charming, sexy, and she feared her heart would break when he finished her house project, accepted her payment and walked away.

  He’d move on. Start a new job; maybe meet someone else.

  She fiddled with her paperclip holder. Their relationship was doomed no matter how she looked at it. When he learned how she’d almost succumbed to an affair, an affair that finally made Frank agree to the divorce, Michael’s warm gaze would go cold and he’d leave.

  Why did her life have to be so complicated! People made mistakes and bad choices, but those mistakes didn’t haunt them for sixteen years, did they?

  At least her finances were secure at the moment. As long as the stream of referrals came her way, she’d earn the money to complete the remodel, pay Frank’s alimony check and take care of Brittany’s needs without touching her savings. But experience had taught her to be realistic. The referrals would inevitably slow down.

  Even more to the point, Frank had no right to receive the alimony! Blackmail money better described what she’d been paying every month for the past four years. It went against all fairness and it had to stop.

  When Brittany turned eighteen, Liana would confess all to her daughter and stop the payments. Frank could take her to court or take a flying leap—she didn’t care. With the threat gone, she could open her design business. Everything would fall into place.

  Shutting down her computer, she hurried out to meet with the new couple who’d left the message on her cell phone. They were interested in a vacation home close to the golf course in Whitefish. She’d agreed to meet them at a popular wine bar downtown.

  They’d also mentioned rental property, so she had to strike while the proverbial iron was hot.

  “I like what I see,” Jackie Bishop said an hour later as she looked over the assortment of properties Liana had picked for them to consider. “I had no idea we’d find a bonus like this one.”

  Liana sipped from her glass of Syrah, and nodded. “It’s a buyers market and when you don’t have to depend on financing, you have it made. I’ll write up the offer tomorrow morning and fax it to the listing agent. I’m sure she’ll call me by Monday.”

  “Very good.” Pete waved to the server to order another round.

  “Oh, not for me thank you. I have to drive home.” Her cell phone vibrated and skittered across the table. She grabbed it just before it pitched over the side. “Liana Campbell.”

  “Hello.”

  The sound of his voice usually sent tingles over her body. Tonight, his tone startled her. “Michael, is there a problem?”

  “Yeah, it’s four-thirty and you’re not here.”

  Liana glanced at the clock on the wall. “Oh, no! I lost track of time.”

  “Ouch. Well, I’m at your house right now. With Brittany.”

  “Oh no! Michael, I’m so sorry. I did call Brittany with my schedule today.” Why did she need to explain herself to him? Brittany was fine.

  Liana covered her phone with her free hand, and smiled at Pete and Jackie. “I’m sorry guys. I forgot about another appointment. I have to take off.”

  “No problem.” Pete leaned forward and patted her knee. “We understand. Go ahead and take your call. We’ll touch bases on Monday.”

  “Thank you.” Liana mouthed the response and gathered up her purse, briefcase and coat with one hand while she juggled her phone with the other. “Michael, I’m on my way out the door and should be there in fifteen if you can stick around. If not, we can reschedule.”

  “We don’t have time to reschedule. This meeting affects the structure of the addition. Don’t worry about dinner. I brought pizza.”

  “Oh.” Liana fumbled with her lock gadget, opened the door and set her stuff on the back seat. “How considerate. I’ll be right home. You can add the pizza to my bill.”

  Silence.

  “Michael?”

  “I refuse to bill you for a lousy pizza. I’ll see you when you get here.” He disconnected.

  Liana leaned back in her seat. Heaviness squashed the pleasant affects of the wine she’d had with her clients. “Here we go again. My work isn’t as important as his and I neglected my daughter. Grrrr.”

  She had enough stress in her life without Michael overstepping the boundary. She was a big girl and Brittany did fine at home alone sometimes.

  Sometimes?

  Liana started the SUV and flipped on her seat heater. “Okay, so she’s spent quite a few evenings alone while I work. She’s almost sixteen. It’s not like she’s a little girl anymore.” She tapped her palm against the steering wheel, turned to look both ways and backed out of the parking space.

  Night began to wrap itself around the Northwest Montana day. Snow fluttered through the sky and gathered in patches on the parking lot.

  “Face it, he’s right about Brittany being home alone, or at Shari’s far too much.” She navigated the weekend traffic and arrived at her house within the time she’d promised Michael.

  She shifted into Park and sat in the car for a moment, hoping the best approach to the evening would appear. She couldn’t blame Michael for being irritated. She’d agreed to the time and had spaced it. She rotated her head from side to side, stretching out the ki
nks in her neck. She needed a moment to decompress, prepare herself to meet with an irritated Michael.

  The house was well lit and smoke curled from the chimney, creating a warm and cozy image. Far from what she usually came home to at the end of the day.

  She sighed. Despite her attraction to Michael, they had a business agreement for the remodel. Exactly why she’d canceled that first dinner. Mixing business with pleasure wasn’t a good idea. But, it was too late to go back.

  “Thanks to my black teddy and a weak moment.”

  Besides, the kids were involved and they didn’t need to hear their parents arguing over whose time was more valuable. She needed to keep her cool and get through the evening.

  Cutting the engine, she grabbed her briefcase and left her warm vehicle. The constant drizzle chilled her to the bone before she reached the back door. Inside the utility room, she shook the droplets out of her hair and brushed at the sleeves of her cashmere jacket.

  A multiply array of impressions hit her senses. A warm glow spilled from the kitchen, the yeasty scent of baking pizza, the clink of glassware, harmonized with low masculine humming. The irritation mellowed and left her body more relaxed, but her mind in a turmoil. Maybe he was concerned, not angry.

  Until Michael started working on her house, Brittany often went home with Megan after school. Liana would pick her up about six and they’d come home to a chilly, dark house and eat a late dinner. She’d never liked the routine, but being a single parent didn’t allow her the luxury of permanently changing things anytime soon.

  Liana stepped into the light, afraid the surreal sights and smells would evaporate when Michael looked at her with the disappointment he’d displayed earlier.

  A glass of wine sat on the kitchen island. The fire crackled in the fireplace and reflected off the plates and glasses on the table. The burgundy candle centerpiece was lit and rivaled the aroma of pizza with the scent of cranberries and cinnamon.

  Michael took the pizza from the oven. He jerked his hand back as he set the pan on the stovetop. “Damn.” He stuck his thumb in his mouth.

  Liana’s breath caught. How could the man look domestic and oh so ruggedly masculine at the same time? He turned toward him and his eyes widened. “I didn’t hear you come in. You’re soaked.”