“You have a fax here?” Kate asked as she came in from the living room in a pink jogging suit over a T-shirt. Due to recent outdoor exercise, her cheeks matched the color of her outfit. She squeezed behind Toby on her way to the fridge rather than pass between A.J. and the island.
How much had she heard? “Yeah. Basement office, in back of the workout room.”
“Hey, now that’s a room I could use. I’d almost forgotten you said there was a place to exercise. If we get a big snow, that’ll come in handy.” She turned toward them rather fast, caught Rio shaking his head at Toby and propped a hand on her hip. “What was that about? Has something happened?”
Damn, but her workout had made her sassy today. The attitude looked good on her, too.
“Shoot.” Toby said before Rio could get past staring and formulate an answer. “Guess you’ll figure it out at dinner anyway. No filet steaks at the meat counter today so I bought rib eye. We’ll have to muddle through.”
She looked from the bodyguard to Rio and back again, then drawled. “Ri-i-ight.”
Toby shot Rio an apologetic glance as he folded the reusable shopping bags and shrugged.
“No big mystery.” Rio said before she could get all indignant. “I told Toby I didn’t think we’d seen the last of Hank. It’s not like him to quit while he’s ahead, but I didn’t want to worry you over a hunch.”
“Does he know about this place?” Kate broke the seal on a bottled water and twisted off the cap with no-nonsense fingers. “Not that I have cause for safety concerns. Even if I couldn’t take care of myself, I’m living in a testosterone zone.”
“Between internet search engines and property records online, if somebody wants to bad enough, they can find anybody nowadays,” Toby assured her.
“And that’s why the Foxe brothers are in the business of personal protection,” Rio added as Kate drank. He liked that she didn’t mind things simple, could enjoy meat-and-potato type meals because of her penchant for exercise. He even liked that she kept her nails short and practical. He’d never gone for high-maintenance women.
“You got that right, man. Hey, listen, I’m going to shove off.” Toby raised a hand in farewell and headed for the rear door to the outside. “Cody should be waking up for his shift in a few, and we’ll need to tweak the schedule.”
“Yeah, sure. Thanks.” It relieved Rio’s mind to know those guys were here, especially since he was tied up most of the day with A.J. and slept like the dead when he got the chance.
The kitchen fell silent as the door closed, then a tiny snore broke through.
For some reason, it struck Rio as funny that A.J. could do something so ordinary. He snorted, trying not to laugh at loud. That made Kate snicker behind her hand, which came out sounded strangled. Their gazes met across the counter, rife with humor, and suddenly they were both laughing.
A.J. woke with a jerk of tiny arms and frowned.
“Sorry little dude, but that was funny.” Rio stroked the baby’s cheek and watched his little blue-veined eyelids droop again.
“You’re doing great with him, Rio. Does it feel more natural now that you’ve had some practice?”
He got up and pulled a drink from the fridge behind her, more from a need to get closer to her than because of any great thirst. “I’m man enough to admit it. The thought of handling the kid had me shaking in my boots, but he’s sturdier than he looks.”
Kate turned to face him and leaned against the counter. Just to gauge her reaction, he leaned into her personal space. “Tell me his skin won’t stay that soft. I mean, he’s a guy. It’ll toughen up, right?”
“You know it will. After all, you were a baby once.” She leaned forward until their noses were mere inches apart. “I have a bone to pick with you. I don’t begrudge the occasional gentlemanly gesture, but don’t try to shield me from things that could impact my life just because they might be worrisome. I’m not the fragile type. I’d rather know and be prepared, even if it scares me, than be clueless and walk into a bad situation.” She moved her head from side to side, in a gesture that men find fascinating but can’t copy. “Got it?”
“Got it.” Yeah, her adrenaline was still pumping. She was definitely feeling frisky and he liked it.
“About this thing you’re ...” She rocked her index finger back and forth between them. “You don’t intimidate me one bit, Mr. Rio Hawthorne. I’ve got your big ol’ marshmallow number.”
“Marshmallow.” He planted a hand on either side of her, which forced her to lean back to maintain any distance at all between them. “Really?”
“I call it like I see it.”
There was such life and humor sparkling in her eyes, Rio had trouble keeping a straight face. “You obviously haven’t seen my ruthless side.”
She had the audacity to laugh in his face. “Aw, now that I’d like to see. Come on. Let it out to play.”
He’d make her pay for poking fun at him. Rio moved in until she couldn’t bend back any farther, then made a show of perusing her at a snail’s pace. “You sure that’s what you want? Ruthless men take what they want, and my Christmas wish list is getting longer by the second.”
Her brows rose comically, daring him. Little minx. She was playing with fire and about to get singed.
Rio lowered his mouth to the sensitive skin below her ear and nipped it, then soothed the spot with his mouth and tongue. He tasted the slight tang of salt and smelled some kind of fruit-rich soap or shampoo. Hearing her sigh, he smiled and repeated the action, then followed it up by tracing the outline of her ear with his tongue.
A quiver ran through her. She leaned sideways away from him, all traces of the humor gone. Her gaze lowered to his mouth where her thumb played across his lower lip. “I’d bet good money your wish list and mine look pretty similar right about now.”
“Now there’s an intriguing thought. Want to compare?”
Her smile was full of regret. “Our timing stinks.”
“Right.” What had he been thinking, starting something they couldn’t finish? Around her he sometimes went brainless. He loosened his hold and she stepped back, her hands resting on his forearms.
“What are we doing, Rio?” Her question echoed his thoughts. “This. Us. It’s like we have some crazy kissing addiction.”
He wanted to remind her that she could continue to be in his and A.J.’s lives. That would give them time to explore more if they wanted to, but he’d said his piece and promised to keep quiet on the subject. “Nothing wrong with kissing between two free and consenting adults.”
She took a step back and crossed her hands tight under her breast. “No. I guess not. But with us, it’s not quite that simple, is it?”
“It’s whatever we want it to be, Kate.”
“Considering the situation, I guess it’s nothing. We’re just flirting.”
He set aside disappointment and lifted one shoulder, pretending indifference. “No harm, no foul.”
“Then you agree it has to stop.”
Like that would happen. Even Kate saw it as an addiction, and he didn’t want to kick the habit. He trailed a finger down her upper arm. “Nope. Don’t agree at all.”
She ducked away from him and took a step back. “Tough. As of now, we’re just housemates. Not kissing friends or anything else.”
He braced one hand on the counter and leaned in. “You sure? Remember who started this, just now.”
“You did, coming over here acting all macho and flirtatious.” Her voice held disdain, but that sentiment wasn’t reflected in her eyes.
“No, no. You did. A guy has no choice but to retaliate when a marshmallow insult is issued.”
“That was retaliation?” Her gaze shifted to the side, and he could practically see the wheels turning.
“Yeah. Kinda makes you wonder what direction a real fight would take us in, doesn’t it?”
His meaning had barely registered on her features when the doorbell pealed and relief replaced shock. “Excuse me. You st
ay with A.J., and I’ll answer that.”
* * * * *
The hairs on the back of Rio’s neck stood at attention. Damn. He picked up A.J.’s carrier and moved toward the living room as fast as he dared. He should’ve paid attention to that red alert sooner.
Kate reached for the doorknob.
“Don’t open that.”
She jolted, whirling toward him with widened eyes. “Wha —?”
“I’ll get it.” Rio sat A.J. down just inside the room and rushed forward. He put himself between her and the door before opening it. Recognition made him plant his feet and set his jaw. He shoved Kate behind him, ignoring her look of concern. “What do you want?”
“Well, that’s a hellava greeting for your daddy, boy. Just look at you. All grown up.”
“No thanks to you,” Rio shot back, hating the shame that flooded through him, just looking at the man. Hank hadn’t aged well. His hair was mostly gray now, but that was to be expected. It was the stooped shoulders and hard, weathered lines of his face that gave Rio pause. That, and Hank’s size. “I asked you a question. What do you want?”
“Come on, son. I know it’s been awhile, but that’s no way to talk to your da—”
“Cut the bull, Hank. I don’t have any more time for you than you did for me.” He was having a hard time adjusting the man from his nightmarish past to this one. There was something pathetic about him and his wheedling tone grated on Rio’s nerves. “You’ve got about thirty seconds to explain your business here.”
“Or what?” Hank smirked. “The kid I remember couldn’t find his balls with both hands.”
Rio drummed up a good dose of menace and laced his words with it. “Careful, Daddy. Don’t mistake me for a boy. We’re more evenly matched these days.” His hands curled into fists. “The way I see it, I owe you a good hard right to the jaw and several more for Mom. Looking to collect?”
“Rio.” Kate cautioned, with a hand to his forearm. He shook it off.
For the first time, Hank’s bluster faltered, but he recovered fast and gave a dry chuckle. “I’m looking to collect all right. You owe me, kid, and I figure ...” He ran a hand over his jaw and grinned. “If you’re so all-fired ready to be shut of me, give me some traveling cash. A hundred grand ought to do it. What do you say, huh?”
“Your math is skewed, Hank. It’s you who owes Mom about ten years of child support. Give me your permanent address, and I’ll pass it along to the court.”
Hank huffed and looked stunned. “I mean it. A hundred grand and I fade back into the sunset.”
“Until the next time you find yourself short on funds? No thanks.”
“No more tabloid tales. I promise. Ain’t that worth something?”
“Not to me.” He reached to close the door.
“Fifty thousand, then. That’s nothing to you, right?” The hard desperation in Hanks tone made Rio’s blood freeze.
“Kate, call security,” he said over his shoulder and saw her hesitate. “Now.”
“Okay, okay, half that and I’m gone for good. I swear. Come on! It’s pocket change compared to the Hawthorne money.” The man was getting worked up.
Despite what he’d said earlier, Rio had no desire to carry out the threats of violence. A brawl solved nothing and would put Kate and A.J. in danger.
“You need to leave.” Rio locked him out as Hank let his rage loose, pounding on the door and cursing.
He couldn’t look at Kate but reassured himself that A.J. was okay with one look. Damned if the little guy wasn’t drifting off.
“I made the call,” she said about the same time other voices joined Hank’s. His faded away.
Rio turned away from her sympathetic gaze. He sprawled in the nearest chair and stared at the ceiling, snatches of the scene a scrambled mess in his head.
Kate touched his shoulder as she passed his chair on her way to the sofa. “Can I get you anything? Scotch, the whole bottle, a punching bag?”
He appreciated her effort to lighten the tension in the room and managed a quick half smile. “I just want to sit and regroup. I feel drained, beat up. Apparently my ruthless side takes effort.”
“I thought you handled him remarkably well. Believe it or not, I’ve been there. If you need to talk ...”
“Maybe later.”
“All right, then. I’m going to go freshen up before dinner.”
He closed his eyes and nodded, still digesting the fact that Hank wasn’t anywhere near as big or threatening as Rio remembered. He’d faced Hank and the demons of the past without resorting to violence.
Rio’s mind was busy, drawing contrasts between himself and Hank. Each comparison brought a little more certainty that Rio’s mom and Kate might not have been wrong in their shared view of him after all.
* * * * *
For Kate, the weeks sped by faster than she would’ve thought possible. An eight-inch snowfall made her search out Rio’s gym, and she added strength training to her cardio. As soon as the paths cleared again, she graduated from walking to jogging. Since someone always needed to stay on the upper floors to listen for A.J., she and Rio never worked out together. But the way he made her mouth water and her stomach clench when he came up from the basement all sweaty and buff, Kate figured it was a good thing they didn’t.
Twice, Rio and a twin drove into Denver with A.J. for baby wellness checks without incident and returned with a good report.
The press had relegated them to tidbits and, with nothing new to report, had eventually dropped all mention of them.
On warmer days like today, she traded the sunroom for time spent on the front porch with her e-reader, downloaded some textbooks and refreshed her memory on some of the basic courses. It wasn’t enough to fill her days, and she ended up thinking about Rio too much. She needed to leave here.
The front door opened and closed. Rio plopped down in the rocking chair next to hers, a baby monitor in his hand. “Reading?”
“It’s more like I’m staring at this and thinking.” She looked out over the meadow, knowing he wouldn’t like the conclusions she’d drawn. “A.J. down for a nap?”
“Yeah. Want to go for a walk? I could have one of the guys listen for him.”
Alone with Rio? Too tempting. “I’m good. I snuck in a run earlier. Don’t tell me you’re bored.”
“Nah, but if I sit here I’ll fall asleep. The little guy had me up twice last night. His appetite is growing.” Rio covered a yawn with his hand.
“Speaking of A.J., you’re doing great with him. Your mom will probably be here before long and the reporters have backed off. I think it’s time for me to go.”
Therein lay another problem. She’d lost most of the baby weight and needed to buy a few new outfits. As it was, she’d have to go shopping in sweats or a jogging suit that hung on her.
Rio moved to the porch railing and leaned against it, facing her. “Spring semester won’t start for weeks yet. What’s the rush?”
“I need to do some shopping, find a place to live, get moved and settled before classes start. With the holidays and winter weather all that will probably take longer than it should.” None of it sounded particularly exciting, and her brothers would probably help her move on a weekend if she asked. She didn’t have much, but Rio didn’t have to know that.
“You could shop here in town.”
“I could, but —” Kate was startled into silence as Rio pulled her to her feet and into his embrace.
“Not yet, Kate. I’m not ready to let you go. Give me another week or two.”
The next thing she knew his mouth covered hers and she was lost to his plea. All thoughts of leaving vanished as his kiss brought out the hunger she’d kept banked for too long. A flash fire couldn’t have burned hotter.
A soft snuffling noise from the monitor turned her to stone and the harsh realities of life returned. Nothing had changed. Yes, they wanted each other, but so what?
Kate pushed out of Rio’s embrace and tore down the steps and acr
oss the yard to her jogging path. She would stay another week, until her wellness check, but no more.
* * * * *
The day after her solo shopping expedition in Winter Park, Kate mentally recited the reasons she had to leave. The baby was thriving under Rio’s care and becoming more vocal. Rio had released the Foxe brothers from their duties yesterday. Hank had stayed away. It was past time for Kate to go too.
She just had to stick to her guns this time and not let Rio dissuade her, like he had last week. Thanksgiving was drawing close and Margaret’s friend was well enough to be on her own, so A.J.’s grammy was coming here. Kate refused to be drawn into another Hawthorne family dinner. She’d already made reservations at a Denver restaurant, and both Dean and Zach had agreed to join her. Now she just had to break the news to Rio — again — and pack.
She rehearsed her delivery as she came downstairs for an early breakfast dressed in tan leggings, fur-lined boots and a heather knit, form fitting sweater dress that made her feel more like herself. She rehearsed it while scrambling eggs and broiling bacon. Deciding it might sound too rehearsed, she edited parts while buttering toast and filling mugs with steaming coffee.
“Hey.” Rio greeted her as he came into the room with A.J. in his carrier and a large diaper bag in the other. He sat both on one end of the table and crossed into the kitchen. “I thought I smelled bacon cooking when I got out of the shower. Anything I can do to help?”
“Everything’s ready.” She motioned to his usual spot as she sat. “I figured since we had a big day planned, something beyond our usual oatmeal or yogurt and fruit was in order.”
“No objections from me. This looks great.” He wasted no time enjoying the generous portion she’d given him.
“Are we in a hurry?”
“We need to get on the road as soon as possible. Leave the dishes soaking and I’ll take care of them when we get back. The forecast is calling for snow again, and I want to get back before the roads get bad.”
So much for her rehearsal. Kate ate half her breakfast and found she was too nervous for the rest. In record time, A.J. was buckled into his car seat and they were on their way into Denver. She didn’t like being so close to the little guy. Hearing his every movement and the little noises he made while sucking on his pacifier made her made it impossible to concentrate on anything else. Rio concentrated on the winding road down the mountain.
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