by Lauren Dane
Off the main road, she could see the river in the distance as she parked in his driveway. All glass and gorgeous, warm wood, his house was Northwestern modern. The opposite of her Victorian, but it fit him.
She didn’t get the chance to knock; he opened up with a smile before she’d even been able to raise her hand.
“Hey, you found me.”
“Yes. Your instructions were perfect, thanks.”
He opened the door wider and motioned her inside.
“Are you a shoes-off house?”
He snorted. “No. If you want to, go on ahead. I’m not wearing shoes because I don’t want to. But it’s your choice.” He paused and bent to kiss her quickly. “Sorry to burst your foot-fetish suspicions.”
She laughed and put her bag down in the entry.
He took her hand. “Want a tour?”
“Yes, please.”
It was a great house. Clean. Very modern but warm at the same time. His living space was great with big couches and chairs.
“Is yours the house everyone hangs out at?”
“We split it up pretty evenly. My house is the middle point between Ezra, who is closest to the big house where my parents are, and Damien, who lives the farthest from it. We spend more time at Damien’s these days because Mary is such a great cook.” He paused. “Want to see the upstairs?”
Natalie nodded, and he took her up the stairs fronted by a wall of glass. “This view is insane.”
“We all worked with the same architect who took the land and views into account as she worked. All our houses are unique and fit our individual tastes, but they’re on the same continuum so you can see the thread. It’s a light touch. Each room has something about it that I love. My work space has excellent afternoon light. My bedroom gets the sunset. Kitchen gets morning light. All that jazz.”
He opened the door to a huge room with several guitars on stands, a large desk with two monitors, big chairs and a wet-bar-sized sink and fridge. “This is my work space.”
She went in, impressed. “Wow.”
He blushed, brushing his fingertips over the neck of a guitar. “I spend more time in here than any other place but my bedroom. I can run tracks in here. We’re all hooked into a network with the board in the barn, that’s our studio here. I write here. Ezra sleeps on that big couch a lot.” He snorted a laugh.
“You and he do the writing?”
“About eighty percent of it is me and Ezra. Ezra does the bulk of production. Damien and Vaughan write a song or two each album.”
“So you’re closest to Ezra, then?”
He laughed. “Ezra and I collaborate really well, but we’re too much alike in some ways, so we fight a lot. In the old days, it was nose-breaking sort of fighting, but now it’s more pissy bickering. Though we do occasionally get physical. He knows how to push my buttons. He and Damien are closer. Vaughan and I tend to pal around more, but he’s been away a lot over the last month. His girls just went back to school, so he’s been spending time with them. But, and don’t tell Ez this, Ezra is the person whose advice I seek out when I need an honest take. He’s pretty wise for a dick.”
She shook her head, imagining what it was like for their mother to have four really handsome sons who got into all the trouble they did.
He opened another door.
“My bedroom.”
She walked into the room, spinning slowly. Stunned.
“What? Why do you have that look on your face?”
“I never expected this.” Where the rest of his house was modern though comfortable, his bedroom was homey. His huge bed dominated one wall and was dressed with fluffy bedding. Heavy drapes were pulled back to expose sheers and windows looking out to the fields beyond, and if she was right, Mt. Hood on clear days.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined two walls. She traced her fingertips over the spines. This was the bedroom of a hedonist. Of the kind of person who spent the entire day in bed reading and watching movies.
Fucking.
“Never expected what?”
She turned to him. “This warm, inviting, comfortable space. It’s womblike. I want to take a nap in your bed right this instant.”
The worry on his features wisped away with a pleased grin. “Well, go on ahead. But only if I can nap with you. I love a good nap.”
“I can tell.” Napping was one of her biggest vices.
There was a big chair near the fireplace with an ottoman and a blanket on the back. She pointed. “Where’d you get that chair? I want one like it in my bedroom so I can read and nap on rainy days.”
“If I told you, I’d be discouraging you from coming here on rainy days to read and nap, instead. That’s self-defeating, Nat.”
“You travel a lot. How can I leave my napping needs up to chance? You’re quite heartless to make me, Patrick.”
“Your sense of humor turns me on.” He stepped closer. “You’ve been in my house for about twenty minutes now, and I haven’t really gotten a good kiss yet. Have a heart.”
“You’re the one who won’t even tell me where to buy that chair. Mean.”
“You’re all breathless.” Paddy cupped the back of her neck and slowly walked her into his chest. And she let him.
“I have asthma and you made me walk up stairs.”
He laughed. “I swam with you a few days ago. You’re in excellent shape. But goddamn, I love your body.”
She gulped. “Oh.”
“You need to be quiet so I can kiss you now.”
She nodded.
He started at the corner of her mouth. Just a brush of his lips. When she smiled, he licked at the spot, making her draw a breath. That’s when he used her distraction to sneak his very talented tongue right into her mouth.
Just a quick flick, and then he was gone again. He nipped her bottom lip, tugging until she moaned softly, digging her nails into his biceps where she’d been grasping him to stay standing because her knees had gone to jelly.
“You taste like cinnamon.”
He backed off, and she was sure she should have been glad, but she really liked his mouth on hers.
“Gum. The cinnamon, I mean. And maybe two boxes of Hot Tamales.” Perhaps three, but that wasn’t something she could confirm as she tended to lose count.
He grinned. “Come downstairs. Ezra went into town, and he’s picking Thai food up for us. He should be here shortly.”
She followed him from the room and down the stairs. He had a great back. And a great butt, too.
“I should have asked if you liked Thai food. If you don’t, I can make something. I went to the grocery store, but then I realized I’d rather order in and have more time with you.”
“Thai is good. I order it all the time, but I haven’t had it in a few weeks. Tuesday got a slow cooker and she’s been making all sorts of great stuff in it. It’s pretty awesome that one of us can cook.”
“How come you can’t?”
She started to answer, but there was a knock on the door.
“Hold that thought. Ezra’s here.”
Paddy bellowed out a come in as he jogged toward the front entry. When Ezra came around the corner into the room, she totally recognized him from before. Where Paddy was gorgeous, Ezra was ruggedly handsome. Big and brawny, he looked every inch the rancher he was. She bet he looked really good doing sweaty things like baling hay or riding a horse.
He flashed her a smile. “Hey! I remember you.”
It was impossible not to smile back. He thrust the bags at Paddy and headed to her, taking her hands in his. “It’s good to see you after all these years.”
“You, as well. Paddy’s been telling me about the job you do here on the ranch and also the collaborative way you put out Sweet Hollow Ranch’s music. I’m totally impressed.”
Paddy made a sound, and they looked up at him. He had puppy-dog face, and it was very cute.
“You can tell he was the spoiled one. He can’t deal if everyone isn’t fawning over him all the time.”
“Shut it, buttface.”
“Notice he didn’t dispute my statement.”
“She’s my date. Go away.”
“Thank you for bringing us dinner, Ezra.” Natalie patted his arm.
He sent Paddy a face, and she burst out laughing.
“I’d love to have dinner with you guys, thanks for asking.” Ezra turned to her and led her into the kitchen. “Gives me a chance to catch up with Natalie. I don’t suppose you have that Mustang anymore?”
“Oh, my God, you remember that? I kept it for years, wanting to get it restored, but I never had the time or inclination and I ended up selling it.”
Paddy turned and pulled her into a hug. “I forgot about that sexy fastback you used to have.”
“So you both love cars, clearly. Given the one you drove the other day, I should have guessed.”
“Paddy’s past love and working his way into obsession. But, as far as obsessions go, classic cars isn’t a bad one.” Ezra pulled out a chair at the table. “Sit.”
She did, trying not to laugh more as Paddy frowned at his big brother.
“Hey, we understand that you need to go home. Thanks for understanding I’m on a date and all.”
“I headed Mom off so I think the phrase you’re looking for is, thanks, Ezra, for saving me from an evening of baby pictures and stories about the time I yarked on that Santa at the Bon Marche.”
“I don’t know which is worse,” Paddy muttered.
“Please. Don’t lie. Sharon Hurley nosy about her baby’s date is way worse than me eating all your crab rangoon and leaving after I know I’ve given you an eye tic for a few hours.”
Paddy thrust plates into his brother’s arms. “At least set the table.” Paddy turned to Natalie with a far friendlier look than he gave his brother. “What can I get you to drink? I’ve got waters, juices, orange soda, beer, wine. I can do mixed drinks, too. I have champagne for later, but not until Ezra leaves.”
“I’d love some orange soda.” The two men moved around the kitchen—and each other—with ease, saying far more about their bond to each other than their bickering had. It was clear the two spent a lot of time like this, just hanging out.
“So—” Ezra grinned her way for a moment and continued eating “—you’re a librarian. Why Hood River?”
“Well, there were a few places that had openings. I visited several cities in a few states. I visited here in May, so it was so pretty and warm and everyone was friendly. I liked the library here. Liked the programs. But to be totally honest with you? I was driving around, you know, just checking the area out, and I drove past a big blue Victorian with a for-sale sign out front.”
She’d slowed, looking up at it and had wanted it with a greed she rarely allowed herself to feel. The curves of all the bay windows, the lattice work; the house was like a childhood dream come true.
“It was the house that sold me on Hood River. Don’t tell my boss that, though.”
Ezra laughed, but it was Paddy who spoke next. “So? The house?”
“I went back to my hotel and contacted the listing agent. I made an offer the next day after I did a walkthrough. Moved in sixty days later. It’s a really big house, though, so I lived in half while I did a lot of remodeling on the rest. And then my best friend came to visit, and she fell in love with it, too, and she now lives in the other half.”
She wanted to ask him why he’d chosen to run the ranch, but she didn’t know him well enough, and she didn’t want to push any buttons about his past addiction. Addiction talk often made her antsy, anyway.
“I think I know the house you mean. It’s not blue anymore, though. It’s green and white. That’s the one. Overlooking the river, right?”
She nodded. “Yep. It was that color originally, and when I saw the swatches, I knew I wanted it that way again.”
Ezra stayed long enough for her to know he wanted to check her out and be sure she was okay. It spoke volumes about the closeness of this family. But it sure was nice when he finally sent a grin to Paddy as he stood, patting his belly.
“That was awesome, kids. I’m off home.”
She rose, and he kissed her cheek before they followed him down the hall to the door.
“Make good choices.” Ezra winked, and Paddy rolled his eyes, opening the front door.
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for bringing the food. See you later.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I THOUGHT HE’D never leave.” Paddy leaned back against the door, flipping the lock. “I’m sorry about that.”
“It was totally fine. I like Ezra and so do you. He checked me out because he wanted to be sure I wasn’t going to hurt you or your family in some way.”
He paused before he grabbed her hand and began to pull her down the hall. For all the smooth, supercontrolled way she acted, there were times she was utterly unvarnished. It kept him on his toes. “Nah. He knows you’re fine.”
“I was some chick you fucked for a few weeks years ago who suddenly resurfaced in your life. For all he knew, I was a stalker out to try to con you.”
She was pretty perceptive. He hadn’t even realized that until she’d said it. Of course Ezra, being the oldest and yes, being the guy who caused no small amount of drama and harm to their family, would take it on as his responsibility to protect them all.
“Does that offend you or bother you?”
She tossed herself onto the big couch in the center of the media room. “What? That your big brother did what big brothers are supposed to do? I’m guessing I must have done okay, or he’d still be here.”
“If your family did that, I don’t know that I’d be that easygoing about it.”
“Well, that’s not going to be a worry for you, so you can put that out of your head. But let’s face it, you have a lot to lose. More than the average random woman who shows up in one of your lives. Not all of us are going to have big fat bank accounts and trust funds.”
“You’re going to tell me that story.” He moved to the projector.
“Maybe. Maybe not. But right now, I’m here for the movies and popcorn.”
“Is making out on the menu?”
“If you’re nice to me, and you’ve included some peanut M&M’s in the offerings, I might let you get to second base.”
He was very glad he’d grabbed snacks of all types when he’d gone grocery shopping earlier.
“As a matter of fact, I did. So sit back and let me get everything set up.”
She raised one brow and then shrugged, settling in and getting comfortable.
They chose a movie—the thriller—and he popped some corn and tossed her a bag of M&M’s before finally joining her on the couch.
She put her head on his shoulder as they watched, and once they’d finished the popcorn, he pulled her close, and she fit just right against his side.
The credits finally started to roll, and she shifted to her knees, getting in his lap astride his body.
“Well, now.”
She slid her hands through his hair and pulled him close, dropping her lips to his, claiming a kiss. He hummed, his hands sliding up her thighs to her hips, where he held on as she kissed the hell out of him.
Her skin where her shirt met her pants was warm and soft, and he didn’t stop himself from touching, caressing up her spine as she arched into him.
Higher and higher until he popped the catch on her bra, pausing for a moment to be sure she was on board.
She broke the kiss, leaned her upper body back, pulled her shirt up and off and tossed her bra aside, leaving him totally speechless and very pleased.
“Damn.”
He grabbed her back, pulling her close, her breasts brushing against him, making him hiss as his hands roved all over her bare skin.
She arched into him like a cat before nipping his earlobe. “You take your shirt off, too.”
“I want to spend some time on you first.”
She made a sound and, grabbing his shirt at the hem, pulled it up and off.
“Man, oh, man.” She flicked the bar through his right nipple with her thumbnail.
It was his turn to arch just then. “What brought this on?” He moaned as she kissed across his cheeks to his ear.
“I wanted you, and here you were.”
“Well, that’s very true.”
“I like sex. I know already that I like sex with you. As long as things are private, I’m totally on board with this thing going wherever and for however long.”
He wanted to frown, even though her words were good ones. As far as he could tell, there were no good reasons not to do more than just fuck. He opened his mouth to press her, but she made a sound that tore at him.
With a groan, he skimmed his hands up her belly to cup her breasts and drew his thumbs back and forth across her nipples.
“Yes,” she breathed into his ear before she licked the outer shell and gave him the edge of her teeth against that very sensitive skin.
She was lush there in his lap. The weight of her perfect against his cock. The heat of her pussy teasing him.
“You have new tattoos.”
“You have nipple rings and more ink.”
“I want to see you.”
“Earn it.”
She pulled away enough to look into his face, a smile of challenge on her lips. He snatched a kiss, accepting her challenge. Eagerly.
He shimmied to the edge of the couch and stood, setting her down on her feet. “Now, stand there while I look at you awhile. Whet my appetite because I’m starving for you.”
“Mmm, that’s a good one.”
There was some of the woman he’d been with before in that moment. He liked it. Her ink was perfectly placed so no one would have been able to see it while she was clothed.
Starting at her right hip there was a spill of pink climbing roses. Unfurled as they flowed up her side and up her back. He circled her, taking it in. “This is gorgeous.”
“Thank you. I get a little more once a year.”
“You’d never know these were here when you’re dressed.” He pressed a kiss at the highest knot of blooms at her midback.
“That’s the point.”