by Liz Talley
“No telephones at the nunnery?”
“Nunnery? We don’t call our home a nunnery. Does this look like 18th century Europe to you?” she snapped, crossing her whip-thin arms.
“Sorry. Can I get you a coffee? Tea? Beer?”
She shook her head. “I like cold beer but not on Sunday. My grandmother was Baptist.”
He wasn’t sure what that meant, but whatever. He wanted her to spit out the reason she’d invaded his quality time with the prettiest thing since bluebonnets… and then get the heck out of Dodge. “Okay. How may I help you?”
“I understand the situation. You’re taking care of your niece while Mrs. Finlay is away, but Charlotte is having some difficulties as I’m certain you’ve noticed.”
He arched a brow. “Well, they’re going through an adjustment having me taking care of them. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“She’s hitting other children, and she keeps wetting her mat at naptime.”
“Oh,” he said, wondering why the teacher hadn’t called. Didn’t they just have parent-teacher conference? Oh, damn. He’d missed it because of the stomach virus epidemic.
“Charlotte was out the last part of the week and no one was present for her conference. I figured a home site visit was in order, and as I am the principal of the lower school, I must address what is amiss with Charlotte.” She glanced around.
“It’s not as if Courtney is at a spa. Ben is near death, and I, an uncle she’s never seen before, have been left to care for her and her brothers. Whatever could be amiss in her world?” he drawled with an extra helping of sarcasm.
“Oh, dear,” Sister Regina Maria said, lifting a weathered hand to clasp the dangling crucifix lying against her charcoal sweater. “Her teacher told me Mrs. Finlay was out of town, but not that Mr. Finlay had been gravely ill.”
Lucas relaxed a little. “Charlotte’s adjusting to change. I can talk to her about the hitting, but I’m not sure about the mat-wetting. Perhaps those pull-up things? In Modern Parenting, a psychologist suggested major changes can set potty-trained toddlers back. I’m certain it’s a phase.”
“You read Modern Parenting?”
“When there’s nothing else around,” he said, shaking his head. “Look, I’ll talk to Courtney. Ben is tremendously better, and he may be moved to New Orleans the latter part of next week. I’ll make sure Courtney calls the school and sets up a conference with Charlotte’s teacher.”
Sister Regina Maria nodded, resembling a crow with beady eyes. From around the couch, Mittens strolled, curling about the woman’s feet. The nun bent and stroked the cat. Yeah, seemed about right. Like recognized like.
“That would be acceptable. Next time you need to inform the school when there is something of this magnitude ongoing in a student’s life. We do care, Mr. Finlay.”
“Note taken. My sister-in-law feels this is a sensitive issue, and I hope you will keep this conversation confidential. I appreciate your coming by on your day off,” he said, acknowledging the nun had her heart in the right place… even if she was unforgiving of taking up too much time in carpool line. It was the stupid harness in the car seat’s fault.
“Oh, today is not my day off, Mr. Finlay. For a woman of God there is no day off.”
“Right,” he said, motioning toward the door, wanting her to leave as soon as possible. But also concerned about Charlotte. He’d had no idea, though come to think of it, she wore different clothes home a few days in a row. He’d thought she’d spilled something on them and had to change into her play clothes packed in her pink Creampie backpack. Now he knew she was having a harder time than he thought… and he needed to check those plastic grocery bags he’d tossed in the laundry room.
Poor child. Her world had been rocked to such an extent, and she’d had no way to tell him. Well, other than hitting and pulling a Kermit on the plastic mat he sent with her every day.
“I’ll be in touch if there are any further problems,” the nun said, with a curt nod.
“I’m sure you will,” he murmured, sweeping a hand toward the door. “If there isn’t anything else…”
“That will be all, Mr. Finlay,” Sister Regina Maria said, giving Mittens a final pat, skirting the couch and marching toward the open doorway. “I have other problems to correct. Unless you need further instruction on carpool procedures?”
“I’ve gotten the hang of it.” He made a face behind her back but smiled when she whirled back toward him. “Yes?”
“Might I recommend procuring some help? This place isn’t fit for children. Healthy environments make healthy children.”
Lucas looked around. “They’re the ones who did this.”
She gave him a wintery smile. “But are they in charge?”
Good question.
He was pretty certain they were, but perhaps a little spring cleaning was in order.
But he wasn’t admitting that to the wicked nun of the west.
“Have a good day, Sister.”
“You, too,” she said, stepping outside and clipping most efficiently down the porch steps.
“Oh, I intend to,” he said, grabbing the wine and flowers and relocking the front door.
Addy had flip-flopped a dozen times on what to wear for her date with Lucas. Jeans and a t-shirt? A flirty dress? Or just meet him at the door in a bustier and garter belt?
Considering she didn’t have the third option, she went with the second.
Flirty dress she’d bought last year, pulled from the back of the closet with the tags still on. A pretty green striped cotton maxi dress with butterfly sleeves and a graceful neckline, the dress had been one she’d eyed for months before buying on a whim. The skin it showed and the brightness of the pattern made her feel too conspicuous. But today she wanted attention on her.
Lucas’s attention. Along with his hands and any other parts he wanted to use.
It was still too chilly for sandals so she tugged on the pair of gold ballet slippers and a pair of dangling gold loops borrowed from her hip aunt. Since she didn’t have the sexy bustier and garters, she skipped the underwear. Thankfully, her thirtysomething breasts were still somewhat perky. A dot of perfume at her neck, wrists, and behind the knees and she was ready.
And he was late.
She peeked out the office window to see a silver Toyota crossover parked in the drive.
Who was intruding on her Lucas time?
Her heart skipped a beat when she thought about Tara and the other women Chris had mentioned who’d clamored after the big Texas man stomping around in boots and delicious Wranglers. Had Tara come with another casserole… and her own offer?
Or was it some other lonely lady?
She moved to close the blinds when a flash of silver caught her eye.
A nun?
The diminutive woman stomped to the car and climbed inside. Seconds later Lucas appeared in the Finlay driveway carrying flowers and a bottle of wine.
Addy squealed and flew toward the kitchen. She didn’t want to seem too eager or get caught spying on him. Eyeing the Caesar salad she’d thrown together with crunchy Creole fried chicken breast, she pulled out two crystal goblets and slipped off her ballet flats, kicking them to the side. She was warm with nervous energy.
The doorbell rang.
Hmm… he hadn’t come to the back door.
Totally official on the date thing.
“Coming,” she called, putting the lid on the salad. “Or at least I hope I am soon.”
Padding to the front of the house, she stifled a nervous giggle and opened the door to find no one there.
“Lucas?” she called sticking her head out. A white truck pulled away from the curb, and Addy looked down to find a small box. Her name had been typed on the label, but there was no return.
“Hey,” Lucas said, his head showing over the spindly azaleas clustered around the front porch. He’d worn a gray cowboy hat that made his cheeks look even more chiseled. Sweet buttercups, he looked like what she needed—big, h
ard, hot cowboy. “I went around back.”
“Of course,” she said, picking up the box. “Come on in.”
He took the stairs two at a time, ducking his head to give her a firm kiss. Pulling back, he offered her the clutch of flowers. “I know they’re not as nice as the ones you create. Shit, now I feel lame giving them to you. They’re substandard. I should have thought out of the box, looked for something unique.”
“At the grocery store?” she asked, taking the spring bouquet and eyeing the wilting lilies. “These are sweet, Lucas. I haven’t had anyone give me flowers in, well, a very long time.”
She refused to count Robbie Guidry.
She shoved the small box she held in one hand onto the foyer table. Didn’t know who it was from, but today, she gave herself a pass. No worries. No thinking about parole hearings, invoices that needed paying, or the dry-cleaning she’d forgotten to pick up. Today was about wilted flowers, good wine, and a hot man in her bed.
Well, eventually.
Maybe.
Didn’t have to be about sex. Could be just a date. Innocent, sweet-
Lucas closed the door, twisted the lock and lifted her into his arms. Addy squeaked but wrapped her arms around his shoulders… and her legs around his waist. Well, as good as she could in the long, confining dress she wore. Thank God for stretchy cotton.
Lucas bent and nibbled her collar bone.
“Did I tell you how much I love your collar bones? So delicate.” He kissed from one across to the other. “So delicious.”
Addy dropped her head back. “I had no idea my collar bones were so erotic.”
“They are,” he said, lowering his head to the box neckline and the hardening nipples below. “Oh, sweet-”
He paused, his eyes landing on her breasts taut against the fabric. “You’re not wearing a bra.”
Addy lifted her head. “Nope.”
Lucas set her down. “If I keep kissing you, we won’t make it to lunch.”
“I made a salad and fried chicken. It will keep.”
Lucas smiled. “I brought wine.”
“I’ll grab two glasses. You take your clothes off.” She spun and headed to the kitchen, spurred by his low sexy laugh.
“Want me to keep my boots on?”
“And that cowboy hat,” she called back, loving the flirty way he made her feel.
The two goblets were where she’d left them. She picked them up, double checked the back door was locked, and Hewaltzed back out to dance with a man who would never be hers. Just like Aunt Flora, she’d have to settle for the memory.
But would that be enough for her?
She didn’t know, but she knew she’d rather have a little of Lucas than none at all.
It would be like the time she’d gone on a cruise with her family. As soon as they hit the sea, she’d been violently seasick, and the illness had lasted for days. Finally, with only one day left on the vacation, she was able to don her swimsuit and attack the all you can eat buffet. It was one day of splendor, a day of sun-streaked goodness, three ice cream sundaes, and a dance contest won by her rendition of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” She’d packed the entire vacation into one day.
So she’d pack loving Lucas into whatever they had left.
“Here we are,” she said, holding the glasses aloft.
Lucas stood in the foyer bare-assed naked except for his boots and hat.
Addy froze, glasses still in the air. “Oh, my.”
He was like a wet dream—not that she’d had those—but sweet mother of Zeus. His broad shoulders were tanned and muscular above a massive chest lightly covered in hair. His stomach was flat and she could see the outline of his abs. Nothing freakish, just gorgeous male flesh. Trim waist, narrow hips, and taut thighs and calves. And she hadn’t missed the important piece of equipment, but it matched the man.
And that made her smile.
If she were going to toss out good sense, she might as well do it with a man who could make it worth her while.
And she could tell Lucas Finlay was a man worth the while.
Lowering the glasses, she said, “I was kidding when I told you to strip.”
“I’m not kidding. I’m tired of missed chances with you. Remember that promise yesterday?” he asked moving toward her, those boots clomping on the floor, ratcheting her anticipation.
“Yeah,” she breathed.
He took the crystal from her. “Well, you’re overdressed for mowing the grass, sugar.”
Addy lifted her eyebrows and hooked her fingers on the stretchy elastic lining both shoulders and tugged the dress down. She allowed it to fall, the cotton fabric lightly grazing her body as it hit the floor.
She stood before him totally naked.
Lucas looked for a good long time.
Addy knew she wasn’t a cover model, but she had a nice body thanks to daily runs and yoga. She’d shaved her legs and bikini area, rubbed her best soft shea butter all over her body and dusted herself with some glowing powder her sister had given her for Christmas last year.
“I knew you were beautiful,” he said, reaching out to stroke the curve of her waist. “The first moment I saw you, you reminded me of a mountain lake, cool on the surface, reflecting the world around you, but beneath all that, oh Addy girl, you are a wonder.”
Addy wrapped her arms around herself. “Are we going upstairs? Did you lock the front door?”
Lucas removed his cowboy hat, setting it on her head and swept her into his arms. “Door is locked. Dead bolt engaged. If Flora comes back, she better have a tank to get through that door.”
“She has a key.” Addy wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the feeling of his naked skin against hers, as Lucas climbed the stairs. He nuzzled her neck, even once managing to almost reach her breast, as he climbed.
“Which room?” he asked.
She pointed to the open doorway.
She’d lit candles and a soft musky fragrance greeted them as she entered. The shades had been pulled to create intimacy because Addy had been ready for Lucas.
She’d been beyond ready for him.
Kicking the door shut and locking it, he laid her on the bed with reverent tenderness then lowered himself, tipping the cowboy hat back before settling in for a kiss.
“Mmm,” he breathed, against her lips. “You taste like sunshine. Like clean open spaces. Like a woman should taste.”
His words moved in her soul, a liquid balm soothing any reservations she’d harbored about being with him. This man made her body hum and her heart feel suspiciously full.
Addy pulled him to her, feeling the cowboy hat fall from her head, as she hungrily kissed him.
His chest slid against hers, brushing against her sensitive flesh. Hot desire uncurled inside her… and Addy felt the wildness unfurl, felt the part of her that reveled in the naughty sexy books take over. It had been a while since she’d allowed herself such pleasure.
Pushing against his shoulders, she rolled him over, taking control of the kiss. Lucas fell back like a good boy and allowed her to take the wheel.
Addy slid her hands into his hair, relishing the scruff of his whiskers against her chin.
He broke the kiss. “Addy?”
She caught her breath. She’d seriously been on the edge of losing total control. “What?”
“Are you okay? I mean, you were attacked long ago, nearly raped. I don’t want to do anything wrong.” His finger brushed her scars and in his eyes she saw such tenderness.
A ribbon of warmth curled around her heart. He was worried about her, about scaring her, or making a wrong move. “You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m good.”
“You sure? Because I took off my clothes before I really thought about it. That might have been too presumptuous.”
“And, uh, I took off mine, too. That’s called a confirmation that I want you.”
He smiled. “I guess it’s obvious I want you, too.”
She looked down. “Why, yes, it is.”
&nb
sp; Lucas opened his mouth to say something, but she didn’t give him the chance. Instead she pressed her lips to his, kissing him so thoroughly they both became breathless.
“Now, you be quiet and let Addy have some fun,” she said, sliding a hand down his chest, tracing around one flat nipple before trailing over to the other.
Lucas cupped her cheek. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Mmm, just like the sheriff,” Addy murmured before sliding atop him.
“Ah,” he sighed, clasping her hips and fitting her to him. “Who the hell are you talking about?”
Addy laughed. “Tell you later, cowboy.”
Their lips met again and there was no more talking. Only touching, stroking, teasing and once a grunt as Lucas reached for the cowboy hat where he’d cleverly hidden a condom.
Addy forgot about everything she thought she was, and in that moment, when Lucas slid inside her, she became the woman she wanted to be… the woman she’d denied for too many years.
Hot, desirable and naughty—a woman of passion.
A woman who let go of inhibitions.
A woman who existed for loving Lucas.
And it was fan-freaking-tastic.
Lucas seemed to know where to touch her, when to let her take over, how to take her breath away and how to push her over the edge. Like the push and pull of a storm, emotion built inside her, spilling over, washing her clean… giving her life again.
Never had she felt such satisfaction.
When it was over, she lay across him, replete. Seconds ticked by, measured in the flicker of the candle’s flame. The dim room allowed for weak sunlight to spill inside, enough for Addy to see the utter gratification on Lucas’s face when she finally lifted her head.
“Hey,” she whispered.
He tilted his head down. “Hey.”
She propped her arms across his chest and studied him. “That was nice.”
Lifting his eyebrows, he made a face. “Nice? That was amazing.”
Addy rested her chin on her forearms. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
The rumble of laughter in his chest made her lurch to the side. “Ah, Addy girl, you do something to me I can’t explain.”
“Is that a good thing?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe. All I know is I’d be hard pressed to find another time in my recent existence I’ve been this content to be with a woman.”