Sean's Sweetheart

by Allie Kincheloe

  "Okay, so could you tell me what it is that you don't like about these two homes? Then I can maybe find some better options for you," she asked as she pulled out a notepad.

  Running his hand through his hair, he glanced around. "I don't know. They're both nice houses, I guess. I… Okay, look, I grew up in the projects. I live in a crappy no-frills apartment right now. I've never lived anywhere that felt like a home and not just a house. That's the best way I can describe it. Which I know isn't much for you to go on. I can't tell you exactly what I am looking for other than that. But I know these aren't it."

  "Maybe you want something with more character?" Talia suggested.

  "I showed a house earlier in the week that had tons of character—and I mean tons—if that's what you are looking for. As far as I know it should still be available. Even if someone has made an offer, maybe I can show it to you and see if that's the kind of feel that you are looking for. It was a fixer-upper, but it may at least give us more of an idea what you want. What do you say?"

  At Sean's nod, she stepped out to make a call. Once she had confirmed that it was okay to show them that house, she gave them the address and they followed her over to the historic district near downtown. They pulled in the drive of a turn-of-the-century Victorian. The yard was overgrown. Paint peeled on the porch and trim and a gutter dangled loose on the front corner. The wraparound porch begged for a swing. Now this was a place he could see as home.

  "I know it needs work. It is well under your price range, however, so you would have plenty of room to do some renovations. And I do mean well under. It's priced at about a third of the cost of the first home I showed you."

  Sean nodded and bent down to right a planter that had tipped over. He ran a hand down the wrought iron railing around the porch. Following the realtor inside, Sean looked around the house, a tiny smile on his face. Opening a set of double doors they found a library complete with built-in bookshelves that surrounded the room. It was part of the tower section of the home so it felt odd in shape, but cozy.

  "It has a library," he said as he turned to Talia. He grinned at her—a house with a library. That was a sign, right? Had to be.

  "I know! It'll be great when we fill it with all our books, won't it?"

  He liked the sound of that.

  Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in for a hot, but short kiss. "What was that for?" she asked with a giggle.

  "You said our books. You can see yourself here, right? This is it. This is home, right?"

  She nodded and Sean kissed her again, her feet leaving the floor as he lifted her into his arms. The realtor cleared her throat from across the room. Talia blushed, but the smile on her face didn't fade.

  "Well, since it does have a lot of repairs, I would recommend you sleep on it. Think about the cost of what you would need to fix. Make sure that the scope of repairs is something you are willing to take on. If you are interested in making an offer, give me a call."

  Sean drove them back to his apartment. The moment the door closed, he swept her into his arms and sealed his lips to hers. Trailing kisses down her throat, he begged her to stay the night. When she agreed, he led her into the bedroom.

  "So, that house is perfect, right? Well, it has the potential to be perfect, anyway. Can't you see us sitting there on the porch swing watching the kids play in the yard?"

  "You want kids?" Talia smiled up at him, her hands slipping inside his shirt now that she'd worked all the buttons free.

  "Yeah, some day, don't you? I want a family. I never really had one. I know you're still young and having a family probably isn't high on your priority list. I'm fine with waiting a while 'til you are ready. But I do want kids, yeah."

  "I think it's great that you want a family someday. I do too." Talia kissed her way from his shoulder to his chest.

  "Umm, a couple weeks ago, when we were in the shower, we didn't use anything. It might be a good idea for you to get on the pill or something," he mumbled to her, fiddling with the zipper on her jeans.

  She nodded and nipped at his chest, but didn't speak.

  Groaning, he pulled her back up so he could kiss her. Flipping them so that she was beneath him, his lips moved over hers. Keeping his movements slow, he undressed her, his lips and teeth nipping and sucking at the racing pulse in her throat. Standing up, he removed the rest of his clothes and grabbed a condom from the nightstand before joining her back in the bed.

  Sweaty and content, Sean sprawled on the bed next to Talia. She gave him a final kiss for the evening, drifting off to sleep with his hand rubbing up and down her back. She didn't seem upset about their slip-up, so he wasn't going to stress over it.

  He made up his mind to put in an offer on the Victorian in the morning. And once it was his, he would ask Talia to move in with him.

  Chapter Forty-two

  Even the rain couldn't dampen Sean's mood as he walked back to his car. He'd put in his offer for the Victorian. The agent said he had a good chance of getting it. There was one other offer out on it, but his offer was cash. She said cash offers tended to be stronger and preferred, so he was hopeful.

  Talia knew he was interested in buying the house, but he wasn't going to tell her about the offer until he knew either way. He didn't want to get her hopes up, in case things didn't work out. He put his car into reverse to back out of the parking space when he spied the small jewelry store a couple doors down from the real estate office. Putting the car back in park, he sat there for a moment, staring at the window of the little store.

  Cutting the car off, he ran through the rain into the jeweler's. The older lady behind the counter dropped the tray in her hands and rings scattered. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

  Shit. Why did everyone have to react like that? He was in a button-down and khakis; wasn't like he was wearing chains and leather. So he was a big guy with tattoos. He could still buy jewelry.

  "I'm looking for a ring for my girlfriend?" Maybe if he said something, she'd chill out. She still eyed him nervously though.

  "What sort of ring?"

  "Engagement ring. Not a diamond though. She doesn't like diamonds. Something less flashy. She's not really into flashy." He kept his hands out to his sides and moved slowly toward one of the cases to look. He didn't want to scare the old broad even more.

  He could see her shift into professional mode, finally, as she realized she would make a sale.

  "We have some nice emerald solitaires, or how about a freshwater pearl?"

  Shaking his head no, Sean kept looking around. The bell over the door rang out behind him. Glancing up, he saw Zane and a buddy of his rush in out of the rain.

  "Sean! What are you doing in here? Talia's birthday isn't until October."

  Crap. He was busted.

  "He's looking at engagement rings, actually, young man."

  "Engagement ring! What! Dude, Dad will lose his damn mind if you send my sister home with a diamond on her finger." Zane's voice rattled a few of the cases with the volume.

  Rubbing his neck, Sean waited for the younger man to end his rant. Well, crap. He'd actually thought Zane liked him. When Zane quieted, Sean spoke.

  "I know. You think I don't know he hates me? I love her though. And I…" he trailed off as he spotted the perfect ring.

  "Ma'am, can I see that one right there?"

  Pulling the ring out of the case, she cautiously handed it to Sean. "Opals aren't traditionally used as engagement rings, however lovely. This is a fire opal, notice the coloring. It is certainly an exquisite ring but I'm not sure I would consider it less flashy than a diamond though."

  Zane walked over to look at the ring in Sean's hand. Raising an eyebrow in question at his girlfriend's brother, Sean held it out for Zane to see. Taking it from Sean's hand, Zane examined it closely.

  "It's perfect. For the record, I approve. I just don't believe Dad will."

  Maybe he hadn't been wrong about Zane after all... Slapping Zane's shoulder, Sean told the je
weler he'd take it. He even let her talk him into the matching necklace, thinking it would be perfect for her birthday.

  "Damn, man. My sister has you tied up in knots." Zane laughed.

  He couldn't deny it. Now he had to come up with the perfect proposal. Maybe he could get her to go hiking with him again and he could ask her at Garden Falls. They'd had their first kiss there after all.

  "Are you going to ask Dad's permission?" Zane's voice cut through his daydream like a chainsaw. Ask Sam? Not likely. The man would cut through him with a chainsaw if he tried.

  "I value my life more than that. I know it's not going to go well. He'd never give his permission."

  Zane nodded. "You might want to at least talk to Mom about it. Let her break it to Dad."

  Sean promised to think about it, leaving the small shop with the newly purchased engagement ring in hand. He had to plan this perfectly.

  Chapter Forty-three

  Talia fluffed the throw pillows on the sofa, trying to expel some of the nervous energy that filled her. She awaited the knock on the door that would signal Sean's arrival. Coordinating everyone's schedules had taken some time and her dad still seemed sore about the impromptu breakfast date, but at last she had been able to get both her parents and Sean off work on the same evening.

  A feeling of dread pooled in her stomach, and while she tried to push it aside, it refused to budge. This dinner was merely a formality and everything would be fine, or so she kept telling herself. Her parents and Sean had been in the same room before without the world imploding. If only her shaky hands and roiling stomach would take the hint!

  The click of a car sent her to the door. She flung it open. Sean stood poised with his fist raised to knock. The expression on his face told her he hadn't expected the door to fly open so quickly. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him into the tiled entryway. He glanced around, and seeing no one else, leaned down and put his lips to hers. She moaned into his mouth and he deepened the kiss. He broke away, looking behind her again, checking for her parents.

  She didn't care if they saw her kiss him. They knew she was dating Sean. After this long, knowing she'd spent the night with him, they had to realize things were getting serious. So what if they saw a kiss or two. Rising up on tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around Sean's neck and pulled his head down for another kiss. His arms tightened around her and her feet left the floor as he brought her up against his body.

  A throat clearing in the doorway behind Talia caused the pair to separate. Sean eased her down. Heat flared in her cheeks, but she decided to be brave. She wrapped her arms around Sean and turned. "Daddy, Sean's here."

  Her dad grunted and murmured that dinner was about ready. He turned and headed toward the dining room. Talia and Sean followed behind him not speaking, but holding hands. Sean greeted her mother politely and received a warm smile in return from the older woman. Conversations at the table were a bit stilted, but no worse than Talia expected. Her mother tried to keep the conversation going. Her father, however, seemed to be hoping that if he glared hard enough Sean might burst into flames. Sean shifted under the older man's glower, but presented a calm front. After dinner, her mother suggested they have dessert out on the deck.

  Walking out, Sean went to the edge of the deck and stood staring out over the lake. Talia wrapped an arm around him from behind and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Lovely view, isn't it?" He clasped the hand she had placed on his stomach and nodded his agreement.

  "I was hoping my dad would be less of a grump today, but he seems to be in a bad mood."

  Sean didn't reply; his hand moved slowly back and forth over hers. She knew he heard her. His lack of response was his agreement. She listened to the reassuring thump of his heart and sighed.

  "Do you have to touch him all the time?" Her dad's voice growled behind them.

  With a sigh, Sean released her hand and moved out of her embrace. He turned to face her father. His melancholy tone when he spoke tugged at Talia's heart. "Why did you invite me here tonight? You've already made up your mind about me, haven't you? I can see that you don't approve of me. Why'd you put us through this torture if you weren't going to give me a fair shake?"

  Chapter Forty-four

  Damn it, a man could only turn the other cheek so many times. Sean knew he needed to clear the air with her father before he proposed. The time had come.

  "Sean," Talia whispered.

  "No, Talia, I've held my tongue. I've been polite even when he yelled at me for no damn reason. I'm entitled to a few questions and comments of my own, don't you think?"

  "You're right. I don't approve of you. I will never approve of my daughter dating a damn bartender. She deserves better than you. She could marry a doctor or a lawyer, someone worth a damn."

  Sean sighed. This was not how he'd seen tonight working out. He'd hoped to find a way to bring up to Helen that he wanted to propose, not to get into it with Sam again.

  Leaning against the cedar railing with his chin on his chest, he took a couple deep breaths before looking up at her father again. "And is there anything I could do to change your mind about that?"

  "Change my mind about my daughter dating a good-for-nothing bartender? Nothing at all and if you think she'll be your meal ticket, then you have another thing coming." He glared at Sean.

  Turning to Talia, Sam said, "No daughter of mine will date a bartender."

  "I can date who I please, Daddy. He's not a good-for-nothing bartender. You haven't even tried to get to know him," Talia argued.

  Sean turned to stare out over the water. His shoulders hung low in defeat. He had a real bad feeling about where this was going. Without looking at anyone, he asked in a ragged voice, "And if I keep dating her?"

  "I already told you that no daughter of mine will date a bartender," the older man snarled. "She can choose—you or me. I won't see her again if she stays with you."

  "Daddy! You can't be serious!"

  "Sam, what is wrong with you?"

  Talia and her mother both shouted at the same time.

  Sean found it hard to hear them though over the sound of his heart breaking. His hopes dying. His dreams ending. How could he ask her to marry him when it meant separating her from her family? She would only come to resent him for it. He had to let her go. He wasn't sure he'd survive without her, but he couldn't take her family away from her.

  Sean turned to Talia, his touch gentle as he pulled her into his arms. Brushing a soft kiss against her lips, he whispered to her, "I can't separate you and your parents. I can't do that to you. I won't come between you and your family."

  "Sean—"

  He interrupted her, his voice loud enough to carry over to her parents as well, "No, you don't understand. You have no idea what you have here. You have parents who love you. And while their ideas may be antiquated, even I can see that they have your best interests in mind."

  He stopped and took several uneven breaths before continuing in a softer voice, "Talia, I'd have given anything to have what you have, parents that love you and would do anything to protect you, siblings who are obviously crazy about you. I never had that. That scar you asked about on my chest? My only brother shot me in the chest when I was fourteen years old. I'd told you some things about my mom. About my past. What I didn't tell you, my drug of choice was heroin and my mom is the one who got me hooked on it. Then she kicked me out when I was sixteen and I hadn't seen her in more than a decade until the night she ODed."

  With tear-filled eyes he looked at her. "I can't be the one who causes you to lose your family. I can't."

  Talia clung to him, tears rolling down her cheeks at his heartfelt declaration. "Sean, please," she pleaded.

  "I just can't be that guy, Talia." He pulled her close and held her tight. One last embrace, one last kiss. He brushed his lips against hers, tasting the salty tears that poured down both of their faces. His chest ached as he held her for one more brief moment. Sean whispered to her, "You can always call me if you need me. But
I cannot be the man who destroys your family."

  And with that, he released her and walked away, trying to ignore her sobs and the gaping hole where his heart used to be.

  Chapter Forty-five

  Picking up the keys to his new house at closing wasn't as thrilling to Sean as it should have been. As he unlocked the door to the neglected Victorian, thoughts of Talia rushed over him. The house felt empty without her. That homey feeling he had loved so much just wasn't there. His footsteps echoed in the vacant house, his boots leaving tracks on the dusty hardwood. Sitting on the steps, he hung his head in his hands and sighed.

  Since Talia had loved the older home as much as he had, Sean had rushed out the very next morning to put in his offer. The news that the previous owners accepted his offer hadn't come until that dreadful Sunday afternoon. Sean arrived at the Richmond residence with plans to tell Talia about the purchase after dinner, but her dad interrupted that idea.

  Now he owned a house that felt nothing like the home he'd envisioned.

  Pulling himself together, Sean unloaded the boxes from his car. Jack came over with his truck, and helped Sean move his furniture. With all his belongings brought in, the big house still looked uninhabited.

  "You know, boss, you should consider getting a roommate. This is a hell of a house for just one person."

  "No." Sean flipped him off, knowing he could never live here with anyone but Talia.

  "Just no? Dude, you've got at least four bedrooms here, right? What are you going to do with the rest?"

  "Jack... just drop it. Please."

  "Alright, but if you change your mind, you let me know. I'll gladly give up that shithole I live in. I just can't see paying a fortune in rent when I'm never home."