Missy Landau—having taken her maiden name back—was a stunner, and she knew it. Not that the blonde bombshell was conceited; confident would be a better word to describe her. But the divorce had hit her hard, especially since her husband filed after declaring his love for another woman. A rather frumpy woman in Bernie’s somewhat biased opinion. But Missy was never one to sit around feeling sorry for herself, and she shouldn’t.
Still, her step-sister knew who Mike was, to both Bernie and Noah, so it was a little strange for her to come on so strong, as if she’d set her sights on him.
Because that shit’s not happening.
Bernie had come to a hard decision today and decided to give love a second chance; see if they still had a shot at a future together. The spark was certainly still there. And other than the faux kiss between him and Lindy—strictly for her benefit, she’d later been assured—she was pretty sure Mike hadn’t been involved with anyone since he’d moved back to Redemption. And to be fair, he hadn’t returned Missy’s blatant flirting, so that was in his favor.
But more importantly, she’d observed him with his daughter—and his son. Mike was a good man, and as she’d watched him laugh and joke and play with the kids, she came to the realization that the only thing standing in their way was her insecurities.
“Earth to Bernie,” her step-sister teased, waving her towel-clad hand in front of her face. “Come on, go get your suit on and join me for some sunbathing while we watch the kids swim.” She smiled at Noah. “It’s nice to finally meet you. You’ve grown up nice.”
Missy cast a surreptitious glance at Mike, and Bernie nearly lost it. She knew her step-sister would never betray her confidence, but she didn’t like the inference that she could.
Or was she simply letting her jealousy skew everything Missy said and did?
“Thanks. Nice to meet you, too. Only…I’m not sure what to call you.”
They both glanced at Bernie, who barely managed to repress an eye roll. “You would call her by her name—Missy.”
He grinned. “Sorry—Missy. Is it true Jeff knows how to drive a Jet Ski?”
“He sure does. His papa taught him as soon as he was big enough to reach the handle bars. Jeff’s pretty big for his age. He’s about the same size as you, and you’re no shrimp.”
“Cool. I’m gonna go get my suit on.” He took off for the guest room to change.
Mike grabbed Maddie’s hand. “We’d better get changed as well. Missy, Sophie, nice to meet you both.”
“You, too.”
Once they disappeared upstairs, Missy turned to her younger daughter. “Sweetie, why don’t you go in Nana’s closet and grab a couple of extra beach towels.”
“’Kay.” She took off like a shot.
Missy eyed Bernie with amusement. “What’s with the scowl?”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t flirt with Mike,” she said without preamble.
Her step-sister’s brow crinkled. “Didn’t you just assure me last week there was nothing going on between you two,” she reminded her. “Or has something changed?”
Bernie took a deep breath and blew it out on a sigh. “Maybe. I’m not sure. But…even if it hasn’t, he’s off limits to you. That would just be…too strange.”
Missy stared at her in narrow-eyed contemplation for another few seconds before chuckling and giving her head a shake. “Relax. I have no interest in your cop. I was just giving him a little test. And he passed, by the way. His gaze never dipped below my chin.”
She felt a measure of relief. “Good to know.”
“Though I can’t say the same about your son,” Missy added in a teasing whisper.
The little Casanova in question strode out of the bedroom in his new navy and gray swim trunks. “Hey, did you pack any towels?”
“No, I never bother. Mom has a closet full of them. I’ll grab us both one as soon as I change.”
“Cool. Meet you out there.”
Sophie ran in and skidded to halt in front of her mother. “C’mon, Mom. I’m ready!” She’d forgotten the towels.
“I’ll grab a stack on my way out,” Bernie told Missy.
When she stepped out onto the back patio a few minutes later, a stack of towels and fresh glass of merlot in hand, she saw that everyone was already out there, and having a blast from the look of things. Missy, Sophie, and Maddie splashed around in the shallow water just off shore, while the loud whirring of buzz saws drew her attention to about a hundred feet out on the lake where Mike and Jeff rode the Jet Skis, both, thankfully, wearing life jackets.
She watched them fly across the water, surprised by how well Mike rode—and how good he looked in those black swim trunks with his muscular, tanned legs.
Noah stood at the end of the pier watching them, also wearing a life vest. She couldn’t make out his expression, but his body language suggested he might be a little anxious to drive one, regardless of his earlier excitement.
As she watched, Mike drove up to the pier where Noah stood, and it appeared as if he was trying to coax him to get on the back so he could give him a ride. Her mouth dropped open when, after only a few moments, he climbed on behind and held on. Mike took off, not too fast, thankfully, but their son’s smile was hard to miss. It seemed her mother might have been right after all.
Smiling, her heart near to bursting with joy and a renewed sense of hope, she set the towels on a bench and made her way down to the shore. Her shimmery, amethyst halter neck monokini with side rings might not be as skimpy as her step-sister’s string bikini, but Bernie was confident she looked good in it.
“Wow,” Missy said as she caught sight of her. “That suit is gorgeous on you. Has Mike seen it yet?”
She bit her bottom lip, hoping his reaction would be as strong as Missy’s. “Not yet.”
“Well, you might want to hide until he’s safely on shore. Just in case.”
Bernie knew she was only teasing, but the thought still gave her pause. Their son was on the back of that thing.
Giving herself a mental shake, she sat on the edge of the pier and took a sip of her wine. Missy laughed while Sophie and Maddie splashed in the water, found shells, and tossed a blue and yellow beach ball around. When the girls decided they wanted to play in the sandbox, Missy helped them both out of the lake, then took a seat beside her on the pier.
“So,” she said as she reached over for her towel. “You planning on seducing him tonight? ’Cause I can direct you to a private little cove about fifteen, twenty minutes from here, not far from that little motel…” She pursed her mouth as she thought about it. “The Sunset Motel, I think. Just make sure you bring a big blanket, a bottle of wine, and some snacks to keep up your strength.” She gave her a playful shoulder bump.
Bernie laughed softly, but sobered when she thought about who Missy would’ve spent time at this secretive cove with—her cheating ex-husband.
“Thanks, I…I’ll keep it in mind. But really, I just wanted Mike and Noah to spend time together so they could get to know each other better, maybe find some common ground.”
“Like the fact that they’re father and son?”
She cast Missy a sidelong glance before polishing off her wine. “Please don’t start. You know I can’t tell them.”
“And why can’t you? I’m truly sorry about your dad and step-mom, but I can’t help thinking this was God’s plan, that He’s giving the three of you a second chance at being a family.”
Bernie raised a brow in surprise. “Um, how many glasses of wine have you had?”
Missy grinned. “Two. And I’m just saying, maybe there’s a higher power at work here.”
She stared at her step-sister as she mulled her words over in her mind. The thought of telling Mike and Noah the truth was inconceivable. Yes, it would be wonderful if they could become the happy family they always should have been. But there were just too many reasons why it couldn’t happen. The biggest one being pure selfishness on her part. They would both hate her if they ever f
ound out the truth.
She was about to change the subject when the whirring buzz grew louder, and she realized Mike and Noah were heading for the pier. Mike pulled the Jet Ski up to the edge and helped him off before spinning around and parking it on the floating dock.
“That was freakin’ awesome!” her son exclaimed as he wiggled out of his life jacket and dropped down to sit beside her. “Mike’s gonna teach me how to drive one later.”
She hooked an arm around him and gave a quick squeeze. “I’m glad you’re having such a good time.”
“Yeah. I guess he isn’t as big a putz as I thought.”
“Gee, kid, thanks. With you around, I’ll never have to worry about getting an overinflated ego.”
Mike strode toward them, and Bernie realized he’d also slipped off his life jacket, which now hung on the Jet Ski. Wow. He’d had a nice physique as a teenager, but the man standing before her was like a Greek statue, all broad shoulders and sinewy muscle. He slowed as he approached, and Bernie realized she wasn’t the only one doing some appreciative staring. He gave her the same slow onceover Missy had given him in the cabin.
As if reading her mind, her step-sister leaned in and whispered, “Holy Studmuffin, Batman.”
Amen, sister. “So…” She arched her back a bit and tried to pose without making it obvious. “I hope you’re having a good time.”
“Absolutely. Thanks again for inviting us.” He glanced toward the sandbox and smiled. “I have a feeling Maddie’s going to pass out earlier than usual tonight.”
“Oh, I can guarantee it,” Missy assured. “The girls both sleep like the dead when we’re here. Gives me time to relax and indulge in some much needed adult conversation.” She lifted her wine glass. “And beverages.”
The patio door slid open and her mother stepped out, Ava right behind her. The curly-headed blonde pixie held a tray of fast food cups.
“Ava had a milkshake on the way home, and wanted to bring some for all the kids. Since dinner isn’t for a couple hours, I figured it was okay.”
“That was very thoughtful, sweetie,” Missy told her older daughter.
With a shy smile, she headed for the sandbox and announced, “I got two chocolate and two vanilla.”
Sophie jumped up and did a little happy dance. “I want chocolate, I want chocolate!”
Maddie stood and glanced toward Mike, as if for permission. Probably because they had already eaten ice cream earlier in town.
He smiled his approval. “You can have one.” He lowered his voice and reminded, “Just don’t forget to say thank you.”
His cute daughter licked her lips with excitement and declared, “I like chocolate, too.”
Ava handed both girls their treat, and both thanked her before running back to the sandbox. Noah approached her with a surprisingly kind smile. “Hey, Ava. I’m Noah.”
“Hi.” She handed him a shake. “I hope you like vanilla.”
“Yep, it’s my favorite. Thanks.”
Jeff finally rode in and docked the other Jet Ski. He ran up and swiped the last cup from the holder. “Thanks, goon.”
Ava rolled her eyes, spun about, and strode back to the cabin.
Jeff turned to Noah. “Hey, you wanna play some Xbox?”
“Sure. You got Dark Souls?”
“Yep. One and two. I have over fifty games with me.”
“Cool.” Noah followed Jeff into the house.
Watching her son make friends with her nephew—his cousin—warmed Bernie’s heart and brought on such a sense of relief. With all the trouble he’d had making friends in Redemption, first with Max and that other boy over the pinball machine, then at school, she’d truly started to worry about him. But he’d managed to let his guard down here, and for that she was thankful.
Missy got up and moved to one of the cushioned patio chairs. When Bernie started to follow suit, Mike shot up and grasped her hand to help her to her feet.
“Thanks.” She picked up her wine and followed after her step-sister, sitting in the chair across from her.
“Think I’ll go grab a soda,” Mike said. “If that’s all right?”
Missy rose to her feet, surprising her. “No, please sit. I’ll get it for you. What kind would you like?”
“Uh, cream would be great. Thanks.” He pulled an empty chair over until it was next to Bernie.
Suddenly feeling like an infatuated schoolgirl—pulse racing, nether regions tingling—she downed the rest of her wine and held the empty glass out. “Would you mind getting me a refill?”
Missy grinned. “Sure thing, sis. Merlot, right?”
“Please.”
Once she was gone, Mike leaned over and ran a finger down the middle strip of her monokini.
She flinched in surprise, her nipples hardening with anticipation.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
Chapter 14
Damn, the man smelled good, like sun and soap and masculine yumminess. And that deep, sexy tone…
“Wh-what are you talking about?” she stammered.
“This”—he slipped his finger beneath the silky material and gave it a gentle pluck—“is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen. Did you buy it just for me?”
The touch of his fingers against her bare skin set her heart to racing. God, how she wanted him. And he knew it, the conceited jackass.
“Wow, get over yourself,” she whispered, trying and failing to hide a smile.
He slid his finger up to her chin. “Answer my question.”
She met and held his gaze, unsure of whether to be honest, or keep up her façade of indifference. Oh, who was she kidding? Deciding the time had come to make a move, she slightly lowered her lashes and admitted in a low tone, “Maybe I did.”
A smile transformed his face. That same, gorgeous smile she’d dreamt about so many times over the years. He slid his hand up to gently cup her cheek. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I’m saying…I’m still attracted to you.”
He grasped her hand and ran his thumb gently over her knuckles. “You’re still attracted to me?” he repeated. “Or you’re still in love with me?”
“I don’t know,” she murmured, frustrated, still unable to bring herself to admit the truth. Damn trust issues. “I’m…not sure how I feel.”
“Well, I am.” His grip on her hand tightened as he leaned in, his gaze hypnotic as those whiskey-brown eyes devoured her. “I’m in love with you. Always have been, no doubt always will be. I think about you every damn day—and every night. I’ve never been able to move on because, in my heart, I know you’re the only woman I’ll ever love.”
Tears stung her eyes. She opened her mouth to respond when the patio door slid open and out walked Missy with their drinks. As she approached, Bernie turned away for a quick second to swipe at her eyes.
Missy handed Mike a can of soda, and set Bernie’s refilled glass on the table beside her. She cleared her throat. “Listen, I think I’m going to join them for a ride on the pontoon. Dad, Rosemary, the girls, and Maddie, if that’s all right?” She looked questioningly at Mike.
“Of course. I’m sure she’d like that.”
“Great. And you guys should take a ride, too. Can you drive a speedboat, Mike?”
“I can drive any water vehicle,” he boasted.
“Perfect. Bernie can, too, but since she’s a bit tipsy—”
“Am not!” she denied, scowling. But took a sip of her wine to calm her nerves anyway.
Missy cocked a brow at her in hidden meaning.
The cove.
She was hinting for Bernie to take Mike to her lover’s cove. Did she dare? The thought appealed on so many levels. Her skin still tingled everywhere he’d touched her. Bernie hadn’t been with anyone for quite a while. Since John. And before him, one hook-up with a guy from the office at her old job. Before him…Mike.
“Go out for a ride, enjoy the day. Jeff and Noah will be playing video games for a while, and Jeff kn
ows he’s not allowed to take the Jet Skis out without an adult present. Plus, you know Dad,” she said to Bernie. “He likes to do his two hour tour down to that big mansion and back. You guys should go, do some exploring of your own. Check out that place I told you about.”
“What do you say?” Mike asked her.
He wanted to be alone so they could finish their conversation, she knew. But what she wanted right then was less conversation and more action. Really, why should she continue to deny herself? She wanted him; he wanted her. No reason they couldn’t head down to some private little cove and get reacquainted.
“I say, let’s go.” She stood. “I need to run inside first, use the bathroom and grab a sweater. I’ll meet you on the dock in five minutes.”
“I’ll pack you guys a couple bottles of water,” Missy said as she rushed past Bernie up the steps.
“Thanks. I just need to grab my shoes and wallet,” Mike added, following behind.
Bernie had just stepped out of the bathroom when Missy—who had to have been standing next to the door waiting for her—handed her a big, pink canvas bag with a blanket stuffed inside.
“Blanket, four bottles of water, a container with fresh fruit, and a couple of condoms I stole from Dad’s room.”
Bernie wrinkled her nose, disturbed by the thought.
Her step-sister laughed. “Oh, don’t look so shocked. Your mom’s only fifty-one. And who knows if your Studmuffin cop was smart enough to bring any with.”
She bit her lip, still hesitant. Glancing out the patio doors, she could see Mike was already waiting for her down on the dock, standing beside the pontoon as he spoke with her step-dad. Resolve stiffening her spine, she hooked the straps over her shoulder and gave Missy a quick hug. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“You just go have a good time. A real good time, hear me?”
With a chuckle, Bernie headed out.
Dale gave her a pat as they passed on the dock. “I was telling Mike, there’s a chance of rain, so be careful.”
“We will, thanks, Dale. And you have a safe ride as well.”
Say You Love Me (Welcome To Redemption #9) Page 11