by Cara North
“Damn couch.” Malcolm groaned straightening his back. “I could have slept in the bed, man. I could have just snuggled in and held her, but oh no. No. She decides last night was the night. After two years. Her brother finally trusts me one inch, and that girl tries to run me a mile.”
Ayden laid a hand on his shoulder, nodded, and then sat next to Malcolm on the stairs. “Women!”
“I didn’t know what to do. If I stayed, she would regret it. So I left, and now she’s pissed.” Malcolm put his face back in his hands. “Joshua has been trying to catch me all morning. He knew Evelyn said I could stay with her, but I was on the couch when the boys came down this morning. Little monsters put cheerios in my nose.”
“Kids tend to take advantage like that.” Ayden laughed. “So did she say yes, or did she just try to get in your pants?”
“Pants!”
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. I’d love to have a woman trying to bed me down.”
“You do.”
“Who?” Ayden looked seriously at the kid.
“Charlie. Stephanie explained in great detail how the woman has been waiting ten years just to touch you.” Malcolm stood. “She came here for you.”
“Well I’ll be damned.” Ayden scrubbed his own face now. Shit. “She still thinks she’s in love with me?”
“Yep.” Malcolm was ready to go crawl in Stephanie’s bed and take a mid morning nap. “So, how do you feel now?”
“Pretty fucked up.” Ayden laughed. He did feel all messed up inside now. He had definitely noticed Charlie this time around. Hell he always noticed Charlie, but he would never hurt her. She didn’t know him. She knew the FBI guy, but he could change that and hold her at bay until he knew if she was safe to touch. Damn, he was the fool, and she let him believe it was someone else. Or maybe it was someone else and they were both fools. That he had to find out.
“There you go. It feels great to be wanted. God, after two years I’m chomping at the bit to touch her. But, I know how important it is to her to wait till she’s married.” Malcolm ground his teeth. “I’m a fire fighter, but Stephanie seems a little too hot to hold right now. She may just consume me. Make me forget all the promises I’ve made the last two years. Not a good way to start a marriage.”
“I agree. A man has nothing if he doesn’t have his word.” Ayden respected the kid. Malcolm was a good man. “But that said. You don’t have to do it all to get the job done.”
Ayden winked and smacked him on the back as he entered the house. His stomach was growling, his eyes were dry from lack of sleep, and Charlie wanted him. She was probably formulating a plan. He’d wait and see what she came up with. One good thing about being from the south, he had patience. A lot of it. His step dad was a real good man and taught Ayden how important patience was when he didn’t force a relationship with him. The man wasn’t his father. He wasn’t Noel’s father, but he loved them both as though he had planted both their seeds. He’d have to give him a call today.
“Is Malcolm out there?” Joshua asked as Ayden entered.
“Take it easy on the kid,” Ayden said as he nodded.
Joshua stepped out on the porch. Reaching his arms up, he grabbed the roof and stretched. Malcolm was pacing the porch of all places, for the whole world to see.
“So what’s going on?” Joshua didn’t look at him.
“What do you mean?” Malcolm gave an exasperated sigh and sat in the rocker. He didn’t want to discuss this with her brother.
“Well last night Evelyn said you had asked her to marry you. I would guess she said yes. Evelyn also let me know you would be staying in the guest room from now on, but this morning the vandals were decorating you.” Joshua smiled. He wasn’t like his mother. He could accept Stephanie was grown. He just liked messing with Malcolm. This morning, however, the kid looked beat, and his sister was pissed. He felt a twinge of guilt for that. “I’ll tell Stephanie that she has my blessing. I hope this morning had nothing to do with me.”
“No. It has to do with me. I don’t feel comfortable talking to you about it.” Malcolm dropped his head back on the rocker, closed his eyes, and smiled. He understood why Joshua gave him a hard time; his little sister was sixteen, and he terrorized any guys that came near her. Part of why he respected Joshua so much was because of how he treated women. He knew that a lot of Stephanie’s temper tantrums and spoiled ways came from her brother. Joshua let the girl get away with murder and dared any man to question her about it. Malcolm was the same with Raven, and his little sister Raven was a little diva indeed.
“Why not? I mean, I have been married to a moody difficult woman for a year now, I may have some insight for you.” Joshua couldn’t imagine much more than a lovers’ quarrel.
“You want to hear it, Big Dog?” Malcolm had been waiting two years to get the best of Joshua, just unsettle him. Joshua had joked, played and tortured him the last two years because of Stephanie. She did no wrong in Joshua’s eyes. Let’s see how Miss Innocent stacked up now.
“Shoot.” Joshua stretched again.
“She wanted me to sleep with her last night.” Malcolm opened one eye to watch his reaction.
“So you slept on the couch instead?” Joshua hung his head. Damn he was a good man, stronger than Joshua was at that age. “And now she feels rejected.”
“Bingo.”
“You may not believe this, but I understand completely. Evelyn all but tied my ass up and took advantage of me. What’s your plan?” Joshua half turned to see him.
“Still working on it.” Malcolm closed the eye.
“Take my advice, and get some rest. You’re going to need it.” Joshua headed back inside. He knew that Malcolm respected his little sister and that Stephanie would probably wear him down eventually, just like Evelyn had. They were getting married anyways. What difference did it make in the long run? Except that, he wanted to be the first to have children.
Malcolm dozed off on the porch with the sun warming his face. Joshua was right. He was going to need rest. Tonight he would sleep in that bed and still keep his promise. Ayden was right also. Maybe if he just took care of her she would let things be.
* * *
Up the street at Ayden’s house, Charlie and Stephanie plotted and schemed at his kitchen table. Charlie was so happy to have her around. They bonded instantly. She found a part of herself she was missing. Michael was her world; they shared everything. Ayden was the only other person she trusted. Now Stephanie was there, so genuine and open. Stephanie needed someone to talk to who wasn’t related to her. Charlie just needed someone other than Ayden. They fit together perfectly.
* * *
It was almost noon, when the blondes decided to show up. Grace, Evelyn, and Megan were out back playing with the kids, and the men were in the kitchen at the table playing cards.
When Stephanie and Charlie stepped in, the men stopped, looked over to them, and waited. They had been gone all morning and giggling all the way in the door. Every man there knew they were up to something.
“What?” Stephanie put her hands on her hips defiantly.
Joshua excused himself and towered over his little sister. “We need to talk. Come on.”
Stephanie had seen that look directed at other people but never at her. She gulped hard and followed him. Malcolm was at the table, and she could have sworn he was smiling. Joshua should be threatening him, not her.
“Pick up Joshua’s hand, Charlie. Join us,” Chase called.
“I’m no good at cards.” Charlie looked at Ayden, but he ignored her.
“Then I insist you pick up his hand.” Ethan stood and pulled out Joshua’s chair for her. It sat her right across from Ayden.
“Ayden?”
Charlie was looking at him; he could feel it. She could have burned a hole through him she was staring so hard, but he was on to her game now and though she was right, he would have rejected her flat out before. He wasn’t sure he wanted to reject her flat out now. That complicated a few thi
ngs. He wasn’t sure how to deal with it all. He still wasn’t sure she was being totally honest with him. He looked up at her. After a moment of being ensnared in her gaze, he winked at her. That seemed to do it.
“What are we playing?” Charlie asked.
“Poker,” Malcolm responded. “Don’t be afraid to throw that money in. Most of it was mine anyways.”
“Okay.” Charlie shrugged. If they really wanted her to take their money, she would.
* * *
Joshua had marched his sister up the stairs and down the hall to the room she was staying in. “What the hell is going on with you?”
“Joshua?”
“Don’t Joshua me, young lady. You didn’t tell me he asked you to marry him. You sure didn’t tell me you wanted him to stay with you. You used to tell me everything. Now dad knows before I do.” Joshua had his hands on his hips, and his green eyes were directed pointedly at her.
“I stopped telling you because any time someone argued with me you would kick their ass. I love him. I thought you were serious about us being too young, and about him sleeping on the couch, so did he. Malcolm won’t touch me because of you.”
Stephanie sat on the bed and crossed her arms looking up at Joshua with a scowl on her face. Her green eyes reflected back at him. That should settle him. He hated for her to be upset.
Joshua looked at his little sister and realized she had been playing him all her life. Now she was pouting and looking mad. Well he was mad. Joshua launched into his speech.
“Bullshit, he won’t touch you because of you, and because he’s a good man. I wish I had an ounce of his morals at that age, and I’m glad as hell you found someone like him. You’re no walk in the park kid. And that’s okay. You’re my sister. I love you. I respect your decisions, but you aren’t going to use me to chase him away. He’s too close, and you, young lady, are running. Now that you have my blessing, you’re scared. Don’t expect me to do anything to him. You want to chase him off? You do it on your own.” Joshua stalked out of the room.
Stephanie sat there with her mouth open and her eyes wide. She had always used him to intimidate boyfriends. It was easy because he enjoyed the fight. He protected his sister. It wasn’t until she got older he realized she used him as a defense. Their mother was a real controlling bitch most of their lives. Only in the past year, had she come around and treated them like her children and not like her property. Stephanie feared intimacy where Joshua searched for it. He realized that now. She wanted to be treated like a grown up. Well he just kicked her out of the nest. Fly, little bird, fly.
Stephanie sat there in shock. Joshua had never yelled at her before. She had done some pretty bad things over the years, but he always took her side, right or wrong. Now he was on Malcolm’s side. Never in a million years did she see that coming. He was her back up, her last line of defense. Malcolm wasn’t kidding, Joshua approved.
Now her heart was pumping. Now she really had to decide. She loved Malcolm, she knew that. But what if she wasn’t good enough for him? What if he changed his mind? What if she changed ten years from now, like her mother did? Their family watched her go from loving to cold, only in the last year had she warmed up again. Stephanie dropped to the bed. Maybe she just needed a nap. She hadn’t slept at all last night.
* * *
Joshua tromped loudly down the stairs. When he reached the kitchen, he looked at Charlie who had lost most of his winnings. Malcolm had won most of them back. “Your woman’s upstairs. You may want to go talk to her.”
Joshua knew Malcolm just reclaimed all the winnings he had lost. Fair enough, he had cleared the air with Stephanie, so it was worth it. “Here.”
Joshua took his hand and settled in next to Ayden. “Now that I’m back where I started, let’s play some cards.”
Ethan and Chase grumbled. Ayden tossed his hand in. “I’m out.” “Me too.” Ethan pushed back.
“Coming dear,” Chase called to no one in particular and headed for the back door.
“Come on guys!” Joshua laughed. “Pussies!”
Ayden spit the soda he was drinking through his nose. Ethan turned and Chase stopped mid step to hear what came next. Joshua never disrespected women, and Charlie was still there.
“Actually the only one here with a pussy is still in, Big Dog.” Charlie blinked at him innocently. “That’s what they call you right? So tell me are you in, or are you afraid of a little cat fight?”
“My apologies. I let that slip. I didn’t mean to…”
“Are you in or out?” Charlie had been playing them, losing money at first. She was from Vegas for crying out loud. Like these guys could beat her at poker. Ayden knew it, but this dog, as they called him, was about to learn a new trick.
“Out.” Joshua’s face was red from embarrassment and guilt.
“Pussy,” Charlie challenged him.
“Excuse me?” Joshua looked at Ayden.
“Why are you looking at him? I’m the one talking to you.”
“It’s all you, Big Dog.” Ayden pushed his seat back for the show. Ethan and Chase came back to the table to watch also.
“All right. I’m in.” Joshua knew in that instant he was dead. Charlie had him, and Ayden knew it. He wasn’t going to drop her challenge. Maybe she wasn’t as good as she thought she was. He was the best.
It didn’t take long before Charlie had all of his money. She kept the same poker face the whole time. Evelyn and the others had come inside to watch the show as well. When he lost his last dollar, the women all cheered.
Charlie looked at Ayden, and he smiled a full smile at her and winked.
“Evelyn, come hold me. Charlie just whipped my ass.” Joshua feigned a tear.
“Oh, you poor baby.” Evelyn crawled into his lap and held him close. Then she smiled at Charlie with a devious wink.
Charlie felt good. She wasn’t nervous or afraid here. She was happy. They were a family, and they accepted her. It felt so good to be there. She wished they didn’t have to go back after the weekend. She really wished she could crawl into Ayden’s lap like that and celebrate with him.
* * *
Malcolm had slipped into bed next to Stephanie. She was asleep, and he was exhausted himself. It had been a few hours when the celebration noises downstairs woke him. His eyes opened to see Stephanie staring back at him.
“Do I get a ring in all this?” Stephanie smiled. His blue eyes sparkled. His full lips lifted into a real smile.
“It’s in my suitcase.”
“Well can I have it?” Stephanie shoved him playfully.
“In a minute. First, I have to make something clear.” Malcolm wavered on his own resolve, but he had to be the strong one. He was the man after all.
“Go on.”
“We can’t have sex until we get married. I didn’t promise you to wait until you decided it was okay. I promised I would wait till we were married.” Malcolm watched her lip pout. It felt good to be wanted, really wanted. “But, now we are both clear on that. We can do other things till then.”
“What other things?” Stephanie felt her heart race. She hadn’t done other things with anyone. To say the physical part of a romance wasn’t what had her scared the most right now would be a lie. She thought about it constantly, but he had experience; she didn’t.
“I haven’t decided yet, but you’ll be happy. I hope.” Malcolm was sure he could make her happy. He had to. He wanted to make her happy for the rest of her life.
* * *
Downstairs Charlie realized Stephanie and Malcolm were still missing. Maybe Stephanie had put her plan into action already. Smart girl. That made her think of Ayden and her own plans. She ran her gaze over him. He was holding Logan, tossing him slightly in the air and bringing him back down. The kid was laughing and giggling.
Then he threw up.
Ayden was lucky it was on the down. It only got on his shirt.
“Grace.” Ayden laughed. “Logan, I don’t think you’re getting that scholarship in
to the space program after all.”
Charlie laughed. He had such an easy way with the kids. Of course, a little baby vomit wasn’t offensive to Ayden. In his job, he had worse spilled or thrown on him. The thought of that made her glad he was no longer working for the FBI. She knew how valuable he was to people like her, people who needed him. At the same time, she knew if he were still in that life, he would never have settled down in this town. He would still be smoking, and he wouldn’t be playing with babies.
“I’m going to head back up to the house and change.” Ayden announced to no one in particular, but Charlie stood and followed him.
“He got you pretty good, huh?” Charlie was ready to get him alone. One second, one good, opportunity. That was all she needed.
“Yeah. I knew better though.” Ayden pulled his shirt over his head as they entered the house. “I need to clean this up.”
Charlie went to the sink and wet a washcloth from the drawer.
When he came out of the laundry room, she was there, in the hall waiting for him. Ayden stood frozen for a moment. The woman had a definite look in her eye. Not one he could recall seeing before. She placed the warm cloth on his shoulder and began to gently wipe.
“Charlie?” Ayden felt his breath catch and his pants tighten.
“You’re very tense, Ayden. You should let me take care of that for you.” Charlie didn’t look him in the eye, didn’t look at his face at all. She focused on the washcloth and his chest beneath it.
“What did you have in mind, darlin’?” Okay, this is it. She’s making a move.
“I don’t know. A massage maybe?” Charlie pressed a little harder into his chest as she said it.
“I could go for that.” Ayden tipped her head up to look at him, with his fingers under her chin. God he wanted to kiss her. A massage would do for now. If this was her game, he was decidedly happy to let her play it, now curious as to how far she was willing to go.
Charlie expected more resistance, but since he said yes, she knew she had to act fast or he would change his mind and start thinking of her as a woman to protect and serve again. Hmm, that last part wasn’t so bad. She could go for Ayden playing her servant. Not that he would.