Hot Stuff

by Carly Phillips

  "I'm trying."

  "You?" Nick asked.

  "I've got no reason to worry about that. Annabelle's job will be done and she'll be gone soon."

  Nick kicked his sneakered foot against the dirt. "Yeah sure, buddy. That's what we tell ourselves, when we're trying not to fall too hard." He slapped Vaughn on the back. "Just be careful, okay?" "You looking out for me now?"

  He smirked. "Actually you can take care of yourself just fine. It's Annabelle I'm worried about." But Vaughn caught the lie in his friend's gaze.

  They parted ways in the parking lot, Vaughn's mind on the note in his shorts from Annabelle, when a distinctive blue Chevy pulled into the space beside him.

  His day went from promising to crap in seconds flat. He opened his car door anyway, intending to appear rushed and annoyed. Which he was, as his parents climbed out of their car.

  "Hello, Mom. Dad." He propped his arm on the window and waited for them to come to him. He'd been dodging their calls and expecting this visit since the vandalism at the lodge hit the local news.

  "Hello, Brandon." Estelle stepped forward Vaughn's father at her side, and an awkward silent followed.

  "How'd you find me here?" Vaughn finally asked.

  "According to most everyone in town, if you aren't home and you aren't at the lodge, you're on the field coaching misfits," Theodore said.

  "I doubt those were anyone's words but yours. Vaughn muttered. "But the point is the same. Everyone in town knows where your son is except you."

  "Brandon, Theodore, please, don't do this," Estelle said, interjecting between them. "We came have a pleasant conversation."

  "Which we tried to do on the phone except you've been ignoring our calls," his father added.

  Vaughn pinched his forehead between his fingers "I've been busy."

  "Trying to get that godforsaken lodge up and running. We know." Theodore waved a hand dismissively. "Why coach here for nothing when you could have a prestigious job at the college?" his father asked.

  Surprisingly his mother shot Theodore an annoyed look. Standing up for Vaughn? Doubtful.

  "Brandon, the publicity surrounding this venture is all negative." His mother shook her head. "Your father and I only want what's best for us all. Take the coaching job and let this pie-in-the-sky dream go."

  She reached out to touch his arm, but he stepped out of reach, the back of his legs hitting the inside of the car. "The lodge is my dream," he said through clenched teeth. "Just like pro football was my dream. But my dreams don't mean anything to either one of you. Only Dad's dreams do." He shook his head in frustration. "I'm not taking the damn coaching job and Dad can just tell the board that I said to shove it. You're both just going to have to deal with that."

  "I told you this trip would be a waste of our time," Theodore said to Estelle.

  She shot him a pleading glance and for the first time he saw a glimpse of a caring woman. Too bad the caring was all about them. And they excluded their only son.

  He watched them walk back to their car and drive away.

  Settled in his vehicle, he slammed a hand against the steering wheel, his parents disapproving faces in front of him. They never gave their support, he knew they never would and yet he wished for it anyway. Like a kid in a candy store, they reduced him to a needy state and he frigging hated how it made him feel.

  He shifted in his seat and got stabbed in the gut.

  He couldn't help but grin as he pulled Annabelle forgotten note out of his pants. He shook his head laughing, his mood immediately lightening. Leave| to Annabelle to come up with such a unique method of delivery.

  He unfolded the paper and read her hastily written words. "Peace, quiet and space. Meet me at the lodge for all three and more. A.

  Her timing was impeccable, he thought. She seemed to know what he needed even before he did. And tonight he needed her.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  VAUGHN DIDN'T KNOW what Annabelle had planned for tonight but his adrenaline was pumping big-time anyway. He'd returned home, showered and now he was heading for the lodge. He walked out of his bedroom and found Yank waiting for him, suitcase in hand.

  "You're leaving?" Vaughn asked, surprised.

  The older man nodded. "I'm not getting any work done here and I can't keep avoiding Lola forever."

  Vaughn chuckled. "If you want to try, you're welcome to stay here."

  Yank's expression softened suddenly. "You're a good man and I've missed you," he said, taking Vaughn by surprise.

  "I missed you, too, Pops."

  Without warning, Yank pulled Vaughn into a bear hug, squeezing him tight. The gesture meant even more because, like Vaughn, the other man wasn't big on expressing emotion or his feelings.

  "At least we've started making up for lost time," Vaughn said, stepping back. He eyed Yank careful wondering how far to push, then decided to go all the way. "You can't really get back time that's long gone Yank. Go home to Lola and make things right."

  "When you're single too long you get set in your ways."

  Vaughn snorted. "You've been set in your way since the day you were born. Lola knows everything about you and loves you anyway."

  "You deserve someone like that," Yank said, pinning him with his blue-eyed stare.

  "Yeah, in another lifetime maybe." Thoughts of Annabelle drifted through his mind. She was waiting for him, but she'd understand if he was held up giving advice to her uncle."Did I tell you I met your parents while I was in town getting coffee?" Yank asked.

  Vaughn stiffened. Now that was one scenario he hadn't counted on. "How'd you know it was them?

  "I was flirting with that pretty girl behind the counter and she laughed 'n said I reminded her of you only older. I said that's because you're my boy. Yank grinned, practically beaming at the notion.

  Damned if a lump of appreciation and love didn't lodge in Vaughn's throat. He couldn't speak right now if his life depended on it.

  But Yank had no such problem. "That's when I heard it. The snooty voice sayin’, I beg your problem? Brandon's our boy. I turned to see a woman dressed haughtier than Lola at her prissiest and a man in argyle. From your descriptions in the past, I knew they were your folks."

  "And they actually claimed me?" Vaughn asked wryly,

  Yank nodded. "Long enough to put me in my place and then once Joanne introduced us, to blast me for encouraging your interest in sports. Like you were a little kid they could mold in their image." Yank shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry they never came around."

  Vaughn cleared his throat. "Me, too."

  Before either man could say more, Vaughn's cell phone rang, interrupting them. Annabelle was right. There was always one interruption or another around here. No wonder she'd opted for privacy at the lodge. A place he was heading to now.

  "Listen, Yank I'm late for an appointment."

  "Hot date?" the other man asked.

  Vaughn's gaze darted from his. "Sort of."

  "Annie must be busy working, so tell her goodbye for me and I'll see her in New York for the party."

  "Will do," Vaughn said, feeling somewhat guilty for not telling Yank the truth. But what could he say? I'm sleeping with your niece? With a shake of his head, he pushed his uneasiness away and grabbed Yank in a bear hug. "Take care," he said to the other man.

  "You, too. See you in a few days."

  Vaughn nodded and while Yank headed back to face his problems in New York, Vaughn took off for a promising evening with Annabelle.

  AS ANNABELLE LOADED the animals into Vaughn's SUV for her trip back to New York, her heart pounded in her chest and regret filled her. She found it hard to leave Vaughn behind, especially with their night at the lodge so fresh in her mind. She'd intended to take him away from all the pressures in his life and bring him to the one place where he could be himself. Instead she'd found a place where she felt more herself as well. As they'd laughed, playing twenty questions about each other, she'd realized he already knew the answers. The man understood her insecuri
ties and admired her strengths in a way no man had before.

  They'd shared the dinner she'd brought along with a bottle of wine and watched the sun set beneath the tree they'd settled under. It was another perfect memory to add to the others. Which only cemented this separation as a dam good idea. She didn't need to get any more attached to the man than she already was.

  Their time together had been intimate and special, leaving Annabelle with her needs sated, both physical and emotional. Oh yes, she thought. Distance was very necessary right now. Better she turn her attention to the family fun fest that awaited her. She'd promised her sisters she'd come a couple of days before the party to help with the last-minute details and to shop for something to wear.

  "Tell me something," she said as she slammed the trunk of Vaughn's truck closed and tried to sound nonchalant.

  Vaughn was lending her his vehicle. He planned to drive down with Nick and Mara the day of the party, so he wouldn't have to leave the lodge for too long a time.

  "What?" he asked.

  "If this party is something we throw every year, why does it seem to get more complicated and make me more nervous each time?"

  He walked her around to the open driver's side door and paused, one hand on the window. "Maybe because this year you invited an extra couple of dozen people?" He brushed her hair off her face. "Which you didn't have to do but I appreciate anyway."

  "I know. That's why I did it. For you."

  He smiled that killer smile. Not the sinful grin that made her knees melt or the sensual twist to his lips he used on many people but which meant nothing. No, he smiled the one-hundred-percent genuine smile focused on her alone. The one that made her feel alive, special…and even loved. Yet he'd promised her everything but.

  Loved.

  She blinked into the glare of the morning sun. The morning after she'd spent the night in Vaughn's bed, his arms wrapped tight around her, her animals surrounding her, and when all had been right with the world. Because she was in love.

  Love.

  Oh, no. She was obviously a complete idiot, she thought. Because she'd gone and done it again. She'd fallen in love when she'd sworn she would keep her heart under lock and key. And she'd fallen in love with Brandon Vaughn of all people, the egocentric, football jock who couldn't see beyond his own self-importance.

  Hah. She wished those words were true. If only the description she'd thought pegged Vaughn was accurate, her heart wouldn't be in jeopardy right now.

  "Are you okay? You spaced out on me for a minute."

  She pasted a sunny smile on her face. "My mind's already on the trip and everything I have to do once I get to New York," she lied.

  "Then you should get going."

  "I should."

  But he didn't step aside, still blocking her access to the driver's seat.

  "What are you doing?" she asked.

  "Say goodbye, Vaughn," he said, his voice dropping a husky octave.

  "Goodbye, Vaughn," she heard herself repeat, mesmerized by his voice. His compelling gaze. By him.

  He leaned in closer. "Goodbye, Annabelle."

  I'm going to miss you, she thought but didn't say so out loud.

  And when his lips closed over hers, she thought he'd miss her, too.

  AFTER GREENLAWN, New York City felt like another planet. Annabelle walked into Barney's to meet Lola and her sisters to shop for outfits for the party. What would normally be a near orgasmic experience for her, since she loved shopping in the extreme, felt like a chore because it didn't involve Vaughn. She knew she had it bad.

  "Annabelle, darling!" Elizabeth, her personal shopper, met her before she'd reached the cosmetics counter not three feet from the door.

  "Hi," Annabelle said, greeting her with a warm, brief hug.

  "So good to see you! It's been way too long, so either you're cheating on me or you've repeated the outfits in your closet one too many times," Elizabeth chided.

  Elizabeth had dressed Annabelle for events from black tie fund-raisers to afternoon picnics and lawn parties.

  Annabelle laughed. "I'm not hitting other stores, I've just been busy."

  "Well," she said, linking her arm through Annabelle's, "let me show you some of the special things I've pulled. I spent hours choosing just the right outfits for each one of you so Lola, you and your beautiful sisters will all stand out from the crowd."

  "I'm sure I'll love everything," Annabelle murmured.

  Elizabeth steered Annabelle toward the private back room. "While we're waiting for the others, tell me who you're working with now."

  Annabelle forced a smile. Normally she loved indulging the other woman's taste for gossip about the athletes she worked with, though she never revealed anything Elizabeth couldn't find in the papers. But everything Annabelle felt for Vaughn was fresh and new. Most of all, her feelings and emotions were too private to share.

  She hoped her sisters would get here soon and deflect interest off of her. Thankfully within minutes her wish was granted. Lola arrived, followed by Sophie who had a cell phone tucked against her ear and a pad and paper in hand, then Micki who predictably grumbled about having perfectly fine clothes in her closet and wasting her time shopping.

  Elizabeth had her hands full getting Sophie's attention between phone calls, and Micki's fondness for pants drove the saleswoman insane. Then there was Lola who shocked Elizabeth by waving a dismissive hand at all of the conservative clothing the other woman had picked based on her past choices.

  "Think Sophia Loren," Lola repeatedly said, sending Elizabeth back to peruse her inventory.

  Micki shot Annabelle an amused look. "Thank God she didn't say Cher," Micki said, laughing.

  By choice, Annabelle went last, content to watch her family and the chaos surrounding them. Normally this was when she was happiest, watching her family interact, laugh and act just like she expected. Normally this made her feel safe and secure. Normally she wasn't thinking about Brandon Vaughn.

  Somehow he'd come to mean something to her beyond a fun time in bed. She'd come to understand what made him tick. Knowing that, she chose her outfit carefully with Vaughn in mind and holding on to the knowledge that she had to make a lasting impression because too soon, the police would find the saboteur and Vaughn wouldn't need her for damage control. She'd be able to do her PR from the office and her time with him would come to an end.

  ANNABELLE HAD ONLY BEEN gone for two days. Not even a full forty-eight hours and Vaughn's entire mood had changed and not for the better. He was anxious and edgy, and lonely in a way he'd never been before!

  Vaughn used to like peace and quiet. He used to enjoy solitude and privacy but no longer. For someone who'd always lived alone and loved it, after having a brief taste of not just company, but what felt like family, he hated knowing he was walking into an unoccupied house. Everything felt empty without Annabelle's vibrant smile and quiet understanding.

  Even the silence echoed. Hell, he had to admit to, himself, he actually missed the damn cat.

  At least the lodge was proceeding quietly for a change. He threw clothes and a few other needed things into a duffel bag and glanced at his watch. Almost time for Nick to pick him up for their over-nighter in New York.

  Almost time to see Annabelle.

  "I THINK THE ONLY TIME Tavern on the Green glitters more is during Christmas in the city." Annabelle plucked a mimosa off a passing cocktail waitress's tray. She turned back around to Sophie and felt the shimmer of air on her bare thighs when her short pleated skirt lifted slightly, then dropped against her legs.

  She'd liked the flirty sensation so much, it had been the main reason she'd picked the first thing Elizabeth had shown her. That and the fact that her sisters had begun to focus not on each other but on her, and Annabelle hadn't wanted to talk about her relationship with Vaughn. Not even with those closest to her.

  Sophie smiled. "You're biased because this is our party."

  "And what a party it is." Annabelle glanced around the Terrace Room th
at The Hot Zone had rented for their summer event.

  Dazzling Waterford crystal chandeliers hung from a hand-crafted plaster ceiling, and surrounding them was a glass pavilion overlooking a private garden that they'd rented out as well. To top it all, they had a panoramic view of Central Park on a clear sunlit day.

  She took a sip of her drink and licked the fruity taste off her lips. "A good number of Vaughn's foremen and employees showed up," she noted. She was pleased to see them soaking up the festive atmosphere, including the disc jockey playing hits for those who chose to dance.

  She'd wanted his employees to take a break from the daily grind, to enjoy good food, drink and a day in Manhattan, and to head home happy to be working for Brandon Vaughn. She'd accomplished her goal and she raised her glass in the air in a silent toast to a job well done.

  Sophie's glass clinked against hers. "We just had; to switch from the Park Room to this one in order to accommodate the extra people. Luckily this one was available," Sophie said. "So. Where is Brandon Vaughn? I'm dying to meet him."

  "He's not here yet."

  "Maybe he got caught in traffic. What time did he; start the drive?" Sophie asked.

  "He didn't say." In truth, Annabelle hadn't asked him.

  She hadn't spoken with Vaughn at all in the two days since she'd left town. When she'd called, she'd either missed him at home or at the office. What little business she'd done for the lodge, Mara had been able to handle. Was this how it was going to be from now on? Annabelle wondered, as she polished off her drink.

  "I don't remember you as a guzzler." Randy Dalton, Annabelle's ex-boyfriend and Sophie's current client came up beside them.

  Annabelle narrowed her gaze.

  Sophie did the same.

  "Shut up, Dalton," both sisters said simultaneously.

  He stepped closer to Annabelle. "You know I'm sorry, darlin'" he said in that good old Texan accent that used to make her weak in the knees. Now it just made her sick.

  "Sorry you cheated? Sorry you got caught? Sorry you dumped me? Or just plain sorry for living, Randy?"

  Sophie choked and Annabelle was sure her sister was trying not to laugh.

  "Come on, Annabelle. We had absolutely nothing in common and you know it. So it ended sooner rather than later. I'm sorry." He placed a hand beneath her chin. "Forgive me?"