by Jaci Burton
“Where?”
“For a walk. You can’t do anything strenuous, but you can go for a walk. With me.”
“I thought you were busy.”
“Not too busy to take a walk with you.”
He wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to spend some time with Carmen. And getting out of this house sounded like the best idea ever. “Sure. Let me grab my shoes.”
He went upstairs, put on his sneakers and started back down, pausing to gape at the glorious sight of Carmen leaning over. She was holding on to the barstool and bending from the waist, no doubt stretching her hamstrings.
Damn, she had a very fine ass and some spectacular thighs. She wasn’t overly thin, which suited him just fine, because he liked a woman who looked like she had some flesh on her. But every part of her looked firm. Of course she was on her feet at work all the time, so she got plenty of exercise.
He made his way downstairs. “Ready.”
She straightened and smiled at him. “Me, too. You should stretch.”
“I’m not running. I’ll stretch as I walk.”
She shrugged and said, “You know best.”
He liked that she didn’t lecture him. He’d dated plenty of women who thought they knew best and didn’t hesitate to nag him about what he should and shouldn’t do. Those women didn’t last long in his orbit. He already had a mother. He didn’t want to date one.
The humidity blasted him full in the face as they stepped outside. “You sure you want to do this?” he asked.
“Do what?”
“Walk. Outside. In July.”
She laughed. “It’s fine. I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m used to this heat.”
Another bonus point. She didn’t complain. He’d once tried to get a woman he’d met at the gym to run a 5K with him. It was even during the winter, but she complained about how messed up her hair would get in the humidity.
Sometimes finding a woman who was down with his interests was as impossible as trying to win a game of Alien: Isolation on his Xbox.
“How did last night go?” Carmen asked.
“Miserable.”
She looked concerned. “Really? Any vomiting?”
“Nah. I was tired. I wanted to sleep. My asshole brothers woke me constantly.”
She slanted a smile at him. “I’m sure that was very annoying. But necessary.”
“Yeah, I know. At least I’ll sleep good tonight.”
“Yes, that’s the payoff.”
They turned right at the end of the road. They lived in an established neighborhood, all the homes having been built in the late seventies, which meant a lot of mature trees on both sides of the road. School hadn’t started back yet, so kids played in the yards and rode their bikes up and down the street. Rafe often thought about what it might have been like to grow up in an environment like this, with great parents and friends who lived next door.
But that hadn’t been the hand he’d been dealt.
“You’re quiet,” Carmen said. “Are you all right?”
He turned his head to look at her. “Yeah. Whenever I walk the neighborhood, I always think about what it might have been like to grow up here. You know, to be born into something like this. Good parents. Friends. Riding my bike up and down the street without a care in the world. Never being hungry or thinking about where my next meal would come from.”
Carmen reached out and laid her hand on his upper arm. “You ended up with great parents, Rafe, growing up with amazing brothers.”
“Yeah, I got lucky with Jackson and Kal and our parents. I just didn’t start out there.”
“I don’t know the whole story other than what you all have told me.”
“Nothing much to tell. Jackson, Kal and I were all homeless and we bonded. We stuck together. One night we got caught in a fire in an abandoned house, and Josh Donovan saved our lives. He was one of the firemen who rescued us. Then he and his wife, Laurel, adopted us and became our parents, and we became Donovans.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard that part. What about before that?”
He sidestepped a pothole in the street. “You mean when we were homeless?”
“No. Before you became homeless. Your family life before you hit the streets.”
He hadn’t thought about that part of his life for a long time. “Not really much of what I would call a family life. It wasn’t a great time, so I try not to think about it.”
“Then I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“Don’t be. I just don’t focus on it. I’m a Donovan now, and have been for most of my life. It’s all that matters.”
She smiled at him. “Sure.”
He hated his childhood memories, before he met Jackson and Kal. His birth parents never parented him, not in the traditional sense. To them he had just been some kid who got in the way of their drug business.
He had never been happier than when he’d run away from them. If he’d stayed, he’d probably be dead.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the humid air, clearing his head.
“Tell me about your tattoo.”
He frowned. “My—” His lips lifted. “You ogled me while I was half-naked in the ER yesterday, didn’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “I was not ogling. I was doing my job. But your tattoo is amazing.”
She’d totally ogled. Which was fine with him. Better than fine, actually. “Thanks. Jackson and Kal got the same one. Becks did them. It represents all of us and our bond as brothers and as firefighters.”
“Really? That’s very cool. Something else the three of you have in common now.”
“True.”
Then it went quiet again. The funny thing was, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Carmen seemed content to just walk alongside him, and he was pretty happy to have her company.
“Great day for a walk, isn’t it?”
She shot him a look. “It’s hot, Rafe.”
“Yeah, but we’re alive and healthy and life is good, isn’t it?”
She arched a brow. “You always carry this annoyingly positive outlook?”
“Always. Why? Does it bother you?”
“Depends on my mood.”
“Yeah? And how’s your mood today?”
“I’m fine.”
That wasn’t a happy I’m fine, so clearly, something was on her mind. “Want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m off work today. I made an extra batch of enchiladas, so dinner’s handled. And I’ve already done two loads of laundry.”
All domestic bullshit. “And what about you, Carmen? What are you doing for fun on your day off?”
She held her hands out. “I’m taking a walk, with you.”
“And I appreciate it. But that’s the nurse in you, making sure I’m okay. I’m talking about fun. What do you do to get out there and have a good time?”
She didn’t answer.
“Got a boyfriend?”
She looked flustered, as if the question made her unsettled. “Oh . . . no. Not me.”
“Girlfriend?”
She laughed. “Not one of those, either.”
“So you don’t date?”
“No. Not lately, anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Too busy. And I don’t want to.”
“Again . . . why not?”
They turned the corner, and she focused her attention on the park, watching kids play on the swings. “I . . . just don’t.”
Now he was really curious. Carmen was beautiful and had a lot to offer. She worked and cared for her grandfather, but surely, she took time out for herself. “Maybe you should consider it.”
They’d made it back to their street. She tilted her head up and gave him a curious look. “Why? Do you have someone in mind?”
He didn’t know why or how the words fell out of his mouth, but they did. “Yeah. Me.”
“Oh, God, no.”
The look of horror on her face would have made him laugh if he hadn�
��t been so insulted.
“Hey, I’m not that bad.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. I mean . . . look at you.” She gave him a head to toe once-over. “You’ re . . . amazing. Hot. Incredible looking. Any woman would be lucky to . . . What I’m saying is . . .”
Her eyes widened, and then she glanced over at her house. “Well, we’re back. Thanks for the walk. And for the invitation for the date, but I’m just not . . . Anyway, thanks, Rafe. Hope you enjoy the casserole. See you later, okay?”
She gave him a quick wave over her shoulder as she disappeared into her house.
Rafe stood there for a minute or so, trying to digest their conversation and coming to no conclusion other than he was totally confused.
What the hell just happened?
CHAPTER 4
CARMEN TRIED TO BUSY HERSELF WITH CLEANING HER grandfather’s bathroom, but even the sweet lemony smell couldn’t scrub away the utter mortification from her earlier conversation with Rafe.
What. A. Moron. It was like she’d opened her mouth and idiocy had fallen out.
First she’d insulted him by acting as if going out with him would be the worst thing that could happen to her, and then she’d stumbled all over herself trying to correct that mistake by practically drooling all over him with compliments.
Ugh. He probably thought she was the dumbest woman he’d ever known.
“Nothing good ever comes from me interacting with a man,” she muttered.
Her grandfather walked slowly into the bedroom, then leaned on his cane. “Who are you talkin’ to?”
She lifted her head. “No one. Myself.”
“You losing your mind?”
“Maybe.” Probably. Definitely. She went back to cleaning the sink.
“Or maybe something’s on your mind and you need to talk it out.”
“Nothing’s on my mind, Grandpa.”
“Yes, it is. When you start scrubbing like you want to take the top surface off my bathroom counter, it means you’ve got a problem. Start talking.”
The very last thing she wanted to do was tell her grandpa about how she acted with Rafe. So she tossed the sponge into the cleaning bucket, straightened and smiled. “I was just working out some aggressions from my job on your counter, which is now shiny and clean. Are you ready for some lunch?”
“I guess.”
He gave her the side-eye, and she knew he didn’t believe her. But since he turned and left the room, that meant he wasn’t going to push the subject further—at least for now.
She made turkey sandwiches and salad, which would keep the house cool. They sat at the kitchen table and ate.
“You look stronger today,” she said. “I notice you’re using the cane and not the walker.”
“The cane makes me feel a little wobbly, but my physical therapist said not to rely so much on the walker, and to give the cane a try for a few hours a day.”
“Good.” He was so much stronger now than he’d been a month ago. The new therapy he’d been doing was working wonders for him.
“Did you take that food over to Rafe’s house?” he asked.
“I did.”
“How’s he feeling?”
“He seems to be doing fine.”
Her grandfather chewed thoughtfully for a few minutes, then took a swallow of milk and set his glass down. “You were gone awhile.”
“Oh, we went for a walk. Since Rafe is on activity restriction for the next few days, I thought it would be good for him to get out and do some minimal exercise.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“Just returning the favor since he often helps out here.”
“True enough.”
More chewing, more staring off into space. Grandpa did that when something was on his mind, so she waited, figuring he’d get around to saying whatever it was he needed to say.
“That Rafe is a fine young man, Carmen.”
And there it was. “Yes, he is, Grandpa.”
“You know, you’ve been divorced for four years. I don’t recall you bringing anyone over for me to meet. Or, for that matter, dressing up and going out anywhere. With anyone.”
Now it was time for her to focus on her sandwich. She took a bite, waiting for the subject to drop. Instead, her grandpa stared at her. Waiting.
Damn.
“I’ve gone out. I’m just busy.” Which was partly true. And it wasn’t like she hadn’t dated at all in the past four years. She’d had dates. Not in the first year after her divorce. But after she’d gotten over the sting of ending her marriage, she’d ventured out here and there. Though nothing serious, and certainly no man had interested her enough to bring him home to meet her grandfather.
“Life didn’t end for you just because your marriage did. You should get out, have some fun. Date a nice boy. Like Rafe.”
Ouch. “I’m not going to get serious with anyone right now, Grandpa. I have my hands full with work and with—”
His brows shot up. “With me? I don’t need a damn babysitter, girl.”
“That’s not what I was about to say. I just . . . I’m not ready yet.”
He laid his hand over hers. “Not every man is going to be like Tod.”
She gave a quick nod, her throat closing up as a lump gathered there. She finally swallowed and said, “I know.”
“It’s time to move on. Find someone who’ll treat you nice. Who’ll appreciate the fine woman you are.”
She laid a smile on him. “Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“You do that.”
For the remainder of the afternoon, thinking was all she did. Unfortunately, all she thought about was Rafe. His amazing body, the way he smiled at her and how she’d unceremoniously said no to his offer of a date. She felt badly, and she shouldn’t.
So what if she’d said no to him? She had every right to turn a man down. Yes, he’d helped her out with her grandfather on occasion, but that was just him being a good neighbor. She owed him nothing. Nothing.
Oh, come on, Carmen. The real issue here is you wanted to say yes. But you’re afraid.
She shook her head and carried the load of folded towels into the bathroom.
CHAPTER 5
AFTER TWO DAYS OF UTTER DULLNESS, RAFE GOT UP early to watch his brothers get ready for their shift at the fire station. He even made breakfast for everyone, since he had nothing else to do with his time.
“You? Making breakfast again, Rafe? This is getting to be a habit.” Becks, the first one up, surveyed the smorgasbord of food he’d laid out on the kitchen island.
“What can I say? I’m bored.”
He’d prepared biscuits and gravy, plus eggs. He’d sliced a couple of melons and placed those in a bowl and then had squeezed fresh orange juice. At least he’d felt he’d used his muscles—in the most minor way possible.
Jackson came downstairs, slinging his arm around Becks to brush his lips across hers before looking at the spread Rafe had laid out. He arched a brow. “Maybe we should keep you at home more often.”
“Funny. Shut up and eat.”
Kal was the last one downstairs. “Hot damn. Becks made breakfast?”
She laughed as she took her plate to the table. “Not me. Rafe.”
“What? Is it the apocalypse?”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “Come on. It’s not like I can’t cook.”
“No,” Kal said, “but you usually don’t. And besides, I’m the best cook out of all of you. Other than Becks, of course.”
Becks blew him a kiss.
“Hey, this is good,” Jackson yelled from the table. “You’re on cooking duty for your entire house arrest.”
“Screw you, Jackson.”
Rafe filled his plate and joined the others at the table.
At least they’d been home with him last night, so he’d had some company. Today they’d start a twenty-four-hour shift at the station, and Becks would be at her tattoo shop until after eight, so he’d be completely alone. Not that he couldn’
t handle being alone; it would just up the boredom factor.
“I don’t know, man,” Kal said. “If I had five days off to just lie around, I’d catch up on some sleep, float around in the pool, watch some TV and play video games.”
“The TV and video games make my head hurt.”
Kal grimaced. “Sucks for you.”
Becks gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry this is so hard for you. Hopefully, you’ll start feeling better soon.”
“You don’t have much downtime left,” Kal said. “You’ll be on next shift.”
Rafe was so ready for that.
Jackson took a swallow of orange juice. “How did you sleep last night?”
“Fine. Though it was hard to fall asleep.”
His brother shot him a look of concern. “Headaches?”
Rafe shook his head. “No, I think it’s more the inactivity. I’m used to working out or running or being on shift. Even on my days off I’m active. So my body was restless. But no headache.”
Jackson nodded. “That’s good. Not that you couldn’t sleep, but that it was attributed more to restlessness.”
“Yeah. I’ll get through it. I feel less sore this morning, so I’m healing.”
“Good,” Jackson said. “Try to walk if you can. Just getting the blood going a little will help with healing.”
“I plan on it.”
After breakfast, everyone else headed upstairs and Rafe did the dishes. At least he felt like he was doing something. Jackson and Kal came down and headed out to work. Becks wasn’t due in to the shop until ten, so she hung out with him on the sofa in the game room.
“Maybe you could call one of the women you date and go do something with them,” Becks said.
“Not really seeing anyone right now.”
She smiled at him. “It doesn’t seem to be a hardship for you to find someone to go out with, Rafe.”
He wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult. “Are you calling me a manwhore?”
She laughed. “No. I’m saying women like you. You’re charming.”
“Thanks. I asked Carmen out the other day.”
“You did? I didn’t know you were interested in her.”
“I am. I know you two didn’t exactly have the best first meeting.”
“Hey.” She laid her hand on his forearm. “It was just a miscommunication, and we settled it. She seems nice, and you obviously like her.”