by Ava Miles
Even though he wanted to strangle her, his mouth tipped up. “Me neither.”
Her brow rose.
“Women, I mean. I use the hotel.”
“I can’t go there.”
“I know. I’ll talk to Rhett. See if we can come here. Is this secluded enough for you?”
The mockery in his voice made her frown. “So, we’re to have a pied–à–terre after all?”
“Don’t say it like that. You want things this way. I don’t.”
He turned away, sick at heart, wondering if that’s how Rhett had felt when Abbie had chosen to keep their relationship hidden. Funny how he’d gotten boxed into the same corner as his friend—in his house too. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
He jolted when she pressed her face into his back. When her hands slid around his chest, his heart flipped over like a pancake. He covered them with his own.
“I’m doing the best I can,” she whispered.
The plea couldn’t be missed. “I know you are, but there’s more inside you.”
When she stepped away, he reached for the car keys. She walked forward until they were face to face. “Kiss me before we go.”
“Ah, Christ, how am I supposed to fight against that?”
No response came. He hadn’t expected one.
He kissed her until they were both senseless and then took her hand. Led her to the car. When he buckled her into her seatbelt, another hard kiss communicated his intent.
“Friday night. Just you and me. Find a sitter. Or I will.”
Then he walked around the hood and took her home, the growing silence making the afternoon feel like a dream.
Chapter 26
The next morning he called her, which was baffling. When she told him she didn’t need the reassurance, he laughed and told her perhaps he did.
In a pig’s eye, she said and hung up.
Still, he called or texted her every day until Friday.
She didn’t understand it.
Deep down, the emerging woman thought it was sweet and counted down the days until she would see him again.
The day finally dawned. As she swung the car up Tanner’s driveway, Keith kept his hand poised on the door handle, practically vibrating with excitement. Nothing beat free babysitting—especially when the babysitter was your responsible older brother. The minute she stopped the car, Keith made a break for it. He whooped and hollered all the way up the stairs. She left the car more slowly, smiling as she watched him greet Meredith and Tanner with hugs.
“How about some ice cream?” Meredith asked.
“Awesome. You still have chocolate brownie crunch?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll see you in a minute, man,” Tanner called as the two of them went inside.
When her brother came down the porch and crossed his arms, she scowled. She hadn’t told him where she was going, but he knew. Her back started to itch again. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
His directness shot her in the gut. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You don’t go out ever, and even I can see the spring in your step, which Jill calls the Sex Spring—dear God—so I have to ask. I know it’s Mac. Again, do you—”
“Stop.” She snarled. Great. Jill knew. That meant everyone probably did. She’d lay down the law later. “Yes. No. Not really.”
Now his mouth formed a scowl. “Good, I’m glad you’re sure.”
Her hand was on his arm before she realized it. “I don’t want things to be weird, between us or between you and Maven. I know he’s a friend.”
When she snatched her hand back, he took her shoulder in a gentle grip. “You’re my sister. Besides, I’ve already told him what will happen if he hurts you.”
She gaped at him. “You did?”
“You may be a better shot than I am, but I know more devious ways of making a man suffer.”
“I’ll let you know if I need to call in the special forces, but so far it’s been…civil.”
She almost had to laugh at her own choice of words. Try hot, steaming…
His foot kicked the gravel. “Civil? Okay, I won’t ask for a definition there. Are you sure you don’t want Keith to spend the night?”
It seemed wise to suppress a squirm. Maven hadn’t asked, but it was only a matter of time before he did. Staying over would be…strange. She didn’t want to think about trying to fall asleep with him, listening to his breathing, feeling his arms around her. Relaxation would be impossible. Falling asleep next to a cop on stakeout was easier. Plus, she wasn’t ready to make this into something more—even if it was.
“I can tell by your body language that that would be a no. Be back by eleven, or I’ll have to ground you.”
Walking away, memories of being a teenager surfaced. “Okay. Don’t wait up.”
She knew he would…he always had.
“Wait a minute. I need to tell you something.”
She turned around slowly. “From the look on your face, I can tell I’m not going to like it.”
His fingers dug into his temple. “Hell, I’m not sure I like it.”
Uh–oh. “Give.”
“David’s making firmer plans about his visit, but he’s not bringing his family. He wants to come up for Labor Day weekend.”
“Does he really think he can just show up and say he’s sorry for everything? Our brother needs to find a clue.”
His face softened. “I said I’d check if you were open to seeing him. He understands if you’re not ready.”
She didn’t think she’d ever be ready to see him again, not when he seemed intent on ruining his life over and over again. Just like their father. “I can’t believe Mom hasn’t called me yet.”
“David told her not to. He’s standing on his own, working on being a good husband, father, and city councilman.”
“He’s done this whole song and dance before.”
Tanner’s sigh carried across the yard. “I don’t want to debate David’s choices with you. Just think about it, okay? He’s family.”
She fidgeted and confessed her deepest fear. “I don’t know if I want him around Keith, okay?”
“I know, Peg, but it’s not like he’s going to offer your son a drink.”
“Jeez, that’s—”
“The truth. Deal with it. Now I need to go inside and play with my nephew. Have fun with Mac.”
“Right.” Fun. That wasn’t what she’d call it.
She yanked open the car door hard, pissed that David’s plans had stirred her up this way. She knew it was part of the AA program, but why did he have to make amends in person? Why couldn’t he send a greeting card inscribed Regrets on Being an Asshole with a Capital A, Thinking of You.
She flicked the windshield wipers on by accident when she tried to turn on the lights. Great, now she couldn’t operate a vehicle properly. She yanked her mind back to what awaited her at Rhett’s cabin. Her body turned all hot and tense as she imagined Maven’s hands on her. She eyed the speedometer. Thought about speeding. Ratcheted it down. He was not going to make her break her rules.
He was waiting for her on the porch. Not doing anything. Just waiting. The sight of him there wrenched her heart, but some weird peace descended as she walked toward him.
His navy T–shirt and khaki cargo shorts gave him a relaxed look. He cupped her face and kissed her on the mouth before she could blink.
“Hi,” he said, easing back slowly. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment all day.”
She glanced at her watch to break his intense eye contact. “I’m not late, am I?”
His hand covered hers, shooting fireworks up her arm.
“No, I just missed you.”
What could she say? He’d glued her mouth shut with that comment. They went inside and headed into the kitchen.
Her fingers drummed on the kitchen island as he opened the refrigerator. There was pasta bubbling in a pot on the stove, a blood–
red tomato sauce with sausage on the front burner. Funny, she’d expected take–out, not a home–cooked meal.
“Ah, where did you learn to cook? And where the heck is Rhett?”
He smiled and brought out a bottle of wine. “Abbie’s been a good teacher. And as for Rhett, he’s hanging out at the hotel, playing poker likely. I gave him use of the family suite since he’s been so generous with this place. Tell me about your day.”
Tell him about her day? He might as well be speaking a foreign language. “There wasn’t much to it. Any news about the bomb threat?” His head of security, Aaron, had been keeping her well informed, so she didn’t really need to ask, but it was something to talk about.
He shook his finger at her. “You know the rule. No work talk.”
“But you asked me about my day. That’s work stuff.”
His level stare made her squirm. “You know what I mean. Let me show you how it’s done.” He told her about his day as he brought the meal together. The spicy scent of garlic made her mouth water. Poker didn’t come up once, she noted, and neither did the whole bomb threat thing.
He fed her a few bites of his meal from his fork. She tried to smile even though it felt weird. When they were through, he insisted on cleaning up while she waited, so she sat there fiddling with her wine stem. A healthy stream of lust shot through her as she watched him do the dishes. Funny how she’d had the same reaction when he’d helped around her yard with Dustin. Clearly, she liked a man who could do chores. She could see the calendar now. Hot hunks vacuuming in their underwear or doing the dishes in leather thongs.
She shook her head and fanned herself.
“Come on,” he finally called after drying the last pan.
He led her into the living room where there was a mammoth flat–screen TV as large as a VW bug. Following, she pulled on her T–shirt’s hem. When were they going to get to it already? She was so hot she might detonate like some bomb.
“What kind of movies do you like?” An on–demand site popped onto the screen when he hit one of the remote’s many buttons. “With a sister and a teenager in the house, I’m used to sitting through pretty much anything. I’ve watched Beaches three times. I never cried, even though Abbie swears she saw a tear once. And I’ve seen Puss in Boots seven times—not the whole way through, thank God. I thought about shooting myself every time, but family’s family.”
Her mouth might as well have dropped to the floor. “We’re watching a movie? ”
He set aside the remote. “Yeah. I thought it would be a nice way to spend the evening.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I thought we could do something normal.”
Her hand gestured to their fancy surroundings. “This isn’t normal.”
“Bull. You just don’t think you can do ‘normal’ with me. I told you this wouldn’t just be about sex.”
She was sure a steady glare would drive her point home. “I thought it would at least be on the menu.”
He slid off his shoes and stretched out on the couch. “Did you think I planned to watch the whole movie? I was hoping to eat way too much popcorn and then put my hands on you.”
“Oh.” Give her the idiot prize.
“Is that all right with you?”
“Why don’t we skip the movie then?” Her hip bumped the couch, an invitation.
“Because I want popcorn. Have you ever wondered what it is about the stuff? Even the smell makes me crave it.”
Were they really discussing popcorn?
“I hope you like it with butter. I can’t make love to you unless you like butter on your popcorn.”
She glared at him like he was a suspect she couldn’t get a read on—or one who was high on something. “What is wrong with you?”
His arms stretched out. “I’m letting you see how I really am. Did you think I was a serious businessman and poker player all the time? This is pretty much me—making dinner, hanging out, watching a movie. It’s how I like to enjoy myself.”
Telling him he was weird wouldn’t be nice. “You’re nothing like I thought.”
Those stoplight green eyes never left her face. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“I don’t know.” And that was the God’s honest truth.
“At least you’re honest,” he said with a small smile. “Now, my turn. You don’t seem to trust me any more now than you ever have. You’re as passionate in bed as I expected, but intimacy bothers you. We’ll work on it. You’re not comfortable with casual conversation because you feel like someone’s going to use it against you. I’m not a suspect who’s trying to pull one over on you, Peg. I’m looking for the woman who makes goofy faces with her son, like in those photos on your refrigerator.”
Her face heated. “That was…an off day.”
His hand patted the seat beside him. “I don’t think so. You need to let your hair down a little. Relax. It’s something else we can work on.”
Beaning him with the paperback on Rhett’s table sounded like a better idea. “I don’t want to work on anything with you.”
“Relaxation is a key component of good sex.”
An eye–roll seemed appropriate. “Thank you, Dr. Ruth.”
“So is tension. Which you have in spades. We’ll strike a balance.”
“I haven’t heard you complain yet.” The emerging woman cringed.
“We don’t have enough evidence yet. Besides, men are pretty easy to please. It’s an aspect of our sex that most women resent.”
“It makes you less complicated. At least we know where your brains are.” She gazed meaningfully at his crotch.
He laughed. “See, that’s the kind of thing we need to do. Joke around more. You’re pretty hilarious when you let loose.”
“This is…weird.”
His fingers chucked her under the chin. “I know, but it won’t be weird forever. When’s the last time you spent an evening with someone other than family?”
Her mind conducted an audit. “It’s been years.”
“So, if you don’t want to watch a movie right now, how about we go for a walk?”
Her heartbeat was already racing from their conversation. Maybe she could work off some lust in the woods. “Okay.”
When they reached the front porch, he took her hand like they were high school sweethearts. She squirmed and almost yanked it away, but he pulled her along.
“Rhett says there’s a nice vista on the east side. Come on.”
His pace grated on her—it was a slow stroll, the opposite of her preferred power walk. But after a few paces, she grew used to the feel of his fingers curled around hers, the warmth of his palm. When his hand squeezed hers, she didn’t return the gesture, but the urge to yank it away lessened.
Dark clouds were rolling in, but she doubted it would rain. After all, clouds like this had shown themselves several times in recent weeks, and the drought was still in full force. They’d be fine.
“My favorite movie is Aliens, ” she volunteered as they rounded the trail’s curve.
“Ah…Sigourney Weaver kicking alien ass. Saving a child and the world at the same time. It sounds like you.”
“Thanks,” she sputtered.
His feet ate up the path as she tagged along. “We can watch it when we get back. I haven’t seen it in a while. Then maybe you can save me.”
“From what?” she said, her voice a whisper.
He pushed her against a nearby tree and kissed her deeply, his tongue twisting with hers. When he edged back, his breathing was labored.
“All this wanting I have for you.” His mouth found hers again. “I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough.”
She gripped his waist, needing an anchor after his confession. “Fine. Let’s get to it then.”
His hand cupped her cheek. “I told you we were going to watch a movie and have popcorn. I never go back on my word.”
The bark cut into her shirt, adding to her excitement. “I won�
��t tell.”
His lips nipped her ear. “But I’ll know. I want normal with you, Peg. We won’t have anything more than sex if we don’t do anything but sex.”
Her hips jutted forward, lust pooling like water in a hurricane. “I don’t care right now.”
He jogged backwards, leaving her bereft. “It’ll only make it better later. Catch me if you can.”
She chased him, her lungs burning from the effort. He zigzagged through the trees like a pro. She finally launched herself at him like he was a suspect. They bounced against each other before hitting the ground. She had his hands wrapped up behind his back before he could resist.
“Don’t make me cuff you.”
His snort held a tinge of laughter. “Peg, if you wanted me that bad, all you had to do was say so.”
She released his hands and nudged him onto his back. “So.”
Dirt streaked his shirt. His eyes blazed like the leaves in a final patch of sunlight. “Okay, then. How do you feel about the great outdoors?”
“Shut up,” she murmured, yanking her top off and climbing on top of him.
The distant rumble of thunder sounded, echoing the sensation inside her.
“Aren’t you afraid a moose might—”
Her mouth slammed against his, her teeth biting as his tongue thrust out. His strong arms flipped her over, and he tugged off his shirt.
Her body went from tingle to full–on power surge at the sight of all those rippling muscles. He undid her shorts and slid them down her legs in a whisper. Then he took off his own. Naked, he cradled her head in his warm hands. The gesture moved her, sending an unusual pang reverberating through her heart. She didn’t like it.
She pushed him onto his back again and slid onto his thighs. Reached out and grabbed his erection.
“Be gentle with me,” he joked, then groaned when she squeezed.
“Not in this lifetime.”
He filled his hands with her breasts, keeping the pressure light until she wanted to beg. When his fingers caressed the triangle between her legs, her head dropped back.
“Mac, please,” she finally called, knowing he wanted to hear her say his first name.
His fingers slid inside and started a rhythm as primal as nature’s drumbeat. She finally shoved his hand aside.