by Debbie Mason
She groaned, positive she’d given herself whiplash.
“Ouch, that’s gotta hurt, honey. Ready to concede?”
She heard the cocky amusement in his voice and her temper spiked. She opened her mouth and lowered her head.
He laughed, dropping his arm before she could sink her teeth into it. “You fight like a girl,” he said as he spun her around and threw her on the bed. One bounce and he was on top of her, smothering her with his lethally hard body.
She looked into his smiling eyes, trying to ignore the feel of all that warm muscle bearing down upon her. “That wasn’t fair.” She wriggled to get out from under him. Her lady parts got the wrong message and began to cheer.
“Careful, honey. You’re going to lose the towel.” He rubbed his foam-covered jaw over her chest.
Her breath caught in her throat at the erotic feel. She bit her bottom lip to contain a needy moan, but a breathy sigh escaped.
He lifted his head, his grass-green eyes serious. “I don’t want to be friends anymore.”
She knew what he wanted, but she couldn’t do it. A benefits-only relationship with Chance would ruin her. She blinked against the sudden burn of tears—desperate to contain them. “Why not? “Her voice came out sad and lost. As one-sided as their relationship was, she didn’t want to lose him completely.
His hand moved up her thigh and under the towel. “It’s not enough. I want more.” He lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were soft but firm, demanding. She tried not to respond but was helpless against the drugging sensation of his kiss. Time seemed to stand still as he seduced her with his mouth. Then he brushed his lips lightly over hers, a soft graze, before feathering kisses to her jaw to her cheek to her ear. “When you’re not with me, all I do is think about you.”
Everything inside her froze. She was afraid he didn’t say what she thought he did. That his kiss had messed with her hearing along with her heart.
“I can’t fight it anymore. I want to see where this goes. I’m done walking away.”
“I can’t breathe,” she choked out, her lungs paralyzed with emotion. Oh, God, she didn’t want to cry and ruin the moment. A moment she’d all but given up on.
He searched her face, offering her a tentative smile. “Sorry.” He removed his hand from her waist to lever himself up on his elbows. “Better?”
She shook her head. “No. More, I want more.”
He closed his eyes, lowering his forehead to hers. “I don’t know if I can. For now, this is all I’ve got to offer.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, drawing his mouth closer. “It’s enough, Chance. For now, it’s enough.” It was more than she’d expected.
“Thank, Christ. You scared the hell out of me, Slick. I don’t want to lose you.”
An uneasy feeling stole some of her happiness. “Because you need me to distract you from thinking about Kate and the baby?”
She tensed when he didn’t respond. There was an emotion in his eyes she couldn’t read. She shouldn’t have mentioned Kate and the baby, not now. “No.” He framed her face with his hands. “Don’t do that, okay? Don’t compare what I had with Kate with what I have with you.”
Because you will never be able to compete with the love he lost. She winced as the thought came into her head. She didn’t want it there.
As if he could read her mind, he said, “Since Kate died, I’ve been with other women. You are the only one, the only one, who I ever wanted to try again with, Vivi. Before you, I existed. You’ve made we want more.”
“I… I’m glad.” She’d been about to tell him she loved him, but held back in case he’d feel pressured to say the same. She didn’t want him to tell her he loved her because he thought that’s what she expected, what she needed to hear.
“Time, okay? Just give me a little more time.”
“You using your X-ray vision to read my mind now, Superman?” she said in an attempt to take away the tension lines bracketing his mouth. This was a man who’d locked away his grief for five years. It was a miracle he’d come this far in only two weeks.
“Don’t need X-ray vision, honey. It’s written all over your beautiful face.” His voice was low and subdued. She hadn’t meant to make him feel guilty or sad.
“Okay, what am I thinking about now?” As a way to distract him, she rolled her hips.
“No one will ever accuse you of being subtle, Slick,” he said with a laugh, then lowered his mouth. “You are the most incredible, infuriating, passionate, smart, moody, hotheaded, gorgeous woman I have ever met. And in case I haven’t made myself clear enough, you’re mine.”
“That’s a lot of adjectives, McBride, but since the positive ones beat out the negatives, I’ll let you get away with it. And you’re right, I am yours. Just as much as you’re mine.”
He angled his head. “You done now?” She nodded. “Good,” he rolled onto his back, taking her with him. He moved his hand to her thigh. “Please tell me benefits are included in this package.”
“Lots and lots of benefits,” she said, removing her towel as she lowered her mouth to his.
“I’m loving this relationship already,” he said against her lips.
* * *
Chance rested his hand at the small of Vivi’s back while opening the door to the Chronicle with the other. “Okay, thanks, time to go now.” She made a shooing motion with her hand.
He looked down at her. “You weren’t this anxious to get rid of me thirty minutes ago.”
“Yes, but I’m at work now, and your aunt and her friends are watching us. So…” She nodded at the door.
“Hey, ladies.” He greeted the three older women as he surveyed the space. “Great job. Didn’t they do an amazing job, honey?” He slung an arm over her shoulders.
“Fantastic,” she said through clenched teeth, catching Nell’s cagey smile. This was exactly what Vivi had been afraid of. She knew he’d give them away. She nudged him when he twirled her hair around his finger. “No PDA, McBride, remember?”
“This,” he said, lifting his finger, the one her hair was wrapped around, “is not PDA. This is.” Before she could stop him, he kissed her full on the mouth in front of his wedding-obsessed aunt.
She glared at him when he lifted his head. He responded by tweaking the side of her nose with his finger. “You’re cute when you’re pissed.”
“You won’t think I’m so cute when I rescind the benefits portion of your package.”
He laughed, patting her on the butt as he headed for the door. She shouldn’t be surprised he didn’t take her threat seriously. She’d have to be less effusive with her praise next time they made love. Maybe smother those stupid moans, too.
“Bye, honey. Take care of my girl, ladies,” he said as he walked out the door.
Vivi tossed her messenger bag on her desk and sat down. “Not a word,” she warned the three older women without looking up.
She heard sniffling and glanced to her right. The three of them were crying, passing around tissues. Vivi groaned and buried her face in her hands.
“What happened? Did someone die?” Cat asked, holding two coffees as she hip-checked the door open.
“No, this girl, this wonderful girl here, worked a miracle.” Nell waved her soggy tissue at Vivi. “I never would’ve believed it… I mean, I thought she could, but to see the way he looked at her. Our boy’s come back to us.”
Cat handed a coffee to Vivi. “Is she talking about Chance?”
Vivi ignored the question. “I think I love you,” she said, putting the cup to her lips. “You don’t know how badly I needed this.”
“Of course I’m talking about Chance. Who else would I be talking about?” Nell rolled her chair over to Vivi’s desk. “If we get on it right away, I’m sure we can hire the caterer we had booked for Paul and Liz’s wedding. How does the Fourth of July sound?”
Vivi choked on her coffee and waved off Nell, who went to pound her back.
“I love weddings.” Evelyn pressed her hands to her chest, releasing a dreamy sigh.
“No, no wedding. We’re not close to being there yet.” If they ever were. He hadn’t even told her he loved her. Vivi was about to call Chance and let him deal with his aunt. It was his fault they were even having this conversation. But the thought it would scare him off held her back.
Nell patted her hand. She must have seen the panic on Vivi’s face. “We’ll talk about it a week from now.”
“I…” She trailed off as Chance’s dad opened the door and gave her one of his you-walk-on-water looks.
“You,” he beamed, pointing his finger at her, “are a miracle worker.” And in case she didn’t understand just how happy he was, he walked over and lifted her out of her chair, pulling her into a hug.
And that pretty much summed up the rest of Vivi’s day. Maddie, Skye, Betty Jean, and what felt like the entire town of Christmas had dropped by to share how happy they were. But instead of sharing in their joy, with each person she found a little of her happiness slipping away. Their expectations fueled her insecurities.
At three in the afternoon, she decided she’d had about all that she could take. Maddie had conveniently dropped off a laptop and given her the use of her car for the next few days. “Ladies, I’m going to take off and work from home.”
“You can’t fool us, dear,” Evelyn said. “You’re going to make Chance a special dinner to celebrate, aren’t you?”
She had planned on stopping at the grocery store, but there was nothing special about nachos and beer. Other than that she and Chance enjoyed both. Taking the easy way out, she smiled and nodded.
By the time she pushed her junk-laden cart to the checkout, the pounding in her head had lessened. The cashier with the blue hair beamed at her. Good God, not again.
“I heard all about you and Chance McBride, and I have to tell you, I’m tickled. Just tickled. No one deserves to be happy more than him. Tragic, just tragic what happened to dear, sweet Katie.”
Vivi pressed two fingers to her temple, bringing the woman’s name tag into focus. “Thanks, Patty. Now if you could maybe hurry it along, I’d appreciate it. We wouldn’t want the ice cream to melt.” She faked a smile.
Patty’s steel-wool brows drew together. Vivi didn’t need to be a mind reader. She was far from the dear, sweet type. But whatever Patty thought of Vivi, it didn’t stop the older woman from regaling her with stories from Kate and Chance’s prom king and queen days.
The woman stopped mid-story, looking over Vivi’s shoulder with a nervous expression on her face. As long as she stopped talking, someone could be holding up the place for all Vivi cared.
“Oh, Mary, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
Vivi raised her gaze to the ceiling. Really? Who had she ticked off up there?
“Don’t give it another thought, Patty. It’s always nice to hear someone talk about Katie.” A gentle hand touched Vivi’s arm.
She turned to look into the eyes of an older version of Kate McBride. The woman had once been as beautiful as her daughter, but time and grief had taken a toll. Her skin was sallow, her hair a dull blonde. She wore what looked to be a blue housedress, a pair of blue ballet slippers on her feet. Petite and fine-boned, she was the type of woman who brought out your protective instincts.
She smiled at Vivi. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’d been hoping I would.”
Vivi covered the woman’s hand with her own and lightly squeezed. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too.” Also nerve-wracking.
Chance’s mother-in-law gave her a concerned look. “Are you all right?”
She wiped the beads of perspiration from her forehead. “I’m good. Just a little warm.” She smiled and fanned herself.
Patty stood, taking everything in. The woman would probably be on the phone as soon as they had one foot out the door. Mary glanced from Vivi to the cashier. “Patty.” She nodded at Vivi’s groceries.
The cashier took the hint, and within minutes, Vivi was checked out. “Thanks, Patty.” Vivi picked up her three bags and was about to say good-bye to Mary, but didn’t feel right leaving without saying more than a few words to Chance’s mother-in-law. She waited for her, transferring her own bags to one hand to pick up Mary’s bags with the other.
The older woman smiled. “I’m stronger than I look, you know.”
“I thought you might have some questions for me, and they were better asked in private,” Vivi said as she pushed open the glass door with her shoulder.
“You’re a no-nonsense woman. I like that. It would appeal to Chance, too, I think. How is my son-in-law? He’s been avoiding me.” She plucked at the top button of her housedress. “He’s probably angry with me for bailing out Earl.”
“He’s been busy with the drugstore burglaries and Ray. I’m sure once things settle down, he’ll come for a visit.” Vivi looked around the parking lot. “Where’s your car?”
“Oh, I walked.” Mary held out her hands. “Here, I’ll take those and let you get on with your day.”
“No, I was just going…” She felt uncomfortable referring to the cabin as home. “Can I give you a lift?”
Mary inclined her head. “You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” She led the older woman to the car and put the groceries in the backseat. Mary settled in the passenger side and gave her directions.
Pulling onto Main Street, she cast Mary a sidelong glance. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you bail out Earl?”
“He’s my brother. I had so much. It didn’t feel right not to help him out.” She shifted in the seat. “He’s not a bad man, Vivi. Just a troubled one. But the men he was involved with, they were bad. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to him. You tell Chance I won’t give Earl another cent of the money he’s given me. And I haven’t touched the money for Natalee. It’s in a college fund just like Chance wanted.”
“But I… Does Natalee know that?”
Her eyes clouded. “She does now. I thought I’d told her, but she says I didn’t.” She looked down at her clasped hands. “After Katie died… I wasn’t much of a mother to Natalee.”
A wave of sympathy for both mother and daughter overcame her, and she rubbed Mary’s shoulder. “I’m sure she understands.”
“No, I don’t think she does. I’m trying now though. And with Chance home, it will be better. She adores him, you know. Adored both of them. She spent more time with Chance and Katie than she did with me. I hope he can convince her to go to school. She’s a bright girl with so much potential. But after Katie died, she lost interest in everything. Except Zach. She had him at least.”
Ignoring a stab of guilt for what she was about to do, Vivi said, “They seem really close. Do you like him?”
“He’s a good boy. Very protective of Natalee. Doesn’t let her out of his sight.”
And that’s what Vivi was worried about. Too many women confused jealousy and overprotectiveness with love, and before they knew it, they were in a dangerous situation.
“She told me about last night. I tried to explain to her why Chance would react like he did. I think I made it worse.”
“You mean because he blames Jake Callahan for the accident? You don’t, do you?” Vivi asked.
She shook her head. “No, but I understand why Chance did. I can’t tell you the sleep I’ve lost trying to understand why Katie went out in that blizzard.” Mary looked up and pointed to a white bungalow sitting on a well-manicured lawn. “That’s my house.”
When Vivi pulled into the driveway, Mary asked, “Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?”
“Sure. Go ahead. I’ll bring in your groceries.” Vivi did her best to cover her reaction when she walked into the house behind Mary. It was a shrine to Kate McBride. Her sympathy for Natalee grew. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to have your dead sister filling up every available space with no room left for you. The only pictures of Natalee were ones with
Kate and Chance. Forty minutes later, sitting with Mary at the kitchen table, Vivi decided she should have dropped the groceries and run. It was like Mary had kept her memories bottled up until she met her.
“He spoiled my baby rotten. She’d just smile when I told her how lucky she was. She knew it though. Couldn’t help but know, the way he doted on her. Treated her like a china doll.” She glanced at the cup gripped in Vivi’s white-knuckled hands. “Listen to me carrying on and you already finished your tea. I’ll get you another cup.” She pushed back from the table.
“Thanks, Mary, but I probably should get going. I have to lock up the Chronicle,” she lied, not wanting to hurt the woman’s feelings.
“You sure you can’t have just one more cup?”
Vivi tried to ignore the soft, pleading look in Mary’s eyes but couldn’t do it. “Okay, one more.”
“Oh, good. It’s been so long since I’ve had company.” She smiled at Vivi over her shoulder, then went to refill her cup. She gasped, the delicate piece of china slipping through her fingers onto the floor.
Vivi pushed back her chair. “Mary, what—”
The older woman whirled around, her face pale. “It’s Earl.” Her eyes widened when the front door opened. “Hide.” She motioned to the table.
Vivi half laughed. “I’m not hiding, Mary.”
“You don’t understand. He hates the McBrides, and he’s lost business because of your article in the paper. Please, Vivi, please hide, he has a terrible temper.”
Earl Skully just went to the top of Vivi’s suspect list. “It’s okay, Mary. Come and sit down. I promise, it’ll be all right.”
* * *
Vivi glanced in the rearview mirror. Chance had followed her to the cabin in his truck. His expression hadn’t changed since he’d arrived at Mary’s—he was livid. Vivi didn’t know why he was mad at her. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Earl was the one who’d been unreasonable. He’d tried to bodily throw her out of the house. All Vivi had done was protect herself. She’d done a good job of it, too. She caught sight of her eye in the mirror and made a face. She should have ducked when Earl threw his first punch, but he would have hit Mary instead. If Mary hadn’t called the sheriff, given another five minutes, Vivi would have worn Earl out. The man was overweight and out of shape. And still on the top of her suspect list.