by Marie Harte
Del had no intention of leaving. Neither did Abby or Brody.
“Hell.”
Beth McCauley approached with a pretty brunette by her side. Like her sons, Beth had short dark hair, now frosted with silver. But where Mike’s eyes were blue, like his father’s, Beth’s were green. She was beautiful now and must have been a stunner when younger. Trim, lively, and with a magnetic personality, the woman had attracted Del’s dad without effort.
Too bad she didn’t seem to like Del much.
Like clockwork, Beth’s smile cooled when she noted Del. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet my new neighbor, Grace. Grace recently moved in with Nadine, and I thought it would be nice if she met some of our friends.” Beth made introductions.
“Hi.” Del nodded at the woman, whose eyes widened when she caught sight of Del’s brightly colored wrists.
“Hello.” The woman had yet to blink.
“So, Grace,” Abby said. “Where did you move from?”
“Oh, um, Walla Walla.” She tore her gaze from Del’s tats and smiled shyly at Mike. “I’m very happy to be in Seattle, though.”
“She moved here to help Nadine, her mother.” Beth nodded. “She has a son about Colin’s age. I thought it would be nice if they played together.”
Del hadn’t seen another boy at the party besides Brian.
“Is he here?” Mike asked.
“No,” Grace answered. “My mother took him to the movies today. I was home doing chores when Beth came by. I hope you don’t mind,” she said to Abby, yet her gaze slid back to Mike.
Del noted the way he avoided looking at Grace and couldn’t help feeling glad about it. A guy like Mike would chew up a shy woman and spit her out. What the hell was Beth thinking trying to set Mike up with this chick?
“No problem.” Abby smiled. “Did you try any of those mini quiches? They’re amazing.”
Del watched them interact, conscious of Beth’s scrutiny. After a few moments, she excused herself to use the restroom. When she returned, she saw Mike, Grace, and Beth by themselves, talking like old friends. Apparently his unease had disappeared in her absence.
Another twenty minutes and she’d bail, she decided. That way she’d seem supportive to Abby, and not like she was running away or bothered by the timid rabbit clinging to Mike. Because she wasn’t.
She deliberately went into the kitchen, away from the crowd, and noted Maddie and Vanessa talking quietly in the corner. When they spotted her, they motioned her over.
She joined them. “What’s up?”
“Did you see the way Beth keeps throwing women at Mike?” Maddie frowned.
“Women? I just saw Grace, and Beth was hardly throwing her at him.” More like launching a desperation grenade.
Vanessa snorted. “No, that’s Beth throwing at her finest. She may be smooth about it, but trust me, that woman’s a predator.”
“You’d know,” Maddie taunted.
“Yep, I would. Mike’s been signaling to Cam and Flynn to rescue him, but the guys are giving him a taste of his own medicine.”
Ignoring a sense of relief, Del shrugged. “Oh?”
“Yeah. A week and a half ago, Mike had a fight with Cam to get Cam to make up with me.”
“Because he knocked her up then ditched her,” Maddie explained.
“Cam?” Del glanced back at him and Flynn grinning at Mike. “That Cam?”
“I know, right? The smooth-talking gentleman kind of freaked when he found out I was pregnant.” Vanessa sighed. “But he’s been making up for it ever since. What a guy.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Mike punched him around a little. As in, a fistfight.”
“Oh.” Impressive. “So why does Flynn want to screw with him?”
“Because he’s Flynn.” Maddie grinned. “My man figures Mike needs a little roughing up. He dates a little, but he hasn’t seriously committed to anyone since Lea. And she died over six years ago.”
Del hated to ask, but curiosity pressured her. “When Colin was born, right?”
“Yeah.” Vanessa rubbed her belly. “I can’t imagine that. I mean, now that I’m getting used to the idea of giving birth to my own little genius, I can’t even think of not being around to see her grow up.”
“That’s got to be hard.”
“Poor Mike.” Maddie shook her head. “He deserves someone special, don’t you think?”
Del opened her mouth to respond when she noticed their intense scrutiny turned on her. “Wait a minute.”
“I’ve seen the way he ogles you.” Vanessa tapped her chin in thought. “He has a definite fascination with your ass.”
“Please, stop.”
“Yeah, and he has an issue with you,” Maddie agreed. “He’s nice to everyone. But not you.”
“You both realize you’re becoming like Beth. Meddling in her son’s life.”
“Someone’s got to. He’s totally hot, available, and Colin’s so cute. He needs a woman in his life.”
“Lame excuse. The kid has all of you. And Beth.” Del didn’t like their continued focus on her. “Hey, I’m just here to congratulate Abby. And for the free food.”
“Yep.” Vanessa watched her like a hungry shark.
“Cut it out. You’re making me nervous.”
“Oh look. He’s coming this way.”
Del ignored the way Vanessa watched her, as if waiting for her to make a break for it. “I can’t stay long,” she felt the need to say. “I actually do have an early day ahead of me. And today was rough. So much paperwork.”
“I hear you.” Vanessa nodded. “I just went through the tax crunch. Audits out the ass. I’m tired.”
“And pregnant,” Maddie noted.
“Gee, thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot,” Vanessa said drily. As a successful CPA now tied to Cam, a rich investor, she’d soon have money coming out her ears.
Del should be so fortunate. Most of what she made she put back into the family business. Her savings had grown slowly over the years, but she had a long way to go before she’d be financially comfortable.
A glance around this house reminded her again of her differences from the McCauleys. She wasn’t poor, but she sure the hell couldn’t afford to live in Queen Anne. This place had to be worth close to three quarters of a million dollars, if not more. A big-ass house, in this location?
“Get me the fuck out of here. Jesus,” Mike hissed from behind her.
“And you complain about my mouth?” Amused at his frustration, she turned to make room for him in their little group.
“Look, I need an out, like yesterday. Mom promised Grace I’d show her around town this weekend, after going to her place tomorrow night for dinner. The woman isn’t even pretending not to go along with it.”
“So tell her no.” Del felt for him. A little.
“I tried.” He sighed. God, he really was a nice guy. “But she’s quiet, kind of shy, and I feel like a monster for saying no to just dinner. She’s new to the area. It’s got to be hard to make friends. It’s not her fault my mother’s throwing me at her.”
Del snorted. “You have no problem telling me to kiss your ass. Just tell her you’re busy or something.”
“Yeah, Mike,” Vanessa said. “You seem to have no problem being rude to Del.”
He ran a hand through his cropped hair, and Del did her best not to stare at his thick arms showcased by his sweater. One thing Del could say for Beth and James. They made really, really good-looking kids.
“Del won’t cry if I look at her wrong.”
“You got that right.”
He stared at her, then gave her a calculating grin.
“What?” She felt on edge.
“I bet you have something at your place you need fixed.”
“Huh?”
“Maddie, would you keep an eye on Colin for me?”
“Sure.” Maddie nodded.
“Colin?” Del was confused.
“I need an out, and going next door isn’t goin
g to work. Mom was already pushing me to show Grace my place.”
“Oh, right.” Vanessa brightened. “The old leaky pipe excuse. Except unlike Flynn and Brody, you’re no plumber. So what? She can fix her own car. Maybe she has a problem with her drywall or something? A leaky window?”
Mike snapped his fingers. “That’s it. It’s cold out, and if the window keeps letting all the cold air in, she’ll get sick. Then who’ll abuse people at her garage if she’s at home coughing up a lung?”
“Okay, stop.” Del put a hand up. “What the hell are you people talking about?”
Mike caught her gaze and trapped it. “Look, I need a favor.”
“That’s rich, coming from you.” The man had ripped her a new one for giving his kid candy, then messed with her at her own place of business.
“I have to get away from here before my mother promises Grace my next born child. You take me out of here on an emergency, and I’ll owe you.”
The thought of Mike McCauley in her debt was tempting. “So you want me to take you away from this magnificent party? Away from your family and friends because you’re afraid of that femme fatale?”
As one, the group turned to spot Grace beaming at something James and Beth said. Beth laughed, and James appeared enchanted. Del and her friends looked back at Mike.
“Hell, yes.” He groaned. “I mean, it’s bad enough with just her. I’m already committed to bringing Colin over tomorrow to meet her kid. If they become friends, I’m in big trouble.”
Del looked from him to the others and sighed. “I know I’m going to regret this.”
“Perfect. Be right back.” He darted away to his mother’s side while James and Grace spoke. Grace, Del noted, watched Mike with more than a friendly attitude. The woman looked man-hungry.
“Just think,” Vanessa mused. “You have Mike in your clutches. Draw out the favor. He’s a terrific contractor, you know. Man can fix anything. You’ve got to have something at home needing help.”
“You want me to take him home with me?” Del hadn’t thought to actually go through with the farce. Just drive him somewhere and drop him off.
“Why not?” Vanessa’s sly gaze warned her to tread warily. “Unless you’re afraid to be alone with him in private?”
She huffed. “Get real.” Shit. Now she’d have to take him home or Vanessa would think her afraid of Mike. Because knowing Vanessa, the evil woman would weasel details of the evening out of Mike at some point.
“Great. So it’s settled.” Maddie dusted her hands together. “I’ll make your excuses to Abby. Now go save Mike. He needs it.” She leaned closer. “I don’t like the way Grace is manipulating him. It’s sneaky.”
Del agreed, though she hated to side with Mike. “Fine. But he’s not the only one who owes me. You two do too.”
Vanessa frowned. “How am I roped into this?”
“By extension. You’re carrying a McCauley and seem to be attached to the one I like, so you’re in.”
“You don’t like Flynn?” Maddie blinked.
“I should have said like best. Flynn and Brody are tolerable, but Cam makes it a point to be polite.”
“Oh.” Maddie looked disappointed.
Vanessa grinned. “She has good taste. Go forth and prosper, tattooed one.”
“You are one weird chick, Vanessa.”
Vanessa laughed and prodded her to follow Mike.
Calling herself an idiot for helping the lug, she joined him by the front door. “I should say good-bye to Colin. I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“Later. Come on.” Mike yanked her outside with him. “When I get home, I’ll tell him you saved the day. You’re already his favorite person. Trust me.” He walked with a long stride to her car and stood waiting.
Knowing she had only herself to blame for caving in to her new obnoxious friends, she unlocked the door and slid inside. Before she second-guessed herself, she unlocked his door.
The car wasn’t small, but with Mike filling the passenger seat, she might as well have been driving a Mini Cooper.
He shot her a devastating smile that truly revved her engine. “Where to?”
Oh man. That mouth should be illegal. No way she was taking him home. Screw Vanessa and her dare. “How about a beer? After tonight, I could use one.”
“You’re on.” He continued to smile, a charming expression he’d never before used on her. And thank God. Because right now, she wanted to drop her pants, spread her legs, and agree to any frickin’ thing he wanted that had to do with sex.
What the hell had she done to deserve this?
Chapter 3
What the hell had he done to deserve this?
His mother’s less-than-subtle matchmaking attempt and Grace Meadows’s inability to ignore a gentle “not interested” had been bad enough. His mother had all but thrown him to the wolves—or lambs, in Grace’s case. Mike had no problem with nice, but Grace’s passive-aggressive manipulation made him uncomfortable.
Not like Del. Subtle was not in her vocabulary, and he respected that.
He kept his smile in place, doing his best not to read into the strange look she shot him. A combination of panic and…lust?
One could only hope.
He’d had time to admit it to himself. As much as the woman annoyed him, she turned him on like crazy. He had to work not to adjust himself in his seat and call attention to the erection she caused simply by being near. Hell, the woman breathed and he wanted to bend her over. It was more than time to put an end to his fascination.
Focus, moron. “So. Where we headed?”
She swore under her breath, started her car, and drove.
After a few moments, she answered, “Look. I saved your bacon. I promise not to hurt you in any way, shape, or form. So sit back and enjoy the ride.”
“Touchy. Fine. Whatever,” he added when her lips tightened.
She turned on the radio, and they drove with classic rock blaring between them. Through Queen Anne and past downtown. They ended up on the south side, at what looked like a run-down Mexican restaurant but turned out to be a dive bar with a bustling business.
“Welcome to Ray’s,” she muttered as she parked in the back.
“Yeah? ’Cause the sign said Mazatlan.”
“Ray bought it ten years ago. It’s Ray’s.”
A place only the locals would frequent. Mike had palpitations just from looking at the back entrance. The structure seemed sound but run-down, and the local color screamed biker bar. That or Degenerates R Us. The smirk on Del’s face as she waited for his reaction warned him not to fail this test.
“Great. Let’s go.” He got out of the car and locked it before closing it. A shame if her sexy GTO was broken into while she did him a favor. Then again, she’d chosen this dump. He hadn’t been to a place this rough in years, since before Colin.
They passed some bikers who paid them no mind, as well as a few bigger guys with tats who waved at Del but gave him the stink eye.
“Nice friends.”
They skirted a guy making out with a woman against the hood of his truck, his hand snaking under her skirt and making no bones about grabbing her ass…and other parts…in public.
“Yeah, we’re a friendly bunch here.” She rolled her eyes at the couple, and Mike did his best not to superimpose his and Del’s faces over the amorous pair.
Jesus, he needed to get laid. Too bad he didn’t have it in him to seek his regular hookups. Contrary to what his family thought, he was no saint. Mike had needs, and a few female friends wanted what he did—no-strings-attached sex. But for the past few months, he’d wanted something more. What, he had no idea. He had no plan to marry again—ever. He loved his family, his kid, his job. But with his brothers all hooking up, it made him feel weird. Dissatisfaction with his personal life reared its head every time he thought about a particular snotty mechanic.
Following Del into what he anticipated to be a real hole-in-the-wall, Mike was pleasantly surprised. The place
didn’t stink of more than beer and burgers. It was no palace, but the scarred wooden floors, mass of occupied tables, and crowded bar looked well-kept. The waitresses and bartenders wore black shirts with their job titles emblazoned across the chest. They all sported piercings, wore their hair dark, colored, or were bald, and seemed to complement the alternative-rock music pumping through the speakers at either corner of the bar.
He glanced at a Goth chick holding a bottle-filled tray even he’d have a problem lifting. Tribal tattoos covered half her face. “Didn’t know your sister worked here.”
“Ha ha. Funny.” Del guided him toward a far corner, where a few tables remained empty. She sat and pushed one of the menus on the table toward him. “By the way, you’re buying.”
Pleased to work off his debt, he nodded. “Whatever you want, sweetness.”
“Quit calling me sweetness, jackass.”
“I thought you weren’t going to curse.” He bit his lip to keep from laughing when she glared at him. She really was beautiful, in an unconventional way. Her ire just made her that much more attractive.
“Okay, buttwipe.” She tried but couldn’t seem to stem her laughter. “Geez. I wish you could have seen the panic on your face over that dishwater-bland neighbor. Really? She scared you?”
“Not her. My mother.” He looked away from Del, mostly because he wanted to keep staring at her. She wore a subtle liner around her eyes, making her lashes that much richer. The gray in her gaze seemed to look right through him. Eyes like diamonds. The comparison bothered him, because he didn’t think of women in terms of pretty words. He liked women, loved sex, but left his deep emotions at the door when engaging with them on a personal level. He didn’t wax poetic about their eyes or wonder why he felt so drawn to them.
Not since Lea.
“Ah, Beth McCauley.” Del nodded and glanced at her menu. “I get you. She’s not someone I’d mess with either.”
He grunted. Del might not be his type, but she had a head on her shoulders. “Yeah, Mom is great. I love her, but she’s become a major pain in my ass. Just because my brothers shacked up, she’s after me to do the same. Been there, done that. Didn’t take.”
She glanced up at him and frowned. “I thought your wife passed away.”