by Marie Harte
“That too.” He sighed, wishing he wasn’t hard again. Damn, but he was tired. In such a good way. “So tomorrow at six?”
“Sure. So you know, I like everything but onions. Yech.”
“Colin’s the same. I don’t like tomatoes, so we’ll do something without the stuff we don’t like.” And something he could cook. “How do burgers sound?”
“And fries.”
He frowned.
“Potatoes are vegetables.”
He just looked at her.
She groaned. “And yes, a salad. Happy now?”
He smiled. “I’m very, very happy, Del-i-lah.” He loved that pink flush over her cheeks. “You are one tall drink of sex.”
“That’s drink of water. Get it right.”
“I did. So tomorrow for dinner.”
“We established that. I guess all the blood is rushing to the wrong head, eh?” She snickered.
Her joy was infectious, and he laughed with her. “Laugh it up, sexy.” He cupped her head and kissed her, a soft peck that didn’t linger but packed the emotion he didn’t know how to handle. “I meant it before. Friends first.”
She studied him, and he let her draw back, so that only their hands remained touching. “Friends, huh? I guess that means I should stop calling you an asswipe.”
“That would be just super, Del.” He gave her a too-wide grin, then tightened his fingers around hers in warning. “Remember, no cursing in front of the kid.”
“How about kissing?” she asked. “Should we be hiding that we’re doing the nasty?”
“I prefer to call it the bump and grind, but tomato, tomahto.” He let her tug her hands away. “Around Colin, we should probably keep things normal. He’s already sensitive to dating and marrying with my horny brothers hooking up left and right.”
“But we’re not dating.”
She seemed to want clarification, and he could have sworn they’d gone through this last night. “No. That’s what you wanted, right?”
“Right.” So why did she seem uncertain?
“Look, Del…” How to say this? “My wife, Lea, we were close. Closer than most people ever get. McCauleys love deep like that only once. I’m done with that kind of relationship.”
“So now you just want to fuck and forget?” She didn’t sound judgmental, just curious.
“Not forget. And not just fuck.” He didn’t understand what he wanted, to be honest. But one-night stands with Del didn’t seem right. “I… Hell. I’m not into marriage and the whole ring thing. I’m being honest.”
She sighed with what sounded like relief. “Good. Me neither.”
He hadn’t expected a declaration of love, but he didn’t like hearing her agree with him. “Oh?”
“Yeah. Guys tend to get clingy when they know I’m not into forever. I think we want the same thing. Fun, no strings, no mess when we go our separate ways. Friends first and last, right?”
“That’s exactly what I want.” Mostly.
She hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, then cupped his face. “Fine. You’re still a jerk though.”
“You’re still brutal.”
They nodded. Her tentative smile brightened his own. “Okay then.”
“Right.” He walked her to the front door and opened it for her. Only to find Brody and Flynn on his doorstep. “Shit.”
They stared from him to Del and grinned like twin Cheshire Cats. With no sign of stopping.
Del chuckled. “Oh yeah. You’re going to have a great time explaining me. Later, Mike.”
“Delilah.” He laughed at the finger she shot behind her back at him before taking notice of his brothers again, who stood in his friggin’ doorway and stared from him to Del with wide, understanding eyes.
He groaned.
Flynn’s sly grin made it worse. “Get the coffee going, Brody. We have lots to talk about this morning.”
Mike growled until he noticed the sweet smells coming from the bag Flynn held. “I’ll tell you nothing.”
“We can infer.” Flynn nodded. Brody as well. “We’re good at inferring.”
“The best,” Brody agreed. “Now tell us, is she mean in bed too? And if so, can you explain…in detail…with pictures?”
Chapter 7
Colin waited anxiously for his hero to return. According to Ubie, Operation Sampson was on track and moving smoothly. Colin didn’t understand the name, but Ubie said it fit.
Whatever. Colin just wanted that puppy. The little brother too, and before next year would be great. Summertime might be pushing it, but he figured he could always dog-sit Hyde, Abby and Ubie’s dog. He could practice being a dog owner and get paid while doing it, so when he had his own puppy he could buy it treats and know how to train it. He’d ask Abby for help on that, because Ubie was pretty pathetic when it came to disciplining Hyde. Everyone said so.
“Remember what I told you?” his dad asked.
“Yes.” Colin took note of everything. Dad wore his nice jeans, a button-down shirt, the kind he wore to church—when they went—but no shoes. That wasn’t too dressy. “Dad? I see your toes.” Grandma wouldn’t like that. Whenever they had company, they had to wear socks and shoes and clothes with no holes.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s just Del.” But he’d worn a hint of cologne.
Bingo. Ubie said cologne was always a good sign.
“Do I look okay?” Colin glanced down at his church pants and favorite sweater, the one with the green and blue stripes. He’d even taken a shower for the occasion. And it wasn’t bath day.
His dad grinned, and Colin felt a wave of love for the man who gave the best hugs in the world. “You look amazing, champ. Almost better than me.”
“Ha. I am better!” Colin leaped onto his dad’s leg, trying to climb up his frame. But his dad was too hard to beat. Even his uncles had to gang up to get Dad down.
They wrestled until the doorbell rang.
“Come in,” his dad yelled.
Del entered. “Really? Again? What is it with you? First you bully your brothers, now your kid?”
Colin moved out from under his father’s huge arms and raced to Del. “Hey, Del.” He tried to look normal, smoothing down his hair. After taking a deep breath, he let it out quietly, like Uncle Flynn had once shown him. Be cool, man. Be cool. “What’s up?”
She grinned and ruffled his hair. “Nothing, C-Man. Just happy for the invite to free food.” She held out a tub of ice cream. “Rocky Road okay?”
“My favorite.” He grinned and out of the corner of his eye saw his dad roll his eyes. Colin turned to glare at him, and his dad pasted a fake smile on his face. Actually, mint chocolate chip was Colin’s favorite, but for Del, he’d admit to anything to make her happy.
“Put it in the freezer before it melts, boy.”
Colin darted away, and when he returned to the living room, he saw his dad run a hand over Del’s shoulder. Hmm. Not quite kissing, but touching was good. Colin would keep an eye on them over dinner though, to make sure there was no rough stuff. If his dad started wrestling with Del, he didn’t think she’d like it.
“You didn’t bring J.T.?” Colin asked her, darting between her and his dad to lead her to the couch.
“J.T.?” His dad looked alarmed.
She shook her head. “He’s working tonight. Had a special tattoo to do.”
“Yeah? What?” his dad asked. “More prison tats for your friends at Ray’s?”
Del glared at his dad.
Time for some interference. “A bitchin’ ass?” Colin asked, staring at her dragon.
His dad groaned. “Colin.”
“What?”
To Del, his dad said, “I blame you.”
“As you should.” Del chuckled. “No, Colin. No dragon. A three-headed dog, I think.”
“Cerberus. I have him!” Colin raced from the room and returned with one of his favorite monsters—a dog with three heads. He put it in Del’s lap. “Do you like dogs?”
“Yep.”
&nbs
p; Even better. “Do you have one?”
“Oh hell.” His dad leaned back against the couch. No putting one over on Big Mike—as his grandpa liked to call him.
“No. But when I find the right dog, I’ll know. He has to come with me to the garage and not make a mess.”
“Good luck with that.” His dad stretched out and stared at Del, a funny look on his face. “So you like dogs.” Dad looked at Colin. “How about funky little boys? You like them too?”
Del grinned at him, and Colin just knew she was the one. “They’re okay. I guess. For boys.”
Colin paused. “What’s wrong with boys?”
“What’s wrong with girls?”
“Well, uh, they cry a lot. And they don’t like fun stuff.”
“I do.”
“Yeah, but you’re special.” He leaned closer to her and whispered, “Even Dad thinks you’re special. He’s wearing cologne and his good jeans.” He leaned back to see his dad frowning at him.
“What’s that?”
Del shook her head. “Just Colin asking if I’d brought any candy. Which I didn’t,” she hurried to add.
A nice save. Just more proof that she’d make the best mom. He winked at her, then left her and Dad to talk. He still had a half hour more of video game play. Now time to let Dad work his magic, which according to Uncle Flynn he had little of. Colin crossed his fingers before turning his digital dinosaur loose on the innocent city in Wii land.
***
Del watched Mike, curious at the nervous butterflies taking up space in her stomach. It had been bad before she’d had sex with him. So she had a tiny crush? Any woman with a pulse would find Mike McCauley and the way he cared for his kid attractive. But knowing how he’d played her body like an instrument and made her beg…
She swallowed. “So.”
“So.” He smirked at her.
The jerk. “You been beating anyone else up lately? Maddie? Your mother? Grace?” Shoot. She hadn’t meant to bring up the passive-aggressive neighbor again. He’d accuse her of being jealous.
Yep. There went that mocking grin that both turned her on and irked her to no end.
“Why, Delilah. You sound almost—”
“Don’t say it.”
“Jeal—” The oven timer beeped. “Saved by the bell.”
“Jackass.”
He frowned.
She glanced around for Colin, who’d darted off to his room. “Sorry. Butthead.”
“I thought it was buttwipe.”
“I wouldn’t want to bore you with menial insults.”
He chuckled. “You never bore me. That’s for sure.” Walking away from the living room into the kitchen, he moved with an unconscious grace.
Oh man, I have it bad. Coming over here was such a mistake. One stupid night of fucking and she was confusing attraction for something more. Hell, he’d straight up admitted he wasn’t looking for forever. He still mourned his dead wife, now going on six years. A person couldn’t compete with that. Not that she wanted to.
Annoyed at her train of thought, she followed Mike into the kitchen, appreciating the good smells. “I don’t see any fries. Just salad.”
“Easy there, Lady Death Wish. The fries are in the oven. Hold on.” He left the kitchen to go outside, and she watched him fiddle with the grill.
He returned carrying a plate of mouthwatering burgers. “Angus beef, baby.” He wiggled his brows. “Yeah, I have big meat.”
A heartbeat of silence, then she had to say it. “That was just forced. Pathetic.”
He sighed. “I know. I’ve been trying to come up with something about ‘my meat’ all day. I mean, hot dogs I could work with. My wiener? Sure. Patties? I dunno.”
She laughed. “You’re such an idiot.”
“An idiot who took one for the team while you skated yesterday morning.” He groaned. “You have no idea what it’s like to go from heaven on earth”—he lowered his voice—“inside you, to dealing with Mario and Luigi.” His brothers, the plumbers.
“Oh, now see, I get that. I’ve played my share of Mario Brothers games. That was clever.”
“Thanks.” He beamed and set the plate of burgers down on the table.
She liked the simple arrangement. Nice plates and silverware, complemented by paper napkins and plastic cups with superheroes on them. No candles or flowers in sight, just good old home-cooking.
“Want me to get Col—” she started.
“Colin,” he boomed. “Get in here.”
“I think I’m deaf.” She touched her ear and crossed her eyes.
To her delight, Mike blushed. “Oh, sorry. I’m used to yelling for the boy.”
“Wow. You are really red.”
“Shut up. I’m trying to be polite.”
“Obviously a stretch.”
“Keep it up and I’ll give you a noogie. See if I don’t.”
“Yeah?” Her eyes narrowed. “You touch one hair on my head, I’ll make you suffer, buddy.”
The light in his eyes drew her closer. “Promise?”
She shook her head. “I can’t imagine how anyone thinks you’re a nice guy.”
“You wound me…Delilah.”
“Quit calling me that.”
“You liked it the other night.” He moved closer and somehow had her in his arms and thoroughly kissed before she could blink. He set her back as fast.
“Y-you—” Before she could return a little sensual payback, Colin popped in the kitchen with a big grin.
“Hey, Dad.” He sat down in front of the Spider-Man cup and pointed to the spot between him and Mike. “Del, you sit here. With me.”
Del sat, glared at Mike, but said nothing to him.
Mike made a face at her behind Colin, and she had to work not to laugh at him. The big goof.
Dinner passed too quickly. The food was amazing, and she felt generous enough to compliment the chef on everything, even the salad. Colin behaved without fault, making the meal more than enjoyable. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but the warmth, the belonging, felt natural. They joked and teased, and nothing felt awkward.
Until Colin mentioned his mother.
“My mom is thirty-four on May twelfth, Del. How old are you?”
As if a shutter had been pulled down over Mike, he lost all expression.
“Ah, I’m twenty-eight.”
“I’m six.” Colin darted a look at his dad but continued talking a mile a minute. “We’re going to make Mom a cake. I never knew her.”
“Oh.” Could Mike look any more wooden?
“Colin,” he said, sounding weary.
“And we’ll eat it for her and everything,” Colin continued. “But I can’t go see her.”
Mike frowned. Uh-oh. Not good. “We can talk about this later.”
“But, Dad, Del’s mom is dead too.”
Del blinked. How had this been dumped into her lap?
Both Mike and Colin looked at her.
“Um, yeah.”
Mike’s gaze softened. “That’s right. I’m sorry.”
“It was years ago.” She’d come to terms with her mom’s passing a long time ago. She glanced at Colin, saw him nod, then looked back at Mike, only to see him staring at her forearm. Where she was stroking the scar.
She forced herself to put her hands flat on the table.
“Yeah, but you knew your mom, right?” Colin pushed. “Mine died before I ever met her. Dad won’t talk about her. Won’t even let me go with him to see her.”
Del didn’t want to interfere, but she could see Mike struggling to hold on to his temper. Hoping to defuse the situation, she spoke quietly to Colin. “You know, sometimes when people leave us, they leave big holes in our hearts. Some people talk about those holes all the time, hoping words will close them up. Other people pretend the holes aren’t there, so that maybe they’ll heal if they aren’t bothered with so much.”
Colin frowned. “But my hole isn’t there. I don’t have a hole.” He looked at his dad. “Not lik
e Dad.”
Mike coughed. “Colin, let’s talk about this later, okay? I’m sure Del would much rather have some ice cream than think about her mom.”
Del wanted to agree and change the subject, let things lie. But the stubborn part of her couldn’t do it since she so clearly disagreed with how Mike handled his grief. “Not think about her? I think about her plenty. It’s no biggie, Mike.” Her father had wanted her to know her mother. Except he’d left out all the parts she’d unfortunately already known, and others J.T. had helpfully added—that her mother hadn’t been the angel she’d appeared. Far from it.
“I want to think about Mommy too,” Colin said, a hint of stubborn in the set of his jaw.
This must have been an argument they’d had before.
“You should think about her,” Del said to soothe him. She didn’t like the glint of tears in Colin’s big blue eyes. “But—”
“But not now, when we have a guest for dinner,” Mike said through his teeth.
“I just want to know her.” A tear spilled over one cheek, and Del’s heart broke for the boy.
“I can tell you something about my mom,” she offered quickly. As she’d hoped, she diverted his attention.
“What?”
“She hated dirt. Anything greasy or grimy made her freak out.” Especially when that grime happened to be her daughter.
“Really?” Colin wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Mike said softly, “Del, you don’t have to—”
“Yep. I used to play with my dad’s grease gun. He’d take me to the shop and let me help out. Well, where I couldn’t get into much trouble. A lot of times J.T. would watch me.”
“Where was your mom?” Colin asked.
Out fucking whatever rich guy offered her the most for her time. “Shopping, probably. She had a lot of stuff to do when I was little. I don’t remember her much except for pictures. So my dad used to tell me stories.” Lies to make me feel better, until I found the letters…
Colin turned to Mike. “Dad, why don’t you tell me stories? Then I could remember her too.”
Mike put a hand through his hair. “Since we apparently have to do this now, what do you want to know?”
Del sat quietly, not wanting to interrupt what had to be hard for him.
“Was she pretty?”