An Unexpected Partnership

by Teresa Southwick

  Hanging on the wall behind the bar was a grouping of framed photos. One of a young Patrick Morrow with a shovel in an empty lot. Another picture was Pat and her grandmother, Mary, staring lovingly into each other’s eyes, right here where Tess was standing with Leo. Still another showed her grandfather with his arm around her shoulders when she’d turned twenty-one and could actually work with customers.

  “I don’t want to disappoint him.” Her voice was thick with emotion.

  “That could never happen.” Leo moved closer and gently nudged her chin up so she’d look at him. “He loved you more than anything in the world. You never disappointed him, then or now.”

  “I miss him.”

  “Me, too. But I believe he’s here, Tess. Watching over the place. And you.”

  She nodded. “Thanks for the pep talk. I bet you’re a really good coach.”

  “I am. Humble, too.” His charming grin unleashed nerves of a different kind.

  “It’s showtime.” Brandon walked behind the bar and dumped a bucket of ice into the sink back there. “The caterer and servers are ready to do their thing.”

  She and Leo had decided to hire someone for this event so Tess could schmooze. Bridgette Mansfield had been hired as the chef and would be helping out tonight, then take over during regular business hours. For now there were a couple of new menu items, and she was developing more.

  The front door opened and in walked Carla and Jamie. They both gave her a hug, then stared at Leo.

  “Are you going to introduce us?” Carla asked with her customary directness.

  Tess couldn’t believe her friends hadn’t been introduced to him. But the memorial was the only time their paths had crossed, and she hadn’t been at her best that day.

  Carla spoke up first. “You were at Pat’s memorial, but we didn’t speak. I’m Carla Kellerman.”

  “Jamie Webber.” Her other friend shook his hand.

  “Nice to meet you both.” Leo grinned. “I was just telling Tess that her friends wouldn’t let her down.”

  “Speaking of letdowns,” Jamie said, “I invited Bill to come tonight, but he was called back to the Seattle office.”

  Before Tess could respond with sympathy, the door opened again and a group of people walked in. They looked around and then headed to the bar, where Brandon was waiting for them. She recognized a few who were regulars when her grandfather was still alive.

  “I’m going to mingle.” Tess hugged both of her friends. “Bless you both for coming tonight. Leo will give you the tour.”

  “Happy to.”

  He gave them his most charming smile and had never looked more handsome. In jeans, a powder blue dress shirt and navy sports jacket, he was every hunky inch the successful financial professional. She remembered her friends saying that a sports bar would be a good place to meet guys. A flash of irritation jolted her and she recognized it as a bit of jealousy. Not for Carla and Jamie. But other women.

  It was inevitable that there would be, because his marrying mind-set had been annihilated by the bitch who had lied about being pregnant with his child. His parents hadn’t helped either. And it was incredibly sad because he was a decent, wonderful man with a giant capacity for caring. He deserved better; he deserved to be happy.

  “Tess Morrow—”

  She tore her gaze from Leo’s back and looked toward the bar. She smiled at the familiar face of an older man who had his choice of seats and had picked one of the old barstools. She walked over and hugged him. “John Alexander.”

  “Hi, honey. Good to see you again.”

  The man was a silver-haired widower in his sixties. Her grandfather had befriended him after his wife had died. He was lonely and came in frequently for a beer and conversation. Group therapy for the two of them, Pat had always joked.

  “It’s good to see you,” she said. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “I have to admit to a little anxiety about this grand reopening. I was afraid it would go down in flames.” She looked around the room that already held a respectable number of people. The place was big but from where she stood, she could see what was going on. Patrick’s Place was filling up nicely.

  The door was opening every few minutes to admit more customers. The temporary help was circulating with appetizers, taking orders and serving drinks. Some people were at tables in the dining area while others made themselves comfortable in the lounge to watch the hockey game on TV. Stanley Cup playoffs, Leo had told her.

  “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about,” John said. “For what it’s worth, I think Pat would have really liked what you’ve done with the place.”

  This man had known her grandfather pretty well and his opinion mattered very much to her. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Without a doubt.”

  “It makes me happy you’d say so.”

  “It’s like home away from home. Companions. A meal. Watch some sports with other fans, let off a little steam.” He nodded again. “The Pub always had it but now there’s a more with-it, welcoming vibe, if you know what I mean.”

  “Thanks to Leo.” This was his idea. She glanced around and spotted him chatting up the hockey fans watching the game and requesting his autograph, which he scribbled on the cocktail napkins prominently displaying the name Patrick’s Place.

  “It doesn’t hurt that your partner is Leo ‘The Wall’ Wallace.”

  “I see you’ve heard of him.”

  “Anyone who follows the sport has.” John took a sip of the beer Brandon had put in front of him. “It would seem congratulations are in order on another front, too.”

  She dragged her gaze away from her gaze-worthy partner. “Hmm?”

  “The baby.”

  Holy crap!

  With everything else on her mind, she’d forgotten. And when she’d thought about the baby earlier, she’d assumed her loose white blouse over jeans would conceal her condition. Apparently not. And there was no point in blowing off the comment. He was a loyal customer who would be back, and the baby was going to grow until there was no way to hide it.

  “Thank you,” she said. “It was a surprise.”

  “Is Leo excited about becoming a father?” There was a twinkle in the older man’s eyes.

  Double holy crap! He couldn’t possibly know. The question was—why in the world would he jump to that conclusion? She looked around and then lowered her voice so no one nearby could hear. “Why in the world would you think it’s Leo’s baby?”

  “A feeling.” He smiled. “Because of the way you keep looking at him.”

  “Oh?” Play it cool, she told herself. “How am I looking at him?”

  “The way I did at my Janie. And Pat looked at your grandmother like that, too.” He shrugged. “So maybe it’s more of an educated guess.”

  “Anyone who knows me would be surprised by this, but I really don’t know what to say.” No way would Leo want this talked about. Maybe after a DNA test confirmed the truth, but definitely not here or now.

  “Pat would be proud to be a great grandfather. He was fond of Leo, like a son—or grandson.”

  That made her so happy, and weepy, but she had to keep that part inside. “John, I don’t—”

  “Don’t worry, honey. Your secret is safe with me.” He lifted his beer glass. “Let’s drink to the success of your new endeavor.”

  “To my endeavors,” she echoed. Which included the business and the bun in the oven.

  Tess kissed his cheek, then moved on. She greeted familiar faces and planted the seeds of friendship with strangers. Leo had been right. The place was crowded and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Until closing, Tess and Leo circulated, shaking hands, serving appetizers and drinks, making conversation and welcoming customers they hoped would become regulars.

 
After the employees cleaned up, they urged them to go home and get some rest, then locked the place up. She was alone with Leo, standing by the front door. Again.

  He looked down at her. “I feel as if I just played a hockey game with double overtime.”

  Tess understood the sentiment even though she had no frame of reference for it. “Being nice to people is exhausting, but I’d say it went well.”

  “You were amazing.”

  “Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself.” She looked down at his big hands. “Did you get carpal tunnel from signing autographs?”

  He flexed his fingers. “Nope. All good.”

  “I heard from a lot of people—new customers—that they came in just to see the legendary Leo Wallace.”

  “Really?” He pretended surprise and it was the cutest thing ever.

  “Own the honor, Wallace. You can’t really pull off humble, so... Just saying.”

  He grinned. “I feel so used. Nothing but a marketing tool.”

  She laughed, but a yawn took over in spite of her efforts to suppress it. “Sorry. It’s not the company. Just a long, busy day.”

  “And you’re pregnant.”

  “Not breaking news.” Not to her, but John had guessed.

  “How are you holding up?”

  “Not too bad. Although my feet hurt and I’m afraid to sit down because I may never get up.”

  “You need to go upstairs,” he said. “Get some rest.”

  “I will. As soon as my feet stop throbbing. Go on home. I’ll turn out the lights.”

  “As soon as I know you’re settled upstairs.” He moved closer, then scooped her into his arms.

  Now it wasn’t just her feet throbbing. Her pulse was going a mile a minute and she could hardly breathe. This was super dangerous—to her heart and his back.

  “Put me down, Leo.” Right words but there was no oomph behind them. She slid her arms around his neck.

  “I will. As soon as you’re in your apartment, safe and sound.”

  He carried her up the stairs as if she barely weighed anything, though the scale at the doctor’s office told her once a month that that wasn’t true. Stopping at her door, he removed his arm from beneath her legs and let them slide to the floor.

  “Do you have the key?”

  Right! He couldn’t open it with his arms full of her.

  “In my pocket.” She fished it out and opened the door. “That was very chivalrous of you. Foolhardy but so gallant. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The deep voice and completely adorable smile made her stomach flutter. Then she realized it wasn’t that. The baby was moving. “Oh, wow—”

  “What? Is something wrong?”

  “No. Just the opposite. The baby moved. He’s doing that a lot now. Feel.” She took his big hand and put it on her abdomen. As if on cue, the baby moved again and it felt like big bubbles rippling inside her. “Did you feel that?”

  “Yes.”

  His voice was ragged and at first she thought he was irritated that she would assume he wanted to feel the baby kick, or be involved at all. But that was before she saw the intensity on his face, read the hunger in his eyes and knew. Her heart started hammering.

  And then he kissed her.

  * * *

  Leo ached to have her. When she took his hand and he felt the baby move, probably his baby, it was more than he could stand. His choices were to kiss her or implode. So he kissed her.

  Those full lips were even softer than he remembered. He tunneled his fingers into her hair and cupped her cheek in his palm. When he traced her lips with the tip of his tongue, she opened to him and he explored the sweet moistness as his breathing escalated.

  Tess put her arms around his neck and pressed herself closer to him. What with the pregnancy, her belly was more rounded now and her breasts fuller. Sexy curves made even sexier by the life growing inside her. More than his next breath, he wanted to hold her naked body against his own.

  “Tess?” He took her arms from his shoulders, but couldn’t end the contact and held her hands. “Should I not have done that?”

  “What? Kiss me?”

  He nodded. “Did I overstep? Read this—whatever it is between us—wrong? If you don’t want this, I’ll back off and we never have to mention it again.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want me?”

  “God, no.” He squeezed her hands just a little tighter, as though she’d pulled away and he couldn’t let her go. “I just wanted to... It’s just that we agreed... You know, that this would be all business, no pleasure.”

  Her dark eyes sparkled with humor and passion, and she had never looked more beautiful. “Then we will take no pleasure from it.”

  Oh, thank God. He grinned. “Agreed.”

  Leo touched his mouth to hers again, trailing kisses over her cheek and neck, then nibbling her earlobe. She gasped and shivered, and tilted her head to the side, giving him license to take what he wanted. And he did. Until he couldn’t stand it anymore.

  “Where’s your bedroom?” he asked.

  She stared at him with glazed eyes. “What?”

  “Room? Bed? Don’t get me wrong. The table wasn’t bad. But this should be done in a proper bed.”

  “Hmm. I never thought of my bed as proper.” She grinned and took his hand. “Let’s go find out if you’re right about it.”

  Tess led him through a doorway and into the next room. The bed was big, fluffy and feminine, with a flower print on the spread. Throw pillows of all sizes and shapes, in shades of pink, green and maroon, were neatly displayed. And not so neatly tossed aside when she started to pull down the covers, spread and all. Light trickled in from the other room, enough for him to see her slide her top over her head and drop it on the floor. From the waist up all she had on was a lacy white bra.

  Leo was afraid he’d swallowed his tongue. She was so beautiful. He reached out and cupped her breasts in both hands. Through the lace, he brushed his thumbs over the tips and she gasped once, then moaned with pleasure. She was sensitive and responsive to his touch. And he was sensitive and responsive to the sensual sounds she was making.

  His hands shook when he reached behind her and released the hooks on that sexy little scrap of material. The wisp slid to her feet and he stared at the beauty of her.

  Her breathing was unsteady when she said, “You look like you’re taking pleasure from this.”

  “No. I swear. Not enjoying this at all.” He could barely get the words out and heard the ragged edges of his own voice.

  “Okay. Just checking,” she whispered. “And I’m not going to like this at all either.”

  She reached out and undid the buttons on his shirt, one by one, with excruciating slowness. It took every ounce of his willpower not to push her hands aside and rip the thing over his head. Finally the front was open and she rested her palms on his bare chest, touching him the way he’d touched her. It had been months since he’d had sex with her and he was afraid if he didn’t hurry things along, this would go very badly.

  “I’m hating this so much, but can we get to the part that is the least pleasurable?”

  He wasn’t proud of the desperation in his voice but it couldn’t be helped. He kicked off his shoes, took off his socks and unbuckled his belt before sliding off his jeans and boxers.

  Her eyes widened in approval as she gave him a once-over, then fanned herself by waving a hand in front of her face. “At the risk of totally blowing our agreement, you are not hard on the eyes.”

  “I aim to be adequate.”

  She smiled, then slid off her pants and stood in front of him without a stitch on. Leo could hardly breathe. Her legs were long, smooth and shapely. The rounded belly and full breasts were the essence of femininity and the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.

  “Sa
y something.”

  “Not sure...” He cleared his throat. “I know we agreed no pleasure but you are—”

  “Don’t say it.”

  “Wait. First you tell me to talk—now I can’t?” He shook his head. “I have to tell you. You are exquisite.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”

  He tugged her into his arms and couldn’t believe how soft her skin felt, how sweet her curves were against his chest. He kissed her long and deeply as he swept his hand over the curve of her waist and thighs. Slowly he moved his palm over her abdomen, lower to that place between her legs and slid one finger inside her.

  She cried out with desire and her knees buckled. “Oh, Leo, I need you. Now.”

  Didn’t have to ask him twice. He swung her into his arms and settled her in the center of her big, soft bed. He got in beside her and pulled her close, touching her everywhere, kissing her until they both couldn’t bear it another second.

  He rolled over her, taking his weight on his forearms, and she opened her legs without hesitation, welcoming him to her. He entered her slowly, willing himself to take his time, but Tess was impatient. She arched her hips and wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him to go faster. He thrust once, twice and then she cried out and clung to him, her body trembling with pleasure.

  The thought made him smile as he held her until the shudders subsided. Then he thrust slowly into her again, but there was no holding back now and his own release rocked him to his core. He buried his face in her neck and they held on to each other for a long time.

  When he could think clearly, he rolled off her. “I must be crushing you.”

  “No.” She snuggled in and rested her arm across his abdomen. “I’m fine. Better than fine, if I’m being honest. Finer than I’ve been in a long time.”

  “Me, too.” He pulled the sheet up over them.

  “It’s a shame neither of us took pleasure in that at all,” she said. “None. Zero.”

  “Yeah.” That was probably the best pleasure he’d ever experienced, and for the life of him he couldn’t explain why.

  “For the record, my bed? Not proper. And it has to be said that proper is highly overrated.”