by Lori Foster
But he hadn’t planned to be burned to cinders. She’d taken out his legs, scorched him from the inside out...and stolen a piece of his heart.
Her hair, now badly tangled, drifted over his chest when she lifted her head and peered at him. “Still with me?”
“Barely,” he said, moving his hands down her back to her oh-so-perfect behind to keep her from moving away. He liked having her as a soft, sexy blanket.
Her phone made a noise and, with a groan, she stretched over him—a unique pleasure, that—and snagged it to read the screen. “Ember says they had a slight delay but should be here in thirty.”
He groaned. “I’m going to need every minute.”
Folding her arms on his chest, which did amazing things for her breasts, she grinned down at him. “You were pretty phenomenal.”
“My line to you.” He palmed that luscious behind and—unbelievably—felt himself stir again. Like most people his age, he’d always had a healthy sex drive, but what she did to him was astounding. He should have needed at least an hour to work up any enthusiasm, but Autumn’s smiles were potent in the extreme.
His gaze lingered on her mouth, now slightly puffy from kissing.
Her breathing deepened and she leaned closer—
A knock sounded.
They both jumped, turning to stare at her bedroom door.
When the knock came again, Tash realized it was her front door and finally caught his breath. “Damn, I thought we were busted.”
“Still might be,” she whispered, as she left the bed and searched around for a shirt. “If it’s my mother, I’ll just die.”
Given they were both in their thirties, her attitude amused him. “Want me to answer it?”
“No!” She snatched up his shirt and pulled it on. It hung to midthigh, hugged her butt and boobs and looked pretty terrific on her. “Stay put, okay?”
“Nope.” Already swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Tash said, “I’ll be right behind you, but out of sight. How’s that?”
She scowled as the knock came again—more insistently this time—and she warned, “If it’s my mother, do not let her see you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” In rapid order, Tash pulled on his boxers and then his jeans. He didn’t bother to zip up as he heard Autumn hurrying down the hall.
He hustled after her and had just reached the end of the hall when he heard her mutter, “No freaking way.”
The door swung open and she demanded, “Chuck. What in the world are you doing here?”
Oh, hell no.
Peering around the corner, Tash spotted Chuck, hands in his pockets, smiling at Autumn as if he had every right to drop in. He tensed, fighting the urge to step forward, mindful that Autumn wanted to handle the bastard on her own.
Then Chuck realized she only wore a shirt and moved closer, his gaze going all over her.
Autumn shot out an arm, blocking his way. “Not. Another. Step.”
“You look good, Autumn. You’ve slimmed down, haven’t you?”
Tash couldn’t believe the guy was that stupid.
Autumn went rigid. She gripped the door handle and barked, “Go away!”
Before she could slam it, Chuck pressed in. “I tried to stay away, honey, but I’ve missed you.” His voice dropped. “Let me in. We’ll...talk.”
“Ha!”
Oozing confidence, Chuck murmured, “You can’t be over me that easily.”
“Actually, getting over you was a piece of cake...or rather a bowl of ice cream.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that—me, over you.”
Trying for a teasing tone, he said, “I bet you still have your wedding gown, don’t you? I regret that I never got to see you in it.”
With a snort, she said, “And you never will. Ember and I burned it in the yard the day after you left.”
Chuck stiffened. “Bullshit. You loved that dress.”
“Feel free to ask Ember, but if she punches you in the throat, that’s your problem.”
He looked startled for a moment, then determined. “Autumn, c’mon. You know we had something special.”
“Ha!” She repeated, with even more disdain, “Ha!”
“Autumn...”
“You were convenient, Chuck, or so I’d thought. Having you run off with another woman was rather inconvenient. And if you think I mourned you, think again.” Stepping into his space, outrage giving an edge to her voice, she snarled, “I was glad you left. Relieved. So much so, I rejoiced.”
Chuck’s mouth tightened. “I don’t believe you.”
Giving up on his stealth, Tash stepped out farther and leaned on the wall. Pride warmed him. Autumn in her current mood was a sight to behold and he didn’t want to miss a single thing. He stayed quiet, but this way he could see as well as hear her.
Poking Chuck in the chest, she stated, “I’ve given thanks every day that you were such a worm because it saved me from a huge mistake. And let’s be clear, that’s all you were—a mistake.”
Anger darkened Chuck’s expression. “You loved me.”
The way she laughed made Tash smile.
“I might have been gullible enough to think so at the time, but now that I have something that is special, I’m doubly grateful you weren’t around to complicate things.”
Was he special? Nice to know. And deciding he wouldn’t get a better segue than that, Tash couldn’t resist saying, “She means me,” with his thumbs aimed at his bare chest.
Chuck startled, staring at Tash with a slack jaw.
Autumn looked at him, too, at all of him, as if seeing him for the first time. Then she grinned. “Yes! Look at him.” Rushing to Tash, she grabbed his arm and dragged him forward. “You see him, Chuck? You see that face? That body? You see how he looks at me? He’s a hell of a sight better than you could ever be.”
Scowling, Chuck went beet-red.
Tash just said, “Thank you, honey.” It was a pretty remarkable thing to have Autumn gushing on about him.
“I appreciate your agreeable attitude,” she told him, patting his biceps. “But I’m not done.”
Tash grinned even more. “Take your time.”
Jerking back around to Chuck, she said, “The thing is, there’s so much more than his gorgeous face and bod. Even if he wasn’t scrumptious eye candy, he’d still be ten times the man you are.”
Better and better. Tash couldn’t resist saying, “I don’t mind if you love me for my body, but it’s good to know I’m more than flesh and...bone.”
Autumn caught her breath and blinked at him.
Was it the word love that threw her, or bone?
Chuck glared at them like they were both insane.
Because they now only had fifteen minutes before his daughter would show up with Ember, Tash wanted him gone.
He took a step forward. “I promised Autumn I wouldn’t annihilate you, but she looks ready to do you in on her own, so I suggest you take off while you still can.”
She frowned at Tash. “Damn it, I wanted to handle this myself. Wasn’t I doing a great job?” Before he could answer, she said, “Heck yes, I was.”
“Very true.” Tash put his arm around her. “I was just watching the clock and thought you might want to wrap it up.”
“Oh.” She realized what he meant and said again, “Oh.” Turning back to Chuck, she took a mean step forward.
Chuck backed up, his hands raised in surrender. “You’re not the woman I remember.”
“Well, hallelujah for that, because the woman you remember was dumb enough to get involved with you in the first place.”
Trying to make it sound like an insult, Chuck sneered, “Have a good life.”
“Plan to,” Autumn snapped back, then she slammed the door on him, almost catching Chuck in the backside.
She was still fuming wh
en Tash, standing close behind her, nuzzled the side of her neck. “Anyone ever tell you you’re sexy as hell when enraged?”
Even with her breath still harsh with annoyance, she tipped her head to give him better access. “Really?”
“You were incredible.” Wrapping his arms around her, Tash opened one hand on her stomach, the other on a heavy breast. “Actually, you’re always incredible...especially in bed.”
“Oh, if only we had time.” Sounding very forlorn, she sighed but resolutely stepped away and took his hand. “Come on. We can’t let Ember and Sadie catch us like this.”
When they got to the room, they saw that she’d missed another text. Autumn snatched up the phone, then groaned. “They’ll be here any minute!”
“Calm down and take a breath. We’ll make it.” It had been a hell of a long time since he’d had to dress in a rush to keep from getting “caught.” It was a novelty he could do without.
After stealing his shirt back from Autumn, he couldn’t stop watching her as she gathered up her own clothes—now rumpled—and dressed. This, too, he enjoyed with her, watching her bounce on the balls of her feet as she tugged up her jeans, then struggle with her bra.
Shame to put away those magnificent breasts, but hopefully he’d find a way to spend more private time with her like this. Based on all of Ember’s antics, she was ready and able to assist.
Thinking of Ember made him smile. In her own inimitable way, which was very different from Autumn’s calm influence, she was good with Sadie.
They’d just gotten into the kitchen when the door opened and Ember peeked in. Seeing them fully clothed and pouring iced tea, she grinned. “Well, you both look happy.”
“Ember,” Autumn warned.
Tash grinned. “Thank you for taking Sadie out. We made good use of the time.”
Spinning around, Autumn said, “Tash,” in reprimand.
Laughing, Ember offered him a high five, but he caught her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “Seriously, thank you. I appreciate all the effort.”
“Happy to help. Besides, Sadie is way more fun than my stick-in-the-mud sister here.” She affectionately smacked Autumn on the butt. “Come on. You’ll want to see this.”
“Where are we going?” Autumn followed as Ember led the way back out. “And where’s Sadie?”
“She’s in the barn with Mike, and yes, she looks supercute. Luckily we finished early. I was taking her to get a doughnut—buying you guys a little more time—when I got a call.” She waved them forward. “Come on, come on.”
“A new animal?” Snagging his hand again, Autumn hurried her pace.
Tash liked how she did that—laced her fingers securely through his, treating him like a significant other when they hadn’t really cemented anything at all.
Convenient relationship—check.
Burning sheets—check.
Shared affection for his daughter—check and check.
But what about them as a romantic couple? What about a relationship with real expectations and commitment?
He wanted Autumn to want to be with him, not because it was easy, because it wouldn’t always be.
Not to put off Chuck, because he’d happily handle that for her, although she’d done a fine job of it on her own.
And as much as he loved Sadie, it couldn’t be about keeping her happy.
Without giving it much thought, he lifted Autumn’s hand to his mouth. She glanced at him with a smile but didn’t slow her pace.
This time of night, the sun spilled over the horizon, painting the land in bright watercolors. The temperatures had lowered a little and the air smelled of rain. They needed it after the long heat wave.
Golden light filtered out of the open barn doors. Pavlov, even more animated than usual, ran to greet them, ran back, returned and turned again. The dog was obviously excited, but once he headed back into the barn he lowered his body and crept quietly.
“He’s protective of new animals,” Autumn explained as they stepped inside to see Mike and Sadie kneeling near one of the special stalls.
Sadie’s hair glowed, neatly trimmed and smoother than he’d ever seen it. It wouldn’t last—girls her age didn’t make hairstyle a priority—but for now, he could honestly say, “Sadie, your hair is beautiful.”
She flashed him a wide smile and whispered, “Thanks, Dad.”
Against her body she held something small and furry, and it wasn’t until they got closer that Tash realized she had a very tiny kitten.
“A whole litter,” Ember said softly, “and luckily we have the mama, too.”
A thin yellow tabby lounged on fresh bedding in the corner of the stall, five more kittens in various colors lined up nursing.
Slowly going to her knees, Autumn asked, “Where did she come from?”
The reverence in her voice, the gentleness, melted into Tash, amplifying the love he felt for her. In this moment, kneeling on a dusty barn floor with muted light overhead, her hair messy and clothes wrinkled from their earlier activity, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Out back of the art-supply store that Mom uses,” Ember explained. “Martha, the owner, called me. She was worried because the cat is so thin. She was sympathetic and wanted to help, but doesn’t want seven cats, right? I told her we understood and thanked her.”
“Aren’t you the sweetest,” Autumn said to the cat, cautiously reaching out until she lightly scratched her under her chin.
“She’s supergentle,” Ember promised. “After I lured her with some food and fresh water, I put her babies into a box. Soon as she finished eating, she joined them. I closed up the box because I wasn’t sure how she’d react in my car, but she never made a peep.”
Sadie looked up at him. Her small hands, the nails now painted bubble-gum pink, cradled the kitten with ultimate care. “I bet she knew we were saving her, huh?”
Tash’s heart literally clenched. With gratitude. Affection. Pride. His daughter was clearly in her element, more peaceful and happy than he’d seen her in months. “I bet she did.”
Ember ran a hand over Sadie’s hair. “This one was such a help. The kittens have taken turns climbing on her.”
Carefully, Tash brushed one fingertip over the kitten’s tiny head. “The eyes aren’t open yet.”
“They’re only a few days old,” Autumn guessed. Pavlov had hunkered down next to her, and she kept one hand on his shoulder while looking over the mother. Large green eyes stared back. The cat seemed watchful of Pavlov, but not really concerned.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Mike said. “Okay for her to be here?”
“Here” was a stall enclosed in chain-link fencing, much like a dog kennel. A thick layer of fresh straw covered the floor, and over that Mike had supplied several old towels. In one corner he’d put a cat box and opposite that he had dishes of water and dry food.
“It’s perfect.” Autumn twisted to see Tash. “Mama cats are known to move their babies the moment you’re not looking. Until we get them all checked to ensure they’re okay, we don’t want them to go missing.”
“She’ll like it here.” With extreme gentleness, Sadie returned the kitten to her mother. “She won’t want to leave once she gets to know us.”
Us. Yes, Sadie felt part of a family, this family, because they’d ensured that she did. More so than her own grandparents, they had embraced her, accepted her...loved her.
“Now there’s more reason than ever for you to come help out.” Autumn quietly closed and secured the gate. “Seven adorable reasons.”
Sadie’s eyes suddenly widened. “Oh, no.”
Concerned, Tash kneeled down before her. “What’s wrong, honey?”
One hand in her hair, Sadie lamented, “I don’t have enough names!”
With a lot of effort, they all managed to muffle their laughs.
&
nbsp; On their way out of the barn, Autumn and Sadie went to each animal and bid him or her good-night. Autumn patiently answered Sadie’s questions, sometimes their voices so low he couldn’t hear.
It didn’t matter. Content in new and profound ways, Tash relinquished that special time to the two of them, opting instead to help Mike and Ember tidy up.
It had been an amazing day, wrapping up with an incredible experience for his daughter. This place, and especially these two women, were pure magic...and they’d allowed him and Sadie to be a part of it.
Now if he could make it permanent, his upside-down, chaotic life would finally be perfect.
Chapter Fourteen
Mike waited until Tash and Sadie drove off, waited as Autumn bid them both a dreamy good-night, and then, finally, he focused on Ember.
Apparently divided, Ember hesitated, watching her sister leave.
“You did something with your hair.”
That got her full attention on him and her smile was enough to take out his knees. Damn, but he loved her smiles.
“Instead of red highlights, I went purple.” Shaking back her hair, making it shimmer under the security lights, she asked, “What do you think?”
He thought she could shave her head and he’d still want her. When she was happy like this, it made him happy, too. But even when she’d been sad talking about the baby she’d lost, he’d wanted to be with her. Hell, he pretty much wanted her at his side whenever possible, whatever her mood, whether arguing with him or smiling at him, as she did now.
Given the perfect opening, Mike stroked his fingers through her hair, ending with his hand lightly tangled at the base of her neck. He drew her forward. “Pretty.”
Ember bit her lip. “You’re going to invite me up to the loft, aren’t you?”
Invite? Hell, he’d beg, carry, or do just about anything else to get her there. He’d wanted her for so long now, it felt like a lifetime, but he said only, “You and I are past due.”
“I have questions I want answered first,” she warned.
“I have all night.” With her. “Feel free to ask anything.”
After another beautiful smile, she said, “Give me just one second,” and pulled out her phone. Mouth twitched to the side, she thumbed in a text to Autumn while explaining, “She and Tash had their hot date, and I could tell by the blinding glow around them that it all went well. Normally Autumn and I would convene on her couch and go over all the juicy details.”
