“We’ve been seeing each other,” Joe said, deciding to get the ball rolling for Kiera. “She’s agreed to move in with me.”
“You kept that quiet.” Saber clapped him on the back, a broad grin breaking out. “Emily will be pleased. She likes Kiera.”
Joe nodded and stalked over to his green tractor. Already part of him looked forward to going home to someone, but living with a woman and not having Sly around…that would be weird. God, he missed his idiot twin.
Without his brother he rattled around the empty farmhouse. Hell, some days he didn’t hear another voice. He’d even started talking to himself and answering back. Crazy, maybe, yet it made him seem less alone.
“I was going to ask Hari if he’d drive my vehicle back to the farm while I take the tractor.”
“I’ll do it for you, if you can drop me back at the café. You don’t mind if I take Gus with me.” He scratched the big dog behind the ears as he spoke.
“That’s fine.”
Saber’s eyes widened at his easy acceptance. Not surprising given his churlish behavior recently. Joe’s gut lurched as his mind returned to Sly.
“Have you heard from Sly this week?” The question cost him, provoked his feline. A silent snarl filled his mind, yet he didn’t recall the words or change the subject, too thirsty for information about his twin. Sly didn’t slip often, mostly keeping the door firmly shut between them. Like earlier, he only received brief flashes before Sly slashed the mental ties.
“Emily and I visited him yesterday.” Saber hesitated. Initially Sly had refused all visits but Saber had pulled the big brother act and forced Sly to accept at least a monthly visit. “He was in a fight.”
Alarm flared, his feline hissing to highlight his concern. “Is he okay?” God, he couldn’t protect his twin’s back when they lived apart and not seeing him was making him die inside.
“Yeah. The other guys didn’t do too well. A broken arm and some busted ribs. They put Sly in solitary.”
“I’m surprised they let you see him.” Joe’s shoulders slumped. At least Sly maintained control of his feline. A fight could’ve escalated to worse than solitary.
“They didn’t. We have to wait until he’s released into the general facility again.”
No wonder Sly’s thoughts had reached him today. “I’m gonna cut my hay tomorrow.” Joe changed the subject, unable to discuss his twin any longer without letting his frustration show.
“Our paddocks are ready to cut too.”
“You want me to cut them later in the week?” Farm work, he could do. At least if he fell into bed exhausted, he didn’t lie awake half the night dreaming up ways to make Maggie pay.
“According to the weather forecast, we’re in for a stretch of dry weather.”
Joe tossed Saber his SUV keys. “No problem. If you hear of anyone else needing their paddocks cut, tell them I’m available. The extra income will come in handy.”
“I can lend—”
“No,” Joe said sharply. He and Sly had agreed at the start they wanted to do everything on their own. So far, he was coping with the bills. A struggle, but one he faced willingly for his brother. Sly would have something to come home to—him and the farm.
Saber gave a curt nod. “The offer stands. I’m here if you need me for anything.”
“Thanks.” Joe started his tractor and backed from the workshop. Kiera was still with her customer, her hands flashing as she indicated something under the hood. The coming night would prove interesting—something to look forward to while he cut hay under the hot sun.
* * * * *
Kiera tossed her bags into the rear of her runaround truck. A glance at her watch told her it was after six, but she still had time to visit Ambar.
“Knock. Knock.” Kiera tapped on the open door and stuck her head inside the farmhouse where her friend lived with Hari and Jake, her two mates.
Ambar appeared, her clothes distinctly rumpled.
“Have I interrupted?”
“No, nothing important.”
Kiera suppressed a grin when a male snort came from a room to the right. “Then why are your buttons done up wrong?”
“Busted.” Unperturbed, Ambar rearranged her buttons. “Come in. We’re supervising Hari making dinner.”
The scent of curry spices grew stronger as she followed Ambar through the house. “Smells good.”
“Hari’s made a beef curry.”
“I came to tell you I’ve found a man.”
Ambar stopped abruptly and Kiera plowed into her. She came out second best because Ambar was a tiger shifter and much taller than her.
“Ow.” Kiera rubbed her nose.
“That was fast work.” Ambar grabbed her arm and dragged her into the kitchen. “Where did you find a man?”
“Kiera has a man?” Hari asked.
“Who?” Jake handed Kiera a glass of white wine.
“Blabbermouth.” Kiera glared at Ambar.
“Ah-ah. Not me.” Ambar pressed her hand to her heart. The naughty twinkle in her eyes spoiled the angelic effect.
“Careful. Don’t overdo the innocent act. I think the curry is done.” Hari tapped a wooden spoon against his pot and set it on a chopping board.
“Don’t change the subject,” Ambar warned. “We’ll never worm the information out of the girl if we don’t focus and use a three-pronged attack.”
Jake and Hari smirked at their lover. Then Kiera’s three friends turned to face her, clear expectation on their faces.
“I’m moving in with Joe Mitchell.” She checked the time. “Maybe I’d better go. It’s getting late and I promised I’d cook dinner.”
“No, you don’t.” Jake grasped her shoulders and propelled her to an empty seat at their kitchen table. “Talk.”
“I don’t ask you the intimate details of your sex life.”
“Leave Kiera alone,” Hari said. “I have enough curry to feed an army. You can take some for your dinner.”
“Joe doesn’t like spicy food,” Jake said.
Kiera didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it.” Too bad. He deserved a spicy meal for maneuvering her in front of his brother.
“You’re sharing the house because you’re sick of the ugly apartment you’ve been living in,” Ambar said.
“Yes.” Great story and one she’d stick with for the present. She wanted to give the locals the impression her relationship with Joe had evolved naturally. Suspicions about a cold-blooded deal of convenience would find their way to her brothers. That was the last thing she needed.
“It’ll do Joe good to have company. He’s been like a hermit since Sly—” Jake broke off with a scowl. “You’ll be good for him.”
Kiera stayed for another half an hour before admitting she was procrastinating. Time to move. She departed for Joe’s place with a bag of goodies for dinner.
The sun sat low on the horizon when she pulled up outside Joe’s house. She parked alongside Joe’s SUV. He must have been waiting for her because he appeared from the side of the house and stalked over to her.
Unaccountably, nerves leaped about in the pit of her stomach. Her feline stirred and snapped to attention, uncertain and cautious with Kiera’s agitation. Despite this, she trusted Joe implicitly. She might not know him well, but his friends—her friends now—thought highly of him and his brother. No, fear didn’t unsettle her. It was the knowledge she intended to go through with this charade. And worse, since she’d started thinking about Joe and sex at the same time, she couldn’t stop. Right now, a distinct dampness settled at the juncture of her thighs. She was primed and not above begging.
He opened the door of her truck. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”
“No. I didn’t finish until after six. I had to shower and pack some clothes.”
His nose twitched at the scent of food coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. “You brought food.”
Kiera shrugged dismissively. “You said it was my turn to cook.” She reached ove
r to grab her bag and Joe held out his hand, silently demanding possession from her. She handed over her bag.
“A lady who packs light.”
“I don’t have many clothes.” She didn’t inform him she’d left most of them back in England, preferring to dress down in jeans and overalls. Designer labels and ball gowns didn’t fit with a motor vehicle workshop.
She collected the food from the front and followed Joe inside. The door they entered led into a utility room. Two pairs of boots stood in a neat line against the wall. Kiera toed off her casual shoes and followed Joe. Like her apartment, the farmhouse didn’t have much personality. The utility room led into the kitchen, a large room and a surprisingly tidy one. The bright frog-green paint on the walls made her blink. Not a color she’d choose.
Kiera set the food she carried on the counter and waited expectantly. Joe seemed a bit uncomfortable and she decided to prod him. “Are you going to give me a tour?”
“Sure. Kitchen.” He walked over to another door and pushed it open. “Lounge.”
This room was obviously one he used more often. A flat-screen television hung on one wall. Two comfortable chairs faced the screen. A couple of books and farming magazines sat in a pile by one of the chairs.
He didn’t give her the opportunity to study more, moving her through another door and leading her down a passage.
“There are three bedrooms. This is Sly’s room. This is the guest room. And this is my room.” He set her bag down beside his double bed. “You’ll share this room with me.” His words held a distinct challenge.
Kiera merely nodded. “Looks good. Where’s the bathroom?”
The tension left Joe and he took her hand, tugging her from his bedroom. “The bathroom is right at the end of the passage, plus a separate toilet.” He showed her both before returning to the kitchen.
He didn’t drop her hand and she found herself enjoying the physical contact. His slight feline scent was a comfortable, familiar one while his callused fingers rubbing against her own work-roughened hands made her wonder how they’d feel caressing her naked skin. A shiver licked her spine, hitting the high spots and perking up her nipples. She couldn’t wait to find out.
The more she considered sex with Joe, the more she realized she’d missed the physical closeness with another person. For a while she’d assumed Gibson, a human in London, might be the one, but she refused to share with other women. She wanted the one-hundred-percent focus of her man.
“Are you ready to have dinner?”
“Sure.”
Joe tugged her to face him. “I’m going to kiss you.”
A statement of intent. Goose bumps rose on her arms and legs, anticipation building a moan of assent in her throat. Luckily, she managed to keep the cry contained and under control. He didn’t need to know he made her melt, her knees distinctly weak.
Without haste he drew her closer, giving her the opportunity to change her mind. The silent care and concern made her confidence leap. This plan would work and they’d have fun at the same time.
Finally his lips settled on hers. Kiera let her groan escape, gripping his shoulders and sinking into the kiss, the hot maleness of him. His scent filled each breath, already familiar and soothing. Sighing with satisfaction, she opened for him, silently inviting deeper contact. Their tongues twined together, the pace slow and easy.
Their bodies made contact, his hard chest flattening her breasts. The ridge of his erection dug into her stomach. She wriggled, craving more than a kiss.
Joe pulled away to glower at her. “Stop squirming, woman. Let me set the pace.”
“You’re moving too slow.”
“We’ll move at the speed I set.”
A direct challenge. A spark of knowledge settled in her mind, and she wasn’t sure what to make of her conclusion. Joe expected obedience.
She gnawed her bottom lip, considering the new info. Her brothers attempted to boss her around. She’d left England over a year ago, ostensibly to vacation in New Zealand. Settling in Middlemarch hadn’t been part of their plan for her.
“What are you trying to say?” Clarification would help.
“If you want a man you can wrap around your finger, I’m not the right choice.”
Her brows rose a fraction. “Oh?”
“I expect obedience.”
A frown of uncertainty scrunched up her brow. “What do I get in return?”
“I will give you pleasure. I’ll cherish and respect you. You’ll get a man who won’t turn and run when faced with your brothers.”
She straightened, her breath huffing out with determination. “I won’t do a little-woman act.”
“Kiera, I don’t want to break your spirit.” He cupped her chin, exerting gentle force to make her meet his gaze. “This might be a business proposition but we can have fun together.” Unknowingly, he echoed her earlier thoughts.
“Let me think.”
An expression that hovered close to disappointment flitted across his features. Joe let his hands fall to his sides and stepped away.
Inexplicably, a sense of failure dogged her while she stumbled over to the counter where she’d set the food. She busied herself unpacking the containers one at a time, confused and unsettled by her reaction to his words. The idea of obeying a man when she’d fought constantly for every sliver of independence…
Joe set the table for two. “Beer or wine?”
“I’ll take a beer, please.”
He opened two bottles and collected glasses.
Meanwhile Kiera opened the rice and the curry. Hot steam drifted off the food along with a mouthwatering scent. She placed the containers on the table and returned to the counter to investigate the rest of the contents in the bag.
“Curry isn’t my favorite meal.”
“I know,” she replied absently while she checked the containers. Roti flatbreads and a small jar of mango chutney.
“But you’re going to serve curry anyway?”
Something in his tone jerked her attention from the food. She stole a peek and found dark amusement glittering in his green eyes.
“The curry is a mild one.” Guiltily, she recalled her suggestion to add more chili powder.
“You wanted to make the curry hotter.”
Kiera gasped. “Who tattled?”
“I’ll take the container at the bottom.” Joe held out his hand, his will forcing her to obey. Bemused, Kiera rifled through the bag for the bottom one. It was marked beef stew. She hadn’t noticed Hari slip stew into the bag.
The microwave dinged a few minutes later. Joe removed the stew and carried the container to the table.
“Take a seat,” he said in a silky voice, pulling out a chair for her.
The foreign note in his voice, one she hadn’t heard before, made her stomach leap with apprehension. He seemed amused rather than angry. Despite his calm manner, he’d pushed her off balance. After another swift, assessing glance, she settled on the seat he indicated with a hint of disquiet. And men said women were difficult to understand.
Once he’d seated her, Joe took possession of the chair opposite. He poured her beer with quick expertise, the level of foam at the top of the glass perfect.
“Would you like rice?” Her voice trembled and she hoped he wouldn’t notice.
“Please.”
She picked up a plate and dished up rice and beef stew for him. After adding a warm roti on the side of his plate, she handed over his dinner.
“Thanks.” This time he broadcast approval with a smile and some of her trepidation faded.
He waited until she’d served her own meal before lifting his glass in a toast. “Here’s to a happy and fruitful partnership.”
“To a happy, fruitful partnership,” she repeated dutifully despite the irritation the words fueled inside her. This situation with her brothers was her fault, and it wouldn’t happen again. She’d set them straight during their visit, before they returned to England.
She started to eat, forking
up curry. The perfect blend of spices and heat zapped across her taste buds.
“My hours will be a bit crazy during the next few weeks,” Joe said.
Glad of the normal conversation to break the edgy silence, she nodded in encouragement. “You don’t have to entertain me.”
“I’m cutting hay to generate extra income.”
“Of course. Sometimes my hours are long too.”
The tender meat and vegetables melted in her mouth. Too bad they wouldn’t eat like this every night. “Hari is a great cook.”
“Yes.” The glint in his eyes put her on warning again. He reminded her of a cat about to pounce, which made her the prey. Uneasy, she stirred, her appetite deserting her. Kiera set her cutlery down and reached for her beer. Maybe a drink would cure her dry mouth. The beer slid down her throat, wet and cold. The drink didn’t settle her anxiety.
“Something wrong?”
“No, of course not.” The evening stretched ahead of her with nothing to do except worry. If she’d been back at her apartment, she’d have switched on the huge overhead lights and worked on one of the vehicles in her workshop.
Joe ate the last of his stew with apparent enjoyment.
Make him talk. Fill the silence. “How many brothers do you have?” She knew of course, but anything to stop her mind worrying.
“You’ve met Saber. He’s the oldest and married to Emily. Next is Felix. He’s married to Tomasine. Leo comes after Felix. He’s married to Isabella. Then it’s me and Sly. You haven’t met my twin, Sly.”
“You miss him.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.”
Okaay. Bad choice. Moving on. “My brothers—you’ll meet them in a few days. In age order there’s Matthew, Oscar and Tyrone.”
Joe reached over the table to cover her hand with his. “Don’t worry. Everything will work out. We’ll get you through your brothers’ visit.”
“You haven’t met my brothers,” Kiera said glumly. They wouldn’t approve of her living in sin, even though a string of women sashayed through their bedroom doors. The rules only applied to her.
“Are you finished?” Joe gestured at her partially eaten meal.
“Yes.” Her fingers twisted together in her lap, her hands tensing.
My Twin Trouble Page 4
