“That’s very kind of you,” Jim said. “You’ve already done so much for us.”
“Not nearly as much as you’ve done for me. If it weren’t for you, there would not a Sophie.” Sean looked across the room. He was glad they had turned out to be kind and gentle people, the kind Sophie deserved in her life.
Sophie was quiet on the drive home. Sean kept glancing over at her to see if she had fallen asleep. But the smile had not left her face.
About thirty minutes from home, he reached over and took her hand. “They seem really nice, Soph.”
“Yes.”
“And very down to earth.”
“But not quite white trash?”
“Your mother’s words, not mine. I was just thinking they’d fit in well with my family. I invited them to come visit by the way.”
“Really? When?”
“While you and Gina were looking through all those old photo albums.”
“I meant visit when?”
“Weekend after this. They can stay at my place. Jim didn’t seem too comfortable with the idea of staying at the bed and breakfast.”
“And where are you planning to stay?” Sophie squeezed his hand.
“Well, I figure the entire population of Canden Valley will know about us by then so no one will be shocked if I stay with you.”
“Sean, thank—”
“Don’t say it!”
“I have to. This was one of the most incredible days of my life. Thank you so much for finding them for me. Do you know I’m their only grandchild?”
“Jim told me. He kept tearing up. I know where you get it now.”
Sophie laughed. “I don’t know. Gina was pretty teary-eyed as well.”
“And you?”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever stop crying I’m so happy. Can you believe it? I have grandparents!”
“Yes, you do. And you have a whole family of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Don’t forget that.”
“No, I won’t forget that.”
“And maybe we can convince your family to move here as well.”
“I assume you mean my grandparents?”
“What? You don’t think your mother would take to country life with the McCulloughs?”
“I fear the McCullough charm would be too much for her.” Sophie cringed at the image of her mother at the farm.
“Yes, I did mean your grandparents . and Arielle.”
Sophie was beaming. “I wish, but she’s established a practice in Santa Barbara and her parents have moved there to be with her. I think it’s hopeless.”
“Nothing is hopeless. I’m sure we can find a way to convince her that Canden Valley is much more exciting than Santa Barbara.”
“And how do you propose to do that, considering that she’s entrenched in her work and Santa Barbara life.”
“Oh, I don’t know. We could introduce her to one of my cousins—the one she’s most likely to fall in love with.”
“Mmm, I think I hear a plan brewing. So all I have to do is get her here.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard, considering that she’s certain to be the maid of honor at our wedding.”
“Wedding?”
“Hey, don’t tell me now that I found someone to walk you down the aisle, you’re going to decide you’re not the marrying kind.”
Sophie gripped Sean’s hand tightly and pressed it to her heart. She wasn’t sure she could handle any more joy in one day. “Oh, no. I’m definitely the marrying kind.”
“Good thing,” he said, “Otherwise I might be forced to abduct you.”
“Why are you pulling over?” she asked, as Sean stopped the truck and put it in park.
“So I can do this.” He released his seatbelt and leaned over to pull her into his arms.
He felt like a teenager, shoving his tongue into her mouth and grappling for her breasts in the front seat of his pickup truck.
“What was that for?” she asked, catching her breath when he’d finally released her.
“Sorry, I just needed something to hold me over for a while.”
Sophie glared at him. “Just how long is a while?”
Sean pressed his mouth to hers and murmured, “Until after dark and I can safely sneak into the bed and breakfast without being seen.” Sean could feel her smile against his.
But Sophie beat him to it. Just as the sun went down, she climbed out of her bath, put on a couple very skimpy items of clothing, and slipped out the back door of the bed and breakfast.
Sean jolted upright when there was a tap on his apartment door. “Damn!” He was just planning to head across the street. He was tempted not to answer, but he figured safer to get rid of them now than have them come back later.
“Sophie!”
“Thought I’d surprise you.”
“You did.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her inside his apartment. “You’re glowing. Don’t tell me you hit the cognac bottle again.”
She shook her head. “I just had a lovely bath.”
“And now you’re here. On my doorstep.” He didn’t attempt to hide the cockiness in his smile. “Missed me, hunh?”
“Something like that.”
“Hungry?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I can run over to the pub and pick up something or defrost a pizza.”
“Not what I had in mind.”
The sultry tone of her voice told Sean exactly what she did have in mind. When she unfastened the buttons on her coat, his thoughts were confirmed.
“Not so innocent after all,” he whispered, taking in her outfit that consisted of matching dark blue panties and bra with more lace than substance which was just fine with him.
“Definitely not so innocent.” She dropped her coat on the floor and stepped into his open arms.
He scooped her up and carried her off to his bed. She reached up and pulled his shirt over his head and unfastened his jeans, but this time she didn’t stop there. It was only seconds before they were lying naked in each other’s arms.
Suddenly feeling very greedy, she pulled him even closer, wrapping her arms and legs around him. She wanted him against her, every part of him. Finally satisfied that he was as close as he could get without being inside of her, she ran her hands up and down his back and arms, caressing, teasing, savoring the feel of the smooth languid muscles of his body. She wanted to know him, every inch of him.
She sighed and relaxed into the mattress beneath her when his hands did the same to her, even more demanding than hers had been. They stopped only once they had found first one breast, then the other. Caressing had taken on a new meaning. His hands were gentle but firm, only releasing her breasts once his mouth took over.
Sophie felt herself weaken beneath him, her body so ready for him that she thought she might climax simply from his touch. She arched her back and pressed her breast into his mouth, urging him on. He did not disappoint her as he sucked harder, satisfying himself with what she was offering.
Sean continued to indulge himself in the softness of her breasts, but his hand seemed to have a mind of its own. Softly his fingers tempted and teased as he eased downwards across her belly to that delectable spot that was moist and hungry for him. When he realized how ready she was, he had to force himself to breathe. He wanted to savor every inch of her. He wanted to take his time. He wanted their lovemaking to go on forever. That wasn’t going to happen, not this time.
Sophie gasped when his fingers found her and eased inside of her, exciting and tormenting. She felt as if she were floating, soaring above the clouds, yet supported and held. His insatiable mouth and his firm touch told her the height of his desire. Slowly she reached down and found him and wrapped her fingers around his erection. Knowing how turned on he was, heightened her own desires. He wanted her. Her. No one else but her.
She had never experienced anything like Sean’s lovemaking before. All he had to do was touch her and she wanted him. No, all he had to do was look at her. Or exist.
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When she opened herself to him, he followed her lead, pushing inside of her. Their moans became intermingled and she gave in to all the sensations emanating from his body to hers. Again and again he sank himself into her, harder and deeper until she felt for an instant that they were one and would always remain one. Still soaring, she let herself go, moving in unison with him. Her climax ripped through her, causing her to shudder as she tightened around him. Together they cried out in complete and glorious satisfaction.
Sean collapsed against her, warm and damp from their lovemaking. “God, what you do to me.”
Sophie lay beneath him, a feeling of contentment that she had never experienced washing over her. When he eased himself onto his side, she too rolled onto hers so she could look at him. He pulled her into his arms and she realized she could stay there forever, basking in his love. She had never felt this way before, never imagined feeling this way.
“Do you think having to sneak around adds to the excitement?” Sophie whispered, still breathless.
Sean considered the question before responding. He understood how that happened. Sneaking around, keeping secrets just between you and your lover inevitably added to the excitement, but that wasn’t what he was after, not with Sophie. “Maybe, but I’m anxious to find out.”
“What does that mean?”
“That means I’m anxious to get things resolved with Alex and have our relationship out in the open. That’s all the excitement I need.” He’d settle for serenity right now. And knowing that Sophie was with him—totally and completely. Two more days, he thought. He could handle two more days.
Chapter 24
He was not looking forward to this. Why the hell hadn’t he just done it over the phone? He shook his head in disbelief. Was he really such a coward that he would consider ending a relationship with a phone call? Hopefully he’d grown up a little in the past eight years
But this was not going to be a one-sided conversation, he reminded himself. Sophie had changed since she’d been staying in Canden Valley. She was just as aware as he was that things were different between them. They had seen sides of each other that had not been apparent in San Francisco. Maybe this wouldn’t be as difficult as he had anticipated. Who was he kidding? Endings were always painful.
Alex pulled up in front of his parents’ house where he had suggested they meet. He shoved his car door open, anxious to see her, admittedly still crazy about her. But instead of finding Sophie, he found Sean.
“What are you doing here?”
“I come here often.” Sean ignored the animosity in Alex’s voice. “We are family, remember?”
“I remember.”
“Where’s Sophie?”
“Inside. She’s picking up some things she left here.”
“Oh.”
“Oh, what?”
“Nothing.”
That was it. Sean couldn’t take it anymore. Eight years of this bullshit. Eight years of a controlled version of his cousin who stuffed his feelings and swallowed his pain. He wasn’t willing to put up with it anymore. Even if they had been able to pretend things weren’t strained between them all these years, they sure as hell wouldn’t be able to pretend that after today. But he would refrain from telling Alex about him and Sophie. For one reason only. She had made him promise. She wanted to do it. She said it would be kinder. He had to agree. But he could talk about other things. Like Cassie.
He took a step closer to Alex, letting him know that he was not getting past him without talking. “So, what’s the plan, cuz? Did you expect to come pick up Sophie, head out, and never return? Run forever? Never talk to Cassie?”
“What the hell are you talking about? I talked to Cassie.”
“Right.”
“She was at the picnic.”
“And you said hello.”
“What the hell do you know about it?”
“A lot.”
“Yeah, you would.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Alex hung his head, refusing to look Sean in the eye. “Nothing. It means nothing.”
“God damn it! When are you going to admit the truth?” Sean shoved Alex in the shoulder as if that would wake him up. Alex staggered backwards, giving him his full attention now. “You left her, you bastard! You turned your back and walked away when she needed you.”
Alex’s stance stiffened in response to Sean’s. “She didn’t need me! She had you!”
Before Sean could control it, his arm bent and he punched his cousin in the jaw. “You’re a goddamned idiot!”
Alex’s fist plowed into Sean’s cheekbone.
Both men staggered before they righted themselves.
“Break it up, you two!” Grant Jameson’s voice thundered at them as he ran down the porch steps toward them. “What the hell is going on?” He stepped between the two cousins.
“Sorry, Uncle Grant, but your son is an idiot.”
“An idiot, is he?”
“Yeah, he thinks there was something between me and Cassie.”
Grant looked at his son in disgust. “He’s right. You are an idiot.” He patted his nephew on the back and walked away. “Hit him again, Sean. See if you can knock some sense into him this time.”
Sean chuckled as his cousin glared at his father who trotted back up the porch steps and into the house.
Rubbing his jaw as if that would diffuse the pain, Alex stared at Sean. “There was never anything between you and Cass? You’re telling me the truth?”
“Of course, I am.” Sean shook his head in disbelief. How many times had he tried to tell him, but his cousin hadn’t listened. “There was never anything between us except that we were good friends, supporting each other through tragedy.”
“And Sophie?”
He hesitated, then said, “Sophie and I aren’t good friends.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You don’t even know Sophie.”
“What the hell—? Of course, I know her.” Alex lunged at him, but Sean stepped out of the way. He was almost tempted to let him try, but it wouldn’t be a fair fight. There was a time when his cousin could have pummeled him with one hand behind his back, but city life had softened him. He obviously still worked out, but that didn’t compare to working on a farm or a ranch.
“It means exactly what I said. You know nothing about that woman.”
“I’ve been living with her for almost six months for crissake, of course I know her.”
“Right. So what’s her favorite dessert?”
“Tiramisu,” Alex answered confidently.
Sean just shook his head.
“Favorite flower?”
“Roses. Red.”
“Favorite oldies song?’
Alex shrugged. He had no idea.
“Christmas movie?”
“Christmas movie? How the hell would I know that?”
Sean turned and walked away. He would let Sophie tell Alex what she had to tell him. Then he would come back and pick her up and take her home with him. It wouldn’t be too much longer. But right now he needed to get out of there before he broke his promise to her and told Alex himself.
“Sean!”
“Yeah?”
“Okay, so what do you think her favorite—?”
“Dessert? Ice cream soda. Chocolate. With chocolate chip ice cream. Flowers? Daisies. Yellow. Oldies song. ‘The Nearness of You.’” He smiled to himself. She did seem awfully fond of “A Kiss to Build a Dream On,” lately too. “Christmas movie, other than the classics, The Holiday. Favorite scene. The tent scene.”
“She told you all this?”
Yeah, she had told him all this. And he had listened. “Oh, and she loves banana sandwiches and white bunny slippers.” He opened the door to his truck and climbed in.
“Pink,” Alex corrected. “Her bunny slippers are pink.”
At least he had noticed. Sean rolled down the window and said, “Yeah, they’re pink, but she really wanted the o
ff-white ones with pink noses and pink ears.” He couldn’t quite believe that in the throes of a battle with his cousin, he was describing the details of a pair of bunny slippers.
As he drove off, he could hear his cousin mumbling to himself. “White? And what the hell is a banana sandwich?”
“I’m in love with Sean,” Sophie announced as she packed up the last of her laundry that she’d left at the house to finish drying.
“I know.” Arielle’s voice drifted through the cell phone.
“You know?”
“Of course, I know. It’s about time you figured it out.”
“But what was all that stuff about it being perfectly normal to be attracted to other men?”
“It is. But you aren’t just attracted to the guy. You’re head over heels in love with him. And if I’d told you it was bad to be attracted to him, you would have avoided him and not given yourself a chance to fall in love.”
“Probably true.” Although she wasn’t sure she’d have had enough will power to stay away from him. She moved toward the bedroom window where she could hear shouting. “Uh oh. I have to go!”
“What’s wrong?”
“I think they’re fighting.” She was leaning out the window trying to see the two men on the ground below her. “Yep, they’re definitely fighting.”
“Sean and Alex?”
“Un huh.”
“Aren’t you going to go break it up?”
“I think Alex’s dad is doing that.”
“Does it feel good?” Arielle asked. “To have two men fighting over you?”
“I don’t really think it’s me they’re fighting over. And right now I’m happy with one.” As long as he was the right one. She hung up her phone and sprinted down the stairs. Grant was coming inside just as she reached the bottom stair.
“Still fighting?” she asked.
“No, I think they’ve settled things.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? For helping my thick-headed son figure out what he hasn’t figured out in eight years?” Grant asked.
Summer Day Dreams Page 26
