Then there was Tabby. She’d come to town looking for the sister she’d never met. Turned out she found not only Doc Jenny but also discovered Stoner was her real father, which made Evan and Erin her brother and sister too.
Becca paid for her purchases, said her goodbyes and started the walk back to her place. Even Erin Richardson had come back, and Becca never would have figured that. Evan’s younger sister—and Tabby’s older sister—was married to the sheriff, Sam Barnes, and working on baby number two if the rumor mill was to be believed.
Now she was back. Eli was back. Even Caleb had returned. A smile touched her lips as she looked up to see Eli and Bash walking toward her. All that remained was for her parents to decide they wanted to move back, and for Noah to return. She’d sent him email, but she knew it might be some time before he got back to her. Sometimes he ended up in some pretty remote areas in his work.
“Let me take those for you,” Eli said with a smile. “Bash and I have the evening off. Want to join us for dinner?”
She handed him both grocery bags. “I have a better idea, if you’re up for it.”
“What’s that?”
“Jake and Holly are having a cookout. Why don’t you and Bash come with me?”
She saw the hesitation in his face, but she realized this time it wasn’t because of her. He was no longer certain of his welcome anywhere—with the people of his hometown, or in a woman’s bed. He only truly trusted the little boy standing next to him to accept him exactly as he was. Maybe her? She could only hope.
“I don’t know...” Eli began, a frown on his face.
“Please, Daddy?”
“It will be all right.”
She and Bash spoke at the same time. Eli looked down into Bash’s hopeful expression before meeting Becca’s gaze. He swallowed and tugged at his earring. Becca didn’t dare say anything else. He worked so hard to hide this part of himself, and she wouldn’t damage his pride. God knows she knew what that felt like.
“Okay.”
Bash jumped up and down and grabbed Becca’s hand. “Can we go now?”
Becca swung his hand. “Not yet. In about an hour.”
They continued across the square with Eli following behind them.
“Will there be othew kids fo me to play with?”
“Well there’s the twins, but they’re only two. Peter—he’s Jenny and Evan’s son—he’s almost four. Then there’s Noelle, Holly and Jake’s daughter. She is four.
“A girl?” Bash wrinkled his little nose.
“I’m a girl.”
Bash laughed. “You’re Daddy’s girl. I’m too little fo a girlfwiend.”
Becca caught Eli’s chagrined expression. Turning back to Bash she said, “You haven’t met Noelle yet. I think you two might really hit it off.”
There was the sound of a throat being cleared behind them. “The sooner they start the race, the sooner they reach the finish line. Can we hold off with the kiddie matchmaking?”
Becca arched a brow. “Afraid someone will be calling you Grandpa before you’re fifty?”
She unlocked the door. Bash took off up the stairs, leaving Becca momentarily alone with Eli. He had his hair back in a braid and was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and flip flops. He looked casual and sexy. Hell, all he had to do was breathe and it was sexy. Man, did she have it bad.
Her gaze skittered away from his.
“I was going to shower and change before I go.”
His eyes darkened. “Mm. Too bad Bash couldn’t fall asleep for a few minutes.”
“Tease.”
He set the bags on the table next to the door. “Come here, Allred.”
He wrapped her in his arms and bent his head to tease her mouth open with his lips and tongue. “Mm. You taste like peppermint.”
“Mrs. Tarpley’s candy jar.”
“I can think of some candy I wouldn’t mind getting a taste of.”
“You’re insatiable when it’s an impossibility.”
“I don’t know. Want to sneak back to the cooler? Soundproof and fireproof. The way I feel right now, we could be done in five minutes or less.”
“I bet you’re one of those guys who bites into the middle of the Tootsie Pop too.”
“Yeah.”
She ran her tongue along the seam of his mouth. “I like to lick mine until I get to the center, even if it takes all day.”
She felt a shudder run through him and his hands cupped her bottom to pull her into the hard ridge of his erection.
“Will you come over to the house after the cook out? Bash goes to bed at eight. I have a bottle of wine and a very comfortable and private screened porch.”
She smiled slowly. “I like that idea. A lot.”
Chapter 9
Eli’s fists were clenched in his pockets when Holly opened the door to Becca’s knock. The house was already filled with people and laughter. Holly hugged Becca and turned to him.
“I’m so glad you could make it after all. I told Becca she should invite you and Bash, but she wasn’t sure you’d be able to come.”
Eli started to hold out his hand, but Holly stepped right up and hugged him. He glanced at Becca who had bent down to get a hug from two little dark-haired boys chirping “Aunt Becca!” over and over. So she hadn’t been certain he could, or would, come with her. He couldn’t blame her for that. His last reaction to a dinner invitation hadn’t been one of his better moments.
Becca laughed and introduced Bash to her two nephews with an ease that immediately made all three boys comfortable. There was none of that awkward standing around scuffing toes. She smiled and nodded as Bash asked if he could go with them. That was the difference this time around. Now Eli was confident Becca would watch out for his son.
Becca looped her arm through his. “I hope that was okay. I know he’s a little older than the twins, but Noelle’s doing her big girl thing with Emma and Melodie.”
Eli watched Bash settle in with the twins and another little boy whose hair was blond like Bash’s. They were busy constructing what looked like a castle with big Duplo blocks. “Who’s that?”
“Peter, Jen and Evan’s son. He’s right between the twins and Noelle. All four of them usually play together except when the older girls are here.”
“Come on back,” Holly invited. “As always, everyone’s either in the kitchen or out on the deck.”
Despite the amount of time he had spent with the Allreds as a kid, Eli had never quite gotten over the initial shock that hit him anytime they were gathered in one spot. They were a loud, boisterous group, laughing and arguing with equal fervor. Everyone was in the kitchen, though he could see Jake and Evan Richardson fiddling with the grill out on the deck. Sam Barnes was the first one to greet him.
“Hey Eli! Glad you could make it. Caleb’s gone to pick Luke up at the clinic.”
Erin and Rachel were finishing up two different salads.
“Eli Mercer,” Rachel said. “I almost hate to admit I remember having you in English class.”
“I hope he was a better student than me.” Becca grinned at her sister-in-law.
Everyone laughed. Sam pressed a beer into his hand, and in fairly short order, Eli found himself out on the deck. Evan wanted to know if he’d thought anymore about the idea of a regional arts and crafts center.
“You should bring Becca in on it,” Jake said. “She mentioned something like that when she began decorating The Secret Ingredient.”
“Her décor gave me the idea,” Eli admitted. “I haven’t talked to her about it. We have worked a deal for her to supply Mercer’s with bread and desserts. The new menus start Saturday.”
“Gee,” Jake groaned, “and here I thought it was personal interest between the two of you. I should have known with Becca. It’s always business.”
Eli flushed as he recalled just how most of their business discussions had ended.
Sam chuckled. “Judging from that face, I don’t think it’s all business.”
A
horn honked out front, and a couple of minutes later, Luke and Caleb burst out the back door, beer bottles in hand. Caleb’s bruises were fading and his nose appeared to be back to normal. Eli felt just a moment of awkwardness before Caleb gave him a one-armed hug and clapped him on the back.
“Hey bro, glad to see you could make it.”
His tension drained. “You’re looking better.”
Caleb touched his cheek just below his eyes. “I think the yellow and purple really brings out the green in my eyes. What do you think?” He batted his lashes at Eli.
* * * *
Becca glanced out the window as she heard a blast of masculine laughter from out on the deck.
“He fits right in with them,” Tabby said softly. “He’s just not certain of it yet.”
“Is that another one of your amazing guesses, or has he mentioned it?” Becca murmured.
Tabby smiled. “A guess. Give him time, Becca. He’ll find his way. Right now, I’d say he’s made a good start.”
Becca hugged the other woman. “Where’s Joe?”
“He’ll be along in a little bit. He had some visits to some of his older parishioners to finish.”
“It must be hard being married to a minister,” Becca said. At Tabby’s questioning look, she struggled to explain. “You live your life in the public eye, especially in a small town like this.”
Tabby chuckled. “None of us are much different. Sam’s the sheriff and Erin’s the daughter of a former U.S. Senator. Jenny’s one of two doctors in town and married to the commonwealth’s attorney. Jake’s the police chief. Luke’s one of two veterinarians and Rachel’s a teacher. We all live in the public eye. Even you and Eli. Both of you are business owners who have the public in and out every day. Caleb will be even more so when he gets his sports bar up and running.”
Becca frowned. Tabby was right. In a community as small as Mountain Meadow, they were all public figures in some way. “How do you make time for yourselves? You know, private time.”
Erin stepped up and tucked her arm through Tabby’s. “Like this. By knowing that when we’re in a group like we are now, it’s all family. We accept each other unconditionally, like we do you and Eli.”
Becca focused on the deck where Eli was gesticulating while he related some story. Sam laughed and clapped him on the back. It was true. They could be private together. They could be private behind their own doors. She began to see how her brothers, their wives, and the other couples were their own oases of security.
That’s what she wanted with Eli. And Bash. She wanted them to be a family. It gave her a fluttery feeling.
They ate in shifts—kids first in the kitchen with the older ones pitching in to help with everyone but the babies. Jake and Evan added a couple of leaves to the dining room table, so that was where the adults gathered. Eli sat next to her.
As they ate, chatted, and laughed together, he found her hand with his and twined their fingers together. He was staring at her. They smiled at each other. For a moment, it was as if everyone else in the room had ceased to exist. Even the laughter and conversation receded as she drowned in the liquid depths of Eli’s gaze.
“Oh God,” she heard Jared groan as he and Tyler walked past, “Aunt Becca and Eli are both getting that goofy look. Being around this family is enough to make you swear off the whole girlfriend thing.”
Tyler laughed. “No kidding. I wouldn’t want anyone to see me looking like that.”
Eli flushed. Becca blinked. Everyone else around the table laughed. Becca’s glance slid past Eli to Caleb. She saw him swallow and grab his beer bottle. It was obvious he still had some reservations, but she was glad he was doing his best to give them some space.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” Eli murmured.
She squeezed his hand. “You didn’t.”
Everyone pitched in to help with clean up before they retreated to the deck. Eli stayed close, keeping his arm either around her shoulders or her waist. Warmth spread through her. That he was willing to stake his claim on her was a huge stride forward.
* * * *
Eli checked the time. Nearly eight. How much he’d enjoyed the evening had surprised him. A long time had passed since he’d socialized with such a large group of people. At the beach, it had always been business and Bash. It had started out that way here, but then Becca entered his life.
“It’s about time for Bash to be in bed.”
Becca looked up at his quiet murmur and smiled. Naughty promises lay in her gaze, and all he could think about was getting her to his house. She made their excuses, saying they still had to work out some details on their joint business venture, and then ruined it by giggling when Caleb arched a brow at her.
Eli held her hand as they walked through the house to the front yard where Bash was playing with the other kids under the supervision of both Tyler and Jared. He felt foolish getting so much pleasure from the simple contact. As she was about to pull open the front door, he stopped her.
“Wait.”
“Why?” Becca asked, and he covered her parted lips with his. She tasted wonderful. He slipped one arm around her shoulders to draw her close and released her hand so he could slide it down to cup her gorgeous butt.
“Mm. I’ve been wanting to do that all evening.”
She laughed against his mouth. “Well if you’ll let me go so we can get Bash home and in bed, I might let you do a whole lot more.”
He squeezed her butt cheek again. “Promises.”
Eli followed her, his gaze glued to the twitch of her ass beneath the long cotton skirt she had on. It hadn’t felt like she wore any underwear. She was driving him crazy.
“But Daddy,” Bash whined a half hour later. “Why do I have to go to bed right now?”
Becca stroked Bash’s hair. “Your Daddy and I need some grown up time.”
Bash giggled. “Are you going to kiss him?”
Becca laughed. “Maybe.”
“Ewww.”
And that was it. Bash went to bed without any more complaint. Eli couldn’t believe it. He let Becca take his son down the hall while he opened a bottle of wine and carried it out to the porch in back. Tall hedges gave the yard a seclusion he now appreciated. Again feeling a little foolish, he lighted some candles and sat down on the loveseat.
When Becca appeared in the doorway in five minutes, he saw immediately that she had taken her hair down and removed her bra. Her full breasts pressed against the snug material of her T-shirt, displaying nipples that were already hard with desire. The faint flush in her cheeks was visible even in the candlelight.
“You look beautiful.” His voice was husky he wanted her so much. Without saying anything else, he held a glass of wine out to her. She took it, sipped from it, and leaned down to kiss him before she curled up next to him.
“Is Bash asleep?”
“Sound. I didn’t even get all the way through the story. I think all the activity tired him out.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Are you tired?”
“Just hungry.”
She twisted to stare at him. “Hungry? After that huge steak?”
His fingers combed through her hair. “For you.”
She pulled her T-shirt over her head, baring her breasts to him as she leaned back into the corner of the loveseat. “Show me.”
Eli dipped his finger in his wine glass and slowly traced her nipples, his body throbbing as he watched the way they puckered. He set the glass aside and leaned forward. Cupping her breast in his broad palm, Eli suckled her, drawing as much of her into his mouth as he could.
“Oh!” Becca’s fingers curled into his hair, loosening it from its braid. He turned his attention to her other breast. Her breathing quickened even more, and he leaned back.
“Take the skirt off, Becca. I want you naked.”
She stood and shimmied out of it. The candlelight glistened on the wetness already dampening her sex.
“Come here,” he growled and pulled her so she stood betwe
en his spread legs. He leaned forward, watching intently while he caressed her with his fingers. She was drenched for him. Eli leaned forward and began to lick and suckle her. Her legs spread to give him better access.
The throbbing of his cock was painful. He freed himself, one hand automatically stroking as he brushed his tongue back and forth from her clit to her swollen opening. Her hands gripped his hair, tugging him closer. He slipped two fingers inside, working her until she whimpered.
“That’s my girl. Come, Becky. Come for me.”
She clutched his shoulders while she climaxed around his fingers. He guided her down onto the loveseat and hastily stripped off his own clothes. His hand still stroked his engorged cock as he stared down at her. Her eyes followed the movements of his hand and she smiled softly.
“I want you inside me, Eli.”
He growled low in his throat. Lifting her hips, he half knelt, half sat between her thighs and pushed in. Her hands grabbed his hips.
“Harder. I won’t break.”
He shoved and both of them grunted. The feeling was nearly indescribable, and he knew without a doubt he would never get enough of her. He took her hard and fast, no longer afraid he would hurt or frighten her. She came again and again, matching him with her passion.
Eli eased out of her, unwilling to end things so soon. He grabbed his wine and drank, buried his face in her belly and began to kiss his way up to her mouth.
“Why did you stop?” she choked.
“I want it to last.” Actually, he never wanted it to end, but that was impossible. At some point, he had to come.
“Lean back,” she murmured. “It’s my turn to play.”
When she picked up the wine bottle and dribbled wine down his chest, he watched in amazement. Heather had done her best to touch him as little as possible. Becca touched him as if she couldn’t get enough of him. She licked the wine from the damp curls on his chest, then when she discovered the small pebbled points of his nipples, she lingered to tease them with her teeth and tongue. He gasped in pleasure when the hand sliding down his stomach circled his erection. Up and down over the full length of him, her fingers moved until he was begging her to stop.
The Secret Ingredient (A Place to Call Home Book 2) Page 13
