by Vivian Arend
Allison wasn’t exactly fussing—it was a teenager joining them for dinner for Pete’s sake. But she knew that of all the people who might see through what she and Gabe were doing, his kid brother was the most likely.
So she’d made sure she stopped working at the restaurant with enough time to get back to Gabe’s cabin to double-check things before Rafe arrived.
Kissing her mom goodbye for the night and seeing her bright smile was encouraging and lightened Allison’s spirits. So far Maisey seemed to be healthy enough. There were no signs of the disease sweeping through her body, but the expected deterioration could begin at anytime, and Allison snatched up every good moment for all she was worth.
There wasn’t much to do to get ready once she did get home—and wasn’t that a strange way to start thinking of Gabe’s place? It was a safe spot, though, after not even a week.
She finished setting the table then suddenly realized something.
She slipped into her bedroom and nabbed her things. It was a little weird to waltz into Gabe’s room and deliberately put her clothes there. It wasn’t as if she had to shove her nightclothes under the pillow, but her robe hung on the hook next to the bathroom, and she dropped her makeup kit on the dresser top.
She had to grab her pillow from the spare room and place it at the head of the bed, and this unexpected sensation snuck over her.
Kissing him the other day wasn’t something she should be remembering in such minute detail. The firmness of his lips, the pressure of his hands on her hips.
They were getting along fine, and she had been mean to tease him so hard. And mean to tease herself because with things working out with Mom, at least temporarily, there was a whole bunch too much time to think about how hot and achy Gabe made her.
She lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. After their talk the other day, she felt she could offer the Coleman ranch advice. That alone made it easier to keep going. The ploy wasn’t her taking from him selfishly, she would contribute.
She closed her eyes for a moment to relax until either of the guys arrived.
“Allison.”
Gabe’s shout brought her to her feet with a start. No way did she want to be caught sprawled in his bed. “In the back,” she called.
“I need help.” His voice was terse, the words clipped.
She raced from the bedroom and met him at the front door.
“Gabe, what happened?” He was soaked and filthy, from his boots on up.
“I’ll explain later. Here, help me. Take the little thing.”
He opened his shirt, one hand on the outside of the fabric cradling something. She leaned in closer and slipped her fingers along his abdomen, catching hold of a small warmish bundle of fur.
“Why…never mind, I’ve got it.” She pulled out a tiny kitten, and it meowed plaintively. “You need help with your boots?”
“There’s a bootjack outside. Go grab some towels to wrap that thing in. I’m going to make a mess across the floor in a minute.”
She was already on the way to the kitchen. “Strip outside and leave your stuff there if you want.”
She snatched a towel out of the drawer and gently deposited the kitten in it, wrapping the warm cloth tightly. Gabe’s earlier solution sprang to mind, and she headed into the bedroom to nab an old hoodie. She pulled it on and tightened the bottom tie strap, creating a snug basket. She slipped the kitten under the layers and petted it carefully. Her fingers met mud and bits of straw, and she pulled them aside, all the time caressing the little thing as it shook.
She stepped out of her bedroom the exact second Gabe strode past. Naked.
Their eyes met, but there was too much tension in his expression for it to be sexual or even embarrassing. He was furious, and she paused in the doorway to let him stomp through his bedroom and into the bath area.
If she happened to stare at the way the muscles in his ass flexed as he moved, she wasn’t going to tell him.
“You okay, Gabe?”
Nothing answered but the sound of running water. She made sure she kept her back to the open arch of the bathroom to give him privacy, but still stepped into the room. “Gabe? You need me to do anything?”
He sighed. “I’ll be fine. How’s the kitten?”
She touched her fingers lightly to its head, and it pressed against her palm. Something inside her went soft. “Warming up.”
Asking what had happened didn’t seem like a great idea.
He was quiet for another moment, then spoke. “Good. I guess I should ask if you’d like a pet.”
The out-of-the-blue suggestion made her heart flutter. “Pet? I can keep it inside?”
“You seemed to like them. If you want, you can name it. And when you leave, you can take the kitten with you. If that doesn’t work for you, I’ll keep it here.”
It was nearly enough to make her forget she was studiously avoiding looking in his direction. Cats were never inside pets. “Really?”
His fingers appeared along the edge of the glass as he grasped on tight. When he stuck his head around the corner he was still dripping wet, but the mud covering his forehead had washed away. The hard tension in his face softened although his nostrils flared for a moment. A slow smile came onto his expression, almost reluctantly, as if he was forced to let it show. “You look like a kangaroo.”
She cuddled her burden, feeling a little silly but still curious as all get out. “Body heat is probably good for him.”
Gabe nodded. “I hadn’t even checked to see what he was. Tough little guy, and yeah, I’m serious. If he was too stubborn to die, I’m not going to toss him to the wolves. If you can’t keep him, I’ll take him on.”
He was pulling back and Allison impulsively reached out and laid her fingers over his, trapping him. “I take it something bad happened.”
He shrugged. “Something typical happened, but I’m not going to let typical run my life.”
Which made no sense, but she wasn’t about to ask for more explanations. Not as she realized only that narrow glass barrier stood between her and him. Naked him.
Their eyes met again, and this time she was even more aware of where they were. His strong hand under hers, skin slick with moisture. She snuck her hand back as if she’d touched the stove.
The lazy smile expanded until it was hundred percent Angel Coleman who she remembered from years ago. “You planning on scrubbing my back?” he asked. “I’m feeling extra dirty right now.”
She paused, shocked at his suggestion. “Gabe, what are—?”
A cough sounded behind her, and she spun to find Rafe standing in the doorway, grinning at them both.
“I…well, I didn’t knock, but I did call a couple of times. You guys need me to get anything ready for dinner? Or you want me to come back in a few hours?”
Allison’s cheeks were burning hot, but she kept her chin up. Behind her Gabe’s bright laugh boomed out. “Get out of here, you ass.”
Rafe winked and retreated.
Allison’s heart was still pounding.
Gabe’s suggestive comment—he’d known Rafe was there all the time.
She was torn between being even more embarrassed and being angry. Didn’t matter that their cover was now firmly established with Rafe—the situation was wholly believable—she was still pissed.
Because I wish he’d really been talking to me.
The truth made her bold. She wanted to somehow get back a bit of her own power in the situation. Maybe it wasn’t smart, maybe it was the stupidest thing she’d ever done.
Gabe had retreated behind the glass barrier, Rafe gone the opposite direction. Allison squared her shoulders, supported the kitten in place and stepped into the opening of the shower.
This time she didn’t keep her eyes locked at head level. She let herself enjoy seeing him naked in the middle of the spray. He was facing away from her, and that perfect backside was centre stage, his muscular ass flexing as he shifted his weight. Soap bubbles escaped from where he rubbed his hands over his sho
ulders, the liquid splashing up as he lifted his face into the direct line of the water.
Wet, his blond hair was darker. He grabbed the soap from the wall dish and his hands moved quickly. Over his chest, his abdomen. Lower still as he twisted to rinse the soap from his back.
Which gave her the best view possible of his front. Of his hands rubbing over his cock and balls.
“Fuck.”
The word surprised her into looking up, all his body gone tight again. Hands crossing to cover his groin.
“Allison?” Confusion in the word, a frown on his face.
She opened her eyes innocently. “I thought you needed me to scrub your back?”
A short pause was followed by a hearty snort. “You’re as much trouble as my brother. Go on.”
She tilted her head to the side and looked him over once more before turning as casually as possible and retreating.
Retreating because, hot damn, the man was fine. And if she’d stayed there a moment longer, she’d have forgotten everything—their visitor in the living room, the kitten in her pocket and maintaining deceptions. She’d have stripped down and pressed herself against him and not left until she’d found out exactly how heavenly this Angel Boy could make her feel.
Chapter Nine
Dinner with Rafe was a different affair than Gabe expected—he was shocked how much the tiny package of fur he’d rescued impacted, well, everything.
Rafe seemed equally fascinated and scandalized by the kitten’s presence. Gabe played down the details of what had happened, just tucked the warm bundle into his brother’s hands and watched the results. Allison called the vet to find out if the kitten would need special attention.
They all hovered.
He made a mash for the creature that, miraculously, seemed none the worse for its experience. Conversation during the meal went back to ordinary topics except they all constantly checked to make sure the cat was okay.
After dinner Allison sat on the floor, Rafe squatted by her side, both of them totally into discussing names.
“Blackie?” Allison suggested.
“Boring.” Rafe grinned. “Midnight is better, or Starbender.”
Allison snorted. “Those are better names?”
“Cobalt. Black Lightning.” Rafe was way more into this than Gabe had anticipated. Allison glanced up, and he winked at her, content for a little bit of normality to finish his day.
The kitten stepped all the way into the cookie sheet Gabe had spread the mash in, instantly coating all four paws with white goop.
“Oh no.” Allison grabbed him around the middle and reached for a towel.
“Don’t,” Gabe warned. “It’s okay—he’ll lick the mash off his paws and eat it. It’s a good way to get some food into him.”
“Really? Okay, but it looks like he’s wearing rubber boots with the white on his black fur.”
Rafe laughed. “Puss in Boots.”
“There you go.” Gabe scratched the kitten’s head. “There’s a good name for him.”
Allison nodded. “I like it. What do you think, Rafe?”
His kid brother shrugged. “Sure, I mean, whatever, it’s just a cat, you know.” He jumped to his feet and pretended to be busy clearing the table.
Allison and Gabe shared a secret smile—Rafe’s embarrassment was the final bit of tension lifter they needed.
At the end of the evening when Gabe grabbed his keys to drive his brother home, Rafe reluctantly passed a sleeping Puss in Boots back to Allison. “Hey, you guys headed to Traders tomorrow night for the Coleman gathering?”
Gabe wasn’t sure. “Why? You want a ride?”
Rafe fussed with his jean-jacket lapel. “Just thinking, you guys should probably go, right? If you’d like, I could come over to make sure the cat’s okay. Just, if it would help.”
The urge to tease his brother was tempered by the sense of relief in his own gut. Damn, he wasn’t going to leave the little thing alone until he knew it was going to be okay.
He was as tenderhearted as his brother…
Allison finished tucking Puss into the box they’d turned into a bed, and came over to wrap her arms around his brother. “You are a genius. Thank you so much for offering, that would be wonderful.”
Rafe’s surprised expression switched to happiness. “No problem. I’ll come over after we eat.”
Allison let him free. “Why don’t you come for dinner again? Whenever you’re done chores.”
Her welcoming his brother back made Gabe strangely content.
By the time dinner was done on Friday, he was doubly glad of Rafe’s suggestion. Not because he was worried about the kitten as much anymore—Puss in Boots seemed to have made a complete recovery, even playing with Gabe’s sock-covered feet under the dinner table while they ate.
It was good to have the kid around, though. Made things a little less awkward as he and Allison prepared to head out. Rafe even walked outside with them, chatting nonstop to Allison the entire time.
“We shouldn’t be too late,” Gabe managed to cut in. He worried for a minute that Rafe would suggest sleeping over, but the kid was totally wrapped up in the cat he held against his chest.
“No worries. I’m going to watch TV.”
When Gabe opened his truck door and pressed his palm against her lower back, guiding her forward, Allison rolled her eyes. “I could use the other side.”
Rafe laughed. “Gabe told me once he’s a lazy gentleman. Saves him having to come around the truck if he takes you in and out his side.”
“Whatever. Shut up, Rafe.” Gabe helped her in and tried not to stare at her ass as she settled into the center seat.
She didn’t protest snuggling up tight in the cab. Maybe having Rafe standing outside the door waving them off made it easier to pretend there was an excuse for her to be pressed close to Gabe. He wasn’t going to complain, that was for damn sure. After everything, including dealing with the kitten, having a touch of physical distraction was a good thing.
They were only halfway down the driveway when Allison spoke.
“You sure you want to go out?”
He wanted it, for more reasons than to keep his mind off his father and his worries. “Friday night at Traders is like the Coleman blood bond. It’s as good a place as any to do the final round of introducing you as part of the group.”
She leaned back and sighed. “I’m ready for the telling-people part to be over. It’s taken way more energy than I expected.”
A comfortable silence surrounded them. The road into town passed quickly, the warmth of her thigh against his helping him relax. He did need tonight. They both did, for many reasons.
He parked next to one of the Coleman trucks, glancing around to see exactly who was going to be on the inquisition squad for the evening. “Shit, we got a crowd.”
“What do you mean?” Allison peered out the window, obviously trying to figure out what he’d noticed.
He pointed. “We got a full showing of the family. There’s a good dozen trucks, and they’ve probably doubled up to get here. You ready to run the gauntlet?”
The tension that had haunted her since their reunion had faded over the last week. The acceptance of her mom to Allison’s return, and a few good nights’ sleep seemed to have done wonders in helping her recover her spirit. The woman who accepted his hand as he helped her out of the truck was closer to the one he recalled from so long ago.
He remembered liking her. Liking her a lot.
She grinned and tilted her head again, the flirty look she pulled on so easily appearing. “Your family is fun. And I want to dance. I don’t have to be over at Mom’s until around ten o’clock tomorrow, so let’s get some Friday night relaxing in.”
He twined his fingers with hers and led her through the doors.
Something was different tonight. Less like deception, more as if this was a real date.
Only he had to watch out for that—she hadn’t said anything about changing the status quo. Sure, they’
d shared a couple kisses, and damn if seeing her staring at him in the shower yesterday hadn’t made his heart skip a beat or two.
But Allison had always had that streak of mischief. He squeezed her fingers and pulled her toward the back of the bar, pleased things were going well enough she was able to relax and be herself.
It wasn’t anything to do with him. He had to remember that.
A cheer rose as they stepped into view of the clan’s usual section. Allison’s grasp in his tightened before she slipped her arm around his waist and glanced up. “Holy. Shit.”
“I warned you.”
She blew out a quick breath before shaking her head slightly. “Into the lair I go…”
He laughed, holding her close as he led them to one of the tables and pulled out chairs.
“Oh no, she’s not sitting way over there.” The girl cousins at the next table overrode his seating decisions and surrounded Allison like a swarm of puppies with a new toy. Allison stared over her shoulder at him, her expression filled with laughter as she was led to the side and plopped down with great ceremony in the middle of a group of six ladies.
“You may as well give up all thoughts of getting any time with her tonight.” Joel passed over a beer and motioned to the empty chair in front of him. “Congrats, by the way.”
Gabe dipped his chin. “What’s happening tonight? Anything special on the agenda?”
His younger cousin leaned back his chair and gestured with his bottle as he spoke. “Pool table—Travis is grinding everyone into the ground. Don’t know how he can see straight with that shiner he’s got, but he’s already won over fifty bucks each from Steve and Trevor. My big brothers have been shanghaied to the dance floor by their women. Jesse isn’t back from his trip to Red Deer yet—he called to say he’s still about thirty minutes out. Other than that, it looks as if Karen and Tamara are determined to interrogate your woman. You will have no secrets left whatsoever by the end of the evening.”
Gabe leaned back to catch Allison’s eye, just to make sure she was still comfortable. The brief glimpse he got showed her smiling widely, laughing at something someone said. She looked as if she was handling his kin no problem.
