His Best Friend’s Sister

by Eve Gaddy

  *

  Laurel went home and changed her clothes, anxious to be rid of any reminder of her lost job. Cody and Katrina and Savannah and Harlan were probably on their way to the exotic zoo by now. Her sister-in-law promised to have the kids home after an early dinner.

  Which left Laurel free to think. She had a lot to think about. After putting in a load of never-ending wash, she booted up her computer to look at her finances. Again. She needed another job. Badly. And she needed one that paid more than a one night a week waitress position at a place where the tips generally sucked.

  Face it. Zack has offered you the perfect job. You’d be crazy not to take it.

  She owed it to her kids to take a job that could make all their lives better. To be able to move, even. It wasn’t as if she’d be taking charity from anyone. It was a job. A real one, not make-work like her brothers had offered in the past. Zack needed an accountant and she needed another job. Mutual benefits.

  You’ll be seeing a lot more of Zack if you take the job.

  That’s not a hardship.

  Not a hardship at all. With his dark hair, green eyes, and nearly perpetual five-o’clock shadow, he was the epitome of the description go-to-hell good looks. And when he smiled and his dimples appeared, her heart sped up every time.

  But was she ready for a relationship? Especially after what had happened with Stan? It had been more than two years since he left. Two years of busting her butt to make ends meet. Two years of being a single mom to two small children. Two years of paying off debts that weren’t hers. Two years of beating herself up for not realizing sooner what kind of man Stan had turned into.

  Not a soul knew the shameful secrets of her marriage and she wanted to keep it that way.

  A part of her felt a definite thrill when she thought about what Zack had admitted to her this morning. He wanted her. Wanted to have sex with her. And damn, it had been so long since she’d been with a man. Since she’d felt desirable.

  Sure, she’d been hit on. By skanky men who would’ve hit on any female who happened to be around. That didn’t make her feel good. The opposite, in fact.

  Though her recollections were hazy, she did remember kissing Zack. Remembered being wrapped around him as he kissed her again. And she remembered liking it.

  But was sex all he wanted? Was sex all she wanted? Or did she want more? Something deeper. Something she wasn’t sure she could have. And what about Zack? Did he even want a deeper relationship? Maybe he just wanted to have fun. Still, if sex was all he wanted, why hadn’t he taken her up on her offer last night?

  Because he’s a good guy. He wouldn’t take advantage of you when you were drunk.

  You thought Stan was a good guy when you married him. Hell, he was a good guy. At first. Then he changed, in ways you never imagined.

  Laurel’s faith in marriage had slowly eroded, until the revelation that her husband was a drug addict had blown it to pieces. Worse, she hadn’t known. Not until he was deep into his addiction.

  Laurel had confronted him. He’d promised he’d get clean. Over and over. But he’d lied. She doubted he’d ever intended to give up the drugs. And when she’d confronted him for the final time, and given him an ultimatum, he’d walked out. He’d stayed around long enough to give her a divorce, then disappeared, leaving her in debt and taking every penny of their money.

  She’d vowed then that she would never be that vulnerable again.

  But that was in her past. She was only twenty-eight. She had two beautiful children she loved with all her heart. Until she found a better job she and her kids were locked into a bleak future. She wanted more for them. She wanted more for herself. Maybe the job Zack offered was the answer. She had to try.

  And what about Zack himself?

  Maybe she had to try with him too.

  She switched the wash and since she still wasn’t feeling great, crawled into bed to take a nap. An hour later she woke up. She rarely remembered her dreams, but this one was lit up like a neon sign in her mind. How could she forget a sexy, erotic dream starring none other than Zack Bannister?

  If she hadn’t already decided to give the two of them a chance, that dream would have convinced her. And if she was going to do that, she might as well take the offer of what seemed like the perfect job. Smiling a little, Laurel remembered when Zack had put his number into her phone earlier that morning. She pressed in his number and waited.

  “Hello.”

  “Zack, it’s Laurel.”

  “Hi. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Did you make a decision?”

  “I did. I really appreciate the offer. It means a lot.”

  “You’re turning it down,” he said, sounding disappointed.

  Laurel laughed. “No, I’m accepting. I think the job sounds perfect.”

  Chapter Five

  Not too long after Laurel called him, Zack printed out the contract and took it to her house. He rang her doorbell and waited.

  She opened the door and smiled. “Come in.”

  “Thanks. You look like you feel better.” She wore jeans and a T-shirt. She’d left her blonde hair down and her color was good. Her eyes, dark blue and beautiful, looked fresh and clear. He wanted to sink his hands in her hair and kiss the hell out of her, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not today, anyway.

  “Thanks, I do. I took a nap.”

  He could have sworn she blushed but she turned away quickly and by the time she turned back around her complexion was normal. Besides, why would she blush over something so innocuous?

  “Let’s sit down,” she said, taking a seat on the couch.

  He followed suit, putting his briefcase on the floor and pulling out some papers. “Here’s your contract,” he said, handing it to her.

  “You really didn’t have to bring it today. How did you write it up so quickly?”

  Zack shrugged. “It’s a basic accounting contract. Your hourly rates are in keeping with other accountants in the area. If you have a problem with that we’ll discuss it. I thought you’d want to get started right away. Of course, you’ll want to read over the contract before you sign it. And if you want your lawyer to look it over—”

  Laurel interrupted him, laughing. “I thought you were my lawyer.”

  “Only in situations where some asshole is getting handsy,” he told her solemnly.

  “I don’t need a lawyer to look at it. I’m sure it’s pretty straightforward.” She picked up the contract and said, “While I read this over you’re welcome to have coffee.”

  “No, thanks, I’m good. Speaking of good, your kids are being awfully good.”

  She looked up from her reading and smiled. “That’s because they’re not here.”

  “That would explain it.”

  Laurel finished reading the contract and said, “It looks good. Let me find a pen and I’ll sign it.” She got up and went to her kitchen, returning with a pen. “I know Travis is for it, but is Levi okay with me being your accountant?” She sat down but paused before signing.

  “Sure. But they leave most of these types of decisions to me.”

  “Besides owning it, you’re the manager, aren’t you?”

  “For now I am. I suspect as we get busier we’ll need to hire another person.”

  “So if you’re the manager and Travis runs the flight school and charter service, what does Levi do?”

  “Levi does a little bit of everything. Not to mention, without him we’d have had a hard time putting in the first new runway, much less have more plans to expand. Speaking of Levi, I’ll have his accountant email you the files. Which reminds me, this is for you.” He reached for his briefcase again, flipped it open and pulled out a laptop, then handed it to her.

  “You’re giving me a computer?”

  “Yes. One of the airport’s computers, technically. I didn’t know what your computer capabilities were.”

  She laughed. “My computer is several years old and won’t run the newest software versions of accounting pro
grams. But I do have Internet access.”

  Zack hadn’t even considered she might not. “This computer is new and has all the software you’ll need on it. It’s just waiting for you to add your email and plug in the files.”

  She opened it up and turned it on, clicked some buttons and made appreciative sounds. “Wow, it’s speedy. This is great, Zack.” She turned it off and set it on the coffee table. “I’ll play with it later. Thank you.”

  He simply nodded. “You’re good with the hourly rate?”

  “Yes, it’s very generous. Almost too generous.”

  “Check out freelance accountants’ rates. You’ll find this isn’t outrageous.”

  “All right, thank you. Is there anything else?”

  “Not business wise. Personally, yes.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Don’t look so suspicious. I only meant this has nothing to do with your job. Will you go to dinner with me this weekend?”

  Now why the hell did she look shocked? After what he’d told her this morning, she had to know he was interested in her.

  “But…you’re my boss now.”

  “No, technically I’m your client. Or rather, the airport is.” He wondered what was running through her head.

  “I would love to,” she finally said. “Which night?”

  “Whatever is better for you.”

  “Saturday. I still have my Saturday night sitter. Although she’s been extremely undependable recently.”

  “Let’s hope she makes it this Saturday.” Feeling pretty cheerful about his prospects, he got up to leave. Laurel walked him to the door.

  “Before you go, there’s something I’ve been wondering about,” Laurel said.

  “What’s that?”

  She stepped close to him and put her arms around his neck. “This,” she said, and kissed him.

  Surprised, he hesitated a moment before gathering her closer and returning the kiss. She smelled good and tasted even better. He let her set the pace, since she had initiated it, but he had to tamp down on the urge to take control. It started out slowly, a get-to-know-you kiss, but it didn’t take long for it to turn hotter. Her arms tightened around his neck as she took the kiss deeper. Their tongues met, their bodies strained together, he slanted his mouth over hers and indulged them both.

  She broke the kiss but stayed within his arms. “Not that I mind,” he said, looking down at her and thinking how pretty she was, “but what was that for?”

  “I wanted to kiss you when I was sober. To see if those kisses were really as good as I remembered.”

  “Were they?”

  She gave him a saucy look. “Better,” she said, and stepped out of his arms.

  *

  Laurel called Zack late Saturday afternoon. “I have to cancel tonight. I can’t find a babysitter.” She could have asked her brothers but she tried to save them for emergencies only, unless they specifically asked to have the kids. But she’d really been looking forward to seeing Zack again.

  “We don’t have to call it off,” Zack said. “We’ll just change where we were going to eat and take the kids with us.”

  “You can’t possibly want to go to dinner with my children.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because…well, they’re four and six, for one thing.”

  “I know. I’ve met them before, with Travis.” He waited a moment and said, “Are you trying to get out of going? If so, just tell me. You don’t have to think up an excuse.”

  “No, that’s not it at all. But…have you ever been to dinner with a six-year-old and a four-year-old?”

  “I have friends with kids,” he protested.

  “And I’m betting you don’t go out to dinner with the kids, do you?”

  “Not usually.”

  “Or ever. If I take my kids out it’s to a fast-food place with a playground.”

  “I like fast food,” Zack said.

  Laurel laughed. “All right, but you’ve been warned.”

  “Would you rather I pick up pizza and bring it over?” Zack asked.

  “That sounds good. Why don’t we do that? We like pepperoni.”

  “Perfect. I do too. What time?”

  “My kids eat early,” she warned. “How about five thirty?”

  “See you then.”

  By the time Zack arrived with the pizzas Laurel had the kids bathed and in their jammies. After telling Laurel and the kids hello, Zack carried the pizza boxes and the bottle of wine he’d brought into the kitchen.

  “I hope you like the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” Laurel told him as she got out the plates and cups.

  Zack stopped pouring the wine long enough to say, “Come again?”

  “The cartoon. I promised the kids they could watch one after dinner if they’re good.”

  “I’m sure it will be great.” He handed her a wineglass, picked up his and toasted. “To Mickey.”

  She laughed and sipped her wine. Dinner went off much better than she’d feared. Zack talked to the kids, drawing them out about what they did at school and daycare, what TV shows they liked, what kind of sports they liked and other things. Laurel inserted an occasional comment, but mostly she watched the three of them. The kids chattered to Zack a mile a minute, and it was clear they both liked him, but Katrina obviously adored him. That wasn’t surprising, though, since she adored her uncles and grandfather too. In fact, her little girl just plain liked men.

  After the kids finished eating she turned on their show and went back into the kitchen with Zack. “That will keep them busy for a little bit and then it’s bedtime.” She sat at the table and took a sip of wine.

  “Don’t you want to watch it with them?” Zack asked her.

  She shuddered. “Not unless I have to. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse isn’t too bad but I’ve had to ban some of the cartoons.”

  “Because they’re inappropriate?”

  “No, because some of the voices are incredibly annoying.”

  Zack laughed.

  “You think I’m kidding, but it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. If I have to listen for long I start ticking.” She demonstrated, jerking her head toward her shoulder while blinking.

  Zack laughed harder. “Do you tic often?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. Certain things make me tic. Squeaky, high cartoon voices, a room that looks like a hurricane hit literally ten minutes after I cleaned it up. Twenty loads of wash when I did wash the day before. Things like that.”

  Zack refilled their wineglasses.

  “Tell me more about the airport,” Laurel said. “How long do you think the new terminal will take to complete?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s coming along but you know how construction projects go. Harlan thinks several more months. The design is great. Really innovative. Dana DeLong knows her stuff.”

  “I know Harlan really likes her. I heard she designed the Wildcat Tower.”

  “Yes, that’s one reason we wanted her for the airport terminal.” He took a sip of wine. “How are you doing with the extra work? Is it too much?”

  “No, not at all. And it’s different from Kelly Boots, which is nice for a change.”

  “You’ve been with them a long time, haven’t you?”

  “Since high school. I started out as a gofer and after I took accounting at the community college I was hired in the accounting department.” Sighing, she took a sip of wine. “I love my job there but sometimes I get frustrated, knowing I’ve hit the limit as far as advancing goes.”

  “Why is that?”

  “All the top positions are filled and none of the people filling them look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon.” While that bothered her sometimes, she also had really good benefits from Kelly Boots. If she hadn’t had so much debt to pay off, she’d have been doing fine with just one job.

  After the kids watched their show Laurel put them to bed. “I won’t be long,” she told Zack, leaving him in the den with the remote. “Why don’t you look for a movie? Unless y
ou have to go.”

  “I usually stay out later than seven,” he told her solemnly.

  Naturally, her kids wanted a story, so she picked a short one and read to them both in Katrina’s room. After the story, she tucked Katrina under the covers. “I love you, Mommy,” Katrina said.

  “I love you too,” she said, and kissed her daughter’s forehead.

  She walked with Cody to his room and tucked him in. “I love you, Mommy,” Cody said. “Can we have ice cream tomorrow?”

  Laurel laughed and kissed him on the forehead. “I love you too, and we’ll see about the ice cream.” She closed his door and smiled.

  “I’m sorry we couldn’t go out to dinner,” Laurel said when she returned.

  “I’m not. I had a nice time with you and your kids.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say.” She cast around for something to talk about. But all she could think about was Zack telling her he wanted to make love to her.

  “Laurel? You don’t need to be nervous. I’m not going to attack you.”

  “I’m not nervous because I thought you’d attack me.”

  “Good to know. Then why are you nervous?”

  “Because I was afraid you wouldn’t. Well, not attack me, but…kiss me.”

  He smiled. Slowly, with lethal charm. “You don’t need to worry about that.” He cupped her face in his hands, leaned over and kissed her.

  Laurel closed her eyes and gave herself over to his kiss. His lips moved over hers, his tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open. When she did she met his tongue with hers, indulging in a leisurely dance of pleasure. She put her arms around his neck and moved closer. Zack moved one hand to her back, while the other slipped into her hair and angled her head to deepen the kiss.

  When the kiss finally ended her breasts tingled, and she felt a throbbing ache between her thighs. She couldn’t remember ever getting so turned on from a kiss.

  “Still nervous?” he asked.

  “No. But I think we should try that again. Just to make sure my nerves are gone, you understand.”

  He smiled, put both arms around her and slanted his lips over hers. She leaned back, sinking into the couch, drawing him with her. They continued to kiss, short ones, long ones, with lips, tongues and teeth, and soon he lay cradled in between her legs. She could feel him through their jeans, the hard ridge of his erection pressing against that most sensitive spot. She put her hands in his hair, feeling how soft and silky it was.