The phone woke me at 6 a.m. from whatever little sleep I’d managed. I grabbed the receiver next to my bed, rubbed the grit out of my eyes, and said, “Hello?”
“You up?” It was Harrison.
“Not likely, since I barely slept.”
“Me neither. I know Katie’s probably still asleep, so I figured I’d call and see if you want to grab coffee.”
“I could use a cup or two,” I said and stifled a yawn. “I’ll meet you in the lobby in twenty minutes.”
“Fine. What do you take in your coffee?”
“Just cream.” I hung up, and slipped out of the very comfortable bed. I turned on the shower and then brushed my teeth with my finger and the mouth wash from the room. I showered quickly—and since I didn’t have any clothes with me—I had to get back into my dress that I’d worn the night before.
Once the stores opened up, I’d buy toiletries and something casual to wear, but for now this was the best I could do.
I spotted Harrison, his back to me, pouring two coffees from a large canister set up in the lobby. When I got closer, I noticed the scruff on his face, his wrinkled dress pants, and knew he hadn’t fared any better than me.
“Looking good, Har,” I said with a big grin. I batted my eyelashes. “And me. Ala naturelle.”
“You look beautiful. You don’t need make-up.”
“Neither do you.” I took the coffee he handed me, and slurped. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So what’s your plan? Sabotage the kids—or make like friends?”
“I think you’re right and we should back off. Hopefully the kids will figure it out on their own.”
I saluted his coffee cup, spilling some. “What a bright man you are. You should be an attorney.”
He winked. “What? And give up being a scruffy bum?” He drank his coffee quickly. “I figured you and I could take a little drive this morning to an all night Wal-Mart, and pick up some essentials. We’d be back before Katie wakes up. I left her a message, though, just in case.”
“See? You are smart.” I chug-a-lugged my coffee. “I need more for the road.”
We refilled our cups then waited for the valet to retrieve Harrison’s car. Once we were en route to the nearest mall, I said,”I called Jake, my bartender and part-time manager, and he’s going to cover for me as long as needed. But we could probably head back tomorrow, if Billy gets out today,” I suggested. “Does that sound right to you?”
“I left a message with my office too. I explained what happened and told them we needed a few days. Let’s play it by ear. See how receptive the kids are.”
“Gotcha. Well, considering we will be footing all the bills—including spending money—they might be a little nicer to us.”
“Especially if we give them some alone time.” He smiled at me, which got my insides humming. “Which means we’d be on our own too.”
“I should see that bar owner while I’m here. It’s too good of an opportunity to waste.”
“You don’t trust us alone together, do you?”
Crap. What was I to say to that? Honesty being my policy I said, “Nope.”
Luckily, the mall was ahead of us and I could see the big Wal-Mart sign. I only needed to grab a few basics—under-garments, a swim-suit and cover-up, shorts, Capri’s and a couple of tops and sandals. The Florida Keys are casual enough that I wouldn’t need any more than that.
We separated when we got inside and agreed to meet at the entrance in half an hour. I headed for the women’s department, found what I needed, and didn’t bother to try anything on. I picked up a pair of flip-flops and a decent pair of sandals, went to the make-up department and tossed in some face cream, suntan lotion, and the usual things a girl needs to look pretty.
I was done in less than half an hour, and found Harrison waiting with a big plastic bag in hand. We hit a café in the mall that offered a quick breakfast, and ate our bacon and eggs with a fresh Starbucks coffee. Life was good.
On our drive back to the hotel, Katie texted her father saying she’d meet us at the hospital. She had taken my car, so we didn’t need to rush. Once back at the hotel, I went to my room to change into shorts, and Harrison did the same.
He knocked on my door fifteen minutes later.
My stomach jumped. The fact his room was on the same floor as my own made it just too damn convenient. It added a temptation neither of us needed. The disciplined/controlled/mother/business owner/ and pain-in-the-ass part of me said I needed to be accountable, and could not satisfy my Harrison craving.
Like any good parent, the two of us had rushed to our children’s rescue. We couldn’t destroy the trust we were trying to build. I needed to ignore my inner urgings and squash them into submission. After all, I might be a youthful, spirited woman with neglected needs, but foremost I was a concerned parent, and had to behave like one.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Harrison stood there, all big and handsome and smiling. He was wearing a pink-striped cotton tee and khaki shorts, his long legs were brown and muscular. My pulse revved up a notch.
I was only five-feet-four in flats, and he towered over me. I stepped backward to put a little distance between us. He stepped forward, closing the gap.
I was wearing tight fitting jean shorts and a lemon colored top, and considering that I hadn’t tried anything on, they fit me a little too well. I have a voluptuous body. I’d give anything to be tall and slim, but nature hadn’t blessed me that way.
Harrison looked me up and down. He raised a brow and his eyes smiled. “Wal-Mart becomes you.”
I laughed. “You did pretty good yourself.”
He looked at my mouth, and I was afraid that he’d kiss me. I wasn’t sure how strong my resolve was, and didn’t want to find out.
“Guess we should go,” he said, not moving a muscle.
“Excellent idea,” I said with relief.
“You know that we don’t need to rush.” His eyes were still on me.
“Of course I know that. But because we love our children we will do the right thing.” My pulse was racing and even my deep breathing couldn’t slow it down.
“I hate it when you’re logical.”
“And I hate it when you look at me the way you do.”
“Would one kiss hurt?”
I shook my head and laughed, but my insides pooled into a warm puddle. “Come on, Har.” I linked arms with him. “Let’s get out of here before we’re both naked and doing things we’d later regret.”
“I wouldn’t regret it,” he said with a sexy grin. “Promise.”
“Katie would know. She doesn’t miss a thing.” I stuffed the key into my pocket, and hurried us both down the hall, eager to put as much distance as I could between us and the room’s temptation.
I have a strong sense of right and wrong, but I hate being tested.
CHAPTER TWELVE
When we stepped into Billy’s hospital room, my son was sitting up—still in that God-awful printed hospital gown—but looking more animated than he had the night before. His handsome face was battered from the scuffle with the thug, but he wore his bruises like badges of honor.
He grinned when he saw us. “The doctor came in an hour ago, and cleared me to leave. I’m just waiting on the paperwork and then we can go.”
“That’s great news,” I said and kissed his cheek.
Harrison nodded at his daughter. “You should have waited for us. We ran out to get a change of clothes and some toiletries. Did you get my message?”
“I did, but I was awake and didn’t want to leave Billy sitting here by himself.” She glanced at her dad, and then gave me a once-over. “So how long are you guys staying?”
I cleared my throat, but Harrison answered first. “We figured since we were already here, we’d spend another night or two. Play it by ear.”
I nodded. “Your room is prepaid, and we’ll give you some money to tide you over, but I thought this might be a good opportunity
to get to know each other.”
Harrison piped in, “We figured you’d like that, if we’re going to be a family.”
Billy looked hopeful. “Wow. That’s a big change from yesterday.”
“We haven’t changed our opinion,” Harrison responded. “Both your mother and I thing you’re too young and should wait a few years, but that’s really your decision.”
Katie opened her mouth, then closed it again. She moved to Billy’s side and took his hand, giving it a kiss. “I thought about it a lot last night. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t have much else to think about.” She looked into Billy’s eyes. “I think we should keep our engagement to ourselves and not announce it to the world. No one needs to know but us. I don’t want all that extra pressure—you know what I mean?”
He looked skeptical. “I don’t see why—but we’ll still be engaged, won’t we?”
“Yes, of course,” she said with a nervous laugh. “I want to marry you, but I’d like to wait until at least next summer before we start planning a wedding date. That gives us a year to make sure that our feelings our real. We’ll only be twenty-two. What’s the rush?”
I could have kissed her, but I darted a quick look at Harrison instead. He was nodding with approval, and gave her a warm smile.
She obviously had more common sense then either Harrison or I, because as joyful as this news was, I already regretted all the missed opportunities that would have included her father and me.
Billy nodded, but I saw him rapidly blink away a few tears. “All right then,” he said, his voice slightly gruff. “We’ll wait a year and see if it’s real. Sounds like a good plan.”
I stepped forward and took both their hands in my own. “Smart decision. I’m betting on both of you.”
Just then a nurse came into the room and needed Billy to sign some papers. Harrison and I moved out of the way and stood near the window. His hip lightly touched mine. I didn’t dare look at him, but as the two young people were conversing, I allowed my hand to brush up against his.
We were both so elated and relieved that our kids were not going to rush into anything stupid that I felt like celebrating.
It took an interminable amount of time between signing the papers and Billy’s actual release. At lunchtime, Harrison and I went down to the cafeteria and returned with cheeseburgers and fries for everyone, and a deck of cards that’s we’d bought at the gift shop.
We spent a lively hour playing the game of “thirty-one” and put a dollar apiece into the pot, winner take all. Of course, Harrison had footed the bills, and he ended up winning too, but it made the time go a little faster. Eventually around two in the afternoon, a nurse waltzed in with a wheelchair, and Billy was given a ride down to the lobby. He would drive with Katie. Harrison and I were free to leave.
We agreed to meet them for dinner, and warned Billy not to exert himself too much. What we meant by that was anybody’s guess.
“So what would you like to do this afternoon?” Harrison said, on the drive back to the hotel.
“I left a message for Carl Richards, the bar owner I wanted to see. Haven’t heard back from him, so I guess I’m free. How about a siesta at the pool?”
“Sounds like a great idea. I hope you bought a teeny-weenie bikini.”
I gave him a teasing smile. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
When I got back into my room to change, I checked my body in my suit, and wished I hadn’t eaten the burger and fries, but I’d have to deny myself a lot more than that to be a desirable size two.
I had just slipped on a white lacy cover-up over my blue two-piece when Harrison knocked lightly on the door. I grabbed my straw hat, another purchase from our impromptu early-morning shopping spree, and headed out the door before he could give me a reason to stay.
“You’re always in a rush,” he said, with a knowing smile. “I think you’re scared to be alone with me.”
“Not scared. Just smart. I know the things you’d like to do to me.”
He laughed. “I bet you do.”
I punched the elevator button. “So where should we take the kids for dinner? I want to celebrate. Champagne, music, dancing.”
“Sounds nice. I could handle that.”
“Me too.” I squeezed his arm. “I’m just so darn pleased with the maturity the kids showed by making the right decision. Your daughter is something else.”
“Yes, she is. Billy took it well too, I thought.”
“And we were so worried,” I said with a happy grin. “Now I get to spend a day or two to relax, and get to know your daughter better. Then back to work on Monday.”
We stepped into the elevator and tried to keep our distance, but it was damn near impossible. We stopped twice, and people crowded in. I could feel his bare thigh next to mine.
I felt a tiny moistness between my legs, thinking about having those strong muscular thighs wrapped around me. If we weren’t here for the children, we’d probably never leave the room.
When everyone got out, Harrison held the door for me, and I brushed up against him as if by accident. I gave him a naughty smile. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Wolfe. Very clumsy of me.”
“You can do it again, if you like.”
“Don’t tempt me, Harry. You know how I’d like to.” I walked along beside him, stealing side-long looks and sharing a smile.
We found a couple of chairs in the shade and Harrison went to find beach towels. When he returned, he bent over and spread them out and I had a nice view of his great ass. For a fifty-year-old, he certainly had a nice bod.
I slid out of my cover-up, and folded it next to my chair. I didn’t meet his eyes, but as I sat down I had a direct view of his knee-length swimsuit, and noticed that my body had not disappointed him. On the contrary. He had a small tent in his dark grey shorts.
He sat down quickly and I gave him a knowing grin. “Nice,” I said in a low, sugary voice. “Now, you’re likely to get arrested.”
“The judge would take one look at you and accept my plea of ‘no contest.’”
I laughed. “Hold that thought, big boy. We need to be saints for the next few nights.”
“At least allow me the privilege to put sunscreen on that delectable body.”
I arched my back just a little and fiddled with my hat. “I wouldn’t say no.”
“Hey, Mom. Harrison. Mind if we take these other two chairs?”
I glanced up and saw Billy and Katie only a few feet away. My first worry was that they’d overheard our conversation, but from their looks I think Harrison and I were in the clear.
Katie, however, gave me a thorough up and down, and didn’t seem as impressed by my body as her father had been. From her reaction to me, I knew she was possessive of her dad—or protective, not sure which. Either way, she didn’t want a woman to come in and steal his affections.
She didn’t need to worry about me. Heck. I only wanted to bed him.
Harrison answered, “Sure. Join us. Glad you’re feeling well enough to be out.”
“Well, it’s almost three,” Katie said, “and we’ve already lost a day. We want to catch some sun.”
I didn’t point out that we were sitting on the shady side of the pool, and the sun was across the way. No need to state the obvious. They were here to keep an eye on us. I got it. Didn’t like it—but I got it.
I smiled. “I came down for a nap. It was a late night.”
Harrison yawned. “Me too.”
Billy winked at Katie. “How about you, babe? Ready for a nap?”
“I’m going for a swim.” She untied the small cover-up she wore low on her hips and tossed it onto the nearest lounge chair, then walked to the edge of the pool. “I wish you could come in,” she told Billy.
“Me too, but you enjoy yourself.” Billy said, and settled on the lounge next to me.
“Guess I have no choice.” Katie stood on her tiptoes, lifted her slim arms over her head, and executed a perfect swan dive straight in.
I glanc
ed at Billy, and found him smiling with pride.
He’d have to stay out of the water with that dagger wound in his chest. I couldn’t help but feel sorry that his holiday had turned into such a bummer.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I did nap, and woke about an hour or so later, feeling a little hot, achy and sore. Billy and Katie were no longer with us, and the pool area had emptied out some. I could tell that Harrison was sound asleep by the rise and fall of his chest.
So as not to wake him, I stood quietly, and tiptoed toward the pool. I wouldn’t be diving in like young Katie, but there was a ladder which I could use and not make a splash.
“Where are you going?”
I turned my head and saw Harrison watching me. He had a hand over his eyes to shade the sun, but I could see they were heavy lidded, giving him a lazy, sexy look. Not that it took much. He came by it naturally.
“Uh…swimming. Want to come?”
He grinned. “I sure do.” With that he jumped up, pulled my body in close to his and threw us both in the pool.
I came up sputtering. “What was that for?”
“Had to cool down.” He whispered next to my ear, “Since it was your fault, I figured you needed a good dunking.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” I pushed myself away and splashed water in his direction, which only made him swim after me with a wicked gleam in his eye. He grabbed me by the waist and pulled my back up against his chest.
His arms were around my middle and I could feel something hard between his legs. I turned my head and laughed. “You might have to stay in here a while.”
“You think it’s funny?” He wouldn’t let me go. “I’m like a horny teenager around you. Even our kids are better behaved.”
“Not my fault.” I turned around and gave him a light kiss on his wet lips. “Although I kind of like it.”
“I’m not complaining,” he said, “just can’t explain it. No one has turned me on like this in years. When I was younger and newly married—sure. But that was a long time ago.”
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 75
