by Vivian Arend
“I don’t want to know—”
Natasha’s cry of disgust interrupted her. A mess of wood shavings poured out the open door along with dozens of squirming brown mice. The rodents scattered through the room, disappearing under the bottoms of doors and scurrying under the fridge.
“Crap, we’ll have to clean the whole kitchen again.” Natasha grabbed a broom and started sweeping.
Maxine groaned in frustration. “What is with the silly mice? I don’t remember Gramma having these problems.” She hung her head out the kitchen door and hollered at Maxwell. “Hey, bro, where’d you put the extra mouse traps?”
One of the rodents scrambled over her foot and disappeared into the living room, and she shuddered. It was going to be a long afternoon.
***
Ryan stirred another sugar into his coffee before he realized it already contained two spoonfuls. Maxine grinned at him and sipped her steaming cup, the curls of her hair falling like autumn leaves in the wind around her shoulders.
“You saw that, did you?”
She nodded and smirked at him. “I thought you took it black.”
“Usually, but you’re not being fair to me.”
“It’s my fault you can’t remember how you take your coffee? Hmm, this is going to be good. Let’s hear it.” She recrossed her legs, stretching them farther in front of her as she leaned back in her chair, and Ryan groaned. His cock was so fucking hard he would be lucky to be able to walk when it was time to leave the table.
The outdoor deck of the coffee shop was empty. With the cool wind blowing off the ocean, everyone else remained huddled indoors. Maxine had picked one of the corner tables and at first Ryan had enjoyed the location. Until she began to torture him. It wasn’t deliberate, he was sure of it. She was too guileless for that, but as she spoke she stretched and twisted, each movement showing off the long length of her legs in her short skirt. Her breasts were clearly contoured by the stretch of the sweater caressing her curves and Ryan longed to touch her.
“Ryan?”
Damn, he’d done it again, gotten lost staring at her. “Sorry.” He lifted his gaze from her chest to see her smiling at him, her cheeks bright red.
“Maybe we should—”
“When do you think—”
They spoke together and cut off simultaneously.
Maxine giggled. “You’ve got the most amazing expression on your face right now.”
Ryan shook his head. “It’s called ‘going insane by stages’. Damn it, woman, you’re dangerous. We’ve been out a half a dozen times and you get more fascinating each time I see you.”
He moved his chair around so they sat next to each other and casually draped his arm across the back of her chair. Leaning closer he breathed in deeply, brushing his lips against the smooth skin of her neck. “I hope you don’t mind me admiring you. I plan to do a lot more of it.”
The gingery scent surrounding her tickled his nose, and he cupped her face in one hand to turn her mouth to meet his. He traced her lips slowly. The flavor of the coffee faded as their tongues brushed together and her sweet taste overwhelmed him. She pressed into him, her head resting on his shoulder as they kissed. The waves and the cries of the gulls in the distance were a gentle backdrop to the pounding in his ears. He gave to her tenderly, enjoying her response as he hooked a hand around her waist to draw her closer. Lost in her taste and touch he was unaware of the door opening from the shop until she stiffened and pushed against his chest. The new couple barely looked in their direction before finding seats, but Maxine continued to attempt to put space between them.
“I think the installation is going well on the house.” She fidgeted with her spoon and cup, inching her hips to the far edge of her chair away from him so his arm slipped off.
Hell if he was going to let her get away with that. He slid closer and she stiffened even more. Had he read all her signals wrong? He didn’t think so, but he had to ask. “Maxine, are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”
She jerked upright. “Of course not! I’m just…it’s just…I’m sorry. Guys don’t like public displays of affection. I got a little distracted and forgot where we were.”
Ryan couldn’t stop his chuckle. “Where the hell did you get that idea? I was the one kissing you. I don’t give damn who sees.”
“Jamie didn’t like—”
“He’s your ex? He’s a jerk.” Ryan wrapped his arm around her again and this time she softened. “You need a little lesson in what I like. Come here.”
She squealed as he lifted her and placed her on his lap. Her gaze darted around the deck, but the other couple remained busy chatting. “Ryan, I’m not sure—”
“You said the first time we met you trusted me. We’ve seen each other for a couple weeks now. Do you still trust me?”
She swallowed hard but nodded.
“No one cares if you’re sitting on my lap.” He stroked the back of his knuckles along the column of her throat and buried his fingers in her hair. She was absolutely gorgeous. “No one’s watching to see if we’re doing anything. Do you want to kiss me?”
She nodded, her eyes hidden as she stared at the ground.
“Then kiss me.”
She raised her head slowly and the brilliant shine in her eyes nearly blinded him. Her kiss started tentative, then grew stronger. She wrapped an arm around his neck, like she was clinging on for dear life. His cock ached where it pressed into her hip. She had to know what she was doing to him, how much her touch turned him on. He dropped a hand on her thigh and stroked the line where her skirt stopped, the warmth of her skin radiating out, pulling him like a magnet. Tracing small circles with a fingertip, he moved slowly to the inside of her leg. She quivered in his lap and a small pleading noise escaped her lips.
“You like that?” he whispered. She tucked her chin into his neck but he could still hear her quiet response.
“Feels so good to touch you, and have you touch me. Oh my, what—”
“Shhh, it’s okay. No one can see.” His finger skirted the edge of her panties and he rubbed the silky fabric covering her mound with a single digit. “You’re wet, Maxine.”
“Oh God.”
He laughed quietly. “It’s a good thing. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling the heat.”
She sat upright and glanced around the deck before turning back to stare into his eyes. “I can’t believe you’ve got your hand…” He rubbed a circle with his thumb over her clit and she whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut. Fuck, he could watch her for hours, loving the play of emotions across her face. She instinctively inched her legs apart to ease his way and he knew he’d better stop before he took them past the point of no return.
He took one final brush against her body before dragging his hand back down her thigh and leaning forward to take her lips again. He kissed her more forcefully this time, putting some of his need into the motion. Maxine relaxed further in his arms, all the tension gone from her body as she accepted his lead.
When he finally drew back she gasped for air then stared at him.
“What?”
“You made me totally forget where I was.” She glanced around again and laughed softly. “I’ve never done anything like that in public before.”
“I should have made you climax.”
“Ryan!” She wiggled off his lap but moved her chair to remain close enough to touch. “You’re such a joker.”
Really? He cupped her chin and lifted her face toward him. “Sweetheart, when it comes to giving you pleasure, I’m not kidding.” He watched her bite her bottom lip again as the thought of what he suggested registered more fully. Damn it, the need to take her home and bury himself in her warmth grew by the minute. “What are you doing tonight?” His voice was deeper than usual, his desire strong and clear.
Maxine’s eyes grew wide at the intent of his words and she licked her lips before her gaze darted away from him. “I’ve got a family thing. The nieces and aunts are doing a girl’s only spa night.�
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Fuck. “Tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “Gramma’s got people coming over to go through photo albums. And Thursday I’m making cards with the kids.” He couldn’t stop his laughter from escaping. She smiled back at him. “It’s like a conspiracy, isn’t it?”
“Your family makes a damn fine chaperone, even when they aren’t around. That’s okay. We’ll get out. Friday? Saturday? Pick a night and block it off for me. In the meantime, coffee tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I’d like that very much. Ryan, thanks for being so understanding.” She leant over to pick up her purse from where it had fallen on the ground. The rounds of her ass cheeks pressed her skirt and his cock throbbed against the zipper of his pants.
Hell, he was going to be fucking his fist again tonight.
Chapter Seven
Ryan paced toward his brother’s room. The nurses at their station waved a greeting, but he barely noticed. Even the one who’d been flirting with him on a steady basis got no more than a quick nod when he passed her in the hallway.
It was all he could do to put one foot in front of the other without thoughts of Maxine interrupting his concentration. He had it fucking bad for her, and there seemed to be no relief in sight. Their weekend date had been canceled when her cousin Maxella’s kids all broke out with chicken pox, and she got called in as back-up baby sitter. Then she had an appointment out of town on Monday, and tonight he had meetings all evening. It was enough to drive a man to drink, except he’d sworn to never use alcohol to deal with stress. There was no way he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.
He stopped in the visitor’s room and hauled out his cell phone. There was enough time to spare to pin her down for this weekend. The answering machine kicked in, and Ryan heard the mind-numbing tones of automation instead of Maxine’s sultry voice. Finally—he’d been after her to change her response to a safer, more generic one.
“Five-five-five-six-one-nine-seven is not available. Please leave a message.”
“Hey, Max, it’s Ryan. Glad to hear the answering machine. While I’d prefer—”
“Hello?” Max cut in with a gasp. “Ryan? Is that you?”
“It’s me. You screening your calls or did you run for the phone?” She sounded breathless. There was a suspiciously long pause before Maxine replied, and Ryan’s curiosity grew. What was she up to? He’d never had a relationship like this before. There was something growing between them, something other than the pulsing desire he had to carry her into the bedroom and possess her for days without coming up for air.
“Someone’s fax machine keeps going off in my ear. It’s annoying, so I changed the settings like you told me. Now I can wait to see if it’s a real person before picking up.”
“Good for you. I’ve had a machine shriek in my ear before and it’s a pain. Heads-up, we’re done with most of your security install. It’ll be completed by Saturday. How about I come over Friday night to show you the ropes? I’ll sweeten the pot and bring dinner.” Between his commitment to drop in on Carl, and the family emergencies keeping Maxine running in circles, they’d canceled dates too many times. He was getting desperate to see her again.
To taste her again.
“I’d like that.” Maxine’s soft response sent a shot of lust through him. “Wait, the system is ready this soon? I thought it would take much longer for a house this size.”
It should have taken longer but he’d ridden herd on the team to get everything in place as quickly as possible. Maxine might protest if she knew he’d worked everyone overtime, but there was no way he wanted her in the house without the system up and running for any longer than necessary. Especially since someone had already broken in.
“Things worked out well and we’re done. I’ll see you…at five? I’ll be there with the crew.”
She agreed and he headed to Carl’s room with a lighter step than before.
“Hello, Ryan.”
Carl stared at the wall beside him as Ryan shrugged out of his coat. “Hey, buddy. How are you today?”
“Good. I want to show you something.” Carl wheeled over to his desk and lifted a…thing…into the air.
Ryan stepped closer and tried to figure out what it was. “Interesting.”
“I made it.”
“Right on.” Still uncertain what the object was, Ryan figured the effort was worth something.
“For you.”
Ryan nodded slowly. “That’s very considerate. Thanks.”
Carl put it back on the desk and wheeled to his bookcase. He pulled out a familiar story they’d read a thousand times already. Ryan struggled with the thoughts racing through his mind. It was difficult to go from wanting nothing to do with family to being the only family a person had. He had come to care for the youth. Hell, he certainly felt responsible for him, but he didn’t quite know how to do this sibling thing yet.
And now with Maxine… Ryan was drawn to her, in spite of her relatives controlling so much of her life. She was attempting to spread her wings, and he’d love to be the one to help her explore the world outside Turner Territory, as she called it.
But he refused to allow his growing connection with Carl to suffer. The tightness in his shoulders increased. He couldn’t bring Maxine to see Carl without worrying about the repercussions if things didn’t end up long term with her. Somehow he suspected if he mentioned Carl she’d want to meet him and that was impossible right now. Even talking about Carl seemed totally unfair to Maxine, who needed another responsibility like she needed a hole in the head.
As much as he wished he could mesh the two areas of his life where his heart and mind were focused, he couldn’t see any way to make a balance that wouldn’t hurt someone in the end. Between wanting to do what was right by Carl and wanting Max—fuck it.
He accepted the book Carl offered and sat back to finish his visit. He’d try to come up with a solution another day, right now it was Franklin time again.
Ryan was on his way out the door when one of Carl’s regular caregivers caught him. “I need to speak to you.”
They sat in the small reception room at the front of the home, cheerful pictures and bright pillows contrasting with the gloomy expression on Shannon’s face. She hemmed and hawed a few times then sighed. “I’m sorry to tell you I’ve given my notice. I’ll be leaving in two weeks.”
The pit in Ryan’s stomach yawned deeper. “I thought you were on a four-year contract.”
She shrugged. “I’ve had to break it. I realize this is going to be troublesome, but I have no choice. We’ll do the best we can in the next two weeks to prepare Carl for my departure in the hopes he will be able to handle the change better this time.”
Ryan eased open his fists, fighting the tension that had wrapped around him instantaneously at her words. “I made special arrangements that all caregivers for Carl were to be long term and committed. Do you understand what your leaving is going to do to him?”
Shannon frowned. “Mr. Claymore, I understand the issues Carl faces better than you, but I also have personal commitments. I regret the trouble my departure will cause, but this is the best I can do. Over the next weeks Marie will do a co-shift with me to allow Carl to get used to her presence—”
“So that when Marie decides to up and leave she can tear my brother in two as well.”
The nurse stood. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing further that I can say that will make this any easier. I’ve become attached to Carl, as I have to all my patients, and I never intended to hurt him.” She stepped quickly out of the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
Ryan saw the tears in her eyes before she left, but hell if he was able to reassure her. Having to watch his brother go through the pain of another caregiver not showing up limited his sympathies. He dropped his head back on the headrest and closed his eyes in frustration.
***
Maxine raced in and snatched up the phone, dropping the grocery bag in her hand to the floor to juggle the receiver. “Hello?�
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“Fucking bitch.”
She froze. “Who is this?”
Rough laughter followed and the line crackled like there was interference or a weak connection. “You live alone.” The whispered words scratched in her ears and she fought to remember if she’d ever heard the voice before.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
The dial tone rang in her ear and Maxine shuddered. She phoned the police and waited anxiously until a marked car pulled into her driveway. An hour later when they left she was still shaking and now spitting mad. She was in the middle of calling Natasha when she realized the last thing she needed was family getting involved. They were already upset enough that she chose to live in the house by herself. There would be no chance she’d be able to fight off their objections if they found out she had a crackpot calling her. And while Natasha wouldn’t tell the family, she’d tell Junior, and that would be as bad as the whole clan knowing.
Maxine paced, putting away her groceries and swearing into the air, wishing there were some way to make sense of it. The police offered nothing more than a promise to do the occasional drive-by and to get her phone records checked. They figured it was likely a prank call. Their suggestion—go on with your life, but keep your eyes open.
Another mouse scrambled across the floor and Max threw a can of soup at it in frustration. She’d been emptying traps for the past week and there seemed to be no end to the mouse hoard.
After putting away her final purchases, Maxine collapsed into her favorite couch in the living room with a cup of tea and tried to relax. All the strange occurrences jumbled together in her brain. The water damage, the phone calls—first the fax machines and now some prankster. Junior had told her he thought whoever put up Gramma’s shelf should be shot, since they’d used smaller screw sizes than building code called for. Even the mouse invasion seemed wrong.
The rest of the house repairs were complete, but there was a sense of unease hanging over her like she’d never felt before. Like something watching her. Waiting.
