Lucky 7 Bad Boys Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Pineiro, Charity

  He took a deep breath. Hell, who was he kidding? At that moment he knew he wouldn't rest until he'd made love to her. He'd face the heartache—if and when it came.

  "Hi. Good nap?"

  "Mmm. Wonderful. Everything okay?"

  "Four poopy diapers and he stuck his tongue out at me three times." His favorite game with Chance was stick-your-tongue-out-at-the-other-guy.

  Laughing softly, she let her loving gaze drift from his face to the baby in his arms. "You're such a goof." Tilting her head, she stepped over to them and drew a finger down Chance's cheek. She smelled wonderful, like his Pendleton blanket and baby powder, and tantalizing woman, all rolled into one.

  The robe's front hung slightly open, revealing the lush curve of her breasts. It was all he could do to tear his eyes away.

  Four more weeks.

  "Mom called to see how you were," he said to distract himself. "I asked them to dinner tomorrow night."

  "Sounds nice. I can make—"

  "I'll make dinner." He passed Chance to her when the baby started to fuss. "You've got enough to worry about feeding this greedy little guy."

  She landed a quick kiss on the side of Cole's mouth. "You're spoiling me rotten, you know."

  "About time someone did." He leaned toward her, thinking about a lingering return kiss. Chance started wailing in earnest. Cole chuffed out a breath. The kid's timing definitely needed work.

  Chapter Thirteen

  "He's such an angel," Cole's mom, Julia, whispered to Rini before dinner the next night as they bent over the sleeping baby. "You must be so happy."

  Rini smiled with contentment. "Unbelievably. I keep pinching myself to be sure it's all real."

  They quietly went out and Julia took her hand. "Rini, Ted and I have known you for only a few weeks, but I want you to know we already love you like a daughter. And we are so grateful to you for Chance. He's a dream come true for us."

  When Julia gave her a hug, she knew it was heartfelt. "I feel the same way about you and Ted."

  "I wish you would call us Mom and Dad."

  "I'd like that." A warm glow spread through her. This woman had given her more love and support in the past few weeks than her own mother had in twenty-eight years. Smiling, she linked her arm through Julia's. "I'd like that very much."

  When they walked into the living room with their arms affectionately around each other, Cole raised a questioning brow.

  Rini grinned. "Sorry, I've stolen your mom and dad. They're mine now."

  Rising from the couch, he mocked a frown. "Is that so?"

  "Yep."

  He ushered them all toward the dining room, shaking his head. "I'm sure there's a word for that."

  "Yeah. It's family."

  At that, he turned and regarded her while his parents seated themselves at the table, an odd look on his face.

  "I'm beginning to find out what I've been missing," she said.

  "And?"

  "I like it. I think I might stick around," she teased.

  He reached out and grasped her arms, and for a moment Rini thought he would say something more, something important. But instead he just kissed her forehead. "Good choice."

  There was that damn word again. Just when she thought she'd finally gotten over her fear of making decisions, he went and said something like that.

  She knew Cole was nothing like David. He'd never once questioned any of her choices, and had always given her his full support. But the word still made her very nervous.

  As she took her seat next to him, she scolded herself soundly. She was being ridiculous. Cole wasn't going to change into some controlling macho man overnight. He'd proven that time and again.

  She reached for a platter. "This all looks wonderful. I had no idea you were such a gourmet cook, Cole."

  "Hidden talents." He grinned roguishly. "You'd be surprised how many I have."

  It was impossible to miss his meaning. He had that pirate look about him that had nearly undone her once before. She felt her cheeks grow warm. He winked.

  Oh, Lord.

  She passed the roast to Ted and thought about how the temperature in the house had gone up several degrees in the past twenty-four hours. She wondered what had caused the sudden rise. For the first time since their wedding night, Cole was actually flirting with her again. She snatched up the potatoes, scooping a mountain onto her plate.

  "Hungry, sweetheart?" The wicked gleam in his eye belied his mild smile.

  Rini glanced at Ted and Julia. But if they knew what was going on, they gave no indication, instead heaping Cole's delicious meal onto their plates.

  Ted broke into the charged silence. "So, you been to any powwows lately?"

  Cole's knife clattered to his plate and he stared at his father. "Excuse me?"

  Ted's brows went up. "Powwows. You know. Big party, dance circle, lots of feathers. I seem to recall you going to a couple hundred or so, in the past decade."

  Cole didn't look at Rini once as he coughed a little and retrieved his knife. "No, I, uh, haven't been to any in quite a while."

  His mother gave him a puzzled look. "Oh? But dancing was so important to you. What happened?"

  Thoughtfully, Rini watched him grope for the tie he wasn't wearing, recognizing the nervous gesture.

  "Just got busy." He glanced at her. "I was actually thinking of taking Rini and the baby to one pretty soon. Sort of introduce them around."

  Rini felt a surge of alarm. Irrational as she knew it was, the thought of meeting all those pretty women he claimed were just students didn't appeal to her at all. She couldn't stand it if he flirted with them. "I don't know if that's such a good idea—"

  "Sure it is. Once word gets out, everyone will be dying to meet you and see the baby. And I sort of promised this kid… Mom?"

  The sudden concern in his eyes made Rini glance over at Julia. She was staring wide-eyed at her plate, her hands at her throat, looking as if she was struggling with something.

  Cole was at her side in a split second, calling in panic, "Mom! What's wrong? Mom!" He grasped her shoulders and shook her. She didn't appear to notice him, but stared fixedly at the table in front of her, hands grabbing at her throat. He glanced to his dad in desperation.

  Julia's eyelids began to flutter.

  "My God! She can't breathe!" Rini jumped up, seizing Cole's wrist as he was about to slap his mother on the back. "No! That will just make it worse."

  "But you said she can't breathe!"

  "I know, let me—"

  "I have to do some—"

  "Cole, please. Move aside!" Rini put a hand on his biceps and pushed him out of her way, none too gently. She had to hurry, Julia was already unnaturally pale. Rushing to the back of her chair, she put her arms around her mother-in-law's chest, linking her hands just under the ribs. Then she gave a big pull, trying to force the air out of Julia's lungs, bringing the obstruction with it.

  It didn't work. Oh, God. She could feel Julia starting to slump from lack of oxygen.

  Once more she pulled with all her might. There was a pop and a wheezing sound, and suddenly Julia sputtered and was racked with coughs, sucking in air, tears streaming from her eyes.

  Thank God!

  Julia gave a final cough and groaned, but finally responded to Cole's frantic queries. "I'm fine. Thanks to Rini."

  "You did it." Cole's eyes met Rini's as he held his mom, respect and profound gratitude shining through. "You saved her life!"

  Rini smiled self-consciously. "All in a day's work for a nurse."

  Once Julia's breathing was back to normal, they helped her to the couch and urged her to lie down, then Ted called the paramedics.

  "Rini? Thank you." Her mother-in-law's voice was raw and full of emotion. "I was so frightened. I was so sure I was going to die. I couldn't breathe, and—"

  "It's over now. You're fine." Rini put her hand on Julia's and gave her a reassuring smile to stem the horror in the older woman's eyes. "Rest now."

  Cole pulled he
r up into his embrace. He clung to her, his hands kneading her back. "I nearly lost it there. Thanks for taking over."

  She hugged him back. "I'm just glad I could do something. Sorry I pushed you."

  "Are you kidding? I was about to make things worse. Don't ever worry about my reaction. You just do what you have to do. I trust your judgment, Rini. I trust it with my life." He shuddered out a breath as he watched his parents over her shoulder.

  Tears came to her eyes from the sudden release of stress...and because of his words.

  She held him tightly, happiness and relief coursing through her body. It was as if an enormous stone had been lifted from her whole being.

  He trusted her decisions.

  * * *

  A few days later, Cole sat with his ex-wife in a small restaurant. She'd wanted to meet to discuss Jeff, but Cole figured it was more to torment him.

  "Tell me what you've done about the boy," Lindsay demanded.

  Cole drove his fingers through his hair and tugged hard on the strands to prevent himself from leaning over the table, grabbing her by the neck, and squeezing.

  "These things take time, Lindsay. It's not like I can just stroll up to every Indian guy you ever fucked and make him take a DNA test. I'm working on it in my own way."

  She didn't even blink at his coarse language. "I need results. I can't risk having the boy show up on my doorstep at an inopportune moment, asking questions."

  Cole ground his teeth at her unmotherly attitude. "Jeff's a good kid, Lindsay. You should accept him. Let him into your life."

  She snorted. "Like you accepted your own mother, you mean?"

  He sliced her a deadly look.

  Her lips thinned. "It's best this way. For everyone. And he doesn't seem to care, anyway."

  Cole crossed his arms over his chest. "He cares. Believe me, your son cares." He knew he was fighting a losing battle. "Look, I'm doing what I can. Be patient."

  She tossed back the last of her wine and stood. She leaned over and put an arm around his neck, giving him a bitchy smile. "Yes, dear." She kissed his cheek, nearly choking him with her cloying perfume, then flounced out of the restaurant. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand in disgust. And decided if she called him again making demands, he really would cheerfully wring her snooty little neck.

  * * *

  In the days that followed, Rini caught Cole silently watching her at the strangest times—while she fed Chance, as he had been doing from the beginning, but also when she washed dishes, pored over her textbooks, or weeded the garden. She'd look up and there he'd sit, chin in hand, a finger saving his place in the legal papers spread before him, or a strip of leather and an awl resting on his knee.

  She would give him a little smile and suddenly he'd realize what he was doing. He'd grin back sheepishly and pretend to resume whatever project he was working on. But usually when he was in one of those moods, she'd look up five minutes later, and he'd be back at it. It was kind of cute.

  It made her think maybe she had a chance with him. That maybe he was beginning to fall in love with her, after all. The thought warmed her to the furthest reaches of her heart. Soon, she thought. Soon.

  She no longer searched to find things to do that would please him. After his heartfelt words about her saving Julia's life, she had realized to her chagrin what she'd been doing since the wedding. In her anxiety over their uncertain relationship, she'd lapsed back into the old pattern of seeking approval any way she could.

  One of these days she hoped with all her heart that his feelings would progress from affection to love. That he would tell her he loved her, so they could truly be husband and wife. But until that happened, she vowed not to push herself, or him. Love couldn't be hurried, no matter how much one longed for it.

  Humming a little tune, she put the finishing touches on a snack tray she planned to carry out to Cole. She glanced up through the kitchen window, catching sight of him leaning under the hood of her old, beat-up compact. The driveway around it was scattered with tools and bottles of various automotive fluids.

  Shirtless, and wearing jeans with more holes than fabric, Cole's burnished body presented a delectable sight in the warm afternoon sunshine. She'd never quite gotten used to the capricious California early spring weather, but at the moment she was enjoying its benefits to the fullest.

  She checked on Chance, asleep in a bassinet in the living room. Then, sticking sprigs of fresh mint from the garden into two tall paper cups of iced tea, she picked up the tray and headed for the backyard.

  Cole was now lying on his back on an ancient blanket under the engine. She put the tray on the grass near the driveway and sat down next to it. She knew better than to disturb him in the middle of some intricate maneuver under there. She'd learned restraint at an early age when her father had ended up with a face full of motor oil after she'd inadvertently startled him once. She grinned at the memory. Boy, had he been hopping mad. But they'd ended up rolling on the grass in fits of laughter, both covered in black grease. Her mother, of course, had put an end to that bit of filthy nonsense.

  Rini had a great view of Cole's legs. Long and athletic under his torn jeans, bent knees sloping to bare feet, they invited her glance to linger. The distinctive odor of motor oil mingled with the earthy scents of early spring and the tang of fresh strawberries. She sighed as she let her gaze wander slowly up Cole's body, caressing every inch of compact muscle as it went, until his lean, bare torso disappeared behind the jacked-up wheel of her car.

  The waistband of his jeans rode low on his narrow hips; his concave belly gleamed with sweat and a light spattering of grease. Lazily allowing her gaze to ride those hips awhile, she smiled to herself and popped a grape from the tray into her mouth. This was just what she'd always thought marriage would be like.

  Except for that one small detail…

  "You want me to take them off?"

  She started at the sound of Cole's chuckle coming from under the car. "What?"

  "My jeans. You want me to take them off? Seems like it might make all that fantasizing you're doing a whole lot easier."

  Her face blazed in the warm sun. Busted. Caught red-handed. Or rather, red-faced. His pirate's grin taunted her from around the front of the tire. She launched a grape at the cocky bastard.

  "Ow!" He rubbed the spot on his thigh where it had bounced off. "Good thing your aim is off."

  She stuck out her tongue. "Says who? That was just a warning shot."

  "What was it, anyhow?"

  "Grape. I brought refreshments."

  "What a charming and delightful wife I have."

  "Thank you."

  "When she's not armed and dangerous." He slid out from under the car and sprawled on the ground on the other side of the tray, accepting the cup she offered him. "Paper?"

  "So you don't have to wash your hands. My dad always hated interrupting his projects to clean up for a snack, but Mom would have a conniption if he gummed up her glassware. So we worked out this system."

  She followed his approving eyes as they traveled over the tray of grapes and early strawberries, cheese cubes and bread sticks, along with a small pile of toothpicks.

  "Toothpicks. Good idea. But what about the bread sticks?" His brow quirked.

  "My dad used to smoke cigars. He'd just chomp on the bread sticks like stogies."

  Cole nodded, watching her carefully. "Used to?"

  Tamping down a quick sting of pain in her heart, she dropped her gaze to her hands. "He died of throat cancer while I was in college."

  "I'm sorry." Cole sipped his tea, and a light, warm wind ruffled her hair. "You loved him very much." It wasn't a question. More like a quiet observation.

  She lay back on the springy grass and reached for a handful of cheese cubes. "Yeah—and the best part was he loved me back just as much."

  The apricot and plum trees that ringed the lawn were just breaking out in fragrant blossom, and the flowers shimmered in the breeze. Occasionally, one of the petals br
oke loose and floated slowly down to the lush grass. She pulled in a big lungful of springtime.

  "That's how I know," she murmured.

  How she knew it was actually possible for a man to love her. Her father had never had a problem saying, "I love you." The poignant memories of his loving looks and hugs made her want to hold out for the real thing, even while it was breaking her heart to do so.

  "How you know what?"

  She glanced at Cole, who had rolled onto his stomach and lay with his chin on his arms, gazing out over the back garden, a toothpick hanging from his mouth.

  "How I know to use paper cups," she said, covering her unwitting slip.

  He glanced over but didn't challenge her. Instead, he went back to his survey of the budding perennials.

  She studied his profile—the aristocratic nose, the high, angular cheekbones, square jaw, and full, sensual lips. She watched as he sucked on the end of the toothpick, her imagination suddenly working overtime.

  The ample muscles in his broad shoulders bunched and shifted as he reached for a bread stick, pulling the pick from his mouth. Closing her eyes, she had visions of those bronze shoulders hovering naked above her, the corded muscles of his biceps working in an ancient rhythm as he moved over her. For the first time ever, she saw the attraction of having mirrors over a bed. She had to stifle a groan.

  Her eyes shot wide-open, she was so horrified at her errant thoughts. She grabbed her iced tea and gulped down half of it.

  Cole's wicked chuckle drifted over the lawn. "What's the matter, darlin'? Gettin' too hot out here for you?" He sat up and tossed a couple of grapes into his mouth. In a supple movement he rose to his feet, then lithely, leisurely, stretched his body like a magnificent giant cat. A black-haired puma, the beautiful, dangerous mountain lion that roamed the arid hills of his native southern California.

  She stared in fascination, holding her breath when it appeared that the loose waistband of his jeans would slide down over his slim hips and keep right on going.

  "No such luck, babe," he teased, as if reading her thoughts, "they seem to be caught on something."