by Kierra Quinn
“Of course I know. Another one of my teachers just quit. Any chance you want to come home?”
She snorted. “We went over this before. I need to be on my own for a while.”
“I don’t understand why you ran away again. We miss you.”
She rolled her eyes. Her mother was a master manipulator. Twenty-five-year-olds didn’t run away. She frowned. Except that was exactly what she did. But she couldn’t tell her mom why. Getting knocked up was one mistake Mom would never forgive.
“This is different, Mom. I need to know I can be alone. Miami isn’t good for me.”
“Not good for you. You make it not good for you. But, whatever. How’s the weather there?”
“Cold. My apartment’s got a good heater though.”
“Can you send me pictures? I want to see where you’re hiding out.”
Tess smiled. She missed her mom but couldn’t tell her about this huge mistake. Plus she hadn’t fully decided whether or not she was going to keep the baby, and that was a decision she had to make on her own, free of her mom’s opinions.
“I’ll try to take some tomorrow.”
She heard a loud thud at her door.
“I gotta go. I’ll send pics tomorrow.”
“Do more than try. Love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too.”
She hung up the phone and opened the door. Dio flew into the little house spraying snow everywhere. Tess looked out but didn’t see Lukas anywhere, so she shut the door. Dio danced around her living room trying to fling off her booties.
“Come here,” Tess said. She took off those absurd shoes and the vest. Dio jumped onto the couch and curled into a ball, staring at Tess with enormous brown eyes.
She grabbed her phone and sat down on the couch with the dog, who climbed into her lap. She laughed and scratched Dio behind her ears.
“Lukas wasn’t kidding about you coming around.”
She found Lukas’s number. With a knot in her stomach, she dialed. They hadn’t talked since she’d overreacted and they had an argument.
Maybe he wouldn’t answer, and she wouldn’t have to deal with it. Dio could stay for a while.
“Hello,” he said.
She sighed.
“Do you know where your dog is?”
“I just let her out, why?” His voice made her toes curl. She hated the effect he had on her.
“She’s not out anymore. She came scratching at my door, and now she’s on my couch. It’s not a big deal, but I wanted you to know where she was.”
He groaned, and she imagined that sound in a different context. She had to get a grip.
“I’m sorry. I’m in the middle of something. Can I come get her in twenty minutes or so?” he asked.
“Sure.”
She hung up the phone and focused on building her resolve. Do not pounce on him was her mantra. Her stomach grumbled, and she thought of getting up to find something to eat. That would distract her, but with this sweet dog on her lap, food could wait.
As if Lukas needed another excuse to see Tess. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, and his chest burned where she touched him. But with Estelle hounding him and Hayden’s impending visit, Tess was a welcome diversion.
Every time he saw the lights on at her house, he wondered what she was doing. Not that he had any intentions of pursuing things with her. She was exactly the wrong type of woman—young, gorgeous, and sweet. He didn’t deserve someone like that, but a little flirting never hurt anyone.
Now he had to go get his dog. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. Maybe she had on headphones or was upstairs or in the shower. He wouldn’t mind finding her in the shower. Not at all. He turned the knob and poked his head into the door.
“Tess,” he called. Nothing.
He quietly shut the door behind him and walked into the living room, keeping his eye out for her or Dio. He found them both, fast asleep, curled up together on the couch. His heart skipped a beat. She was even more beautiful asleep. How was it possible that she wasn’t married or at least in a committed relationship? If he had her, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. He shook his head. Thoughts like those had to go. He’d never have her. That would be a huge mistake for the both of them.
He’d get Dio and let her sleep. She had to be tired from work. He poked at the dog’s ribs, and she lifted her head and yawned. Then she tucked her nose under Tess’s cheek as snug as she could get.
“Come on, girl, we need to go home,” he whispered. He pulled at her collar, but she pushed closer to Tess.
Tess’s eyelids fluttered open, and she looked up in confusion.
“Sorry,” he said. “Dio won’t get off the couch.”
She sat up, and Dio grumbled and reluctantly slid off the couch.
“How was your first week? Better than that first day?” he asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. Now that he woke her, he had to say something, but he felt like an idiot standing there.
“Yes. The kids are sweet.” She yawned. Her stomach growled loudly, and she blushed.
He laughed. “Have you eaten dinner?”
Tess shook her head.
“I’m getting ready to eat. I always make way more than I should. Why don’t you join me?”
She rubbed at her eyes. “I don’t want to impose.”
“You won’t be. It’s just me and Dio, and she obviously loves you. Come on.”
Tess took a few deep breaths and splashed some water on her face. She needed to be on full alert tonight. It would be rude to turn down the meal, and she wanted to spend some time with him or at least not be at home by herself.
But she was aware that this was how bad things happened. At least she wouldn’t be drinking tonight.
She wiped off her face and put on light make up. Nothing that made it look like she was trying, but enough that he wouldn’t think she looked like a zombie.
He had put on Dio’s ridiculous clothes, and she pranced by the door. Tess grabbed for her coat at the same time he did.
“Let me help you with that.”
Tess nodded, and her heart beat in double time. He didn’t have to be such a gentleman.
His fingers brushed the back of her neck as he helped her into her coat, and she shivered. She zipped it herself, not willing to let him go that far. She slid on a pair of light gloves since they were only walking a few yards.
Dio bounded out in front of them. They were quiet as they walked, both lost in their own thoughts. He held the door open for Tess, and she smelled the tomato and garlic.
“Smells good.”
“Thanks,” he said, taking her coat from her. “I make a pretty good chicken parmesan.”
He cooked too. Tess creased her eyebrows. This guy was too good to be true.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, but is there anything you aren’t good at?”
He chuckled. “Plenty. Stick around long enough, and you’ll see my faults. Trust me.”
She followed him into the kitchen and hoped for a second that there might be a chance for the two of them to develop into more than just friends. But that seemed highly unlikely. He pulled two plates out of the cupboard.
“Do you mind if we eat at the bar?”
Tess shook her head and hoisted herself on one of the stools.
He pulled a huge pan of chicken parmesan out of the oven.
“Were you planning on feeding a family?” she asked without thinking.
He frowned. “No, I like leftovers. That way I only have to cook once a week.”
“Oh,” she said, embarrassed. “I’ll try not to eat too much then.”
He grinned. “Eat all you want. But you owe me dinner next week.”
“I can do that.”
He dished up and settled in next to her. Dio put her front paws on his lap and stuck her nose on the bar. Lukas pushed his plate away.
“Dio! You know that’s not appropriate behavior for a lady. You’re embarrassing me. By the way your acting, I
might have to start calling you Deka.”
Dio put her ears back and whimpered on the floor.
“Who’s Deka?” Tess asked.
“Dog number ten. She’s the worst behaved of the bunch.”
That’s right. His fraternity brothers. “How often do you and your friends get together?”
“Everyone? Once a year. We rotate locations, but we spend every Fourth of July together. The dogs love it.”
“You never told me the story behind the dogs.”
He fidgeted with his chicken. “The story isn’t that great. Why don’t you tell me about your family?”
“Oh please. What’s so bad about this story? I know you all wanted one because you had a Doberman in your frat house. But why wait several years? And what’s with the Greek numbers?”
“I can’t tell the story without sounding like a prick.”
Tess took another bite of her chicken. She could eat the whole pan. It was delicious.
“I’ve been warned. Now spill.”
“You are demanding, aren’t you?”
“Guilty. Stop trying to change the subject.”
He laughed, but gave in. “Fine. Have you ever heard of Omega Mu Alpha?”
“No, I don’t think I have.”
“It’s a super exclusive fraternity, and most of the recruits are legacy. Across the whole country, only a handful of recruits are new blood each year. We produce more millionaires than any other college frat in the U.S.”
He paused and looked at her. She wondered what he was looking for. Shock? Disgust? She settled for indifference. She still didn’t understand what this had to do with the dogs. She couldn’t give a rip what their fraternity did.
When she didn’t say anything, he continued.
“We decided that when all ten of us made our first million, we’d get the dogs. It had to be our own money, not anything from our parents. Three years ago, we finally made it.”
Wow. That wasn’t what she was expecting. “What about the names?”
“That’s the order in which we hit the milestone.”
“Well, that explains Deka’s behavior. Her owner probably feels like a loser, being last.”
As if she knew they were talking about one of her friends, Dio drug a cow chew toy into the middle of the kitchen floor and attacked it with a vengeance. She put on quite a show.
Lukas laughed. “You don’t seem to think there’s anything odd about this?”
Tess frowned. “Should I?”
“Most people get squirmy talking about that kind of cash.”
She snorted. “I’m from Miami. Everyone is filthy rich there.”
“Oh. And Seth isn’t a loser.”
“Who’s Seth?”
“Deka’s owner. He knew he’d be last or close to it. He was the only one in our group that wasn’t a legacy. He didn’t have his parents’ money to help out.”
“But I thought you couldn’t use your parents’ cash,” she said as Dio found the squeaky end of her toy. The poor dear didn’t like being ignored.
“We couldn’t. But it’s much easier to earn that kind of money when you have a background that includes it. Seth was truly starting from scratch.”
“You don’t come across as a prick at all. Based on Dio’s name, I’m guessing you were number two.”
He nodded.
It was probably rude of her to ask how he made his million. She took another bite and chewed on it for as long as she could. Would he think she was prying?
“Now I’ve told you my story. It’s your turn. What the hell is a beach babe from Miami doing in northern Michigan in the middle of winter?” he asked, and the choice was made for her.
“I needed to get away from my family for a while. Everyone expected me to fall in and do what was expected. My mom is the superintendent of the Miami-Dade school district. She had a job lined up for me in a good school. So I did what any daughter would do when she’s handed everything she could possibly want. I ran away to prove I could do it on my own.”
It was his turn to chew in quiet contemplation. “Doc says you are a good teacher. He made me promise to be nice to you so you wouldn’t leave.”
Tess laughed. “Now I understand the dinner invite.”
Lukas brushed her hand. “No, I did that because my dog loves you and your stomach rumbled so loudly. Plus I thought I’d like to spend some time in your company myself.”
He grinned, and her breath caught. She liked him, and not just looking at him. This was the first indication he might feel the same way, but he’d ditch her as soon as he found out her secret.
For a second Tess had a crazy thought. Her pregnancy wasn’t that far along. If she could seduce him tonight, she might be able convince him he’s the father. After the conversation they just had about money, she knew he’d support her.
She immediately hated herself for thinking such a thing. Tess pushed her plate away, her appetite gone. This needed to end now.
“I should go. Thank you for dinner.”
“No, wait. I could make coffee. Stay a little while longer.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s sweet, but I am tired from my week.” He didn’t need a woman with baggage. She knew it would be polite to offer to help with dishes, but suddenly, she couldn’t get away fast enough.
Lukas looked at her with his expression closed off and nodded.
She didn’t let him help with her coat and escaped quickly. Once back in her own apartment, she stood against the door, taking deep breaths.
What was she thinking? This was the first time in a long time a guy showed her as much respect as Lukas had, and her first thought was, “How can I take advantage of him?”
That was cruel and unlike her. The secret of her pregnancy was getting to her. She hadn’t told anyone. Not her mom. Not her sisters. Not her best friend. No one. She was glad her first doctor’s appointment was next week so she could tell someone and find out more about her options. Hopefully, her doctor wouldn’t judge her.
Tess put her hand on her stomach. It hadn’t grown much. How long would it be before people noticed? How would she tell her mom? Hopefully, she’d have the courage to at least tell her before the baby was born. Or, if she chose to give it up for adoption, her mom would never find out.
Lukas shut his laptop and rolled his shoulders. He wasn’t getting any work done, not that there was a ton he could do on Saturday. The investment world shut down for the weekend. It had been a couple of years since he’d done any hardcore moving and shaking in dollars and cents. Now he was content enough to keep up with his fudge shop and other properties.
He woke this morning restless though. The look on Tess’s face as she bolted from him last night wouldn’t leave him. Even after a couple beers. He thought he could find some solace in putting some deals together for Monday. He’d been wrong.
“Come on, girl.” He stood and stretched. Dio bounded to the front door. She barely stood still long enough to get her gear on, and she danced in circles, waiting for Lukas to get his.
He opened the door, and she was gone like a shot. Probably right over to the carriage house to see Tess.
Let her go.
Lukas wound around to the back of his place and dug his axe out of the shed. Chopping wood always cleared his head and chased away his demons. It was one activity that tired him out.
The other one, well, that wouldn’t be happening. Not since Tess obviously didn’t want to be anywhere near him. He wondered for the thousandth time what it was he said that sent her running. She hadn’t blinked an eye when he told her about his brothers and the story behind the dogs.
He set up and swung the axe, breaking down his rick of wood into useable logs for his wood burning fireplace. Estelle had called to remind him that Mr. Chapman, who rented one of his houses on the far side of the island, needed some wood. He would deliver some later.
The more he chopped, the more his muscles bunched, but the more his mind let go of Tess and her big brown eyes. He didn�
�t hear the sled when it pulled up, but when Dio dashed by, he looked up. Dio loved to pester horses.
Mrs. Kline and Mrs. Hinshaw piled out of the carriage. Lukas groaned. PTA moms. That might explain why Tess ran from him. If the PTA moms were waggling their tongues, there was no telling what horror stories they told Tess.
He whistled at Dio. She looked at him and then at the large bay mare harnessed to the sled.
Lukas laughed. Indecision was written all over her face. Until Tess opened her door. Then the dog lost all interest for both the horse and Lukas. She ran over to her new friend and barged straight into the house.
Tess laughed, but both moms shot him a look as if he’d infected Tess with a dog love sickness. He waved and went back to chopping wood. He’d have to start all over now that he saw those gorgeous curves in yoga pants and a t-shirt. Seriously, who dressed like that in the dead of winter?
The moms didn’t stay long. Lukas kept a close watch on the door. He should go and say hi to Tess as soon as they left. On the next chop though, he talked himself out of it. Damn, he hated being so indecisive.
He just about finished off his rick of wood when Tess, all geared up thankfully, and Dio came out. The snow pants helped hide the curve of her hips. Helped.
She held up a thermos as Dio danced circles around her.
“We brought you some coffee.” She smiled, and Lukas tightened his grip on his axe.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said.
“You look like your freezing.” She laughed, and he knew he’d have to buy another rick of wood if he wanted to sleep without hearing that beautiful sound in his dreams.
A bunny or squirrel caught Dio’s attention, and she dashed off into the trees.
“Don’t go far,” Lukas yelled after her, knowing full well, she’d go where she wanted.
Tess wrestled the thermos in her big gloves. She finally unscrewed the lid and poured him a cup.
“It’s black. Hope that’s okay.”
She could’ve given him dirt water and that would’ve been fine with him as long as she gave him that pretty smile while she did.
“Thank you,” he said. It was hot and good.
“Well, you mentioned coffee last night. Sorry I ran out like I did.” She blushed and shrugged. He relaxed a little. Surely, if the PTA moms had been gossiping, she wouldn’t be out here freezing her ass off and looking adorable.
