Sweet, Sexy Heart – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  Dash raised his brows. “So, you’re a romantic.”

  She was not going to embarrass herself again. She wasn’t a giddy girl, and he was…too darn good-looking. But he was still just a man. She touched Reno’s head, centering herself as she straightened her spine and lifted her chin, hoping she wouldn’t sound as nervous as she felt. “A proud romantic, thank you very much.”

  “A beautiful woman like you must have lots of men romancing her.”

  Laughter fell from her lips before she could stop it. “Hardly.”

  “I don’t believe that.” He cocked a brow. “Unless you run away from all men.”

  “I don’t run away from all men.” Amber had never needed thrills the way some of her sisters have, and in an effort to control her epilepsy, she avoided anything that created too much excitement or stress—like the ex-footballer turning her body into an inferno with nothing more than a little charm.

  Amusement rose in his eyes. “So, you only run away from the men you Google?”

  She was going to kill her gabby sisters. “I had to research you before I could accept the invitation to host.” And she’d found out all she’d needed to know about him. He lived in New York City, had retired from football last year to pursue motivational speaking and launch the book he’d written, and from the many pictures she’d seen, he enjoyed partying with high-profile celebrities and gorgeous, leggy women. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Delicious was better suited for Sable, who loved a good challenge, than Amber, who had always preferred books and low-key gatherings to rowdy men and the drama that seemed to come with them.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Why are you here, anyway? Shouldn’t you be on your motivational speaking gig this week?” She’d seen his schedule, and between his speaking engagements and sponsorships, she wondered how he kept up. There were twenty-eight stops on his upcoming monthlong book tour, starting with her bookstore and taking him across the country with stops every other day, and some weeks there were daily signings, interviews, and television appearances. The man must run on all that testosterone billowing off him.

  “So you did research me, quite extensively it seems.” His lips quirked up, giving him a boyish expression that looked really nice on him.

  “Of course I did. Did you think I was lying?”

  “No. I had a nice chat with your sisters, their husbands, and your mother, who are all lovely, by the way, and according to them, you are honest to a fault. I respect that in a woman. So tell me, Honest Amber, why were you the only bookseller who didn’t jump at the chance to host my signing? Did you read my book and hate it?”

  “No. I really liked it. I mean, I don’t know much about football, or the best positions, but I just skipped those parts.”

  He stepped closer, amusement and heat warring in his eyes. “I find hands-on experience is best when choosing positions.” He leaned closer, bringing a gust of his spicy, masculine scent. “I’ll be more than happy to help you discover which ones you like best.”

  The air rushed from her lungs. She didn’t even know how to respond to that. His eyes drilled into her, and Reno whined, brushing against her leg. She petted him, trying futilely to calm herself down. He looked at Reno, and she braced herself for the questions that always came.

  When his eyes met hers, they were filled with as much compassion as heat. “You okay?”

  She nodded, wishing she were as sassy as her younger sisters Morgyn and Brindle, or as savvy as her older sisters, Grace and Pepper. She’d even take being snarky like Pepper’s twin, Sable. Being anyone else would be better than her suck-at-flirting, blush-like-a-teenager self.

  “It’s him,” a female voice said loudly.

  Dash’s eyes skirted to the right, the muscles in his jaw bunching at the sight of a group of women heading their way. Amber recognized them from Meadowside, the next town over, where her bookstore was located. Dash stepped back as they flocked to him, asking for his autograph as Sable’s voice rang out from the stage, congratulating Nick and Trixie on their engagement. Sable was the lead guitarist and singer in the band Surge, and they began playing one of Trixie’s favorite songs.

  “Will you sign my address book?” A blonde shoved the address book at Dash and whipped a pen out of her purse.

  Dash took them from her, but his eyes never left Amber as he said, “Sure. No problem. What’s your name?”

  “I’m going to…” Amber pointed behind her, walking backward.

  “Amber,” Dash said authoritatively, taking paper from another woman. “Save me a dance.”

  Not only was he too darn aggressive, confident, and delicious for her, but women were pawing at him, and he looked all too comfortable with that, too. “I think your dance card is full. See you at the signing.” She made a beeline for the barn doors with Reno, but even the cool October air stinging her cheeks wasn’t enough to quell the heat thrumming through her.

  Chapter Two

  AMBER’S PHONE VIBRATED with another text from her mother as she turned down her parents’ street early Saturday morning. Her mother had been texting all morning, asking where she was and when she’d get there. Amber was an early bird, and she tried to have breakfast with her parents often. Her phone vibrated again, and she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Hold your horses. Sheesh.

  Her childhood home came into view. Sable’s truck and Brindle’s car were parked out front. Amber let out an exasperated sound. That explains Mom’s urgent texts. She’d avoided her sisters’ calls last night, not wanting to face their inquisitions about Dash Pennington. Hopefully he’d already caught a flight back to his big-city life. That man had gotten under her skin, dazzling her with his captivating charm and seductive eyes. She’d spent a fitful night replaying their brief conversation more times than she cared to admit, and when she’d finally fallen asleep, he’d bloomed before her, beckoning her into an erotic dream. He was the reason she was later than usual this morning. She’d gone for a morning walk to try to clear her thoughts of him. It hadn’t helped, and even now, just thinking about him had her pulse quickening.

  Reno perked up in the back seat, no doubt sensing the change in her energy.

  That kind of excitement was the last thing she needed.

  She parked on the street, curious about the black sedan parked behind Sable’s truck. Her mother trained service dogs, and she wondered if one of the families her new pups, Merle and Patsy, was meant for was visiting.

  She and Reno headed up the long driveway to the side yard to take a peek, and she gazed out at the gazebo, overcome with happy memories of the many times she and Pepper, the sister whom she was most like, had spent reading there as young girls. She touched her seizure-alert necklace, which Pepper had developed and patented when she was in graduate school, and got a little choked up, as she always did when she thought about her scientist sister being so consumed with giving Amber a sense of peace, she’d spent years coming up with a way to help her. She tucked those feelings away, remembering how Axsel would join them in the gazebo and play his guitar, while Grace, the oldest, practiced cheering in the grass or was off doing who knew what, and Morgyn and Brindle, the only two siblings who had gotten their father’s fair hair and blue eyes, chatted endlessly about boys and clothes. Sable had almost never hung out with them. She was always tinkering with something in the barn, working on the old truck her father had given her at sixteen, or practicing with her band. It was no wonder she had become an auto mechanic and now owned her own shop.

  Amber spotted her father heading up from the barn where her parents kept their horses and had facilities for the dogs. Merle and Patsy trotted happily beside him.

  Reno’s tail wagged.

  “Go play,” she said, releasing him from service.

  He bounded across the yard, and all three fur babies tumbled in the grass. Amber waved to the fair-haired, patient and meticulous man who somehow had not only survived in a house bursting with estrogen but also always seemed to know exactly what each of his children needed. Amber had fond memor
ies of taking secret walks with her father late at night when her sisters would sneak out to watch the Jericho brothers break horses before dawn. She had rarely joined them, and when she had, it was only because Brindle had been relentless in trying to include her in all of her rebellious fun. But most of the time, while her sisters were ogling shirtless cowboys at midnight rodeos, Amber and her father were taking moonlit walks, talking about her dreams of owning a bookstore and things she was going through with her friends. In the fall they’d collect acorns, and she’d keep them in jars with handwritten notes reminding her of the wisdom her father imparted during their walks. Her father still surprised her on occasion, showing up in the middle of the night for a talk and a stroll.

  “How’s my princess?” Her father leaned down and kissed her cheek, his familiar, comforting scent embracing her.

  “Good. Whose car is out front?”

  “Your mother and sisters invited a friend over for breakfast.”

  “How fun. That explains why Brindle and Sable beat me here. They never do that. Did Axsel come with Sable?” Axsel was staying with Sable while he was in town.

  “No. I guess he stayed out too late last night.”

  “Sounds like Axsel. Which friend did they invite over?”

  “Let’s go see.” He whistled, and the dogs bounded toward them. Her father lavished Reno with attention as Amber loved up the puppies.

  She pushed to her feet. “Reno, settle.” Her trusty pal came to her side as she stepped into the large kitchen, stopping cold at the sight of Dash sitting at their kitchen table in a white T-shirt and running shorts, bouncing Brindle’s giggling seven-month-old, Emily aka Emma, on his lap.

  Dash lifted his brows, flashing a victorious smile.

  Butterflies swarmed in Amber’s belly. Her mind scrambled to make sense of the handsome jock holding her frilly frocked niece in her parents’ kitchen. There was a plate of crumbs in front of him. How long had he been there? Brindle sat to his right, and their mother sat at the head of the table, both of them beaming at Amber with a glimmer of mischief in their eyes. Sable stood with her jeans-clad hip parked against the island, arms crossed, a scrutinizing gaze locked on Dash. She’d always been Amber’s most protective and untrusting sister.

  “I had nothing to do with this,” her father said for her ears only as he followed her in and went to sit at the table.

  Amber knew darn well who had invited Dash over for breakfast, her matchmaking mother and youngest sister. Merle ran around sniffing everyone, but it seemed Dash’s charm didn’t just reel in women. Patsy went paws-up on his thigh, inciting more giggles from Emma and a warm feeling in Amber’s chest as he kissed the pooch’s head.

  “Let the fun begin.” Sable flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder, smirking as she bent to pet Merle.

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m so glad you’re finally here.” Her mother popped to her feet in her jeans and sweater and gave Amber a quick hug, whispering, “I tried to hurry you up. He’s the sweetest man.” Then, louder, as she went to make coffee, she said, “You remember Dash. When he told me about how much time he’s been spending on the road with his speaking engagements, I thought he might enjoy a home-cooked breakfast.”

  Amber bit back her frustration and sat down across from Dash, taking in the homemade blueberry scones, pancakes, and plates of eggs, toast, and bacon on the table. “How nice,” she said as Reno lay down beside her chair.

  “Your mom is a wonderful cook, and I really enjoyed getting to know your family and spending time with this little one.” Dash tickled Emma’s belly, earning more sweet giggles.

  Amber melted a little despite her frustrations. Why did guys look even hotter when they held babies?

  “I looked for you last night.” Dash held her gaze. “My dance card had your name written all over it, but you left me hanging.”

  She couldn’t suppress an incredulous laugh and quickly cleared her throat to mask it. He’d probably danced with every single girl there. “Sorry. I had a few things to take care of at home.”

  “You did? Like what, honey?” her mother asked.

  Amber put a scone on her plate, scrambling for a response. “I had a book club chat I didn’t want to miss.”

  “That’s okay, right, Emmie?” Dash made kissing noises at the baby, making him even more unfairly attractive. “I’m here until the signing.” He looked up, catching Amber watching him, and his gaze warmed. “Maybe you can fit me in for a dance another time.”

  What was he doing there? Why was he so focused on her? She’d already agreed to host his signing.

  “Look how much he loves babies, Amb,” Brindle said, sounding like a salesperson instead of the high school English teacher she was.

  “I wonder if he has any,” Sable quipped.

  Their mother glowered at her as she brought a pot of coffee to the table and began filling their mugs.

  “That would be a no.” Dash looked at Amber again. “But one day I hope to have a house full of them.”

  “Sounds like you and Amber have even more in common than we thought.” Brindle kicked Amber under the table.

  Ouch! Amber was going to wring her neck.

  Sable sauntered over to the table, and their father gave her a look that said, Please don’t start something. She’d been adept at ignoring those looks for as long as Amber could remember. “So, Dash, you said you were here for the next couple of weeks. Why Oak Falls? Should we expect a scorned ex to roll into town? A fiancée? Are you hiding out from a scandal?”

  “Sable, he is our guest,” their mother snapped.

  “Yes, a guest we know very little about. Everyone’s got dirty little secrets, especially sports figures.” Sable drummed her fingers on her forearm, narrowing her eyes at him. “I’m just trying to find out what his is.”

  Dash didn’t even flinch. “I came to see Sin. We’re old college buddies.”

  “Ah, maybe he’s your dirty little secret,” Sable teased.

  Amber stifled a laugh.

  Their father turned a sterner look on Sable.

  Emma reached for Brindle, and as Dash handed her to Brindle, he seemed to take Sable’s taunt in stride. “Sin’s a great-looking guy, but we’re just friends. I am a little surprised that you’d think it would be a dirty secret if we were more than friends, considering your brother is gay.”

  “Ohhh. He got you, Sable,” Brindle teased.

  Their father nudged Amber. “I like this guy.”

  “Why are you telling me?” Amber bit into her scone as everyone else chuckled.

  “For what it’s worth”—Dash paused, and like metal to magnet, the heat of his gaze drew Amber’s eyes to his—“my only dirty little secret is that I accepted this breakfast invitation with the hopes of seeing Amber again.”

  Amber’s cheeks flamed and she tried to look away, but she was too busy trying to remember how to breathe.

  “I hate to eat and run, but I’ve got to.” Dash pushed to his feet. He was so broad and imposing, the kitchen that had always been spacious, even with all nine of their family members in it, felt far too small. “Marilynn, Cade, thank you for a delicious breakfast. Brindle, I appreciate you sharing your sweet Little Miss with me and, Sable, keep trying. You’ll figure me out one of these days.”

  “You barely ate,” Sable said.

  “Running on a full stomach is never a good idea.” Dash grabbed a faded Virginia State sweatshirt from the back of his chair, those dark eyes holding Amber captive. “I didn’t want to miss a chance to see Amber again.”

  “You’re welcome anytime, honey, but before you go, let me get you that body wash I told you about.” Their mother hurried out of the room.

  “Oh, yes, we can’t forget that,” Brindle exclaimed. “You’ll love it. It’s very…enlightening.”

  Amber gritted her teeth. Their aunt Roxie lived in Upstate New York and had gained quite a reputation for her homemade lotions, body washes, shampoos, and other toiletries, in which she claimed to add special love po
tions. Their cousins swore by them. Amber did, too, which was why when her mother hurried back into the room with a basketful of those products and Lord knew what else, she vowed to avoid Dash for the rest of his time in Oak Falls.

  “Here you are, sweetheart.” Their mother handed him the basket. “I threw in a few extra things I thought you might enjoy.”

  “That’s very generous of you. Thank you. I look forward to using them.”

  Her mother gave a little shoulder wiggle and grinned hopefully at Amber, who was sure she had smoke coming out of her ears.

  Dash turned his attention to Amber, too, causing a whole different type of smoke. “I’m tied up this afternoon helping Sin with a football clinic, but maybe you can show me around town tonight and we can make up for that dance we missed.”

  All eyes turned to Amber, and she felt her cheeks burn for the billionth time in the last twenty-four hours. “I…no…sorry. I’m really busy.”

  “Another time, then.” Dash tossed her a sexy wink, thanked everyone again, and headed out the door.

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Amber let out a breath she felt like she’d been holding for an hour, and the room erupted in chatter.

  “Why did you turn him down?” Brindle practically shouted.

  “He’s a wonderful man,” her mother said. “Persistent, too. I like that.”

  “He’s a sports celebrity, Mom. They’re as bad as rock stars.” Sable said sports celebrity like it was a curse, and sat in the chair Dash had vacated.

  “If anyone knows how bad rock stars are, it’s you,” Brindle pointed out.

  “Exactly,” Sable agreed.

  Sable might be tough as nails, but she was built like a Playboy bunny, and she wasn’t afraid to use all of her assets to go after what she wanted. Amber had no idea why Dash was even interested in her when Sable was more his type. She was single, gorgeous, and when she didn’t have her protective sisterly claws out, she was usually up for a no-strings-attached good time.

  Sable arched a brow. “Dash probably has five kids by five different women that he doesn’t even know about because he’s hopping from one bed to the next without ever looking back.”