by Judi Lynn
“I like tummies.”
“You’re a rare bird. You know that, right?”
“Did you want ordinary?”
“When I can have eccentric? Where’s the fun in that?”
She laughed and dealt the cards. He won. The second shoe slid off. Quite a few hands later, they were each down to their undies. Hers were white and lacy and matched the bra she’d had on. His were SpongeBob boxers his mother had bought him for Christmas.
“Really?” she said when she saw them.
“A joke from my mom. I wasn’t thinking fast enough. I should have worn my Star Wars pair. They’re sexier.”
She dealt, picked up her cards, and smirked. Damn! Did the woman always win? He picked up his cards and leveled a look her way. “Bring it on,” he said.
She spread out a flush, king high. He couldn’t help the look of triumph on his face. He spread out a royal flush, ace high. “Remove the panties.” His voice sounded hoarse.
She stood, all six feet of smooth, supple skin, put her fingers under her lacy skimp of fabric, and wriggled out of them. His heart clutched, stopped in his chest. He took a sharp breath. When was the last time he’d seen a naked woman?
“Damn, you’re beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’ve played mommy too long.”
She had a point. He got a sudden case of nerves. “What now?”
“If you don’t drop your drawers and screw me, I’m going to be disappointed.”
“I wouldn’t want that to happen.”
She motioned to a room off the hallway. “My bedroom’s in there.”
A king-size four-poster took up most of the room. A large walk-in closet, its door ajar, offered ample storage. The space was lovely, with wooden floors and a beamed ceiling. She tugged down the bedspread and sheets and sprawled on the mattress, raising her arms to him.
Oh God. He wanted her so much it hurt. He tossed his boxers aside and stretched himself on his side, next to her. He wanted to take it slow, to make it good for her. But she rolled over, clamped her hand around his erection, and smashed her lips against his. Okay, forget slow and gentle. He met her passion with his own. Their lips ground together, then his hands were all over her, feeling the firmness of her breasts and stomach, as hers explored him. He couldn’t control himself, but neither could she. Her hand pumped up and down and he had to grab her wrist to stop her or he’d come right there and then.
She pulled him on top of her, and before he knew it, the deed was done. She smiled up at him. “I just knew you were going to be good!”
He panted to catch his breath. “You’re incredible.”
“We’re incredible.”
They were pretty damned good. After he’d married April, he’d had to buy her presents and coax her into having sex. She’d never been in the mood. With Miriam, he was lucky to keep up.
Miriam rolled onto her stomach and propped her elbow on the mattress. “Let’s arm wrestle for who’ll be on top next.”
“You want to do it again?”
She glanced at his sagging erection. “Can you?”
“Damned if I know. April never wanted to.”
She pursed her lips. “You haven’t been with anyone else since you divorced?”
“I’m not too in to one-night stands and I’ve been busy. I was either working or at home with Adele.”
She grew serious. “You’re a good man.”
“And you’re a good woman.”
She reached over and touched his face. “We won’t rush this. Can you spend the night? I want to spoon against you, and I promise not to make you breakfast in the morning.”
“No burned eggs?”
She punched his arm. “I make really good toast.”
“Then I’ll stay.”
She sighed and came to snuggle against him. When they finally settled for sleep, he lay on his side and she pressed herself against his back with her arm thrown over him. He could hardly believe how good that made him feel. April had always slept as far away from him as she could get. It had made him feel alone in his own marriage. Miriam made him feel wanted. A little stab of pain pierced his chest. He didn’t know how long this would last, but he was determined to enjoy every moment of it while he could.
Chapter 19
Miriam blinked awake and knew Joel was awake, too, but he hadn’t gotten out of bed. She shifted away from him to stretch and he turned to look at her.
“Good morning.” He leaned forward to kiss the tip of her nose.
“How long have you been awake?”
“About half an hour, but I wasn’t in any hurry to get up. I wanted to enjoy the feel of you.”
Man, the guy had a way of making her feel special. “Did you sleep all right in a new bed?”
“Best sleep I’ve had for a while.”
She grinned. “I should brush my teeth. They feel grungy. I have a spare toothbrush in the cupboard. I bought it yesterday.”
“In case?” He looked amused.
“Hey, even though I lost at cards, I won. I got lucky.”
“It was a win-win for both of us.” He stood, and she took her time, looking him up and down.
“I’m nothing to brag about,” he told her.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I like cozy. You look comfortable.”
He laughed. “Some men wouldn’t take that as a compliment.”
She bit her bottom lip. “I meant it as one.”
“I know, but when you play strip poker with the next guy you lure here for burned cabbage rolls, you’ve got to up your game, tell him how manly he looks.”
She could feel her confidence leave her. “How temporary is this?”
“I’m in it for as long you’ll keep me, but when you get bored with me and move on, you have to improve your come-hither chat.”
She shrugged and started to the bathroom. “Screw that. If they don’t measure up to you, they can take a hike.”
Suddenly, he was behind her, his arms circling her waist and tugging her closer. “Do you mean that?”
“Damned straight.”
He nuzzled his cheek against her back, and she thought she might die of pleasure, he made her feel so secure, so wanted. “I’m so glad I met you, Miriam Reinhardt. You make me happy.”
She did? She rested her elbow on the bathroom countertop and raised her eyebrows at him. “Are you good at arm wrestling?”
He grinned. “Darlin’, I’m handy at lots of things.”
He beat her easily, then they brushed their teeth and he got to be on top. “But I’m a good sport,” he told her. “We’ll take turns.”
She thoroughly enjoyed being in charge but couldn’t decide which she liked better. Being the doer or the done to. And then she laughed at herself. She didn’t have to choose. Joel didn’t care either way. Her friend came with more benefits than she’d ever imagined.
They had to scramble to get showered and dressed to get to her mom’s house on time. She drove, and he didn’t mind that either. She got the feeling Joel didn’t care if he was in the driver’s seat or a passenger, as long as they were headed in the right direction. He was the most secure man she’d ever met.
When Miriam reached her parents’ house, she waved at Sue-Ellen’s boys, playing PIG at the basketball hoop. She grabbed Joel’s hand and tugged him into the house. Her mother dropped what she was doing and hurried to give him a hug. “You’re not just interested in my daughter for the free food, are you?”
She’d caught him off guard. He glanced at Miriam, and a blush crept all the way to his hairline. Mom’s jaw dropped. “Oh God, the food’s your last priority, isn’t it? Is Miriam finally getting some nooky?”
Joel looked like he was going to die of embarrassment, and everyone turned to grin at him.
“Leave him alone,” Miriam complained, “or he’ll run.”
Her dad shook his head. “Doesn’t look like a runner to me. He has more substance than that.”
Neil watched Miriam tighten her grip
on Joel’s hand. “He must be pretty good. Miriam’s not going to let him get away.”
Joel had regained his composure and laughed with the others. “No worries,” he said. “I’d like to stick around a while.”
Mom patted his arm. “You’ll have to get used to us. We’re an ill-mannered lot, but we always have one another’s backs.”
“I figured that.”
His parents were always there for him, too, Miriam knew, but they must not be as rowdy as her family. “You guys have given him a hard enough time,” she said. “How can we pitch in to get food on the table?”
Sue-Ellen grabbed a roasting pan filled with a baked spaghetti casserole. “Everything’s ready. We just need to carry it to the table.”
Clair grabbed the second casserole. Miriam brought one of the salads and Joel the other. Max brought a platter mounded with garlic bread and Neil scooped up the salad dressings. He stopped at the door to call for the boys. Once they’d taken their places, Dad bowed his head and said, “Please bless us and this food. Thanks for everything.”
Concise but sincere. Her dad never erred on the side of flowery. Her family tended to be a bit blunt. They got to the point.
Whatever Mom had done to the spaghetti casserole was fantastic. Miriam dove in for seconds. “This is the best you’ve ever made it.”
Mom grinned. “Same as always. I’d just say you have a bigger appetite than usual.”
Damn! Maybe Mom was right. She’d probably burned a lot more calories than usual.
Joel shook his head. “I’ve never had it before, but it’s delicious.”
“Thank you.” Mom’s eyes twinkled, but she didn’t comment.
The boys frowned. “We missed something, didn’t we?”
“You’re kids. You’re supposed to miss things.” Neil handed them the platter and they took more garlic bread.
Sam shrugged and changed the subject. “If we put up the volleyball net, will you guys play?”
“I’m in.” Sue-Ellen smirked at Clair. “Maybe she won’t be able to jump as high to block now.”
“I don’t even show.” Clair patted her flat stomach. “You’d better watch the net.”
At the end of the meal they all stood to clear the table and rinse the dishes. Then Dad went to the refrigerator and carried a huge bowl of tiramisu to the dining room.
Joel shook his head. “You made this yourself?”
Mom looked pleased. “It’s not that hard. It just takes a little work and some planning ahead.”
Joel took a taste. “I love it.”
Everyone did. Every bite was gone before they headed outside. The boys kept licking the sides of the glass bowl while they rinsed the dessert dishes. Then the boys hustled outdoors to set up the volleyball net.
Miriam and Joel ended up on opposite sides. “Have you played volleyball since high school?” she asked him.
He shook his head. “I like gentler sports, like birdwatching and bowling.”
She snorted. “I’m giving you fair warning: My family plays for blood.”
Miriam’s mother sat out, preferring to watch them from a lawn chair. Joel volunteered to sit out, too, to make the teams even, but Neil said not to worry about it. Miriam didn’t think he was worried. She was pretty sure he didn’t want to play but couldn’t think of a graceful way out of it. She felt a little sorry for him, but it would look like she was coddling him if she gave him a pass.
Dad served the first ball, and Max hit it straight up in the air to set it up for Clair. She slammed it over the net. Toby served next and got two points for Joel’s team. That annoyed Sue-Ellen, so she served to Joel, hoping he’d be his team’s weak link. He set it up for Clair, though, and, as usual, Clair killed it.
By the time Miriam made it to the front row, Joel’s team was ahead by five points. Unheard of. When the ball came to her, she spiked it as hard as she could. Straight into Joel’s face. Within seconds his nose had swollen and his eyes were watering.
“Time out!” Mom glared at Miriam. “Really? Did you have to? Are you trying to give your boyfriend two black eyes?”
Toby’s jaw dropped. “Her boyfriend?”
Sam snickered. “Don’t date a girl like her. You might not survive it.”
Mom grabbed Joel’s arm and led him toward the house. “I’ll get you some ice.” She touched his nose and he winced. “I don’t think she broke it, but it’s going to hurt for a while.”
Joel’s lips set in a thin line. He looked totally embarrassed. “Go ahead without me,” he told them. He wouldn’t make eye contact with any of them.
Shit. Had she blown it just to score a point? Who cared if Joel was good at volleyball? What the hell had she been thinking?
“Way to go, Sis!” Sue-Ellen had to rub it in.
“I feel terrible.” She knew she was competitive, but did she really need to compete with Joel? Did she always have to win?
Toby didn’t help. “Yeah, the guy told you he wasn’t good at volleyball.”
Dad waved them to a stop. “It was an accident. We all play too hard. That’s why your mom won’t play with us.”
Neil’s shoulders drooped. “We sort of bullied him to play.”
“Sort of?” Max shook his head. “You guys are ruthless. You scared the crap out of me when I first met you.”
“Lesson learned,” Clair said. “If someone doesn’t want to play, it’s no big deal.”
Miriam fidgeted. “You guys go ahead without me. I’m going inside to check on Joel.”
Sam made kissing sounds. “Mom always says a kiss makes things better.”
“Stuff it,” Miriam told him. She felt miserable. She’d hurt Joel.
The boys laughed; then Sam served the ball. Clair jumped to block it. Things were back to normal. Except for her. She was doing the walk of shame to the house, hoping Joel would forgive her.
When she entered the kitchen, her mom glared at her. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”
Joel was holding an ice pack to his nose.
“I’m sorry. I goaded you into playing.”
He leveled a gaze on her. “Yes, you did. But never again. From now on, I sit on the sidelines with your mom whenever I want to. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. You either like me, as is, or forget it.”
She blinked. She didn’t think Joel had a speech like that in him. But he kept surprising her, didn’t he? “I like you as is.”
Her mom looked like she might faint. She put a hand to her throat, surprised.
“What now?” Miriam asked.
He handed her mom the ice pack and raised his eyebrows at her. The swelling was already going down a little. “You drive me home and kiss it better,” he said.
Her mom put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing.
Relief rushed through her. She thought she might dance with happiness. “I can do that.”
“I might need a pain pill first.”
“I can do that, too.” Lord, she liked this man. Really, really liked him.
“Then let’s quit talking and start doing.” He started to the door.
She hurried to join him.
Her family waved as they pulled down the driveway. They liked Joel, too. She wanted to pinch herself, she felt so lucky. This might be her best summer ever, if she didn’t blow it before school started. She’d try to be on her best behavior. She wanted to make this last.
Chapter 20
Monday was Memorial Day. No work. Sleeping in. The town had a parade at ten; then, for lunch, Chase and Harley were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers on the beach.
Joel woke at eight and tried not to stir. His legs were entangled with Miriam’s, his arm wrapped over her torso. He nuzzled his face against her smooth skin and savored the scent of her. He never was one to lie in bed, but he meant to treasure every minute of this he could. A half hour later, when she woke, she snuggled closer to him.
“Good morning,” he murmured in her ear.
“You’re awake?”<
br />
“Have been. Just lying here enjoying the feel of you.”
She glanced at the clock and sighed. “We’d better get ready if we’re going to make it to the parade on time. Everyone will notice if we’re late.”
And she meant everyone. Most of the town showed up for the event.
“I need some clean clothes to wear.” He lifted his arm to release her. “We’ll have to stop at my apartment in town.”
“I’ll be quick, then.” She popped out of bed and showered and put on a sundress. Her dark curls bounced around her face as they dried. He thought she looked adorable.
His shower was even faster. On the drive to town she asked, “Do I get to help you pick your outfit?”
He frowned. “You aren’t one of those people who want couples to dress like each other, are you?”
“Wouldn’t that be cute?” When he flinched, she laughed. “No, not my thing, but I’ve seen some of the outfits you put together.”
“Really? I thought I did a pretty good job.”
“I know. That’s why I want to help you.”
“We’ll see.”
She was driving, as usual. They parked behind Daphne’s stained-glass shop and climbed the steps to his place. It looked a little lonely because both he and Adele had been away for so long. Miriam went straight to his closet and started sorting through his clothes.
“Nope. Not that one.” She pulled out a pair of ripped and torn jeans. “These need to be thrown away.”
“They’re my work jeans.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She finally settled on a red T-shirt and black, knee-length shorts.
“You’re sort of bossy. You know that, right?” Joel put the jeans back on the rack. “I love these. They stay.”
She made a face but didn’t argue. When he was dressed, she looked him up and down. “You look good enough to eat, but we’d better go. We’re barely going to make it in time.”
They carried two folding chairs to Lake Drive. It was easier to walk than try to find a place to park. Even then, they had a hard time finding a spot to sit to watch the parade. They saw Tyne and Daphne sitting with her parents. Harley and Kathy sat with Chase and Paula. They gave them a quick wave before the Mill Pond High band started down the street, with girls tossing batons, drums pounding, and horns blasting. Behind them, Meg’s hardware store had sponsored a float that she pulled behind her pickup. A painted piece of heavy plywood was painted to look like a brick street, and on each side of it, small booths were set up, with striped awnings advertising the specialty food shops in Mill Pond. Next, equestrians rode horses, and then an army of small kids from the preschool drove battery-operated cars with parents walking beside them. Antique tractors rumbled down the street next, and finally, the parade ended with two more floats: the Boy Scouts crowded on one with tents set up on the far end and Ian’s resort featured the other with a beautiful fake garden filled with potted flowers.
