Dedication
To everyone who wanted Scottie’s story…
Chapter One
“Craaap.”
The hushed, indignant tones of Scott Wyatt’s quarry reached his ears and he wondered what she’d done. Stubbed her toe? Spilled her usual caramel latte? He smiled and sat back, relaxing into the rigid, corduroy-covered foam blocks someone decided would pass as a chair, and waited for her to join him at their little group’s usual table. He’d have to look into getting new chairs, despite his sister’s protestations that these fit the décor of his coffee shop.
He pressed a button on his watch. “Ten twenty-two,” a nasally, female voice told him. Tara Patrick was late this morning, by just over twenty minutes. She’d never been late before. A frisson of anxiety skittered across his nerves, overriding the hard-on her voice always seemed to ignite.
“Come on, come on,” she mumbled.
He nearly groaned. Her choice of words and his heightened state of libido didn’t mesh. Scott imagined her teeth grinding together with her agitation.
A muffled cartoon ring-tone grew louder as it was drawn out of whatever hidey-hole it resided in. He’d heard it before. The song Tara had programmed onto her cell phone mirrored her normal personality. Fun and carefree. Lots of laughter.
Papers shuffled, cloth moved over cloth, a joint popped.
“Ouch. Son of a booger. Unh. Hello?” she said, her voice getting closer to him, the hello much stronger than her previous whispered mutterings.
Scott pursed his lips, hiding his grin and welcoming back the rush of blood to his groin where his cock hardened further. Sounded like Tara was having a rough day. In the two months he’d known her, he’d never noticed her usual happy-go-lucky self having a bad day.
Maybe he’d talk to Brianna and find out what was bothering the woman of his dreams. His sister and Tyler, her husband in heart if not on paper, would be here any minute.
Scott envied Brianna. She’d been lucky enough to find not just one man, but two. Tyler and Cole both loved and cherished her. Their relationship might seem strange to people who didn’t know them, but the trio was what worked for them and their two children.
Scott was waiting for that one special woman in a million he could share that same sort of bond with. He more than wanted it, he needed it. Felt it was the one thing missing in his life.
And somehow he had a feeling Tara might be the one, despite the fact he knew she’d been dating another man. He ground his teeth together thinking about her with someone else.
To Bean Or Not To Bean, the coffee shop Scott owned, was their regular Tuesday/Thursday meeting place. Brianna, Tyler or Cole, and Tara met him here usually without fail at ten o’clock. It had quickly become a habit and they’d all gotten to be a close group.
Scott was ready to get closer.
He squirmed in his seat and tried to adjust himself. Any harder and his dick would be imprinted with the buttons of his fly.
“What the hell? I asked you to leave three days ago.”
Scott tried to tune out her worried side of the conversation, which he easily picked out over the din of the entire cafe. Her voice attached itself to his ears like a magnet. Because of his blindness, his hearing had always been strong in his good ear. Especially having to compensate for the bad one. Now, thanks to revolutionary surgery he’d had to repair the damaged ear, his hearing was even more superior.
The door opened behind and to his left with a whoosh of cold, frosty air, tinkling the tiny overhead bell and swirling the robust aroma of freshly brewed coffee, peppermint and boughs of pine throughout the café. The espresso machine whirred, foaming up a fresh batch of frothy milk for the next customer’s order. A muted version of “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” floated around the room. Somewhere to his right, fingers clacked incessantly across a laptop keyboard as if the owner’s life depended on it. Cattycorner from him, loose change hit the floor followed by a “goddamn it”.
“He’s baaack,” a whiny, high-pitched voice sung out.
The woman did not even attempt to be discreet. Or maybe she did and his overdeveloped sense of hearing just made it seem that way. Scott hung his head at the distraction.
“Who?” a second woman asked.
“Blond Adonis, six o’clock.”
“Oh Lord, he’s hot.”
Scott snorted softly and grimaced behind his mug of café mocha. Since the two female voices emanated from his twelve o’clock and nobody sat behind him, he could only presume they were referring to him.
“Just a second,” Tara’s voice intruded. “Um, hello, you do know the blond Adonis is blind, right? Waggling your fingers at him isn’t doing you a bit of good.”
Scott nearly spewed his coffee across the room. He choked down what he could and coughed out the rest.
“Shit,” he muttered, and grabbed the napkin from its nine o’clock position on the table and wiped at his now damp shirt.
“And what makes you such an expert?” the first woman’s snotty voice retorted.
“Oh, I don’t know, the fact he’s wearing sunglasses inside? Or maybe it’s the seeing eye dog sitting next to him?” Tara nearly shouted.
Scott bit his lip.
“Or maybe it’s because I’m sleeping with him, and I can assure you, the man can’t see a thing. But damn, what he can do with those hands.” Tara made this little moaning sound and Scott nearly came in his jeans.
Holy fuck. She hadn’t really just said that, had she? If she wanted to know what he could do with his hands, he’d show her. Right now.
“Well.”
“Yeah, well,” Tara shot back. “Please refrain from ogling my boyfriend.”
Tara didn’t know what she was doing talking like this. If she continued, she would find out exactly what he wanted to do with her.
“Sorry,” she said and Scott wondered if she was talking to him or still to whoever was on the other end of the phone. He heard her sit across from him with a sigh. Her coffee cup clunked on the table, her bag thumped to the floor.
“Don’t do this to me,” Tara pleaded.
Scott sat forward and placed his coffee cup back on the foot and a half high table he’d pulled toward him until it just touched his knees. His heart pounded at the near panic he heard in Tara’s voice.
“Eric, no.”
Eric? What the fuck? Was she having trouble with her boyfriend? Senses above their normal high alert, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, not even attempting to hide the fact he was listening to her conversation. It took everything in him not to get up and demand she tell him what the problem with Eric was.
“So what am I supposed to do?”
Sweet Jesus. Whatever it was, he’d help. Scott fisted his shaking hands.
“And you can go to hell.” Her voice wobbled and he heard the distinct click of a cell phone being slapped closed then dropped to the wooden tabletop.
Goddamn, what he wouldn’t give to see her face right now.
“Hey, Scott,” she said wearily.
Like a high school kid with his first crush, Scott jerked. His shin banged into the table, unsettling the coffee cup. The hot liquid sloshed out and landed on his knee, soaking through his jeans and probably burning his skin. He didn’t care. The sound of his name coming off her lips was well worth a bruised shin and a burned kneecap.
“Whoa, bud, just me. Tara.”
“I know…I,” he cleared his throat, “I’m your boyfriend, huh?” he asked, changing the subject. He’d find out later what was bothering her.
“Damn.” Tara chuckled. “Shoulda known you would hear that. Okay if I pet Kissy-Face?”
“Uh-huh.” Scott nodded and heard her move toward him. He automati
cally reached for the five-year-old German Shepherd plopped at his side. He buried his hand in the scruff of the dog’s neck. Kissy whimpered and lifted his big head to lick at Scott’s wrist.
“You’re such a good doggy, aren’t you?” she cooed. “Yes, you’re a good boy. You watchin’ out for Scott, Kissy? Keepin’ him safe?”
Tara’s fingers met his and for a moment they tangled together. Scott locked his hand with hers and held tight. “So, I’m your boyfriend?”
“Yep. You don’t mind, do you?” she teased.
“Absolutely—”
“Hey there, sorry we’re late.” Brianna bustled over, scrubbing the top of Scott’s head and kissing him on the cheek.
Scott shrugged his annoying sister off and ran a hand through his close-cropped, easy-to-manage hair.
“Hi, Bri,” Tara said.
The gush of air beside Scott told him Tara had stood. Her knees knocked into his leg, her coat brushed over his lap, causing increased pressure where he definitely didn’t need any. He heard a loud smooch and a few light pats from the hug shared between two friends.
He wanted to be the huggee. When Tara seemed to be leaning a little too heavily into him, he raised his hand to her thigh and balanced her. His fingers itched to give a squeeze. He’d get bopped over the head for his efforts, no doubt.
“I just got here myself.” Tara’s weight shifted once more and Scott missed her toned legs pressed against his when she moved away from him again. “Tyler. Looking yummy as always.”
“And you are looking more than a little disheveled today. What’s up?” Tyler asked.
Scott’s ears perked. Had the phone call made her disheveled?
“God, Ty, could you be more obtuse? Don’t listen to him, honey, you look fine. Ty’s just cranky because he didn’t get any this morning,” Bri whispered none too quietly.
“TMI, girlfriend. Did not need to know that.” Tara’s laugh made Scott’s lungs seize.
He was more than used to Bri’s frank language. And Ty’s and Cole’s. Everything was out in the open at the Masters’ house. Unless his nieces were present, of course. When nine-year-old Lily and six-year-old Chloe came through in their normal whirlwind fashion, it was all lips sealed.
“But seriously, Tara, something is wrong. I can tell,” Brianna continued
There was a heavy sigh across from him and Scott sat forward. “Anything we can help with?” he asked.
“It’s Eric,” Tara muttered, sounding more than resigned.
He knew it. What had the fucker done to her?
“What’s he done now, Tara?” Brianna snarled.
“You want me to look into him?” Tyler growled.
What the hell? Scott fisted his hands in his lap. Why was everybody privy to this obviously bad situation but him?
“God, no,” Tara practically yelped and Scott heard a coffee mug scratch across the table. He smelled the caramel and knew it was Tara’s. Tyler was more of a straight black kind of guy and Brianna went for tea.
“I can’t get him to leave, that’s all. I’ve been staying at a friend’s, but now her roomie’s coming back and I can’t stay there anymore. I am not going back to my apartment with him there, and since he put his name on the lease, I can’t really throw him out.”
“Oh, honey. Eric’s a shit.” Bri’s sympathy did Scott in.
“What the fuck is going on with Eric?” he ground out. Enough of the run around. If this shit was messing with Tara, he damn well wanted to know about it.
Brianna chuckled, but over her Scott heard Tara’s sharp intake of breath.
“Little brother, where have you been?” Tyler’s voice grated on Scott’s nerves.
Apparently he’d been somewhere with his head up his ass.
“Sorry, Scott, I thought you knew about me and Eric. We broke up a while back and he’s having a, um…hard time letting go.” Tara’s words were laced with disgust.
Scott shook his head sharply. “Uh-huh. Didn’t know. Never heard about it.” His heart hammered and a muscle jumped in his jaw. For two months he’d been waiting for the perfect opportunity to make Tara his and she’d been fighting off the advances of another man. If he’d known, he would have stepped up to the plate sooner.
“The man’s deranged,” Brianna offered.
Tara snorted. “I just need to make him see there is no us anymore. I don’t know, maybe if he saw me with someone else, he’d finally get the picture. Must be nice to have two men at your disposal, Bri.” There was laughter in Tara’s voice.
Tyler grunted, and Bri gave an overly dramatic sigh. “Aah, yes, it certainly is.”
“Watch it, little one. Payback can be a bitch,” Tyler warned.
That drew a snort from Bri. “Whatever.”
“I’ll do it,” Scott said softly, breaking up the momentary jovial attitude.
“You’ll do what?” Bri asked, sounding perplexed. Even Kissy whined in an almost huh? kind of way.
Scott lifted his head and turned in Tara’s direction, making it clear he was speaking to her and only to her. If this was his golden opportunity, he sure as hell wasn’t going to pass it up.
“I’ll be the other man.”
Chapter Two
Tara nearly swallowed her tongue. “Wha…what?” she gasped. Her hands shook with his announcement. She carefully set the mug on the table so no coffee would slosh out. If only he knew how much she wanted him to be the other man.
He’d been such a good friend. And that’s all he’s offering right now, dummy. Friendship. Tara dug her nails into her jeans and inhaled.
“Scottie, be serious, would you? This isn’t a game,” Brianna snapped.
Tara nodded, agreeing with her best friend.
“I am dead serious,” Scott ground out, his face taut.
Tara’s heart lurched. What would it feel like to be held in Scott’s arms, to be cherished by…
She shook her head. Not possible. The man was richer than rich, and besides wanting to help a friend, he wouldn’t want anything romantic. Not when he could have his pick of any woman in the country.
Gathering her errant thoughts, Tara cleared her throat. “That’s sweet, Scott, really, but not needed, I assure you.” I’m lying, please see that I’m lying! I do need you.
Scott slumped in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. His face looked dejected. Why? She would have thought he’d be overjoyed with being let off the hook.
“Somebody needs to help,” Scott demanded. “You see any other candidates around?”
Tara had to smile. The man was sulking, pure and simple.
“Jeez, Scottie, we didn’t know you cared so much,” Brianna teased, reaching across to slap Scott on the thigh.
He didn’t take too well to that. His lip curled and he stood. Tara let her gaze move the length of his delicious body from his knees, to his firm thighs, over the decidedly large bulge at his fly, the smooth hardness of his abs beneath his tight-fitting T-shirt—
Tara did a double take and returned her gaze to his fly and the very noticeable bump he did nothing to even attempt to hide.
Her throat was suddenly parched.
“Whenever you twits decide how you want to handle this situation, let me know, would you? I was only trying to help,” he grumbled.
Scott moved away, letting Kissy-Face lead him through the crowded café.
Damn. Why did that make her feel like a complete loser? She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings.
“Did he just call us twits?” Brianna asked.
“I believe he did, little one.” Tyler wrapped a big hand around Brianna’s neck and gave it a caressing squeeze.
Tara sighed. She’d never had that kind of attention before. She wanted it. Badly. Would Scott be like that? Would he lavish her with sweet little kisses like Tyler was doing on Bri’s neck?
“Oh, get a room,” she barked, coming out of her musings. Scott and she together would never work. Ridiculous to even contemplate it.
Brianna cle
ared her throat and pushed Tyler’s roving lips away. “I’m sorry, Tara. You’re right, we need to think about you. What can I do?”
Tara snorted and flopped back on the small couch. She covered her face with her hands and rolled her head back and forth. “I don’t know,” she groaned. “I have to find a place to live, so unless you know someone who needs a roommate, I—”
“Stay with us.”
She jumped at Scott’s deep voice behind her and twisted to look up at him. “What?” She laughed, willing her heart back into a normal rhythm. She hadn’t even heard the man come back. He smelled so yummy. His belly was eye level and Tara longed to rub her cheek against it.
“I said, stay with me, us, I mean. Stay at the house.”
House? From what she’d seen, they didn’t live in a house. The place was huge in an over-exaggerated sort of way. No. She couldn’t stay there. Not with him. The nearness would drive her batty.
“I can’t do that, Scott.”
“Why not?” Brianna asked, drawing Tara’s attention. She leaned forward, excitement lighting her eyes. “It’s perfect. Moving in with us would have to make Eric see you’re no longer interested. Plus, you wouldn’t have to go apartment hunting. She could stay there, right, Ty?” She elbowed Tyler in the ribs.
“Oof.” He rubbed the offended body part with a grimace. “What the hell did you do that for?” Tyler grabbed Brianna’s fingers and held them under his palm on his thigh. “Of course you’re welcome to stay. There’s no reason to become violent,” he mumbled at Bri.
Tara smiled. She could see how pissed he was as his thumb traced a soothing path over Brianna’s wrist.
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Scott growled behind her.
She turned again but he’d already moved. Stooping over, he ran one set of fingers along the table’s edge and the other searched for his seat.
“Two steps, Scott,” Tara whispered.
He stopped moving and turned his head toward her, his gaze hidden behind the sunglasses. She wished she could see his eyes just once. In all the time she’d known him, she’d never seen them.
He stood tall and took two steps. After doing a ninety-degree turn, he sat without feeling for the seat.
Look What Santa Brought Page 1
