Intimate Stranger

by Jan Springer

  * * * * *

  Emily hoped she hadn’t made a complete and utter fool of herself. Blushing and making such a silly excuse for having candles under the wharf. Grabbing on to his shoulders the way she had. Jumping when he came near her.

  Shaking her head in disgust, she whipped the ingredients of the omelet with renewed frenzy. The man hadn’t been here forty-eight hours and she’d almost been kissed twice. More times than Skip had ever tried. No wonder she wanted Chance’s kisses! Why did her body have to betray her with such hot, yummy yearnings she couldn’t seem to control?

  Just thinking about him made her heat with want. He was a stranger. A handsome, stranger who should be forbidden fruit to her.

  Their brief chat under the boardwalk spilled into her thoughts. A couple should make the time for each other. His exact words. Boy, he certainly had zeroed in on Skip and hers relationship quickly, hadn’t he? Skip and she hadn’t even talked about the wedding arrangements, leaving everything to his boss. Helena was a dear friend to both of them, she’d even hired private investigators to search into Steve’s death. The inquiries had come up empty.

  Pointing out his charming gentleman qualities, she’d pushed Emily to accept Skip’s proposal. He had a sweet sense of humor, a handsome salary, good looks and he wanted to settle down with a good woman and have babies.

  Whenever he stayed over, which was quite often in the past few weeks, he never once approached her in a sexual nature, stating he was an old-fashioned guy and wanted to save himself for the honeymoon. She’d almost laughed out loud at that one when he’d told her that excuse. Wasn’t that usually what a woman said to her intended instead of the other way around?

  He was romantic though, wining and dining her at the most exclusive restaurants on Prince Edward Island. On several occasions he even chartered an airplane to New York for them to catch an elegant dinner and Broadway play or a baseball game.

  Other than brotherly pecks on her cheek and an occasional display of affection by surprising her with a bouquet of fresh flowers, he was a perfect gentleman. The total opposite of her husband. Not that Steve hadn’t been a gentleman. He was. But he’d been romantic in his touches not in material things.

  He’d always placed a protective hand against the small of her back when he led her into a restaurant. Held her hand while they walked down city streets or along red sandy beaches. No pecks on the cheek from Steve! Only fierce, passionate kisses that made her blood boil and her hair curl as if she were being electrified.

  Chance seemed to be the same type of man like her late husband. After he bought a date with her at the fair last night, he’d placed a possessive hand against the small of her back. When they’d toured the fairgrounds, he held her hand. Only when he shot those rifles with fierce determination had he let go of her hand. Then he won the stuffed lobster that now sat on her bed. At the dance he looked at her with those seductive eyes, dark with desire. Just as he’d looked at her today under the boardwalk. On both occasions her body had reacted with violent need.

  Chance reminded her of how it felt to be a woman. To want a man to caress her breasts. To want his muscular legs intertwined with hers. To want him to fulfill her every sexual desire.

  Instincts told her Chance would make her scream when she orgasmed. He wouldn’t hold back on arousing himself either. He seemed to be the kind of man who wouldn’t deny himself sexual pleasure. Daniel had said Chance was a shy man. Daniel was full of it. The son of a bitch must have sent Chance here because he was a lot like Steve.

  Oh dear! What was she going to do about her attraction to him? The only way she could think to solve the problem was to ask him to leave. Yet it wouldn’t be very nice to kick out an old friend of her late husband and his family.

  She reached for the frying pan and shook her head as she looked at it. That’s exactly how her life was at this point. In the frying pan. If she wasn’t careful, she’d soon be jumping straight into the fire.

  * * * * *

  Chance smelled the mouthwatering scent of mushroom omelet the instant he stepped onto the deck. The aroma shot memories through his system of late nights, working on a deadline and Emily prodding him awake in the mornings by making his favorite mushroom omelet. More times than not, it ended up burning in the frying pan and he’d be late for work because he dragged her right back into bed with him so he could make love to her.

  He groaned softly and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths of the mushroom scent. He enjoyed sex with her, particularly in the mornings. He liked her sleepy look. Tousled hair, dark brown eyes and always a warm, loving smile for him when she woke up to find him leaning over her, ready to kiss her awake.

  Then she’d stretch her arms out over her head, jutting her breasts out so perfectly he couldn’t keep his hands off them. They’d always slept in the nude. It had been easier that way when they would reach for each other in the middle of the night and have sex because one or the other felt like it.

  Opening his eyes, he took several deep breathes of the cool salty air, trying to still the sudden wild racing of his heart.

  Shit, if she’d known who he was he’d be taking her right on that intimate table for two. Wouldn’t be the first time, either. Or maybe on the kitchen counter. Now that would be a first time.

  Okay, chill, man. Don’t touch her and you’ll be fine, he chastised himself.

  Nodding, he opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. He found Emily at the stove, her back turned toward him. Rolling up his sleeves, he headed for the kitchen sink to wash his hands.

  “I’m starving like a dog and the omelet smells fantastic,” he said casually, acting as if he weren’t so hard for her he could start making love to her right here and now. She remained silent, and when he finished, he wiped his hands on a towel and sidled in next to her to take a peek at breakfast. She stiffened. A sick heaviness wrapped around his guts, and he moved away from her. Obviously, she was upset about something.

  “Omelet will be done in a minute,” she said, tightness edging her voice. “Why don’t you grab yourself a mug of coffee.”

  Yes, definitely upset. He hoped he hadn’t gone too far with his comment about her wedding planner and the couple who didn’t take the time to plan a wedding wouldn’t take the time for each other during the marriage. True those were his personal feelings, but maybe she saw things differently after all the years they’d been apart.

  He reached for the mug from the dish rack and poured himself a cup. He didn’t offer to get hers because he knew she preferred to drink it steaming hot instead of it sitting on the table, cooling while she prepared breakfast.

  Grabbing the cream from the fridge, he dumped in a hefty dose and shoveled in three spoons of sugar. He loved his coffee extra sweet and creamy, and Emily had always kidded him he should cut down on the sugar and cream before he got fat.

  He took a giant sip and savored the roasted flavor.

  “Tastes great!” he commented, and alarm slithered up his spine when he noticed her watching him, her face pale.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She turned away and picked up the spatula.

  “Don’t tell me nothing’s wrong. Your hands are shaking. Is it me? The way I behaved under the boardwalk? I’m sorry. I came on too strong. Especially since you’re engaged. I should have kept my mouth shut about the wedding planner.”

  “No, it’s not that. I didn’t mind… I mean, it just brought back memories of Steve and me…down there. And I just realized you take coffee the same way he did.”

  Chance swallowed the lump of uneasiness knotting up his throat.

  “And mushroom omelets were a favorite of Steve’s.”

  “The McCullens always made them when I went to visit their ranch,” Chance lied. “I guess smelling it reminds me of those days and how Steve made the coffee for us.”

  Her face lost some of its paleness and he exhaled a sigh of relief. Hopefully she accepted the explanation and wouldn’t think anything more about it.r />
  “Omelet’s finished. Take a seat. I’ll bring it over.”

  He pulled out a chair at the table for two and tried really hard not to let the sexy images of him stripping Emily, cupping her ass and hoisting her onto the table.

  Oh man, she had such a nice tight pussy and—

  Chill! He scolded himself as his cock hardened so much he swore he’d groaned out loud. Thankfully she hadn’t heard. Or if she had, she pretended otherwise.

  He focused his attention on watching her work.

  She’d always been beautiful, but suddenly she seemed even more so. Maybe because he knew he couldn’t have her, or maybe because of what she’d said of how he reminded her of Steve.

  The magical connection between them was still there. Unbroken after all these years of separation and stronger than ever. What happened under the dock this morning proved it. The hot, needy way she looked at him. The fantastic way her looks made him feel.

  He studied the shape of her body as he’d always loved doing. This morning though, it was more than enjoyment that seared through him as he watched the seductive way her breasts pushed out against the thick turtleneck she wore.

  He remembered how soft and warm she’d felt this morning against his body when she’d held his shoulders.

  Shit! He should have kissed her. Should have followed through on his instincts and his urges. But if he kissed her, then everything would be different. He’d want her even more than he wanted her now.

  He shifted uncomfortably, his cock pressing painfully against his tight jeans when she leaned over him to place the steaming omelet onto his plate. Straining for control, he shoved himself and his chair farther beneath the table so she wouldn’t see his arousal. He forced himself to pick up the knife and fork and proceeded to dig into the heavenly smelling food.

  Just then the phone rang and Emily quickly picked it up. “Hello.”

  “Daniel! Hi! Yes, he’s here.”

  She smiled into the receiver then listened for a moment. “He’s eating breakfast.”

  She turned to Chance and waved him to come over. Reluctantly he left his delicious-smelling omelet.

  “Hi!” was all he could think to say when he pressed the receiver to his ear.

  “You dirty dog!” Daniel chuckled in a teasing tone. “Obviously you’ve worked up quite an appetite. Hope you aren’t doing anything you shouldn’t be doing.”

  Chance grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “Sorry for intruding, but the wife was worried about you so she told me to phone and see how it’s going.”

  “Quit hiding behind your wife. It was your idea to call or she would have done it herself. You’re too nosy for your own good.”

  Daniel chuckled then continued. “Speaking of wives, I get the feeling you haven’t told Emily yet?”

  Chance’s grip on the telephone tightened and he snuck a peek at Emily, who was watching him curiously from the stove where she was pouring the egg mixture into the frying pan to make another omelet.

  “That won’t come up,” he warned.

  “I thought I’d better remind you about your check-up appointment next week.”

  “I hear you.”

  “It’s important, kiddo. Keep an eye on your health. Watch yourself.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Okay,” Chance replied, knowing full well if he didn’t make that check-up Daniel would come and get him.

  “Now there’s another reason I called,” his brother said. The seriousness in his tone vanished, replaced with something that sounded like stunned happiness.

  “Another reason besides checking up on me?”

  Daniel chuckled softly. “Put Emily on the phone with you.”

  Chance waved to Emily to join him. When she melted against him, he just about came in his pants. He held the out the phone so they could both listen.

  “She’s here,” Chance said, his voice sounded strangled. He tried like hell to avoid inhaling her sexy scent, but hey, a guy had to breathe, right?

  “Jo’s pregnant,” Daniel replied.

  A nice fluttery feeling scampered around in the pit of his stomach at the news. A soft gasp from Emily made him put his arm around her waist.

  “Daniel! This is so wonderful.” Emily laughed. “It is the best news.”

  “That’s not all. Brother Mathew and his wife Sara are expecting too. I just talked to them on the phone and they told me. Don’t tell them I spilled the beans. They want to call you themselves.”

  “You boys sure have been busy.” Chance chuckled into the receiver.

  “How far along are they?” Emily asked.

  “Jo’s three months and Sara’s two,” Daniel replied. “I’m not even supposed to be telling you this about Jo either. Not over the phone. Jo wants to visit and tell you in person, and Mathew and Sara want to tell you in person too, but I couldn’t wait. The minute she was out of sight I had to call.” His voice suddenly softened with disbelief. “Oh God! I’m going to be a dad! Hold on. I have to sit down.”

  “Easy there, man.” Chance laughed. “Got smelling salts handy?”

  There was silence on the other end. Concern shot through him. The guy hadn’t fainted, had he?

  “Danny?”

  “I’m here. I think reality just hit me. I’ve got to open up a college fund for the kid. Find out where he or… God! What if he’s a girl? How am I going to keep the guys away from her?”

  “Daniel,” Emily broke in, “first you need to get the baby a room to sleep in. A nursery. With a crib. A mobile with some relaxing music so the baby can fall asleep. And the baby’s going to need some clothes…”

  “Right. You’re right. A bed, clothes, mobile.”

  “Are you by any chance writing this down?” Chance smiled at Emily. Her brown eyes were beginning to fill with huge watery tears.

  Oh man. She’d better not cry or he’d kiss her for sure.

  “Write it down? Good idea. Oh darnit! I hear Jo coming. Don’t tell her I called you. Gotta go. Bye!”

  The instant they were disconnected Chance became very aware of the tears trickling down Emily’s cheeks.

  Ah shit. He knew why she was crying and he suddenly experienced the same agonizing pain of loss. Of what could have been. Of what would never be.

  “Don’t cry, Emily,” he said softly. His arms ached so bad to hold her. To comfort her.

  “I’m sorry. I can’t help it,” she sobbed. More tears spurted from her beautiful eyes and she quickly brushed them away.

  He reached out and touched his trembling fingertips to the corners of her eyes in a desperate effort to wipe away the continuous stream of hot tears. Damn she smelled good. A tinge of fresh air, delicate baby shampoo and mushrooms. Very appetizing indeed.

  “I’m so happy for Jo and her sister Sara. And for the McCullen brothers,” Emily whispered as she stared up at him. “It’s just…Steve and I never had the chance.”

  She gasped down a gulp of air then continued. “We were married only a few short months before we decided to move in here. I’d already quit my job and wanted to get into a seaweeding business. Steve wanted to freelance and went to quit his job. When he came back, we were going to start a family…but…he never came back.”

  I am back! Chance wanted to yell. Instead he said, “Now Steve’s brothers’ wives are having babies and you’re not.”

  “Neither is Steve. He should be here experiencing the same joys of fatherhood.”

  “Daniel didn’t sound too joyful once reality hit,” he teased.

  She looked up at him and her face broke into a breathtaking smile. He’d never wanted to kiss her as he yearned to kiss her right now. He was so close to doing it. So damn close. But then she turned away and headed back to the stove.

  “All his insecurities will fade into the background,” she said. “He’ll be a wonderful father. All the McCullen men make wonderful fathers.”

  A surge of pride flowed through him at he
r confident words. She turned from the stove and headed back to the table, grabbing his plate.

  “Anyway I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. Your omelet needs to be reheated and I’ve got to pick up some baby wool the next time I’m in town so I can get started on some clothes.”

  Chance inhaled a big gulp of relief as Emily’s smile grew stronger.

  “They’ll both be spring babies. One month apart,” she said, nodding as she put the plate into the microwave.

  All traces of sadness were gone, replaced with happiness for the women. She literally glowed and he could see the wheels grinding in her head about the clothes she would make with the knitting wool. Wool he’d promised to buy her just before he’d been kidnapped.

  A burst of anger swept across him at that thought, but he swept it away, keeping his thoughts focused on the present and on what she was saying.

  “Sara and Mathew’s son is a year old now. He’s going to have a new brother or sister.” Emily laughed and pressed the required buttons to nuke his breakfast. “Sara’s going to have her hands full when the new one arrives. She might need a babysitter and so will Jo.”

  Chance found himself smiling as she continued to chatter cheerfully about the new arrivals. Typical Emily. Wore her emotions on her sleeve. When she cried, she always managed to pull herself together and look on the bright side of things.

  He always admired her strength. She never leaned on anyone. When life threw her a punch, she ducked right under it and came up smiling twice as hard. He had no doubt she’d be babysitting her heart out within a few months’ time. She’d go on like a trooper once he removed her fiancé from her life.

  Chapter Eight

  For the remainder of the morning Chance worked himself half to death nailing the braces into place beneath the wharf. His emotions about his brothers’ news were seesawing all over the place.