by Tara Mills
“How about you? You told my mom you aren’t from the area. What’s your story?”
“I’m from Martin Heights.”
“Sure, three hours west.”
“Right. Anyway, I reached a point where I needed to make a fresh start, put a little distance between me and my ex. He has a way of turning up. You might say he’s my bad penny.”
A moment of clarity hit him. “No wonder you were so edgy when I stopped you in the parking lot.”
She saw that he had the wrong impression and hurried to correct it. “No, Mick never hurt me physically. His problem, which became my problem, was that he was a living tar pit. The longer we were together the more exhausting it was for me. He never meant to wear me down, he was just being Mick. He’s got an incurable Peter Pan complex. Didn’t want to grow up or be responsible. He had no problem indulging in the fun side of adulthood but he didn’t stay around to pick up the check or clean up after the party.”
“So you divorced him?”
Piper shook her head. “Didn’t have to, we weren’t married. I moved out. Unfortunately it didn’t stop Mick from keeping in touch. He knows how to work me when he needs something, especially cash, and since I have a habit of taking on his responsibilities I needed to make myself scarce.”
“And three hours away is working?”
“So far. Of course he doesn’t know where I am.”
He looked at her thoughtfully. “Then I need to ask. Why have you been so prickly towards me? If you didn’t find me physically dangerous…”
Her quick head shake and smile reassured him.
“Okay, so why did you threaten to blast me with pepper spray?”
“Mace,” Piper corrected with a laugh. “I’m not sure. My best guess is that I was lashing out from embarrassment. You did make me look ridiculous in front of my class.”
“I made you look ridiculous, how?”
“You know how.”
“How?” he pressed, peering expectantly into her eyes.
“You distracted me and everyone knew it. Why wouldn’t I be angry?”
He grinned. “Well, I thought it was fantastic. Do you know I blew off a dinner party my best friends were throwing — for me apparently — when I saw you?”
“You did? You weren’t registered for the class?”
His smile deepened. “No. We’re drinking my hostess gift right now as a matter of fact. It’s the reason I went to the store in the first place.”
“Wow. Are they mad at you?”
“They were. Apparently it was a set-up and I left them hanging.”
“And you didn’t know?”
“Right again.” He reached for the bottle of wine and topped each glass before setting it back on the coffee table.
“Huh.” Piper smiled and took a sip. “I owe you an apology. I’ve been a real bitch. I didn’t want to like you.”
“Apology accepted.” Chad tapped his glass against hers. “To a fresh start.”
Time moved sluggishly while they sipped, eyes locked. The space between them felt weighted and as it collapsed into itself it drew them in too until they were so close their breath mingled. The faint smell of the crisp wine seemed to be the only thing resistant to the pull. Piper’s lashes drooped, suddenly heavy and just when she felt the barest tickle of his lips on hers a sound as loud as a bowling ball crashing down the stairs jolted them both back to reality. They sprang apart guiltily right before Kenny stormed into the room.
“Missy’s not out yet!”
Chad looked at Piper, his expression a mixture of disappointment and apology. “Will you excuse me a second?”
“Sure.”
• • •
Chad followed his son upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door.
There was panic in Missy’s voice. “Don’t come in!”
“Honey, Kenny needs to shower too. Can you hurry it up?”
She unlocked the door and pulled it open. She was holding her slippers against her chest and there was a comb sticking out from her wet hair.
Chad smiled at her. “Can I help?”
Missy nodded and they moved aside so Kenny could take possession of the bathroom. The boy slammed the door between them. Still standing in the hall Chad eased the comb free then carefully worked at the tangles one by one. He cursed himself for forgetting to buy the conditioner. He’d pick some up tomorrow.
• • •
When Chad walked back through the archway and into the living room the pleasure Piper felt was so intense it terrified her. Shaken, she downed the rest of her wine and bolted to her feet, setting the empty glass on the coffee table.
“I’m sorry but I really need to get going. My work schedule is changing and I’ve got an early day tomorrow,” she said hurriedly, practically stumbling over her excuses.
Chad’s face fell but he didn’t pressure her. “Okay, I’ll get your purse.”
She followed him back to the kitchen and waited impatiently while he pulled it out of the drawer. Handing it over Chad followed Piper back down the hall to the foyer. She wanted nothing more at this particular moment than to put some distance between them, fast, before it was too late.
Her pulse quickened when she realized his intentions. “You don’t have to walk me out.”
“Of course I do.”
Piper didn’t argue but she wanted to. When they reached her car she grabbed the door handle but Chad reached up and put his palm flat against the window, holding it closed. Startled, she turned to face him, uncomfortably aware of just how close he was standing to her.
Chapter 10
“Listen, I should have thanked you for tonight. I had a nice time.” Piper’s lame attempt at defusing the tension was obvious.
Chad nodded, his heavenly eyes considering her thoughtfully.
Nervous perspiration started to trickle out of her pores. “And you have two really great kids. Say good-night for me, would you?”
He nodded again. “Why are you running, Piper?” His voice was so soft, so low it was almost a whisper. He leaned towards her, forcing her to look up at him.
Her eyes darted to the right when she tried to deny it. “I’m not.”
“Oh, that was convincing.” He chuckled. “Can we cut the bullshit? You do something to me and clearly I’m affecting you. I think we owe it to ourselves to explore it — together.”
She couldn’t even formulate a coherent thought when Chad was practically touching her, crowding her like this. He was much too close, too warm. The intoxicating smell of him insinuated itself into her nose like a drug and pumped her already careening blood flow even faster through her body.
His control astounded her. She was firing flames out her fingertips and he was the definition of cool. Slowly he tilted her chin up and lowered his mouth to hers. Piper found herself responding, unable to do anything else. Then he pulled back but his eyes still held her, a captured thing and she only had time enough for one quick breath before he dove again and swallowed the breath right out of her.
This kiss was harder, more demanding and Piper rode the curve of the car like a chamois cloth as he bent her backwards. Chad’s body molded itself to hers, pressed tight, and his fingers combed up through her hair.
When he eventually eased back, Chad brought Piper with him, returning her to an upright position. Her legs buckled.
“Whoa there,” he said, catching her.
He pulled her door open and Piper dropped weakly onto the seat and stared up at him with glazed eyes.
“Where are your keys?” Chad’s question barely penetrated her mental fog.
Piper pulled them from her purse and started the engine.
Chad watched her with growing concern. “Hey, are you going to be all right?”
She nodded, completel
y rattled and not entirely sure what he just asked.
“Open your window. I think you need the air.” He smiled and closed the door for her. Piper lowered the window and looked up at him, her confusion finally beginning to clear.
He leaned in. “Be safe. I’ll call you.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
Piper stared at her steering wheel in distress. She’d lost her marbles! Where the hell was she going again? Oh yeah, home, she needed to get home. She hoped she could find her way back from here. She couldn’t believe how Chad completely rearranged her gray matter with that kiss.
• • •
Chad was relieved when Piper managed to back out of his driveway without a mishap. By the time she reached the corner and her brakes lit up he knew she would be fine. He turned back to the house with a satisfied chuckle. Oh honey, look out. I’ve been saving up.
• • •
It was after ten the next morning and as unbelievable as it seemed, Alice was back walking the aisles of the Ritz Grocery Store, otherwise known to the locals as Klein’s. This time she went without Chad. She was on a mission, to interfere if necessary, on his behalf. He didn’t need to hear about it. Not if she played her cards right anyway.
Her eyes were keen as she scoped the produce section first then moved on to meats in search of the elusive woman. Just when she was beginning to consider scrapping the whole effort as a momentary lapse of judgment she spotted Piper standing behind glass, decorating what was going to be a three-tiered cake. She was applying very realistic frosting violets to the butter cream so it took her a few minutes to notice that she had an audience.
“Hello, Victoria!” Alice greeted her with a wave.
“It’s Piper,” she said with a laugh.
“Right, right.”
“Hang on,” Piper called out and gave the pastry bag in her hand a couple more twists and bent to finish the row she was working on.
Finally done, she stepped out from behind the glass and adjusted the neck of her apron. She gave Alice an uncertain smile across the top of the case.
“You do beautiful work,” said Alice.
“Thank you.” Piper took a deep breath. “Listen, I think I know what you’re doing here so let me save you a little time by telling you that I’ve already been out with Chad, the whole family actually.”
Alice beamed, the impulse to drum ecstatically on the glass case almost getting the better of her. “Really — how was it?”
“Different. Nice.” Piper hid a bashful smile behind her hand.
Encouraged, Alice said, “You could do a lot worse.”
Piper laughed. “Any mother would say that.”
“True, but would they really believe it?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“I would. Most mothers love their children unconditionally but we aren’t completely blind to who they are, faults and all.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting Chad has faults?” Piper teased.
“Oh honey, we’d need to grab a lunch if you want to discuss him in detail.” Alice laughed. “I’m just kidding. But seriously, Chad’s a good catch.”
“Maybe we should have lunch. You might be a safer bet than your son.”
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Alice gave Piper an understanding look. “He unsettles you, doesn’t he?”
“Big time.”
“You know, his father had the same effect on me. Threw me loopy. I feel for you.” She reached across the case and patted Piper’s hand. “I’m Alice, by the way, Alice Thomas. I’m in the book. Call if you want, I have a sympathetic ear. But I warn you now, I’m biased.”
“But of course.”
“Just so we understand one another.”
• • •
At the end of her shift Piper pulled off her apron and hung it up then went to work on the kinks in her lower back, finally rolling her shoulders to ease the tight muscles. She was just stretching out her neck when the phone on the back wall rang.
“I’m off the clock,” she reminded Joy, grabbing her purse.
Joy rolled her eyes and caught the phone. “Bakery. Yeah, just a second.” She held out the phone with a smug grin. “For you.”
Piper snapped her fingers and grumbled all the way back to take the foul thing. Visions of her nice soothing shower were evaporating fast. Joy looked at her curiously as she handed the phone over.
“This is Piper.”
“Good, I caught you. Come over.”
“Who is this?”
“Chad.”
To her annoyance her knees went weak on her. “What did you just say?”
“It’s Chad.”
“No, before that.”
“Oh, come over.”
“Why? I was planning to hit the lake.”
“I have another idea.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Hey, I can guarantee you’ll be perfectly safe and we’ll have two pint-sized chaperones again.”
“I’ve heard that one before. Listen, I should probably tell you now that I’m not exactly the family fun type.”
“Did you have a good time last night?”
She screwed up her face before reluctantly answering, “Yes.”
“There you go. Wear a bathing suit.”
“A bathing suit?”
“Dress for me — not the kids.”
She could picture his grin from here. “Right,” she said with a snort then smiled anyway.
He laughed. “See you soon, Piper.”
He hung up before she could raise any more objections. Hanging up on her end, Piper cursed him, herself, and fate as she headed out to her car, so distracted she completely missed Joy’s wide-eyed stare following her.
Chapter 11
Thirty minutes later Piper was still fuming but committed to the idea as she rummaged through her dresser drawer at home.
“Dress for me,” she muttered, throwing her tasteful one piece and the matching sarong onto the bed. She felt rebellious when she slipped into it knowing she had a very sexy little number buried in her underwear drawer that he’d appreciate so much more. Then she realized how silly she was behaving and laughed at herself.
Chad had balls — she had to give him that. Not that she was in any hurry to see them. Crap. There she goes again, straying in directions she really shouldn’t. That nonsense had to stop.
• • •
“This is it,” Piper coached herself as she pulled into the driveway. “You’re an adult. You’re in control. Nothing you don’t want to happen has to happen.”
Bucked up by her pep talk she got out and turned to shut the car door. That’s when Kenny leaped from the bushes with his Super Soaker and blasted her in the back, drenching her with ice cold water.
It would be hard to say what went higher, Piper’s scream or her startled leap into the air. When she returned to her feet she whipped around with a, “You little — ” but the kid was already rounding the corner of the garage.
Piper took off after the little monster, visions of revenge spurring her on.
Kenny hit the backyard mere inches ahead of Piper’s grasping hand when, to the surprise of both, Kenny went spinning up into the air, his weapon arcing out of his hands and landing in the grass several feet away.
The boy was suddenly perched across his dad’s shoulder like a flailing airplane, all hands and kicking feet.
Chad turned to Piper and she thought he was going to come to his son’s defense but she was wrong.
“Going somewhere?” Chad asked Kenny ominously. He looked at Piper. “He nailed you, didn’t he?”
“You could say that.” Piper turned and showed her back, pulling the clammy fabric away from her bare skin.
“I think
a little torture is in order,” Chad said with a sinister chuckle.
“Torture?” Piper asked.
“The tickle treatment.”
Kenny started laughing and squirming. “Dad, no! I’ll pee. Dad!”
Taking the warning seriously Chad relented and looked at Piper. “Fine. Piper, you choose the consequences.”
Following Chad’s lead she rubbed her hands together wickedly. “It has to be good.”
He grinned. “Naturally.”
Struck by sudden inspiration, Piper pulled her purse around from her shoulder and went rummaging. Both Kenny and Chad went momentarily still, watching her curiously. Then she produced her lipstick and Ken’s struggles got louder and more desperate.
Piper winked at Chad. “See this? This lipstick is hot pink, a pink so bright you need sunglasses just to put it on. I think Kenny should have to ride his bike up and down the street three times so that all his friends get a chance to see how pretty he is wearing it.”
“No!” Kenny screamed in horror. His struggles shifted from desperate to violent.
Clearly it was time to calm him down before he accidentally hurt his dad. “Or,” she said reasonably. “He can promise me no more sneak attacks or the lipstick comes out and I won’t be merciful.”
“Okay, okay, deal,” Kenny agreed.
Piper was still brandishing her lipstick when Missy came through the screen door, her wide eyes fixed on the tube. “Can I wear lipstick?”
“No!” both adults answered together, Piper because she didn’t want the natural peach to give her away and Chad because he just plain wasn’t ready for his daughter to dabble in cosmetics yet.
“Now what do you say to Piper?” Chad asked his son.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re forgiven,” said Piper.
Chad flipped Kenny over and set him on his feet. The kid took off with a whoop of relief and his father turned to Piper with a warm smile. “Way to play ball.”
She shrugged casually, quashing the impulse to beam like a drunken idiot at his approval. “Hey, I know how to tag.”
“Come on up. I think the hamburgers are about ready to be flipped.” He glanced back. “Why don’t you take off that wet shirt and hang it on the railing there? Then we’ll go inside and set you up properly. We’ve got beer, iced tea, a juice box maybe?”
