by Tara Mills
“I’ll take straight water if you’ve got it.”
“It’s our best seller.” He headed up onto the deck.
Piper looked back at the yard and the net set up on the grass. “You play badminton?”
“A form of it anyway,” he said with another one of those cryptic smiles of his. Chad lifted the cover of the grill and picked up his flipper. After a minute he closed the lid and frowned at Piper. “You’re still wearing that wet shirt.”
“Yeah, well…”
He chuckled, understanding perfectly. “Fine, if it makes you feel more comfortable you can borrow one of mine but eventually you’re going to want to take it off.”
“Is that right?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“I’ll take one of yours anyway.”
Smirking, he pulled back the screen door. “After you.” He followed her inside and pointed the way. “Laundry room is down on the left. You can’t miss it. There should be a clean shirt by the dryer.”
There were three stacks of folded clothes on the cabinet and no doubt about whose pile was whose. Piper went through Chad’s and pulled out the first t-shirt she found. He was setting ketchup and mustard on a tray when she wandered outside to hang her shirt over the deck railing. Then she came back inside and leaned her hip against the counter.
Chad turned and nodded thoughtfully at her shirt of choice. “Gotta love Snoopy. You ready for that water?”
“Point me to the glasses.”
“I’ve got it,” he said opening an upper cabinet. He took it to the refrigerator and pressed the glass against the ice dispenser. The cubes were halfway up the glass when he stopped abruptly and turned with an apologetic shrug. “Ice?”
Piper laughed. “Sure, why not?”
“Whew. I thought I was gonna have to set these babies free.”
“Return them to their natural habitat?”
“Not quite. I was thinking the drain in the sink.”
“Seems a cruel way to dispose of them.”
“I thought so, too.”
He filled the glass with water then passed it to her before reaching into the fridge to get a cold beer. They went back out to the deck.
Piper dropped into one of the bouncy chairs while Chad checked on the burgers.
“Can I ask you something?” she said.
“Shoot.”
“Why am I wearing a bathing suit?”
He glanced over his shoulder with a playful grin. “I wanted us to match?”
“Pardon?”
He turned and pulled his shirt up, flashing his swim shorts along with an edible eyeful of bare stomach, modestly furred of course. The flip comment she was about to make lodged in her throat and she needed a quick gulp of water to wash it down.
But Chad seemed to know what she was thinking, anyway. He winked and raised his bottle to his lips.
Piper rolled her eyes at him and tried not to stare at his Adam’s apple but the way it dipped as he swallowed was utterly fascinating. It wasn’t usually that obvious.
Chad lowered the bottle and turned his head, calling, “Hey you clowns! Front and center.”
Missy and Kenny assembled on the grass in front of him.
“Is it time to eat?” Kenny asked hopefully.
“Just about, you know what to do.”
The kids bounded up the steps and into the kitchen. Chad went to take the burgers off the heat.
“Can I help with anything?” Piper asked.
“They’ve got it covered. Missy does the tableware and Kenny’s got the edibles.”
Right on cue, Kenny came out carrying the tray with ketchup, mustard, buns, and chips. Missy followed with a stack of plates and napkins.
As soon as the kids claimed their favorite chairs Piper realized she would be facing their dad while she ate. To a normal person that would be no big deal but Piper had issues. Since childhood she’d been uncomfortable eating in front of people. It took her time to relax and not feel self-conscious. So she nibbled, snuck little bites into her mouth and tried to chew discretely. She never understood where this strange hypersensitive quirk came from yet it lived on. She settled onto a chair while Chad stood over the kids, helping them set up their plates. When he finally sat across from her she wondered how she would manage this. The night before wasn’t an issue because they ate corn dogs while they walked so their attention was directed elsewhere. But this was a whole different situation, more intimate. She couldn’t just pretend him away, especially if he watched her as he was wont to do.
Piper’s fears were groundless. Though she felt Chad’s gaze on her repeatedly, she didn’t have a chance to stress over it because the kids monopolized the meal, hopping up and down in their seats and talking excitedly about their interests.
After supper, Piper overrode their objections that she was a guest and pitched in with cleanup. Once everything was put away they all returned to the deck and Chad offered Piper something a little more potent to drink. Piper chose to stick with water. Frankly it was too warm and she had doubts about her ability to handle herself under the influence. She didn’t want to flirt with a repeat of last night. The last thing she needed in her life right now was a new lover. But she could sure use more friends. She hadn’t realized until yesterday just how lonely she’d been since moving here. Joy was right, she needed to expand her social circle but that didn’t mean she was interested in being friends with benefits. It would be a lot easier to remember that if her head was clear.
Kenny leaped over the steps to the grass beyond yelling, “Boys against the girls!”
“Yeah!” Missy bunny hopped down the steps after her brother.
The boy disappeared down the side yard to get the hose. They could hear the squeak squeak squeak of the spigot when he turned on the water.
Chad turned to Piper. “Do you remember what I said about your shirt?”
“Yes,” she answered warily.
“Now would be a good time to take it off.”
Before she could ask why he grabbed the bottom of his shirt and yanked it over his head, tossing it onto a chair.
Okay, he had her attention now. The pick-up line, “If I said you had a great body would you hold it against me?” popped into her head. Piper stared, overwhelmed by how casually he undressed and completely flummoxed by her sudden awareness of him. It was hard enough relaxing with Chad when there always seemed to be tension hovering between them but this display was hitting several inches below the belt.
It was a fortunate coincidence that a mere half second before Chad would have caught her salivating over his scrumptious physique Kenny came back dragging the hose and sprinkler. Chad turned that way instead, saving Piper from complete humiliation. She decided then and there that not only was Kenny forgiven for his sneak attack but she owed the kid — big.
The boy set the sprinkler on its edge, directly below the net, and waited for it to cycle back before setting it properly and dashing clear.
“It’s ready!” he yelled.
Chad looked at Piper. “Come on then.”
She studied the lawn. “We’re going to play badminton under the sprinkler?”
“Yes and trust me, you’re going to love it.” His words, his eyes were loaded with innuendo.
Piper sighed and shifted a quarter turn before pulling her shirt up over her head. It made a handy screen for her blushes. This was not the time and this was certainly not the place to feel this level of arousal.
“Very nice,” Chad said softly, sending seductive shivers skittering across her skin.
“I’ve got the racquets,” Missy called up to her.
Piper turned to the girl with a grateful smile, tempted to give Missy a big hug for bringing her back to her senses.
“So are we going to play or what?”
Piper asked tartly and waltzed down the steps and onto the grass with as much poise as she could muster.
Piper accepted the racquet Missy held out to her and took her position. “Now, take it easy on me because I haven’t played this in years.”
“Don’t worry, we don’t really keep score,” Missy admitted.
“It’s not really the point,” Chad added across the net.
• • •
For a game that really wasn’t a game at all it was still hilarious fun. Their goal seemed to be keeping the birdies in the air for as long as possible and anything ugly or balletic or downright crazy was permitted as long as they didn’t let it hit the ground. They slid and skated across the wet grass falling time and time again until they were all drenched and speckled in mud.
If that didn’t pose enough of a challenge for Piper there was the added difficulty of pretending to be immune to Chad’s bare athletic body right in front of her. Then of course even more difficult was ignoring how Chad seemed to enjoy watching her bounce more than the birdie during their livelier volleys. Still, the sexual tension aside, Piper had a great time. Had they bothered to keep score, there was no question the boys would have kicked their butts.
• • •
Once the sun dropped below the tree line and the shadows lengthened they shut off the water. There was a noticeable drop in temperature now and they shivered as they traipsed into the house just ahead of a platoon of mosquitoes looking for a late meal.
Chad sent Piper back to the laundry room to find another set of dry clothes while the family scattered to their rooms to change. She was just coming out dressed in another of his shirts and a pair of his sweats when Chad came around the corner carrying their wet suits. She waited while he threw everything into the washer. Looking over his shoulder he held out his hand for her bathing suit too. Piper passed it to him. The machine was humming away when they returned to the kitchen.
That’s when Chad finally noticed that Piper was shivering and her hair was still so wet it was dripping onto her shoulders.
Obviously upset he asked, “Wasn’t there a towel in there?”
She shook her head. “But that’s okay. I’m fine.”
“No you’re not. Wait right there.”
Chad was back in a flash, holding open a large plush bath towel. She moved to take it from him but he shook his head and wrapped her in it himself, pinning her arms to her sides while he roughed her skin up and down and pressed the ends of her dripping hair between the layers.
Piper stood frozen, looking up at him until he stopped and dropped his head down to kiss her gently. He nuzzled her with his cheek, his nose, and Piper leaned into him, accepting the quiet intimacy. Her lashes were wet and she didn’t know if it was from the sprinkler or if she was crying but when Chad drew back and noticed he used a corner of the towel to dry her eyes, tenderly, like he might for one of his children.
Piper didn’t want him to do it. She didn’t want to care for him or his family, this wonderful family that worked so well as a team and obviously loved each other completely.
“Why me?” she whispered.
He looked at her helplessly before answering. “Because…” He struggled to find the words. “Because — I just knew.” Agitated, he started rubbing her with the towel again. “I felt it. I never expected to feel it a second time.”
She needed to understand. “What did you feel?”
He shook his head and smiled and there was warmth in his eyes when he stopped his hands. “The same thing you felt when you saw me.”
• • •
He remembered that first night, more importantly, he knew she did too. “I want to keep seeing you.”
“Chad, I need to tell you something.” She put her hand against his chest and stepped back.
Her tone made him nervous. “Tell me then.”
Piper wrapped herself protectively in the towel and walked around the counter to take a stool across from him.
“I came here six months ago in order to put some distance between myself and a bad relationship.” She breathed in and out as though even discussing it was somehow exhausting. “I found myself in a caretaker role. I didn’t appreciate it. He put every responsibility onto my shoulders and I loathed him for it.”
Chad’s gaze caressed her sympathetically. “I know, you told me this already.”
Piper’s lower lip trembled and she looked up apologetically. “Chad, your kids are great. I could never have gotten Mick to help with dinner or clean up or anything else for that matter and he’s an adult but right now I just don’t think I’m ready to consider getting involved with a man with a family. I’m still carrying too much resentment. I only want to think about myself for a while.” She cringed. “I realize that sounds selfish but I’ve earned a break. It would be wrong of me to give you the wrong impression about why I’m here and worse, to confuse Kenny and Missy about us. I’m sorry.”
The corner of Chad’s mouth trembled a moment then curled up in amusement. “This isn’t a marriage proposal, Piper. I just want to hang out with you more. I don’t have much of a social life outside of this.” He waved his hand around the kitchen. “We can keep it light, no demands, if that’s what you need.”
“It is, right now it is.”
“Fine, no pressure.” He grinned. “You free tomorrow?”
Chapter 12
Now that school was officially out for the summer Chad was confined to his home office most of the time. Still, there were always situations that demanded on-site calls and he pounced on them. Unfortunately, if Mrs. Conway from next door wasn’t home to watch the kids while he ran around he was forced to drag them along. Today was one of those days.
When he pulled onto the dusty gravel and parked, his was the lone car among the pickup trucks and SUVs.
Chad cut the engine. After he unclipped his seatbelt he reached over and slapped Missy’s visor back up, giving her a fierce look at the same time. It was obvious she was waiting for him to leave so she could make faces at her brother in the mirror. Kenny was already in an ugly mood in the backseat and nurturing a grudge because he didn’t call shotgun fast enough. Chad knew one more poke would send Kenny over the edge of his already questionable control.
Chad got out and peered through his open window at his kids, his voice as stern as he could make it.
“No funny business. You stay in the car with your seatbelts buckled.”
He looked at Kenny specifically and said, “No kicking the back of Missy’s seat and keep your hands to yourself.”
Then he turned to his daughter. “Keep the mirror where it is and don’t antagonize your brother.”
“Yeah!” Kenny said.
“Hey,” Chad pointed his finger at both of them. “Here’s the deal, if I come back and hear one complaint from either of you — and I don’t even care whose fault it is — we won’t be stopping for ice cream cones on the way to Grandma’s.”
“Ice cream cones?” they asked in unison.
“Only if you two can convince me I can trust you together for ten minutes. Think you can do that?”
They both nodded, perfectly sincere and Chad clapped his hardhat on and strode off to find Hanson, leaving his kids to discuss their flavor preferences.
• • •
“You’re in a good mood.” Joy sidled up to Piper as she used a rubber scraper to clear the cake batter from the mixing bowl.
“Am I?” Piper asked, surprised that it showed.
“You’ve been wearing a perma-grin all day and humming off key so yeah. What gives? Does it have anything to do with that phone call you got here yesterday?”
Piper set the bowl aside and smiled sheepishly. “Maybe. Let’s just say that I have plans this weekend and with summer here my nights are wide open. That’s all.”
“Wait
a second. You’re busy? You had a date, didn’t you? I knew it!” Joy leaned her hip against the counter and peered at her co-worker expectantly.
Piper shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it a date exactly.”
“Nuh uh. No way. I need details, Chicky.”
Piper tossed the rubber scraper into the bowl and faced her. “It’s nothing, it’s just, do you remember that guy I was so pissed at a couple of weeks ago?”
“The stalker?”
Piper laughed and shook her head. “He’s not a stalker. I was just mad at him but now I’m over it. He’s actually a really nice guy.”
“And?”
“We sort of got together recently. Not alone,” she clarified. “His kids were there, too.”
“No!” Then Joy made a face. “He’s got kids?”
“Two. Eight-year-old twins.”
“That’s a lot of baggage.”
“Cut it out,” Piper warned. “Besides, it’s not like we’re dating. We’re just hanging out together. I could use another friend. You know I’m not looking for anything else right now.”
“So you said.” Joy snorted skeptically. “And what’s he looking for?”
This is where Piper had to tread delicately. “Well, he might have hoped for more at first but I set him straight. We had a good heart to heart and now he’s perfectly content to leave it at that.” Piper frowned at the doubt clearly written across Joy’s face. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I like him — them. We have fun together. Why does there have to be more?”
“I get it. He’s not very good looking.”
Piper bit her lip to stifle a giggle. “Hardly. The guy’s tastier than a black forest cake. But that’s beside the point.” She took a second to roll her shoulders before sliding the last heavy cake pan into the oven with the others, and when she turned around she was grinning. “I’m taking him windsurfing after work today.”
