by A. C. Mason
“Is marriage important to you?” she asked.
This was a road he’d heard her travel with others before. “I’m aware of your opinion on legally binding contracts between a man and woman. The faint echo of your father’s words resonates when you get all fired up about it.”
“Is it important to you?” she pushed.
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Why?” she asked.
At this point why did it matter to her? “It’s a commitment to the person I love.”
“So your word to that person isn’t good enough...” She cocked her head.
The defensive tone drove home where she stood regarding marriage. “If my word satisfied her then it would be.”
“Now that was easy.” She wiped her palms against each other in victory.
“I can be.” He chuckled. For the right woman he could be very accommodating.
She grinned and her gaze traveled down to his crotch, making him hard.
Did she know how much he wanted her? Maybe she didn’t know enough to get it yet. The physical desire inside him was growing, but so was something tender.
He needed to change the subject so he didn’t run around with a huge hard on. “So how does this last minute gift buying work exactly?”
“I guess that depends on the buyer really.” She shrugged. “I have a list of three or four items per-person. When I come across the gift, I remove them from the list.”
It wasn’t how he thought most last minute buyers went about it. “Sounds pretty reasonable to me.”
“Have you given more thought about the car you’re interested in?” she asked.
“Yes, and I don’t know that I’m a car guy. Liam’s got his jeep and that’s too free-spirited for me but I’d like something other than a car I think.”
“A minivan with kids and a wife. Prefab fam!”
“I know it’s going to sound pathetic to say yes to that but…in a heartbeat.”
“Wouldn’t make mention of it on any first dates…”
“If I ever get a first date.” Women seemed to want to play this game where the man had to make all the moves. He had little interest in taking out some random looker. What if she was a nightmare all night? He was too polite to escape.
“Who have you asked?”
The sudden shift to his non-dating habits was jarring. “No one.”
“This might come as a shock but that’s problematic.” She grabbed the strap of her purse.
He chuckled. “I can’t say it’s a surprise. I have a hard time seeing women as interesting.”
“Another thing you shouldn’t bring up on a first date.” She shook her head and pressed her lips into a line. “You’re kinda hopeless at this dating thing.”
“I guess I’m looking for things to happen naturally with someone I enjoy being around. I want a friend I can share everything with. Someone that makes me happy, not sad.” Perhaps that made him a simpleton but simple sounded like heaven to him.
“I think my parents have that.”
Tim nodded. From what he knew of Mr. and Mrs. Kent, he would agree. His parents had once too but things changed. It was hard to know if it had all been an illusion or just time that did them in.
Chapter 6
Indy sat across from Tim at the coffee table in the Boyd house. Festive music played from the television radio station. It was strange, yet peaceful, to be there without Liam. She didn’t have to try to outshine the big ham.
“More wine?” Tim asked, getting up and heading for the kitchen.
The man had great body. “Yes, please.” Was it wrong of her to be looking at him like that when he’d always been Tim, the big bro to her best friend?
“The tree looks great by the way. Thanks for helping me put it up.” The big hunker took up a quarter of the room. It was crooked too, “If you hadn’t come over I probably wouldn’t have bothered.”
“It’s my pleasure. Christmas isn’t the same without a tree. My parents don’t usually let me help. They told me one day I’ll have my own tree.” She smiled. “Dinner was wonderful.” The man could cook a mean roast with potatoes and greens.
“I’ve got a surprise for dessert.” Tim poured into two glasses.
“You do?” What on earth could it be?
“I certainly do.” The more time they spent together, the more relaxed he seemed. “I’ll switch on the coffee pot now.”
Being around him made her smile. It made her feel important. There weren’t a lot of empty words.
He came back with the glasses of wine then sat across from her. “For someone who does all her shopping last minute you came up with some great gifts.”
“Thanks.” She reached over and touched his forearm.
He covered her hand with his own before moving to the tape and wrapping paper. There was care in the way he touched her, in how he did everything, even packaging gifts.
The Otis Redding’s version of Merry Christmas Baby came on. She gestured for Tim to get up and dance with her. He smiled and joined her, slipping her hand into his. In step with her movements, he wrapped his other hand around her back and pulled her closer. The scent of him was fresh like soap, never a fragrance. He lip-synched the lyrics to the song with her. Time seemed to slow in his arms. There was openness in his light blue eyes. He twirled her then once again tucked her close to him. Heat from his hard body against her flushed her cheeks. As the song wound down he dipped her before lifting her upright. They stared into each other’s eyes, catching their breaths. The coffee machine beeped.
“I should get our dessert.” He headed to the kitchen.
She nodded and sank into the sofa with a light heart. Then fear crept in. What on earth was she doing with him?
“What are you doing in there?” Afraid of the surprise, and that everything happening between them was in her imagination, she pinched her bottom lip.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Do you need help?”
“Yeah, but not with this…” He chuckled. “Don’t you like to be surprised, Indy?”
She shook her head. “Unfortunately most of the ones in my life have been bad so I’ve been left with a fear of them.”
“I’ll change that.”
That was a bold statement for him to make but as he carried a tray to the dining room table, the soft scent of peaches reached her. “You didn’t.” She jumped to her feet.
“That depends what you are asking.”
“Did you get peach cobbler?”
“Not just any ol’ peach cobbler. Bee’s, and her homemade ice cream too,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy task either.”
“When did you do this?” They’d spent very little time apart in the last two days.
“While you got your nails done late this afternoon. I called ahead while you were picking up some of your gifts. Since I’ve had peach cobbler I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”
She hugged him. “Thank you.” Might the same would be true after he tasted her?
“No. I’m the one that’s grateful to have you to share this with me.”
What other deliciousness could she introduce him to? There were some interesting things she’d read about and wanted to try with someone open enough to explore them with her.
They sat down across from each other.
“When you’re ready, I want to share my ideal mix of the flavors.”
After one sampling of the wonderful concoction he’d already came up with his own mix. She put two sweeteners in her coffee. “I’m ready.”
With concentration, Tim carefully blended the individual items that made up the peach cobbler. He brought the spoon to her mouth, and she parted her lips. Slowly he retracted the spoon. She shivered. Would he take his time if she were tasting his cock? Let her savor every inch of him. Heat pooled in her panties. She moaned.
“Mine is similar to yours, but the top has a glazing of the melted ice cream combined with the brown sugar,” he said, eyes fixed to her mouth.
/> Was he thinking about kissing her or was he imagining the feel of her lips lower on him, the way she was?
“Mmm. Very nice, Tim.”
“I learned from the best.” Warmth lit his face.
His words reminded her of how many times she’d thought of him teaching her how to pleasure him. Slowly and patiently, he’d instruct her in how to prolong his build to release. He would do the same with her body. Build her up to madness then, when she couldn’t take any more, he would have her come for him while he tasted her. Her clit throbbed.
They finished their desserts and coffee, listening to the festive music.
Tomorrow was already Christmas Eve. “You’re coming to the Kent family barbeque, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He nodded.
“Good.” She felt a little dizzy and placed her trembling hands on the table.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m just a little light-headed.” She put her head back on the chair and rubbed her forehead with her fingers..
Tim collected the dishes and brought them to the kitchen.
“Thank you, Tim.” What was a girl to do? On the one hand, she was enjoying the time she had with him but on the other she wondered what there could be with Liam if he gave her a chance “I’ll be more help next time I’m over.”
“You’re always helpful when you’re over. Let me treat you like my guest.” Was he trying to highlight the differences between visiting him and Liam? “I like doing for others.”
There were more than a few acts she’d like him to do for her. One involved his face between her legs.
The phone rang on the stand behind her.
“Are you okay to get it?” Tim asked. “Otherwise, let the machine pick up.”
“Sure.” She picked up the receiver. “The Boyd’s residence, how can I help you?”
“Indy Neela Kent, what the fuck are you doing over at my house?” Liam asked. “Again!”
The nerve of him. He was off being a gigolo with Brenda, and she was supposed to sit home pining over him. She was done with that. “It’s not just your house. Tim lives here, too.”
He huffed into her ear. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“And I’m not going to either.” She pulled the phone from her ear. “It’s Liam.”
“Tell him I’ll call him back later, I’m in the middle of something.” He loaded the dishes into the dishwasher.
“Tim can’t come to the phone so he’ll call you later. Bye.” She hung up before Liam had time to respond. Then stuck her tongue out at the phone. “Blow me.” Why wasn’t she allowed over there when he wasn’t? She liked spending time with Tim. Tim appeared around the drying his hands on a dishtowel. Warmth rushed through her body to her toes. She was getting more than the hots for Tim.
“What did Liam want?”
“I didn’t ask.” Since he’d decided to spend Christmas away from home she was doing her best to let go of her feelings for Liam. For her own good.
“Fair enough.” Tim sat next to her. “Things seemed a little hostile, by your tone. Are things all right between you and Liam?”
“No.” And it wasn’t fair.
“Why aren’t things okay between you two?”
Because Liam was an insecure prick. “Shit, I could fuck an entire football team and he wouldn’t care, but I can’t hang out with Saint Fucking Tim!” Indy covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”
“Is it because there’s something going on between the two of you?”
“Are you insane? He’s halfway across the country with another woman. No, it’s you in relation to him.”
“What?” He tilted his head.
For a second he looked kinda blurry. “I shouldn’t be telling you this. It’s not fair to Liam.” The whirling in her head wasn’t helping matters either.
“Just explain enough not to leave me utterly confused.”
“Liam doesn’t like any of his friends around you. He has this irrational fear they’ll all ditch him for Saint Tim.”
“I’m no Saint, Indy.”
She sure as hell hoped not. “That's irrelevant because it’s not about you but about how he compares to you.” Her wine glass on the table was empty. Her head was fuzzy.
Indy wasn’t sure she could walk home.
“You’re looking a little tipsy.” He stood and held out his hand for her.
“I am.” With her hand in his, she let him tug her to her feet but stumbled into his hard chest. “Mmm. Great body.”
“I was thinking the same thing about yours.” He angled her face to meet his piercing blue eyes. “I can set up the guest room for you, if you like?”
At this moment it wasn’t the guest bed she wanted. “Okay, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll let your father know you’re here.” He guided her over to the sofa.
“Can you leave out the part about me being, umm, intoxicated?” she asked.
“Definitely.” He grinned. “I’ll come back for you once I set up the bed.”
She relaxed into his comfy oversized leather couch.
Tim firm ass molded in his slacks as climbed the stairs. Shit, he was fine. Would it be so bad if she let herself explore what she hoped was going on with Tim? She was a single woman, after all. But there was the matter of Liam. and Tim was a no-go zone if she ever hoped Liam would want her as more than a friend. Liam was insecure comparing himself to Tim. The man wasn’t to blame for Liam making himself hard to love. Sometimes she even wondered why she so desperately wanted him to be interested in her.
Chapter 7
Tim went into the room next to his and pulled covers from the closet. Moonlight shone through the windows. There were fresh sheets folded on the bed for unexpected holiday guests or—a first for him—a highly intoxicated girl. Indy definitely was a lightweight when it came to drinking. Not even university life had changed that. But why did she feel the need to drink around him? Was that the only way she could bring herself to let her guard down? He made up the bed. Maybe he could change that. Show her that he was safe. That everything she did and said wouldn’t be held against her in a court of law. Mr. Kent probably wouldn’t appreciate his law jokes.
The phone rang and he picked up but so did Indy.
“The Boyd playboy mansion.”
That was actually kind of funny. Tim covered the mouthpiece.
“What are you still doing there, Indy?” Liam asked with evident annoyance.
She breathed into the phone. “What’s your deal? Shit, my father doesn’t even give me such a hard time. What? I can’t bang out with Tim…”
“What the hell did you just say?”
“I can’t hang out with Tim?”
A Freudian slip perhaps. If she kept that up his brother would get the impression there was more than friendship blooming.
“Not when I’m not around. No, you can’t.”
“That’s stupid.”
In the background Brenda called to Liam. “Indy, you have your own friends, and Tim is too polite to tell you he doesn’t want to hang out with you.”
“You’re an ass.”
Tim concurred. Liam was being a dick. His brother should know he wasn’t in the habit of wasting his time around people he didn’t care for. Didn't his tiny circle of friends prove that?
“An honest one,” Liam said.
Nothing he’d said was honest. Tim wanted Indy around. Around was too vague. He wanted Indy, period.
“Did he tell you this?” Indy asked.
“I know my brother.” Apparently not as well as he thought, or claimed to. “What do you think is going to happen? Has he brought you around his friends or the hospital? You’re his kid brother’s best friend.”
“The way you’re acting, I’d think you were jealous but I know you too well for that.”
Tim was reading the same vibe which, as she’d stated, made no sense.
“I’m looki
ng out for you. I know you don’t connect to people. What happens if you let your childish romanticism get the best of you? What do you think he’s going to make of you when he finds out you’re still a virgin?”
True, Tim might have overreacted but it had been so unexpected. Now that the initial shock had worn off it was a nonissue for him. It was refreshing.
“You’re such a buzz killer. Did you call to make me feel like shit or do you want to talk to Tim?”
Why was his brother being so cold? Indy was his best friend. Why wouldn’t he be lifting her up not pulling her down?
“I’m sorry the truth is painful. But it’s cos you’re my homey that I don’t sugarcoat it. Yeah, I’d like to speak to my big bro.”
“Tim, Liam’s on the phone again,” she shouted up.
“Thanks, Indy.” He went to the receiver in his own room so there’d be a sound on the phone when he picked up.
“Hello.” He heard Indy hang up.
“Hey, what’s Indy doing over?”
“We had dinner and wrapped some gifts.” Being questioned by Liam about Indy was awkward. “She’s great company. I get why you two get along so well.” If he made clear that he wouldn’t take his best friend maybe his brother would back off.
“Just remember she’s my friend,” Liam said.
“I know she’s important to you.” So why didn’t he treat her better?
“Hanging out a few times doesn’t make you someone’s buddy.”
“True. Just like being someone’s brother doesn’t give you the right to speak on their behalf. So don’t ever do it again without asking my permission.”
“Were you listening to our fucking conversation?”
“As matter of fact I was, and you were out of line.”
“Out of line was I? Let me put things completely in line for you then, bro. I don’t want you preying on my best friend because you can’t have normal relationships with women.”
“Are you done?” Tim had no intention of being manipulated by Liam. The man hadn’t gone on the offensive, he’d simply switched targets. “You’re on the attack so the only thing I can come up with is that you have feelings beyond friendship for Indy. So what I don’t get is why you’re over there with another woman.”
