Tough Enough to Tango

by Barbara Barrett

  “Dad?”

  “Yeah, I heard you. I could say the drugs they had me on at the time wiped out my good sense. But maybe on some level I wanted you to flop. That way, I’d at least given you a chance to prove yourself.”

  Shae gripped the seat of her chair. Her surroundings seemed unfocused, not quite there. He hadn’t wanted her to succeed. He’d set her up to crash and burn. His honesty blindsided her. Though she’d suspected his intentions all along, she hadn’t been able to let herself believe he’d really do that to his own flesh and blood.

  She wanted to run, but her body rebelled, her stomach roiled. She bit her lips, determined not to let the tears loose.

  He reached over and patted her knee, then quickly withdrew his hand. “Hold onto the waterworks. I didn’t finish. Things worked out differently than I expected.”

  She tried to ask how, but her mouth felt like she’d swallowed one of his paint rags.

  “You surprised me. And Dave. The whole crew, from what I hear. You hung in there. Took your licks when the crew deserted you. Listened to our client’s advice about how to get ’em back. Despite Collier’s unorthodox involvement in the project, you’ve managed to retain him as our client and still keep the project on track.”

  He’d actually praised her.

  “Thought you’d like to know before I return to work.”

  Her stomach lurched, like she’d suddenly braked her car for a squirrel that ran in front. This moment had arrived sooner than she anticipated. She’d told him when she agreed to take the job she wanted to be his partner when he recuperated. He’d never replied. Hadn’t stopped her hopes and dreams of what could be.

  “I promised the doc I’d be good for a while yet. Don’t tell these fools here, but I actually feel better than I have in years.”

  She didn’t think she could widen her eyes any more than she already had, but his statement made them pop open even more.

  “I…I’m glad to hear you say that, Dad.”

  “Big admission, I know. But the doc says if I don’t stick with the program, my recovery’s at risk. As much as you’re probably ready to turn things over to me, you’re gonna have to stick around a while longer. At least until the homes in the first phase of the project are done.”

  She blinked. “Done? That’s still weeks, months, off.” He believed in her enough to let her stay through that period. Or was this an act, to convince her he was ready to come home?

  “Yeah, well, doesn’t mean I won’t get more involved, but you’re still in charge, kid, as long as things continue as they have.”

  As long as things continue as they have. What a catch phrase. And what a challenge.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Shae’s dad glanced up from his crossword puzzle as she breezed into the house. “Need a four-letter word for ‘slightly open’, as with a door. Whatcha got?”

  “Let me think. How about ajar?” Shae replied. These word games had become the norm since her dad had returned home a few days before. Although not a crossword enthusiast, she’d gone along with him, because it gave them something to talk about other than progress on the site. Unbeknownst to him, and she had no intention of telling him, she’d been driven to install a couple crossword cheater apps on her phone to keep up with him.

  “Works. Hey, thanks.” He pulled his head up from the newspaper. “What you doing home in the middle of the day?”

  “Needed lunch.”

  “You drove all the way back to town for a sandwich? You’re gonna have to come up with better excuses than that to check on the old man, kiddo.”

  She set her purse on the couch and sank in across from him in his recliner. “My days aren’t as long right now. Thought you wouldn’t mind if I played hooky, as long as I did it with you.”

  His eyes narrowed, but he set his newspaper aside. “Interesting ploy. Include me, so I won’t get on your case if I discover you’ve taken time off to enjoy yourself.”

  She angled her head. “Saw right through me. Okay, here’s what I’ve got in mind. Thought you might like to go for a drive.”

  He raised a brow. “A drive? Anywhere in particular? Like out to the Sullivan’s Creek site?”

  “Actually, it’s on the way, so sure, we can stop there. As long as you promise not to stay too long or let anything that’s been done or not done to your satisfaction get to you. Could you do that?”

  “Tall order, but okay. Wait. You said it’s on the way. Where are we headed?”

  “Picked right up on that, did you?” She tried to keep this light, because she wasn’t sure how he’d react. “We didn’t take flowers to Sean’s grave on the anniversary of his passing this year, because you were at Blackhawk Hills. I thought we could do that today but also go check out the spot where it happened.” She held her breath. It was high time, overdue, actually, for her father to move past his grief. But that didn’t mean he would agree to this idea.

  He grabbed his newspaper again, as if he’d dismissed her idea. At length, though, he set it aside again. “How far away is this place?”

  He knew the distance as well as she did. In the days after Sean’s death, when her dad had roamed the house at all times of the day, he’d spent hours on the autopsy and accident reports, then consulted a map. “About an hour. I figured we could make an afternoon of it, have lunch first, pick up flowers, and then stop by the Sullivan’s Creek site before we visit the scene of the accident.”

  “Okay. Gotta change my clothes first.”

  Okay? He wanted to switch to a different outfit than the duds he’d worn. Good sign. She hadn’t expected this degree of cooperation. Actually, she hadn’t known what to expect.

  Lunch went well, once she convinced him he had to stick to the diet the nutritionist had sent him. He grumbled through the salad and chicken, but he ate. Heartily.

  They delivered the flowers to the cemetery with little ceremony. They actually found tulips, Sean’s favorite, still available at this time of year.

  Even her father’s first glimpse of Sullivan’s Creek in weeks, his first glimpse of the excavated sites and poured foundations, went off without a hitch. No one was around. One good thing. He got out of the SUV at the future site of Janice Collier’s home, walked around a bit. Then he got back in and told her they could leave. Didn’t even want to check out the trailer.

  “You’re ready to go? So soon?” Don’t push it, Shae.

  “If I stay much longer, I’ll start to get involved. Promised you I’d be good.”

  Wow. Who was this man? But she counted her blessings and immediately took off.

  The site of Sean’s accident was at the bottom of a hill that curved near the end. In the rain, he’d apparently overestimated the speed at which he could descend, lost traction, and skidded in front of an oncoming car that had no way to stop in time. Today, in early summer, aside from a small cross crewmembers had placed there a month after the incident, there was no other sign that something horrific happened here a few years back.

  Shae parked her SUV well off the road, so they could view the spot from inside the car. “I thought we could stay here in the vehicle and have a minute of silence. That okay?”

  Her dad sat straight ahead, his body tense, like he was holding back, so he wouldn’t break down. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. Yes, it was time for him to move on, but maybe he wasn’t as recovered physically as the doctors had led her to believe.

  “Dad? You okay?”

  He nodded quickly. “Had to get my bearings.” His voice emerged as a hoarse whisper.

  “Okay. Take your time. But if this place is too much for you, just tell me. We’ll leave.”

  “Gimme another minute.”

  She waited, prayed she’d done the right thing.

  After a few beats, he seemed to come out of his reverie, and for the first time since they arrived, turned to face her. “I’d like to get out and go over to that cross.”

  “Oh. Sure.” She started to open the door.

  “A
lone, if you don’t mind?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. I want to do this.”

  She let him go. Only after he’d reached the cross some fifty feet away did she swipe at her eyes. Had to get rid of these tears. Her dad wasn’t one for emotional scenes.

  He stood at the cross a few minutes, then pivoted and marched straight back to the vehicle and got in. Once again, he stared ahead. “Let’s go.”

  She didn’t reply, just turned on the ignition.

  They didn’t speak on the drive back to his house. She considered the radio but changed her mind. He seemed to need this time alone with his thoughts with no distractions.

  After she parked, they both alighted simultaneously. As they went into the house, he put a hand on her shoulder, briefly, but long enough for her to know she hadn’t imagined it. “Good idea, kiddo. Thanks. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to my room for a bit.”

  She obliged. Might have picked up fast food for dinner but was afraid to leave him totally alone.

  About an hour later, he returned to the living room. “Where’s dinner? My god, girl, just because you played hooky doesn’t get you out of dinner prep.”

  She smiled inwardly. He was back.

  ****

  “Got a spare hour or two?” Ned asked Shae over the phone.

  It had been almost a week since she’d seen or heard from him. The sound of his voice curled her toes. His call should have put her on immediate alert. Instead, she reacted like a teenage girl. Could she be any more naïve? Or foolhardy? She attempted to keep her tone cautious. “Maybe. For what?”

  “How’d you like to critique my work for once? I could use some feedback on the piece I’ve composed.”

  He wanted her opinion because… “I’m no music expert.”

  “You know what you like, don’t you? That’s all I ask.”

  For some reason, her breathing had grown ragged, and her hands perspired while she did a quick mental run through of her day’s schedule. “I suppose I could help. Where?”

  “You at the office? Meet me outside in fifteen minutes.”

  She arrived at the appointed spot in fourteen minutes. She could have made it sooner except she took time to change to the new pink and navy striped work shirt she’d bought on her lunch break. Even before his call. Was she psychic or just hopeful? What had possessed her to choose pink? Tailored, no less.

  He charged around the car to open the door for her, but not before he halted long enough to take in her outfit. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself,” she gulped, mesmerized by his smile. To see him again was like she’d walked into a concrete wall. God, he looked good.

  His fingertips barely touched the small of her back as he helped her into the car, but the brief contact was enough to send a blast of fire down her spine.

  Memories of the night in her bedroom flooded back. As much as she’d craved more personal time with him, she’d sworn not to push their relationship further, because she’d agreed to no strings. But now? She felt raw, vulnerable to his charm. How was she supposed to get through the next hour when all she wanted to do was jump his bones?

  Big mistake to agree to this impromptu concert. She didn’t feel any more at ease in his small sports car today than she had the first time she’d ridden in it, when they went to inspect the property. Yet again, that same woodsy scent from his aftershave permeated the interior. Intoxicating. The fragrance made her brain spin and every joint in her body wobbly.

  “How’re things going?”

  “Things?” Her voice reflected how she felt. Disoriented. “You mean our other projects? Fine.” Could she sound more inane?

  “How about you?”

  Relax, Shae. Keep it light. Find a safe topic. “Did you know your mom visited my dad the other day?”

  “No kidding? She hasn’t mentioned anything about it to me.”

  She related the scene she’d observed between their parents. “I should’ve let them know I was there. But the way your mother handled him fascinated me. He was still his gruff old self, mind you, but she wasn’t fazed by him at all.”

  “That’s my mom. She’s made more than one sale at the gallery with that attitude.”

  They rode in silence for a bit, although now that they’d chatted about their parents, she relaxed somewhat. A couple times she caught him glancing in her direction as if to check her mood.

  Suddenly, she noticed they were within a block of the Woodley Mansion. “We’re going to Mike’s house? Are you sure it’s okay for me to be there?”

  “He gave me the run of the place while he’s out of town. You’re my guest.”

  Alone together in this huge house? Such a bad idea. She couldn’t wait to get there.

  As they alighted from the car, perhaps because he sensed her thoughts, he asked, “Do you want a short tour first? No one’s here except the housekeeper.”

  The housekeeper. Good. They wouldn’t be completely alone. She couldn’t trust herself to be alone with him.

  After a brief glimpse of the rooms on first floor, he led her downstairs. “This is what I use as my music room,” he said as he opened a door to a massive area surrounding a keyboard. He left her long enough to retrieve a chair and seated her about five feet away.

  Before he began, he said, “This started out as just random feelings about the property. I’ve added to it as construction got underway.”

  For the next several minutes, music filled the room. She closed her eyes, hoped he’d assume she’d shut out everything else to experience the sound rather than pick up on her spiking hormones. When she did open her eyes, she couldn’t take them off the figure seated before her, especially his hands. She’d never noticed how large they were. Not just large, but dexterous and commanding as they ripped across the keys or coaxed a tender melody from the instrument. It was one thing to observe Jake Bonneville work the crowd at his mother’s gallery showing, but this was the artist Jake Bonneville, someone she’d only now met. No wonder he boasted so many lady fans. His playing was hypnotic.

  She attempted to focus on the music, but all she could see was Ned bent over the keyboard, his long legs at the pedals, his glorious hands caressing the keys, his eyes intent on producing a sound just for her. The thought of being the lone recipient of his efforts overwhelmed her.

  At one point, she discovered his eyes on her. Not like he gauged her reaction to the music. He watched her for some other reason.

  She let the piece carry her away to a new world of sound. A world rich and melodic. It reminded her of something Ned had told her about his grandfather the day he first drove her out to the property. Something about his grandfather’s desire to preserve the pristine quality of the prairie, even as it was consumed by the modern day. Ned had really captured that sense of yearning in this piece.

  She clapped like a maniac when he finished. “That was gorgeous. It swept me away to places I’ve never been.”

  “Yeah?” He pulled her into a bear hug. “I hoped you’d like it.”

  In his arms, her resolve disintegrated like an ice cube melting in a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. So much for her pep talk to herself. Those same hands that a minute before had created such musical magic now held her under their spell. Though she floated in his tight embrace, finally, she had to say, “Uncle!”

  He set her on her feet and stepped back. “Sorry, didn’t realize how much I wanted someone else’s approval.” He gazed into her eyes, his own eyes had gone limpid and cloudy. “Especially yours.”

  That look, his croaky voice were all it took to ignite the sexual tension she’d repressed for so long. “Play it again.”

  He studied her briefly, like he’d expected her to say or do something else, but he did as she asked and turned on the playback, returned a moment later, his eyes trained on her, as he wait for her next move.

  As the opening strains of the piece began, she walked into his arms and kissed him with all the pent-up desire she’d held in check since their n
ight in her bed. Ned welcomed her lips with his own, echoed the gentle arpeggios of the music. As the volume increased, so did the ferocity of his kiss. His hands roamed over her body, took inventory of every inch.

  Her passion unshackled, her insides tingling, Shae rubbed against him. She wanted to embed herself in his body and never leave. Locked together, they swayed, tottered as they struggled to get more of each other. Ned pressed her into the nearest wall, crushed the hard evidence of his arousal into her stomach. His hands grasped hers and pinned them above her head while he rocked against her, ravished her neck.

  Shae’s breath came in ragged spurts, but even if her heart stopped beating now from too much stimulation, this would be the way she wanted to go, pummeled by Ned’s elevating need.

  The melody grew more intense, the underlying accompaniment more elaborate. Ned broke away long enough to seek permission in her eyes. For what seemed like an eternity, they stared at each other, studied the other’s intent. Then she nodded, pulled her blouse from her jeans. He quickly undid the front buttons and reached in to lift her bra over her breasts, didn’t take time to unhook the garment. “Oh, babe,” he moaned. He leaned down and laved his tongue across one exposed nipple, now firm with anticipation.

  His mouth on her breast sent delicious waves of heat to her core. Did he have any idea how his touch sent her over the brink? Though she squirmed, anxious for him to move on, he held her to the wall with his body while he feasted on her breasts.

  “Take me now, Ned. I’m about to explode.”

  With lightning speed, he unzipped her jeans, pulled them and her panties down to her knees. She shimmied enough to kick them off while he undid his own pants and slipped on protection.

  He boosted her up, so her legs could go around his waist. She latched one ankle over the other behind him and nearly passed out as his hard-on met her exposed labia. She’d never experienced such exquisite torture.

  “Oh, Ned. Oh, oh,” she breathed. Other words eluded her.

  “This feels so…right,” he murmured as he penetrated her. In the background, deep, lingering chords replicated a no-nonsense storm while their joined bodies thrashed against the wall.