“No problem. I wanted AJ to see the place, too,” Sky said. “What time do you open tomorrow, Mike?”
“Seven-thirty, same as always. And I guarantee there’ll be a line out front of guilty folks anxious to work off today’s feast.”
“No rest for the wicked, huh?” AJ grinned. “The holiday season has just begun, and already we’re worried about our waistlines.”
“Yeah, you really need to worry,” Sky grumbled and smacked his arm. “There’s not an ounce of fat on you, which is totally unfair.”
Kelly tried to find an inch to pinch on Mike where other men wore their love handles, but her fingers met only smooth skin over hard muscle. “Same here.” She sighed. “Guys get all the breaks.”
“Frankly, I don’t think either of you two women need to worry about waistlines,” Owen commented.
“Why, thank you, Owen,” Sky said. “It’s so rare to hear an actual compliment from one of my brothers. I’m overwhelmed.”
“Just doing my part to fool Kelly into thinking we’re a really nice family. Isn’t that what you wanted us to do?” He shot a mischievous grin at his sister.
Sky rolled her eyes heavenward.
“If this has all been an act for my benefit, you should all be given Academy Awards,” Kelly said. “You’ve all been wonderful, welcoming, and I cannot express how much I’ve enjoyed being with you for the holiday.” She made eye contact with each person, wanting them all to know how sincere her statement was.
“Awww,” Jesse said. “I think she’s a keeper, Mike, you lucky bastard.”
“I planned on explaining that to her in great detail if only you all would find somewhere else to be so that I could have a little privacy.” He brought Kelly’s hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers.
“Holy Hell! You haven’t got that far yet?” Surprise, then embarrassment flashed across Jesse’s face. “What the hell have you been waiting for!”
“A little time alone, you asshole,” Mike retorted.
“Language, gentlemen,” Kathryn said mildly. She smiled across at her husband. “I guess that’s our cue to make ourselves scarce, Dad.”
“No worries. The game’s over anyway,” he said and stood with his hand out to his wife. “Let’s retire to our sanctuary, shall we, my dear?”
“I believe I will also find my bed,” Julia said. “It’s been a long day—and a delightful one, as Kelly has already pointed out. Good night, all.”
“AJ, don’t forget you and I have some business matters to discuss while you’re here,” Owen said. “I want to be sure the investment capital you arranged for my company will arrive in plenty of time for the first payment on the Citation.”
“We can go over the details tomorrow, Owen. But you don’t need to worry. The angels I’ve lined up to invest are thrilled with their choice, especially since it includes free air transportation as part of the deal.”
“Wait,” Mike interrupted. “Are you saying that AJ helped you finance all these planes you’ve been buying?”
“Of course.” Owen shrugged. “Did you think I had that kind of money stashed away in some Swiss bank account? The company’s only two years old, Mike. We’re barely making expenses. Without AJ’s help, I’d never be able to expand our services enough to start making a profit.”
Mike turned to AJ in amazement. “How come you never mentioned anything like this to me, AJ?”
“Well, first, because my business dealings with Owen are confidential, so that was his news to tell. And second, because you’ve never mentioned needing or wanting any kind of financial help from me. I assumed you had it all under control, Mike. Money matters are always kind of a touchy subject, and I certainly did not want you to think I doubted your ability to handle the expansion of your company.”
“You know, bro, all you had to do was ask him,” Sky piped up. “You barely mention anything about your plans, so how was AJ supposed to know you wanted his input?”
Mike appeared chagrined. “You’re right, of course. I hadn’t even thought.”
“I’d be happy to get together with you tomorrow or Saturday and talk about it,” AJ offered. “I wondered how you were handling all of the expenses of the facility in Naples. A startup in a new city is bound to take a while to start generating profits. I’m quite certain I could find a few investors who’d be interested in providing operating capital until you’re on your feet there. At the very least, I can talk to the guy Zeke used when they purchased all the equipment for the Bucks’ facility and maybe get you a better price than what you’ve found so far.”
“AJ, thank you. I can’t tell you how much I’d appreciate your help.” Mike sat shaking his head at his own stupidity.
AJ stood and helped Sky up. “My pleasure, Mike. There is nothing more satisfying than lending a hand to family.” He put his arm around Sky. “I shouldn’t have had coffee with that pie. Now I’m too hyped to think about sleep. Want to go for a walk?”
Sky beamed up at him. “Love to. Don’t wait up for us, guys. We’ve got keys.”
“Better bundle up,” Jesse said. “Last time I brought in more wood for the fire, it was pretty frosty out there.”
AJ grinned over his shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll think of some way to stay warm.”
Kelly smiled and dropped her head on Mike’s shoulder with a sigh. Mike kissed the top of her head and glowered at Owen and Jesse. When were these idiots going to get the idea and go upstairs?
Jesse got up and put another log on the fire. “I’m with AJ. That coffee was a bad idea. I’m wide awake.”
“Yeah, me, too,” Owen agreed. “Although some of us”—he nodded toward Kelly—“don’t seem to be having any trouble with insomnia.”
Mike glanced down and saw that Kelly’s eyes were closed. He jiggled his shoulder.
“I’m awake,” she murmured, without opening her eyes. “It’s just the fire, and all that food and wine, and then the Stinger your Dad made me after dinner … I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“Ah, there’s no barely about it, babe. I think you’ve lost that battle.” Shit, how could he declare his love to a woman who wouldn’t be awake long enough to hear it? “I thought we were going to talk,” he grumbled.
Kelly struggled to sit up straighter. “Absolutely. I’m awake. Let’s talk.”
Mike watched as her eyes drifted shut again.
Jesse studied the pair. “Come on, O. These two are no fun at all. I’ve got Call of Duty running on my computer upstairs. Want to run a few missions?”
“I’m up for that,” Owen agreed. “See you two in the morning.” He turned off the lamp next to them on his way by, leaving the couple with only the warm glow from the fire.
Mike gave them both a withering stare as they left the room grinning. Right. Now you’re giving me the privacy I’ve wanted all day. He took the opportunity to study Kelly’s face, relaxed and incredibly beautiful in the firelight. Her long lashes, darkened with mascara, put sooty semi-circles on the soft, creamy skin of her cheeks, and the warmth of the fire, or perhaps the alcohol, had painted a faint blush on them. Her plump, pink lips, particularly the bottom one, which never failed to turn him on, were parted slightly.
Unable to resist, he brushed a gentle kiss across them. Her hand, resting on his chest, curled into the fabric of his shirt, and she murmured something unintelligible against his mouth. His dick rose to press against his zipper, and the idea of making love to her here by the firelight only served to harden him further. With a heroic effort that he’d never get credit for, he leashed his lust, gathered her into his arms, and carried her up to Sky’s bedroom. Declarations of love would have to wait until tomorrow.
Chapter Nine
Kelly woke completely disoriented in the dim light of early morning. Light coming in a window that was in the wrong place. She stared at the pink and cream stripes on the wall for a few seconds until she remembered where she was. Sky’s room. Philadelphia. Thanksgiving. Mike. She leaned over and found Sky asleep on the tr
undle below. She stretched, then tucked her arms back under the warm covers and reviewed yesterday’s events.
Lunch with her mother and Sky at Harbor House had been a depressing, if not unexpected, start to the day. Kelly was grateful to her roomie for sharing the burden of Elizabeth’s memory loss at the holiday luncheon. It was disconcerting to realize that she thought of her mother as Elizabeth now, instead of “Mom.” She was beginning to accept the fact that the mother she knew was gone and this virtual stranger had taken her place. The sadness of the loss threatened to overwhelm her, and she had almost opted out of visiting Sky’s family in Philadelphia. She owed Sky big time for insisting she come.
Nothing had prepared her for the absolute joy of being engulfed and embraced by a houseful of warm, caring people. People she’d come to cherish in just a few hours. People she wished with all her heart she could call family.
Which brought her thoughts arrowing back to Mike. He’d greeted her with a kiss that melted her knees and made her tingle all over. Made her wish that Sky’s intuition had been right, after all. And, wait? Weren’t they supposed to talk? About something important, he’d said. She could think of only one thing that was important. Their future. Together. At least, that’s what she’d hoped was on his mind.
Oh, God. What had she done? She’d fallen asleep next to him on the couch in front of the fireplace. Way to send a message about how important she thought their talk would be. How could she have fallen asleep? Apparently, quite easily. That delicious drink Alex made her put the finishing touch on the food, the wine, and the warmth from the fire. She didn’t even remember climbing the stairs. Mike must have carried her up. Damn! She was really sorry she missed that. The whole Rhett Butler vibe would have been incredibly romantic. She groaned and pulled the covers up over her head in shame. Maybe she’d stay right here and hide until it was time to go home.
“Good morning, Kel. Why are you covered up like that? Are you cold?” Sky leaned up on one elbow and peeked under the blanket.
“Not cold. Just stupid.”
“Stupid in love, maybe.” Sky chuckled. “Tell me what happened last night. By the time we got back, everyone had disappeared. I thought for sure we’d find you and Mike in front of the fire.” She twitched her brows up and down.
“Oh, Sky. I blew it completely. Last thing I remember was being snuggled against Mike on the couch, then, this.” She waved her hand over the bed, as though a magic wand had transported her there.
“Well, I guess you were really tired, Kel. Yesterday was a pretty emotional day for you. Anyway, it’s no biggie. I’m sure whatever Mike wanted to tell you yesterday will still be true today.”
Kelly winced. “I don’t want him to think I didn’t—don’t—care.”
“You know, somehow I doubt he’d think that. Come on, let’s go get some breakfast. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
Dreading to see Mike after last night’s behavior, Kelly dressed for the gym in sweats and sneakers, put her hair in a French braid, and followed Sky downstairs. When they got to the second floor, she all but tripped over Mike as he came out of one of the bedrooms, sleepy-eyed and yawning. Wearing only a pair of flannel sleep pants, his broad pecs and cut abs in full view, his hair tousled, and his chin covered with a haze of dark stubble, he was the very definition of sexy manhood. Kelly’s mouth went instantly dry. “Good morning.”
Without missing a beat, Mike pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “Good morning to you, too.”
More than a little befuddled by his unexpected passion, Kelly rocked back on her heels and struggled to think clearly. “Mike, I’m so sorry about last night. I—”
He stopped her with another kiss. “Don’t apologize. You were exhausted. Besides, I want your full attention when we talk.”
“Of course. Maybe later today?”
“I decided last night that waiting for a private moment around here might have me using a cane and you wearing orthopedic shoes before we got one, so…” He cupped her cheeks in his hands and tilted her mouth close to his. “We’ll grab some alone time today even if I have to kidnap you to get it.” He kissed her again, tenderly.
She slid her arms around his neck and kissed him back. “I will be a willing accomplice.”
They stood in the hallway, grinning at each other like fools.
“I’m, uh, going to take a quick shower. I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes.”
Kelly floated down the last flight of stairs and sauntered into the kitchen, still wearing a silly grin. Sky handed her a glass of juice and pointed to a chair.
Kathryn and Julia were busy at the stove, one browning sausages in a pan, the other pouring batter onto a griddle. Kathryn turned from the stove to ask, “Eggs? Or pancakes?” But stopped at the sight of Kelly’s face. She elbowed Julia.
“What? Oh. I guess they had that talk.”
“Finally.” Kathryn laughed.
Kelly wondered at the two women sharing a smug smile. “Actually, no. I, uh, fell asleep on the couch last night. So what has you two acting so delighted?”
Julia waved her hand. “Oh, nothing, really. We thought you and Mike might have some news this morning.”
They know I am in love with Mike. Kelly closed her eyes as the embarrassment heated her cheeks. “Am I that transparent?”
Kathryn shrugged. “I’m afraid so, dear. Don’t feel badly. It’s very difficult to hide the joy of true love.”
Mike seems to be doing a fine job of it. “And you think he might...?”
Julia nodded once. “Men take so much longer to figure it out. We understand what a trial it is waiting for the light to dawn.”
Kelly sat back in her chair and marveled at these two women.
“Especially if they’ve been hurt once.” Brief sadness touched Kathryn’s eyes. “That kind of pain can be devastating when you’re very young. For a while I thought Mike might never get over it.”
“Get over what?” Mike said, joining them. He took a seat next to Kelly.
“Nothing, dear,” his mother said. “Eggs or pancakes?”
“Umm, both I think. I’m exceptionally hungry this morning.” His glance at Kelly indicated his hunger wasn’t just for food.
She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and avoided both women’s eyes.
Alex arrived next, closely followed by Owen. “AJ should be down shortly. His shower will be cut short by the diminishing hot water supply.”
“Ah, the luxury of having one of those instant hot water heaters,” Alex gloated. “When we added on our bedroom suite down here, that was the one thing I insisted on.”
“Smart call, Dad.” Mike helped himself to pancakes from the stack to go with his sausages and eggs. “How many are coming to the gym with us?”
“I’m in,” Owen said.
“In what?” Jesse asked, taking the last seat at the kitchen table, and reaching for the platter of sausages and eggs.
“In for a workout at the gym,” Mike answered. “You coming?”
His mouth full, Jesse merely nodded.
“How about Jed?” Kelly asked.
Owen scoffed. “If his eyes are open before noon, it will be a miracle.”
“Okay, then, that’s six of us. Better take the van. We’ll give you a heads-up when we’re on our way home, Dad,” Sky said.
“I’ll be ready, Skylark. Don’t you worry.”
Kelly had never realized what she’d missed growing up with only one sister, and then losing both sister and father while still so young. The conversational banter at Mike’s family’s meals was both amusing and heartwarming. With a jolt, she realized how badly she wanted to belong here.
~~~
They parked in the lot behind the fitness center and went in through the back door. “You guys get started. I’m going to give Kelly the nickel tour, then we’ll join you.” He pointed to the door marked ladies’ lockers. “Go on in and check it out. I don’t want to freak out any females who might be in there.
Kelly scouted the locker room and shower area, then came back out. “Nice. I especially like the sauna in the corner. And the good lighting over the mirrors for applying makeup. What’s next?”
“The men’s locker room is essentially a mirror image, so we’ll skip that.”
Kelly pretended disappointment. “Oh, too bad. There might have been some naked guys in there.” She chuckled at Mike’s narrow-eyed frown.
He ushered her toward the main room, where quite a few folks were using the equipment. Treadmills, elliptical steppers, recumbent bikes, and several other machines she didn’t recognize filled the space.
“There are free weights over in that corner,” Mike pointed. “And we have a separate room for spinning classes, and one for Jazzercise.”
They walked the perimeter of the room. Owen was running on a treadmill, while Sky sat on a recumbent bike. AJ was at a rowing machine.
“Feel like a little exercise?” Mike asked.
“Yeah. I’m going to hit that elliptical for a while,” she replied.
“When you’re done, I’ll be over there at the weight bench. Come find me. Don’t work yourself too hard. We have other exercises to do at home later.” He winked.
Two hours later, they all piled back into the van. Sky called home to tell her dad they were on their way.
“Your place is really impressive, Mike,” Kelly said. “Who’s going to manage it once you move to Florida?”
“Thanks. Jesse has agreed to manage this place, at least for a while. I hope the one in Naples takes off like this one did. We have a good location here. No other gym within a radius of fifteen miles.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “If you’re going with Sky and Dad to pick out the tree, maybe AJ and I can go over a few things while you’re away.”
AJ nodded. “Absolutely. I’m glad I got a tour of this facility so I have an idea of what you’ll want in Florida.”
~~~
Kelly took a deep breath. The scent of evergreen from the Fraser fir tree in the back of the van was heavenly. It had taken a while for Sky and her dad to decide on the perfect tree. Shopping so early had given them plenty to choose from, but Scotch pines and white pines were immediately excluded.
Barefoot Bay: A Family for the Holidays (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 9
