Sweet Southern Bad Boy

by Michele Summers

  “Don’t make me give you a noogie like I did in sixth grade. And don’t think buffed Brogan can save you. I’ve kicked his ass too many times to count,” Vance warned.

  “Bullshit, Kerner. The only time I got whipped is when you didn’t block worth a shit on the football field and got me sacked. You sucked, by the way.”

  Vance held the front door open and gestured for his nosy friends to enter. “You got sacked because you couldn’t release the ball worth a damn.”

  “Enough! You testosterone-loaded morons. None of us cares, nor do we want to relive your glory days,” Bertie said while Keith rocked with laughter. “Don’t think you’re off the hook; you’re just as bad,” Bertie huffed at her husband.

  “Yeah, you’re all legends in your own minds. Come on, Katie. We need wine to numb our brains,” Lucy said.

  Katie slid another nervous glance in Vance’s direction and then followed a determined Lucy to the kitchen.

  “I’m gonna need something stronger,” Vance mumbled under his breath.

  “Got your back, bro.” Keith lifted a bottle of Mount Gay rum in his hand. “All we need is ginger ale, and we’re good to go.” His smile held a hint of sympathy, as if he could relate to Vance’s predicament.

  Once settled in the large, clutter-free family room, thanks to Katie and her drill sergeant cleaning orders, Vance leaned back on the charcoal plaid sofa with a cool Mount Gay and ginger ale in his hand. He propped his feet up on the large brown leather ottoman and listened to Bertie and Lucy chatter while peppering Katie with questions about California. Katie answered, but in the short span of time he’d known her, he could sense her discomfort, her fear of offending with her answers. She answered questions about her family. Katie was the youngest, with two older brothers. Both her brothers had law degrees from Stanford and headed up the legal team for McKnight Studios. Katie made it sound as if she didn’t measure up.

  “My dad and brothers really love the studio and making movies. It’s all they ever talk about.” She chuckled, but Vance didn’t hear the humor. “When you grow up around it, I guess you take it for granted.” She shrugged.

  “I’m sure. But to us, it sounds so glamorous,” Bertie said with a genuine smile. “Tell us about this movie in Harmony. We’re dying to hear all the details.” Bertie sat between Vance and Keith on the sofa, while Lucy squeezed next to Brogan on the oversized, gray lounge chair angled toward the TV. Katie sat perched on the single armchair, facing them, back straight, knees pressed together as if on trial in front of a jury.

  Keith controlled the remote for the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, switching between a tennis match and an NBA game, with the sound muted. Vance wished he could crank up the volume and drown out this next conversation.

  “It’s a miniseries. Not a movie. Probably something your teenagers would like more than you.”

  “Does it star Zac Efron? Because Maddie is wild about him,” Bertie said.

  “Please… I’d like to go a day without hearing about that teenage heartthrob,” Keith said in disgust. “Him and One Direction. Maddie has plastered the inside of her closet with posters of that lame band.”

  Bertie laughed. “Because you wouldn’t let her put them on her bedroom walls.”

  “And you would? I don’t think so, Miss Control Freak Designer. You won’t even let me display my trophies.”

  Bertie whirled on Keith, eyes blazing. “That is not true. I’m redesigning your home office, and all your trophies and awards will be on full display when I’m finished. I only packed them away so Harry wouldn’t get into them.” Harry was Keith and Bertie’s very active, three-year-old son. Vance knew firsthand what kind of trouble he got into.

  “You’re an interior designer?” Katie asked with renewed interest. “I’ve always found that fascinating.”

  “Yeah, but we want to hear about this miniseries. Who’s starring in it? If you say Ryan Reynolds or Bradley Cooper, I’m gonna faint right here on the spot,” Lucy said.

  “Or Patrick Dempsey or Hugh Jackman. Lordy!” Bertie fanned her face with her hand.

  “Uh, are we invisible?” Brogan gestured to Keith and himself. “Is this your way of telling us we haven’t been doing our husbandly duties?” he asked, his tone incredulous.

  “I thought you were happy. You acted happy just this morning…multiple times,” Keith said, leering at Bertie.

  “And what about this afternoon in my office…on top of my desk? Weren’t you happy?” a grinning, confident Brogan asked Lucy.

  Blotches of red bloomed on Katie’s perfect cheeks. Vance hurled a Nerf football he’d found under a sofa pillow at Brogan’s head. “Shut the frick up. Don’t ruin my one evening with adult company, spewing horseshit. No one’s interested in your exaggerated sexual prowess, Reese. Morgan I might believe after maybe six more strong drinks, but Reese…hell no.” Brogan and Keith both burst into laughter.

  “Shhh, you’ll wake the kids.” Bertie pressed a finger to her lips. “Vance is right. Katie, we didn’t mean to be rude or embarrassing.” Bertie swatted Keith’s thigh, glaring at him. “You are in so much trouble. Big. Trouble.”

  “Katie, excuse Vance. He’s not usually this cantankerous. Abstinence will do that to a guy. How long’s it been, buddy?” Brogan had the nerve to ask, tossing the orange football with one hand. “What was your last girlfriend’s name?”

  “Tatiana, the Russian publicist…meh.” Lucy made a face. “Not your finest moment, Kerner. No one in town could stand her.”

  “I liked Tatiana,” Brogan said.

  “You liked her fake boobs and collagen-filled lips.” Lucy gave Brogan a squinty-eyed glare.

  “She had fake boobs?” Brogan asked, playing innocent, and Keith rocked with laughter again. “I didn’t notice. Couldn’t get past her thick Russian accent.”

  “She’s Ukrainian, you granola-eatin’ idiot,” Vance growled.

  Brogan continued, unfazed by Vance’s death glare. “No, seriously, I’m talking about the one with red hair.” Brogan snapped his fingers. “What was her name? She was a stripper or an erotic dancer. Not sure which.”

  Bertie gasped, Keith snickered, and Katie’s eyes practically bugged from her head.

  “Her name was Bella, and she was an exotic dance teacher. She taught belly dancing, you numbnuts,” Vance said while silently conjuring up ways to get even with his now ex-best friend.

  “That’s it. Bella the belly dancer. She was awesome.” Brogan chucked the football to Vance, grinning like a jackass fool.

  Vance groaned, dropping his head back against the cushions. By bringing up Tatiana and Bella, his so-called friends were doing an excellent job of running Katie straight out of town. Before he’d had a chance—at what? He had no idea. But he’d like her to stay around long enough for him to figure it out. So desperate for them to shut up about his past affairs, he changed the subject back to the dreaded miniseries.

  “Kat, why don’t you finish telling us about the miniseries? Otherwise, you will be further shocked by the lack of intelligence and decorum of Harmony’s finest.”

  Katie twisted her pretty lips as if to keep from laughing. “You sure? I think your exotic girlfriends are far more entertaining. Great material. I know a top-notch studio that might be interested.” She winked, and their gazes met and held. Something warm unfurled deep in his gut. Katie had an invigorating energy. She was quick and funny and forgiving, which would come in handy, because he figured he’d be begging for forgiveness before this was over.

  “Like I said, it’s geared toward the teenage audience. I’m not sure who’s starring in it. My brothers are more privy to that kind of information,” Katie explained.

  Vance drained his drink, hoping the alcohol would ease the tension building up between his shoulders as Katie described the bloody series and explained why she wanted the use of his property. It didn’t sound any better t
he second time around.

  “Wow. I can’t wait to see all the action,” Lucy said once Katie had finished.

  “I hope you get the chance. It all hinges on whether Vance allows McKnight Studios to use his house.” She shot Vance a pointed look.

  Lucy’s curly blond hair whipped around her shoulders as she turned and arched her brow at him, and Bertie nudged him in the side.

  “You’re not thinking of saying no, are you?” Bertie asked.

  “You better not. This will be the most exciting thing to happen to Harmony since bad boy tennis star Keith Morgan moved to town,” Lucy added.

  “Hey, I resemble that remark,” Keith said with a chuckle. “Here, let me refresh your drink, Kerner. You’re going to need it.” He left the room for the kitchen with Vance’s empty glass.

  Great. Maybe if he got rip-roaring drunk, he’d forget about this, and tomorrow would be a better day. But then he watched Katie cross her jean-clad leg and wiggle her foot as if nervous or anxious or both, and he didn’t want this day to end, and he didn’t want to forget her.

  “What’s your decision, Kerner?” Brogan asked.

  Vance rested his forearms on his thighs. Katie’s foot stopped jiggling. “It’s not that simple. I’ve got Eric’s kids to contend with and a deadline looming over my head.” The weight of his responsibilities froze his brain. “My book is not writing itself, especially with all the interruptions around here. Adding movie-making chaos will only make things worse.”

  “We can help with the kids. Lucy and I have offered numerous times,” Bertie said, sounding concerned.

  “I know, and I appreciate it. But you both work. Besides, you’ve got your own kids to deal with.”

  “We can take—”

  “I’ve offered to babysit the kids for the next four weeks in exchange for using his house,” Katie blurted to everyone’s surprise.

  Keith returned. Taking measured steps, he handed Vance his drink. “You need this more than I thought,” he murmured.

  “Whoa.” Brogan glanced back and forth from Katie to Vance. “That’s a very generous offer. I’d say Kerner’s a fool not to accept it.”

  Katie licked her lips. “The crew won’t arrive for another two weeks. Contracts still need to be signed. But starting tomorrow, I can be here first thing in the morning and stay until the kids are fast asleep.” She crossed her arms over her sweatshirt and studied Vance’s face.

  Brogan’s cocky grinned returned, and Lucy and Bertie nodded in agreement. Only Keith settled back with an unreadable expression.

  Katie glanced at her watch and sighed. “Can you guys recommend a motel or somewhere to stay? It’s getting late, and since spotting this perfect location today, I stupidly haven’t left the house or made any reservations.”

  “Well, there’s the Lazy Oak Inn on the outskirts of town toward Raleigh. But you don’t want to stay there for any length of time. It’s infested with cockroaches. Hazel’s Boarding House near the center of town will probably be your best bet,” Bertie offered. “Does anyone know if she has any vacancies?” she asked the room in general.

  “Hazel and Frank Conway are supernice, but Bible study is mandatory on Wednesday nights, and they’re fierce about it.”

  Katie appeared baffled. “Er, well, that sounds okay. I didn’t exactly bring my Bible with me. Will that be a problem?”

  “Nope. She keeps a fresh supply behind the front desk,” Lucy said.

  Keith had pulled out his phone and started scrolling. “Here’s the number. You can call right now and see if she has a vacancy.”

  “Thanks. My phone is in my handbag.” Katie stood as if to leave the room. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Wait a minute.” Brogan shifted forward. “I have a better idea.”

  Uneasiness crept over Vance. He’d seen that calculated flicker in Brogan’s eyes way too many times, and he seldom liked the outcome.

  “Vance, what you need is a live-in nanny. Someone who can help with those kids 24-7.” Brogan paused, making sure he had everyone’s attention. “Katie, how ’bout you stay here? In Vance’s house?”

  Yep. Brogan had managed to come up with the worst idea ever. Vance pictured his hands circled around Brogan’s jock-thick neck…squeezing. How would he survive with Katie under his roof, tying him in sailor knots? And worse, she’d be standing buck-naked in his shower with a Do Not Touch sign plastered on her ass, and sitting at his breakfast table wearing only a thin T-shirt covering her plump, braless breasts. Vance shifted, uncomfortably aware of the tightness around his groin.

  “Um, I’m not sure that would be wise,” Katie said.

  Vance caught Katie’s guarded look. Exactly. Unwise on so many levels.

  “It’s the perfect idea. You can stay in the master bedroom.” Vance gave an involuntary growl, gaining everyone’s attention. “Wait, let me finish. Vance, you sleep in the loft in the barn. That’s where you write anyhow. Let Katie have the house with the kids for the nights,” Brogan added to the already very bad idea.

  Katie lurched forward with hands outstretched. “Oh no. I could never do that. I could never make him sleep in the barn.” She appeared horrified at the idea.

  Bertie laughed. “It wouldn’t be a hardship. That barn is nicer than this house. I should know. I helped him convert it into his office-slash-living space.”

  “It’s actually awesome. You’ve got to see it,” Lucy said.

  Brogan hopped up and pulled Lucy with him. “Then it’s settled. Katie McKnight, welcome to your home for the next four weeks.” He spread his arms wide, grinning like he’d just won the lottery. Dread followed by a kernel of excitement coursed through Vance’s brain. Judging by Katie’s expression, she appeared paralyzed with shock.

  “Sounds perfect.” Bertie stood. “Come on, Luce. Let’s write all our numbers and contact information down. Vance, where do you keep your clean sheets? We need to freshen up Katie’s room.”

  “Please. That won’t be necessary.” Katie came to life and tried to stop Bertie and Lucy.

  Bertie chuckled. “Honey, don’t deprive us of practicing our Southern hospitality. Wouldn’t be right.”

  Bertie barked more orders, and before Vance could blink, his house was bustling with Operation Move Katie In. Keith went to retrieve her luggage from the car, and Brogan helped Lucy change sheets and put out fresh towels.

  Standing in the kitchen, Bertie handed a flabbergasted Katie a sheet of paper with everyone’s contact information. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to call.” Katie nodded numbly. “I mean it. Vance is like family to us. We may tease him mercilessly, but we still love him, and we’re very grateful you’re here to help.” Bertie smiled, and Vance squeezed her shoulders in appreciation. His friends were nosy, obnoxious, and annoying, but they were also the best in a crisis and would give the shirts off their backs to anyone in need.

  “Why didn’t I marry you when I had the chance?” Vance asked, kissing the top of Bertie’s head.

  She snorted. “You had no interest in me, and you know it. I couldn’t compete with the mysterious women who came and went around here.”

  Vance laughed, and it felt good. “Hardly mysterious. Nothing stays a secret around here.”

  “Well, now you have Katie.” Bertie met his gaze with a glimmer in her green eyes. “We feel much better knowing you have help and can finish your book.”

  Katie suffered a coughing fit. “Excuse me. Just need some water.” She ducked her head and made a beeline for the fridge.

  Keith stepped into the kitchen with Brogan and Lucy. “When will it be published? I’m looking forward to reading the last one in the series,” he said.

  “Imagine you’ll be tying up all the loose ends in this one,” Brogan added.

  Right. Loose ends. Thinking about all the loose ends made his stomach tighten and his head pound. “Won’t come out fo
r another year.” Unless he never finished. Vance rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans.

  Brogan gave him a knowing look. “Stop worrying. You’ve got this. Especially now that Katie’s here.” He usually could read Vance’s mind. Except on this one.

  Vance suppressed a howl of frustration. Now that Katie was here…he’d never be able to focus.

  Chapter 6

  Alone. At last.

  Well, not exactly. Vance breathed down Katie’s neck, literally, as she stood inside her bedroom, more commonly known as Vance’s master suite. Katie held her breath, wondering how she’d ended up here. And when she meant here, she meant inside this beautiful but oh-so-masculine bedroom with Harmony’s hottie playboy standing so close she only had to sway a half inch and her back would be touching his well-defined front. Holy cliffhanger.

  Vance’s friends had left in a flurry, and Katie’s head hadn’t stopped spinning from the moment they’d arrived. A tropical cyclone created a calmer day than the one she’d had today. She and Vance had gone upstairs to check on the sleeping children and found Dover holding his baby sister tucked into his side with one arm and Donald sprawled at the bottom of the covers beneath their tent. Perfect angels. Katie smiled at the pure sweetness of it all, snapping pictures with her phone, wishing she’d thought to grab her Nikon while Vance made a few adjustments with the blankets.

  Katie’s gaze now landed on Vance’s king-size platform bed with fresh white sheets and fluffy gray down comforter looking lush and inviting. It’d be even more inviting if occupied by the swarthy pirate. Katie’s nails dug into her palms. These inappropriate thoughts must cease and desist. Her job: to conduct business and business only. Not play mattress tag with the resident gigolo. Besides, wasn’t she practically engaged? Sure, sure, engaged might be a huge exaggeration, but being on a break didn’t give her freedom to cut loose and hook up with other men…or pirates. That may be the norm for Hollywood, but not Katie. She had a career to build, a reputation to uphold. Parents to impress. A sigh escaped her lips, and her shoulders drooped.