Sweet Southern Bad Boy

by Michele Summers

  The crowd had cleared, and Vance signed the last customer’s copy. He stopped to stare at his dad. Not much had changed, with the exception of a few more gray hairs and a few lines of age around his eyes and on his forehead. He still stood as tall and strong as an oak tree, leaving no doubt he’d served in the military.

  Vance’s cell beeped with a text from Mike. Hope book signing went well. Still negotiating with McKnight. We need to talk. He’s worried about Katie finding out…??? Vance cursed under his breath. He hated lying to Katie and keeping her in the dark while Walter McKnight played games. After what she’d revealed to him about her family and how she’d been treated, the guilt churned into burning acid in his gut. Vance didn’t want to contribute to her insecurities. He didn’t want to hurt Katie…ever.

  “Nice job. You really know how to weave a story,” Dottie said, standing in front of his table. “Now come on over and speak with your daddy. It took an order from the Pentagon to get him out of that shack he hunkers down in.”

  “I was wondering how you managed,” Vance mumbled.

  “We aren’t gonna stay long. I know how he likes to be in bed by nine…the ol’ coot.” Dottie snorted. Vance wouldn’t know. But he didn’t plan on hanging around much longer either. A warm, beautiful woman waited for him, and he wanted to enjoy every last minute with her. He fixed his gaze on Katie’s fresh face as he crossed the store to where she stood. Better than looking at the man who watched him with a closed-off, guarded expression.

  Vance nodded. “Dad.” Something flickered behind his dad’s eyes. Something Vance hadn’t seen in years. Hope, maybe. Pride? Could be his imagination. For someone who made his living with words, Vance’s tongue was tied. He couldn’t form a single coherent sentence. A soft hand curled around his. He turned, and Katie’s reassuring smile gave him all the courage he needed.

  “Glad you were able to make it. It really means, er…a lot to me,” he choked out, as if facing the principal back in elementary school.

  Everyone seemed to hold their collective breaths, and before his dad could respond, Adam Reynolds shuffled forward in his faded army fatigues. Adam had apparently ventured out to hear Vance speak. His effort touched Vance, knowing what it cost him to listen to war stories—real or imagined.

  Adam shook Vance’s hand. “The guys and I wanted to let you know you’ve made a big difference, and we thank you.” Vance heard the slur in his voice and felt the tremor in his grip.

  Vance gripped Adam’s upper arm. “You guys are the ones who’ve made the real difference. I appreciate all the information and stories you’ve been willing to share.” Dottie gave a loud clearing of her throat. “Adam,” Vance said, “I’d like you to meet my father, General Chuck Kerner. He served twenty-seven years.”

  Adam extended his hand. “It’s an honor, General, sir.”

  “The honor is all mine, soldier,” Chuck said.

  “And this is a good friend of the family, Dottie Duncan, and er…Katie McKnight.” Vance pressed his hand to the small of Katie’s back, not knowing quite how to classify her. Except to beat his chest like a caveman and yell “mine” for the entire male population to hear.

  “Nice to meet you folks. I won’t keep you. Just wanted to stop by and thank Vance again for the generous donations he’s made to Helping Comrades. And I understand you’re donating a portion of the sale of your books as well.”

  Shit. That kernel of information had been safely under wraps, and Vance had hoped to keep it that way. He hadn’t wanted it bantered about Harmony or exploding all over social media. Not because he was ashamed, but because he wanted his books to stand on their own merit. He was donating to Helping Comrades because it was the right thing to do…for him.

  “How much has he donated?” Dottie asked Adam. Vance tensed. Motherfuh…none of Dottie’s damn business. When Adam revealed the number, Dottie’s eyes widened, Katie’s breath caught, and the brackets of tension around Chuck’s mouth deepened.

  “That’s quite a sum,” Dottie said, “and I’d like to match it.” What? Vance hadn’t seen that one coming. Dottie started digging around in her silver fringed handbag, searching for her checkbook. “How do I make it out?” she asked, checkbook and pen in hand.

  “Just like that?” Adam’s faded eyes brightened as he glanced from Vance to Dottie. “I don’t know what to say.” That made two of them. Frozen, speechless, and stunned, Dottie’s generosity humbled him.

  “You could start by giving me a name.” Dottie chuckled. Adam told Dottie who to make the check out to, and when she handed it over, he thanked her profusely and shoved it in his front shirt pocket with a shaky hand.

  After Adam said his good-byes, Dottie gave Chuck a nudge. “What do you have to say about that? I’m mighty proud of your son. Aren’t you?”

  The moment of truth.

  Katie stiffened next to him. They both stood like two steel beams. Rigid and poured to the spot.

  Waiting.

  Chuck cleared his throat. Twice. “I talked to Gloria today. Asked her if it would be okay if I brought the kids home to visit her this weekend.” Vance swallowed the lump of emotion clogging his throat. Katie pressed closer to his side. Dottie narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Gloria said it’d be fine and would give you a break,” his dad said, not quite meeting his eyes.

  “Don’t worry. He ain’t going alone. We’ll be driving my Escalade,” Dottie announced.

  Chuck jerked back and glared at Dottie. “Woman, no one said anything about you riding along. I’d rather be captured and tortured by the Taliban than ride four hours with you inside a car.”

  “Who said you’d be riding inside the car? I planned to tie your old carcass on the roof rack like a dead deer.”

  Katie started to shake, and Vance thought she might be upset until her snickers reached his ears. She covered her mouth in an attempt to hold back the laughter while Chuck and Dottie kept bickering. So much for a poignant reunion. The best thing he could say about the encounter was at least his dad and he weren’t fighting. Katie’s sparkling gaze captured his.

  “You hungry?” he whispered close to her ear. The scent of orange blossoms made him dizzy.

  “Starved. Do you think it’s okay to leave?” she said, indicating the dueling odd couple.

  “Absolutely. Not sure about my dad, but I’d bet fifty bucks Dottie’s packin’ some heat in that fringed bag of hers. We better get out of firing range.” Vance pulled a giggling Katie toward the exit.

  * * *

  Katie checked on the sleeping kids while Vance walked the Ardbuckle twins to their car. After barely escaping the escalating battle between Dottie Duncan and General Kerner, Vance had driven Katie to a small café in downtown Raleigh for a quiet meal. The tension rolled off his stiff shoulders and dissipated as he relaxed and enjoyed a glass of red wine. He kept the conversation light, regaling her with stories of being rejected, chasing publishers, getting “the call,” and missing deadlines. Katie laughed, enjoying the sound of his honeyed deep voice and the animation in his expression. But when she’d tried to mention his dad or ask him about the motivation behind his donations to Helping Comrades, the spark would disappear, and he’d clam up. She wondered if his dad knew this side of him. The man who supported a worthy cause but sought no accolades for his efforts. The man who’d held her and offered comfort as she bared her soul, reliving painful childhood memories. Katie wanted this man to be a part of her life, but deep down knew they lived worlds apart…literally. Katie kept a lid on her thoughts while Vance continued to charm and be attentive all evening, and she couldn’t remember having a better date. Ever.

  She descended the stairs and checked the front room and kitchen, searching for Vance. No sign of him anywhere. A soft sigh escaped her lips. She wanted to thank him for a wonderful evening. She wanted to reassure him everything would work out with his dad. Dammit. She wanted a good night kiss, at the very
least.

  Disappointed, Katie turned out the lights and headed for her bedroom. She stepped inside, and the man of her dreams stood by the open French doors. Her legs turned spongy at his sexy smile and glittering gaze. He held a single yellow rose between his strong fingers, and her heart locked up.

  “I’d thought you’d gone…up to your loft.”

  He moved silently across the carpeted floor, closing the distance between them, and extended the rose. “Without saying good night? Not likely.”

  Katie touched the velvety petals to her nose and breathed in the sweet smell. “Where did you get this? It’s lovely.”

  “Seems I have a blooming bush in my yard.” Vance tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear, and his magical fingers lingered along her neck and jawline. “Kat, this is your call. I don’t want to start anything you’re uncomfortable with.” His voice, raw and thrilling, jump-started her lungs again.

  “A pirate with a conscience. Who knew?” Katie pressed her hand to the side of his face. His skin was warm and scratchy from his stubble. Vance turned into her touch and kissed her palm. Her girly parts—rusty from lack of use—started to squeak.

  “This pirate is making a noble effort, but his desire is to ravage a certain California cupcake.” He treated her to a naughty grin. “He wants nothing more than to throw you down on that bed and kiss every inch of your delectable body—”

  Katie touched her fingers to his firm lips. A part of her—the part sizzling beneath her clothes—wanted to take this growing attraction…infatuation…lust to its natural conclusion with this man. But Katie had wised up and didn’t dive headfirst anymore without knowing the water’s depth. “There’s nothing I’d like more”—his dark eyes flared—“because there’s obviously a spark between us.”

  “More like a fiery inferno.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close until nothing separated the front of her dress from his shirt. “I’m feeling a ‘but’ coming on.”

  Katie let out a shaky breath. “Call me old-fashioned, but it’s weird being with you in this room with the kids sleeping upstairs.” Vance’s eyebrows rose, along with the heat flaming her cheeks.

  “Have to say…not what I was expecting to hear.”

  “I mean, what if they wake up? I’m not kidding!” she cried when Vance started to laugh. “I’d be scarred for life, not to mention what it would do to them.”

  “I’ve got the perfect solution. We go to the loft,” he whispered close to her ear.

  “And what if they’re crying and come looking for me? I can’t do that.”

  Vance heaved a huge sigh of frustration. The effort had to be killing him if the stiff rod poking her in the belly was any indication.

  “Oh, there’s going to be crying…just not from the three monkeys. So…are you only taking sex off the table, or does that include heavy necking and feeling you up?”

  Katie rocked her hips against his erection, and the groan he emitted curled her toes. “I think a good night kiss could be in order,” she said in a sultry voice.

  “So, kissing is allowed?”

  She nodded. “Most definitely.”

  Vance swiftly backed Katie against the closed bathroom door. Dropping to his knees, he shoved her dress above her hips. The yellow rose slipped from her shaky fingers, and Katie shivered at his lips pressed to her belly. The pressure from his big hands held her in place. Her mind reeled with anticipation and excitement.

  “Wh-what are you doing?” Katie felt a jolt of desire at the fingers between her legs.

  “Kissing is allowed. I’m choosing where,” he growled against her sensitive skin. Then he proceeded to kiss and suck and lick his way around her quivering belly until his hot breath practically melted her pink panties. Katie’s head hit the back of the door in pleasure, and her eyes fluttered close. Pirate Man deftly removed the triangle of silk between her legs, and his tongue plundered and pillaged until Katie started to see stars. Her knees shook, and she grabbed his shirt covering his shoulders. “V-Vance…please.” A loud moan escaped her lips as she arched her back and strained forward. Katie’s eyes flew open. This was nothing like…like…what was his name? No one came to mind. This was something else. Something erotic and primal and wicked. She wanted to be taken by this man and be reborn a new woman.

  Vance struck a chord between her legs, stroking and tormenting, driving the sensations higher. His name fell from her lips, and she flew apart as her orgasm slammed into her and ricocheted throughout her body until it exploded from the top of her head.

  Dazed, Katie slumped against the door, only half-aware of Vance’s hands moving up her trembling body, until his grinning face appeared before her.

  “What was that?” She managed to breathe. “I’ve never, you know…come like that…ever.” She locked her knees before she dissolved into a puddle of liquid goo.

  “There’s more where that came from,” Vance whispered, nibbling her neck where her pulse beat an erratic rhythm. Katie swallowed hard. She didn’t know if she’d survive. “You sure you don’t want to continue this discussion naked…on your back…in my bed…with your legs wrapped around my waist?”

  She couldn’t think of any place she’d rather be. “You don’t make this easy.” He shoved his hand in her hair and possessed her with another fierce kiss. The man was a master, hot and forceful, and her lips, along with the rest of her chorusing body, fell under his powerful spell. She felt a kind of intimacy with him she’d never felt before.

  Vance’s fingers traced the line of her dress dipping beneath the neckline, causing her to moan. Her breasts grew heavy, nipples tightening. “Not gonna pressure you, sweetheart…unless it’s working—”

  Katie gathered what little strength she possessed and pushed away from his addicting allure. “Sh-h-h. Did you hear that?” she whispered, her eyes wide.

  Vance looked up. “What?” And then his forehead thunked against the door at the sound of Danny’s cry.

  “Kay-tee…I wet.”

  “Fuh…effin’ A. Did you plan this?” he accused as his eyes narrowed.

  “You’re kidding, right?” Katie scrambled to lower her dress before she embarrassed herself and traumatized Danny. Frantically, she scanned the floor. “My underwear…has disappeared.”

  “Kay-tee!”

  “Coming, Danny!” Katie called out.

  Vance grabbed Katie by the shoulders and planted a hard kiss on her mouth. “Tomorrow night, you’re mine,” he growled in her face.

  “Katie, I’m thirsty.” Katie’s heart tripped over Vance’s declaration, but there was no time to respond. She was too busy being shocked at the sound of Dover’s voice coming closer.

  “Jesus.” Vance threw his hands in the air and stormed for the open French doors.

  “Wait. Where are you going? And where’s my underwear?” Katie hissed, trying to contain the laugh bubbling forth. The night had the makings of a skit for Comedy Central.

  “To take another ice-cold shower,” he said over his shoulder. “And if you want these…you’ll have to come get ’em.” Vance pulled a sliver of pink lace from his back pocket, and twirled her panties around his forefinger.

  * * *

  The next morning, Katie packed for the kids’ weekend away to visit their mom. Dottie Duncan and Chuck would be picking them up as soon as the kids got home from school. Vance was locked in his loft, working on his book, allowing Katie time to process or brood or second-guess. The powerful flames of desire he fanned soared beyond sexual for her. She felt different with him. And it scared her. The idea of having sex with no strings attached looked good on paper but made her uneasy. She didn’t know if she had the nerve to carry it out. The truth: She wanted more than sex. She wanted something meaningful…special. By already exposing her scars to him, she feared she appeared desperate and needy.

  In the light of day, the desire to flee made K
atie twitch to jump in her car and hit the road. But there was still the business of the unsigned contract. In order for Katie to move on with her life on her terms, she needed to finish this job for her dad. She would not quit, or worse, be fired over failing to score this location for McKnight Studios. And she would not allow Mr. Too Hot for His Own Good, with his incredible, over-the-moon orgasms, to distract her. Yeah, right.

  Katie stopped shoving clean socks and underwear in Dover’s duffel bag. She fanned her overheated face. Once the kids were gone, there’d be no excuses. No human shield. She’d be completely at his mercy. He’d already threatened as much. For a magical night of heart-stopping sex and…and she deserved exactly that. Dammit. She yanked the overnight bag’s zipper closed. She was right back where she’d started.

  * * *

  Vance stood on his front porch with his arms crossed, watching Katie hustle the kids into the back of Dottie Duncan’s Escalade. Part of him was sad to see them go. Yeah, they were a pain in the ass, but he loved them and would miss all the noise and commotion they made. The other part of him couldn’t wait for everyone to get off his property, including the Harmony Huggers playing a medley of their greatest hits. He wanted everyone to disappear so he could concentrate on his book…and Katie’s body. Yeah, he was a guy out for one thing…so sue him. But deep down, he knew it was more than that. Ever since Katie had walked through his door a week ago, his reaction to her had been beyond physical. From the moment he’d seen her that first day, standing in his kitchen wide-eyed and shocked, the urge to help her had swamped him. And when she’d opened up about her family and her insecurities, he’d wanted to serve and protect her, to shield her from a world of hurt. He wanted to own her. After last night, tasting her and having the power to make her come…went straight to both his heads. Whenever he looked at Katie, everything inside him stirred. Desire, lust, and a burning need to be connected both mentally and physically. Vance glanced at his dad, rearranging the bags in the back of Dottie’s SUV, and that need to feel connected burned even hotter. He’d been living with a huge void for years. Since the day his mother had died and his dad had decided to treat him as number one unlawful combatant.