by Gina Gordon
He stood in the doorway, his thick frame taking up most of the space. His eyes were intense, sad. He brushed his hand through his hair.
“It’s a little weird to see the house empty.” He gestured out into the hall, where all of the picture frames were now missing from the wall.
“Everything’s still here. Just packed away.” She ached for him. She could only imagine what it would be like to lose a parent. She didn’t even want to think about losing her own. But these boys, these men, had not only lost their real parents, but had now lost the one woman in their life who gave a damn.
She held out her hand. “Come with me.”
Cole hesitated but took her hand and followed her out of the room.
She led him into the spare bedroom where she had piled the framed pictures on the bed alongside three banker’s boxes of loose photos. Admittedly, she was a little nosy and did look through them for a minute…or thirty.
“The photos are all here.” She motioned to the bed. “I’m going to organize everything properly. Eventually.”
Cole approached the bed and studied the tabs, a weak smile curving at the side of his mouth.
“Nothing is being thrown away,” she reassured him. “Unless one of you tells me to.”
He flipped through the pictures in the top box while he spoke. “Jack told us he was doing this, but to be honest, I didn’t believe it.”
Her heart hurt for Jack. Despite achieving his own success, he was still questioned at every turn. “Jack’s been working really hard.”
Cole nodded.
Seeing the soft side of Cole, she could see why Penn would be attracted to him.
“Thanks, Sterling, for doing this. We’re all just…” He blew out a harsh breath. “Busy.”
She knew it wasn’t time that kept them from completing this job. The pain was still so fresh. So devastating.
Cole sat on the edge of the bed and moved the photos around. “He’s going to leave again and I’m afraid that without Mom here, he’ll have no reason to come back.”
Jack loved his brothers. She didn’t believe that for a minute.
“But maybe…” Cole gave her a curious look. “That might change.”
Did he think she was going to keep him here? Oh, he had it all wrong. Not only did Jack make it very clear he was leaving, but she had no intention of getting wrapped up in a man for a very long time.
You’re already wrapped up.
“Hey, brother.” Jack sauntered inside the bedroom just in time to save her. But the concerned look on his face made her forget her own trouble. “So you’ve seen what we’re doing with the house?”
Cole nodded.
“And you’re cool with it?” he asked.
“It has to be done.” He shrugged. “I was just surprised. This is a good thing.”
Jack didn’t acknowledge Cole’s praise. Instead he looked in her direction. “Sterling, you’ve made great progress.” He slid his gaze over her body. Like the touch of his hands, she felt his eyes on her, intense and scorching.
“At this rate I’ll be out of your hair in no time.” Making light of things was the only way she could keep her reality in check.
And sometimes being too efficient was a bad thing. She needed to slow down. She had to admit to herself that she didn’t want to be out of this house, out of Jack’s life, so quickly. This job would probably come back to bite her in the ass. But she was too intrigued with his proposition of helping her have fun to care.
“I guess I should get out of your hair, too,” Cole said as he backed away.
“What did you want, anyway?” Jack asked.
Cole’s face lit up. “I came to raid the garden.”
“Take whatever you need.” Jack approached the bed and paged through the pictures. “There are bags in the kitchen pantry.”
“Thanks. See you soon, Sterling.” Cole smiled and walked out with a small wave.
“What are you doing with all these photos?” he asked.
“Oh, I was going to sort them all and then figured I could purchase some photo boxes so they can be preserved.”
So many memories. So many good times. These pictures were irreplaceable. Plus, she had a surprise in mind for each of them.
“I wasn’t expecting you back so early,” she commented. “I don’t see any bags.” Sterling peeked into the hall to confirm.
“Not today.” He smiled, a mysterious grin that foretold of his intentions. Did he have something up his sleeve? “You did as I asked? You brought a change of clothes?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He pointed his thumb in the direction of the doorway. “We’re leaving in forty-five minutes.”
“But…” She had too much work to do. “I’m not done.”
He smiled. “I think your boss would be all right with you taking off early.”
Sterling’s stomach jumped excitedly. “Where are we going?”
He crossed his arms. “That’s a surprise.”
She moaned. “I hate surprises. Of course, you like them.”
“I like surprising you.”
Her heart raced. This man was full of the unexpected, and not just when it came to making plans.
“Double-check that you have everything you need. We’re on a schedule.” He sauntered out, whistling as he headed toward his bedroom.
With every minute they spent together, their relationship threatened to move away from the word “casual.” But maybe she was okay with that. She wanted to experience new things. She wanted to have some fun. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Now she just needed to make sure she kept her heart out of the equation, because what could a man who has everything want with a woman who couldn’t even afford to buy underwear? And who, for all intents and purposes, paid for two households? Not to mention the fact that in two weeks he’d be gone and she’d still be stuck in the same place, never able to make a start on her own.
Sterling raced around finishing a few last-minute things. When she rummaged through her bag to make sure she was prepared she found items that didn’t belong to her. She peeked inside and gasped. None of the items she had packed were in the bag, and on the very top was a note from Penn.
You’re the worst packer in the world.
It’s time to get your sexy on. Have fun!
P
She must have switched it before she left the night before. Instead of Sterling’s three-quarter-length skirt and black scoop-neck shirt was a slinky black halter dress. Instead of her sensible cotton bra and panties was something black, lacy, and like nothing she would ever wear. At least the tags were still on. The garments mocked her. What the hell was Sterling going to do with sexy lingerie? And her passport? What the hell did she need with a passport?
“Damn it, Penn!”
But there was nothing she could do about it now. She would just have to do everything in her power not to have a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of their date. That stupid dress Penn had forced her to wear on the boat was traumatizing enough. She would not have a repeat of that night.
Zipping up the bag, Sterling checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. Excitement tickled her stomach. She had a feeling that tonight was going to be one of the best nights of her life.
…
When they arrived at the airport, her stomach twisted. When they boarded a shuttle, her stomach danced. When she stepped onto the tarmac where a small jet waited, she could barely breathe. “Jack? What are we doing here?”
“You and I have a date.” He winked as he directed her toward the plane. “Got your passport?”
Sterling nodded. “A date is dinner and a movie. Not boarding a plane.” This was…above and beyond the idea of having fun.
“Do you get the impression I do things according to the norm?”
“If I did before, I definitely don’t now.” She scurried behind him, the sun beating down on them from above. The air-conditioned plane lured her inside.
The interior was subtl
e, beige and cream and unassuming. To the left, behind a locked door, was the cockpit. Directly in front of them was the attendant area, and to the right was the passenger area. A bench seat lined the right side of the plane and there were two rows of two seats to the left.
He motioned for her to sit on the bench and he settled himself down next to her.
The attendant, a tall, lean man, approached with a tray of champagne. “The pilot has advised that everything is ready and we should be taking off in the next five minutes.”
Jack nodded and grabbed two glasses from the tray, handing one to Sterling. This was all too much. There was no need to impress her. That’s not what their relationship was about. No, not a relationship. An arrangement. Impressing her with his money was not why she agreed to the short-term fun.
“You look nervous.” Jack grinned, then took a sip of his champagne. “Are you afraid to fly? Maybe I should have asked first, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I’m not afraid to fly. Just…overwhelmed.” That was an understatement. “This is not just a regular date.”
He set down his champagne, turned toward her, and grabbed her hand. “I wanted to do something for you that you’d never forget. Something that will force you to come out of your shell.”
“Mr. Vaughn?” The deep voice over the intercom addressed her date. “We’re set for takeoff. Our estimated time of arrival in Miami is fourteen hundred hours.”
“Miami?” Sterling cried. “What on earth are we going to do in Miami?”
He took another sip of champagne and smiled. “We’re going to dance.”
“But I—” Looking down at her outfit, she sighed. Maybe she should have changed before they left. She definitely wasn’t sexy enough for Miami.
“You look beautiful.” Jack leaned forward, resting his hand on her knee. As usual, he knew exactly what she was thinking and knew just what to say to put her at ease. “You’re the most gorgeous woman in the room.”
“I’m the only woman in the room.” She gave him a sly stare. “You have to stop saying things like that, especially when—”
His hand slid up her thigh and rested between her legs. Her stomach fluttered and she fell back against the seat.
“Relax, Sterling. Just enjoy.”
A Jeep waited for them on the tarmac when they landed in Florida. They drove down the interstate, the wind whipping around them. She definitely wasn’t the polished woman whose hair blew back elegantly. Oh no, her tresses flew every which way.
The air filled her lungs, the fresh scent of salt and sea invigorating. Water surrounded them on both sides of the highway, the water crystal clear and still.
“We’re going to have to make a quick stop and pick up some supplies,” Jack said, his voice straining over the sound of the wind.
“What kind of supplies?” She hooked a piece of hair that stuck to her mouth and secured it behind her ear.
“A bathing suit, for one.”
“So we’re going to the beach?”
He nodded. Soft sand. Warm water. She sighed. This trip just got even better.
They parked at a roadside gift shop. Signage advertised beer and cigarettes, souvenirs and gifts. Fluorescent noodles sat in a large bin by the door, turtle and shark blow-ups hung from the warped awning. T-shirts and bathing suits blew lightly in the breeze from their position on clothing racks next to the entrance.
He parked and jumped out of the Jeep. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you naked.”
“I’ll be wearing a bathing suit, Jack.” She shook her head. The man always had sex on the brain.
“We’ll see about that.” He winked, grabbed her hand, and guided her into the shop.
What did that mean? He just said they needed to buy bathing suits. Nervousness churned inside her stomach. He had something else up his sleeve. Despite her growing unease, she couldn’t help but be excited about whatever else he might have in store for her.
“First things first.” He guided her to the back of the store. “Pick one.” He gestured to the wall and the few racks that displayed all types of bathing suits.
Sterling sifted through the racks. Actually, there was only one type of bathing suit. They consisted of mostly string. Thong bottoms and triangles cut out for the bra. The racks of tiny pieces of fabric could barely be considered utilitarian for swimming purposes.
“Um, Jack. Do you think we could go to another store?” She held out the hanger with the so-called bathing suit, giving it a once-over. “I don’t think they have my size here.”
He looked through the rack on the opposite side and picked up a solid yellow two-piece. “This isn’t your size…or isn’t your style?”
“Both?” She bit her bottom lip, hoping he would be kind and understand her hesitation.
“How do you know it’s not your style if you’ve never tried it?” He grinned. Sure, he would like it if she was naked, but she didn’t know about the other people on the beach.
“I would never wear anything like that.” She smoothed down her hair with both hands. “I own one bathing suit. And it’s a one-piece.”
“Go and try this on.” He nudged her toward a change room. “For me?” His eyes blazed with a smoldering stare that set her panties on fire. She let out a heavy breath and grabbed the suit.
The salt in the air must be messing with her brain. Was she really going to indulge him? As soon as he saw her in the suit he’d agree that it wasn’t her style. She didn’t have the body to pull it off. She damn well didn’t have the confidence.
She positioned the triangles over her breasts and tied a bow at the base of her neck. Might as well be naked.
“Sterling? Are you dressed, sweetheart?”
“Barely.”
He laughed from the other side of the change room. “Are you going to let me see?”
“I guess.” She unlocked the door and hid behind it.
He crowded the doorway. She was thankful for his large body blocking the view from other gawking eyes. His appraisal started with her face, then moved slowly to her feet, his stare so intense she shivered. Did he know his mouth was open? Or that his cheeks flushed? He might be adjusting to the heat. It had to be the heat.
She crossed her arms and her legs, trying to hide as much of her bare body as she could.
“Sterling, I’ve seen you naked. Why are you covering yourself?”
She groaned. “I don’t think I can do this.”
“You look hot.”
She snorted. “You’re just being nice.”
“Sweetheart.” He took a step inside the change room, his body hovering mere inches away from hers. She heated up immediately. “Just wait until you walk out on that beach.” His breath was a whisper against her shoulder. “You’ll see I’m not the only man thankful for skimpy bathing suits.”
“I don’t know…”
He reached forward, his hand sliding up her body. It barely touched her skin, but it was enough to cause her to shiver. The bathing suit tugged and a second later she heard a snap. He held up the tag. “You rip it, you bought it.”
“Jack!”
“Here, put this over yourself.” He handed her a black sarong, then took off.
She approached the register with her clothes in hand and her underwear and bra shoved into her purse. Novelty items, candy, chocolate, lighters, magazines all lay haphazardly by the register. Sterling cringed. This place was in desperate need of some organization.
Jack had piled sunscreen, towels, a blanket, bottled water, and a few bags of snacks on the counter.
“At least let me pay for something.” It was enough to fly her to another country. The least she could do was pay for their necessities. Sighing, she reached into her bag and grabbed her wallet. Just another thing to put on her credit card. Which she would essentially pay off with money she earned working for him.
“Absolutely not.” Jack stopped her. “It was my idea to come here.”
Today was definitely not a part of their business de
al. However, the more time they spent together, the more the lines between business and social blurred. But the lines were still visible, and she would travel them as best she could.
After packing their newly purchased tote full of goodies, they walked hand in hand toward the beach. The sun shone brightly, not a cloud littered the sky. Men and women whizzed by on bikes and inline skates. Sterling couldn’t imagine riding a bike in such a skimpy bathing suit, but the women did, their bottoms exposed for all to see.
With her free hand, she held the sarong closely against her breasts but still clenched her butt cheeks. She was hoping some last-minute clenches would make it look good.
When they walked up to the beach area she read the sign:
Attention: Nude Bathers Beyond This Point
She stared at Jack in shock. “A nude beach? You’re taking me to a nude beach?” She looked down at herself. “How much more nude can I get?”
He guided her off to the side and set down their bags. Drawing her close, he clasped his hands together at her lower back. “Do you trust me?”
Heck if she knew why, but she trusted this virtual stranger. “Yes.”
In the sunlight, his olive skin glistened. Everything about Jack Vaughn was flawless, from the straight line of his nose to the curve of his cheekbones, to the strong set of his jaw. The man was walking perfection. And what would he ever want with a girl like you? “I would never make you do something you didn’t want to do, but we’re trying new things, right?”
She nodded.
“You don’t have to take anything off unless you feel one hundred percent comfortable.” He kissed her nose, then one cheek and the other, finally laying a soft kiss on her lips. How was it that a simple kiss with no sexual agenda made her feel so adored and safe? And although she would be walking into a so-called nude lion’s den, that one kiss melted away her hesitation.
A group of men walked by and two of them stared, craning their heads as they passed. They were so checking her out.
“On second thought, I don’t know if nude is such a good idea.” Jack covered her with his body.
At that moment, she realized that he would also have the opportunity to bathe in the buff. “What about you? Seeing you might cause a frenzy with all the women.”
