by Aliyah Burke
He reached for the popcorn between them and took a handful. “Tell me about you.”
“Is that it? You don’t have any more to get off your chest?”
“Nope, that’s all. I drank, was kicked out and haven’t touched it since.”
“I’m a Captain in the Marines. I fly Super Cobras, although I’m sure you heard that given you were inside when I told your father. I love what I do but am considering not re-upping this September and taking a different job.” He stared at her so long, she shifted on the seat beneath his scrutiny. “What?” she questioned.
“Just imagining you in your flight suit. Or in your dress blues.”
Her cheeks heated. How could this man make her blush when she prided herself on not being able to be embarrassed? “I do fill them out nicely.”
Another highly possessive and predatory scan of her body. “Of that, I have no doubt.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m the only child and my mother has made it her personal mission to remind me how I’m getting older and need to settle down and give her grandbabies.”
One of his dark eyebrows rose. “You don’t sound like you want children.”
“It’s not anything high on my list. I don’t want to be responsible for another person. I’m having a great time being me. I can go where I want, so long as the Corps doesn’t require me anywhere else. But I don’t have to worry about someone behind at home or making sure they’re having fun where I am at.” She popped some chocolate into her mouth. “Apparently, that makes me selfish for not wanting to run out and marry a guy to give her grandbabies.”
He flashed another panty melting grin. “I’ll be willing to help with that as well. I mean, as long as I’m assisting you with remembering what a cock looks like, I can help be the marrying guy and grandbaby provider.”
Shea inched closer until her lips were a hairsbreadth away from his. “Is that so?”
“Hell, yes.”
“So you have a baby stashed away somewhere we can use?”
“Give me a few hours and nine months and I’ll get one for you to use, although I can’t tell you if it will be a boy or a girl.”
She was lost in his blue eyes. “Confident.”
He put his lips against hers, oh so lightly. “Yes, I am.”
Her lids drifted closed at the brush of his mouth against hers. Lord, she wanted to allow this to continue and explore what he had to offer but not happening in a house where his father slept just feet away.
Shea opened her eyes again and found him watching her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He pushed a hand into her unbound hair and settled his grip along the nape of her neck. “You do that. But remember, I’m also available for practice.”
She smiled. “Right, the reintroduction to a cock so I remember what one looks like.”
His fingers massaged her skin. “Precisely.”
Need burned within her, growing and spreading as she sat on the couch with Brodie. Flexing her fingers, she rested her hands on his upper thighs, allowing her touch to tease him in the same way his did her. His blue eyes darkened, and she lost herself in the depths. They swayed toward one another and she could damn near taste him on her tongue once more.
Noah Wallace coughed and hacked from the other room splintering the moment surrounding them.
Brodie glanced over to the narrow hall leading to the room his father used.
“Go check on him,” she whispered.
“Wait?”
“I should go. It’s been a long day and you have a heater to work on again, tomorrow. But if you need me, call and I’ll come out and give you a hand.”
He took her wrist and placed her palm over his crotch. “I could use a hand.”
She squeezed him, her on pussy throbbing with want. “Soon.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“I expect to be held to a lot of things. Couches, walls, floors.”
He grinned as those cobalt eyes sparkled at her.
Shea stole a quick kiss. “Goodnight, Brodie.”
He walked her to the door and wrapped his arms around her, spinning her back to face him. “Go on a date with me.”
“Call me tomorrow.”
“Number?” He smoothed his hands up and down her back.
“It’s not that big of a town, you know where my parents live, I’m staying there.” She wormed free. “Night.”
Shea forced herself to head away to her car and made herself leave before she did something crazy like take him up on the offer of sex. This wasn’t a man she could just have a fling with and leave, he was much more dangerous than that. He would be one that said forever. Not a playboy, but a man who would be ready for commitment from the jump.
αβ
Brodie dusted off his hands as he left the meeting with his half-brother, Gabe Dresken. It hadn’t been as bad as he’d believed it was going to be. The man wasn’t a complete dick. Sure, there was a bit of animosity but the one thing he could say for sure was Dresken seemed to be a shrewd business man. Brodie swore it wouldn’t have mattered. One way or another, he wanted a job to bring in money to support his father. I didn’t go looking for a family reunion.
So, he would be working at the lumber company after Christmas. Now, he could focus on other things, like Shea. He’d taken her out for dinner the night after the rodeo and they’d gone to the tree lighting in front of a church together.
While he wasn’t particularly religious, tree lightings were fun. Plus, it was a way for him to be snuggled up to the woman he had plans on marrying. There was something about her, he couldn’t forget. While they’d both been here in town when they were younger, she wasn’t one he even looked at. In fact, he was confident they barely spoke.
Now though, seeing this beautiful confident woman did things to him. He hadn’t done more than kiss her a few times but man, did he want more. She possessed this wit about her that he loved, a sense of honor he admired, and—hell, here he was sounding like a damn Hallmark movie again.
Seriously, if there were one thing I could wish for, it would be for her to feel the same.
He hoped to see her again tonight during the Apple Valley by Candlelight, where the shops stayed open late and the downtown area was all lit up for the holiday.
However, right now, he had to swing by the hardware store and pick up a few more items to fix other things around the house. At least the heater had been replaced, so he no longer had to worry about it. This afternoon after he got home, he planned to chop a bit more wood and take it inside the house, so there would be wood heat as well going on for his dad.
Walking from the parked truck, he made his way through town to the hardware store. The lights around the windows reminded him he had to put lights up at home also. He swiped a basket and began picking up items he would need.
At the checkout counter was a tall black man with gray hair. He greeted him with a smile and reached out for the basket. “Did you find everything okay, Mr. Wallace?”
Brodie hesitated and fought the urge to turn around and see if his father stood there behind him. “I did, thank you. I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Not well, but we’ve met a time or two. I believe you know my daughter and have been seen around town with her.”
It hit him. Elijah Worthington. “Yes sir, Mr. Worthington.”
“I know your father, how’s he doing?”
“Some days are better than others, thank you for asking about him.” Today had been a good day. His old man was putting together a puzzle he’d been working on for nearly a month now.
“You let me know if there’s anything I can do for y’all. I’ll stop by for a visit soon.” Elijah finished ringing everything up and gave him the total.
“Here you go,” Brodie said, handing over his credit card. “Thank you and I’ll let him know.” He waited while his items were bagged and he signed the receipt. Slipping his hands into the handles, he paused and glanced back to the man standing there. “Merry Christm
as.”
“Same to you, son. Same to you. Are you going to the event tonight?”
“I was planning on it.”
“Good, maybe we’ll see you there. Is your father coming?”
“I’ll see how he’s feeling this evening.”
“I understand. Have a great day.”
“You too.” He headed to the door and pushed his way out into the cold.
Christ, how much colder can this get here? It’s the south for God’s sake. We’re not supposed to freeze our dicks off in winter.
The temperature didn’t increase on his drive back home, but he felt fairly certain it had gone down. He hustled into the house and kicked the door shut behind him. “Dad?”
“In my room.”
His call wasn’t at all weak and Brodie thanked God he still felt better. “I’ve got the stuff and I’m going to be outside taking care of a few other things. Can I fix you anything to eat before I go?”
“Not hungry. When do I get to see Shea again?”
He paused unloading the bags and peered back to his father’s room. “I’m sorry?”
“Your girlfriend. Or the woman you want to be your girlfriend. When is she coming back over or when are we going to see her?” His father stepped from the hallway dressed in a plaid shirt and black pants.
“If you feel up to it, we can go to the candlelight thing tonight in town. She’s supposed to be there. I also ran into her father at the hardware store and he said he was going to stop by and see you.”
“Always liked that Elijah, good worker. Smart man. Not like a lot of people I had to deal with. Married a good woman he did. Teresa loves him and wouldn’t ever leave him.”
Brodie knew where this was going. “Let me get you something to eat, Dad. Then you should take your pills and rest, so you have some energy for this evening.”
“You’ll take me down there?”
“If you want to go, we’ll go.”
Sure, he’d wanted to be alone to maybe sneak off with Shea for a little private adult time but he couldn’t ignore the fact his father wanted to leave the house. Fixing him a bowl of soup and a sandwich, Brodie ate with him and made sure he took his meds. When his father had reclined back in his chair in front the television, he headed back outside to double check on a few things and repair a few others he’d been seeing as he took trips around the house.
After a dinner, he made sure his old man was all bundled up then took him out to the truck.
“Not used to not driving my truck,” he groused.
“Consider as payback for all the times you had to drive me around, Dad.”
Noah grunted but let it go. The ride into town was quiet but not uncomfortable. They were learning to get along so much better. Yes, Brodie caved on a lot but hell, he only had one father and it was his turn to take care of him.
Parking in one of the lots, he tugged on the cuff of his glove and faced his father before killing the engine. “Know where you want to start?”
“Let’s just walk.”
He shut off the truck. “Sounds like a plan to me. But I want you to let me know if you get too cold, so we can hop into a store and get warmed up.”
His father didn’t respond, just climbed out of the truck.
Brodie followed suit and zipped up his jacket as he moved around the vehicle to his father’s side. Together, they headed for the lights to take part in the night’s festivities.
One thing was for certain, he loved the look of this town all decked out for the holiday. They sure did know how to decorate.
Brodie hung back and let his father set the pace and direction, he watched him interacting with people he hadn’t seen in a while. The multicolored lights twinkled in the night air. People’s breaths could be easily seen, but it didn’t deter them from enjoying themselves. There was also a bunch of steam rising from everyone’s warm drinks.
He got himself a coffee and a mint hot chocolate for his father. While his father sat on a bench with two other older gentlemen catching up, drinking their warm drinks, he propped his shoulder against the light post, being mindful of the decorations covering it.
“He seems to be having a great time.”
His lips curled up in response to the sultry feminine voice as warmth on an entirely new level overtook him. Angling his head, he found Shea standing there.
Her hair hung loose around her face again and she wore that familiar blue leather jacket on her torso.
“Hello beautiful,” he said. “Yes, he does.”
“Whatcha drinking?” She stood beside him, hands in her pockets.
“Coffee.”
“You know during the holidays, it’s supposed to be hot chocolate or something of the like.”
“I got Dad a mint hot cocoa, if that’s more what you are looking for.”
“Ohh, that’s sounds wonderful, where did you get him that from?”
“I’ll get you one.”
“Nope. Just point me in the direction. I’ll grab it and come back.”
He settled his hand on her waist and held her gaze. “Promise?”
“Don’t let this go to your head or anything, but I kind of like spending time with you, Mr. Brodie,” she whispered that along his lips before she kissed him lightly.
He bit back his growl of desire and pointed her in the direction he’d gotten the hot chocolate. As he stared at the firm ass in her jeans as she walked away from him, he heard his father’s laughter and glanced over at him.
Elijah had joined the group and the men were just cutting up and having a grand time. Brodie met his father’s gaze and the man smiled at him then jumped back into the conversation around him.
Somehow, he didn’t think the cold would be an issue for either Wallace male tonight.
Chapter Four
“Your father likes your new man.”
Her mother’s words coming from behind her nearly had Shea dropping her mint hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. Which would have been disastrous at the very least.
“Hi Mama. When did you two get here and I’m ignoring the part about me having a new man, since I don’t but who does Dad like?” She turned to find her mother standing there looking like she should be on a Christmas card.
“He said you had a new man. I want to know why you didn’t tell us you were dating Brodie.”
The urge to scream ran roughshod over her. “Because I’m not dating him. We went on a date but we’re not dating.”
“Have you had sex with him?”
Holy crap I can’t believe she’s asking me this in the middle of town. Wait, yes I can. Lord, I need this to be full of liquor to help me. “Why would you even think that was an appropriate question to ask me, Mama?” And to think I wanted to scream before. Now, I want to run away.
“Your voice is cracking, are you getting sick? Maybe you picked it up from your boyfriend.”
“Oh, my God, stop.”
“Don’t take his name in vain, young lady,” she snapped. “Now tell me, are you having sex with him and are you taking precautions?”
Those passing them sent her a look of sympathy mixed with humor.
Trying to not say something rude to her mother, Shea took a long drink from her cup. The hot liquid nearly scalding her throat, but she didn’t care. “Okay Mama, you want to have this discussion here? Fine. Let’s just completely and utterly embarrass me in public. Why not? I should be used to it.”
“It’s a simple yes or no question, Shea. No need to get upset about it. Everyone has sex. I may be your mother, but I am aware of how you young people are.”
“You know how I am? Is that what you think I’m doing in the Marines? Just sleeping around? Because that’s how us young people are?”
Her mother sent her a look of disapproval. “I didn’t say that. Stop being so melodramatic.”
“Me? I’m the one being melodramatic? I’m not the one who interjects into every conversation we have about how I’m not getting any younger and how you want grandba
bies. About how I need to settle down and get the rest of my life on track, since I’m getting up there in age.”
Her mother blinked and opened her mouth, but Shea cut her off.
“I don’t want to get pregnant, Mama. I’m sorry to disappoint you but that’s not on my to-do list. I’m not looking for being a mom and raising children. I’m having fun traveling the world and flying my helicopters. Yes, I know you don’t like the fact I’m doing what I do, but I love it. I’m living my life, not yours or I would have been married right out of high school and given you grandbabies.”
She tossed her drink away and put her hands back in her pockets.
“Brodie and I are friends, Mama. At this moment, I have not fucked him.” She ignored the shocked look on her mom’s face with the choice of language. “But, seeing as you think I have, I will ask him tonight. Is that what you want to know? And don’t worry, I always carry condoms in my car, you know in case I meet someone at a rest stop I want to have sex with like us young people do.”
Theresa Worthington was a classy lady who’d just been pushed over the line and Shea knew it the second she finished with her tirade at her mother. But her own irritation and anger at always being pushed for children and how she’d broached this in public during a town event where anyone and everyone could hear as they walked by had surfaced. Dad always said she was her mother’s daughter in her temper.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for talking to me like that. And for using such language. I’ve never been more ashamed of you than I am right now, Shea Worthington. I—I—Forget it. I can’t even talk to you right now. Don’t bother coming home until you’re ready to apologize.” Her mother walked off, head high.
“That’s not going to happen,” she vowed even as she pushed aside the self-berating going on for treating her mother in such callous manner.
Fuck!
