CHAPTER TWELVE

I wrestle with every fiber of my being to refrain from turning around completely and smashing my lips against his even though my body is aching to feel him. His challenging words are an invitation I cannot—should not—accept. But God do I want to!

Andrew Darling will be the death of me of this I am sure.

“Morgan!” my mother calls out, “You’re here!”

My head whips around to face my mother and I pray my lustful eyes and the look of desire on my face for the man standing behind me dissipates into thin air.

“Hi, Mom!” I stammer nervously as though I’ve been caught doing something wrong. Smiling to disguise my desirous state, I cast my eyes away for a moment, wondering if the flush of my cheeks or the heat radiating from my body is a dead giveaway.

I feel the release of Andrew’s hand on my arm and I miss its absence immediately when my mother engulfs my body into a massive hug. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“It hasn’t been that long, Mom,” I quickly remind her, closing my eyes for a moment to gather my bearings.

When I’m set free from her embrace, she looks over my shoulder and smiles at the man who wants to fuck me senseless. “And who’s this?” she sings. I purse my lips and roll my eyes when I see the gleam in her big brown eyes. Stepping to the side, I introduce my guest and speak at the same time that Andrew thrusts his hand out. “Andrew Da—”

“Mom, this is Andrew.” I announce, placing my hand on his bicep casually as I send her a look, silently imploring that she understand who he is without having me declare his last name. It’ll just make things even more awkward.

Andrew flicks a quick glance to his arm then back at me and grins, knowing my inability to keep my hands to myself is becoming quite a struggle. I swallow thickly and drop my hand casually.

The warm smile on my mom’s face slips and transforms into a hard line. A sympathetic smile, riddled with pity settles in place.

“Oh,” she breathes.

With widened eyes and a subtle shake of my head, I warn her.

Either she doesn’t catch my drift or she chooses to ignore it.

“Oh, Andrew,” she sighs. “I’m so sorry to hear about your parents. Morgan tells me they were wonderful people.”

Andrew nods, darting his eyes from my mother’s to mine before speaking. “That’s what everyone keeps saying,” he mumbles. “You never know when it might be your last day on earth so we have to live each day as it comes and seize every opportunity that presents itself. Carpe diem.” His eyes cut to mine and I understand his silent suggestion.

“Oh, yes. I agree,” my mom sighs, stepping forward to close the space.

Overcome with the need to save him from an awkward and uncomfortable motherly hug, I throw him a lifeline, exclaiming that we’ve not yet eaten lunch and are famished. With a final sympathetic smile, my mother clasps her hands together and brings them to her heart. “Well, put your things down and come eat. Gabe is outside with Dad and I’m sure they’re hungry too.”

I thank my mother as Andrew and I set our bags down by the staircase which leads to the second floor where the three bedrooms are.

Andrew’s arm locks around my waist and I yelp as his fingers splay across my stomach and he yanks my body flush against his front. Angling my head, my eyes grow wide then close when I feel his breath at my ear. “Do you like teasing me?”

Our eyes connect for the faintest moment and I lift my chin, moving my lips closer to his.

A quiet groan emerges from his throat. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.”

My cheek pulls back into a slight smile. “Good. Now you know exactly how I feel.”

Stepping away quickly when the sound of my mother’s footstep draws closer, Andrew returns to his previous position and glances at the coffee-colored wall.

“Oh God! Please don’t look at those! It’s embarrassing!” I plead and press my hands against his solid abs when I notice he’s still perusing the collage of family photos. Images upon images line the walls; each one chronicling a moment of time in our family’s history.

“What are you doing?” I screech when he covers my hand with his own and starts the slow, southward journey. A look of complete mischief sparkles in his beautiful blues. “You like touching me, don’t you?”

“I do not!” I counter.

“Okay.” He winks. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Know what I keep telling myself?”

He grins and swipes his tongue across his lips. “What’s that?”

“That you’re an entitled pain in the ass!”

The sound of Andrew’s light laughter makes me smile and I wish I could hear it more often.

“Holy shit! You guys have a lot of pictures,” he quips, although beneath his intended humor, I detect an ounce of unease or envy in his voice.

“My mom thinks she’s a photographer,” I laugh to hide the sadness in my heart thinking about the lack of family photos in the Darling residence.

Walking into the kitchen, Andrew follows me and I find my mom closing the refrigerator door also covered with magnetic picture frames.

“Morgan, honey, will you bring this down to your brother?” my mom asks, handing me a small dish piled high with thick slices of American, Vermont cheddar and Swiss cheeses.

“Sure,” I reply, looking back to silently ask Andrew if he wants to come with me or not.

He replies confidently, “I’m good.”

Apprehension fills me as I walk outside to where my brother, Gabriel, is flipping hamburger patties on the charcoal grill. The grease sizzles and sends orange flames high into the air while smoke seeps through the closed lid.

“Please don’t singe your eyebrows again!” I tease, mussing his dark brown hair.

Gabe leans over and offers his cheek. “Hey, sis.”

I lean in and kiss my brother’s cheek, feeling the heat of the grill on his face. “Hi! Where are Molly and Connor?”

“Home. They might come by later, but the baby’s been a bear all week.”

“Here.” I hold out the dish for him but take a small step back quickly when another flame shoots into the air again. “Good thing we have a fireman in the family.”

“Thanks. Very funny,” he says, lifting the lid and placing a slice of each type of cheese to the patties.

“Those look amazing!”

“Of course they do!” he laughs. “How long are you here for? Connor’s gotten so big.”

“I can imagine.” Sighing sadly because I don’t see my nephew nearly as much as I would like to, I glance out at the lake before returning my attention to my brother. “We’ll probably head out tomorrow afternoon.”

“We?” Gabe asks with a cocked brow and wide brown eyes. “Is Toni with you?”

I laugh at the hope in his voice and shake my head. “No. Dude, how many times have I told you she likes chicks not dicks?”

He tsks. “Always the gorgeous ones.”

“Dude, you’re off the market anyway!”

Gabe shakes his head playfully. “Not until she marries me.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it!”

My brother grins and uses a long spatula to transfer the cheeseburgers onto a platter.

“Where’s Dad?” I ask, again looking toward the water where small waves crash against the shore.

Gabe motions with his chin. “He’s next door helping Mason with his boat.”

I gulp and my eyes widen into round saucers. “Mason’s here?”

“You didn’t know? He moved back after his divorce.”

My voice rises. “He got divorced?” I haven’t seen my childhood best friend turned high school boyfriend in years.

“Maybe if you came home more often you’d know.”

Guilt floods my conscience. For so many years while married to Sean, I missed spending time with my family because my ex-husband insisted that he should be my number one priority. On the rare occasions that I fought and won, Sean made our stay so uncomfortable and he was quick to offer lame excuses as to why we had to head home early.

Thank God I’m divorced. The idea that I’ll never have to choose between my family and a man lifts my spirits. I roll my eyes at my brother. “Shut up, Gabby. Maybe if you packed up your family and left this town, you’d see there’s a big world out there.”

“Whatever you say, Porgie Morgie.”

Laughing at the God-awful childhood nickname, I walk back toward the house and then stop, calling over my shoulder. “Hey, why aren’t you helping Mason? He’s your best friend.”

He shrugs. “I think Mason is trying to get on Dad’s good side again. Who knows...he might be trying to get some information about you after he found out that you were coming up this weekend.”

Waving my hand in the air, I snort. “Oh God, please! That ship sailed and sank a long time ago.”

“What ship sank?” Andrew asks when he meets me on the back deck.

“Nothing,” I lie and avoid his eyes. “You survived my mom?” I ask, changing the subject with a smile.

“Yeah, she’s nice.”

“I hope it wasn’t too awkward,” I whisper apologetically.

Andrew grins crookedly, arrogance seeping from his pores. “I’m actually pretty good with the ladies.”

The memory of Paige’s voicemail about last night infiltrates my mind and instantly sours my mood. “Yeah, so I’ve heard.”

Andrew stares at me while his eyes search for something. A moment later, his gaze drops to my mouth, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath.

My heart is pounding in my chest and my belly flip-flops with anticipation.

“Cheeseburgers are done—” Gabe calls, his tall body freezing on the last step. “Who are you? The token gay friend?”

My eyelids close and I inhale. Releasing the breath, I open my eyes and turn to my brother. “You’re an asshole,” I mumble under my breath. “Gabe, this is Andrew. Andrew, this is my brother, Gabriel.”

I notice Andrew’s jaw tightens, and the creases between his eyebrows deepen.

“Ignore my brother; it’s obvious my mother dropped him on his head lots of times.”

Switching the platter filled with cheeseburgers to his left hand, my brother grins and returns Andrew’s handshake but doesn’t release his hold quickly. “You fucking around with my little sister?”

“Gabe!?” I screech then cry, “Cut the shit!”

Laughter erupts from my brother’s lips. “I’m just kidding. You’re not her type...but you might be Trav—”

Humiliation washes over me. “Gabe! Stop being a jerk!”

Andrew looks back and forth between my brother and me, probably wondering what’s going on.

Gabe winks as he passes then adds, “Relax, sis. I love embarrassing you, making you turn all red and shit. It’s hilarious watching you squirm.”

I huff and grit my teeth, finally looking at Andrew. “Don’t mind him.”

Andrew shrugs then turns back with a salacious grin on his face. “Seems your brother and I have something in common.”

Confusion wrinkles my face. “What’s that?”

“I like to watch you squirm, too.”

Shock parts my lips as I gasp. Finally when I find my voice and I’m able to speak, I cast my eyes at him. “Remind me why I asked you to come again.”

“You like when I come.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear as I brush past him and step into the kitchen, asking my mother how I can help. Standing outside with Andrew for another second was going to lead to me dragging him out to the shed and begging him to bury himself between my legs.

What is wrong with me?

“Are you okay?” my mom asks after commenting on my flushed cheeks.

“I’m fine.”

Oh, God. It’s going to be a long two days.

♦♦♦

Sitting across from my brother and my dad, I am sandwiched in between Andrew and my mom on the long wooden picnic table a few hundred feet from the water.

Enjoying the crisp late autumn breeze, we enjoy an outdoor lunch customary for the Fourth of July. Biting into the triple cheese layered burger, ketchup squeezes out as I moan my delight and praise my brother’s masterful skill at the grill.

My mother leans over and quietly chastises me for talking with my mouth full especially in front of my guest then shoves a napkin in my direction. “Wipe your mouth.”

I roll my eyes and reach for the bottle of water, taking a swig to wash down the food. “Seriously, Mom?” I hitch my thumb at Andrew. “He doesn’t care, do you?”

A small grin appears. “Nah,” he chuckles. “Morgan knows I’m a pretty messy eater too. In fact, I’m kind of used to seeing her with a mouthful of one thing or another.”

Coughing and choking, a spray of water and half-chewed food particles fly from my mouth and cover my brother’s face.

Shocked and disgusted, my brother yells, “What the fuck?”

“Gabriel! Language!” my mother rebukes as she passes him a small handful of napkins.

“Oh my God, Gabe! I’m so sorry!” I laugh, apologizing while wiping my mouth with a balled up, ketchup stained napkin.

I glance over and want to slap that shit-eating grin off his face.

Shrugging his shoulders, Andrew chortles. “What?”

My father finally chimes in after having only said a few words to Andrew when I’d introduced them earlier. A quick word of condolence was given along with a hearty handshake. I was grateful in that moment that my dad has always been somewhat taciturn with people he doesn’t know.

“So Andrew,” my father starts, directing his attention to Andrew’s hat. “You’re a Broncos fan?”

Before Andrew can reply, his phone rings. He glances at it quickly and his expression hardens. After snapping his eyes to mine, Andrew silences the phone. He clears his throat and puts a smile back on his face before confirming his love and pride for the Denver team, but adding that he prefers Colorado hockey best.

“The Avalanche are like fourth in their division, aren’t they?” Gabe asks with a sense of superiority.

“Fifth actually,” Andrew answers my brother’s question with a chuckle then asks one of his own. “Do you skate?”

“I did.” Gabe nods and his face beams with pride. “Class M State Champs 2001.”

My mother boasts, reaching over to pat my brother’s hand. “He qualified for Salt Lake.”

“The 2002 Olympics? Damn, that’s quite an accomplishment,” Andrew praises while helping himself to another scoop of my mother’s delicious macaroni salad.

“Yeah, would’ve been even better if my knees held out.” Gabe shrugs nonchalantly, attempting to hide the disappointment, but I know him better than that. “One too many torn ACLs sidelined me for good.”

Discomfort blankets us until Gabe breaks the awkward silence. Looking at Andrew, he asks if he’s ever played.

Andrew responds with a nod and a smile. “Actually, I loved being on the ice, but my mother hated the trek to the rink. She’d wished I played baseball like—” His gaze falls before he clears his throat and continues. A quick shrug accompanies his words. “I stopped skating when I was about fourteen.”

The bottle of water stills on my bottom lip as I freeze mid-sip. It’s the first mention of his mother that is unsolicited and unprompted.

“Really?” I blurt, surprising even myself. “The way she talked about you...seemed like you were the center of her world and she would’ve done anything for you.”

Andrew uncaps the bottle of water and takes a large gulp. “Not quite.”

“That’s impossible, Andrew! Mark always said she was a wonderful mother.”

His lips tighten into a hard line, and he exhales in exasperation. As I search Andrew’s face, I look for a hint of emotion, anything at all, but I find nothing to reveal the pain of a man remembering life before he lost his parents.

Once again, a sense of uneasiness settles over us.

“Dessert, anyone?” my mom asks, standing quickly to remove herself from the uncomfortable situation when her voice cracks.

Gabe stands and offers to help our mother since my father has walked over to the cooler to grab a few bottles of beer along with his fishing gear.

Left alone at the table, Andrew and I sit in silence. I adjust my position, turning my body to face him. “Hey, do you want to talk about it?” I ask softly.

Keeping his eyes focused on the lake, Andrew releases a deep groan then hisses. “Talk about what, Morgan?” Shaking his head, I notice his lips have transformed into a hard line. “How you have this distorted perception of my parents or how you believed every word they said?”

I flinch as my heart sinks to my toes. “What are you talking about?” I reach out for his arm, coaxing him to look at me. “I...” I start as emotion threatens to rob my ability to speak. “I only know what I witnessed. Your parents loved each other and they certainly loved you.”

Fierce eyes bore into mine. “No, they didn’t.”

“Want a beer?” my dad asks, holding out a green glass bottle in Andrew’s direction.

Nodding, Andrew accepts the beverage and clinks it with my father’s. “Cheers,” he says casually as if we hadn’t just been at the beginning of a deep conversation.

Frustrated by Andrew’s immediate and drastic change, I decline the offer for a beer when it’s made. I grumble, stand abruptly and walk away to the lake’s shore. My hands ball into fists when anger floods me and aggravation mocks me. Why did I think he would open up and talk to me? The only thing he wants open are my legs.

Regardless of how incredibly sexy he is, Andrew Darling is the most infuriating man on the planet.

My legs continue to carry me, and I shove my hands into my pockets then stop before sitting on the wooden slats of the newly rebuilt dock. Admiring the simply gorgeous view, I soak up the sun’s rays shining down on me and enjoy the gentle breeze. Slowly a huge cloud shields the ball of fire, and I wrap my arms, clad in a light gray cable knit sweater, around my knees, keeping them tucked in close to my body. Shivering, I draw my hands upward, rubbing my biceps to ward off the chill in the air.

Thoughts of Andrew fill my mind. How can he flirt so casually, making promises to bed me and then shut down in a matter of seconds? What’s the point? Why would he say those horrible things about his parents? Mark and Diana were the nicest people I’ve ever known—kind, generous and loving.

I just don’t understand.

Releasing a deep sigh of frustration, I cover my face with my hands and vow to enjoy the weekend with my family. Leaning back on extended arms, I straighten my legs and look out over the water. Because peak foliage season slightly changes from year to year, the brightly colored leaves provide a spectacular backdrop against the cool water of the lake. The higher elevations of the Adirondack Mountains are even brighter and more vibrant. My eyes scan from the right to the left until they reach the Sagamore Hotel where members of a bridal party are arranged for formal pictures.

“We were supposed to get married there,” a deep baritone voice reminds me. The proximity of his voice to my ear indicates his position. I know he’s lowered his tall frame and is now squatting beside me. I smile, remembering the promise we’d made to marry each other the night of Junior Prom.

I gasp as I whip my head around to face the man I’ve known forever. “Mason!” I squeal.

Wrapping his arms around me, my childhood best friend squeezes me. “I heard you were back!”

“Oh my God!” I cry, jumping to my feet as he stands. Arms cross each other’s forms and my body arches, molding against his. The movement of my lips against his cheek produces a loud kissing sound.

Holding my body close to his, Mason whispers breathlessly in my ear. “God, I forgot how beautiful you are.”

I wiggle my way out of his hold, needing to gain some distance when I notice the nostalgia in his eyes. “Oh stop. I look the same as always. You look fantastic!”

Dragging my eyes over his body and my hands down his arms, I notice he’s now solid muscle. His neck is thick, his skin tanned and his facial features, accentuated by the weight loss, more pronounced. The shorter haircut reveals his deep set eyes along with a small scar. He’s even more handsome than I remember; one might even call him hot. With a quick shake of my head, I clear my thoughts. “When did you get back?”

“A few months ago,” he replies, aiming for nonchalance, but I sense the hint of sadness.

I nod in understanding and offer a tight, sympathetic smile. “Sorry to hear about you and Tessa.”

He scoffs then chuckles. “No, you’re not.”

A snarky comment escapes before I can stop it. “Yeah, you’re right. I always did hate that snotty bitch. I never understood what you saw in her.”

“I ask myself that same question on a daily basis.” A genuine smile appears beneath the hint of red in his beard.

“Me too!” I chuckle humorlessly. A wayward thought drifts to my ex-husband and I shake my head thinking about how incompatible we were right from the start. While most women say their wedding day qualifies as the happiest day of their life, mine would be the day the judge granted my divorce. Freedom never tasted so good.

Excited passengers stand on the deck and wave to us from aboard Lac de Saint Sacrement, a large vessel known for its scenic lunch and dinner cruises along Lake George. Mason and I both lift a hand to return the greeting.

“How long are you here for? Wanna grab a bite to eat later?” he asks, looking down at me as he moves my hair over my shoulder.

Feeling uncomfortable, I shift, pull my hair into a ponytail and secure it with the elastic around my wrist. “Can’t. I’m only here for the night. Heading back home tomorrow.”

He cocks an eyebrow at my use of the word home.

“That’s it?” he asks incredulously. “That’s not much time at all. It’s been forever since I’ve seen you. How’ve you been?”

“I’m good. Working. Keeping busy. Getting my life back in order after the divorce.” Trying not to sleep with Andrew Darling.

“Yeah, me too.”

To hear that Mason is now operating his own private investigation company does not come as a surprise; I’m sure he’s more than qualified based on his experience as military police.

“Where’re you living?” he asks, unable to hide the anticipation and hope that Lake George would once again become my permanent address.

“Still in White Plains.” I chuckle awkwardly. “I’m actually renting a pool house,” I answer quietly, hating how pathetic it sounds that I’m not yet standing on my own two feet.

“Sucks, huh?”

I nod in agreement. “Yep.”

Our eyes meet and for a split second, I see myself reflected in his. I rub my arms with flattened palms as we stand there until the sound of heavy footsteps demands my attention. I look back and find Andrew on the dock behind me, walking toward us with a beer in one hand and the jacket I’d left in the backseat of the Hummer draped over his forearm.

“Hi,” I offer, along with a small smile, hoping he understands that my simple word carries more than a cordial greeting; it’s packed with an apology for pushing him to open up to me when clearly he isn’t ready.

Mason turns to face Andrew and then looks at me out of the corner of his eye. I ignore the challenging look which points out the obvious fact I neglected to mention. Mason thrusts his callused hand forward then sizes Andrew up, narrowing his eyes briefly as if in recognition. “Hey, I’m Mason, an old friend of Morgan’s. Have we met before?”

A wry smile and a devious look appears on Andrew’s handsome face as he squeezes Mason’s hand. “Andrew. Morgan’s new friend and I don’t believe so.”

After a quick glance at Andrew, I nod. “Thank you for my jacket.”

Blue eyes bore into mine as my jacket is held open. Andrew waits for me to slide my arms in then drapes his arm over my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “I’d much rather be taking your clothes off though.”

My eyes close momentarily and I shiver.

“I could warm you up really fast,” he continues.

With flushed cheeks, I smile coyly. “Maybe later.”

“I’m holding you to that.”

I gulp and look away awkwardly before looking at Mason who seems to be watching us carefully.

“Excuse me for a sec,” Andrew says, looking down at his phone when it rings. “I need to take this.” As he turns and strides away, I vaguely hear his voice deepen and become rigid, “Didn’t I tell you to stop fucking calling me?”

Andrew’s harsh tone implies the call isn’t of a friendly nature.

“Boyfriend?”

I peek over my shoulder before responding. “It’s complicated.”

“Do I need to check him out or what?” he asks with a laugh, adding, “A background check would be easy.”

“Not necessary. I’m all set, but thanks for the offer.”

Changing the subject, I ask Mason what he’s doing later. He extends his arms as if casting a fishing line.

“You?” he asks.

I tilt my head in feigned annoyance. “Mason, how long have you known me?”

“Practically my whole life.”

“What does my family do every Saturday night?” I grin, remembering how competitive we used to get when we played board games.

“Maybe I’ll swing by later. I’m supposed to meet this girl...”

“Oooh la la,” I tease. “Wait a minute! But you asked me to grab a bite to eat.” I place my hands on my hips.

“I would’ve canceled it for you.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “No need to do that. Does she know she’s a rebound?”

“What?” he squawks.

“I mean, come on...you just got divorced. Everybody knows the first person you date after a divorce is just a rebound.”

Mason grins crookedly and flashes his eyes to Andrew.

“We just work together!” I hiss under my breath. “You’re going on a date!”

“I didn’t say I was going to marry her and I’m certainly not bringing her home to meet the family.”

I narrow my eyes at his words. “It’s a long story.”

When Andrew rejoins us, his forehead reveals his pensive state. Desperate to smooth away his worry with either my fingers or my lips, I cross my arms over my chest.

A fishing boat drives by and its passengers wave.

“So Andrew, what do you do for fun? Do you fish?” Mason asks, but I feel there’s an undertone of interrogation.

“A bit,” he replies.

They spend several minutes talking about deep sea fishing.

“Why can’t I go?” I squeal when Mason extends an invitation to Andrew to join the Montgomery men for an afternoon on his boat. “I believe I still hold the record for reeling in the biggest bass,” I yell as Mason turns toward his family’s house.

He looks over his broad shoulder and laughs, agreeing with my statement. “You can come if you want.”

“Thankths, Mathan,” I call out, mocking his childhood lisp.

“See you later, Porgie.”

My amused eyes sweep up to meet Andrew’s.

“What’s that all about?” he inquires.

“He had a terrible lisp when he was a kid.”

“So you made fun of him?” Andrew inquires defensively. “That’s kinda messed up.”

I snap my head up to look at him then grin. “Whath’s the matter? Did you have a lithsp, too?”

“No, I didn’t have a lisp.”

“Oh that’s right, I forgot. You were the golden child.”

“Actually, I wasn’t,” he replies gravely.

Mid eye roll, I catch myself and stop, remembering his words about his parents not loving him.

“Are you going to go fishing?”

Shrugging, he asks what I think he should do. “I can stay here with you if you want and finish what we started last night.”

I drop my hold on his waist and reach into his back pocket when I feel his phone vibrate. Before handing his phone over, I see the name Paige. Jealousy rages, instantly spiking my anger and I step away. “You can go if you want. Who am I to tell you what to do, when to do it or with whom? And for the record, I doubt we’ll finish anything of the sort.”

The vertical lines between Andrew’s eyebrows deepen and apprehension appears. “Why are you playing so hard to get? You know you want me.” He asks, tapping the screen on his phone and sliding it back into his pocket.

Feeling slightly upset at the prospect of what may or may not have happened between him and Paige, I swallow thickly as I reach down to uncover the bowl of fresh fruit and deposit a large helping into a small, shallow bowl. “All I’m saying is you can do whatever you want.”

When I finally look up, Andrew is grinning at me with a can of Redi-Whip in his hand. “Thanks,” he says, taking the bowl from me, dispensing a mountain of creamy goodness over the fruit.

“Hey! What are you doing? That’s mine!”

Shrugging with a crooked smile, Andrew stabs a fork into several strawberries and shoves it into his mouth. “You just said I can do whatever I want.” He chews then swallows. “And besides I get what I want when I want it. Who are you to tell me no?”

“I don’t think I like you anymore!” My attempt to regain my dessert is in vain because he holds it high in the air and turns away, only lowering the fork to shovel more fruit in.

“You’re unbelievable.” I pluck a stray raspberry from the decorative bowl and pop it into my mouth. “I swear you’re the biggest pain in my ass, Andrew Darling!”

“What about being in your ass?” he asks, waggling his eyebrows.

“Ew! You’re so gross!”

“You’ve really never?” he asks with a roguish glint in his eye.

“Not answering that! When are you heading back to Colorado anyway?” I toss back as my legs carry me in the direction of the stairs where I take them two at a time.

I gasp then jump into the firefighter’s waiting arms when he appears in the doorway.

“Coop! Mom said you weren’t going to make it after all.” My arms snake around my eldest brother’s neck and my fingers claw at his navy blue work shirt. “I’m so happy to see you!”

As if I were a six-year old who weighed next to nothing, my brother steps onto the deck and swings me around like a ragdoll.

Feeling dizzy when I’m finally set down, I hold on to his forearm where etched deep into his skin is our brother Paul’s name with dates revealing the start and end of his short time on Earth. Cooper sets me down and sizes me up. “Girl, you’ve got to eat. Get some meat on your bones!”

“I eat plenty, but work keeps me busy and the stress of finding my own place doesn’t help.”

Looking over my shoulder, my brother calls out. “Who are you?” His question prompts me to turn to the man standing behind me.

I introduce my brother to Andrew. “We...work together.”

Andrew extends his hand in yet another exchange of greeting.

“Work together?” Cooper questions.

I nod quickly.

“Hey, did they ever find out what happened to those people who owned the company?” my brother asks, raising the bottle of water to his lips. “I’m telling you I still think something fishy happened. Helicopters don’t just fall out of the sky.”

My eyes widen and I shoot him a look of panic, silently asking him to shut the hell up.

“Weren’t those people loaded? I wonder if there was some insurance fraud going on. Maybe they’re really sipping margaritas in Mexico.”

I can almost feel the tension radiating from Andrew’s body. I long to hold him in comfort.

His voice deepens menacingly. “Actually, there wasn’t much left to either one of my parents when I identified their remains.”

My eyelids close, and I take in a deep breath. In that moment, I wish to be transported far away from here.

“Excuse me,” Andrew says, sidestepping my stunned brother and going in the house.

“Shit! I didn’t know that was him! You should’ve said something!”

“You didn’t exactly give me a chance!” I retort, resting my elbows on the railing and burying my face in my palms.

A moment later, I hear the roar of the Hummer come to life, and my heart constricts when Andrew drives up the driveway.

“What’s up with him?”

I huff. “I don’t think he’s really dealt with their deaths yet. He’s got a lot of resentment towards them, but he won’t talk about it.”

“Does he have any brothers or sisters he can talk to?”

“It’s just him. I think he’s pretty lonely here. His life is back in Colorado, but he’s sticking around because his parents left him their company. Well...not just to him. They left a bigger percentage to someone who isn’t even family.”

Cooper chuckles. “You lost me.”

I raise my hand meekly and point to myself. “Me. Mark and Diana left it to both of us.”

“No shit!”

I grimace. “Yep.”

♦♦♦

Because Vegas is fresh on my mind and I think about Andrew’s disappearing act, I shoot him a quick text. Relief washes over me when he replies almost immediately.

I ran out to get a few things. Be back soon.

“Whew!” I blow out a deep breath and tap out a response. OK.

Less than a minute later another text comes through. I’m not leaving you again.

My hand flies to my mouth and my belly flip-flops with confusion. He’s not leaving me again? What’s that supposed to mean?

I hear Mason call out to Cooper to ask if he’s going fishing with everyone.

“Nah, I can’t. I’ve got to get back soon. Maybe next time.”

“You coming up for the Winter Fest this year?” Mason asks stopping in his tracks a few feet away from me.

“Dude, when have I ever missed it? It’s like sacrilege not to go.”

Mason shrugs awkwardly and sighs sadly. “I heard it changed a lot. When I was living in California, I’d see all the Facebook posts about it every year. I guess times have changed and I missed a lot.” Looking at me, Mason continues, “Then again, some things never change.”

Nudging my elbows into my brother’s ribs, I tell him that I’m going inside.

“Morgan, you can come out on the boat if you really want to,” Mason offers before I leave.

“No, thanks. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you boys.” I wink, walking back into the house and right past my parents who are talking in the kitchen as my mom cleans up from lunch.

My mother coughs loudly then calls my name, her voice laced with deep concern.

I stop by the front door and run the cuff of my sweater across my eyes to dry the moisture. “Yeah?”

“Honey, is everything okay?” Her hand rubs my shoulder gently. “What’s the matter?”

My body sags as the weight of what’s the matter settles in.

“Come here.”

My mom spins me around and hugs me close. I reach around and place my hands flat against her back, crying softly against her shoulder.

“Andrew...he’s so—” I say, pulling back.

“Well, what about Andrew?” The crow’s feet by her eyes soften at the mention of his name. “Is something going on between the two of you?”

Stepping away completely, I toss my hands in the air. “I don’t know, Ma. Some days I think so and others, he’s a total idiot.”

“Have you talked to him about it? I mean, you’re living on the same property and you work together. I can’t imagine it’s that difficult to find some time to talk.”

I run my hand through my hair, allowing my fingers to rake over my scalp. “He’s not much of a talker.” He’s more of a fucker I want to add, but I don’t think my mom would appreciate that.

Needing some fresh air, I kiss my mother’s soft cheek and promise a quick return as I set out on foot toward the main road.

Distracted by the gazillion thoughts ricocheting off one another and texting with Toni, I don’t notice the vehicle creeping slowly beside me.

“What are you doing?” Andrew asks as he pulls over and opens the passenger door.

“Taking a walk.”

“On the main road? You could get killed out here!”

“Carpe diem,” I retort sarcastically.

“Get in!” he demands.

I step into the Hummer and sigh, keeping my eyes forward to avoid Andrew’s stare.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask.

“I’m just trying to figure out what’s bothering you so much. I’ve never seen you like this. You’re usually pretty easy going.”

My head lolls to the left and I grin sarcastically. “Awww, thanks for noticing.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Andrew’s question elicits a full blown chortle from my belly. “No, thanks.”

Shifting his body, Andrew turns to face me head on and reaches for my hand. My eyes focus on the way our fingers are linked together. “Come on, Morgan. It might help to talk about it. You know, get your feelings out in the open. Dredge up something painful and relive it so I could look at you with pity.”

My forehead wrinkles when I look at the expression on his face. My lips pinch in anger and my expression darkens.

“You’re mocking me, aren’t you? I was only trying to help you.”

He cocks a raised brow. “Like I’m trying to do for you?”

“This is different. As much as I love coming up here, it reminds me of the person I was before Sean. I hate that I gave him my heart and he trampled all over it.”

“How did he hurt you?” he continues to prod, pushing me as I have done to him so many times before.

“It doesn’t matter!” I yell, fueled by exasperation and anger. “Sometimes it’s just easier to pretend his infidelities never happened.”

Silence fills the space in the vehicle.

Gazing into his eyes, I search and find the mask this virile man hides behind. It’s a well-worn mask, one I suspect he’s worn for many years even before this recent tragedy which claimed the lives of his parents.

“Why do the people we love seem to be the ones who hurt us the most?”

“Your ex was an asshole just like my parents.”

I swallow at his harsh and disrespectful comment regarding the deceased.

“I wish I knew what you were talking about.”

“Trust me. You don’t really want to know what my parents were like. But this I will give you, I was dead to my parents long before they ever set foot onto that helicopter.”

A protest rises, but my argument and pleas are interrupted when Andrew crushes his lips against mine. His tongue invades the warm cavern of my mouth and his hand cradles the back of my head, tilting his own to deepen the kiss. My right hand moves to his thick wrist and I moan when his grip tightens. Hot ribbons of desire race through my body and goose bumps dot my skin when Andrew’s tongue sweeps across my jaw, leaving a trail of lust to my ear lobe.

“Jesus Christ, how is this possible?” I ask aloud, wondering how my attraction to him grows exponentially whenever he touches me.

“I want you. All of you.”

A victorious smile spreads across my face, knowing this gorgeous man wants me.

“Andrew, do you really think sleeping together is a good idea? We live on the same property and we work together.”

“All the more reason.”

I search his eyes and see all the reasons I should and all the more reasons I shouldn’t. Just as I open my mouth to reject his offer, his lips part.

“Forget with me,” he murmurs as his lips ghost over mine.

Realization dawns before my eyes like a flash of lightning. Forget with me.

Andrew fucks to forget.

Moving to my ear, he pants desperately, “We can leave tonight. I can get us home in less than two hours.”

I pull my face back and caress his cheek then lips. “We have tomorrow. We don’t need to rush this.”

Andrew’s lips are once again on mine and he kisses me senselessly. I can’t contain my amusement when he sucks my bottom lip between his teeth. “I’m going to suck on every part of your body tomorrow. You’re going to feel me everywhere.”

I gulp, wondering if I’m ready to take him everywhere.

As we pull back out onto the main road, Andrew pulls into a convenience store and returns momentarily with a small paper bag.

“What’s that? Candy? Please say you grabbed peanut M&Ms,” I plead, reaching for the bags.

He shakes his head. “Better than candy.”

I peek into the bag. “Condoms? How is that better than candy?”

“You’ll see.”

I back away from him and shake my head. “Hey, we are not having sex in my parents’ house! My dad will kill you!”

“Actually, I think both your parents like me very much.”

♦♦♦

Back at the house, Gabe and my dad manage to convince Andrew to join them for a few hours of fishing on Mason’s boat. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I don’t want Mason asking questions about my relationship with Andrew.

Walking alongside Andrew, I’m taken by surprise when he laces his fingers with mine as Mason’s dock comes in to view. My fingers tingle with delight at his touch.

“What are you doing?” I ask through tight lips, feigning a smile.

“Holding your hand,” he says, lifting it to his lips and placing a soft kiss. His smile from ear to ear beams at me.

“Okay,” I sing song. I watch my dad and Gabe load all their fishing equipment onto the boat as well as the live bait Andrew picked up.

“And I’m going to kiss you before I leave.”

Andrew turns to face me and plants one on my mouth. After a quick swipe of his tongue across mine, he winks. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

Shell-shocked, I stand there running the tip of my index finger along my bottom lip and think to myself What the hell?!

“Don’t miss me too much!” Andrew calls as he steps onto the Crownliner.

I raise my hand and wave as the boat lurches forward. “Have fun. Love you!”

The moment those two little words leave my mouth, I freeze, regretting them instantly. I understand this overt display of affection is for show, acting as if we are in a relationship, but when I waved goodbye, it felt so natural like I’d said it a hundred times before.

Had anyone else been paying attention, they would’ve noticed the panicked and stunned look on Andrew’s face. Swallowing became a near impossibility because my mouth was suddenly dry as I tried to speak. Desperate to correct the false revelation, I mouthed the word “sorry” and grimaced, adding to the already uncomfortable situation.

♦♦♦

When the boat docks at nearly seven o’clock, my mother is already in bed, having retired early because of a headache. I’d sat in my dad’s recliner and watched an old episode of NCIS in a comfy pair of sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt, my damp hair is atop my head in a messy bun.

Combined laughter announces the arrival of the Montgomery men plus one. I jump to my feet to greet them. My eyes nearly bulge out of my head when Andrew appears in the door way sopping wet from his waist to his feet.

“What the hell happened to you?” I screech.

He grins. “I ended up in the lake.”

“How?”

“It’s kind of a funny story, actually,” Andrew chuckles. “Mason was reaching over the front of the boat because his line fell in. I tried to help but ended up knocking him in.” The dark yet playful look in his eye reveals it was no accident.

“Dude, he was pissed!” Gabe laughs. “I can’t believe he thought you did it on purpose.”

“I know it,” he feigns innocence.

“Where’s your mother?” my dad asks, looking at the stove for dinner.

“She went upstairs. Said she had a headache.”

My father toes off his boots and dashes up the stairs.

I toss my brother a questioning look.

“She’s been getting migraines again.”

Annoyed, I gripe, “Oh, she didn’t tell me that.”

“I’m heading home quick and then I’m off to work. I’ve got to keep the streets of Warren County safe.”

I laugh at his joke. No one here even locks their cars at night.

“Want to come by to see Connor? Let me text Molly to see if he’s still awake.”

The thought of my nephew puts a smile on my face and I glance at Andrew, wondering if he wouldn’t mind a quick visit.

“As long as we can grab a bite to eat. I’m starving,” Andrew reveals. “I could eat just about anything right about now.” His eyes roam over my body.

I draw my legs into my body to quell the throb in my core. “I know a good place to eat. One taste and you’ll never ask for anything else again.”

Andrew licks his lips, his azure eyes dark and ravenous. “Lead the way.”