Dog wandered away to sniff the hibiscus bushes and pee against a tree before flopping in the shade cast by the house.
“Come on, mate,” Luke probed. “Something’s up. What is it?”
Blowing out a breath, Blue propped his hands on his hips and scowled at the lemon tree.
“It can’t be the tree. Spit it out.”
Blue didn’t really want to voice what was bothering him because, hell, what kind of a man did it make him, huh?
“What’s wrong with Charley?”
“Nothing’s wrong with Charley,” he growled.
“So why has the thought that you’re attracted to her got your nuts in a knot?”
“Seriously?” Blue swung around to stare at his brother.
“No, I’m baking in this hot sun, getting the shit burned out of my skin, all for a joke. Of course I’m serious.”
“Luke, it’s only been two weeks since Shona broke up with me. I should still be getting over her, yet here I am thinking thoughts a landlord should never think about his tenant. Roomie, even.”
Luke stared right back at him before shaking his head slowly. “Unbelievable.”
“What?”
“Un-bloody-believable.”
“What?”
“And people say I was thick when it came to Mikki.”
“What the hell are you on about?” Blue demanded impatiently.
“Remember how I kind of knew Mikki, she was a pain in my arse? I didn’t even like her.”
“Yeah. Heh heh. Pretty funny, really. All because she told her aunt that you charged like a wounded bull and her friend could do a better landscaping job.” Blue guffawed at the memory of Luke’s outrage.
“Which, can I remind you, she had to back down from when her friend made a total screw-up of the job. In fact,” Luke sighed with satisfaction, “I made her beg me to redo the job.”
“I don’t think any of us will forget you crowing about that.”
“Fun as that was, this isn’t about me.”
“For a change.”
“And what happened? I took a job landscaping that mansion, ended up stuck there with Elspeth and Mikki, and then what happened?”
“You couldn’t keep it in your pants.”
“Then I fell in love with Red. Within a short time I was panting after her like…like…”
“Dog’s doing right now in the shade.”
“Bugger off. Now listen. I fell for a sheila I didn’t like, one who annoyed the shit out of me. It happened fast. Once I was in her company, forced to go along with her idiot ideas of ghosts and crap, spent time with her, I fell hard and fast. Some say too fast. But it happens, right? It did happen. Now I’m going to marry the woman of my dreams and make sure she can’t ever leave me.”
“Do you know how creepy that last bit sounds?”
“Sod off.”
“Buggering and sodding. I’m worried about you, Luke. What is Mikki getting you to do?”
Arms folded over his chest, Luke glared at him. “Finished?”
“Fine.” Blue held up his palms. “Finished.”
“Good.”
They eyed each other.
Luke sighed. “Look, Blue. Think about it. Shona was hot. She was a blonde piece with legs that went right up to her armpits. Sexy. Face that could launch a hundred ships.”
“I think the quote is ‘a thousand ships.’”
“I swear I will beat the ever loving shit out of you in a minute.”
Blue gave a ‘go on’ gesture. Though his words were a little flippant, he actually did want to hear what his brother was saying. Hell, anyone who could make him see clearer was very welcome right now.
“Shona gave you the boot,” Luke said bluntly. “Did you cry about it? Did you sulk? Did you mope around the house listening to sad love songs?”
“No.”
“What does that tell you?”
“I’m shallow?” When Luke’s nostrils flared, Blue sighed. “That’s one of my fears. What if I’m shallow?”
“You are not shallow. You just didn’t care enough for Shona deep down, all right?”
“Okay, maybe not completely shallow. Did you know that I actually did cry?”
Now Luke’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. I met Charley. Gary had dumped her, Shona had dumped me, we sat and cried into our drinks and shared pizza.”
Bewilderment crept into Luke’s eyes. “And you still don’t know what I’m getting at?”
“Maybe you should stop pissing around the bush and do a straight leak.”
“Where the bloody hell did that saying come from? Is this one of your Army sayings?”
“No.”
“Whatever.” Luke took a deep breath. “Tell me what happened when you and Charley sat at the table spilling your guts and moping together.”
“Well, to be truthful, we didn’t actually mope.”
“What did you do?”
“Drank. Ate. Laughed. Oh…” Blue blinked. “Oh.”
“Yeah, ‘oh’. About time, you drongo. You laughed, you enjoyed yourself, and you haven’t mentioned Shona since. But Charley? You watch her, hold her hand, take this protective stance around her-”
“Whoa whoa whoa.” Blue held up both hands. “Protective?”
“Mate, you glared daggers at that poor bloke who glanced at her in the park the other day. Remember we picked up Shea’s brother, Cole, and met Jason and Izzy in the park to toss the Frisbee around for Dog? This bloke walked past, he was eyeing Charley and started veering towards her, and next thing you’re right beside her slinging your arm around her shoulders and steering her away to the table on the pretence of getting a drink.”
“It was hot,” Blue excused feebly.
“The look you shot that bloke was pure admonition. I thought you were going to actually warn him off.”
“I didn’t like the way he was looking at her. No bloke should look at a woman like that.”
“Like he’s simply interested in a pretty girl and thinks about chatting her up?”
“He was undressing her with his eyes, bloody pervert.” Blue scowled at the memory.
Luke gave a hoot of laughter.
Dog pricked his ears up, looked over, saw that the men weren’t moving and flopped his head back on the ground again.
“If he’d looked at Mikki like that, you’d have torn his ears off,” Blue accused.
“Mate. Are you listening to yourself? You’re jealous!”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.”
Shaking his head, Luke shuffled back into the shade of the tree. “Seriously, mate? Think about it. Why didn’t you want that bloke to approach Charley?”
Blue moved into the shade as well. “Look, I’m not jealous.”
“Okay. Fine.”
“I just…” Remembering the way the bloke had backed off quickly, Charley’s questioning glance when Jason had guffawed, the way he’d…
The way he’d stayed right by her side until the man had walked off. The way he’d sat on the picnic bench with, yes, his arm slung along the back of the bench behind her shoulders.
The way he thought about her.
The way he hadn’t thought about Shona.
The fact that he’d been sorry to lose a girlfriend but his heart definitely hadn’t been broken.
The fact that what he was feeling for Charley was something he’d never felt with any other girl.
“Nah.” He shook his head.
“Yeah.” Luke nodded.
Blue scratched his jaw, squinted out into the summer sun-drenched yard.
After several seconds of silence, Luke prodded, “Well?”
There was no use denying it. It was pretty bloody obvious he was attracted to Charley. He found her enchanting, funny, sweet and desirable.
“All right. All right, I admit I’m attracted to her. I admit I’m not heartbroken about Shona. You’re right.” He sighed.
“So why is being attracted to Charley such a bad thing?” Luke asked. “Okay, it is fast, but so what? It’s not like you’re going to marry her today, right? You’ve got time to get to know her more. Stop stressing. Geez.”
Curling his toes in the grass, Blue contemplated the tiny ant crawling across his bare foot. “Luke…”
“Yeah?”
“How many girlfriends have I had since I’ve been in the Army?”
“I don’t know. Four?”
“Four. I’ve been ditched by every single one before we’ve even really got to know one another properly. Ditched because I’m not around much, because I’m away for most of the year.” He watched the ant meander across his foot before disappearing into the grass. “What if Charley’s number five?”
Silence greeted this, lengthening until he thought Luke wasn’t going to answer.
He was surprised when his brother’s hand landed on his shoulder. Looking around, he met Luke’s understanding eyes.
“Realistically, she will be number five girlfriend,” Luke replied. “But that doesn’t mean she won’t be the last.”
“What if I let myself get close to her and she does leave me like the others?”
“If she’s meant to be with you, Blue, she’ll stick around. Besides, she’s the only one you’ve actually worried about leaving before you’ve even dated her. What does that tell you?”
“That I’ve been dumped four times already and I don’t want her to be the fifth one to dump me.”
“Because she could be the one to really hurt, right?”
That startled Blue. His brother’s words sank in, and damned if Luke wasn’t right. The other girls had left him cheesed off, resigned, but Charley…“Yeah,” he said slowly. “She’s different.”
“And that, little brother, is why she’s worth the risk,” Luke stated quietly.
Was it? Was it really worth the risk?
“Unless you’re willing for someone else to walk in and sweep her off her feet.”
That made him scowl.
“Let another bloke take your woman,” Luke added. “You either man up and convince her to give you both a go, or you find that bloke in the park and give him Charley’s phone number.”
“I’ll punch his lights out.”
Satisfied, Luke rocked back and forth in his battered old thongs. “So?”
Blue cut his eyes to him.
“What’s it going to be?”
“She’s worth the risk.”
“She’s worth the risk,” Luke repeated, pleased.
“Luke?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m shitting myself a little.”
“Yeah. Women can do that to you sometimes.”
“Did Mikki do that to you?”
“I can tell you that I didn’t give a flying fig that some people thought we got together too quickly, because here we are now about to be shackled together and I’m happy as a pig in mud.”
“God, that’s so romantic.”
“I know, right?”
They laughed, but as they started back inside the house, Blue looked at Luke. “Thanks. Really.”
“Yeah, no worries.”
“You really do love me, don’t you, big brother?”
“Now you’re starting to creep me out,” Luke said.
~*~
Unable to settle following some pretty astonishing revelations, still uncertain of the wisdom of pursuing something with Charley regardless of his talk with Luke, Blue felt like blowing some of the cobwebs from his brain.
Definitely a good time to get the motorcycle out and burn up some miles in the open air.
Changing from shorts and thongs to jeans and boots, he donned a leather jacket for protection, checked on Kitty then locked the house and went to the motorcycle in the garage. Swinging a leg over the seat, he slid on his helmet, snapped the visor closed, switched the engine on and immediately relaxed at the powerful throbbing beneath him.
Hitting the bitumen, he rode through the street, hit the city centre, continued through to the other side, made it through the suburbs and finally hit the open road.
The miles sped beneath the wheels, the countryside and road filling his vision, and he gave himself up to the freedom, the enjoyment of being alone, being one with the powerful bike, nothing between him and the open air.
He stopped at a small service station to fuel up, sitting at an outside table to eat lunch before getting back on the bike for the long ride home.
By the time he returned to the city it was well into the afternoon. Deciding to drop in on his Dad, he turned in the opposite direction to home and continued onwards. Nearing some shops, he pulled in to buy something for afternoon tea to share with Mr Wells and Aunt Lora, if she was home from work.
It was as he was putting the bakery bag into the leather side satchel that he noticed the car pulling in alongside. Even better, the driver was Gary. Better, because he had yet to catch up with him as promised.
Helmet on the seat, he watched as Gary got out of the car, waiting for the recognition to show on the man’s face when he looked at Blue.
Yep, there it was. Gary’s brows lowered, his jaw tightened. Locking the door of the long, low, sleek car, he nodded briefly to Blue.
“Gary.”
“Mr Wells.” He looked Blue over with barely-concealed distaste. “Into motorbikes, I see.”
“Nice car.”
“I’ve been meaning to call in on Charley-”
“Let me just stop you right there.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Before you talk to Charley, you better change your manner.”
“This isn’t your business.”
“Actually, it is. Firstly, your attitude towards her in a time of need was plain shitty. Secondly, your attitude towards an injured creature was just as shitty.” Blue’s eyes bored into Gary. “No one speaks to any woman the way you did, and especially not to Charley. Understand?”
Gary’s hand tightened around the car keys. “She’s my girlfriend-”
“Was. Big difference.”
“She told you that?” The man was genuinely surprised.
“That day you broke any ties of a relationship with her. Do you seriously believe that treating both her and the cat the way you did would make her want to stay with you? Wake up, Gary. Charley isn’t the kind of woman to tolerate that kind of abuse.”
“Abuse?” Indignation flared through the lawyer. “You’re accusing me of abuse?”
Blue raised one eyebrow slightly. “I’m not accusing you of anything, I’m stating the facts. You didn’t care about her feelings, you disregarded that which was so important to her. You cursed at her to get into the car. She was crying, begging even. You didn’t even stop her coming with me. If you were any kind of a real man, if you really cared about Charley, you’d have accepted the cat in your car, you wouldn’t have let Charley leave with me. But not having some blood on your pretty seats was worth more than her peace of mind, not to mention a little animal’s life.”
“The bloody cat was dying!” Gary’s mouth tightened again. “Besides, my relationship with Charley is none of your business.”
“It is very much my business,” Blue returned calmly.
“What the hell makes you think that?”
“Charley’s my woman now, Gary. You lost the only good thing going for you, and your loss is my gain. My very huge gain.”
The lawyer’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Charley’s mine now. So if you upset her, you’ll be answering to me.” Swinging one leg over the seat of the motorcycle, Blue started the engine. Settling the helmet over his head, he secured the strap while regarding Gary.
The man was staring at him in disbelief. “You…Charley…”
“Take my advice. Get yourself some lessons on how a real man treats a lady, and maybe you won’t screw up another relationship.” With that, Blue put the motorcycle in gear and rode off, leaving Gary staring after him in shock.
Man, that did feel good.
Even more, now that he’d said it out loud, the thought - no, the knowledge - that Charley was his was just so right. So damned right.
Of course, he thought, as he throttled the motorcycle and entered the mainstream traffic, he had to inform her of that. Or convince her. He wasn’t sure how that was going to go, but at least he knew his own direction.
Full-on into a relationship with Charley Carter.
Now, he just had to have a talk to her when they were both home, convince her to give him a chance. Maybe it was too soon for her, maybe she’d see things differently, but Blue had a back-up plan - sisters-in-law, and he wasn’t afraid to call in the big guns if he had to if it came to winning over Charley.
But he’d only do it if all else failed. Creepy much, Blue?
After a very pleasant two hours shooting the breeze with his dad and aunt over cups of hot tea and fresh cake, Blue rode home. Upon seeing Charley’s car in the garage, his heart sped up a little.
Parking the motorcycle, he tucked the helmet under his arm and went into the house. Part of him was eager to talk to her about their relationship, another part was just a wee bit uncertain. Now that was something that had never happened before, he’d always been in-charge, certain, and went right for what he wanted.
But this was Charley and somehow, no matter how others might scoff at the small amount of time they’d known each other, he just knew it was going to be an important conversation.
“Hey, Charley!” he called, placing the helmet on the hall sideboard.
She came running. Not because he’d called and she was eager to see him, but because she had on what looked to be a fresh uniform, her hair was up in a ponytail, her make-up was light but fresh, and she was carrying her bag in one hand and a lunchbox in the other.
“Hi.” She was a little breathless, those cute apple cheeks flushed. “Bye.”
“Wait a minute.” Catching her as she ran past, he brought her to a halt. “What’s going on? Didn’t you get home not long ago? Aren’t you off work now?”
“I was, but Sally rang in sick and they’re short an RN already, so I’m going back in.”
“Seriously?” he asked in dismay. “They can’t find anyone else?”
“Nope.” Pushing the security screen open, she ran out.
“Well, shit,” he said to empty air.
Charley swung the door open again. “I had Kitty out for awhile; she’s been exploring the house. I’ve had to shut her back in the bedroom. If you’re not going back out, could you maybe…?” Her expression was hopeful.
“Let her out of the bedroom? Sure.”
“Aw, you’re an angel. I could kiss you.”
“You could do that anyway,” he offered without thinking, only to bite his tongue at the astonished look on her face.
“What?” she said.
Uh oh. “What?”
“Did you just-”
“What? No. Well, yes, but just kidding.” He laughed and flapped a hand. “Go. Drive safe.”
Giving him an odd look, she left.
As soon as her car disappeared up the street, Blue slapped his forehead and groaned. “Way to go, stupid. Act like a total moron. That’s really setting the groundwork for a serious conversation.”
Still muttering to himself, he changed out of jeans and leather jacket into shorts. Bare-footed, he padded to the spare bedroom opposite and opened the door.
Lying on the bed, Kitty looked up and promptly got to her feet. With a little mrrp! she jumped down off the bed and trotted past him, but not before first brushing against his legs and looking up at him with a pleased expression.
“At least I know you love me,” he sighed.
~*~
Late that night, Charley was glad to see home. The light in the lounge shone warmly behind the blind. By the time she’d parked the car in the garage and gone up onto the veranda, Blue was waiting, holding the security screen open for her to enter.
She could get so used to having a man waiting for her, checking to see she was okay.
Definitely she could get used to Blue doing it, his smile of welcome and warm eyes making her go both a little gooey and fluttery deep in the pit of her belly. Better not let him know or he’ll run a mile! Almost on the edge of that thought was, Am I game to ask him out? He’ll think me shallow because of Gary. Maybe he’ll think I’m after cheap rent? Maybe I’m not game enough. That last bit? True.
Mentally preparing herself for the sensation of passing near his tall, broad-shouldered body, Charley smiled. “Thanks, Blue. Man, I am so buggered.”
Closing the door behind them, he asked in the same instant, “Can we talk?”
Hearing something odd in his voice, she turned to face him in the hallway, a little unnerved by his unexpected closeness. It was more than obvious he’d been following her, and her abrupt halt and turn had brought them chest to boob.
Or rather, boob to upper abdomen because he was so much taller than her. The top of her head barely grazed his chin. Her boobs were mere inches from his ripped abs and the delicious heat of his body. Before she could make a fool of herself by possibly drooling, she took a step back.
Thoughts clearing at his serious expression, concern rippled through her. “Is it Kitty? Is she all right?”
“She’s fine. Last I saw, she was buried under the quilt on my bed.”
“Is it my parents?”
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” He hesitated.
“Oh, no.” A trickle of dread went through her. There was one more topic that might have him looking so serious. “Are you…”
His head angled to one side questioningly.
“Are you - is this about me living here?” She swallowed, unconsciously wringing the strap of her handbag between her fingers. “Do I need to look elsewhere?”
“What?” His expression switched from query to surprise. “No, of course not.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” She sagged a little.
“What on earth would make you think that?”
“I couldn’t think of anything else apart from Kitty or my parents that would make you look so solemn. Except your family. Is your family okay?”
“Everyone’s fine.”
“Oh, good.” One hand on her chest, she blew out a breath. “You gave me a scare there for a minute.” She gave a small laugh. “At least I have a roof over my head still.”
His gaze gentled. “Sunflower, you leaving never entered my mind.”
“That’s good to know.” She smothered a yawn with her hand.
He smiled ruefully. “You are buggered, aren’t you?’
“Yeah, but it’s all good. We can talk.” Now that she didn’t have to worry about moving, she relaxed, blinking tiredly up at him.
And noticing, God help her, just how good he smelled, how his skin seemed to radiate warmth. How he seemed to radiate confidence, caring - definitely caring. The fact that the caring was directed at her had her feeling even warmer.
Man, he only had to turn that caring gaze on her and she was ready to do anything he wanted.
Within reason, of course.
Naked would be good. Stupid thought when he certainly didn’t think of her like that. She’d seen a couple of photos taken of Blue and his previous girlfriends in an old photo album, she definitely didn’t fit the category he seemed to date - tall, willowy, and stunning.
She was short, chubby and passably pretty. True, her parents thought she was gorgeous but they were biased. Nope, Blue wouldn’t be interested in her like that. Why she’d even have that thought was stupid, it would only lead to tears if she dwelled on it. Not to mention making moon-eyes at him whenever he was near which wasn’t a good thing. She might have a little crush on him, but he didn’t need to know that. How awkward would that make things between them?
Regardless, it didn’t stop her enjoying the way he leaned forward, his gaze intent on her, the piercing blue of his eyes holding her gaze locked as he reached out to brush his thumb under her eye.
“You look tired, Sunflower.”
“I feel it.” She shrugged. “It was a busy day.”
His hand shifted, the big palm cupping her cheek almost…tenderly?
Eyes widening, her breath caught in her throat when he shifted closer, leaned further down, his scrutiny sliding across her face. No doubt he was noticing every shadow under her eyes, because no way could he possibly be looking at her with…with…
Abruptly he straightened, his palm leaving her cheek with a single stroke before he smiled slightly. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around. “It can wait for tomorrow. You need sleep.”
Her bum actually tingled in anticipation of a little tap, but damn it if he didn’t do it. Instead, he simply gave her a little push towards the bedrooms.
Glancing over her shoulder, she began, “I can see this is serious-”
“Tomorrow.”
“Blue-”
“Tomorrow, Charley.”
There was a hint of command in his voice that had her eyebrows rising. “Is that an order?”
“Right now, yes. You look ready to drop.”
“I promise I won’t fall asleep.”
The expression on Blue’s face was comical when a large yawn chose that precise moment to make itself known.
“Oh yeah,” he said. “I’d have your complete attention for about five minutes, right before you fall asleep on the sofa.”
Dropping her bag on the hall sideboard, she started towards the kitchen. “A cup of strong coffee, I’ll be right as rain.”
Blue simply hooked his hand in the crook of her elbow and swung her back around. “You’ll be awake all night. Bed. Now.” He thrust her bag into her hands.
“Wow. You’re kind of bossy tonight.”
“Trust me, Sunflower, you have no idea what thoughts are going through my mind.”
“Tell me.”
“Not a good plan.” Taking her shoulders, he steered her to the hallway by the simple process of crowding behind her.
It was either walk or have that big, warm body plastered against her back.
Oh boy. Oh no.
Waving her hands around, she muttered, “Fine, fine! I can walk by myself, you know.”
“Touchy when you’re tired, aren’t you?”
She shot him a look over her shoulder.
“Ouch!” Hand clasped to his chest, he stumbled back against the wall. “If looks could kill!”
“You are such a nong.” Knowing he was set on talking in the morning, she shook her head and went to her bedroom to drop off her bag, kick off her shoes, collect her nightie and dressing gown and go to the bathroom.
Feeling immensely better after a shower, though still curious as to what Blue wanted to discuss, Charley returned to the bedroom, smiling widely when she saw Kitty sitting in the middle of the bed.
“Hey, blossom,” she cooed. “You coming to keep me company tonight?”
Kitty happily paddled her paws on the bedspread, eyes half closed, purring.
“Soooo cute.” Charley tickled her under the chin, rewarded by the tabby and white rubbing the side of her face along her hand. “Aw, are you rubbing your scent on me? Are you ditching Blue for me? Good decision, pretty kitty, though I’d not do the same if I was in your position.” She whispered the last bit, rubbing Kitty behind the ears.
Kitty’s eyes went a little dreamy, and with a laugh Charley folded the bedspread back, turned on the bedside lamp, switched off the main light, checked the window was open - thankful once again for the security screen that allowed it safely - and slipped under the sheet. Taking the book from the bedside drawer, she opened it and settled down to read for awhile.
Kitty settled herself on the spare pillow in a sphinx pose, front paws tucked under her chest, eyes half closed, purring softly. There was a definite scent of tuna in the air, and Charley glanced in amusement at her. Obviously tea had been tinned fish.
“I think Blue might be spoiling you.”
Closing her eyes, Kitty’s ears flicked.
“Don’t blame him.” Reaching out, Charley stroked along her back.
Kitty was thin, but with the good food she was getting now, not to mention all the TLC, she’d soon fill out healthily.
Resuming reading, Charley got caught up in the book. As interesting as the plot was, slowly but surely her eyelids started to lower until finally the book slid down to lie open against her belly.
Her last conscious thought was…just what did Blue want to talk about?
~*~
Freshly showered, hair up in a bouncy ponytail, dressed in a yellow t-shirt and white skirt with yellow rosebuds printed across it, feet in flat-heeled white sandals, Charley felt like she was ready to face whatever Blue had on his mind. The yellow helped make her feel positive, the white cool for a summer’s day, the sandals - well, she just liked them.
Kitty following behind, tail up and full of confidence, they entered the kitchen to find it empty.
Hearing voices outside, she peered through the curtains to see Blue and Jason debating something in the backyard. Downing a glass of icy water, she grabbed a tub of yoghurt and dipped the spoon into it.
She was still eating it when Blue and Jason walked in through the back door. She watched them while slowly drawing the spoon from her mouth.
Blue’s attention was caught by the movement, his gaze seeming to zero in on her mouth, his pupils enlarging.
For a second she really thought she saw heat flare in his eyes, something a little hot in the blue depths when his gaze shifted to meet her’s, but almost instantly he turned around, pulling open the ‘fridge door to retrieve two cartons of Iced Coffee, one of which he tossed to his cousin. When he turned back his usual pleasant smile curved his lips, his eyes without heat.
Talk about wishful thinking. She heaved a sigh.
He paused in the act of opening the carton. “Something wrong?”
Fingers busily tearing open the carton to form a spout at the top, Jason glanced between them thoughtfully, his normal serious expression giving away nothing of his thoughts.
“Nope,” she replied with determined cheerfulness.
“You seemed a little…” Tipping the carton to his lips, Blue took a sip while thoughtfully eyeing her over the top. Lowering it, he swallowed before adding, “Wistful?”
Oh God! No way could she let him guess what she’d really been thinking. How embarrassing would that be?
Charley took refuge in scraping the remaining yogurt from the tub. “Just wondering what you and Jason were cooking up for Luke’s buck’s night.”
“Ah…”
Damn. Did he now think she was wondering why she hadn’t been invited to Mikki’s hen’s night? Cripes! Talk about looking pathetic. Sure, she was friends with the girls, but Charley had been philosophical about not getting an invite to the hen’s night. It was Mikki’s night, her choice who attended, and it wasn’t as if they were best mates. But what if Blue and Jason thought she was silently hinting?
Charley groaned silently while smiling brightly at the men. “So, what have you got planned for Luke?”
“Actually, he isn’t having a buck’s night.” Lean hips rested back against the counter very close to where Charley stood.
“Oh?”
“Nope.” Blue’s big hand gestured with the drink carton.
She couldn’t help but note his long fingers, the clean, short nails, the big, capable hand. Lucky Kitty getting stroked by him.
Oh man, I really have to get over this crush, stat.
Determinedly, she returned to the topic. “But it’s tradition.”
He shrugged. “Well, we’ve never been much for following some traditions.”
“Really?” Intrigued, she looked at Jason.
He smiled slightly.
“So, the hen’s night…?”
Jason shook his head.
“No hen’s night?”
Another shake.
“Okay.” Lowering the yoghurt tub, she tapped the teaspoon thoughtfully against her bottom lip. “I get that your mob isn’t the kind to have drunken, rowdy nights out, but I’d have thought some kind of celebration would be in order.”
“Luke and Mikki left this morning to spend the day somewhere quiet.” Blue glanced at her then down at the carton of Iced Coffee he was now twirling in his hand, the liquid inside sloshing against the cardboard.
“They live together,” she pointed out.
“So?”
“So they have quiet times already.”
“This upcoming wedding has been busy - planning, preparations, Mikki’s million and one family members, and she’s been waylaying her mother’s grand plans. Mikki dug her heels in for a small wedding with only close family and friends, and Luke is right behind her. Now she’s tired and, as she politely put it to me the other night, ‘I need some freakin’ time alone with my fiancée without everyone watching and cracking dirty jokes. If I don’t get a break with him, I’ll be a useless lump in the sack come the wedding night.’”
Jason chuckled softly.
“Wow.” Charley blinked. “Okay.”
“They dropped Dog off at Dad’s place and drove off somewhere for parts unknown.” Blue grinned slightly. “Bet Aaron knows, though.”
“Aaron won’t tell unless there’s an emergency,” Jason drawled.
“Too right.” Tipping back his head, Blue drained the coffee from the carton.
Charley watched the strong lines of his neck, the bob of his Adam’s apple as he drank. How could a man drinking look sexy? Damn, she had it bad.
Glancing away, she caught Jason’s thoughtful gaze and blushed. Clearing her throat, she walked to the bin and dropped the empty yoghurt tub into it before rinsing the spoon under the tap.
Not really knowing what to say, so aware suddenly of Blue’s regard, she wondered if he’d noticed her going all gooey-eyed at him. “Right, well, no buck’s or hen’s night for the Wells or Dawsons. Gotcha.”
“Mmmm.” Still holding his Iced Coffee, Jason started for the hallway. “Well, I’m off home.”
Blue followed him, the low murmur of their voices filling the air.
Charley used the time to sternly tick herself off for letting her mind wander into fantasy land. Determinedly turning her thoughts to reality, she grabbed some scissors and went out into the backyard.
Clipping off a bouquet of roses from the bushes, trimming the thorns from the stems as she went, she inhaled the fragrant scent as she carried them back into the kitchen. Taking the vase from the table, she tipped out the half dead flowers, rinsed the vase, filled it with fresh water and carefully arranged the roses into it, placing it back on the middle of the table with a nod of satisfaction.
Much better.
Wiping the scissors, she placed them back in the laundry and washed her hands in the sink before returning to the kitchen.
Blue was standing at the back door, hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts as he looked out at the yard. As she came in, he turned with a serious expression.
Oh yeah, now she remembered.
Folding her arms, she leaned her hips back against the kitchen bench. “You wanted to talk to me about something?”
He studied her for several seconds before taking his hands from his pockets and walking towards her, every step sure, his arms swinging loosely.
She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed when the phone rang.
He just looked frustrated.
Reaching up, she took the phone from the hook and placed it to her ear. “Hello?”
“I had a little visit from your boyfriend, and I didn’t appreciate it.”
“Gary?” Her fingers tightened on the phone.
Halting, Blue’s regard intensified.
“So you got a new boyfriend. That was fast, Charley.”
“Boyfriend?” she echoed stupidly. “I don’t-”
“I can’t believe you dropped me.” Gary’s voice lowered.
She blinked. “Seriously?”
“How could you? You know how much I care about you.”
“Seriously?”
“We had something good between us. You know that.”
That was debateable. “I do?”
“Charley.” Gary almost crooned it.
Ewww.
He couldn’t possibly hear Gary, but going by the way Blue’s eyebrows lowered, he was having a good guess.
“Mmmm.” Not wanting to have this conversation right in front of him, Charley sidled past him and strolled to the back door.
Blue strolled along behind her, so she shut the door in his face while giving him a warning glance over her shoulder. He folded his arms and pursed his lips.
Shaking her head, she went down the back step and onto the lawn. “Gary, there’s nothing more to-”
“Look, I know I behaved like a moron, but I swear I’ll make it up to you.”
“There’s nothing to make-up for. This wasn’t working between us-”
“Charley, darling, please-”
“Oh geez, don’t beg, Gary.” Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win you back. Nothing is too much, nothing too expensive, nothing too big. Name it and it’s yours.”
“No, it’s over.”
“Don’t say that.”
Taking the receiver from her ear, she looked at it incredulously. He actually sounded panicked. For sure he hadn’t seemed that enamoured of her that he’d actually panic at the thought of her leaving him. It wasn’t even as though they’d been going out long.
Turning at the sound of the security screen opening, she frowned at Blue stepping out of the kitchen onto the veranda.
Pointing one finger warningly at him, she backed away into the shade of the big tree at the side of the yard, putting the receiver back to her ear just in time to hear Gary saying, “Right?”
“Ah - sorry. Bad connection. What did you say?”
“I said,” he replied with unaccustomed patience, “it’s not true, right?’
“What’s not true?”
“Blue’s your boyfriend.”
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“He accosted me in the shopping centre car park.”
“Oh, he did, did he?” Her gaze narrowed on the man scrutinizing her from the veranda.
At her expression, he stilled.
“He told me you were his woman,” Gary stated.
“He what?” Stunned, her jaw dropped.
Charley had no idea what her expression looked like, but if it was anything like her feelings - part indignation, part shock, part disbelief - that would explain why Blue actually took a step backwards before apparently remembering he was an adult and stopping.
While she continued to gape at him with Gary rambling on in her ear, Blue walked languidly across to the veranda post to lean one brawny shoulder against it, arms folding across his heavy chest. Not to mention he raised one eyebrow.
Normally she found that cute. Now it was a little irritating. In fact, was the man actually challenging her a little?
“He told you I was his woman,” she repeated into the phone, gaze locked on Blue’s.
There went that eyebrow again, hitching a little higher while he had the nerve to look so damned cool.
“I knew it was a lie to get me to stay away from you,” Gary continued. “You and I were meant to be together, we make a good team. How about we go out to dinner, anywhere you like, work through this little hiccup-”
“Stop right there.” Charley stared across the expanse of lawn at Blue.
Unbelievable. Part of her squirmed with delight that he would stick up for her like that, say what he did to make sure Gary backed off. She appreciated that, though she could handle Gary herself. What she found annoying was the fact that her heart had leaped traitorously at the thought of Blue claiming her as his woman because, damn it, he didn’t see her as his woman, did he?
That wasn’t fair to her. He didn’t know that, but still… She had to nip that little idea of his in the bud before he unwittingly hurt her big time. Because sure as God made green apples, if Blue hooked up with anyone else word would get back to Gary and others and then they’d all see her as being dumped or cheated on.
Cripes, he’d just made a big web for her. Little lies spread to big lies and…
“I’ve got to go.” She hung up on Gary’s protests.
Blue regarded her.
Lifting a hand, Charley crooked her finger at him then pointed to a spot directly in front of her.
Pushing away from the veranda post, Blue stepped down off the veranda and walked over to her.
No, he stalked, his feet moving soundlessly over the paving then the grass, arms swinging loosely, an alertness about him that hadn’t been present the previous night. But it had, she realised, been shimmering around him since he’d walked into the kitchen less than an hour ago.
Folding her arms, she waited while he approached, pursing her lips as he came to a stop less than two feet from her, making her tip her head back to meet his eyes. Then he simply stood there, legs sightly spread for even balance, hands behind his back, stance easy yet definitely military. Man was preparing for something…
Refusing to acknowledge the little leap of her pulse at his nearness and complete attention, Charley stated coolly, “So, you met Gary in the car park.”
“Yep.”
“You warned him off.” When Blue’s gaze didn’t waver, repeating the words - the exact words - made her throat a little dry. But still… “Did you tell him I was…ummm…” Her indignation was severely buckling right about now, but she squared her shoulders. “Your woman?”
“Yep.”
It was hard to know what he was thinking, the man was watching her like she was prey or something.
No, not something. Definitely prey. His gaze didn’t falter, didn’t shift, just kept boring right into her like he could read her mind.
Hoo boy.
Determined to remain as cool as him, Charley tapped the phone against his chest to emphasize her point. “You’re an idiot.”
Man wasn’t even rattled. “Nope.”
“Yes. Have you thought about what you’ve done?’
“Absolutely.”
“I doubt it.”
No answer, his regard still sharp.
Still irritated, but definitely a tiny bit breathless because this little confrontation was just a wee bit delicious - never knew I had a self-destructive streak - she tapped his chest again with the phone. “Just think about it for a few seconds, I’m sure it’ll come to you.”
“I know what I’m thinking.” He smiled.
Holy shit, that smile was all teeth, all predatory. Like a shark.
The shiver of heat that went through her had bugger all to do with the summer day and everything to do with her libido leaping to life.
Regardless of her wayward emotions, however, she maintained a cool demeanour. “I realise that a cold drink on a hot day might cause a brain fart, but just try a little bit harder to think of the consequences of what you’ve done.”
“Oh, honey, I’ve thought of the consequences.” In an abrupt move, he plucked the phone from her grip, tossing it to the thick, springy lawn before capturing her hand. “And I stand by it.”
His unexpected movement caught her by surprise. The sensation of those long fingers closing around her hand, the warmth of his palm, the calluses that told of hard work, holding a weapon, doing the hundred and one things a soldier did every day, was heat producing. But the sensation of Blue holding her hand had her belly dipping.
When he suddenly tugged her right up against him, his hard frame and her softer one pressing together, her mind nearly went into overload.
God knew her thighs got a little shaky as heat slammed into her.
It took all she had to brace her free palm against that muscle-hardened chest and shove backwards to put some space between them.
Blue simply yanked her back against him.
“Blue!” She shoved back again.
This time he allowed it, but kept a firm grip on her hand while silently watching her.
Taking a deep breath, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and looked pointedly at her hand in his. When he didn’t let go, she rolled her eyes.
Ruthlessly tamping down her feelings which were starting to fling all over the place - mostly down deep to wallow in forbidden zones - Charley let out an exasperated sigh. “For goodness sake, Blue, surely you realise what you did?”
“Yep.”
“Gary thinks you and I are together.”
“Yep.”
“Not in the tenant/landlord way, either.”
“Yep.”
“He thinks you…I…”
“Yep.”
“Blue, you told him I was your - your - ”
“Woman. Yep.”
“Look, I know you meant well. You didn’t think, obviously, but you meant well.”
His expression didn’t change.
“You thought telling him that I was your girlfriend would make him back off, but this is going to backfire to bite you in the arse.”
“My fine arse. You always say I have a fine arse.”
“What?” She stared at him. “Really? Now? You bring that up now?”
The faintest of grins danced around his firm lips. “Just saying.”
She blew out an exasperated breath. “Yes. Whatever. This is going to backfire and bite you on your fine arse.”
“There’s only one way this will backfire, Charley.” As quickly as it had appeared, the glint of amusement vanished.
“Glad you see it. When you see a woman you’re interested in and want to meet her, Gary will think you’ve dumped me. That makes me a laughing stock in his eyes and whoever else he tells.”
“Nope.”
“Nope? How can you possibly say-”
“Just listen.”
“Blue, you-”
“This will only backfire if you say no.”
“No? To what?”
“Being my woman.”
“You want me to perpetuate your lie?”
“You misunderstand me.” Wrapping his free hand around her nape, Blue leaned forward to place his mouth at her ear. “I want you to say you’ll be my girlfriend.”
Charley froze. She couldn’t have heard correctly. No way did he just-
“Say it, Sunflower.” His breath was hot on her skin.
Say it? Say she’d be his girlfriend? He couldn’t really mean it, so it had to be… “You want me to pretend?”
He shifted, the silken brush of his lips against her ear making her heart beat fast. Faster. It was already leaping at his nearness, now it was starting to pound. Probably have a heart attack any second and drop dead. With his palm on her nape and his mouth at her ear. Could be worse ways to go.
“I want you to really be my girlfriend.”
There could be no way on this earth that she was hearing correctly.
They stood there, perfectly still, his breath hot against her ear, her heart pounding, a fissure of heat spiralling down her spine, so very aware of him bending down over her.
So very aware that his hand had released hers and was now resting on the back of her waist.
Right above her generous bum.
That had her blinking, sucking in a breath, the result of which pressed her nipples against his hard upper abdomen.
There was no doubting he could feel it, not when he shifted again, deliberately rubbing all that deliciously hard muscle against her nipples that were little aching nubs just begging to be -
No. No no no. This had to be a joke. She sucked in another breath, lifted her lashes to see Blue’s thick, dark hair out of the corner of her eye.
Needing room to think, she braced both hands against his chest and pushed.
For a split second he resisted before straightening to step back. His expression was unfathomable, serious, that blue-eyed gaze searching her face.
“Okay.” Ignoring the breathlessness of her voice, Charley took another step back, widening the distance between them a little more. “Okay.”
His head angled slightly to one side questioningly. “Okay as in okay, you’ll be my girlfriend?”
“Okay as in I really need to sort this out.” Rubbing trembling hands on her skirt, she flapped them helplessly before clasping them together to try and look a little more controlled than she felt.
“Charley,” Blue said gently, “are you all right?”
“Yeah. No.” Uncertainly, her gaze darted to the side before returning to focus on the t-shirt covering his torso. “Nice shirt.”
Oh geez, way to sound like an idiot.
“Thanks,” he replied a little dryly.
Clearing her throat, she searched for a way to continue.
He saved her by saying quietly, “This has clearly caught you by surprise.”
“You think?”
“Trust me, I don’t need to think when it’s so obvious.” Reaching out, he stroked along her jaw line with one calloused fingertip. “Is the thought of it that horrifying?”
“Of course not.” She bit her lip. “Yes.” Oh God, that didn’t sound good. “No.”
His hand dropped, silence descending, and just when she was about to try and put into words her feelings and doubts, he took another step back.
“I understand, Charley. It’s okay.” At the regret underlying the deep tones, she looked up to find him already turning away, a muscle jumping in that square jaw.
That regret resonated inside her, flaring to life hope that maybe he really did find her attractive. “Blue, wait.” No sooner did he turn back around than she took one look at his face and all those doubts threatened the hope. “Crap.” Dropping her head forward, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
He waited silently.
“I don’t…” She squinted at the lawn. “I’m…” When it became clear he wasn’t going to help, she squared her shoulders and slowly looked up at him, mentally steeling her spine as her gaze travelled up the t-shirt stretched over hard muscle, broad shoulders, strong neck, square jaw, firm lips, straight nose, right up to those intense eyes.
His complete attention was focused on her.
“This is…it’s all a little sudden,” she mumbled.
“Yes.”
So intensely aware of his regard, feeling so inadequate, she swallowed. “Do you really want me to be…?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t go all monosyllabic on me now!” she cried despairingly.
“Mono what?” He blinked.
“One word answers.”
“Why don’t you just say that?”
“I just di- never mind.” She folded her arms, dropped them by her side.
“Charley,” Blue said gently, “just tell me straight out what you want, what you’re feeling. It’s not that hard.”
“It’s not you, Blue, it’s me.”
Something in his eyes flickered. “I’m getting a sense of déjà vu, not in a good way.”
“Not like that,” she said quickly. “I don’t mean like that.”
“Then what do you mean? I’m not a mind reader, Charley. You’re going to have to talk to me. Plainly.”
“Why don’t you?”
“I’ve already asked you.”
Looking up at him, she decided to go with exactly what he’d suggested. It wasn’t like she was doing any good her way. “Why?”
“Because I like you.”
“Like.” That wasn’t promising at all. “You like a lot of people.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to go out with a lot of people. I want to go out with you.”
“Just like that?”
His grin went a little crooked. “I actually like you more than I like other people.”
“Enough to go out with me?”
“You sound dubious.”
“Can you blame me?” She held out her palms. “I’m not really your type.”
His eyebrows rose at that. “My type?”
“Yeah, you know - tall, gorgeous, slim.”
His eyes widened in genuine astonishment. “You think I have a type?”
“Well…yeah.”
“Wow.” He ran one hand through his hair.
Oh man, was he going to get mad? Charley bit her lip. But still, he’d wanted plain speaking, so…and she had to be sure…and she had her own doubts because of what she…argh.
Rather than turn and walk away as she half expected, Blue instead rubbed his jaw while looking up at the leaves in the tree above them before placing both hands on lean hips and dropping his head forward to look down at her consideringly. “A type.”
She shrugged a little apologetically. “Maybe you just never noticed.”
“I think I’d have noticed.” Now there was a touch of irony in his deep tone.
Oohh, this wasn’t going well. Clearing her throat, Charley dropped her gaze to his chin, because that was so much easier to look at than the shrewd expression in his eyes.
“And just where,” Blue asked with ominous calm, “did you come up with this type?”
“I saw some photos.”
“Photos.”
“At your house. I was there with Mikki and Izzy, and your Aunt Lora pulled out a photo album to show us and I saw the photos of your past girlfriends.”
“All my girlfriends?”
“Three.”
“Just three?”
“Just three? Cripes, Blue, how many girlfriends have you had?”
“I’ve had more than three over the years and I can tell you they weren’t all tall and slim. In fact, I’m attracted to women, not their figures. They need to have more than superficial details to catch my attention.”
“Okay.” Oh geez, talk about putting her foot in it. How embarrassing. “Sorry.”
Man, she could feel his gaze on her, could practically feel him mentally dissecting her. Maybe she came across as an insecure girl.
Oh wait, she was a tad insecure, but heck, it wasn’t all to do with his other girlfriends. Much. A bit. Okay, a lot, but it was also herself and-
“Are you frowning because you don’t know how to let me down nicely?” Blue queried. “Or are you just mad now?”
Seeing the mix of humour and perplexity on his face, she sighed, her shoulders drooping. “Sorry. I’m really screwing this up, aren’t I?”
“I had thought it’d be a little easier,” he admitted.
“I usually am.” Realising how that sounded, she backtracked quickly. “I mean, I’m not easy, not like that.”
“I’d laugh except I’m not sure just exactly where we’re at right now.”
She sighed.
“Charley.”
“Yes?”
“Are you telling me no?”
The thought of being Blue’s girlfriend was causing butterflies to dance in the pit of her belly in a good - no, a great way.
“I won’t kick you out of the house if you tell me no,” he continued. “But you might hear me crying in the night, see me watching sad love movies…”
That made her smile which in turn cleared her befuddled thoughts. Regaining her senses, she looked him square in the eyes and took the bull by the horns. “You really want to date?”
Blue nodded.
“You like me that much.”
“More than like.”
“You don’t know me that well.”
“That’s generally why two people date, to get to know more about each other.”
“I’m living in your house.”
“I’m not asking for more than you’re prepared to give.”
As that particular decadent thought hadn’t even occurred to her, her eyes widened.
“Shit.” Blue shook his head. “Too soon for that. I didn’t mean it. Well, later, yeah, but I don’t expect - damn.” This time he sighed, but he didn’t look away. “Let’s try this again. Charley, I’m attracted to you. I want us to get to know each other more, to go out together, let the relationship take its course and see what happens. I’m not asking for more than you’re prepared to give, and I’m expecting the same of you. This is no declaration of undying love, hearts and stars. It’s a beginning, hopefully more, but right now let’s just date with no pressure.”
Warmth crept through her at the sincerity in his eyes. Plus the thought that he was attracted to her? That had little tingles running up and down her spine.
“More importantly, your answer does not decide your rent status in my house, okay?”
She nodded.
“Good.” Hands still braced on hips, he watched her.
Oh, she really wanted to say yes. She did. But the troubling thought was that-
“Talk to me,” Blue ordered firmly.
“Okay.” Since he’d spoken so plainly, she could only do the same. In fact, his honesty made it easier for her. Up to a point. “I won’t lie, I am attracted to you.” Want to strip you naked and lick you like a lollipop, in fact.
“Good to know.” He gave a ‘come on’ gesture with one hand.
“Right. Well, I’d like to get to know you more, too.”
Another ‘come on’ gesture.
“It’s just that…”
A dark eyebrow arched questioningly.
“Two weeks ago I was dating Gary,” she finished in a rush. “Now I’m panting after you. How shallow does that make me?”
For several seconds she thought he wasn’t even going to answer because he just stood there looking a little surprised.
“Shallow, right?” she asked miserably. “I shocked myself.”
He stared, his lips twitched, and then he started laughing.
Loud. Long. A real belly laugh, deep and rolling.
Any tender feelings disappeared as annoyance flushed through her. The bloody man might be hot as hell, might make her panties damp and her nipples stand up to attention, but his attitude was downright shitty.
When he kept laughing, annoyance crashed into anger. “Arsehole!” She stormed back towards the house.
She didn’t get two steps before an arm hooked around her waist to pull her back against a hard body that was still shaking with laughter.
“Let go!” She struggled, trying to pull away from the arm clamped firmly around her.
“Wait.” Laughter still dancing in his voice, Blue repeated, “Wait. Just wait a minute, Charley.”
“I ought to box your ears!” She pulled unsuccessfully at his arm. “I was being honest and you think my worry is bloody hilarious!”
“Just settle a minute, Sunflower.” The last was said right in her ear. “Let me explain.”
She went still, blood growing sluggish even though she remained angry. But his position leaning over her, his arm holding her so close, that muscle-ribbed torso pressed against her back, not to mention the warm breath in her ear, had her breath catching.
“Okay.” Straightening, Blue turned her to face him, his hands now on her shoulders as he looked down into her angry face. “I wasn’t laughing at you. I promise.”
“Sure,” she said a little bitterly.
“No, I’m serious.” Sobering, but amusement still evident in his eyes, Blue explained, “I was laughing because I had thought the exact same thing about me and Shona.”
That caught her by surprise. “You did?”
“Yeah. Here I was attracted to you but feeling guilty because two weeks ago I was planning on wining and dining Shona. So yeah, I know exactly how you feel.”
The anger faded. “You’re not worried about that?”
“About me being shallow?” Blue shook his head.
“Really? You’re not?”
“I was, but not once I’d thought about it and realised a few things.”
Now she was intrigued. “What did you realise?”
“That when Shona dumped me, I wasn’t sad, just resigned. Remember I met you in the pizza joint and we shared pizza, drinks and our stories?”
“Yeah.” Charley smiled slightly at the memory. “I enjoyed that night.”
“Me, too. Only I didn’t realise just how much.” Blue was completely sober now. “I enjoy your company, feel so relaxed with you. I love your compassion, your kindness, your sense of humour. I didn’t realise how much I enjoyed your company until recently.”
“Wow.” His frankness not only filled with her happiness, but it also amazed her. Never had a man been so honest about his feelings.
“In fact, even though I wanted to ask you out, I wasn’t admitting to myself how attracted I was to you.”
“Because…?”
“The same reason you feel guilt right now.”
“Gary.”
“Shallowness. Was I too shallow? To be attracted to you so soon after Shona? But then it was brought to my attention that I wasn’t that invested in my relationship with Shona, that I didn’t really feel more for her, certainly not enough to even mourn being dumped. I wasn’t shallow. I’m not shallow.” His voice lowered, big hands sliding down from her shoulders to her elbows, fingers and thumbs trailing down, eliciting little sparks in their wake until his fingers loosely wrapped around her wrists so he could tug her closer.
She was mesmerized by his tender expression.
“I’m not going to let my doubts, which I now know to be wrong, get in the way of a relationship with you. There’s something I have with you that I didn’t have with any of my previous girlfriends.”
“Oh?” She whispered.
“Them dumping me was not pleasant, but it didn’t tear me up. You, however…” His head lowered, those long, thick lashes falling before sweeping up to capture her in the enthralling blueness of his eyes. “You are different, Sunflower. I know it, feel it. In a very short time you’ve come to mean a lot to me. I want to see where this leads.” His head lowered further.
The whisper of his lips so near her own, the warmth of his breath, but still she had to whisper, “You think that’s the same for me?”
“About Gary?” His gaze locked with hers, hiding nothing of his emotions. “Did you cry? Did you lie awake at night thinking of him? Did you ring him?”
“No.”
“Did he mean anything to you?”
“I thought he might, but no.”
“Are you sorry you broke up?”
“Hells bells, no.”
His amusement was a puff of warmth against her lips, his arms tightening around her to draw her fully up against him.
“So you don’t think that makes me shallow?” Leaning into him, her arms settled around his waist.
“I think it makes you lucky to escape his clutches.” His grin was sudden, dark, definitely wolfish. “It won’t be so easy with me.”
Before she could retort, his mouth came down on hers.
The sensation of it, the heat of his body, the silkiness of his lips, the firmness of the kiss, all combined to make her surrender to desire.
To finally kiss him, to finally know what it was like to be in his arms.
Bloody awesome, actually.
Heat surged through her, the feeling of being protected in his embrace, not to mention the happiness that danced inside her at the knowledge that he was as attracted to her as she to him.
It was more than evident when he broke the kiss to rest his forehead against hers with his eyes closed.
Evident because his breath was unsteady, and when he opened his eyes, heat kindled within. “Okay,” he said huskily. “We might have to set some rules, Sunflower.”
“Rules?” she echoed dreamily.
“You’re not to take advantage of me.”
“Ever?”
“Okay, you can grope my very fine arse. That’s allowable.”
She laughed softly. Then suddenly something pinged on her radar and she straightened. “Hang on.”
“Mmm?”
“You said it was brought to your attention.” She tilted her head in query. “Just who have you been talking to?”
“Luke.”
“Luke?” Charley managed to put just the right amount of horror into her voice.
Blue eyed her warily. “Yeah?”
Giving him a little shove, she repeated, “Luke? You talked about this with Luke?”
“He’s my brother.” Blue was baffled.
“That’s a reason?”
“I was confused. He helped sort me out.” Now he looked a little worried. “Is this going to be a problem?”
She let him stew long enough to start worrying before grinning widely. “Nope.”
Blue stare at her for several seconds before growling, “You devious wench!” and lunged for her.
With a shriek, Charley ran.
She knew he’d be fast, but she certainly didn’t expect him to dive after her and bring her to the ground. He moved with dexterity, twisting to take the brunt of the fall before rolling and bringing her back with him under the shade of the tree, coming to a stop with her sprawled inelegantly beneath him, breathless and senses spinning.
When she was finally able to focus, he had his weight balanced on his forearms above her and was eyeing her through narrowed eyes.
“Hi.” She dimpled up at him.
“Just what do you call that little stunt you just pulled?”
“Getting to Know Me 101?”
“Try again.”
“Getting to Know You 102?”
“I’m starting to discover things about you already.”
“Oh?”
“You’ve got a smart mouth on you.”
“You’re only just realising that now?”
Devilment danced in his eyes. “Let’s see if I can kiss some of that smartness away.”
This time when he kissed her it started playfully, but it wasn’t long before it turned deeper, hotter, her moan greeted with a low, murmured approval from Blue right before he took advantage of her parting lips to breach the opening, sliding leisurely through her mouth, tasting her, leaving his heady flavour.
She felt the hardening of him against her, his mouth claiming hers while one hand ran down to clasp at her waist, fingers curving into the indent between her waist and hips, thumb flicking across her t-shirt before moving upward, making her breath catch as his thumb scraped against the underside of her breast.
Blue broke the kiss, lifting enough to gaze down at her, the heat in his eyes making her heart stutter.
Desire was stamped openly on his face, the need for her evident in both the faint flush on his cheekbones and the hard nudge she felt against her belly.
Almost immediately Blue rolled off her to the side, dropping onto his back to gaze up at the foliage overhead.
A little uncertain as to his mood, trying to calm her own growing arousal, Charley was relieved when he caught her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Relaxing back on the grass, she cast him a sidelong glance to find him doing the same to her.
He was the first to break the silence. “When do you go back to work?”
“After the wedding.”
“Day after tomorrow, then.”
She nodded.
“Great. Date night tonight.”
“Maybe I have plans tonight.”
“Do you?”
“Let’s see.” She squinted thoughtfully. “Plans. Hmmm. Tonight. Uhhhh… Let me think. Do I have any plans tonight?” Rolling her head to face him, she grinned widely. “I may have to check my diary.”
“I can see I’ve got my work cut out for me. No time like the present to start dealing with you.” He grabbed for her.
Shrieking, she rolled over onto her belly with the intent to scramble onto her knees and get away, but he had other plans and moved a hell of a lot faster. She didn’t even manage to start pushing up to her knees before he flattened her belly first onto the grass.
Pinned beneath him, she giggled, only to immediately clap a hand over her mouth.
“What’s this?” He growled into her ear.
“I don’t giggle,” she replied primly.
“Is that so?” One big hand landed on her ribcage.
“Don’t you dare tickle,” she warned him.
“I want to hear that giggle again, Sunflower.”
“You tickle and I’ll scream for help!” She started writhing beneath him in an attempt to get away. “Let go!”
“Should have thought of that before you tempted me.” The words were serious but his voice held laughter.
“You better get used to being told the truth,” she retorted pertly, only to gasp when his fingertips dug lightly into her side. “Oh geez!”
“Tsk tsk.” His fingertips flexed, sending a shiver through her of dread and anticipation. “You really need to think before you-”
“No! No, don’t! I beg you!”
“Oh, I like that-”
The back door slammed open, both their heads jerking up to see a teenage boy skid to a halt on the edge of the veranda.
Charley took one look at the dark-haired, dark-eyed gaping teen and groaned. When a tall woman with black hair and similar features appeared behind him, she elbowed Blue. “Let me up!”
“Hey Cole, Shea,” he greeted them without moving.
“Blue!”
“Look, honey,” he said cheerfully. “It’s Cole and Shea.”
Horrified, not quite knowing which way to look, Charley bit her lip. “Um… Hi.”
Shea’s eyebrows were raised in mild amusement as she surveyed them.
Cole, however, was ogling with outright curiosity.
“We heard your shout,” Shea explained. “Came rushing to your rescue.”
Hands braced on the lawn, Charley tried to push upward against the heavily-muscled body leaning so easily atop her while maintaining a calm façade. “Yes, well, you could rescue me by getting this oaf off me.”
Coming down the step uncertainly, Cole’s gaze flicked between them.
“We were having a wrestling match.” Laughter edged Blue’s tone. “Isn’t that right, darling heart?”
Her cheeks blazed. “I’ll bloody darling heart you.”
“Aw, sweet talking already. I love it!”
Shea cast them both a knowing look. “Perhaps we’ll just wait inside.”
As Cole followed his sister back into the house, Charley, propped up on her elbows, sighed.
Leaning down, his front pressed to her back, Blue whispered into her ear, “Saved by the bell, Sunflower.”
“I’ll make your bell ring,” she threatened, half laughing.
“Promises, promises.”
“I’m finding things out about you already, too.”
“Oh?” he asked innocently.
“You, Blue Wells, need taking in hand.”
“God, I can’t wait.”
Before she could retort, he pushed up off her, making her give a dismayed squawk when he looped an arm around her waist and brought her with seemingly ridiculous ease up with him.
It was heady, it was thrilling, it was mortifying. Oh Lord, she was no lightweight! Not like his ex’s with their trim little figures! “Blue, you shouldn’t-”
“Yep.” Looping an arm around her neck, he pulled her into his side and started walking towards the house. “You, me, the motorbike, tonight. Can’t wait.”
“Wait. What?” She stopped. “The motorbike? Your motorbike? Tonight?”
“Yep.” He propelled her forward again.
“I don’t like motorbikes.”
“We’re going to fix that.” At her dubious expression, he dropped a kiss on top of her head. “Trust me.”
“After what you just did to me on the lawn?”
His grin was wide. And wicked. “Oh Sunflower, you naughty girl.”
“What?” Her cheeks blazed again, but she couldn’t stop the giggle.
“Told you I’d make you giggle again,” he said with ultimate satisfaction, steering her up the veranda step.
Allowing him to usher her into the house, Charley couldn’t stop smiling even when faced with an openly inquisitive teenage boy who waggled his eyebrows cheekily at Blue, and Blue’s sister-in-law who simply smiled while stating mysteriously, “It’s written in the stars.”