Defy the World Tomatoes (24 page)

“All right then,” Christy Joy murmured softly, and she took Twink’s hand to lead her back to her bedroom to pack a bag.

“I can’t tell you how surprised I am to find you here, Griffin,” J. Lyle continued. “How long have you known my wife?”

“A few weeks,” Griffin explained. “I’m seeing Darcy.”

J. Lyle’s eyes widened slightly, and his glance again swept Darcy’s sleep-spiked hair. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought, but then, who you date is no concern of mine.”

“No, it most certainly isn’t,” Darcy interjected sharply. “It can’t rain much longer. When the power returns, we’ll have the shop cleaned up in no time. We can come up to your place to get Twink, or would you rather bring her home yourself?”

“When the time is right, I’ll bring her back to Monarch Bay,” J. Lyle responded smoothly.

His response was too vague to please Darcy and, perplexed, she wondered what had happened to Jeremy. She quickly decided it was just as well if he stayed out of sight. Of course, she would have been happier had the captain punched out a few of J. Lyle’s sparkling white teeth, but had he risked it, the smug attorney would surely have sued in an effort to take his boat and livelihood.

That was what she really disliked about J. Lyle
—
there was a hint of a threat in his every word. Except for his fawning attempts to impress Griffin, he’d been as thoroughly disagreeable as always. How he’d ever remained pleasant long enough to win Christy Joy’s heart was a mystery.

Twink rejoined them carrying a pink Barbie suitcase. She was wearing a slick pink raincoat over her overalls and a pink rain hat. She appeared to be happy to be going off for a visit at her father’s home, but the door had barely closed behind them when Christy Joy burst into tears.

“I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I know he’ll take better care of her than I can here in the dark, but I miss her already.”

Jeremy climbed the stairs with a slow, deliberate step. “I didn’t want to make more trouble for you than you already have, but I swear if I ever hear that son-of-a-bitch speak to you in such a disrespectful tone again, he’ll think Popeye was a wimp.”

Christy Joy pulled a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. “Please, Jeremy, I appreciate your gallant offer, but you mustn’t touch him or he’ll squash you with a lawsuit he’ll drag out for years just to bleed you dry.”

“It would be worth it to teach him some manners,” Jeremy swore.

Christy Joy shook her head. “Oh no, it wouldn’t. Now is it my imagination, or is the rain finally slacking off?”

Griffin went by her to peer out the backdoor. “It’s still raining, but not as hard. If you have anything left to make sandwiches, let’s light a few more candles and have ourselves a party.”

Darcy doubted any of them felt in a party mood, but forty-five minutes later they were seated on the rug around Christy Joy’s coffee table toasting marshmallows over jasmine candles. They were using wooden skewers, and it took forever, but it only added to the general silliness of their mood. Darcy marveled at how easily Griffin had teased a smile from Christy Joy and, once he’d accomplished that feat, Jeremy had broken out in a grin.

Darcy consumed only half a cheese sandwich and quit eating after dripping a single gooey marshmallow into her mouth. “Damn, but these are good.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Griffin replied. He had two marshmallows on his skewer now and turned them slowly over the flame. “This is as close to camping out as I care to get, but it’s gratifying to have my clumsy efforts rewarded.”

Christy Joy licked her fingers. “I wish we had some chocolate bars and graham crackers to make ’smores. Remind me to stock up on some, Darcy, so next time the power fails we’ll be ready.”

“Will do. Oh by the way, Griffin’s decided to extend our lease. Do you want to go for another year or five?”

“What?” Christy Joy shrieked.

Jeremy cocked his head and regarded the pianist with a decidedly skeptical glance before nodding. “That’s real good news.”

“I’d kiss you, but Darcy might object,” Christy Joy added. “I’m not going to ask why you’ve changed your mind, but it’s really appreciated.”

“You’re welcome.” Griffin winked at Darcy. “I had my reasons.”

Clearly he preferred to let Christy Joy and Jeremy believe love had prompted his generosity, and she was too relieved they weren’t bailing water to reveal the truth. “Is there enough light to play cards?” she asked instead.

“Sure,” Jeremy responded. “I’ve always loved Go Fish.”

He was joking, of course, and they all knew it. “You guys finish the marshmallows first. I want to check the doors.”

Darcy’s knee complained a bit as she rose to her feet, but she walked out smoothly. She grabbed the flashlight and carried it downstairs to survey the shop, but the floor was still dry. Grateful, she remained by the front door and scanned the street. It was so dark now she could no longer see the water flowing past, but only hear a sizzling rush.

Within minutes, Griffin joined her. “I don’t like J. Lyle,” he whispered softly. “What’s your take on him?”

Darcy leaned back against him and, when he unsnapped the button on her Levi’s, her breath caught in her throat. She had to force herself to inhale deeply to respond.

“He has a nasty streak a mile wide, and while I wouldn’t dream of saying as much to Christy Joy, I’m afraid he might not bring Twink back.”

Griffin slid his hand inside her panties and down over the flat hollow of her stomach. When he reached the triangle of curls, he tugged gently, then parted her clef. He teased her inner lips with a fluttering touch before bracing her hips against his thigh and plunging a finger deep inside.

He nuzzled her ear. “Maybe I should have let him think I was dating Christy Joy.”

She felt herself growing wet and reached back to encircle his thigh. “Not a good idea.”

He withdrew to stroke her clit with her own slippery wetness, then slid two fingers up inside her. “Still, it might have made him think twice about questioning their custody agreement.”

His erection was impossible to mistake, and she writhed against him to supply some distracting friction. “No, when he slants everything to his advantage, we ought to stick with the truth.”

“Which is?”

It was on the tip of her tongue, but as her inner muscles began to quiver along his maddeningly playful fingers, the thought was lost. He was simply too good at turning her insides to hot cream, and she thrust down on his next stroke and came with a sudden shudder.

She grabbed hold of his wrist to prevent him from withdrawing before the last tingling bit of ecstasy faded, and he cradled her in such a tender grasp, she felt as though she were floating. It really wasn’t fair, she mused silently. No man should have such remarkable gifts, but at least he used them beautifully.

Jeremy sucked Christy Joy’s fingers into his mouth to catch the last taste of marshmallow. “The power ought to fail more often,” he murmured against her palm.

His lips tickled her skin, but despite the good news from Griffin, she’d never felt less like laughing. Jeremy’s hair had dried in boyish curls, and she smoothed it softly with her free hand.

“I didn’t send Twink away for this,” she whispered.

Jeremy straightened with an ungainly jerk. “Do you think I’m taking advantage here?”

“No.” He appeared incredulous, and she caressed his now beard-roughened cheek. It had been so long since she’d touched a man, and she promptly withdrew her hand rather than appear pathetically needy.

“Well, you’d be right,” Jeremy confessed. “Twink’s adorable. Anyone would love her, but do you ever leave her with a sitter and go out on dates?”

Christy Joy sat back. “When no one’s asked me out, I haven’t needed a sitter.”

“Sorry, my mistake. Let’s go out to dinner just as soon as the weather clears.”

“As long as I can sleep a couple of days first, I’d love to have dinner with you. Then I’ll make supper for us here. I’m really a good cook when the power’s on.”

“I’m sure you are, but are you certain you want to commit to a second date before we’ve been out on our first?”

She glanced toward the doorway. “I’ll risk it. What do you suppose has happened to Griffin and Darcy?”

“Just this,” Jeremy whispered before his lips met hers.

She froze for an instant, then relaxed against him. His kiss was absolutely luscious, and she was positive this was unlike J. Lyle, no trick of technique, but sincere affection. Determined not to break his heart while hers was scarcely whole, she broke away.

“Please, I’ve been numb for so long, and
—
”

“I know numb,” he responded. “But the first time I saw you, well, let’s not even go there.”

His smile had turned shy and, while flattered, she wouldn’t press him for more. “You must have been very handsome in your cruise ship uniforms. I’ll bet the female passengers trailed after you like ducklings.”

He laughed at her compliment. “That they did, but I built up quite a tolerance to them. They were just out for a good time on their vacation and regarded me as one of the specialty items on the menu.”

“But you weren’t?”

“No, ma’am, I have my standards, but that wasn’t true for all the officers, and many were more than willing to fulfill an attractive passenger’s fantasies.”

“I’ve never been interested in casual affairs,” she confided. “But it’s desperately difficult to really connect with someone.”

His smile turned teasing. “That all depends. How am I doing?”

She hadn’t imagined Jeremy could be so charming, and it was easy to respond truthfully. “Very well, actually. I just need a little time. I hear footsteps on the stairs, so I better find the cards.”

She rose with her usual grace, and Jeremy licked his lips rather than drool. Her ruffled pinafores hid the length of her legs, but he couldn’t wait to have them wrapped around him. But for now, he was happy just to keep her company.

The foursome played gin rummy until they could no longer count the spots on the cards. Then they made a last check of doors and windows for leaks and, finding none, treated themselves to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with apple juice.

Darcy was relieved to have made it through the day with no major disasters, but even cradled beneath a blanket in Griffin’s arms on the couch, she couldn’t doze off while the wind slammed the eucalyptus tree against the roof with strange syncopated thumps.

Griffin shifted positions so often it was clear he wasn’t resting comfortably either. While opposite them, Christy Joy, who hadn’t invited Jeremy into her own bed, was nevertheless stretched out beside him on the rug. The pair had barely finished arranging their blankets and pillows before they’d fallen asleep.

When Griffin leaned around her to put out the last candle, Darcy whispered, “I haven’t stayed up this late since college.”

“It’s been a while since I partied until dawn too,” Griffin added.

“I was up studying,” she emphasized. “Have you ever had to work hard to learn anything?”

After a long silence, he confided softly, “I’m not much of a cook.”

Darcy clamped her hand over her mouth rather than laugh and wake their companions. “You can read, that’s all cooking requires.”

“There’s a lot more to it than simply assembling ingredients. That’s why some chefs are better than others. They rely on an originality and flair that I lack.”

“Is that your only flaw?”

He hugged her tight. “The only one I’ll admit.”

For the remainder of the night, they teased each other with softly spoken questions and entertaining, if not downright silly, replies. When the rising sun finally lit the apartment with a pale yellow glow, the wind and rain were gone, and the water had begun to recede in the alleys and streets.

Anxious to check on his own home, Griffin coaxed Darcy to her feet. “Let’s take the day off to allow the last of the water to run into the sea, and work straightening up here tomorrow. By then the power ought to be back on, and the clean-up will be a whole lot easier.”

Christy Joy was already awake and, hearing their voices, she rolled out of her tangled blanket and led them out to the stairs. “Jeremy doesn’t look as though he’ll wake before noon, so taking today off is fine with me. I’ll call George, the clerks and the kids to let them know we won’t be needing them today. Why don’t you two go on home?”

Darcy had seldom heard a better suggestion, but when Griffin walked her to her door, he followed her right inside. “Grab some of your lacy lingerie and a change of clothes. You’re coming home with me.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Neither of us got any sleep last night, and
—
”

“That’s all we’ll do then,” he promised, but when they reached his house and found the hill still had power, they made a detour through his spacious shower.

This time Griffin shampooed Darcy’s hair, but when she began to spread soapy foam over his chest, she inspired the predictable erotic result. “Looks like you’ve got more than sleep on your mind after all,” she responded.

“I would have been fine if you’d just kept your hands to yourself.”