Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3) (13 page)

“Too bad,” Maureen said mischievously. “I’d buy you for Scarlett.”

“Maureen!” both Scarlett and her mother said at the same time.

“What?” She shrugged, not at all ashamed. “It’s for charity. And you went with him to the ball. I’m sure he’d rather have you win him than some crazy woman who really wants to see what’s under that Speedo.”

“I was not wearing a Speedo,” Brad said.

“Oh, with the amount of muscled skin, I must not have noticed,” Maureen said, reaching for her wine, wicked smirk clearly in place. “Just regular old swim trunks then?”

Scarlett’s face had flamed bright red, almost matching her hair. She’d almost seen what was under that swimsuit, and would have if Brad hadn’t kept a grip on the towel. And who knew her sister-in-law was such a shit disturber.

“You okay, Scarlett?” Maureen asked. “You look a little flushed.”

“Fine,” Scarlett replied, reaching for her wine. “I’m just fine.”

“Good. Had to make sure. Okay, everybody, we have cookies and ice cream for dessert.” Maureen changed the subject and her demeanor. “Who wants some? Who’s not too full?”

“Me!” the kids chorused.

“I helped Granny make the cookies,” Colleen announced proudly. “They’re chocolate chip.”

“Then I definitely want some dessert,” Scarlett’s dad announced.

“Me too,” Brad said. “They’re my favorite.” He winked at Scarlett. He knew she’d been blushing because of what had happened between them.

“Me three,” Scarlett added, desperate to get her heart rate under control. All he had to do was smile and she melted. She felt sorry for all those women who’d lusted after him. She now understood their pain.

“Cookies and ice cream for everyone,” Bernadette announced. She stood up and followed Maureen into the kitchen area. “I’ll come help you,” she offered, and Scarlett knew her sister-in-law was about to get an etiquette lecture, or as much of one as her mother could give with the kitchen open to everyone.

“Cookie,” Mary said as her mom went by.

“Don’t worry, pumpkin. I won’t forget your cookie,” Maureen replied, ruffling her daughter’s hair. She grinned at Scarlett.

And with that, things went back to normal, with no more mention of Brad or anything to do with the calendar. Scarlett polished off her wine—one glass was enough. She had to drive later. Until then, she wanted to enjoy the night and watch Brad interact. He fit right in. Seemed like he was having fun. Well, he’d wanted to get to know her. This was it. Take it or leave it.

“Hey, I wanted to say thanks for tonight,” he told her later as he walked Scarlett to the back door. She carried Colleen, who’d fallen asleep. “I had a great time.”

“You didn’t find us too overwhelming? Maureen went after you about your swimsuit.”

He chuckled. “Nah. Dinner was nice. My family isn’t nearly as rambunctious. We argue politics and get into heated debates about how Congress is inept. I liked playing Chutes and Ladders. Seriously. Made for a nice change of pace. Here, let me.”

He unlocked the door and opened it. He stepped inside first and turned off the alarm as she carried her daughter inside. “Sleepy,” Colleen mumbled as Scarlett removed her daughter’s parka. Brad shed his and tossed it on a bar stool. “Here, let me take her,” he said. “She looks heavy.”

“Well, you’re the super-fit one.” Scarlett passed Colleen over.

“Ha-ha. Funny.”

“Please,” Scarlett teased. “I know exactly what I saw and felt today. Don’t try to hide it now.”

She led him upstairs. Turned on Colleen’s night light. Pulled back the covers on her bed. Brad held Colleen while Scarlett removed her daughter’s socks and shoes.

Brad set her gently on the bed and drew up the covers. “She’s completely out.”

“She had a busy day. Cooking with her grandma and then running crazy with all her cousins. We haven’t had that in a long time. She’s never played with her cousins.”

They watched Colleen sleep for a few minutes to make sure she stayed asleep. “You didn’t come home once, did you?”

“No. My parents visited, but I never brought Colleen back. We rarely traveled. Well, up to Disney. Sea World. Airfare’s expensive and I wanted to leave St. Louis in the past. I’m not sure why. I guess I just had these big dreams, and really, aside from being a mom, they didn’t work out. I didn’t want to have people thinking I was a failure.”

“You’re not a failure. You’re a fantastic mother and isn’t that the most important job?”

“Yes, but who am I then without Colleen? You’re a firefighter. You save people. I, well, I don’t know what I am.”

“I think you’re enough exactly how you are.”

“Really?” She assessed him. “You’re just saying that because you’re my friend.”

“I’m saying it because it’s true.” He followed her out into the living area. She pulled the door partially closed.

“Thank you for going tonight.”

“I had fun.”

“Did I pass your test?”

He reached for her and drew her into his arms. Pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “Did I pass yours?”

She stared up into his eyes. Nodded. “Yes.”

“Good.” He captured her mouth with his. At first the kiss was simple. A little press. Then tiny nips and tugs. Scarlett opened her mouth wider and sucked his lip inside, at which his lips became more insistent. This time he branded her, sealed her to him. His fingers cupped her chin, and tilting her face so he could kiss her even deeper, he explored every little crevice with his tongue. When they came up for air, Scarlett’s skin was on fire, and he ran his lips down her neck to the collar of her shirt. Her breasts ached, wanted him to touch them. “More,” she breathed, her voice deep and throaty. “Touch me. Please.”

She again felt the tip of his tongue trace her mouth before he plunged inside, making her hot and needy. She ran her fingers into his hair and brought his head even closer to hers. He wove his leg between hers, cupped her backside, pulling her against his erection. She made a tiny noise in the back of her throat. Reached for his shirt. Tugged it from the waistband and found his chest with her palms. His breath hitched, and his hands found the hem of her shirt and yanked it. Her arms flew up and her shirt went upward, and Brad’s mouth found her left breast through the lace of her bra. Scarlett’s head fell back as he drew the fabric-covered mound inside and sucked. Her legs shook. So, she ground on him, trying to assuage the need he’d built. She needed to come. She brought her lips to his collarbone, kissed his skin as he moved the fabric aside and took her fully into his warm mouth. “Oh God.” She’d never been so wet, so … Her body shook. His hand twirled her other nipple, the one not plundered by his tongue. She felt the orgasm arrive, pushed herself harder against him and her body let go. “Oh, oh, oh…” she cried, not caring how wanton and needy she sounded as her body quaked. She trembled. She grabbed for his shirttail again. “I want you inside me.”

But he was putting her bra to rights and pulling her shirt back down. “Not tonight.”

Her breath came in slow pants. “What?”

“I want you. But not tonight.”

She suddenly felt foolish. “Why not?”

He jerked a hand through his hair. “I don’t want to rush. Neither of us has had sex in a while. I don’t want to be focused only on physical release. Two dates do not make a relationship. Sex should be a destination, not a distraction.”

Her heated body protested, but her heart and head knew he was right. “Then when will I see you again?”

“I’m working tomorrow and then I’m off until Saturday. We can plan something. My only agenda was to paint the third floor.”

“I can help with that. I painted my house in San Diego.”

“I may take you up on that offer.”

She placed her hand on his arm, needing to stay connected. “Please do. All I’m doing this week is helping to bake desserts for the fish fry. I can’t cook like Maureen, but I can make cake.”

“So this fish fry is a big deal?”

She nodded. “It is. I grew up with them.”

“I’ve never been to a fish fry.”

“Well, if you go, I’ll serve you dessert.” She gave him a shy smile. Got bolder. “Maybe even save you some icing that you could put on me in creative places afterward.”

His face split into a smile, reassuring her all was okay. “Oh, for that I’ll definitely go. But I have to be honest with you. I’ve already been recruited to help out. Your dad hit me up. I’m now on the fry committee.”

She laughed. “Uh-oh. You’re a fry cook. You realize that once you’re in, you’ll never leave? You’re stuck for life. You’ll really need me to cover myself in icing after that.”

He grinned. “Then maybe it’ll be worth it.”

The tension left her somewhat as they flirted. “Have to take the good with the bad.”

He reached for her then, drew her to his body and pressed her against him. “Well, I can tell you’ll be very, very good.”

His lips hovered above hers, so close he could capture her breath. He kissed her again, and then drew away with a groan. “I have to go.” He put a finger on her lips. Traced the outline of her mouth. Her lips felt full and puffy. Bereft. Her hands pressed against his chest, wanting to undo the buttons holding the chambray placket closed. She could probably tempt him to stay. She reached for a button. She was okay with some fast-forward.

Brad caught her fingers. “No. Not tonight. When we make love, it will change everything. And we can’t go back from it. And trust me, it will take all night. I’m going to put you on your back and have my wicked way with you until all you can do is make those delightful little noises from how good it is.”

She quivered. Wanted that now. Instead, he leaned down and branded her with a kiss on the cheek. “If you need me, text. If not, I’ll catch up with you sometime on Tuesday. I’ll try to call. Stay out of trouble until then.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll lock up. You can stay up here.”

“Okay,” she parroted, and less than a minute later she heard the security system arm itself. She went into her bathroom and readied for sleep. Then she tossed on a large T-shirt and climbed into bed. The light from the streetlamp cast a glow around the edges of the heavy curtains. She’d wanted him. He made her hot and needy. And look how good he’d been with Colleen tonight. He was the full paradoxical package of steamy sex and reliable responsibility.

But he was right. Making love would change things. He’d used the word
relationship.
Oh, she’d wondered if she’d ever find Mr. Right a second time. Liked the idea, but wasn’t actively looking. She wanted to experience adult passion and desire—all those things she’d missed out on by marrying so young.

Heck, her first sexual experience had been in the backseat of Todd’s car. Her next a quickie in his bed one Saturday afternoon when his parents had been out. Sure, sex had gotten better, but she wanted her body to sing as if it was a finely tuned instrument played under master tutelage. Brad clearly knew his way around a woman’s body. She wanted him to show her what she’d been missing all these years.

If that meant she had to agree to his terms, then for now she was more than willing. He had four days off starting on Tuesday. She planned on taking advantage of all of those.

*   *   *

Despite Scarlett’s best intentions to spend time with Brad, her mother had other ideas. Tuesday, Scarlett went to the YMCA and signed Colleen up for a variety of classes and activities, including Mommy’s Day Out. Wednesday her mother had her at the church, helping prepare the homemade side items for the fish fry. That meant Scarlett found herself with the delightful job of peeling endless bags of potatoes, all of which would become potato salad once cooked. Colleen didn’t mind—she ran around and played with kids her age. Most kids were with their grandmothers, so that didn’t help Scarlett meet anyone her age. Thursday, she was back at church, baking and icing cake. Then there was the job of cutting the cake into individual portions, putting it on the china plates, and wrapping the iced slices with plastic wrap to keep everything fresh. Not only was there cake, but pie covered in meringue. She cut and wrapped it all. “This is almost like having a full-time job,” she told her mother.

“And you were worried you’d be sitting at home,” her mom replied. “I told you I’d keep you busy. Tomorrow you can take a break during the day. Just be here no later than three thirty. We open at four and we’ll have a line by five. Unless you want to also be here Friday morning to bread the fish?”

“I’ll pass,” Scarlett said. “I’ve really got some things I want to do.”

Like seeing Brad. They’d spoken briefly on the phone and swapped a few texts, but she hadn’t been in the same room with him, which was why at nine a.m. Friday, Scarlett was waiting on pins and needles on her couch when she heard the alarm beep and Brad make his way up the back stairs. She rose quickly. “Hey, can I help?” she called.

“Are you actually here today?” he asked as he reached the landing.

She met him on the stairs. “Amazingly enough, yes. I escaped my mom’s plans to bread fish.”

He grinned. “And you swapped that for painting?”

“Yes. I don’t want to be up to my elbows in fish stuff. Besides, I said I would and I wanted to see you.”

“Me too, and you know I’d love your help.”

“I’ll let Colleen know where I’ll be and meet you up there.”

A few minutes later, Scarlett gasped as she entered the front room, the one Brad was making into a playroom. “I really should be checking your work every day. I can’t believe how much progress you’ve made.” Already the ceiling was painted white. The built-ins were white, and the walls a perfect shade of pale pink.

“Thanks.” Brad wore a pair of carpenter whites and a tight white T-shirt, both covered with white and pink paint splatters. The splotches only heightened his appeal. Muscles bulged as he poured pink paint into a tray. “This is the last coat. I noticed Colleen liked pink. Wanted this room to be perfect for her.”

“This is going to be beautiful. She’s going to love it.” What he’d done touched her.

“I’ve got furniture on order from Pottery Barn, including a big area rug and a table and chairs from their kids catalog and a small modular seating unit from their teen catalog.”