No Sunshine When She's Gone (11 page)

Mike dropped onto the corner of the bed that Sabrina had insinuated that Carrie must not touch. He leaned negligently back on his elbows, patted the top sheet. “Care to share my bed, Vanilla?” There was heated challenge in his eyes.

Carrie kept her cool. “I’d hate to wrinkle the sheets.”

“That’s why I buy two sets,” Mike said. “One is for sex, the other for sleep.”

Expensive sex, expensive sleep, Jill thought.

Mike cocked his head, singled out Carrie. “I didn’t take you for silk sheets,” he went on to say.

“I took you for a sleeping bag guy.”

Score one for Carrie, Jill mused. Her friend wasn’t allowing Mike to intimidate her today.

“I work hard, sixteen-hour days, six days a week,” he said. “I want my sheets soft as a woman’s inner thigh when I sleep.”

He’d made Carrie blush, and he seemed pleased by her reaction. His smile curved in sinful success. “Bedding is as personal as a bed partner,” he added. His gaze fixed on Carrie’s chest. “I want my pillows plump like a woman’s breast.”

Carrie had full breasts. Impressive C-cups.

Mike pushed off the bed, a slow uncurling of masculinity. He stood before Carrie so close their knees bumped. “Bury me in cleavage,” he said.

“Back off, you’re crowding her.” Jill gave Mike the evil eye. “Stop being an ass.”

“An ass sleeping on silk, Jillie Mac.”

He’d called her by her nickname, reserved for family and close friends. Was he trying to get a rise out of her, too? What was his problem? She liked him less and less.

The sales associate returned then, and the tension lessened. She carried a long box wrapped with the silver signature store ribbon. “Perfectly folded without a crease,” she said. “I’ve charged your account, Mr. Burke. Sleep well.”

The man had an account at Dreams. Jill was floored. Wasn’t he living in a construction trailer? Maybe he’d changed his mind, deciding heavy equipment wasn’t the ideal nighttime companion.

Sabrina escorted Mike to the main door. No other customers were in the store, so she lingered with him. She leaned intimately close, whispering, and grazing his arm with her nails.

Carrie bit down on her bottom lip. “Do you think they’re lovers?” she whispered to Jill.

Jill shook her head, kept her voice low. “She’s trying too hard to get his attention,” she said. “He’d be far more into her if they’d been intimate. She sells him Pratesi; that’s it.”

Carrie seemed relieved. She brushed back her bangs, sighed. “He’s still out to get me.”

“Rudeness rides with the man.”

“I’ve done nothing to him.”

“You exist, and that seems to bother him a lot.”

“I can’t disappear,” said Carrie. “We’re in town for a year.”

Jill took one final look at the designer sheets. “No bedding is worth that amount of money. Are you ready to leave?”

Carrie nodded. “Someday my dreams will be spun with silk.” She ran her fingers lightly over the sheets. “Until then, we’ll buy cotton. Denim Dolphin is on the Barefoot William boardwalk. The children’s store should have bedding.
Little Mermaid
for you and Dorothy from
The Wizard of Oz
for me.”

“Flying monkeys for Mike Burke.”

They walked toward the main aisle, only to be confronted on their way out by an older woman with classic features. Sophisticated and classy, Jill thought. And no doubt the store owner.

“I’m Mila Carlisle,” she introduced herself. “I was in my office on the telephone, and saw you through the two-way glass.”

So, the gilded mirror spied on customers, Jill mused.

“I noticed your Rogues T-shirt, and had to greet you,” Mila continued. “My family is originally from Norfolk, Virginia. My three boys grew up on baseball. My husband used Risk Kincaid as a role model when my sons took a bad turn. They were huge fans.”

Jill knew Risk well. He’d played center field his entire career. He’d been team captain and a solid player, responsible for the final home runs in two World Series. When the previous owner of the club buried himself in debt, James Lawless, second baseman and heir to a hotel chain, purchased the team. Risk had invested heavily as well. He’d become managing general partner/co-chairman.

“Carrie and I work for the Rogues,” Jill told Mila. “Risk is a generous man. He’ll be in Barefoot William for the community slow-pitch softball game. I can drop off free tickets for any of your family members who might want to attend.”

“There would be four of us. One son is out of town,” Mila said. “I’d be happy to write a check for the event.”

Jill shook her head. She liked the fact that this elegant woman would come to the park and cheer for the Rogues. Fans came in all shapes and sizes and bank accounts. “I’ll get the tickets to you later this week,” she promised.

Mila beamed, pleased. She then glanced at her associate, now walking toward them. Mike Burke was long gone, Jill noted. “Has Sabrina been of assistance?” she asked.

Sabrina stiffened, her smile forced. “I’ve returned for Ms. Waters’s color preference on the Pratesi sheets.”

“How lovely,” Mila said. “My favorite spring hue is Moonlight Radiance, a luxurious ivory.” She left Jill and Carrie to Sabrina’s care.

“Choose a color?” Carrie asked once Mila was beyond earshot. “There’s been a mistake.”

Had Sabrina lied to cover her butt with her boss? Jill wondered. It was a strong possibility. “My friend has decided to pass on the sheets,” she said.

Sabrina looked curiously at Carrie. “Mr. Burke has purchased your linens,” she said. “Not only the Pratesi sheets, but matching pillows and comforter, too.”

Jill and Carrie stared at each other. Neither spoke, neither had words to express their surprise. What the heck was going on? Jill had no idea. The man pushed Carrie’s buttons, then put her to bed on designer silk.

Carrie swallowed hard. “I don’t understand.”

Sabrina came to her own conclusion. “It’s called foreplay,” she said.

“The man doesn’t like her,” Jill insisted.

“Hate and like often hold hands,” Sabrina said. “They’ve been known to hop into bed together.”

Jill freaked a little. Maybe she should’ve moved into the penthouse apartment with Carrie. She could’ve kept the wolf from her best friend’s door.

“What if I don’t accept the sheets?” Carrie asked.

Sabrina straightened her shoulders. “We have a strict no-return policy,” she said emphatically. “Mr. Burke has paid for your bedding.”

“You’ve already debited his account?” Jill found that hard to believe. The man hadn’t been gone five minutes.

“His request was sufficient,” said Sabrina. “The sheets have been purchased.”

Carrie’s brow creased when she frowned. “How many women have received sheets from him?” she wondered aloud.

“You are the first, Ms. Waters.”

Still, Carrie hesitated. “I just don’t know,” she said.

Jill knew she wanted the sheets; she just didn’t want them as a gift from Mike Burke. But she certainly couldn’t afford such fine linen. Not today, not tomorrow, possibly not ever.

Jill set aside her own apprehension and encouraged her friend. “Take them,” she said. “They come in a box that you never have to open. You can store them in a closet.”

“Or you could make your bed and get the best night’s sleep of your life,” suggested Sabrina. “Pratesi is pure bliss.”

“Bliss sounds nice,” Carrie agreed.

Sabrina nodded her approval. “Trust me; you will not regret your decision.” The associate then said to Jill, “I have a message for you from Mr. Burke. ‘Sleep tight under the sea.’ ”

Jill’s stomach sank. The man had amazing hearing. She should’ve spoken more softly. How could he have heard their conversation with Sabrina at his ear? Yet somehow he had. He now knew she planned to sleep with Ariel and Flounder. He was one up on her. That bothered her most.

“His departing words to you both were: ‘Flying Monkeys, my next of kin,’ ” Sabrina said with a straight face.

She then took Carrie by the arm and, treating her as a valued customer, guided her back toward the Pratesi display. “English Garden is an elegant shade of green. The embroidery is rose.”

Jill followed them. Her mind lingered on Mike and Carrie, only to shift to Aidan Cates. How could a woman not think about sex in a store with designer-made beds? She wondered as to his preference in sheets. Did he spread cool, crisp cotton or sink onto Pratesi decadence? Did he share his bed with a special woman? Her heart squeezed. She hoped not.

A
idan was hoping to find Jillian Mac at the houseboat. He’d spent a long, stifling afternoon at the construction trailer. Only one of the two window air conditioners was working. A replacement would arrive tomorrow. He now needed to breathe. He wanted to share air with Jill.

He navigated his SUV through rush hour traffic. The streets were jammed. Tourists were packing up after a day at the beach. Many had sunburns. Tired kids dragged their feet. Babies were fussy.

His white pointer, Sadie, rode with him. She sat on the passenger seat, wearing her dog harness, which clipped to the seat belt. Her nose was pressed to the window. She’d slept the day away, and needed a little exercise. Movement loosened her aging joints. The dog park was the perfect place for her to stretch her legs.

Aidan planned one stop along the way. He wanted to invite Jill to join them. He had no idea if she would or not, but it was worth a try. He’d like her company.

He was aware of her
Little Mermaid
sheets. Mike had shared the information when he’d returned from running errands. Aidan had chuckled over her selection. He’d never slept on little girl sheets. Perhaps Ariel would scoot over and allow him in Jill’s bed, too.

Mike had relayed at length how he’d seen the women at Dreams. He’d intentionally confused Carrie once again. Mike’s attitude toward the woman went beyond Aidan’s comprehension.

Men could be boys; he’d witnessed such actions over the years. Mike reminded Aidan of a school kid on the playground, pulling a little girl’s ponytail, teasing and taunting, and trying to get her attention. All because he didn’t have the balls to tell her straight out that he liked her.

A crazy notion, Aidan thought, but he couldn’t shake it. Mike didn’t date nice girls. He preferred easy relationships. No caring, no sharing, no lingering. A single glance at Carrie and a man knew she wasn’t a one-night stand. She seemed sweet and sensitive, and hopefully smart enough not to be fooled by expensive gifts.

Pricey sheets wouldn’t win her over, if that was Mike’s plan. Who knew? At the end of the day, what was meant to be would be. Fate had a way of dealing its own hand. Good or bad. Lady Luck didn’t always kiss a man on the lips. Or slip him tongue.

Aidan turned down a side road that took him to Land’s End. He assumed Jill had spent the afternoon settling in on the Horizon. He was damn glad she’d agreed to live on the houseboat. She had made his sister very happy. Shaye was attached to the land-docked vessel. Jill would now gather her own memories on the houseboat.

He parked his Armada next to her Triumph. Sadie perked up. She
woofed
when he unhooked her harness and lifted her out. They approached the craft together. Aidan gave her plenty of time. Despite her limited vision, she was a tracker at heart. She went into her arthritic pointer stance each time a butterfly brushed her nose or a lizard ran over her paw. Aidan praised her hunting skills.

He cupped his hands at the corners of his mouth and called out once they arrived at the base of the ladder, “Request to come aboard.” Shaye had asked all visitors to announce themselves. She didn’t have a doorbell or a brass knocker. So shouting was a habit.

There was no response. He raised his voice a second time. Still nothing. Anyone within half a block could’ve heard him. Sadie whimpered, and concern crept over him. He hoped nothing had happened to Jill. He hefted Sadie onto the deck platform and then climbed the ladder himself. He found the door unlocked. He entered. Sadie followed. Silence greeted them.

Worry had him walking across the living room and into the galley. He leaned his hip against the orange kitchen counter. “Jill?” he raised his voice once more.

Maybe she was in the shower or relaxing on the upper deck. He hated to turn around and leave without knowing that she was all right. Sadie made his mind up for him. She ambled down the hallway. Aidan went after his dog.

The pointer led him to the master bedroom. The door stood ajar, and Sadie nosed it open. The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds. A vintage suitcase sat on the floor, the lid cracked. Clothes were folded inside, but Jill hadn’t unpacked. He noticed her sandals had been fixed. She must have found the shoe repair shop. Full sets of brown beads now surrounded the gold discs.

Her bed was made, and Jill presently lay napping with the cast of
The Little Mermaid
. Sadie settled on the floor at the foot of the bed. Aidan drew a breath, hating to be intrusive. However this was a chance he couldn’t pass up. He rested his shoulder against the doorframe and watched Jill sleep.

She looked soft and vulnerable, he thought. She lay on her side; her brown hair swept her cheek. Her shoulder was bare. One arm hugged her pillow. The sheet fluttered with the rise and fall of her chest. One nipple poked the cotton. The curve at her waist was evident; the outline of her hip and legs was visible.

The lady slept naked.

She slowly rolled over, just as he’d decided to leave. Flat on her back, the Disney sheet slipped, exposing one entire breast. The cotton settled between her legs in a ripple of characters. Sebastian the Jamaican crab wrapped his cartoon pinchers about her ankle. The seagull Scuttle perched on her knee. Flounder swam near the V of her thighs. Lucky fish, Aidan mused. His dick twitched in agreement.

He shifted his stance, adjusted himself. He then patted his thigh; the gesture told Sadie they’d be hitting the road. Her bones creaked as she got to her feet. She padded from the room.

Aidan stole one final glance at Jill and was surprised to see she’d wakened. She’d pulled the sheet up to her neck and plumped a second pillow behind her head. Her hair was sexy wild. Her gaze was questioning. Her lips were parted, but she didn’t scream. He took that as a good sign.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” she said.

“I hadn’t expected to find you in bed.”

“Did you get an eyeful?”

“I saw more than you’d want me to see, but my focus was on Ariel.”

“My boob says otherwise.”

He ran one hand down his face. “I came looking for you, and Sadie found you.”

“Where’s Sadie now?”

“She’s already left.”

“And you should, too.”

He deserved that. “I’m sorry.”

“How sorry?” she asked.

“How sorry do you want me to be?”

She held his gaze, assessing the moment. Time was lost to them. He could no more move than she could roll out of bed. It should’ve been awkward, him standing in the doorway, fully dressed, and her naked beneath the Disney sheets. But it wasn’t. She didn’t blush or seem flustered. She was someone to challenge him. She did just that.

“Tit for tat, Aidan,” she said. “Take off your shirt.”

She wanted to even the score. He’d seen only one breast. She wanted to check out his entire chest.

Her smile teased him. “You could go one up on me and step out of your jeans.”

The shirt would go, but not his Wranglers. He didn’t wear underwear, and he wasn’t ready to stand naked before Jillian Mac while she hid under the sea. He couldn’t trust his penis not to point at her.

“I’m good with the shirt,” he said, “unless you’re willing to lower your sheet.”

“All of me for all of you?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so. You intruded; you need to make the bigger apology.”

“I have a way to make it up to you,” he told her. “Sadie and I wanted to invite you to Paws Park.” The single mention of his dog got to Jill. Her face softened, as he’d hoped it would. “We’d planned to take a short walk and watch the other dogs play.”

“Sadie doesn’t play?” That seemed to bother Jill.

“She’s social on the sidelines,” he said. “Younger dogs can be rough.”

“I’m in,” Jill announced. “But first—”

He knew what she wanted. “My shirt.”

“Smart man.”

He tugged it over his head in one smooth move. Once his shirt was off, he clutched it to his thigh. She openly stared at him. Her expression was unreadable.

His body had never drawn a complaint from the women he dated. He’d never seen the inside of a gym. His muscle was built from hard work. He’d never minded sweat-soaked clothes or an ache in his bones. He worked to exhaustion most days. He liked it that way.

He waited for her to say something, to say anything, but seconds seized a minute and she still hadn’t said a word. Maybe she wasn’t impressed. Maybe she’d seen better. That bothered him a little.

“You’re fit,” she finally managed.

“You’re firm.” She had great breasts, although he’d seen only the one. He figured they were a matched pair.

“Your abdomen is cut.”

“You’ve serious cleavage.”

“Nice navel.”

“Nice nipple.”

“Mutual admiration?” she asked.

“We complement each other just fine.” He drew his shirt back on. “Are we good? I’ve seen yours and you’ve seen mine.”

She nodded. “Even Steven.”

He turned toward the door. “Get dressed and we’ll go.” He found Sadie in the living room, asleep by the front door. She was resting up for their trip to the park.

Jill was ready in record time. She approached him in a white tank top and jeans. She was fresh-faced with a hint of lip gloss. She’d braided her hair. He liked her natural look. Bracelets adorned her wrists. She’d chosen tennis shoes over her sandals, a smart move for the dog park.

Sadie took that moment to waken. She rolled over, hoping Jill would rub her belly. Jill knelt down and gave Sadie a gentle massage.

Sweet mercy, Aidan thought, breathing deeply. He could imagine the play of her fingers on his own body, light and stroking. Teasing. Arousing. His stomach tightened, and his dick showed interest in her, too. He wished his T-shirt was a size larger and dipped lower. There was no hiding his erection. The longer Jill rubbed Sadie’s tummy, the more difficult it became to stand still.

Jill surprised him by helping Sadie up. His dog was so relaxed she had noodle legs. It took her a moment to get all four paws under her. Jill supported her until she was steady.

“Lock up and set your security alarm,” Aidan suggested as he walked onto the deck platform. “Barefoot William is a tourist town; we have little crime, but it’s best to be safe.”

Jill took his advice. Aidan showed her the security code. His uncle was the chief of police, and the station monitored the system. Anyone triggering the alarm would be on the receiving end of flashing lights and an ear-splitting siren. Squad cars would immediately be dispatched. Family protected family.

“How far is the dog park?” Jill asked him.

“Six blocks,” he said. “We’ll drive; the walk would wear out Sadie.”

Jill reached for the handle on the back door when they arrived at his SUV. Aidan stopped her. “You can ride in front,” he indicated.

“What about Sadie?”

“Her harness hooks easily to the seat belt and she can stretch out on the bench seat.”

“Aidan, I don’t mind—”

“I know you don’t.” He appreciated the fact she put Sadie first. “Sadie means a lot to me. She’s lasted longer than most girlfriends,” he ruefully admitted.

It was a short drive to Paws Park. Once there, Aidan lifted Sadie from the seat, then grabbed a red rubber ball off the floor mat. They left the Armada in the parking lot and wandered onto the acreage.

His family owned the land; until a year ago it had been overgrown and dense with vegetation. His brother Dune had initiated the off-leash dog park. The city council had agreed. The play area now offered trails for long runs, wide open spaces to chase a tennis ball or Frisbee, and social time with other animals. A pond allowed dogs to swim and cool down. Trees provided shade over wooden benches, placed throughout so the pet owners could sit and relax.

They passed through the gated entry. A four-foot fence surrounded the thirty acres. Sadie was the old lady at the park. A few familiar dogs came over and sniffed her. She sniffed back. They barked, encouraging her to play. She wagged her tail and sat in the grass.

Jill eyed the ball in Aidan’s hand. “Will she fetch?” she asked.

“The ball’s more for show.”

“Pretend play?”

“We mostly come for the fresh air.”

“A good reason to come to the park,” she agreed.

A streak of gray came out of the blue. A charging Weimaraner rounded a corner on the dog trail. He was headed straight for Sadie. They were on a collision course. Jill reacted without thought—she jumped in front of the pointer, protecting Aidan’s dog.

She waved her hands, attempting to slow the other dog. She didn’t want him sliding into Sadie. The Weimaraner stopped on a dime. He was panting heavily, all wiggly and excited. He licked Sadie’s face like an old friend.

“I gather they know each other.” Jill’s relief was evident as she stepped aside.

Her instinctive move to save his dog touched Aidan deeply. “Thanks for looking out for Sadie,” he said. “This speeding bullet is Ghost. He belongs to my brother Dune. Ghost is young and playful and can get rowdy.”

Dune showed up a moment later. He jogged toward them, tall and lanky in a tank top and running shorts. He bent over, slightly winded. “Ghost loves to race,” he told them when his breathing eased. “I said ‘get on your mark, get set—’ and he took off. My dog beats me every time with a head start.”

“He likes you to chase him,” said Aidan.

Dune patted Ghost on the head. “That he does.” He noticed Jill then, and his smile came slowly. “Have we met?” He seemed to recognize her.

She shook her head. “I’d remember you if we had.”

His brother was six foot six and stood out in a crowd. He was hard to miss. Aidan introduced them. “Dune, meet Jillian Mac,” he said. They shook hands.

Dune continued to stare at Jill, as if he should know her. He finally snapped his fingers, recognizing her. “The boardwalk, she was giving you a reading.” He cut his gaze to Aidan. “Dude, are you dating your psychic?”

Jill grew very still. She looked at him, awaiting his answer, as did Dune. Uncertainty darkened her eyes.

Aidan wasn’t ready to out her. He wanted to keep their first meeting a secret, for the time being. “She’s not a psychic, she’s employed by the Richmond Rogues,” he said. “We met at Trace and Shaye’s barbecue.”