No Sunshine When She's Gone (22 page)

“I have something for you to take to them,” said Jill. She set down the canvas bag and dug deeply through the souvenirs until she found the perfect item. She straightened. “Here’s a pack of baseball cards.” She passed them to Cassie. “Those will keep them occupied for a while.”

The girl giggled. “I’ll have their full attention.”

“I also have something for you,” Aidan heard Jill say.

Cassie’s eyes went wide. “You do?” She was surprised.

Jill slipped off her silver bracelet and handed it to the girl. “Here’s a special souvenir, just for you. It goes with everything—jeans, shorts, even a dress.”

Cassie beamed. “My swimsuit and pajamas, too.” Her hand shook as she slid the bracelet on her wrist. She breathed deeply. “I’m never going to take it off.”

“You’re now a walking advertisement for the Rogues,” Jill teased her.

“I like you, Jill,” Cassie said.

“Back at you, sweetie.”

Jill had yet to see him, Aidan realized. She’d been too busy. He now made his move. He pushed off the fence and met her at the shallow end of the adult pool near the handrail. Her back was to him. The water glistened, blindingly bright. He tugged down the bill on his baseball cap to protect his eyes.

“I like you, too,” he said over her shoulder.

She turned toward him. Cocoa butter and chlorine scented her skin. Her lips flirted with a pale pink lip balm. She drew in a breath, and he forced his eyes off her chest. Firm breasts beneath thin nylon made a man’s fingers itch. His hands were already prickly.

“I like your baseball cap.”

No hint of commitment, but at least there was something about him she liked. “I’m promoting the Rogues.”

“You look good doing it.” She shook the canvas bag, went on to ask, “Can I interest you in a key chain? How about a cup holder for your SUV?”

He lowered his voice. “I want you.”

Had she blushed? Or were her cheeks slightly sunburned? “You’ve had me,” she whispered back.

“You’re more than a one-night stand.”

Her sigh was weighted. “We were good while we lasted.”

Lasted?
They hadn’t gotten started. “Are you breaking up with me?” He was afraid of her answer.

“We were never really a couple.”

The lady confused the hell out of him. He was feeling frustrated. “We need to talk,” he stated.

“I’m working.”

“You’re floating.”

“You’ve seen Carrie.”

“She gave me your agenda.”

“My best friend ratted me out.”

They stood so close they could’ve touched, yet Aidan kept his distance. He’d never felt more insecure around a woman. After a heartfelt second her gaze softened. She was into him, he was sure of it. That was all he needed. He refused to give up on her.

He shifted his stance; slipped his hands in his pockets. He stared down on Jill. She looked up at him.

“You’re here to stay, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I’ve got all day.”

She gave in. “There are picnic tables around the side of the building. It’s too early for lunch. We’ll have privacy.”

“After you.” He had no problem following her. He didn’t want her slipping away from him.

She squared her shoulders, eased around him. She left the canvas bag at the refreshment stand for safekeeping. He appreciated her backside as she walked stiffly before him. Her slender shoulders were squared. Her spine was symmetrical. She had a small, bite-able ass. Her legs were toned. Her navy toenail polish had a metallic sheen. The lady was hot. He wanted her in his life. Convincing her was another matter entirely.

They rounded the corner of the building. There was no one in sight. Alone was good. He took advantage. Catching her by the arm, he gently pressed her against the cement wall. He covered her with his body, and stole a kiss.

Her lips parted in surprise, and he slipped her his tongue. Her body remained stiff, but she didn’t fight him. He worked his leg between her thighs. Skin against denim. His hands cupped her bottom; he tucked her close. He wanted her aware of how much she affected him.

He was hard.

Her body slowly softened against his.

For a heartbeat of seconds they were one.

He lifted his head then, his breathing heavy. “I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty head of yours,” he said. “I thought we’d connected on Saturday, but apparently I was wrong.”

“Not completely wrong,” her voice cracked.

“I want to see you again,” he was honest. “Should you feel the same way, you know where to find me.”

Her silence spoke for her.

He’d said what he needed to say. That was that. He wanted more than a one-sided relationship. He’d made his move; it was up to her now. He desperately hoped she would come to him. Only time would tell.

He released her as quickly as he’d kissed her.

He took his leave.

C
arrie Waters wondered when Rylan Cates would be leaving the penthouse. She was one nervous woman. She feared Mike Burke would arrive home and find her with the other man. He wouldn’t be happy. She’d broken one of their house policies. She’d allowed a visitor into their private space. She’d set the rules, and Mike would definitely call her on it.

It wasn’t her fault, not totally anyway. Rylan had asked Aidan where she lived so he could stop by before he left town tomorrow. He’d shown up unannounced. Carrie had answered the door, expecting to see Mike, who still knocked on occasion. A precaution in case Jillie Mac came over. Instead of Mike, there stood Ry in a T-shirt, board shorts, and flip-flops. His hair was shaggy and he hadn’t shaved. He looked like a beach bum.

She’d last visited with Rylan at Shaye’s beach house. She’d noted that the hostility between him and Mike had eased somewhat. Still, they’d kept their distance and hadn’t actually spoken. Apparently silence worked for them.

Mike had given her the evil eye whenever she’d talked to Rylan. She had no idea what prompted his dislike, though she had every intention of finding out, sooner rather than later.

It was nine p.m., and Rylan sat comfortably on her sofa, his feet propped on the ottoman. He looked cool and collected, and far too comfortable. He was in no hurry to leave.

Carrie perched on the edge of a leather chair. She sighed heavily. She’d spent a long day at the Rogues Shop, moving boxes and baseball memorabilia. She’d aggravated her shoulder further. She hadn’t fully recovered from Saturday’s softball game. All she wanted was to sink into her Jacuzzi. Warm swirling water and almond bubble bath would soothe her soreness. She anticipated a good long soak. Once Rylan left.

She had yet to offer him a sandwich or something to drink. She should be polite. Ry was her friend. “I have cold cuts and soda, if you’d like a snack,” she said.

He stretched his arms along the back of the couch. Sank deeper into the cushions. “Thanks, but no,” he said. “I need to take off shortly.”

Now
would be good, she thought, but didn’t push him. She nearly fell off her chair when he speculated, “Tell me about your relationship with Mike Burke.”

Her breath caught, and she covered with, “I don’t know what you mean. I barely know him.”

He narrowed his gaze on her. “There’s more, and we both know it.”

Her heart skipped. “Why would you say that?”

“I watched the two of you at Shaye’s,” he told her. “You tried hard to avoid each other, which made it obvious to me.”

“Mike has more attitude than I can handle, so I keep my distance.” She didn’t want to give too much away.

“He’s damn stubborn,” Ry agreed.

“And sarcastic.” She knew this to be true.

“He’s only sarcastic with people he truly cares about,” Rylan told her.

He must be crazy about her, Carrie thought, which was hard to believe. The man had been on her case from the moment she’d mentioned liking devil’s food cupcakes. He was sharp and short. Often rude. He still called her Vanilla.

“Staying out of someone’s way usually means there’s more going on than meets the eye.” Ry wouldn’t let it go.

“What you see is what you get with us,” she stated. “We’re worlds apart. Besides,” she added, “you also avoided Mike at Shaye’s.”

Ry shifted on the sofa, sitting straighter now. His jaw worked, and he seemed to want to tell her something, but was hesitant to do so. Minutes passed before he said, “Mike and I have a history.”

They did? That took her by surprise. She hadn’t known. The slamming of the front door further shocked her. It shook on its hinges. Mike Burke now stood in the entryway, mad as hell. He fisted his hands. He appeared ready to punch something or someone.

“You have no business discussing me with Carrie, not now, not ever.” Mike’s gaze was shuttered, his expression dark, as he walked toward them. “What the hell are you doing here?” he growled at Rylan.

“I could ask the same of you,” said Ry.

“I stopped by to check on Carrie,” Mike said. “To see how she was recovering.”

Ry wasn’t fooled. “You entered without knocking,” he said. “Do you have a key?”

“The door was ajar.”

Carrie was certain she’d locked it, but she wasn’t going to argue with him, not in front of Rylan. Ry was too suspicious of their relationship as it was.

She swallowed hard. When had Mike arrived? She and Ry had been so engrossed in conversation, he’d snuck in unnoticed. Now he was a force to be reckoned with.

Rylan pushed off the couch and approached Mike. They were of comparable height, although Mike was thicker across the chest. Mike’s badass attitude made him appear even larger. Both could hold their own in a confrontation. Mike with muscle, Rylan with logic.

Carrie wasn’t certain what to do or what to say. She instinctively moved to stand between them, which made them both blink.

Mike’s lip curled. “What are you doing?” he asked her.

“There’ll be no arguing or fighting in my penthouse,” she said firmly.

“Another new rule?” Again from Mike.

“To be added to the old list.”

“I wasn’t aware of your rules,” said Rylan.

“You wouldn’t be,” Mike said harshly. “You don’t live—”

Live here
. Carrie silently finished his sentence.

Mike ran one hand down his face, angry with himself for giving their living arrangements away.

One corner of Ry’s mouth curved; he appeared amused. He had the balls to wink at Carrie. “Definitely nothing between you,” he said. He looked at Mike over the top of her head. “Sorry for bringing up our past.”

Mike didn’t accept his apology. “You’ve also discussed me with Risk Kincaid.”

“You’re the perfect candidate.”

“That’s yet to be seen.”

Carrie was confused. She looked from one man to the other, but neither offered an explanation. Frustrating men.

Mike nodded toward the door. “You were just leaving?” he asked Rylan.

Ry took the hint. “I’ve overstayed.”

“You damn sure have.”

Mike stiffened when Rylan gave Carrie a hug. The embrace went beyond casual, leaning toward intimate.

Mike cleared his throat, a threatening sound.

Ry let her go. “Later, babe,” he said to her.

He and Mike exchanged a look that was far from pleasant. However there was less heat in their eyes than when Mike had first arrived. Ry left and Carrie sighed. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath. Their confrontation had exhausted her.

She poked Mike in the chest with her finger. “Way to blow our cover,” she accused him.

“Rylan won’t tell anyone.”

“How can you be sure?”

“He owes me,” he said, but didn’t elaborate.

Carrie let it go, for now. She’d pry later. She crossed to the kitchen, removed the house rules she’d posted on the front of the refrigerator. She located an ink pen, then said, “I’m adding
no eavesdropping
to our list.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” he defended. “I happened to walk in on your conversation.”

“You didn’t immediately make yourself known.”

“Nothing important was said until Rylan mentioned my name,” he pointed out. “You broke our agreement. What happened to
no visitors
?”

“Aidan gave Ry my address.”

“There’s a peephole,” he reminded her. “You didn’t have to answer the door.”

“Rylan’s my friend,” she said.

“Buddies don’t hug as long as he hung on to you.”

Carrie liked the fact he’d noticed.

“Since you broke a rule, I can break one, too.”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he stated. “I want Jacuzzi time.”

She frowned. “I was headed to the tub when Rylan arrived. I planned to be in and out by the time you got home.”

“Your shoulder still hurts?” He looked concerned.

“Feels tight,” she admitted.

“I could loosen you up, if we got in together.”

Loosen you up
sounded sexual. Her heart quickened.

“There’s no need to feel uncomfortable.”

Easy for him to say. He was secure in his skin; she was not. She hesitated. “I’m not certain.”

“I’m sure for both of us.”

He took her by the hand and led her down the hallway. Her bedroom door was cracked and he pushed it open with his work boot. Her breathing was uneven by the time they reached her bath. She was nearly hyperventilating.

He rested his hands on her shoulders, looked at her closely. “You sound like you’re already having sex,” he said. “Easy does it, Vanilla. You’re way ahead of me.”

She dipped her head, felt her cheeks heat.

He tipped up her chin with two fingers and said, “Don’t be embarrassed. I like you excited.”

“It’s panic,” she corrected him. “I don’t want you to see me naked.”

“You’re scaring me a little. What are you hiding?” he asked. “Three breasts, a penis?”

A smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “Nothing like that,” she assured him. She had weight issues. Pounds packed on faster than she could lose them. She had a stomach. Her thighs were thick. She wore a full support bra and control-top panties.

“You can always keep on your underwear,” he said.

She appreciated his suggestion. “Will you?” she asked. She’d feel a whole lot better if he did.

His smile was wicked. “What do you think?”

He released her hand and entered the bath. There, he adjusted the dials on the platinum acrylic Jacuzzi tub. It quickly filled with hot, steamy water.

Carrie squeezed a significant amount of almond bath gel beneath the dual faucets. Bubbles rose on the surface. She chose a soft bath mitt from the silver-wood cabinetry. She only had one mitt. They would have to share.

The two-seater tub was soon full. Mike turned off the water. He then began to undress. Carrie couldn’t move a muscle. Off came his shirt, then his boots and thick, white socks. He stood before her. A man so cut he could have been sculpted. Broad chest, buff abs. He was pure female catnip.

“Need help getting out of your clothes?” he asked.

Her throat worked, but she couldn’t manage a word. He took the initiative. Goose bumps scattered over her skin before he even touched her. She shivered when he rested his hands on her hips.

“Are you afraid of me?” he wanted to know.

She swallowed hard. “Not . . . exactly.”

“Then what exactly?” he pressed. “You’re pale, stiff, and nervous. I’ll leave if you really want to bathe alone. I thought we could relax, talk, share our day,” he said simply. “I’m not going to make a move on you. I won’t push you into something you’d regret.”

“Promise,” she said so softly she wasn’t sure she’d even spoken.

“We’ll be seated across from each other. You’ll stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine. Agreed?”

Very little room separated them in Carrie’s eyes. They’d be sitting incredibly close. She was attracted to Mike. Her sigh gave him the go-ahead.

His expression was unreadable as he unbuttoned her white blouse and slipped it off her shoulders. He then eased down her elastic waist slacks. She wore a lot of black, in hopes of looking thinner.

She held her breath, certain he would make a snide remark. Surprisingly, he did not. His eyes darkened. “You have a great body,” he told her.

“I’m overweight.”

“Don’t put yourself down. Stick women don’t have the same appeal as a woman with curves,” he said. “A man likes to feel a woman beneath him, and not be afraid he’ll break her bones.”

She was relieved. Holding on to the handrail, she took the wide marble steps up to the Jacuzzi. It was a short stretch over the edge. Mike assisted her. She managed to settle on one of the benches without making a giant splash. She slid down into the water. The bubbles covered her breasts.

He unsnapped his jeans, drew down the zipper. The slight rustle of denim, followed by the smooth slide of his silk boxers, made her stomach flutter.

“I’m coming in,” he warned her, in case she wanted to avert her gaze.

She chose not to. He climbed over the side, and she took him in, all of him. Raw, ripped, and masculine came to mind. She wanted to touch him. She fisted her hands under the water instead.

He landed on the bench with barely a ripple. His gaze was hooded by his ink-dark lashes as he stretched his arms along the edge of the tub and smiled lazily at her. Here they sat, enjoying the same warmth and comfort. As long as he didn’t move, she had no problem sharing the Jacuzzi.

Steam licked her lips and the bubbles embraced her. She released a soft sigh. All tension and strain slowly left her body. This was the ideal way to end her day. She closed her eyes and relaxed to the fullest, up until the moment Mike turned on the jets. All twenty-one of them. She experienced an invigorating hydrotherapeutic jolt.

Her eyes widened when one of the high-powered nozzles shot her left buttock. “Goosed,” she said, scooting over.

Mike grinned. “Goosed now, gratified later.”

She shook her head. “Not a chance.”

“It’s fun on occasion to let yourself go.”

“I’m sure you’ve experienced lots of good times.”

“Definitely my fair share,” he admitted. “How about you?”

Not that many, actually. She’d never made love in a Jacuzzi tub. “A few,” she hedged.

He stretched out his legs. The ball of his foot grazed the inside of her calf, working its way up toward her knee. He distracted her. She was glad she’d shaved her legs that morning.

“How’s your shoulder feeling?” he asked.

“Better.” But not great.

“The pulsating jets won’t penetrate your deep tissue.” He flexed his fingers. “I can give you a massage.”

She wasn’t sure that was such a good idea. She might melt if he touched her.

“Give me one minute,” he said.

What could happen in sixty seconds?

She was about to find out. “Make it quick.”

“There’s nothing quick about me, babe.”

He gently cuffed her wrist, helped her to turn around. The bottom of the tub was slippery. She soon reclined against his body. Her shoulders rested on his chest; her bottom was cradled on his groin. She couldn’t help but notice that he was hard. He poked her.