Up to the Challenge (An Anchor Island Novel) (21 page)

An hour later, after a brief nap, Lucas found himself curled around the hottest woman with whom he’d ever shared a bed, wondering when she’d worked her way under his skin. And how did she get in so deep? He’d been worried about Sid’s ability to keep it casual, and all he could think about was spending the next fifty years in this bed with this woman.

Time to get a grip. He had plans. Plans set in Richmond with a long, profitable career as partner and a sweet-natured
wife by his side. Those plans did not include a heathen for a spouse, nor did Anchor Island play a part. Not as anything more than the hometown he visited on holidays to check in with the family. Family that would someday include Joe and Beth’s children.

Lucas rolled away from Sid and sat up on the side of the bed. His body objected to having to let her go, which was all the more reason do so. She rolled onto her stomach, naked curves making his mouth water.

Sid was clearly not tormented by any unwelcome feelings. Maybe he’d been wrong about her not being the casual type. She’d offered sex and nothing more, and that’s what she gave. Grant it, tables could turn come morning. She might start demanding more the moment she woke. If those demands came with nights like this one, he might be tempted meet them.

As if running from the thought, Lucas crossed the room to the small bathroom in the corner. After splashing cold water on his face, he toweled dry and felt sanity begin to return. Less than two months had passed since Elizabeth became Beth and left him for his brother.

So he’d been hurt and lonely. And maybe he still was. But he didn’t feel lonely with Sid. And there was no chance of her being anything but what she was. Tough as nails. Stubborn as a mule. And sexier than any woman he’d ever met.

She had a heart too. Buried deep, but it was there. And he could break it as easily as Elizabeth broke his. So they’d keep it casual. Enjoy each other for a short while. They could do that.

His feelings on firmer ground, Lucas padded back to the bed as the wind buffeted the tiny cottage. Along the
way, he pulled a white blanket from the back of a chair. The moment his weight hit the mattress, Sid turned to him, squeezing into his arms and a little closer to his heart.

He threw the blanket over them and kissed her on the forehead.
Keep it casual
he thought. But he knew doing so was going to be the biggest challenge Sid Navarro would throw his way.

Sometime during the night, Lucas had woken Sid up in the most delightful way, and proceeded to send her soaring once again. When they’d both sailed into oblivion then floated back to her room, she realized that if they didn’t hook the generator up soon, there would be no hot water in the morning.

When she’d explained this to Lucas, he smiled and sleepily followed her around, hooking up wires and helping with whatever she needed. Sid had to admit, having a guy around wasn’t such a bad thing. Capable and independent, she’d never understood that drive some women seemed to have to keep a man around to fix things and mow the grass.

Sid could fix anything, and what was so hard about riding a damn lawn mower? But this experience of having someone to help, to lend a hand, or even just make her laugh, had her reconsidering. She hadn’t realized the potential benefits.

One in particular being Lucas’s take-charge attitude in the bedroom. The day before, when they’d been boarding windows, he’d treated her as an equal. When they worked together to set up the generator, he’d let her take the lead without
argument. But in the bedroom, Sid knew who was in charge, and to her utter amazement, she liked it.

Lucas didn’t make her feel inadequate or unskilled. He didn’t make her feel self-conscious. He was patient and passionate. Gentle until she was begging for more, then rough and demanding, dragging her into some new sexual bliss with every touch, taste, and tweak of a nipple.

He was her match in every way. They complimented each other, pushed each other, challenged each other. And she enjoyed every minute of it. Even when he was pissing her off. Which was why she found herself standing at her kitchen counter in the early morning glow of the small bulb over her stove, pouring two cups of coffee and scared out of her mind.

How the fuck was she going to pretend this was casual?

In that moment, a strong arm snaked around her waist and Sid was pulled back against a hot, firm, rock-hard body. “Good morning,” he whispered into her ear. Warm breath danced down her neck as he licked her earlobe. A shiver shot through her chest, then lower. “I hope one of those is for me.”

“I was going to give it to Drillbit, but since you’re here, I guess you can have it.” She hoped the lightness in her voice masked how much he affected her. And where her thoughts had been straying before he walked in.

Lucas scooted until his back was to the wall, taking her with him. “Where is the kitten from hell?” As if on cue, Drillbit meowed from her spot under the table. “That thing needs a bell.”

Sid rolled her eyes. “I bought one, but she’s too small for the collar. I’ll put it on her when she’s big enough.”

“She could shred me by then.” He released Sid and moved to the right, putting her body between him and the feared feline. To be shredded by the cat he would have to be around the cat. Which meant he expected to spend more time at Sid’s place.

The knowledge made her smile. A smile she hid, not wanting to reveal too much.

“Just drink your coffee, scaredy-pants. I’ll protect you.”

And she would. From anything.

After shooting her a stink eye, Lucas sipped his coffee. “This is just how I like it. How did you know?”

She shrugged, choosing to wipe down the already clean countertop. “Good guess.”

“Hope you don’t mind,” he said, “but I borrowed your toothpaste. Used my finger though. Promise.” He flashed a smile. Her heart tried to leap from her chest.

“No problem,” she said. Cool and casual.

He set the mug down and hemmed her in, locking her body between his and the counter. She’d slipped on a Dolphins jersey and clean thong before making the coffee. “You’re wearing too many clothes,” he mumbled, nibbling her lower lip.

Such dangerous ground. Sid wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed with Lucas, but people would be out on the island, assessing the damage, helping their neighbors. The fact he hadn’t gone home the night before would not go unnoticed, and Sid had no idea how his family would react when they learned of his whereabouts.

“There should be plenty of hot water by now,” she said, trying to distract him, but her hands slid around his rib cage of their own volition. “One of us should take a shower.”

She was lifted off the floor at that point, levitating between the counter, Lucas, and heaven.

“Excellent idea,” he said.

Now she was floating through the air. “Where are we going?”

“We’re taking a shower.”

“Together?” she squeaked. The image of Lucas, naked, wet, and soapy, nearly made her come on the spot.

“Together,” he said, then took her mouth in a kiss that promised all sorts of naughty things to come. There probably
was
only enough hot water for one shower.

She pulled back until she could see his eyes. “You wash my back …?”

“Your back, your front, and all parts in between,” he promised.

“Then I’ll have to return the favor.”

He squeezed her tighter. “I’m counting on it.”

The hot water turned cold before Lucas and Sid finished their shower. He’d been very thorough in his attentions; then Sid did as promised, returned the favor, and nearly sent him to his knees. Just thinking about it had him growing hard again. A condition not conducive to climbing a ladder and using power tools, which he’d be doing throughout the day.

He knew his parents would wonder where he was, seeing as he’d disappeared in the middle of a hurricane. While Sid finished getting dressed, he was lucky to find the phone
working and placed the uncomfortable call. His mom answered and he’d kept the details vague. He was pretty sure she assumed he’d slept on Sid’s couch, and he didn’t correct the assumption.

No sense in incriminating himself, and he wasn’t sure how Sid wanted to handle their situation. Were they going to be open about it? He’d be leaving in a matter of weeks, but Sid had to live here. Gossip traveled around Anchor faster than the media would out a cross-dressing judge. Personally, Lucas didn’t mind anyone knowing he and Sid were an item.

But was “item” the right word? Telling people they were a fling didn’t feel right. They weren’t really dating, unless they were casually dating. But they weren’t committed, which meant technically they could see other people. Not that
he
would be seeing anyone else, but if Sid wanted to …

Manny the man-boy came to mind, and Lucas nearly squeezed his coffee mug into pieces. Imagining another man touching Sid made him see red. Which was stupid since he had no hold on her. No claim. Even if he wanted one, which he didn’t.

“What are you thinking about there, slugger? You look pissed off about something.”

Sid wrapped a rubber band around her ponytail as she plodded barefoot into the living room. She sat in the chair to his left, a pair of socks in her hand.

“Nothing to be pissed off about here.” Time to change the subject. “Talked to mom. Let her know I’m okay.”

“Really?” Sid asked, pulling on a sock. “What did she say about you staying here?”

“I let her think I slept on the couch.”

Sid hesitated for a split second, then pulled on her other sock. “If that’s how you want to handle it.” She didn’t meet his eyes, but he could tell something bothered her.

“I was trying to protect you, actually. Wasn’t sure how much of your business you wanted getting around.”

She leaned back in the chair. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

Flattering, he supposed, but they’d have to face the reality after the storm. “You have to live here. We both know how the grapevine works on this island.”

“Spreads like a fire on gasoline.” Sid bit her lip, clearly pondering the situation. Sounding unsure of herself, which was completely out of character, she asked, “Do you care if people know? I mean, I’m not taking out a billboard that we had sex, but if we’re going to spend the rest of the summer having a good time, there’s no sense in hiding it.”

He held out his hand. “Come here.” She did as requested and he set her on his lap. “I don’t regret one minute of last night, and I don’t care who knows about it. But I don’t live here. You do. You call the shots on this one.”

The least he could do was protect her as much as possible.

She played with the top button on his shirt. “I’ve never given a shit what anyone thought before. Would be stupid to start caring now.”

“That’s what you want? To hell with everyone else?”

“Yeah.” She nodded, looking more confident. “But I don’t like this
fling
word.”

Arguing semantics was never good. Cautiously he asked, “What would you like to call it?”

“Well.” She ran a finger along his ear. He managed not to flinch. “We’re kind of friends now, aren’t we?”

He laughed. “I think we can say that.”

“Then we’re kind of friends with benefits.” Chocolate eyes met his, a glimmer of challenge and triumph in their depths.

“Really good benefits.” Best benefits package he’d ever been offered. “But you want to tell people that? That we’re friends with benefits?”

Sid rolled her eyes. “That part’s just between us. Anyone asks for details, I’ll tell them it’s none of their fucking business.”

Lucas cringed. She did have a way with words. “One request. If my mom asks, could you phrase it a little differently?”

“I didn’t think about your mom.” She turned to face him, spinning on his lap until she was straddling his hips. If she squirmed any more they’d be breaking in the couch the way they’d broken in the shower.

“Like I said, she thinks I slept on the couch. But she’s bound to catch on eventually.” He cupped her bottom and scooted to the end of the sofa. “And if we don’t get going right now, I’m going to have you on your back needing another shower in about five minutes.”

Sid giggled and held onto his shoulders. “That might not be so …” She stopped and leaned back. “Shit. The garage.”