Worth the Risk (3 page)

Stephen gazed at the woman next to him. Watched another bite of chocolate mousse slip slowly between her full, pink lips. Her tongue slipped out to lick what was left and he imagined doing the same. Just watching her eat made him sweat.

Even more beautiful than he remembered, and he had a damn good memory. Golden hair tumbled seductively in waves around her shoulders. He imagined how it would feel sliding over his skin. Wearing little makeup if any, the porcelain skin of her cheeks glowed in the soft light. She wore no jewelry other than tiny diamond studs in her delicate earlobes. Another place he imagined his mouth.

He’d watched her before, saw her start into the bar, then stop, and he’d felt a strange twinge in his gut, afraid she might turn around and run. He might have been wrong before about the nervous act and he didn’t like being wrong. Being wrong meant you lost, something he hated even more. He liked easy; she was anything but. Though staring into Hannah’s eyes over candlelight, he forgot what he liked. Forgot damn near everything.

Usually by this point in the evening he was more than ready to move things along. Either they were going to bed, or they weren’t and in that case he was done talking and ready to go home. Have a drink. Be alone.

The bill paid, the dessert now gone, he couldn’t put it off any longer. They rose, passing mostly empty tables, and walked outside.

The valet had already brought his car up, but not hers. Good
.
He wanted more time. When Hannah passed the guy her ticket, Stephen intercepted, reaching around for the keys. “I’ll take those.”

“Yes, sir.” The young valet pointed to her car a short distance away.

They walked in silence, and stopped beside it. It was odd ending a date this way, standing outside a car. It usually ended with him slipping out of a woman’s bed mildly rested and covered with guilt.

“I had a good time tonight,” she said, flicking her eyes up at him, then away. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Did I pass the test? Can I have your number now?”

No answer. Second time today she’d refused him and still, he ached to arch her back, taste that sweet mouth, nip his way across her cheek and down her throat. “How do you feel about parties?”

“Um…” Her eyes were everywhere but on him, teeth pressing into that bottom lip he was dying to suck into his own. “I’m not really into parties.”

“I think you’ll like this one.”

She held out her hand for her keys. “No, but thank you.”

“Hmm. The birthday girl will be very disappointed. If I don’t make an appearance she’ll get her feelings hurt. I’d hate to do that.” Something flashed in her eyes at the mention of another woman. So she wasn’t totally uninterested. Good.

“Why can’t you go by yourself?”

“I don’t want to go by myself. I want to go with you.”

“Well, if she really wants you to come to her party, she probably won’t be very happy about you bringing a friend.”

“No, she’d love me to bring a
friend
. Definitely the more-the-merrier type.”

“I don’t think so.” Hannah turned to her car, remembered he still had her keys and turned back with her hand out.

“You sure? Turning five is a pretty big deal.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Five?”

“Yes. My niece. Gracie.” He grinned, enjoying her shock. “It’s at my brother’s tomorrow. Five o’clock. Give me your address and I’ll pick you up.”

Her eyes met his and he waited. When the wind blew a long strand of hair across her face, they both reached for it. The second their fingers touched, she dropped her hand and eased back a tiny step, putting space between him that he didn’t like.

“Okay. Scratch that. You have a pen in there?” He pointed toward her purse. She handed him one and he took out his wallet and scribbled his brother’s address on the back of a receipt.

She studied the piece of paper and he thought again that if she didn’t show he had no way of finding her and this could be the last time he ever saw her. “I want you to come.”

Eyes locked with his, she took a long deep breath and let it out before answering. “Okay.”

“Okay you’ll come, or just okay?”

She sighed, playful and exasperated, then she smiled, and it hit him like a blow to the chest. “I’ll try.”

He got the distinct impression that trying would be more than just a matter of working out other engagements, and that odds were high she wouldn’t come. He kissed her cheek, letting his lips linger against her soft skin. He didn’t want to pull back, had a hot vision of pushing forward. But he straightened and opened her door, feeling another twinge of doubt when she slipped inside.

As she drove away, he thought about his invitation. He did want her to come, that hadn’t been a lie. But it wasn’t the only reason. His brother Matt had made it his personal mission to bring Stephen back into the family fold.

It was hard to rebuild bridges, even harder to cross them. But maybe with Hannah, shy and sweet, he could at least appear more together than he was. It never hurt to take a little diversion in the form of a beautiful woman.

“So what do you think?” Matt asked.

Stephen stood in his brother’s home office, plans for Matt’s new renovation project laid out in front of them. “It’s good.” But neither Stephen’s eyes nor his mind were on his brother’s plans just now.

Matt’s weren’t either. He could feel his big brother studying him as he leaned over the desk. Stephen knew what his brother saw. Eyes that weren’t as haunted, not as wild with anger. But there was also no real joy, just a tired void.

Little remained of the old Stephen since he’d lost his fiancée almost five years ago. He smiled at the camera for the society page, but he figured Matt saw the emptiness behind it as only a brother could.

Stephen angled his head and looked back over his shoulder. “You going to be staring at me all night?”

Matt took a slow sip of his beer. “Nope,” he said thoughtfully. “I don’t think I need to.”

“You don’t.” Stephen straightened. “But if you’re worried, you shouldn’t have asked me to come.”

“I’m not worried, and you’ve always been welcome. You know that.”

Yeah. He knew. But the longer he’d stayed away, the harder it was to come back.

He moved from the drafting table to stare out the window. “Look, I know what you’re thinking, and—”

“No. I don’t think you do. Stephen—”

“Well, fuck me. She’s here.” Stephen looked across his brother’s manicured lawn at the newest guest coming down the sidewalk. “I can’t believe she actually came.”

“What?” Matt followed his line of sight. “Who’s here?”

“My date,” Stephen said, surprised at how badly he’d wanted her to come. He was halfway out the door when he heard his brother’s shocked response.

In white pants and a pastel, long-sleeved top, she walked past parked cars, following the curve of the cul-de-sac. Beautiful, sweet, and…not alone.

Stephen was still five yards away when a large man caught up to her. That was bad enough, but when the guy wrapped his hand around her upper arm, he had an instant
hell no
response. A wave of possessiveness slid down his spine. An emotion that had no place in him, was unwelcome, and surprising, but he sure as hell didn’t want anyone else’s hands on her.

Hannah faced down the stranger and the two of them began a heated discussion. Lucky for him, the guy dropped his hand just as the three of them converged at the end of the sidewalk leading to Matt’s front door. Stephen took in the other man, not quite as tall as he was, but he had bulk that showed through his olive-green army T-shirt.

Stephen reached them and conversation stopped. “Hannah.”

“Hi.” She sent him a somewhat reluctant smile. “This is my brother. Luke.”

Brother. That cooled him a bit.

Hannah introduced him and Stephen took Luke’s hand in a hard grip as each man sized up the other.

They dropped hands and Luke gave his sister a searing glance. “Thanks for the invite, but she’s not staying.”

Stephen didn’t like the tone or the glare.

“He’s right,” Hannah said. “This isn’t a good idea.”

Stephen didn’t take his eyes from hers. “I think it’s a very good idea.”

Hannah held up a shiny pink bag with overflowing ribbon. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay. This is for your niece.”

Stephen didn’t take the gift.

“Hannah.”

That one word from her brother seemed to convey an entire conversation between them, which pissed him off almost as much as Luke wrapping his fingers around her upper arm. Stephen shifted, aiming to put himself between her and Luke. “Brother or not, you need to take your hand off her arm.”

Luke angled his head and shot Stephen an icy look. “This is a family discussion.”

“Really?” Not backing down, he fired his own right back. “I think she’s old enough to make her own decisions.”

Hannah’s eyes moved between the two of them, obviously uncomfortable.

Luke turned his body to hers. “Hannah. Don’t be an idiot.”

A flash of hurt crossed her face and that bothered Stephen more than anything, but her chin lifted a bit and she straightened.

His brother chose that moment to join their party.

“Matt McKinney.” Matt offered his hand to Luke. “I’m Stephen’s brother. Father of the birthday girl,” he added. “Glad you could come.”

“Luke Walker.” He took Matt’s hand.

“Senior chief, navy,” Matt said, eyeing the visible tattoo on Luke’s upper arm.

“Delta Force.”

Well, wasn’t this special. He eyed Hannah while Matt and Luke exchanged a few get-to-know-yous, where were you stationed, and joint exercises. Then, just when Luke looked like he was gearing up to whisk his sister away, Abby joined them.

“This is my wife, Abby.” Matt slipped his arm around her waist. “Abby, this is Hannah, Stephen’s…friend. And her brother Luke.”

“Hi.” Abby went straight to Hannah. “I’m so glad you could come. You’ll both stay,” she said, gracing Luke with a smile no man could resist. “You and Matt can exchange war stories while the rest of us talk like civilized people.” She gave Matt a wink as she laid a hand on Hannah’s arm. “Let’s go inside, sweetie. I could use some help.”

Luke started to say something to Abby, caught Matt’s eye, and thought better of it.

“Oh, Stephen, could you get something down for me? I can’t reach the platters above the stove.”

Stephen paused, looked to Matt for help. He still had some words for the brother.

Matt only shrugged. “You heard the woman, she needs a platter.”

Hannah followed Abby into an enormous kitchen and paused at a large island. Topped with black- and gold-flecked granite and lined with six bar stools, it dominated the room. Kind of like Stephen.

He easily reached the platter above the refrigerator and set it on the island next to a deep sink. She’d been shocked at how badly she’d wanted to see him again. It’d been difficult to think of much else.

“Thank you,” Abby said. Striking and graceful, with dark hair pulled back in a casual ponytail and brilliant green eyes, the petite woman moved around the kitchen, doing a million things at once. She sure didn’t look like she needed her help.

Another woman popped into the kitchen dressed casually in a knee-length skirt and sandals. “Lizzy, this is Hannah. She came with Stephen. Hannah, Lizzy.”

A lightning-quick look flashed between Lizzy and Stephen, then it was gone. “Hi. I’m Stephen’s one and only sister.”

“Nice to meet you.” Hannah shook her hand, remembering Stephen’s stories of torment. She had the same soft brown eyes as her brothers and at first glance she didn’t look big enough to torment anyone. Though there was a sparkle of devilish fun when she smiled.

Abby pushed a tray filled with hamburger patties at Stephen. “Could you take these out to Matt? I’m sure he could use you at the grill and I could use Hannah’s help in here.”

“She means get out,” Lizzy added. “Matt might read your mind but you have to be more blunt with the rest of them.”

Stephen rolled his eyes at his sister then sent Hannah a questioning glance.

“I’m fine.” She didn’t get the chance to hang around with women, and her mind was still reeling with the whole Luke incident.

He hesitated another second, then must have decided it was okay to leave her. “I’ll be outside.”

She watched him go, thinking he didn’t look so large and in charge with his sister and sister-in-law.

Lizzy leaned her elbows on the island. “So how long have you known Stephen?” Lizzy asked.

“Not long.” A day. And now that she was here, it sounded crazy even to her. When Luke had asked her point-blank where she was going, she couldn’t lie and the conversation had gone downhill from there. No way was she going to a man’s house alone. They argued. He won. But arriving here at a strange house, seeing Stephen approaching like a man on a mission, she’d been a tiny bit glad Luke was there. She might have chickened out alone.

“I hope it’s okay that I came. Stephen said—”

“Are you kidding? Of course it is,” Abby said. “And trust me, Gracie never met a person, animal, or rock she didn’t like.”

“And Luke, too. He uh…kind of cornered me about where I was going tonight and insisted on driving me.”

“He’s protective. Don’t worry about it.” Abby angled her knife toward a large window facing the front yard. “Those men have more testosterone than they need. Your brother will fit right in.”

“Brother?” Lizzy raised an eyebrow. “That hot, broody man I just passed with Matt?”

Abby gave her sister-in-law a look.

“What? I’m married. Not blind.”

Still unsure, Hannah held up a bag. “This is for Gracie.”

“You didn’t have to do that. But thank you,” Abby added, with a warm smile that put her at ease.

Lizzy and Abby worked in tandem like they’d done it a million times. She’d never done that. Cooked with a woman. Gossiped and girl-talked.

“Okay. The dip is ready,” Abby said. “And Hannah, if you’ll grab the vegetable tray.”

She followed the women through the house onto a large deck. Late-afternoon sun cut a slash of sunlight across the outdoor living space complete with upholstered seating areas, balloons, and a crowd of people. The sound of squealing children hit her well before she saw them.

She added her tray to a table draped in pink, fitting it between a bowl of potato salad and a platter of paprika-sprinkled deviled eggs. When she turned, she almost ran into a small, middle-aged woman with graying hair and eyes the same brown as Stephen’s.

“Hi. I’m Marge, the birthday girl’s grandmother. So glad you could come.” She added that last bit with a squeeze and Hannah hugged her back.

A willowy brunette introduced herself as Beth, married to Stephen’s brother Tony, and offered her a drink. More introductions were made, each one of them warm and welcoming. Even if they did all seem more than a little surprised at her being Stephen’s date. Because he brought someone or her in particular?

A small boy with bright blond hair raced over, snatched a juice box from a silver ice bucket, and took off down the steps again.

“That little thief was my son, Charlie,” Abby told her. “And that’s Beth’s Louisa.” She gestured to the girl running after him. “But don’t worry. You don’t have to remember everyone.”

That was good, because names and faces were starting to blur.

“Did Stephen abandon you?” Beth asked.

“No. We stole her.” Abby bent to pick up a little girl with a head full of brown curls toddling at her feet. “This is Mary.” She was maybe two and wearing a pink gingham dress with tiny kittens around the neck. She hid her face in her mother’s neck before Hannah could say hi.

“She’s better off with us,” Lizzy continued and popped a grape in her mouth. “Stephen joined the man club at the grill. I swear I think half the time they’re just standing around that thing with nothing on it.”

Lizzy pointed with her drink toward a group of men surrounding the grill on the patio below. Stephen stood with them, but seemed slightly apart somehow.

In jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, this was the first time she’d seen him casual. It suited him as much as the serious businessman. She’d never gotten the chance just to watch him, just admire without him seeing. His skin was tan, like a man who spent more time outside than in an office. Thick biceps flexed against the fabric when he raised a glass bottle to his lips. Even without the suit, Stephen looked like ruler of the universe. Effortlessly warrior or knight, whatever suited him, while she was just…her.

A child yelled over the balcony and he glanced up, his gaze clashing with hers, and she got a jolt straight to the heart. Jeez. Even from a distance, he did something to her. Made her skin buzz with just a look. He mouthed
Okay?
and she nodded then quickly focused on the other end of the yard.

At least twenty kids, boys and girls, ranging from ten to toddler ran around a swing set draped with pink and purple streamers. She’d been sure a party with Stephen was a bad idea, she’d barely fit in at the restaurant, but then he’d mentioned it was a kid’s party and…kids she could do.

“Last batch coming off now,” Matt called from below.

Lizzy stepped beside her at the railing. “Prepare for chaos.” Her words were almost drowned out by happy screams and pounding feet coming up the stairs. In seconds, the deck swarmed with little people and the air filled with shouts of
I’m hungry, when can we eat,
and a chorus of
Mom!,
to which every woman answered,
What?

Except her.

Before she had time to dwell on it, she felt a small tapping on her leg. A little girl peered up at her, summer-blue eyes pooling with tears. “I dwopped my weenie.”

“Well, let’s get you another one.” Hannah took the tiny angel by the hand and walked her to the table.

After that small crisis, she busied herself poking straws in juice boxes, saving toppling plates, and wiping ketchup faces, all while snagging bites of her own hot dog. Condiments were spread, drinks poured. It was a sea of people, big mingling with little, some on hips, others bouncing on their own feet as they aimed food at their mouths. Amusement park loud and disaster zone messy. And she loved it.

“Hey.”

The sudden sound of Stephen’s low voice behind her made her heart stutter. His male scent wrapped around her. She’d been good with his family, his mom asking for her help, his dad, Anthony Senior, teasing her. But with one word from the man she’d come to see, her heart raced.

“Sorry for deserting you.”

She turned to face him, her entire body going hot and flushed and he wasn’t even touching her. “You didn’t. I like your family, all the kids. They’re great.”

“Yeah.” He looked around the deck like he was seeing them for the first time and she thought she caught a bit of longing in his face, then it was gone.

“I’m ready for cake!” Gracie yelled, and the rest of the kids backed her up, dumping their dinner in favor of dessert.

Stephen smiled. “A McKinney tradition. Cake above protein.”

Matt lifted Gracie to stand in a chair and the family circled around her. With soft brown curls and deep dimples, her brown eyes literally twinkling, Gracie was possibly the cutest thing Hannah had ever seen. Abby and Matt stood on either side and kissed her cheeks as others snapped photos. A picture-perfect moment. One to store in a child’s memory and keep forever.

Though she had few pictures, she did have fond memories of her own birthdays. Celebrated in various restaurants, always just her and her brothers, but they’d never once forgotten.

As the family sang, Stephen stepped next to her, close enough that she got that tingly-on-the-verge-of-chills feeling. He shifted and his upper arm brushed against the top of her shoulder. The warmth inside her spread, awakening possibilities she’d never considered. That she would ever meet a man. That he would ever be interested in her. And more, that she would want him to be.