Family Ties (14 page)

“The man was a traitor to the gender.”

“He was?” Surprise inflected her voice.

Gray nodded. “Anybody can tell those ties are made for pulling you close.” He reached out and grabbed both ends of her belt, drawing her near. “Undoing the knot,” his hands followed his words, “and sliding my hands inside, feeling the warmth of your skin, is the biggest, best turn-on I’ve had in a long time.”

“Hmmm, maybe I won’t apologize.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Never again.”

“Never?”

“Never.” He shook his head, tugging on her ear lobe at the same time, then soothed it with his tongue. “Since we’ve got some time to kill, and since we’re alone....”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Nothing special, except maybe a few of those kisses we were talking about earlier.” He placed little kisses along her jaw.

“What’cha doing?”

“Thank you for coming. I hope you’ll have some good news for me soon.” Andie closed the door behind the uniformed constables then collapsed against it. “Exactly what we thought would happen.”

“It’s pretty hard to trace paint when it’s sold by every major dealer in town.” Her sister had been a godsend today.

“I know. But I was so hopeful they’d find something.”

“Can’t the police catch the bad people?” Chloe asked.

Andie shook her head. “They need to check some things out and ask some questions before they’ll know any more, sweetie.”

“I’se don’t like red paint on our house.”

“Neither do I pumpkin.” Andie squatted and pulled Chloe close. “It’s kind of scary when people do mean things to others, isn’t it?”

The little girl nodded. “I never do mean things to peoples.”

Andie wrapped her other arm around Jamie. “Neither of you are mean enough to even think of doing something so horrible.” She gave them a quick squeeze. “Why don’t we see what Gray’s doing?”

With Jamie leading her by the hand, they crossed the kitchen and came out on the deck. Gray’s shirt was thrown over a lawn chair, He was on the lawn, pouring a clear liquid into a pail.

Bare-chested, he looked even better close up. Dark swirls of hair wrapped around his nipples and across his chest, arrowing down around his navel and below the waist band of his Levis. Warm golden brown skin shimmered with the heat pouring off him. Swallowing hard, she rubbed her finger tips with her thumb, knowing he’d feel smooth and soft and hot.

Something nudged her leg.

“Stop drooling.”

She glanced down at the lounge chair. “Excuse me?”

Dina winked from behind sunglasses pulled down her nose. She crooked her finger a couple of times then waited for Andie to lean in.

“I said to quit drooling.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Yes you were, but it’s okay. He’s worth wiping your chin for. Like I said - eye candy.” She pushed her glasses back into place. “Definitely more your type than mine and certainly closer to your age.”

“That man is every woman’s type, if she’s got a lick of sense,” Bonnie added, “although he’s so old, it’s hard to tell.”

Dina gave Bonnie
the
look. Although Andie agreed with her sister, she kept her mouth shut. Any comment would give them more ammunition and make her more uncomfortable in the long run.

“Right?”

“If you say so – you’re my big sister.”

Jamie tugged on her hand and pointed to Gray.

“Yes sweetheart, I know. Gray’s in the back yard.”

Catching her breath, she tried to casually stroll to the railing. “Need some help?”

“Thanks but it’s probably best if you and the kids stay up there. This is strong stuff and I don’t want anyone suffering any side effects from the fumes.”

“Should you be wearing a mask or something?”

“Nah, I’m used to it.” He poured some fluid into the pail beside him. “I would if this was a bigger job, but this won’t take long.”

“A bigger job?”

He swabbed the liquid on with a long-handled roller
.
“I’ve been on jobs where gangs have painted a whole house overnight.” He shrugged. “It’s an effective way to get attention.”

“I’m sure.”

“Since this is still fresh, it should come off without staining.”

Andie and Jamie stood on the deck watching him. Bonnie was chattering with Dina. Billy had gone to play ball with his friend Jake and Chloe was sitting on the lounger beside Bonnie. They could have been a typical suburban family. Except they weren’t.

After losing once, she doubted her ability to survive a second loss. Besides, she had more important problems. For all her teasing just now, Bonnie hadn’t been herself lately.

It was as if she’d put on a face for Dina – a mask she let slip only if the family was around. Her daughter denied a problem, but Andie knew something was bothering her – even if she didn’t know what. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away her fears about a relationship. Not the she had one. Right now she had to pay extra attention to her eldest. Bonnie needed her and that was something she could handle.

***

After tightening the lid on the empty varsol jug,
Gray threw it into the garbage. He took a rag and wiped a few paint smears off his arms. Plastic gloves were a boon for inefficient painters like him. Without them he’d be standing here scrubbing instead of joining Andie and the kids for a barbecue.

“Very nice.” She looked better than she had this morning, if that were possible. Denim short shorts and a red tank top showed off her curves and her long legs. She’d put her hair up in a scrunchie thing again, so he could see the soft skin at the nape of her neck.

Andie checked out the house then replied, “It’s amazing. I can’t see a hint of a stain.”

He walked up the path and took the steps to the deck two at a time. “I doubt they thought we’d get at it so early. A few more hours and the story would have been entirely different.”

A warm hand slid into his. Jamie had sidled up beside him. “You were a big help, mister.” Gray pulled down the beak of the white painter’s cap he’d given the boy. “You look like a real painter in your hat.”

Jamie’s eyes got as big as saucers and his smile matched them. He’d been watching the clean-up for awhile when Gray asked him to help. Jamie’d helped with the brush and the hose during the siding’s final wash. He’d scrubbed like a little trooper, and got soaked in the process. Now he was dressed in clean clothes.

“You got a little sun on your nose.” One of Gray’s fingers touched the tip of Jamie’s nose. The boy nodded, then looked up at Gray, his eyes scrunched against the bright afternoon sun and pointed to Gray’s chest.

“Yeah,” he looked down, “I got some sun, too.” He rubbed his chest lightly, then caught Andie’s gaze. “Thanks for the sun screen.”

She waved him off. “Sit down and let me get you something cold to drink. Lemonade or a soda?”

Gray settled into the padded lounger, stretching out his legs. “A soda sounds wonderful.”

“Coming right up.”

Leaning his head against the back of the chair, he closed his eyes. The hum of the kids and the neighborhood relaxed him.

“Here’s your root beer and a soda for your helper.” She set a tray on the table. “I thought you might want something to nibble on while I’m making dinner.”

“A woman after my own heart.” He turned to the chair beside him. “Right Jamie?”

The little guy nodded.

Gray tipped the can and opened his throat allowing the cold pop to slide down his throat. “Perfect. Just what the doctor ordered.” He smirked. “Nothing like a cold soda on a hot day to celebrate finishing a big job.”

“I wouldn’t have known where to begin.” She checked out the clean siding. “I’d have been up the creek without insurance coverage. So I’m doubly grateful.”

“Call them first thing in the morning. Since we aren’t sure what’s coming down the pike or who’s behind it, you’d better transfer it.”

Her smile went straight to his heart.

“Aye aye, captain.” She flashed a mock salute his way. “First thing Monday morning.” Turning, she tossed over her shoulder, “But right now, I’m putting the steaks on the grill. You must be starved.”

Out of his peripheral vision, he noticed Jamie had snuggled as close to his chair as possible. “Hey big guy, why don’t you come here for a minute?” Gray swung the lad up on the lounger, between his legs. “Let’s sit here and relax a bit, okay?”

Jamie nodded and grinned, obviously pleased by the attention.

Gray tapped the boy on the shoulder. “Watch this.” He took a long pull on his root beer, then belched.

Jamie giggled and covered his face with his hands.

“What’s going on out there?” Andie asked, coming out to the deck with a plate of steaks.

“Guy stuff.” Gray looked at the sky and pretended to whistle until Jamie giggled again.

“This young man needs to be taught the manly arts.”

“The manly arts?” Andie’s eyebrows lifted in mock severity. “What are they?”

“The regular – belching and chewing and ....”

“I don’t think Jamie needs to be taught those skills. He’s a fine sample of budding manhood.”

“He’ll be even better when I’m finished training him.”

Another giggle.

Gray figured he would continue to make a fool of himself and act the clown as long as Andie was happy and Jamie was smiling. There was something powerful about making a silent child laugh.

He squeezed Jamie’s shoulder. “Where’s Dina and Bonnie?”

“My sister went home. Since the mall is on her way, she dropped Bonnie off at work.”

“Seems quiet without them.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Andie replied. Gray thought he detected something in her voice, but didn’t ask any questions. It wasn’t his business if the sisters were getting along or not.

***

Dinner was a raucous affair with everyone acting as silly as possible. Gray couldn’t remember ever having so much fun over a meal. His mother had always insisted on company manners and formal behavior at the table. She hadn’t created any closeness with her rules, unlike Andie’s attitude.

At one point, Billy and Jake were throwing straws around and one of them landed on Gray’s lap. Before he could grab it, Jamie fisted it and threw it back at Jake.

The look on Andie’s face moved him more than words ever could. Without a doubt, he knew he’d go to any lengths to see it again.

After dinner the kids cleaned up, while he, Andie and Jamie relaxed outside. Then she put the little ones to bed, while the boys played downstairs on the computer.

Suddenly the evening was quiet. There were only the two of them on the deck.

“Dinner was great.”

“Thanks.” She wiped a spot someone had missed from the glass top of the table. “It wasn’t fancy.”

“Can’t beat steaks from the grill.” He watched her. “There was one thing missing though.”

“What?”

“Desert.” He slid his chair next to hers. “I hate to miss a treat after such a good meal.” He nuzzled her jaw, and nipped her ear, his arms sliding around her.

“Is this desert?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It’s the taste test.”

“Am I passing the test?”

“Oh yeah.” He slanted his mouth across hers, plunging his tongue into her mouth.

His hand slid around the cotton of her tee shirt, his thumbs brushing the underside of her breast.

Her breath hitched and she pushed herself against him.

Not needing any other incentive, Gray palmed her breast, weighed it, then ran his thumbs in smaller and smaller circles around her nipple.

“Gray.” Andie wiggled against him. “Please.”

“Please give me desert?”

“Gray.”

His thumb flicked over her nipple, then he plucked it, bringing it to full attention. He pulled back, needing to see her body’s reaction to his touch and stole a quick peek around.

Her groan brought his attention back to the armful beside him.

“You are so beautiful.”

He watched his fingers tease and entice. “I want you, Andie.”

“Me too,” she panted.

Taking her mouth again, he showed her what his body wanted to do to her. He thrust and withdrew, filling her. He slid his hands beneath her shirt, needing to feel her skin. Satin. Hot smooth, sweet satin. If he didn’t get to taste it soon he was going to go crazy.

One minute he was working to control himself and in the next her hands slid around his back. This time his breath hitched then he mashed himself against her. “Oh God, yes. Touch me. Please.”

“You are so hot. You’re burning up.”

“Everywhere, babe. Everywhere,” he mumbled against the lobe of her ear as he nipped it.

His guts were pulling and he knew all his blood had gone south. His erection hurt with every pulse. He didn’t know how long he would remain sane if they kept necking like this.