His Kind of Wonderful (Sugar Bay #2) (11 page)

Dani’s answering smile was weak. She didn’t want to lie anymore than she needed to. “How about the other bachelors?”

“There’s a nice range, from guys in their twenties through to their fifties. Should be a good showing for the Ladies League. I might even put in a bid myself.”

“Yeah, mom? Who’s going to be my future step dad?”

“Dean Markham looks pretty sharp in his tux.” Dani looked at the gentleman Mrs. MacKinnon indicated and saw an adorable bald guy with twinkling eyes. “Heard he’s a good dancer.” Mrs. MacKinnon gave them a knowing look that bordered on rascal like. Dani could see where Charlie got her mannerisms. “And you know what they say about a guy who can move his hips, don’t you?”

“Please don’t tell us, mom. I can live without a visual.”

Mrs. MacKinnon’s laugh rang through the store and Dani grinned. Charlie was lucky. Even though Charlie acted like her mother drove her crazy, Dani could see they were close. It made Dani wistful. Her mother had left when Dani had been young. Her dad had a thing for wild women. Both of his wives left him to raise three children on his own.

“Well, you’d better get ready to shake your piggy bank, Mom. I heard Merry Hightower say she was bidding on him as well.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“There’s always Walter Pickering. He’s around your age.”

“Forget it. Walter pulls his pants up too high.”

“And why’s that a problem?”

“He’s hiding a saggy butt and that just won’t do. I like a little something to pat every now and then.” Mrs. MacKinnon winked at Dani.

“Oh for the love of Pete,” Charlie muttered.

Dani left the pair to bicker and took the padded cake box to her car. She wedged the box in for the ride home. Her phone vibrated an alert while she buckled her seatbelt. She grinned when she saw the message was from Joe and texted back.

Come save me.

From?

Crazy women.

Clarify.

Since the marketing photos came out, women keep stopping by the firehouse.

And that’s a problem?

YES. Guys like to hunt, not be hunted. The photos have turned perfectly normal women into crazy aggressive stalkers. Need backup. ASAP.

I’ll think about it.

Might I remind you it’s your fault, so…

Still thinking…

I’ve got cupcakes.

See you in 10.

Good. Besides George wants proof of your existence. He said you were a unicorn I’d made up.

Aww—TinkerJoe and his little unicorn.

So funny—NOT.

She tossed the phone in her bag and started Thelma. Minutes later she arrived at the station and Joe met her in the parking lot.

“I can’t stay long. I’ve got precious cargo on board for Janie’s birthday dinner tonight. You mentioned something about cupcakes?”

Joe pulled a cupcake from behind his back and pressed it in her hand. “Enjoy.”

Her eyes lit up. She took a bite, and nodded her head. “This is good.” She licked the thick cream cheese frosting and rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah. Salty. Sweet. So good.”

Joe froze, as if the sight of her having a gastric orgasm was too much. He cleared his throat. “Glad you like them. One of my fans dropped them off.” His mouth twisted.

“Nice. She’s a keeper. I thought you were going to lie and tell me you’d made them.”

“I may not have baked these, but
I can bake
.”

“Really?”

“Men bake too, you know. My great aunt taught me.” His ears had turned pink and she hid her grin at his little boy defensiveness. “It’s not unheard of,” he muttered, tucking his hands in his pockets. He bent to inspect her rim. Maybe he wanted to check something but her guess was he wanted to avoid her gaze.

“No, guess not. I wondered about the Kitchen Aid mixer in your kitchen.”

“It’s not for show.” He stood and glared down at her. “So now you know the bio is partly true. Baking is my secret hobby.”

She gave a two-finger Scout salute. “I won’t tell a soul. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I can’t cook at all.”

“Nothing?”

“Not a damn thing. Dylan and Derek make sure I don’t starve and before moving here I existed on microwave dinners and take out.”

“I thought you just liked washing dishes at the family dinners I’ve attended.”

“It’s too dangerous to allow me in the kitchen, or rather in front of the stove. They know better. I’m good for prep work and clean up crew, that’s it.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Almost burnt down the house making hot chocolate once. Who knew chocolate could spew so high? Never could get the chocolate stain off the kitchen ceiling.”

He chuckled and braced an arm against her car roof. Her girl parts clapped and cheered as his biceps bunched when he leaned close enough for her to count his eyelashes. She focused on breathing through her nose—not through her mouth. Panting
would not
be cool.

“So, you’re not a poster for the 1950’s ideal woman?” He grinned at her. Small lines fanned from the corner of his eyes while the golden light in their depths warmed her.

“Nope. No man would have me. At least if he wanted to eat.”

“There’s more to relationships than cooking skills. It’s the new millennium. Men cook.”

“True.”

She got quiet. Nice and charming Joe was different. No wonder women adored him. He probably hadn’t meant to be flirty and sexy and it was her fault for putting more meaning into it, but when his eyes sparkled like that, it zapped her defenses.

She didn’t know if her libido could handle the charming Joe. Pain-in-the-ass Joe was much safer.

He reached into the car and tucked a rogue strand of her hair behind her ear. His touch both burned her and kick started her heart to a racing pace. “Tell Janie happy birthday for me.”

“I will,” she whispered.

They locked gazes. She couldn’t read his expression and hoped like hell, he couldn’t read the yearning in hers. She wanted him to repeat what he’d said that night after she’d fallen asleep, but she was too embarrassed to ask. Their visual standoff was interrupted.

“Hello there.”

The spell was broken and she drew her gaze from Joe.

“Hi. I’m Dani.” She smiled at the attractive older man with warm green eyes. “Also known as Joe’s magical unicorn.”

George chuckled. “Hi Dani. Glad to finally meet you.”

Dani smiled. “Joe’s told me a lot about you.”

“Well, he’s been pretty tight lipped about you, that’s why I thought you were a unicorn he’d made up. All I know is you’re Derek’s little sister and a PhD candidate.”

“That’s about the gist of it.”

“Well, you’ll have to spill the details on how you captured this boy. Women have tried time and time again, but have never been elevated to girlfriend status.”

“Well, George, it’s a secret, but since you boys are so close, I’ll let you in on it.”

Joe looked at her in question while George seemed intrigued. He stepped closer.

She looked both ways as if checking for eavesdroppers and lowered her voice. “I let him dress in my panties and bra, call him Lulu and spank that cute ass of his with a feathered whip—his secret desire.”

George let out a loud bark of laughter while Joe gave her a squinty-eyed look. “Nice.”

She shrugged. “Sorry, boys. I’ve got to go.”

“Bye, Dani.” George stepped back and raised a hand. “Come back again, real soon. The boys will want to meet you.”

She grinned at him. “Would love to.”

Before she could make her escape, Joe reached down and grabbed her behind the neck. He ducked his head and pulled her close. “Not so fast, sweet thing.”

“He knows I’m joking.”

“Yeah, but he’s gonna give me shit about that forever.”

She gave him a meek smile. “Sorry.”

“That cute smile isn’t going to work this time.” He looked serious. “I think a punishment is in order. Is bondage on your list of topics?”

Her eyes widened. “Not at this time.”

“Pity.”

Her answering chuckle was weak, she wasn’t sure how serious he was or how deep into bondage he meant.

“But first, it’s show time.”

“What do you mean?”

“George is still watching, isn’t he?”

She glanced over his shoulder and saw George by the door. He hadn’t yet gone inside but watched them from a distance. She nodded.

“He’s going to expect me to kiss my girlfriend goodbye.”

“He is?”

He nodded. “Pretty much. So make it good.”

She squeaked. “How good?”

“Smoking hot.”

By this point, her girl parts were whooping and stomping.

Joe started with a soft brush against her lips. Her eyes drifted shut. Then he nipped her lower lip as if in retaliation for her earlier off script comment and her eyes snapped open to meet his cocky grin.

Before she could comment he captured her lips with his and turned on the heat. He tasted like sunshine and cupcakes—sweet and hot all at once. Joe dipped his tongue in her mouth and teased her until she teased him back. His hand remained behind her neck, holding her to him while her hand crept to his face. His jaw was still smooth but she knew stubble would soon appear. She nipped his lower lip then sucked away the hurt. He moaned and deepened their kiss. The advance and retreat of his tongue left her breathless. She pulled back, gasping.

They stared at each other. The sound of their panting resonated between them.

His lips were swollen and she knew hers were as well.

She sat back in her seat.

Holy cow.
All this from one kiss.

“Text me when you get home,” he said, his voice rough with desire.

She nodded and started Thelma. Somehow she got them home safely, which was a blessing because she didn’t remember much of the drive.

Dani opened the door to Cuppa, Cuppa and spotted Higgins in the corner. She waved then ordered a Toffee Nut Latte before heading his way.

“Hey, sorry, I’m late. My niece’s birthday was last night and I have a sugar hang over.” She pulled out the line edits for his novel from her bag.

He smiled. “Don’t worry about it. Thank you for these though. Did you review the sketches?”

“I’m having a hard time picking my favorite. There are two I like the best. Is there any way to merge them?”

“Let me see and we’ll go from there.”

An hour later, while Isaac sketched and she gave her input, they’d merged the two ideas and agreed he’d have the preliminary mock up ready to view for the next meeting.

She was so close to getting a beautifully illustrated cover. Excitement made her jump out of her seat to hug him. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”

Isaac squeezed her back. “So when are you going to model for me. I could use you for a fantasy cover I’m working on for a commission. You could dress like a warrior princess and I could paint you.” He sent her a coaxing grin.

“Sorry, professor. She’s not available for any modeling gigs at the present time.”

Dani turned her head at the familiar voice.

“Joe!”

“Hi, sweetheart.” He gave her a full body hug and a kiss while his hand slid to her bottom and squeezed it. She glared and he shrugged. She wasn’t sure she liked his caveman display but she was a little breathless from the contact.

“Well that’s okay. I’m sure I can find another model for the privilege.”

“You do that, professor.” Joe held Dani loosely in front of him.

Isaac shrugged. “I’ll be in contact.”

“Thanks, Isaac.” She smiled to make up for Joe’s Neanderthal-like behavior.

The minute he was out of hearing range, she turned.

“What the hell was that?”

“He’s not for you so I wanted to make that was clear.”

“So glad you didn’t beat it over his head.”

“We have a deal.”

“I know that, but as I told you before, there is nothing going on between Higgins and me.”

“Then why do you spend time with him? You have to know he’s a player.”

She laughed. “Of course, but it’s not that kind of relationship.” She blew out a breath and sat down. “You’ll have to trust me on this. I’m helping him on something and he’s returning the favor. Nothing more.”

“What’s he doing for you?” Joe sat in the seat Isaac had vacated.

“Can’t tell you.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

She pressed her lips together and their gazes locked. She knew she was being stubborn but she wasn’t ready to say more. He shook his head after a few minutes of silent battle.

“Okay.” He exhaled. “If you say nothing is going on, then I believe you.”

“Good.” It felt weird for him to believe she knew what she was doing. Since she was the youngest, she was used to her siblings telling her how to do things. It was nice Joe saw her as a capable adult able to tell when a guy was trying to get in her pants. “Thank you, Joe.”

“There you are.”

They turned to see Lisa hovering beside them with her Coach bag and coffee mug.

“Hey, Lisa. What’s up?”

Lisa ignored Dani completely and focused on Joe. “We need to meet so we can go over the notes from the committee meeting you missed.”

Joe shrugged. “Go ahead. Pull up a chair.”

“I can’t right now. I’ve got a spa appointment. I just stopped for coffee but I’ll come by tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. George will be at work and since the kids have off for teacher workday tomorrow, Collin will be at a sleepover. You’ll have me all to yourself.”

Dani could feel Joe’s rising tension. “I’m afraid that’s not going to work.”

“Why not? The auction is next weekend. It’s imperative to meet and review the itinerary and what’s to be expected.”

“I would but this weekend isn’t good. We’re going to be busy.” He pulled Dani close so Lisa had no choice but to recognize her. “Dani is moving in this weekend.”

“She is?”

“I am?” Dani squeaked and a large hand clamped her thigh under the table. She cleared her throat and said in a firm tone. “Yes, I am.”

“It’s going to be a special weekend for us. Right, honey?”

“Yes, it is.” Dani grinned at Lisa, hoping she looked appropriately sappy.

“I had no idea you guys were so serious. I mean, Joe, you see lots of women. I’m surprised you want to give that all up. You’ve never had a steady girlfriend and you certainly have never had anyone move in with you.” Lisa’s tone was incredulous.