Authors: Rachel Gibson
He chuckled. They had a Mouse Motel 200, but I thought you deserved the best.
She opened the door wide. Would you like to come in? She should tell him why she was in Truly, but not right now. She just wasnt in the mood for another confrontation.
I cant stay long. He stepped past her, bringing with him the scent of the outdoors and woodsy soap. My sister is expecting me for dinner.
I always wanted a sister. Somewhere to go for holidays besides a friends house.
If you knew Meg, you might consider yourself lucky.
She shut the door and moved into the living room beside him. She had to admit, it was strange having him in her house. Not just because he was Mick Hennessy, but because it had been a long time since shed let a man in her home. The energy seemed to change, the air to sexually charge. Why?
Meg can be He smiled and glanced about the room. A horrible cook, he said, but Maddie got the feeling that wasnt what hed been about to say. The kind of cook who thinks shes a lot better than she actually is, which means shell never get better. If shes thrown peas in a casserole and calls it dinner, Im out of there. His gaze returned to hers and he pointed to her drink. Hard day?
Yeah.
More mice feasting on your granola bars?
She shook her head. Hed remembered that?
What happened?
She was fairly certain hed hear about it soon enough. Nothing important. Do you have time for a drink?
Do you have a beer?
Just ultra.
He made a face. Dont tell me you count carbs.
Oh, yeah. She moved into the kitchen and he followed close behind. If I dont, I get a huge behind. She looked over her shoulder and watched his gaze slide down her back to her butt.
You look pretty good to me.
Exactly. As if he had all day, his gaze slid back up to her face. I have vodka, gin, and Crown Royal.
His lids lowered a fraction over his eyes, making his dark lashes look very long. Crown.
She opened a cupboard and raised onto the balls of her feet. Maddie recognized the look in his eyes. She hadnt had sex in four years, but she remembered that look.
Ill get that, he said as he moved close behind her and reached to the top shelf.
She dropped to her heels and turned. He was so close that if she leaned forward just a little, she could bury her nose in his neck. The sides of his open shirt brushed her breasts and she held her breath.
He looked into her eyes as he handed her the old-fashioned glass. Here you go. He took a step back.
Thank, you. She moved around him and opened the freezer. The cold air felt good against her heated cheeks. This absolutely could not be happening. Not with him, and if hed been any other man, she could not be held responsible for how badly she might use and abuse his body.
Are you from Idaho? he asked as he leaned a hip into the counter and folded his arms across his chest. Or are you a transplant?
I was born and raised in Boise. Except for the five months shed lived in Truly and the six years shed lived in Southern California attending UCLA. She tossed a few ice cubes into the glass.
Your folks live in Boise?
I never knew my father. She shut the freezer and set the glass on the counter. I was raised by my aunt and she passed away a few months ago.
Wheres your mother?
The same place as his. Buried about five miles away. She died when I was young. Maddie bent at the waist and pulled the bottle of whiskey from her booze cabinet.
Im sorry to hear that.
I hardly remember her. She waited for him to say something about losing his parents when hed been a boy. He didnt and she straightened and handed him the Crown Royal. Sorry. It isnt as good as Bushmills 21.
He took the bottle from her and unscrewed the cap. Company is better, though. He poured three fingers of whiskey over the ice.
You dont know me.
He put the bottle on the counter and raised the glass to his lips. Thats one of the things I like about you. He took a drink, then added, I didnt sit next to you in second grade. Your sister isnt friends with my sister and your mama wasnt best friends with my mama.
No, but shed been pretty good friends with your daddy . Tanya wasnt raised around here.
True, but shes too uptight. She cant just relax and have a good time. He lowered his glass and looked out into the living room. This is one of the older houses on the lake.
The realtor said it was built in the forties.
He leaned forward a little and looked down the hall toward the bathroom and bedrooms. It looks different from the last time I was here.
I was told that the kitchen and the bathrooms were remodeled last year. Maddie took a drink. When were you here last?
Oh, I dont know. He straightened and looked down into her face. I was probably about fifteen. So about twenty years ago.
Did you have a friend who lived here?
You could say that. Although I dont know if Id call Brandy Green a friend . A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth as he added, Her parents were at the Pendleton Rodeo in Oregon.
And you had your own private rodeo?
The little smile turned into a wicked grin. You could say that.
She frowned. Which room was Brandys? Hed probably carved his initials into the ceiling beam.
Cant say. He rattled the ice in his glass, then raised the glass to his lips. Spent most of our time in her parents room. Their bed was bigger.
Oh, my God! Youve had sex in my bedroom. She put her hand on her chest. I havent even had sex in that bedroom. The second she blurted that out, she wished the floor would open up and she would fall through. She didnt embarrass herself often, but she hated when it happened. Especially when he tipped his head back and laughed. Its not funny.
Yes, it is. After a few more moments of hilarity on his part, he said, Honey, we could take care of that right now.
If his offer had felt the least bit threatening or smarmy, she would have kicked him out of her house. Instead it was simple and straightforward and made her smile even when she didnt want to. No, thanks.
You sure? He took another drink, then set his glass on the counter.
Im sure.
Im a lot better at it than the last time I was here. The smile he gave her was filled with an irresistible mix of charm, confidence, and pure sin. Ive had lots of practice since then.
She hadnt had any practice lately. A fact brought home to her by the tightening in her breasts and the warm tug in her stomach. Mick was the last man on earth for whom she should fall off the sexual wagon. Her head knew that, but her body didnt seem to care.
He reached for her hand and brushed his thumb across the backs of her knuckles. Do you know what I like best about you?
My Crown?
He shook his head.
That I dont want a white wedding, picket fence, and a baby maker?
Besides that. He pulled her toward him. You smell good.
She set her glass on the counter and thought back to the lotion shed put on earlier.
He lifted her hand and smelled the inside of her wrist. Like cherries, maybe.
Almonds.
Yesterday it was chocolate. Today its almonds. It makes me wonder what youll smell like tomorrow. He put her hand on his shoulder.
Peaches. Probably.
He pushed one side of her hair back and low ered his face to the side of her neck. I like peaches about as much as I like chocolate and almonds. You make me hungry.
She knew the feeling. Maybe you should hurry over to your sisters for some pea casserole. She felt his soft laughter against her skin a moment before he placed hot openmouthed kisses on the side of her throat. A shiver ran down her spine and her head fell to one side. Shed have to stop him, but not now. In a minute.
Maybe I should just eat you.
Her eyes closed and she knew she was in trouble. This couldnt be happening. Mick Hennessy could not be in her house, telling her he wanted to eat her and making her have bad thoughts about where he should start. Making her want to run her hand up his chest and her fingers through his hair.
Do you know what Id do to you if I had more time? His hands grasped her waist and he drew her against him. She felt the swell beneath his button fly, and she had a pretty good idea.
She swallowed hard as he lightly bit her earlobe. Try to get another look at the master bedroom?
He raised his head and his sexy blue eyes had gone all sleepy with desire. Who needs a bedroom?
That was true. Her hand slid across his shoulder and up the side of his neck. Perhaps it had been a mistake to go without sex for so long. The press of his body felt so incredible she didnt want him to stop. But he had to, of course. In a minute.
Youre a beautiful woman, Maddie. He brushed his lips lightly across hers. If I had more time, Id untie your dress for you.
I can untie my own dress.
One side of his mouth lifted at the corner. Its more fun if I do it. Then he kissed her, a soft and tantalizing press of his mouth. He teased her, drawing out the kiss until her fingers combed through his short hair to the back of his head and her lips parted. His tongue entered her mouth, wet and so good; he tasted like whiskey and lust. Liquid heat pooled between her thighs, and she slid her free hand up his flat stomach, feeling the hard contours of his chest. It had been so long. So long since shed touched a man like this. Kissed him. Wanted to glue herself to him. Since her skin felt itchy and tight and made her want to tear at his clothes and feel the press of naked skin. It had been a long time. Partly because shed given up on this, and partly because no man had tempted her like Mick.
His hands slipped up the sides of her waist. His grasp tightened and his thumbs pressed into her stomach just below her breasts. He tilted his head to one side and lightly sucked her tongue into his mouth, where he was warm and slick. Her fingers curled in his hair and she pressed herself against his hard body. Her nipples tightened against his hard chest and he groaned deep in his throat. This was quickly spinning out of control. A whirling cyclone of need and greed and long-denied pleasure, building deep inside and working its way out. Growing and threatening to overpower her.
She pulled back. Stop.
He looked as dazed as she felt. Why?
Because She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Because you dont know who I am and when you find out youll hate me. Because you have to go have dinner with your sister.
He opened his mouth to argue, but then his brows lowered as if hed forgotten. Damn. His grasp on her tightened a fraction before he took a step back and dropped his hands to his sides. I didnt mean to start something I cant finish.
I didnt mean to start anything at all. Maddie licked her lips and debated whether to come clean. Right there. Right now. Before he heard it from someone in town. This is definitely not a good idea.
Youre wrong about that. He reached for her hand and pulled her along with him toward the front door. The only thing wrong is my timing.
But you dont know me, she protested as she moved beside him to the entry.
Whats the rush? He opened the door, but stopped in the threshold. He looked down into her face and let out a heavy breath. Okay, what do I need to know?
And she chickened out. Or rather, decided that telling him while her body still craved his wasnt the best timing. Instead she chose another approach. Im kind of sexually abstinent.
Kind of? He looked down into her face. How can you be kind of sexually abstinent?
Yeah. How? I just havent had sex with a man in a very long time.
His brows drew together. Are you a lesbian?
No.
I didnt think so. You dont kiss like a lesbian.
How do you know?
One second she was looking up into his blue eyes, and in the next she was up against his body. His mouth closed over hers and he fed her kisses so hot she felt it in the pit of her stomach. He pulled the oxygen from her lungs and made her dizzy. Lord, she couldnt breathe or think. She was going to pass out from pleasure.
He let go of her and she fell back against the doorframe. Thats how I know, he said.
My God, youre like a tornado, she gasped. She placed her fingers on her bottom lip. Her mouth felt numb. Sucking up everything around you.
Not everything. He stepped out onto the porch and into the sunlight. And not yet.
You owe me, she said to her friend Clare, the blushing bride-to-be. Shed driven down from Truly that morning and planned to go out with her friends before driving back the next day.
Look at it this way, Clare said from her position on the couch inside of Nans Bridal. At least the dresses arent all froufrou like the dresses Lucy made us wear for her wedding.
Hey. Those were beautiful, Lucy protested, defending her choice of froufrou while a second seamstress pinned her hem.
We looked like prom escapees, Adele argued. Adele held up her thick curly hair as a woman pinned the back of her dress. But Ive seen worse. My cousin Jolene made her bridesmaids wear purple and white toile de Jouy.
Clare, the arbiter of exquisite taste, gasped.
Toile like the pastoral prints you see on chairs and wallpaper? Maddie asked.
Yep. They looked like sofas. Especially Jolenes friend who was a little roomier than the other girls.
Thats sad. Lucy turned so the seamstress could work on the back of the hem.
Criminal, Adele added. Some things should just be against the law. Or if not, there should be some reparation for putting a person through emotional stress.
What did Dwayne do now? Clare asked, referring to Adeles old boyfriend.
For two years Adele had dated Dwayne Larkin and had thought she just might end up as Mrs. Larkin. Shed overlooked his more undesirable habits, like smelling the armpits of his shirts before he put them on because hed been buff and very hot. Shed put up with his beer-swilling, Star Wars obsessed ways, because not everyone was perfect. But the moment hed told her she was getting a fat ass like her mother, shed kicked him out of her life. No one used the f -word in relation to her behind or insulted her deceased mama. But Dwayne wouldnt go completely. Every few weeks, Adele would find on her porch one or two of the presents shed given to him or things shed left at his house. The stuff would just be lying there. No note. No Dwayne. Just random-as-hell items.
For his birthday, I gave him a limited-edition Darth Vader. Adele dropped her hands and her thick blond hair fell down her back. I found it on my porch with the head cut off.
Maddie could understand Dwaynes issue with the gift, but for different reasons. If she opened a birthday present and found a Darth Vader, limited edition or not, shed get fairly pissed off. But still, any sort of violence should never be taken lightly. You need to get an alarm system. Do you still have the stun gun I got you?
Adele held still as the seamstress measured the circumference of her arm. Somewhere.
You need to find it and zap him with it. Nan moved to Maddies bodice and she dropped her arms to her sides. Or better yet, let me get you a Cobra like I have, and you can Taser his ass with fifty thousand volts.
Without moving her body, Adele turned her head and looked at Maddie like she was the crazy one. Wont that kill him?
Maddie thought a moment. Does he have a heart condition?
I dont think so.
Then no, Maddie answered. Nan took a step back to eye her progress. Hell convulse like youre killing him, though.
Adeles and Clares mouths fell open in shock, as if shed lost what little mind she had left, but Lucy nodded. Shed fought for her life against a serial killer and knew firsthand the importance of personal safety devices. And when you have him on the ground, douse him with pepper spray.
Dwayne is an idiot, but hes not violent, Adele said. Although seeing the Darth Vader did remind me of something horrible.
What? If Dwayne had ever hit Adele, Maddie would hunt him down and zap him herself.
He has my Princess Leia slave costume.
Clare scooted to the edge of the couch. You have a slave costume?
Maddie only had one question. Are you shitting me?
Lucy had two. Whats that? And, Do you mean a metal bikini?
As if a metal slave bikini were a normal part of a womans wardroom, Adele nodded. Yeah. And Id really like to have it back in one piece. She thought a moment, then added, Well, the two piecesand the armbands and collar. She must have noticed her friends expressions, ranging from appalled to worried, because she added, Hey, I spent a lot of money on that costume and I want it back. The seamstress stepped away to write down a measurement and Adele folded her arms under her breasts. Dont tell me you girls have never role-played.
Lucy shook her head. No, but I used to pretend that an old boyfriend was Jude Law. He didnt know it, though, so I dont think that counts.
Clare, who always tried to make everyone feel better, said, Well, I told Sebastian once that I had costumes and handcuffs. She sat back on the sofa. But I lied. Sorry.
Maddie glanced at the three seamstresses to see their reactions. They looked as poker-faced as Sunday school teachers. Theyd probably heard worse. She turned her gaze to Adele, whod tilted her head to one side as if she were waiting for something.
What? Maddie asked.
I know youve done kinky stuff.
Mostly Maddie was just talk. Ive never dressed up. She thought a moment and in an effort to sooth Adele she confessed, But if it makes you feel better, Ive been tied up.
Me too.
Of course.
Big deal. Adele didnt look placated. Everyones been tied up.
Thats true, Nan the seamstress added. She plucked a pin from the cushion on her wrist and glanced over at Adele. And if it makes you feel better, every now and again I dress up as Little Red Riding Hood.
Thank you, Nan.
Youre welcome. She made a spinning motion with her finger. Turn, please.
After the bridesmaids were done with their fittings, the four friends drove to their favorite place to meet for lunch. Café Olé didnt have the best Mexican food in town, but it did have the best pitchers of margaritas. They were shown to one of their favorite booths, and over piped-in mariachi Muzak, they caught up. They talked about Clares wedding and Lucys plans to start a family with her hunk of a husband Quinn. And they wanted to hear all about Maddies life, one hundred miles north in Truly.
Its actually not as bad as Id thought, she said as she raised her drink to her lips. Its very beautiful and quietwell, except on the Fourth. Half the women in town have really bad hair, and the other half look great. Im trying to figure out if its a native vs. snowbird thing, but so far I cant tell. She shrugged. I thought spending so much time cooped up in my house would drive me insane, but it hasnt.
You know I love you, Lucy said, which was always followed by a but. But you are already totally insane.
Probably that was true.
Hows the book? Clare asked as a waitress brought their food.
Slow. Shed ordered a chicken tostada salad and picked up her fork as soon as the waitress left. Shed only told her friends about her plans to write about her mothers death a few weeks ago, long after shed found the diaries and bought her house in Truly. She didnt know why shed waited. She usually wasnt shy about sharing the details of her personal life with her friends, sometimes to their shock and horror, but reading her mothers diaries had left her so raw, shed needed time to adjust and take it all in before she talked about it with anyone.
Have you met the Hennessys? Adele asked as she dug into an enchilada oozing with cheese and topped with sour cream. Adele worked out every day, and as a result could eat whatever she wanted. Maddie, on the other hand, hated exercise.
Ive met Mick and his nephew Travis.
What was Micks reaction to your writing the book?
Well, he doesnt know. She took a bite of her salad, then added, The time just hasnt been right to talk to him about it.
So. Lucys brows drew together. What have you talked to him about?
That neither of them could see themselves married and that he liked her butt and the way she smelled. Mice, mostly. Which was kind of the truth.
Wait. Adele held up one hand. He knows who you are, who your mother was, and he just wants to chat about mice?
I havent told him who I am. All three friends paused in the act of eating to stare at her. While hes working in his bar, or when everyones standing around a barbeque, isnt the place to walk up to him and say, My name is Maddie Jones and your mother killed mine. Her friends nodded in agreement and went back to their meals. And yesterday was just bad timing all around. Id had a crappy day. He was nice and brought me the Mouse Motel and then he kissed me. She speared a piece of chicken and avocado. After that, I just forgot.
All three friends paused once again.
To borrow your favorite phrase, Lucy said, are you shitting me?
Maddie shook her head. Maybe she should have kept that one to herself. Too late now.
Now it was Clares turn to hold up one hand. Wait. Clear something up for me.
Yes. Maddie answered what she thought was the next logical question. The one she would have asked. Hes really hot and hes good. My thighs about went up in flames.
That wasnt the question. Clare glanced around, as she always tended to do when she thought Maddie was being inappropriate in a public place. You made out with Mick Hennessy and he has no idea who you are? What do you think is going to happen when he finds out?
I imagine hes going to be really pissed off.
Clare leaned forward. You imagine?
I dont know him well enough to predict how hell feel. But she did. She knew he was going to be angry, and she knew she sort of deserved it. Although, to be fair to herself, there really hadnt been a good time to tell him. And she hadnt come to his house and kissed him breathless. Hed done that to her.
When you do tell him, make sure you have your Cobra, Lucy advised.
Hes not a violent guy. I wont need to Taser him.
You dont know him. Adele pointed her fork at Maddie and pointed out the obvious. His mother killed yours.
And as you are always pointing out to us, its the sane-looking ones you have to watch out for, Clare reminded Maddie.
And that without personal safety devices, were all sitting ducks. Lucy laughed and lifted her drink. And the next thing you know, some guy is wearing your head for a hat.
Remind me again why Im friends with you three? Maybe because they were the only people alive who cared about her. Ill tell him. Im just picking my moment.
Clare sat back against the seat. Oh, my God.
What?
Youre afraid.
Maddie picked up her margarita and took a long drink until the backs of her eyeballs froze. I call it being a little apprehensive. She placed a warm palm on her brow. Im not afraid of anything.
T he black metal frame on a pair of Revo high-resolution sunglasses sat on the bridge of Micks nose while the blue mirrored lenses shaded his eyes from the scorching six oclock sun. As he walked across the school parking lot, his gaze was intent on player number twelve in the blue Hennessys T-shirt and the red batters helmet. Hed been busy going over the books and ordering beer from the distributor and hed missed the first inning.
Come on, Travis, he called out and sat on the bottom row of bleacher seats. He leaned forward to place his forearms on the tops of his thighs.
Travis rested the bat on one shoulder as he approached the black rubber T. He took several practice swings like his coach had shown him as the opposing team, Brooks Insurance, stood in the field, mitts at the ready. Travis got into the perfect batters stance, swung, and completely missed.
Thats okay, buddy, Mick called out to him.
Youll get it this time, Travis, Meg yelled down from where she sat in the top row next to her friends and fellow T-ball moms.
Mick glanced up at his sister before returning his gaze to the plate. Last nights dinner at her house had been perfectly fine. Shed made steak and baked potatoes and had been the fun-loving Meg most people knew. And the whole time, he hadnt wanted to be there. Hed wanted to be across town. In a house on the lake with a woman he knew nothing about. Talking about mice and burying his nose in the side of her neck.
There was something about Maddie Dupree. Something besides the beautiful face, the hot body, and the smell of her skin. Something that made him think about her when he should be thinking about other things. Distracted while he looked over his accounting system for errors.
Travis once again got into stance and took a swing. This time he connected and sent the ball hurling between second and third base. He dropped the bat and took off for first and his helmet slid back and forth on his head as he ran. The ball bounced and rolled past the outfielder, who took off after it. The first base coach urged Travis to keep going and he made it all the way to third before the outfielder picked up the ball and threw it a few feet. Travis took off again and did a beauty of a slider into home while the outfielder and second baseman fought over the ball.
Mick hollered and gave Travis the thumbs-up. Extremely proud as if he were the boys daddy instead of his uncle. For the time being, he was the male in Traviss life. Travis hadnt seen his father in five years, and Meg didnt know where he was. Or, more likely, she didnt want to know where the deadbeat was. Mick had met Gavin Black one time, at Megs wedding. Hed summed him up in one glance as a loser, and hed been right.