Causing Havoc (21 page)

Whoa. The squeak left in a hurry. Hands on her hips, Cam straightened. "Jacki has a sweetheart?"

"She didn't tel you?"

"She said she had a story that she'd have to share with me later."

"That's probably it."

Dean smiled again, and Cam got distracted with how handsome he looked when he let himself relax.

"Gregor 'The Maniac' Marsh," he told her.

"Oh my God."

Dean laughed. "He's a fighter, Cam, like me."

"Like you?"

"In the same organization but not as good as me. Since he's trying to court me into a match, and

trying to court your sister for the obvious reasons, we should be able to finagle his help."

Cam went blank. So much to think about! Dean and Eve were having an affair; her sister was seeing

someone cal ed "The Maniac," and her brother wanted to help her with her roof.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

"That is total y unacceptable!" Lorna screeched. "It's a ridiculous waste of money to do anything to the roof since we're sel ing the house anyway." She shoved herself away from the door. "Cam, you listen to me—"

The moment Lorna moved. Dean opened her door and moved inside her bedroom.

He'd barely taken two steps when he drew up short. A long, shril whistle conveyed his shock.

Cam gave an apologetic shrug to her aunt and slipped inside, too. Dean stood staring at the fat

bubble in the ceiling.

Since Cam had last seen it, it had doubled in size. "Wow. It's like the blob, growing and growing."

Dean looked down at the five-gal on bucket already half-ful and shook his head. "You're going to

need something a whole lot bigger than that. And you're going to need it fast."

"Bigger?"

"A lot bigger. Like a tub or something. That bubble is getting heavier with water." As Dean spoke, he picked up the bucket to empty it in Lorna's bathroom. "It's not going to hold much longer."

Cam watched Dean disappear into her aunt's bathroom. She looked back at the ceiling bubble, now

as big as a basketbal . Not good. Dashing out of the room and racing down the stairs, Cam headed

for the kitchen.

Jacki said, "So you're final y ready to join me?"

"Not yet!" She went into the laundry and rummaged around until she found a ten-gal on bucket. But nothing else appeared. "Jacki, find a bucket. Or two or three. Hurry. The ceiling is going to burst."

"Lorna's ceiling?"

"Yes."

Jacki snorted as if she didn't care.

"Jacki!" Cam paused to glare at her sister. "Dean is alone with Aunt Lorna in her bedroom."

"Oh shit." Jacki went past Cam, through the laundry room and into the garage. She came back with two more buckets. Nothing too big.

It'd have to do.

A sudden uproar had them both cringing. They recognized Lorna's shout of pure outrage.

But that other sound ...

The sisters stared at each other for a split second before they dashed up the stairs, down the short

hal , and into Lorna's room.

Against the far wal , roaring with hilarity, they spotted Dean. He laughed so hard, that he couldn't

stand upright and instead slouched into the corner, the now-empty bucket dangling from his hand.

In the middle of the floor stood Lorna. She was soaked to the skin, her turban askew, her wrinkle

tapes barely hanging on.

A nervous laugh escaped Jacki before she slapped a hand over her mouth.

Cam stared. "What happened?"

Dean couldn't stop laughing long enough to answer.

Lorna, however, saw nothing humorous in the situation. She rol ed her eyes toward the ceiling, and

snarled, "Dean was right." Turning her back on them al , she sloshed toward her bathroom. "The ceiling blew."

THE knock sounded just as Eve zipped up her favorite halter dress. It was flowery and feminine,

made of soft georgette fabric that showed off her every curve. She stepped into her high-heeled

sandals and, as she dashed to the front door, slipped her earrings into place.

It was too early for most people to come cal ing, so she opened the door with curiosity, then smiled

in delight at her visitor. "Hey you."

"Hey." Dressed in jeans and a snowy white cotton T-shirt, Dean looked beyond her, ensuring they

were alone. When none of her meddling family appeared, he slipped one arm around her waist and

drew her close for a long, leisurely kiss. "Damn, woman, you taste even better than I remembered."

Everything inside Eve went soft and jittery. "You, too." Assuming he'd fol ow her in, she stepped away from the door. "But I'm sorry to say you caught me at a bad time. I have to be out the door in ten minutes."

"That's okay. I can't stay anyway." He trailed her into the kitchen. "I just wanted to apologize for running out on you last night."

"You're kidding, right?" She lifted her coffee cup for the last drink. No way could she start the day without caffeine. "I want you to spend time with your sisters, remember? In fact, I was hoping—"

He held up his hands. "Don't go there."

"Come on, Dean." Smiling, feeling very giddy, Eve set her cup in the sink, went to him, and cupped his gorgeous, bruised face. Even freshly shaved, he looked tired—and so sexy she wanted to cancel

her appointments and stay home with him. "I'm Cam's best friend. You and I are sleeping together. It's going to come up."

His hand slid boldly onto her behind, nudging her into intimate contact with his body. "Now that you've told me what I wanted to know-—that we didn't just have a one-night stand—-it's already up."

Laughing and swatting at him, Eve tried to wiggle away. He countered her every move with ease.

"Dean," she only half-complained.

"Eve." Nuzzling her cheek, her jaw, he whispered, "I need to cancel our date for tonight."

Disappointment crowded in. "I see."

"I could come by tonight." His damp tongue touched her ear, making her shiver. "Around nine or so."

A cold dash of ice water wouldn't have been so startling. He had to be kidding. Eve shoved back to

see his face.

He looked serious enough. Of al the nerve!

Equal parts furious and hurt, she stated, "To get laid?" She curled her hands into fists. "That's what you meant, right?"

His smile caused chaos to her already roiling senses. "Cal me optimistic."

Somehow his leg got between hers, and the next thing Eve knew, they were bel y to bel y, solid chest

to soft breasts. Her heartbeat gal oped in excitement.

Dean looked at her mouth. "You know you want me, too."

She did, but pigs would fly before she made this easy on him. ' Not happening, big boy, so forget it."

His gaze came up to hers. "Wanna bet?"

Oh God, he sounded so damn sure of himself! Probably with good reason, too. Not that she'd cave.

"Absolutely. How can I lose?"

"Hmmm." He eyed her breasts displayed by the deep V of the bust-enhancing cups. "So what should we wager?"

To distract herself from the way he so easily seduced her, Eve said, "Whatever. You name it."

Another dazzling smile. "Al right, I wil ."

She could get used to seeing him like this.

She could get used to him, period.

And here he was, already pul ing away from her after only one night.

He pressed a soft, quick kiss to her mouth. "But first, I have to cancel because Cam's roof is ready

to cave in. Patching it isn't going to help her this time. I'm heading to the car dealership to pick up my new lease, and then I'm heading to the hardware store to rent some tools and buy new shingles."

Her lips parted in surprise. "You're going to do the work?"

That odd, indifferent mask fel over his face. He lifted one heavy shoulder in a negligent shrug. "Why not? I used to do al kinds of construction with my uncle. I'm as good as she'd get if she hired it out,

without costing her an arm and a leg. And since I've got some time off, I can have it done in a few

days as long as the weather holds out."

Touched by his caring, Eve snuggled closer. "That's so nice of you."

He grouched under his breath, then said, "It's not a big deal, so don't act like it is."

So touchy about being nice. Eve hid her smile in his shoulder. "Dean, I hate to say this, but right

now, I'm not sure Cam can even afford the shingles."

His fingers slid lower on her bottom, along the back of her thigh, then up and under her skirt. "She

shouldn't have to. Lorna had provisions for these things."

"If you're hoping for Lorna to pay you, you're delusional. That woman never-—"

"Shh." His fingers encountered her panties and teased along the leg band. "I'm taking care of it."

Breath catching, Eve closed her eyes and concentrated on getting control of herself. Dean had just

taken a giant step into his sister's life, and she wanted to talk to him about it.

But she couldn't, not with his hand there, doing scandalous, wonderful things to her. "You need to ...

to stop that."

"Okay." Her feet touched the floor, Dean walked her backward, and suddenly her backside bumped

into the wal . "You stil have five minutes, right?"

"Only five."

He smiled, and insinuated his hand right back in that tantalizing spot.

It was downright cruel to do this to her. "Five minutes might work for you, buster, but it wouldn't—" He shifted his fingers, and she gasped. "Oh God, how do you do that?"

His mouth touched her temple as his fingers moved over her, in her. "Relax, okay? Let me have a

little quick fun."

Eve could barely keep stil . The play of his fingers was both gentle and very determined. A building

ache threatened to take hold. "But Dean ... I don't have time to redress."

"You won't have to." He interrupted his sexual torment long enough to tug her panties down over her hips. They dropped to her knees, then to her ankles.

"Step out of them."

She couldn't. "You'l get me al messy and everyone who looks at me wil know what I've done."

His soft laugh affected her like a lick. "No one wil know, I promise." Bending to one knee, he urged her out of the panties, then kissed a path up her thigh to her hip bone. When he stood before her

again, he looked into her eyes and Eve was a goner.

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Believe it." He cupped his right hand between her legs, and with his left, he opened his jeans, then handed her a condom. "Get a move on, woman. We're running out of time."

Staring down at his thick erection. Eve's mouth went dry. He'd barely kissed her. Her breasts were

stil safely tucked behind fabric. He'd done so little to prepare her— but somehow, that only made it

more exciting.

She glanced at the sliding doors to her right. Her backyard was private, but it stil seemed risque to

do this here, in the light of day, mostly dressed.

She couldn't resist.

After locking her gaze with Dean's, Eve used her teeth to open the condom packet. New urgency

sparked in his eyes. "Tease," he accused.

"Look who's talking." Her hands shook when she cradled him in her palms. So warm and firm .. . She stroked once, twice, let her thumb slide over the silky head, spreading a warm drop of sleek fluid.

Dean's breath caught. "Get on with it."

"Hush." Taking more time than necessary, Eve rol ed the rubber onto his erection. His eyes closed and he gave one ragged groan, and then his mouth was on hers, kissing her long and deep as he

maneuvered their positions, lifting her against the wal , helping her to wrap one leg around his waist.

"Hold onto my shoulders."

Eve did—and he sank into her.
"Dean."

Covering her mouth again, he used his tongue to mimic the rhythmic thrusting inside her body. Lights

sparked behind Eve's closed eyelids. Tension coiled, surprising her at the fast approach.

Dean tilted her hips upward, adjusting her so that with each in and out stroke, his erection made

contact with her clitoris. Her nails bit into his shoulders; he held her tighter to him, and a climax ripped through her.

She freed her mouth to cry out, aware of him watching her, taking pleasure from her loss of control.

It didn't matter. Nothing had ever felt like this. It was too much. Too incredible.

Way too easy and overwhelming.

As the pleasure faded, she had to suck deep breaths to keep from crying. She felt so ... lax and

drained.

So...
addicted.

Last night had been phenomenal and she'd thought about it, about him, ever since. But today proved

that Dean Conor had a unique effect on her, that he did things to her no other man could. Whether he

had half the night or a mere five minutes, he could turn her to mush, make her forget al her

convictions, probably even her pride.

He almost scared her. Almost. "You're a wizard or something, right?"

Dean had his face resting in the crook of her shoulder, his hot breath pelting against her throat. "I have one minute left, honey. Let me use it to catch my breath, please."

She smiled easily, charmed by his casual attitude toward things carnal and awed by his powerful

machismo. He slumped against her and spoke in a raw whisper, and stil he seemed more of a man

than any man she'd ever known.

Eve drifted her fingers through his thick, light brown hair. "You should probably be in a bed."

"With you? Hel of an idea."

She laughed as she shook her head. "No. Recuperating."

"Now what fun would that be?" He straightened, searched her face, and kissed her again before

al owing her legs to slide down until she stood on her own. "You need a trip to the bathroom?"

"Urn, yes." Seeing her panties on the floor between them, Eve shooed him away. "But you go first."

She wasn't sure her legs would work yet.

He cupped her face and brushed her cheek with his thumb. "Al right." He shucked up his jeans and went back through the house to the powder room.