Condemned (29 page)

“Might I remind you that you were sneaking around in the
home I share with your daughter? In an area you were specifically asked to stay
out of? At a time when you announced you wouldn’t be here? Maybe I should ask
what you were hoping to find by snooping in my studio?”

“How dare you!”

“No, Mother, how dare you? Brett is right. I heard him ask
that you respect his privacy and stay out of his studio. You knew I would be
giving a lesson. You tiptoed in and headed straight up there with no regard to
either of us. You owe Brett an apology for prying at the very least. And for
your information, I’m the one who suggested we spend the afternoon in that
room. I asked him to wait for me as he was. I think it’s a shame for you if you
were truly offended by the sight of my lover’s aroused state. Personally, I
find him highly erotic and regret that you took that moment away from me.”

Andie paused. “Brett, can you find someone to take her home?
As for you, until you can give us the apology we both deserve and are ready to
treat me with some common decency and respect, you are no longer welcome in our
home. You can tell Grandmother that the same goes for her since I’m positive it
was her idea to leave you here. When you feel capable of expressing your
genuine regrets I’ll be more than happy to listen. Now it’s time for you to go
get your things.”

Andie stood proudly until her mother swept out of the room
before she flung herself in Brett’s open arms. “Don’t let go yet. You have to
keep the upper hand,” he encouraged. “Let me call the station so we can get her
out of here and then you can do whatever you want.”

Andie took a deep breath and reached to hand him the phone.
“You’re right. If I give in and cry, she’ll think she won and I won’t let that
happen. But I am so angry!”

“Sh.” He wrapped his arm more tightly around her. “I know. I
am too. But neither one of us is going to let it show.”

In ten minutes, one of the station interns was carrying
Adele’s suitcase to his car. He had been extremely curious as to why the
station manager asked him to drive his almost mother-in-law home and why she
looked so unpleasant. He also wondered about their lack of goodbyes but had
enough sense not to ask any questions. Brett seemed grateful when he’d agreed
so it must be important. When Brett’d quietly advised that he keep the radio
volume up and winked, he felt as if they were sharing a secret.

He noticed that the more he smiled as he drove, the more the
woman scowled. He decided he was glad he was the one who wound up doing this
errand and realized that there was much more to the guys who bought out the old
station than everyone thought. He was looking forward to whatever came next,
whether it was station-related, like the show Jordan had devoted to the little
boy who had died, or something personal, like taking home the sourpuss who was
in the car with him.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Andie’s thighs shook as Brett slid his fingers into her
drenched pussy, replacing his tongue when he raised his head to look at her
face. He would have pushed her over the top if he’d continued to suck on her
clit but he wanted to prolong this, at least until she finished the song she
was playing for him.

“More.” Andie slid her hips forward on the piano bench.

“Only if you keep playing.”

“More,” Andie repeated as her fingers glided over the keys.

Brett used his other hand to add the stimulation she asked
for as he watched her expression reflect the pleasure she found in his touch.
Andie moaned and tugged against the restraints that held her legs open on the
piano bench.

After working out their anger with wild sex, they had shared
a shower. When Brett had slid his heavy terrycloth robe around her and had said
he’d be honored if she played some of her own songs for him, she’d quickly
agreed. As soon as she’d started playing he’d tied each of her ankles to the
legs of the bench. He’d shifted the bench far enough from the piano that she
could still reach the keyboard while he’d sat with his head in front of her.

Andie had to be using all her willpower to find the keys as
he teased her higher and higher toward her rapidly approaching orgasm. She was
fighting to keep the tempo steady, obviously knowing he wouldn’t satisfy her
until the last notes of the song.

Brett caught the movement in the doorway and managed not to
react. He met Shane’s startled eyes and indicated with a nod that he should
back out of the room but not leave. “Keep playing. That’s my girl,” Brett
whispered as he made the decision not to interrupt Andie’s pleasure. He hoped
the piano would cover most of her moans but realized her orgasm mattered more
than any embarrassment Shane’s presence would cause. She’d be equally mortified
even if he stopped her now so she may as well enjoy herself. When the song
ended and Andie regained most of her composure, Brett removed the straps that
bound her and closed the robe, retying it securely so she was completely covered.

“This better be good,” he called as he turned Andie to face
the room.

“I’m sorry,” Shane apologized even before he was fully into
the room. “The door was open and I heard the piano…”

Andie’s confusion cleared with a groan. The flush on her
cheeks was replaced with a deep blush as she hid her face against Brett’s
shoulder.

“Don’t.” Brett caught her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“There is no need for that. Not after the day we just had. Not when we’re
consenting adults in our own home. And especially not when Shane is the one who
walked in on us.”

“But…”

“He’s absolutely right, Andie. Never be ashamed of what you
share with each other. I’m proud of you for continuing.” Shane grinned at
Brett.

“It would have been just as bad, if not worse, if I’d
stopped. Your back was to the door, Andie. Shane didn’t see anything.”

“But…”

“But I have a pretty good idea of what he was doing?” Shane
finished Andie’s thought as she turned even redder.

“He’s not shocked. I’m willing to bet that he and Alyssa
have done the same thing and I’m sure he won’t go around telling people how you
play the piano for me.”

“Well, not exactly the same thing.” Shane had to laugh.
“Makes me wonder if Lyss needs some piano lessons too. I’d be more than willing
to keep her company while she practiced. Honestly, you’re very impressive,
being able to finish the song like that.”

“Oh God.” Andie was still horrified.

“Great song, by the way,” Shane added.

“One of her own,” Brett stated proudly. “I’m going to take
her down to the station and record Andie playing all her originals so I can
listen to them when she’s not available to play for me.”

“Are they all that bluesy?” Andie nodded. “Can I have a
copy? Nothing sexier than the blues, especially when I know who’s playing
them.” Andie’s blush returned. “Would you feel better if I shared an equally
embarrassing moment?”

“You don’t have to,” Andie replied after a moment.

“I think I’d better. I don’t want you to hide from me so we
need to make this even. Has Brett ever told you about the morning after Jordan’s
wedding?”

“Absolutely not!” Brett exclaimed instantly.

“Okay then I will. At the time Jordan and Kiley got married,
Campini and I were still openly hostile with each other. We couldn’t get within
twenty feet before one of us found something to gripe about. And we weren’t
very tactful or discreet once we started to argue either. Brett can tell you
how often he had to remind us to behave so we wouldn’t ruin their celebration.”

“I was afraid they’d kill each other at the reception and
Jordan and Kiley would wind up divorced before they managed to leave for their
honeymoon,” Brett said sincerely.

“We ended up dancing together to make them happy. You’ve
seen the pictures. Campini looked incredibly hot in that dress. It matched her
eyes and made them even greener than they usually are. She smelled good and fit
perfectly in my arms. But she was bitching non-stop. I was more than ready to
strangle her. If we’d been anywhere other than that reception I’m sure I would
have. Since we were there, I shut her up by kissing her instead. She was so
surprised that she kissed me back before she remembered that it was me with
her. By the time we realized what we were doing and with whom, we were both too
involved to stop.”

“They were extremely involved,” Brett agreed.

“One thing led to another and we ended up in my apartment.
In bed. Handcuffed together around a pipe behind the headboard. With the key on
the dresser across the room.”

By this point, Andie was giggling uncontrollably. “So what
did you do?”

“Well, first she wanted me to pick the lock and was mad that
I don’t keep paperclips next to the bed. Then she suggested I shoot the links
between the cuffs since she was certain all cops sleep with their guns under
their pillows. Eventually, I managed to hook her purse with my toes and got her
cell phone since the one on my nightstand was no longer where it belonged. I
called Brett to come over and release us.”

“When I got there he was all stretched out, like he was
really relaxed and it wasn’t anything unusual to be handcuffed in his own bed.
Lyssa was hiding under the covers like I wouldn’t be able to guess who was on
the other end of the cuffs. They seemed to have forgotten the display they put
on the night before, not to mention the very recognizable dress in the middle of
the floor.” Brett opened a cabinet and pulled out an album that Andie had never
seen before. He opened it to the picture he drew of the couple in handcuffs.

“Oh wow.” Andie was sure it was accurate.

“Wow is right.”

“After shamelessly teasing us, Brett finally gave me the key
and promised to keep it to himself,” Shane told her so she would know he would
do the same.

“But why did you put on the cuffs in the first place?” Andie
asked.

“We made a little bet while we were dancing,” Shane
answered, much to Brett’s surprise. “I claimed that I could provide twenty-four
orgasms in twenty-four hours with one hand tied behind my back. If I did,
Campini had to go for a drink in nothing but my tuxedo jacket. When I was
undressing her, she saw the cuffs and had us clicked together before either of
us thought of the key.”

Brett flipped the album to the sketch of Alyssa in his
jacket at the bar. “I can’t believe you told us that part. He always refused
before.”

“Yeah well,” Shane shrugged. “I figured Andie should know
since I walked in like that.”

“I guess we are even now,” she decided.

“What did you want in the first place, Shane?”

“We were tucking Charlie in and she asked what a sicko
pervert was. She told us that Andie’s mom kept screaming that at her Uncle
Brett. Lyss and I were afraid something was wrong so I came to check on you.
Obviously we shouldn’t have been worried. I take it your mother went home
earlier?”

“Yeah, right after I finished telling her off,” Andie
stated.

“Really.” Shane raised an eyebrow. “Care to explain the
sicko pervert remark?”

“Andie?” Brett let her decide.

She surprised him by answering herself. “She was supposed to
be out all afternoon so I sent Brett up to the room in the attic to wait for me
while Charlie had her lesson. I, ah…” She was blushing again. “I told him to be
ready when I got there. He said he had some inspiring drawings to help him and,
well, you can guess what I had in mind for him to be doing when I walked in.”
Shane clearly could. “Mom came in without my knowing it and went up there to
snoop even though she’d been told the studio was off-limits. She didn’t
consider that Brett might be up there and walked right in on him.”

“Oh,” Shane groaned.

“She didn’t appreciate what she saw. I’m not sure if she
objected to what I was doing with my hand or the sketches of her daughter
engaging in various, ah, activities but she started shrieking. She made it to
the kitchen before I managed to remind her that there was a child in the
house.”

“After I sent Charlie out to Flynn, I was forced to listen
to my own mother telling me that the only way someone like Brett would be
interested in such an unattractive woman like me was if he got to do all sorts
of deviant things with me. She actually ordered me to pack my belongings and go
home with her where I belonged. She said I’d proved I couldn’t manage my life
and clearly needed her guidance.” Andie shook as she replayed her mother’s
harsh words.

“Andie kept quiet until Adele started attacking my
character. She was ferocious with the way she defended me.” Brett was still
proud of her.

“And Brett stayed out of it until she was going to slap me,”
Andie added.

“Oh man,” Shane groaned again.

“You should have heard her, Shane. She actually told her
mother that it was her idea for me to be up there, doing what I was doing and
said she felt sorry for her if Adele couldn’t appreciate the way I looked.”

Andie interrupted, saying, “I believe I said something
closer to it was a shame that she didn’t enjoy the sight of my lover when he
was aroused and how I personally considered him to be very erotic.”

“Wow.” Shane whistled. “I wish I’d seen the look on her face
when you said that.”

“Priceless,” Brett assured him. “I got one of the interns to
drive her home because Andie didn’t want to be around her any longer than it took
her to pack and I wasn’t about to spend two hours alone in the car with her.”

“Especially not after I’d told her she wasn’t welcome until
she apologized for the way she treated both of us. I even told her I expected
my grandmother to apologize too. I doubt if we’ll ever see either of them
again.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it. Your dad was so annoyed with her when
I called to let him know she was on the way and bound to be furious when she
got there that he might have a few words of his own to say to her. I hope she
comes around, Andie. I really do. If not, it’ll be more her loss than yours.
Your dad said he would be here for Thanksgiving and you heard Sadie’s reaction.
You know my mom and dad love you already and want you to consider them as your
family.”

“Don’t forget about my mom and dad too,” Shane added. “Brett
has been their third son for so many years that they aren’t likely to treat you
any differently than Lyss and Kiley.”

“Thanks. You don’t need to worry about me though. When I
heard her screaming at Brett something inside me snapped and I realized that I
was done putting up with her, even if it meant I no longer had a mother and
grandmother. I feel better about them than I have in years. It’s like I’m
finally free. I’m where I want to be, with the only man I could ever be with,
doing what I’ve always wanted to do, surrounded by the best group of people
imaginable. I’m more than happy with the way my life is turning out and I am no
longer willing to let my mother be a black cloud.”

“That’s my girl.” Brett kissed her cheek.

“Well said,” Shane proclaimed. “Just don’t let her catch you
off guard when she calls to see if you’ve come to your senses and I agree that
she’ll come around eventually.”

“I’m expecting her to but nothing other than a sincere
apology will have any effect on me.”

“Thank goodness you didn’t let Andie get away, Brett. I
think you’re going to be even more fun to watch than you thought Lyss and I
were. I’d better go tell her that you’re both fine and your mother won’t be
interfering any time soon. Sorry again for just walking in like that. I’ll be
sure to remind Flynn how Jesse told him to make lots of noise before he enters
a room where you might be together. I’ll have to keep that in mind myself.”

“And we’ll have to start locking the door,” Brett decided.

“Shane, thanks for telling me about the handcuffs. I don’t
mind if you want to tell Alyssa about us or the things with my mother.”

“Thanks. I know she’ll appreciate that. And I assure you
it’ll stop with her. I’ll let you get back to entertaining each other.” They
heard him chuckling as he closed the door behind him.

* * * * *

Later, as they snuggled in their bed, Andie sighed.

“What are you thinking?” Brett asked softly.

“About how this is the first night we’re together without
all sorts of stuff hanging over our heads. But it also feels as if we’ve been
together so much longer.”

“I know what you mean. I’m having trouble remembering that
you’ve only been here two weeks. Must be because we were meant to be together.”

“Mm.” Andie snuggled more fully against his side. “It’s so
right, being with you. That first night, in the city, I knew how you’d act once
you finally let me tell you why I was there. That had me too on edge to let go
completely. Then, our first night here, even though we were finally together
for real, I was so unsettled with the way you signed over the house and
everything. After that, we had my mother and grandmother, so I doubt if either
of us could relax entirely. But now, it’s just us. We don’t have to answer to
anyone else. I’ve never felt quite like this before.”