Family Ties (17 page)

“I’m not. Come and see.”

“Dina I’ve got to go. Billy insists we had a fire here last night.” She prayed the cops would arrest him. And soon. Before someone in her family got hurt.

“All the neighbors were outside in their pj’s after the firemen got here. Some of them came over to see if Andie needed help.”

“Check it out and call me right back. If Billy’s right, things are getting worse.”

Bonnie dropped the phone and raced down the hall, praying the squirt was wrong. Her mother had been sick last night, so she’d stayed with her. She didn’t like staying in that neighborhood without Sean, but he’d said he had a meeting. Sometime overnight her mother had improved and since Sean was back, she’d come home.

***

“After all the excitement, we fell asleep on the couch and that’s all there is to the story.” In deference to the heat wave outside, Andie poured iced tea for her sister and the teenager watching her.

“I’m amazed you could sleep after all the excitement.”

“I’ll bet you’re glad you missed all the excitement. Even though you came home early, didn’t you realize?” Dina’s teasing comment was gently delivered.

“I’m glad it was minor, but...just my luck to miss all those good looking fireman. I am such a loser.”

“They had their lights flashing and everything.” It was easy to see what Billy liked best.

“All right, let’s change the subject. The firemen weren’t here very long. They unrolled their hoses and rolled them right back, since Gray had already put out the fire.”

“He’s last night’s hero, for sure.” Her sister stirred sugar into her tea. “Are you going to give him a reward?”

“Dina! What a way to talk with the kids around.”

“Why not? I think it’s a great question. Are you?” Bonnie was developing Dina’s bad habit of never minding her own business when it came to Andie’s love life.

“I am not going to discuss this with you.” Andie went inside the house.

“She’s got it bad.” Bonnie watched her foster mother move around the kitchen. “I’ve never seen her like this before.”

Dina nodded. “Agreed. Probably because she’s never been like this before.”

“Not even with Dave?”

“No. Not that I remember.” She shook her head, following her sister’s jerky movements, then turned to Bonnie. “I think we should make it easy for her to reward him.”

“Where is your devious mind going?”

“How about I take the kids for the weekend? You can come too. We’ll keep the rug rats busy and make sure these two have time to get busy – together.”

“What about Jamie?”

“Oh oh. I forgot. What about the squirt?”

“He’s sleeping better. And he’s pretty relaxed if Gray’s around.” She lifted one shoulder. “It might be okay to leave the squirt here.”

“Good. Then let’s figure out when we can pull this off.”

***

“Sure thing, Mr. Miller. I can work up a quote for you over the weekend.” Gray jotted down the measurements his client reeled off. “Right. I’ll see what I can put together.”

After a few pleasantries, he disconnected the call and settled his cell phone on his belt. Apparently, his client was so pleased with the renovations to his house, he wanted to add a deck, while everything remained a mess.

Since it was straight-forward work, maybe he’d hire one of his contacts, which would give him the time to keep an eye on Andie’s place.

A cold lump replaced his heart whenever he thought about what could have happened last night. It would have been so simple for both garages to have gone up. Andie’s garage would house her car in the winter, but his was a storage shed for his business. He stored paint thinner and varnish and all kinds of nasty things in his. It would have gone up with a bang, not a whimper.

The arson investigator hadn’t found evidence of any other activity around the house, so concluded the garage had been the only target. Gray wiped the sweat and exhaustion from his face. It had been a long night and tonight would be even longer, since their choices were eliminated around four this morning. He was staying at one sixteen until they found the guilty party. Her lumpy couch might kill his back, but at least he’d be able to look himself in the eye.

***

The next morning, Gray steadied another post, then filled the hole with concrete, finally tamping it into place. He wiped his forehead with the back of his arm and checked Andie’s yard. They were carrying their dinner dishes into the kitchen.

He’d been invited to join them, but had declined.

Driving home, he’d thought about how easily she fit in his arms. Her taste. Her silky skin.

His belly started to tighten and he started to stiffen. The pain was part pleasure until he realized he’d been thinking about Andie. The woman. The future. Dreams.

Not sex.

He didn’t allow himself to think of women in that way. Never had. And he wasn’t going to start.

He’d made it clear to all his parts what he would do protect her, as long as she needed help. But he wouldn’t get any more deeply involved.

The shadows of the setting sun were long when he called it a night. He showered and dressed in clean clothes before going to her house. On his way up the stairs to her deck, Andie met him at the door.

In shorts.

And a tube thing.

Strapless.

Nipples standing and begging for attention.

He didn’t have a choice. His gaze roamed up and down her body as he crossed the deck. Then caught her gaze and held it as he backed her into the kitchen.

Pulled her against him. Tight. Took her mouth.

Backed her against the cupboard.

Lifted her to the counter, without relinquishing her mouth.

Stepped between her legs.

Slipped his hands beneath her top.

Weighed her breasts in his hands.

But then he couldn’t stand it any longer. He broke the kiss and leaned back, lifting her top so he could see her. Feast on her. Get lost in her.

“Where are the kids?”

“Dina took them to her house.”

He nibbled her lips. “All of them?”

She leaned tight against him. “Jamie’s sleeping in his room.”

“Sound asleep?” he asked, pulling her tube top below her breasts and feasted his eyes on her stiff nipples. He leaned in and took one in his mouth. Strawberries. She tasted like strawberry ambrosia.

“Out like a light,” she said, “He should sleep soundly for a few hours. Maybe all night.”

Gray pulled away from her, and slid his hands around her but, pulling her forward, against him. “Where’s your bedroom?”

Andie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tangled her fingers in the hair on his collar. “Down the hall, last door on the right.”

He hefted her against him and put his hands beneath her butt, holding her tight. He held her as he walked down the hall and into her bedroom. He lifted his foot and gently pushed the door shut behind them.

At the edge of the bed, he gently lowered her to the mattress and followed her down, bracing his hands on either side of her shoulders. He stared at her, gazes locking, then he pulled his gaze south. Her nipples stood proud and erect, one of them glistening with moisture – his.

He dropped his head and took her other nipple in his mouth, drawing deep.

Andie gasped then tugged his hair. “This isn’t fair. I need to feel you. Naked. Now.”

Gray smiled. “I can do that, if it will make you happy.” He pushed himself off the bed and pulled his tee shirt over his head, then slid open the button on his shorts. He pulled down the zipper slowly. At her arched brow he smiled. “Can’t risk an injury right now.”

“I agree,” she replied, gaze dropped to the impressive erection straining the zipper of his cargo shorts. Zipper down, he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his shorts and slid them off his hips, allowing them to pool at his feet.

Andie reached out and ran a finger down his cock. “Nice.” She took it in her hand and ran her thumb over the tip, spreading the drop of moisture around.

His whole body clenched. “If you don’t stop, we won’t get farther than this.”

“Can’t have that.” Andie pushed herself into a seated position, planted a quick kiss the tip of his cock, then swirled her tongue over the moisture she’d spread earlier.

“God.” He gritted his teeth and arched forward then away from her. “You have to stop.”

“Fine, but I think you’re a spoilsport.” She put her hands on his hips and pushed him back. “My turn.”

Andie pulled the tube top over her palm-sized breasts, then shoved her shorts to the floor. She hooked her thumbs into the fuscia colored triangle of lace covering her pubic hair then slid the thong down her hips and legs. It landed on top of her shorts, hot pink against black stretch. The lace lying against her black shorts did something to his gut. It was an erotic vision – one he didn’t have time to appreciate because of the naked woman in front of him.

She couldn’t believe the build on the naked man standing in front of her. Broad shoulders, a tight ass and just enough hair curling around his nipples and arrowing to his cock to turn her on. And the erection straining toward her was nothing to be ashamed of. She wasn’t a virgin. Hadn’t been for a long time, but his package was impressive. Very impressive.

“Come here, big boy,” she said, sliding her hand down his cock and around his balls. “If I can’t play, I want to use this” she pinched the base of his cock, “to ease my pain.”

“Are you suffering?” he asked, a smile lifting his lips.

“You know I am.” She let go of him and lay back on the bed, squirming toward the headboard.

“I can’t have you suffering. Let’s see if I can ease your pain.”

Gray lay down beside her and drew her against him. He inhaled deeply, then nuzzled her temple, finding his way to her ear. He ran his tongue over the swirls, then took her lobe between his teeth, nipping first then soothing with his tongue.

Andie tilted her head to give him easy access but ran her hands over his back and around his butt. Muscles flexed beneath her fingertips. The man had a world class butt and she intended to explore it completely – every flexing muscle of it.

He distracted her when he moved down her jaw and neck then crossed her collarbone. He trailed his tongues over her chest to her other nipple, sucking it deeply into his mouth.

“Aarghh” she murmured, the sensations tightening her tummy and sending moisture dripping down her thighs.

Gray palmed her other breast, squeezing and shaping it; he pulled her nipple, tweaking it while he rolled the other one in his mouth.

“Gray, please.”

“Please? What do you want Andie?”

“It’s been a long time, Gray. I want you. Now.” She could hardly stand the pressure building in her womb.

“In a minute, honey. In a minute.” Then he slid his lips over her belly, sipping from her belly button. But a magnet drew him further south.

He kissed her mons, rubbing his nose into the curly hair protecting her, then slid further south, his tongue finding the pearl of her arousal. He swirled his tongue around her clit, drawing it from its hood and nearly sending her to roof.

She dug her nails into his shoulder to keep herself anchored. “Gray, stop, I can’t stand it.”

“Just another moment, sweetheart and I’ll take care of the pain.” He slid first one then two fingers into her, spreading her moisture around.

“You’re so tight, sweetheart.”

“I know. It’s been awhile,” she panted to him. “But I want you.” She squirmed around, trying to reach his cock.

Gray chuckled. “No way, babe. I told you that if you play, we’ll be finished before we get started.” He took her hand and put it on the pillow. “If you lie very still, I’ll take care of your ache. I promise.”

He reached over the side of the bed and fumbled around for a moment, while continuing to push the fingers of his other hand in and out of her. He dropped his wallet on the bed.

“Let me help.” She opened the wallet and pulled a condom out. “I hadn’t thought of this.”

Gray pulled back and away from her, catching her gaze with his. “I’ll always take care of you, Andie.” Then he smiled as she opened the foil pack. “Will you do the honors?”

She nodded and he moved closer to her as she sat up. He took the hand holding the condom. “No fooling around. I won’t be able to hold back for long.”

She held his gaze, then nodded. “Wouldn’t want you to lose control this time. But I won’t promise for the next one.” She rolled the condom over his cock, then reached up and nuzzled his jaw and lips. She sucked his tongue into her mouth.

She pulled away from him. “I need you, Gray. Now.”

“You’ve got me, honey.” He lifted himself away from her then put a knee between her thighs. “Let’s ease the pain we’re feeling, babe.” He settled between her legs and pushed inside her.

“Oh my God.” Andie savored the fullness as Gray pushed inside.

“Oh my God.” His eyes were closed and his face was tight, his jaw hard. “I’m not going to last long, sweetheart.”