Tempting Mr. Wrong (Wrong Man) (10 page)

“The place is looking good,” Adam offered when they finally stopped shaking hands. “Good call on the motion detector lights. What alarm system are you considering?”

Lance spouted off a few options with Adam heartily adding comments. Carly started zoning out, the same way she did every time Lance tried to explain it to her.

The guys were really getting into their conversation. Carly sat at the counter and took them in. Both were beyond handsome. They were both intelligent, military-trained, interesting men. You would be hard-pressed to find a female on the planet who didn’t think they were both good-looking. Funny how only one of them set her heart racing every time he walked into the room.

All of the kisses and make-out sessions she’d been sharing with Lance flashed in her mind. She loved being in his arms, his lips on hers, his heart beating as fast as her own.

More than that, she’d really been enjoying just having him around the house. Besides the improvements he’d been making, he also helped with Mya. She wouldn’t start her new job for another two weeks, and with Lance around, it actually felt like she had a little breathing room.

Except for when Lance gave her that certain look. No, when he watched her with those serious dark eyes, she didn’t exhale a single breath.

“Carly?”

She shook her head and pulled herself out of her musings. “Sorry, what?”

Lance gave her an inquisitive look. “I said I was going to give Adam a more in-depth tour of the security upgrades.”

“Oh sure, have fun.” Suddenly, she bolted upright. “Wait a minute. Where’s Mya?” she asked.

“I sold her off to the gypsies.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Just kidding. We ran into Caitlyn and her mom at the store. Caitlyn asked if Mya could come over for a tea party. I figured that was okay since Caitlin’s been over here before.”

“It’s fine. No worries.” She shooed them away. “Now go, talk about man things.”

She watched their retreating backs as Lance and Adam walked out of the kitchen. While they had their man talk, she needed a little female pep talk. Mainly to remind herself that falling for Lance was not the smartest option. He would be leaving soon and then what?

She gave a determined head nod. Unfortunately, her pep talk did nothing to help the fact that she was still falling for him.

…

Despite walking into the kitchen and finding a strange man with his hands all over the woman he’d been fantasizing about for the last couple of days, Lance actually liked Adam. At least, once he realized their embrace was platonic. The guy was smart, knew his shit, and he’d clearly been through a hell of a lot in the military.

The limp was obvious. But even now, Lance couldn’t miss the winces of pain and the tight face when he bent to study the different things Lance was showing him around the house. He wondered what the story was. But he also knew not to ask just yet.

Instead, Lance filled him in on the heightened security features he’d been installing. “I have new windows ordered for the entire house. Double-paned with the best locks I could get.”

Adam nodded as he entered the dining room. Then he let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of windows.” He looked back toward the kitchen and lowered his voice. “Does she have that kind of money?”

Lance gestured for them to cross into the formal living room, further from the kitchen. “I don’t think so. I covered it.”

Adam’s eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? That’s a lot to shell out. Does Carly realize?”

Lance couldn’t contain the smile. “Nah. I don’t think it’s even dawned on her.”

Adam laughed. “Yeah, she always was a bit flighty with stuff like that.” He grew serious. “But for real, I get it. I have some money. Let me help you out.” He tilted his head toward the kitchen and the sound of Carly’s off-key singing. “Let me help both of them out.”

Lance shrugged. “Chris was my best friend.”

“Gretchen was my sister.” He paced to the window, running a hand through his dark hair. “I wasn’t able to be here when they…when it first happened. I was deep undercover and by the time I found out, I was laid up in a hospital bed in Germany.”

Adam didn’t have to say any more. Lance could see the guilt and regret on his face. Poor man. It wasn’t his fault. But Lance would feel the exact same way. He walked to Adam, placed a hand on his shoulder, and squeezed.

“I let them down,” Adam said quietly.

“She understands. Really, she does,” Lance said. “And anyway, you’re here now.” While he was more than capable of covering the upgrades, he realized that Adam needed to help. He needed to do something. “You know, I’m pricing out garage doors. Got any experience with them?”

Adam turned to him. “Sure. I can help with that.”

“Great. Let’s hit up the store in the next couple of days.”

Lance could see the gratitude in Adam’s eyes. “You got it,” Adam said. “Like I said, it’s really cool that you’re doing all this.”

Lance tapped his pocket where the letter Chris had written sat. He’d come to carrying it around with him every day. A reminder of what was important and the small favor Chris had asked of him. “It’s no big deal. I have the money and I’m happy to help. Besides, Carly and Mya deserve to live somewhere safe and secure.”

Adam slapped him on the back. “You’re a good man, Townsend. Carly’s lucky that you stopped by here.”

“She’ll be in good financial shape soon. Did she tell you about her new job?”

Adam grinned. “Of course. In full Carly mode.”

“Lots of exclamation points and flailing limbs?” Lance guessed.

“You know her well already.”

Lance froze. Was it just him or did the statement hold a warning tone. In any case, he thought it might be good to tread lightly. “I met her years ago. She’s a cool chick.”

It took Adam a moment to respond. He was too busy assessing Lance. “That she is. She’s also beautiful.”

The last word hung in the air. Lance stared straight ahead, pretending to study the front yard through the window.

Adam chuckled. “Sorry, man. Just trying to get a feel for your feelings for her. I think I understand now.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.” He held his hands up. “I suppose it’s none of my business. But Carly’s like a sister to me. I saw the way you looked at her. She’s been through a lot.”

“I know. I’m not here to add any—”

“You didn’t let me finish. She’s been through a lot but she can handle even more. First she was in college, then grad school, finding a job, taking care of everything here, becoming a guardian to Mya, and she’s still young.” Adam also faced out the window. “But she deserves to have some fun, too. She deserves a little happiness.” He took a moment, glanced around the room. “What you’re doing here. All of it. You’re a good guy, Townsend.”

Lance supposed that was as close to approval as he was going to get. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if Chris would agree with Adam’s assessment. How would he feel if he knew his best friend was standing in his house thinking about Carly the way he was?

It was a struggle. A constant fight between what he knew was right and what he wanted.

He was afraid he knew the outcome already.

Chapter Nine

An hour later, Carly and Lance waved good-bye to Adam. He would be back later tonight to meet Mya.

“I can’t believe he won’t stay here.” Carly said. “I feel horrible thinking of him all alone in that hotel.”

“It was his choice. Sometimes a man just needs his space.” What Lance didn’t verbalize was that he was pretty sure Adam needed that space to tend to his injuries. Both the physical and the emotional.

They walked back into the kitchen. Carly faced him. “What time is Mya coming home? Do I need to pick her up?”

“Caitlin’s mom said she would drop her off.” He looked down at his watch. “In about two hours from now.”

Carly put her hands in the pockets of her jeans and rolled back on her heels. “Wow, two whole hours, Mya-free. Just me and you.”

She said it lightly, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the implication that they were alone filled the room. No Mya, no interruptions.

They stood on opposite sides of the table. He could see her chest rising and falling as the silence between them dragged on. His palms were damp and he wiped them on his jeans.

God, she was so damn beautiful. Taking in her gorgeous body, the usual reminder that he shouldn’t look at his best friend’s sister like this didn’t surface. In fact, he’d stopped thinking about her as Chris’s sister days ago.

Those green eyes that sparkled as if they were laughing at all times. Her luxurious red hair. All of those womanly curves packed into her petite body. What man would be able to resist her?

Not me. Not anymore.

She licked her lips and his gaze shot there. He’d tasted those lips many times already. None of their previous kisses had sated his appetite for her.

“Carly, we can’t,” he said.

“I know.” She said it so quickly after his statement that they almost blurred together.

They couldn’t. They both knew it.

That’s why it didn’t make any sense when they moved at the same time, closing the distance between them. He wrapped his arms around her and she pulled him close.

Their lips met at a frenzied pace. His hands tangled in her hair, yanking her neck back so he could feast on the soft white skin there. She moaned and he quickly ran his lips up the column of her neck only to find her lips once again.

It was a steamy, intoxicating, full-on make-out session kiss. Lance poured himself into it, trying to convey the feelings to Carly that he didn’t understand himself.

He moved his lips over hers and pulled her tightly against him, his arousal already pushing against his jeans. Carly responded by rubbing against him even as she opened her mouth to welcome his tongue. All Lance knew was that he needed this.

Still, he wouldn’t be himself without double-checking. He broke off their kiss, angling himself back from her. Before he could get out any words, her bottom lip pouted.

“You aren’t going to say we shouldn’t do this again, are you?” Her breath came out in ragged spurts, her tangled hair falling around her face.

He shook his head, taking a moment to catch his breath. “It’s true.”

She placed a finger against his lips. He kissed it. “Right or wrong, I want you, Lance. And I can’t change that.”

Her eyes captivated him. The usual bright emerald replaced by a stormy green full of lust and longing.

“Please say you want me,” she said.

“I can’t stop myself from wanting you.”

Apparently that was all she needed to hear. Carly grabbed the bottom of her shirt, and pulled it up and then over her head. She threw it to the floor as she put some space between them. His eyes flew to the full breasts and taut nipples straining against the silky blue bra she wore.

He moved to her but didn’t touch her. Not yet. First, he let his eyes get their fill. Her petite frame fascinated him. From her ample breasts to that tiny little waist and not to mention those hips—hips that just screamed out for him to grab.

“You turn to stone?” she teased.

“Sh. I’m enjoying this.”

Enjoying the sight of all that bright hair tumbling down her back. There were shorter pieces that framed her perfect little face with the alluring green eyes and crystal-clear skin.

Lance continued taking her in, kind of amazed that he got to be with her at all. Once he was satisfied he’d memorized each and every detail on her body, he wasted no time. He sprang into action and quickly closed the distance between them. Then he fused his mouth to hers and continued the kiss they’d started moments earlier. But he wanted her too badly to take it slow. His hands fumbled with the snap of her jeans. Frustrated, he finally yanked hard and pushed them down her legs. He quickly shucked his own shirt as she worked the zipper on his jeans. Then he was out of those, too.

He didn’t mess around and immediately unhooked her bra and threw it to the side as he feasted on her neck. She made a little squeaky noise every time he put his lips to that spot right under her ear, and Lance had come to enjoy it. Her scent began to work its way around him. It was her usual flowery perfume. He had to have her. Now. He moved his mouth to her breasts, her collarbone, the other side of her neck. She flung her head back for easier access, but Lance needed more. He lifted her onto the table, ripped her panties off, and spread her legs open. In one smooth move, his boxer briefs were history, too. Next thing he knew, she had a condom held in her teeth. He didn’t know where it had come from, and he didn’t give a damn. He was too busy grabbing it from her, ripping it open, and rolling it on.

“I want you, Carly. I want you so bad.”

“Then take me already,” she said.

Without a second thought, he pushed her all the way back onto the table and grabbed her legs to position her right where he needed her. When he plunged into her, she was wet and ready, and he couldn’t stop the groan from unleashing. It came from a deep, guttural place inside of him, a place that couldn’t get enough of being inside this amazing woman.

Carly arched her back and the position made her look sexy as fuck, all splayed out on the table before him, like a banquet that was laid out for his singular enjoyment. Time to get to it.

There were no slow, languid thrusts and lazy strokes. This was about need and want, and Lance had to have her in his way. He slammed himself into her over and over, taking all the pleasure he wanted. Carly moaned and writhed on the table, even as he gripped her hips to hold her right where he wanted her.

He continued his relentless movements as he pulled her body to him. She was helpless to do anything but lie there and accept him. Lance was amazed and awed that she did just that.

“Yes, Lance. Harder!” she screamed.

He knew he was close but he kept pumping his hips in time with her moans and gasps. Carly tightened around him and let out her release, but he wasn’t done, not quite yet, until a moment later when the stars began to form behind his eyes. And then he was pushing in one last time, burying himself as deep as he could, letting out a long groan and falling into the safety of her sweet hair.

As he lay there with her, both of them struggling to return their breathing to normal, Lance realized he’d just expressed all those emotions from earlier, but he still didn’t understand why being around Carly, being with Carly, made him feel so much. All he knew for sure was that the rest of the time he was here in Pine Springs, she was going to be his and only his.

He propped himself up on his elbows and looked down into her beautiful eyes, the green color resembling a forest, since they were still hazy with lust.

“Mine,” he said.

He waited a moment, waited to hear her reaction to his word. Waited for her to agree. Slowly, she grinned and then Lance sealed the word with a kiss.

His.