Secret Temptation [The Callens 3] (Siren Publishing M?nage Everlasting) (6 page)

The next day, April paced her empty apartment. She stopped, and with her arms wide, spun around. “It’s mine!”

Now that her midterm was over, she could focus on her independence. She wouldn’t hear the test result until next week, but after class, she and Darlene had discussed their answers, and she felt confident she’d done well.

She walked into the kitchen and ran her hand over shiny countertops. She’d miss her mom’s cooking and having meals with her folks, but it was time she got a place of her own. Her two brothers, Ian and Max, who lived on the other side of the property, had helped move her boxes over from the house this morning. Now all she needed was furniture.

As she was trying to imagine what she needed, the doorbell rang. So excited to greet her first visitor, she almost tripped over a box. Once she composed herself, she pulled open the door.

Blake held a bottle of wine and handed it to her. “A housewarming gift.”

“That is so thoughtful. Thank you.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

He didn’t say anything for a second, and she thought maybe she’d overstepped her bounds. When he touched his cheek and smiled, she knew things between them would only get better.

“I brought a tape measure so we can see what furniture will fit.” He pulled out his iPhone. “I’ll measure the rooms and save the dimensions.”

The man thought of everything. “Great.”

“I can see you need a lot.”

“That I do.” Besides a bed and a sofa, she could use a dining room table and some chairs.

He spent the next ten minutes stepping off each room. Since the whole apartment was less than eight hundred square feet, it didn’t take long before he was done.

He shoved the tape measure back in his pocket. “Tell me about your style.”

Her style. Did she even have a style? “I think you know I want something warm and cozy. Things don’t have to match. They just have to be comfortable.”

“In other words, the opposite of my place.”

She scrunched up her nose. “Kind of, but I didn’t mean I didn’t like your place. It’s just that it isn’t—”

He held up a hand and chuckled. “No offense taken. You ready to navigate the world of furniture buying?”

“Absolutely.”

Their first stop was Pier 1 Imports. She loved that store. “How about if we split up? We can cover more that way.”

He tapped her on the head. “Good thinking. We’ll reconvene in fifteen minutes.” He furrowed his brows. “How does that sound, Captain?”

He made her laugh. “Works for me. Grab anything you think I could use, from plates to glassware.”

He cocked a brow. “How about if you handle the small stuff, and I’ll check out the furniture?”

“You’re right. Did anyone tell you you’re smart?”

“Nope.” He smiled and headed off to a different part of the store.

As she looked over the silverware and stemware, she forgot to tell him her budget. It might be embarrassing to tell him they’d have to do her house on a teacher’s salary more or less. Her dad had given her a housewarming check, but most of it would go to buying a washer and dryer. Who knew moving would cost so much?

After she’d picked out inexpensive but functional dishware, her allotted fifteen minutes was up. Now she needed to find Blake. After weaving her way through the aisles, she located him at the back of the store talking with a cute staffer. When he spotted her, he broke into a grin and waved her near.

“What did you find?” He was standing in front of a cloth-covered taupe sofa that looked really comfortable.

“This sofa and matching chairs are on sale.”

She bent over and picked up the price tag. “These are really nice, but I think I want to look around.”

His smile didn’t dim. Maybe he realized that her father wasn’t picking up the tab. “Sure.”

Her bill was already quite high, and she’d barely bought anything. When they got to the car, she wanted to explain. “I think I need to look at a secondhand store. My budget isn’t high-end like Randy and yours.”

“I get it. That’s not a problem. Any suggestions?”

He’d only lived here a few weeks and wouldn’t know his way around. “There’s a really nice consignment shop a couple of blocks from here.”

If she’d been him, she would have dropped her off at her apartment and headed home. “You know what we forgot to do? Eat lunch.”

“You’re right, and I am starving.”

She directed him to a small café that served sandwiches. She was impressed with how she could talk about any topic, and Blake seemed interested. He certainly knew his way around a ranch, but his extensive trips abroad gave him such a cosmopolitan air. After lunch, they hit three secondhand stores. While they didn’t always agree on what might look good together, she sometimes thought his suggestions were better than hers and sometimes they weren’t. By the time they got home, she was exhausted. Either the store had agreed to deliver the furniture, for a fee, or Blake said he could pick up a few of the pieces on Saturday using Randy’s truck. Blake said he didn’t mind picking up the smaller pieces, but the sofa and bed would have to be delivered because of their size.

He helped carry her purchases. “How about some wine to celebrate?”

“I’d like that. As it so happens, I have wineglasses. Help me find the dish soap. My mother packed a kitchen starter kit for me. I didn’t feel guilty taking anything because she has more kitchen equipment than Williams-Sonoma has pots.”

While she pried open the box that was labeled
kitchen
, Blake opened the wine. Good thing he had the foresight to bring a corkscrew. She found the soap and dish towels and washed the glasses.

“Here ya go.”

He poured the wine and handed her a glass. She ambled into the living room and, with her back to the wall, slid to the carpet. “I can’t wait for the furniture to be delivered.”

“I’m good with minimalism.”

She laughed. “You mean empty.”

“What’s in those boxes?” He nodded to the five that were stacked against the opposite wall.

“That’s mostly clothes, books, and CDs. I’m not even sure why I brought them. I have a Kindle and an iPod now, so I don’t really need the physical items anymore, but I like to have them around.”

“I totally get where you’re coming from. Books make a place cozier. It says that a person lives here.”

He got it. “Yes.”

They sat in silence and drank their glasses of wine. Just as she’d finished, he lifted his glass. “To your independence.” He grinned.

“To my independence.”

“Since you’re not quite set up, would you be interested in going out to dinner? I bet it will be hard to cook and have no place to sit.”

She hadn’t planned on spending the night here, but she wasn’t one to turn down an invitation. “That sounds great.”

He pushed up to a stand. “How about I pick you up at six?”

That left her a few hours to get ready. “It’s a date.”

She’d have to go home and change since she’d left all her fancy clothes at the ranch.

After spending another hour washing the dishes she’d bought and putting them away, she headed back to the house. So as to save all the questions, she told her mom she had a date with the University professor.

“You’re going out with Dr. Stuffy?”

She laughed at the nickname Darlene had given Dr. Riley. “My date’s name is Blake and he’s the head of the Physics Department.” There was no need to mention that he was Randy’s roommate.

“I thought you had your eye on Randy.”

She sucked in a breath. She’d never mentioned anything about him. “Why would you think that?”

“I’m your mother. I saw the way you looked at him and there was an interest.”

“He’s good-looking. That’s all.”

“Uh-huh.” She waved a hand and smiled. “Have fun.”

“I will.”

Between packing and getting ready, it was close to five before she was happy with her attire. She hurried back to her apartment. In two days, the sofa and bed would arrive. Hopefully, this weekend, Blake would pick up the chairs and dining room table. Then she’d move in.

Blake was right on time. She pulled open the door and smiled. “Let me get my purse.” There was no need to ask him into an empty apartment. She grabbed her bag and locked the door.

“What kind of food do you like?”

“I’m flexible.”

“Does a steak house work?”

She chuckled. “If it didn’t, I would be a Callen.”

He drove to a nice restaurant on the edge of town. It was the kind that had peanut shells on the floor and wooden benches for seating. That fit perfectly into her style.

After they ordered, Blake leaned forward on his elbows. “Have you ever been to Vedauwoo?”

Vedauwoo was a national park halfway between Intrigue and Cheyenne. It was full of boulders and natural scenery. “Not since I was a kid. Would you like to go?” That might have been asking him on a date, but he did seem interested in her.

“I was about to ask you. Yes. I thought we could go tomorrow.”

“Sounds perfect.”

During the dinner, she noticed that if she brought up the topic of Randy, Blake didn’t provide much information.

She wanted to learn more about him. “Tell me about your family’s ranch.”

“I grew up much like you did. My dad owned a fifteen-thousand-acre spread. I spent my childhood with horses and cattle. I had to milk the cows, muck the stalls, and repair fences just like any good son.”

“You left home early, though.”

He chuckled. “Maybe out of self-defense. I wasn’t really into ranching. I went to college at fourteen.”

She’d been about to bring up Randy, but thought better of it. “Was that hard?”

“Academically, no. Socially, very. I didn’t fit in well, but I think being with the older kids helped me learn to deal with others faster than if I’d attended a high school.”

They discussed his penchant for working out. While not as obsessed as Randy, he still kept up with keeping fit. “Do you get home very often?”

“As much as I can.” The waiter came by with their bill. Blake paid. “You want to take a stroll?”

“Love to.”

The night air was crisp, but not enough to chill her. They walked through downtown slowly, stopping to admire some of the items in the windows. Halfway down the block, a man and a woman came toward them, taking up most of the sidewalk. Blake took her hand and pulled her to the side. When they continued on, he didn’t let go. That was fine by her.

Once they reached the end of the stores, they turned around and headed back to the car. The night couldn’t have been nicer. She loved learning about his past and how he struggled to deal with his well-developed mind.

He helped her into his car, and then drove to her apartment. He parked in front of her place. She debated asking him in, but there was no place to sit. “I think I’ll jump in my car and head back to the ranch.”

“Since my house is on the way to Vedauwoo, do you want to meet me there at, say, nine?”

“Perfect.”

She pushed open her door at the same time he got out. Her heart fluttered, wondering if he’d kiss her good-night. He walked her over to her car. She opened the door and pulled it open. Blake turned her around. As if she were in a slow-motion movie, she watched his lips move closer. Her pulse sped up as she readied for the kiss, and when his lips touched hers, bolts of electricity charged up her spine. His lips softened as if to savor the experience. She leaned into him, and their breath mingled. His tongue slipped across the seam of her lips, asking permission to enter. She eagerly opened her mouth and let their tongues duel. He tasted of white wine and everything else that was wonderful. She leaned into him until they were chest to chest. When he pulled away, her breath whooshed out of her.

“Tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

He walked back to his car and it took a minute for her to regain her senses. She couldn’t wait until they were back in her apartment with her new bed.

* * * *

She arrived at Blake’s house ready for the day hike. She’d brought two water bottles and some snacks. She also planned on taking photos with her phone to remember their time together. He answered after her first ring.

His gaze ran the length of her. “Looks like you came prepared.”

She hoped that was a good thing. “Yup.”

He led her out to his car. She figured his gear was in the back. “I checked online. It looks like it’s easy to find.”

“It is.”

They drove in companionable silence for the short trip. Once they parked, she got out and he helped her on with her daypack.

He lifted the pack on her back. “What did you bring?”

“It’s the water.”

“I brought us a little lunch.”

“What a great idea.” Blake was a considerate man.

They followed the trailhead to the tall rock formations. The path was quite flat and bordered the hundred foot or more cliffs. “You ever rock climb?” She wasn’t the type, but maybe Blake was.

“That’s more Randy’s thing. I’m more into how the rocks got there in the first place.”

She smiled. “Me, too. The science of geology always fascinated me, but I found living animals a bit more my style.”

They’d hiked for about an hour. “How about we climb up to that rock?”

It didn’t look too tall, and the way up there was manageable. “Okay.”

She took her time, not wanting to slip. When she finally made it, the view was worth the climb. “It’s beautiful.”

Blake slid beside her and studied the view. “Sure is.” He pulled off his backpack. “I think this calls for some food.”

She removed her pack, too, and pulled out the water. “One for you.”

“Thank you.”

He arranged the plastic Tupperware in a stack. “I brought a ham and cheese sandwich as well as a roast beef one. I didn’t know which you’d like better.”

How nice was that? “Either one will do.”

He’d also brought some chips and pickles. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she started eating. It took little time for them to finish the meal.

Before they left the special place, she pulled out her phone. “For posterity.”

She took one of Blake by himself, then stepped next to him and shot one of them. Together they viewed the pictures.

He lifted the phone from her hand. “I want one of you.”

She stood back and posed. He snapped the photo and sent the picture to himself.

“Ready to head back?” he asked.

She thought he might be willing to pick up the furniture. “Sure.”

Fortunately, the day was in the high sixties, so she hadn’t worked up a sweat on the trail. On the way back to his place, they talked about her class as well as when she planned to completely move into her place.

They got back to his home in no time. These last few days had been special. Yes, she wanted Randy, but after being with Blake, she could see herself with both men. He walked her over to her car. She leaned her back against the driver’s side door and ran her hands down his chest. “I really had a good time.”

“Me, too.”

He leaned over and kissed her. His hard cock molded into her stomach.
Oh, my
. Images of having that large dick inside her made her pussy gush. When she squeezed his broad shoulders and pulled him closer, her tits met with the hard planes of his chest.

Blake leaned back. The fact he was a bit out of breath implied he was using all his control to rein in his desires. She didn’t want to wait any longer. She ran her hands around his back and pulled him close.

He stiffened. “We need to wait.”

“Why?”
Holy moly
. Did he think she
just
wanted to get laid? She truly believed they had something special between them. Yes, she had spent a few weeks pursuing Randy, but hadn’t he said they were a package deal?

He leaned back on his heels. “It’s complicated.”

“It’s Randy, isn’t it?”

“Kind of. I don’t want to rush into things. Remember what I said about sharing.”

“I know, and I’m willing.”

He smiled. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.”

“So what’s the problem?”

He stroked her cheek. “You are a special lady and I want to do right by you. We need to put our heads together and figure out how to reel in Randy. Once he’s on board, I’m willing to commit.”

She didn’t know if his commitment came with a time limit, but it might be wise to think about their next move. “You’re right.” Letting her sex drive lead her was never good.

Damn, but she’d wanted him bad.

Blake ran a knuckle down her face. “How about if I pick you up tomorrow morning, and you show me another part of the state? We’ll come up with a plan on how to bring Randy into the fold.”

She didn’t have any idea how to accomplish that. “I thought you were going to pick up the furniture tomorrow.”

“Would you mind if I did that the day after?”

If she had to choose between living room chairs and Blake, she’d go with Blake. What Blake hadn’t committed to deliver, the store agreed to bring by tomorrow. She hoped the office would let the delivery men inside. “I’ll be ready.”

“I’m guessing you’ll be staying at the ranch tonight, right?”

“Yes.”

“How about I pick you up there, and we can bug Randy first.”

She liked how he thought. “Say eight thirty?”

“It’s a date.”

While she was disappointed Blake decided not to consummate their relationship, it was better that they took their time.

On the drive home, she’d figured out where she wanted to take Blake on their date. About an hour west of the ranch was another national forest. During her sophomore and junior years in college, she’d often gone hiking there, as a group of her friends loved to camp. They’d bring a book and study for a few hours once they set up camp.

On one of their adventures, they discovered the most amazingly secluded spot that had a thirty-foot waterfall. At the bottom was a large swimming hole. Swimming could be so much fun if she could get Blake out of his clothes. They’d have to hike in about an hour, but the serenity and seclusion would be worth it.

She got back to the ranch long after dinner and had to heat up the leftovers. Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and broccoli made the perfect meal after a long day of hiking. She wanted to enjoy her mom’s cooking for as long as she could. In a few days she’d be completely on her own.

Even though she’d had her midterm yesterday, she had to prepare for Monday’s class. If she wanted to spend time with Blake and Randy, she needed to fit in her study time when she could.

Since Blake was most likely still up, she called him.

He answered. “Hey, miss me already?”

She laughed. Blake had to be the most easy-going guy she’d ever met. “You bet. I wanted to tell you to bring hiking boots tomorrow.” As for swimming, she’d leave that as a surprise.

“No problem. Are we going to get all sweaty and roll around on pine needles as we hike up and down the mountains?”

She didn’t need that erotic image burned in her brain if she wanted to get any sleep tonight. “Sleep tight.”

He chuckled and disconnected. She held the phone to her chest, trying to keep his words with her for as long as possible.

“Okay. Hiking it is. You’ll need more equipment than just a daypack. Move.”

Outdoor equipment was kept in the basement. She trudged downstairs and gathered what she needed. One backpack should suffice for the two of them. She found a thin blanket and a flashlight. In case it rained on them, she stuffed two ponchos in her pack. Tomorrow morning, she’d make sandwiches.

Once upstairs, she pawed through her fairly empty closet for what to wear. Layers made the most sense, as the weather in the mountains could be unpredictably cold. At least she wouldn’t have to pack any books. The only thing she planned on studying was Blake Danforth.