Terms of Surrender (23 page)

Oh baby, yeah, and he was getting hungrier by the minute. He crooked a finger at her and gave her a wolfish grin. “Come here and I’ll show you how hungry I am.”

She laughed and shook her head, the worry fading from her face. “Not in front of the girls. Isn’t there a rule about that or something?”

He felt his grin widen as he handed the spatula to Laura. “Don’t touch a thing, sugarplum. I’ll be back in a second.”

“Where’re you going, Unca Gage?”

“Remember the kissing game Aunt Harley and I were playing earlier?” He headed across the patio. “We weren’t quite finished.”

Behind him, the girls giggled. Harley backed away, laughter in her voice. “Run, girls, run. It’s the big bad wolf.”

The girls screamed and ran in random circles. Harley darted to the left, keeping the table between them. But apparently a determined man was no match for a not quite so determined woman.

He caught up to her easily, swept her into his arms without much resistance, and leaned into her. “Sweetheart, I promise you’ll like this rendition of the hungry wolf.”

Sealing her laughter with his lips, he felt her melt into him, took her sigh into his mouth, pulled her so close he could feel every curve of her body, every breath she took.

And knew he wanted this day to go on forever.

Maybe longer than forever.

Splattt.

Gage opened his eyes, met Harley’s startled gaze, and stifled a groan.

Her mouth move against his. “Ten second rule?”

Slowly, he raised his head and saw a steak on the patio floor between the girls.

She laughed again. “If you’ll de-wolf your wolfness and release me, I’ll, uh, go rinse the steak off under the tap.”

He turned his attention back to her, noting the heat in her eyes, the kiss-swollen lips, the way she still had her arms wrapped around his neck.

She wanted him.

He wanted her.

Simply sex, she’d said.

But deep down inside where he’d never allowed himself to look before, he knew it was more than sex.

And he wanted it all. Forever in her life and her heart.

Now, if he could only figure out a way to get their semi-permanent house guests in bed earlier than their normal bedtime.

As he released her, and watched her pick up the steak between her thumb and forefinger and carry it into the house, he wondered how the hell couples with one child ever managed to find the time or privacy to make a second baby. Or why they’d even want to.

Gage decided there wouldn’t be any more kissing till the girls were safely tucked into bed for the night.

Laura peered up at him, her hands behind her back, one curl hanging between her eyes. She blew at it, blew at it again, a miniature Harley-type frown creasing her brow as she turned cross-eyed and glared at the uncooperative curl.

Beside her, Lisa also stood with her hands behind her back, radiating pure innocence.

Strolling across the deck, he stopped in front of them, brushed the curl off Laura’s face, then turned to Lisa and held out his hand, somewhat relieved he was finally getting the hang of this parenting gig.

Directing a toothy grin up at him, Lisa slapped the spatula onto the palm of his hand. “They was burning so I re’cued them.”

He went down on one knee so he was at eye level with her. “Remember what I told you about the barbecue?”

“It’s hot?”

“And?”

Her bottom lip protruded as she attempted to shift into full-sulk mode, but her affable nature had her lean into him, her elbows on his knee until they were nearly nose to nose. “Don’t touch.”

“That’s right.”

With a heavy sigh, she said, “I was only trying to help.”

She looked so dejected, Gage knew he’d regret it, yet he couldn’t stomach the thought of more punishment. He reached out and ruffled her hair. “You made the mess, so you get to clean it up. Go ask your aunt for a wet cloth to wipe up the floor.”

“Okay, Unca Gage,” she sang out, and she skipped off in the direction of the back door.

Gage straightened to watch her go and felt a tug on his hand. He peered down at Laura. The curl drooped across her nose again. She gave it an annoyed swipe before tugging him down to her level so she could hug him and kiss him on the cheek. “T’anks.”

He hugged her back. “For what?”

“For not ’panking Lisa.”

Gage felt his chest expand. And he knew it was moments like this that made parents want another child or three. “You’re welcome.”

The screen door banged open, banged closed. Harley crossed the patio, water dripping off the half-cooked, freshly washed meat, Lisa skipping behind her. “Here we go.”

Laura released him and he straightened, took the steak, slapped it on the barbecue, then shifted to get out of Lisa’s way as she tried to cram herself between him and the barbecue. He tugged her back from the heat. “This one’s got your name on it, Lisa.”

She craned her neck to look up at him, her eyes wide with childish delight. “I get a whole ’teak by myself?”

If it kept her out of trouble long enough so he could have his way with Harley, he’d gladly turn over his share of supper to the kid. Instead he growled, “No, greedy. You have to share it with me. Clean up your mess first.”

Disappointment flitted across her face. With a tsk, she squatted and sloshed the rag across the patio deck, spreading the meat drippings and making a bigger mess than she’d started with.

Despite the unfortunate incident, they were soon sitting down at the table eating, laughing, and talking like a real family. And as Gage watched Harley interact with the twins, he felt his heart swell in his chest with something other than lust.

There was no future for them. He knew it. So what made him think he could live like this for the rest of his life and be happy?

Because he was in lust. Had he been someone else, maybe not lived in a household where abuse was a daily occurrence, he might have tried.

But Harley was more precious to him than life itself, and he knew that he couldn’t—wouldn’t—subject her to the kind of life his mom had led.

She picked that moment to look up at him, laughter in her gaze and on the sweet curve of her very kissable mouth. Heat blazed low in his belly. He shifted on his chair and tried to adjust his pants so the bulge in them wouldn’t be obvious when he stood up. The last thing he wanted was for one of the pip-squeaks to notice the bulge at his crotch and ask questions only their daddy should answer.

Which brought his thoughts back to Mike.

Where had he disappeared to? And how could he convince his brother that he needed professional help?

Shortly thereafter, Harley announced, “Bath time, girls.”

Across the table, they exchanged a look, then turned expectant eyes on him and screamed, “We want Unca Gage to give us a bath.”

He frowned back at them. “You do, do you? And what’s Aunt Harley supposed to be doing?”

“Dishes,” they replied in unison, nodding their heads in perfect rhythm.

He’d miss them when Mike got his act together and came for them.

If he got his act together.

Even more, he’d miss Harley when she left.

He thought about her determination to take the twins back to her house and thought,
no way
.

As he rose, Gage shoved the chair back from the table and picked up his plate. “Let’s help your aunt clear the table. Afterward, I’ll run you a bath.”

Lisa jumped to her feet and clapped her hands together. “With lotsa bubbles?”

He grabbed the plate of empty corn cobs and glanced at Harley. “Do we have bubbles?”

She slid open the patio doors and led them all inside. “Dish soap will do the trick.”

The girls were chattering non-stop between themselves as they set their plates on the counter top, then raced down the hallway. Figuring as long as he could hear them they couldn’t get into trouble, Gage cornered Harley and slid one hand under the cotton shirt, found the soft skin that had sent his pulse rate soaring earlier, and leaned into her. “We have about fifteen seconds before all hell breaks loose.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “Why are you wasting valuable time, stud?”

No playing hard to get, thank God. Gage groaned as she met his mouth halfway. Tongues entwining, bodies straining against one another, he captured her breast in one hand, molding the soft texture in the palm of his hand, hearing the sharp intake of her breath as her fingers ruffled his hair.

Down the hallway, an angry scream sounded, quickly followed by another, then only blessed silence.

Against his mouth, Harley’s lips moved. “They’re calling you.”

He heard the smile in her voice, felt it against his mouth. As he eased back, trailing kisses across her mouth and down the side of her neck, he realized he was getting accustomed to the two little midgets turning his life upside down. Less than a week ago, a bloody-murder scream would’ve sent him ducking for cover or running for his life.

“How about you, Aunt Harley? Want me to give you a bubble bath tonight?”

“Mmmm, only if you intend to join me.”

Easing back, cornering her against the counter between his arms, he gazed down at her upturned face, noted the slight redness along her jaw, made a mental note to shave. He gave her a lopsided smile. “I’m not exactly comfortable giving the girls a bath.”

“Chicken.”

With his free hand, he released the top button of her blouse, revealing the sweet curve of her breast, the tantalizing, teasing view of her rosy nipple as he pulled the material aside. Pinpricks raced up his back and he froze. Over the rumbling of desire, he heard the breathing of the girls behind him.

Damn they were quiet. He’d have to install a lock on the bedroom door, or keep one eye on the door and one ear tuned to their presence.

Straightening, pulling his hand out from beneath Harley’s shirt while she in turn did up the buttons, he peered down at the twins. They stood so close, they were practically in his back pocket. They had their necks craned, their curious gazes darting between him and their aunt.

He returned his attention to Harley, saw her slipping the last button securely into place.

Why had he been worried? They were two consenting adults. Nobody was going to get hurt.

Hell, he could probably justify this a zillion different ways.

Hands on hips, he faced the twins. “Your Aunt will give you a bath tonight.”

Disappointment flitted across the twins’ faces. “Then will you read us Cind’rella, Unca Gage?”

He shifted away from Harley so the girls stood between them, and crouched down to their level which gave him a perfect view of Harley’s legs. Distraction at it’s finest. “Why not get Aunt Harley to read it instead?”

“We want you to read it, Unca Gage, cause you’re like Prince Charming.”

His chest expanded even more, until he thought it might burst with happiness, and he gave the girls a smile. “It’s a deal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Harley kissed the girls goodnight and left Gage alone to read them a bedtime story.

She debated about going for a shower, then remembered he’d promised her a bubble bath. The thought of sharing the tub or shower with Gage was enough to turn things steamier than they already were.

By now, she was familiar with his MO. So when he joined her in the living room, she was already anticipating what she’d do with him, and was determined not to let him escape.

She remained on the couch, and forced herself not to jump him immediately and scare him away. “You can go for a shower first.”

He looked slightly confused, maybe even disappointed. “You sure?”

Returning her gaze to the magazine on her lap, she smiled to herself. “Sure.”

He stood there for a few seconds longer while she pretended to ignore him. In the end, he turned on his heel and disappeared down the hallway. When Harley heard the shower turn on, she pushed to her feet and headed for the bathroom.

Giving him ample time to shuck his clothes and get into the shower, she finally opened the bathroom door and slipped inside.

He was standing naked under the hard spray, his arms braced against the shower head wall, the pulse of the water hitting his back. She stood there and watched him, enjoying the firm angles of his body, until all of a sudden he raised his head and looked directly at her.

She reached for the top button on her shirt and slipped it free.

The shower door slid open and he stood there in glorious nakedness, wearing only the wolfish grin she loved.

“What took you so long?”

Yes, loved. If she couldn’t admit it to him, she could at least admit it to herself.

She slipped free the second button and let her gaze wander freely over his body. “I didn’t want to scare you off.”

He quirked one masculine eyebrow while his gaze slid down her body. As she shook the shirt off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor, his eyes flared with lust. “Does this mean you’re staying?”

She unsnapped to top button of her shorts and pulled down the zipper. “Staying does have certain benefits.”

His gaze dropped to her shorts, and she slipped her fingers into the waistband and pushed both shorts and panties down her legs. Stepping out of the material, she closed the distance between them.

His hands were clasped around the top frame of the shower door, his erection stood at full attention, but he didn’t move. “What about the girls? Aren’t you worried they’ll wake up?”

Pressing the palm of her hands against his chest, she pushed him back. “Unless Lisa told Laura another monster tale, they should both sleep through the night.”

As she stepped into the shower stall, she took him into her hands, saw heat flare in his eyes, recognized the moment he surrendered to his desire. Then he grabbed her by the shoulders, hauled her up against his big body, and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

And maybe for them, there wasn’t. All she knew for sure was that they had this moment, this night.

He cupped her bottom, lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. At the junction of her thighs, she felt him probe, seek entrance.

Harley opened to him and he pressed into her, filling her inch by inch…pure torture, mindless ecstasy.