Kelsey laughed. “Of course, silly. We won’t go too fast. I’ll make sure they wait for you.”
Julia shook her head. “Not me.” She reached up with both hands to grab at Kelsey’s face. She crouched down so the little girl could whisper in her ear.
Surprise turned her pink mouth into a perfect O. “Luke? Really?” She glanced at Ross, seeking confirmation.
He paused. As Julia had apparently informed her, Luke wasn’t good on his bike, and group outings had always been something of a disaster. Luke had always been slightly unsteady, and while he’d learned to ride he’d never become confident in his skill. As with other physical pursuits, part of the problem was the comparison with Matt, who’d never met a physical activity he couldn’t dominate. When he was feeling insecure, Luke could make a bike trip completely miserable. Right now, given his already-grumpy attitude, an afternoon on bikes could be nothing less than a nightmare.
“Well,” he hemmed. “He’s not really great—”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Kelsey interrupted. He caught a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Clearly, she thought this was another example of him being overly cautious.
She had no idea.
“I’ll check the brakes before we leave,” she offered. “Because of the hill.”
She shook her head back slightly to clear her hair from her eyes, and the silky waves swung lightly to either side of her face. He had a flash of memory and found himself yearning to tuck one of those long strands behind her ear, just as he had the first night they’d met. He fought not to recall the feeling of that hair as he tangled it his palms while she cried out beneath him.
Damn it.
He was her boss. Maybe he could order her to wear her hair in a bun?
“Da-dee!” Julia whined. “I want to go for a bike ride.”
An inner battle waged. He clearly should tell Kelsey all about Luke, and warn her not to go on what would almost certainly be an ill-fated expedition. But then she glanced at him with that barely concealed look of irritation and in some horrible, evil little part of his brain—perhaps the same part of his brain that couldn’t stop thinking lustful thoughts—he found himself not wanting to tell her the truth. It was petty and ridiculous, but for some reason that morning he resented her, with her casual beauty and effortless sensuality. Her lack of three kids. Her utter and complete freedom to do whatever she wanted.
Luke would be safe on the bike. The park was just a few blocks away. The worst that would happen would be a miserable couple of hours with a trio of squabbling kids.
Besides, he could honestly use an empty house for a few hours while he worked on the proposal for Herriot.
He hesitated for only a second before he smiled at Julia and nodded to Kelsey. “Of course you can go. Have fun. I want to hear all about it when you come home.”
…
Kelsey brushed back a long, damp handful of hair and retied her ponytail. After a tired shake of her head, she pulled her T-shirt away from her back, fanning the sweaty skin with the cool air-conditioning of the house. She’d never had air-conditioning before—had never seen any need for it—but now she relished the obscene use of energy. Life was different when it wasn’t just you who was hot, but three pouty, unhappy kids.
She began to fill water bottles from the spout on the refrigerator, while inside, she seethed.
She’d been set up. The bastard had set her up. The bastard with the achingly blue eyes that followed her wherever she went. The one with the hands she couldn’t forget, and the voice that sent shivers up and down her spine.
That bastard.
“Can I go up to my room now?” Luke, the devil with glasses and glowing red cheeks, glared at her.
She nodded. “Absolutely.” Even though she was more than ready to have him disappear, her better instincts wouldn’t let him get dehydrated. “But first you’ve got to drink this.” She held out the first bottle.
Luke eyed it with disdain. “No thanks.”
“Sorry,” she replied, maintaining a cheery smile. “Refusal is not an option. You drink it or no DS.”
With a mutter, he took the bottle and sucked down a few gulps. Then he turned and pounded his way up the stairs.
Kelsey realized as she watched his retreating back that she’d come a long way. On Monday, she would have second-guessed their interaction and tormented herself with the fear that she had been too strict. Things were different now. She knew how to say no and how to ignore Luke when he was in one of his moods. She had learned how to tune out his grumbling and trust her instincts when it came to managing him.
If only she could do the same with his father. She had no idea how to manage him. Or more precisely, her reaction to him.