Real Men Don't Quit(18)

As much as he wanted to protest, he couldn’t deny that. His mother was the one who had gotten him library books, bought him the reference books, framed his winners’ certificates, fostered his talents. It should have been she who’d germinated his desire to write, but instead it had been his father. His worthless, gutless father.

He examined the depths of his beer glass. “I don’t know what he’s up to contacting me after all these years. Maybe he just wants to talk, but I don’t trust him. And I’m leery of him contacting my sisters, especially Helen. She’s still struggling to come to terms with Mum’s death. We all are, but until recently I hadn’t realized how badly it hit her. I don’t want my dad upsetting her even more.” He glanced across the table at Tyler. It felt good to confide in her, even if it was about his father.

“I know what it’s like.” Tyler drew her finger through a wet patch on the table left behind by her glass. “When my mother finally reappeared in my life, I could barely speak to her I was so angry with her for leaving me. We still don’t get along.”

This was the first time she’d revealed anything about her mother. Luke leaned forward. “Tell me more.”

But Tyler was already shaking her head, as if she regretted her disclosure. “About your sisters,” she said briskly “The twins dropped by the store today. We got chatting, and they invited Chloe and me to Helen’s birthday party. I said yes, but if you object I’ll make some excuse.”

Diverted, he sat back and blinked at her. “Helen’s birthday? Crap.”

She wriggled her lips. “Okay, you don’t have to be so blunt. I get the message. You don’t want me to go.”

“What? No, I forgot it’s her birthday next week. I never know what to buy her.”

“I can help you there. You can get her the matching earrings that go with the necklace your sisters bought for her from the store.”

“Great.” He exhaled a breath, then added, “And of course I don’t object to you going to the party.” Far from it, he thought. Tyler would perk up any party.

“Sure about that? I don’t want to complicate things for you.”

“Meaning?”

Her lips curled up into a rueful smile. “Your sisters were under the impression there was something going on between you and me.” She shrugged, the silky material of her blouse shifting over her breasts, drawing his attention to her curves. “I put them straight, but going with you to a family gathering might lead them astray again.”

His gaze lingered on her breasts. Trouble was, there were so many ways Tyler could lead him astray. Just sitting there, listening to him ramble on was leading him astray. He’d opened up to her more than any other woman before. Add her luscious body in the mix, and he was dicing with trouble. But he didn’t care much anymore. She was sexy and lively, and he liked being with her, and she’d make a family party a whole lot more fun.

“Leave my sisters to me,” he said.

“Okay.” She gave him a cheeky grin that made her look the spitting image of Chloe. “I was going to go regardless, but it’s nice to know you approve.”

“Huh.” He shook his head but couldn’t stop smiling.

Ten minutes later Chloe, having run herself ragged around the play area, collapsed in Tyler’s arms. Luke paid the bill and drove them home, where he carried Chloe’s slumbering form into her bedroom. Tyler tucked in the sheets, then walked with Luke to the front door.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said.

“No, I should thank you. My father’s visit left me in a bit of a funk. You and Chloe managed to pull me out of it.”

She lifted her shoulders. “That’s me. A funky distraction.”

Again her top did that seductive slipping thing with her breasts. All evening she’d been exercising his imagination, and now, with the dimness of the hallway around them and crickets chirping outside, he couldn’t keep his distance any longer. Reaching out, he fingered the silky material at her shoulder, and instant heat rolled through him. Whoa This time the attraction throbbing through him was a lot more volatile.

She stilled, surprise flickering in her face. A pulse at the base of her throat suddenly kicked up. “Are we going on the scenic route again?”

Shifting his stance, he curled his palm under her heavy fall of hair to rest it against the back of her neck. Anticipation boiled like a thundercloud in him. To hell with keeping his distance. Right now, he needed this more than anything.

“Not this time,” he said huskily. “This time, I know exactly where I’m going.”

He lowered his head, his lips meeting hers halfway as she tilted toward him. Her mouth was hot, sweet, drugging. The pleasure of the kiss sent shock waves through him. Before he knew it, he pulled her closer so his body was plastered against hers. He kissed her deeper, harder, and she responded, opening her mouth to stroke her tongue against his.

Her boldness shattered the last of his restraint. Her blouse rustled as he crushed her closer. The feel of her breasts rubbing against his chest sent his heart rate soaring, his hands gripping at her hips and waist so she couldn’t get away. It appeared she didn’t want to get away. She wrapped one long, denim-clad leg around his, her moans soft and arousing as she molded her lips and body to his. He couldn’t control the desire shooting through him, and before he knew it he was aching to take things further.

She couldn’t miss the signs, not with their bodies wound together so intimately. Grabbing onto the last remnants of his self-control, he forced himself to lift his head slightly. A soft groan escaped her as their mouths separated. He stared down at her dilated eyes, mussed hair, and moist lips. Christ, he’d never wanted a woman so badly.

Tyler sighed and reluctantly unwrapped her leg from him. “Wow,” she murmured, running her fingers through her hair. “You sure know how to kiss.”

He swallowed. “You’re not too shabby yourself.”

“Hey, buy me dinner and I’m all yours.”

She was joking, he knew, but it didn’t stop the fire reigniting in his veins. He reached for her again, but this time she caught his hand and twined her fingers through his, forestalling him.

“Luke” There was a wealth of meaning behind that single word. “I don’t think we should be getting so heavy right now.”

His blood surged in defiance. He tightened his grip on her hand. “Why not?”

“Because” She drew in a breath. “Because I’m neck-deep in work and Chloe and keeping Gretchen off my back. It’s bad timing.”

He had a feeling she wasn’t telling him the entire truth, but as his oxygen-starved brain belatedly caught up, reason began to filter back. He had a looming deadline to meet, and Tyler was proving too distracting. And besides, after his difficult split with Jennifer, he was supposed to be more circumspect, not running headlong into another noose. Not to mention his dad. Seeing him again, learning about his infidelities, was a sobering reminder to Luke that commitment wasn’t for him.

Then again, he was holding a gorgeously seductive woman, and his body was thrumming with heat. “But I like kissing you. A lot.”

Her lovely lips curled up, and he wanted to crush them again. “I don’t want to stop kissing you, either.”

“We can keep it light and casual.” Lifting their joined hands, he pressed a few small kisses on her fingers and was rewarded by a shiver running through her.

“What does that mean?”

“Um, we don’t go lower than the collarbone, and we don’t go under clothes.” Jeez, what was he signing up for? Could he really keep to those adolescent rules?

But Tyler was already nodding. “And we keep it strictly private.”

He knew why—she didn’t want Chloe seeing them kiss. Her first priority was her daughter, as it should be.

“Strictly private.” He pulled her closer. “I don’t see anyone around now.” He kissed her again, slower this time so he could savor the moment, but soon Tyler’s tongue was frolicking with his, and another eruption threatened. This time, she broke off the kiss, but judging by her heaving breath and glimmering eyes, it had cost her a lot to draw the line. Gulping, she pushed him toward the front door.

“You’d better go,” she muttered, cheeks flushed as she readjusted her blouse.

He took one last look at her and reluctantly left. He’d arrived at her house seething, and he was leaving still tense, but this was the kind of tension he infinitely preferred.



Tyler leaned against the shut door and tried to get her breathing under control. From head to toe, her body tingled from the afterglow of Luke’s kisses. She felt as if she were floating in champagne bubbles.

It’s bad timing, she’d said, and he’d bought her line. Luckily, he hadn’t tried to change her mind by kissing her some more, or she would have been in serious trouble. Timing wasn’t the main problem—Luke was. He wasn’t like any of the men she’d dated in the past. With him, she could feel her self-control ebbing away. He was fascinating and gorgeous, but he was also the dangerous undertow that could sweep her out of her depth if she wasn’t careful. She knew she couldn’t keep her distance from Luke, but she’d be wise to swim between the flags before she got towed under.