Chapter 28
Would her plan work? Brit had no idea, but for the time being, Trent was a happy man. Until the fire died down, they were restricted to the living room. That made the sofa their best option, so he fetched a blanket so they wouldn’t slide around on the leather upholstery.
Making love had never been so funny. Afterward they ate the rest of their dinner and cleaned up the dishes.
By then the fire was almost out and they returned to his king-sized bed, their hunger for each other still strong. At last they slept, sated and content wrapped in each other’s arms.
She slipped out of bed at dawn, careful not to disturb him, and took her clothes into the bathroom. As she was washing up, the scent of coffee brewing drifted under the closed door.
He’d stocked up on non-alcoholic beer. Had he picked up decaf coffee, too? Dressing quickly, she hurried into the kitchen, where he was in the process of pouring a cup from the carafe.
Glancing up, he smiled and held it out. “Decaf.”
“Thank you! But why did you buy it? You didn’t know I’d be here in the morning.”
“Sure didn’t.” He gestured toward a bag of coffee from the counter. “That’s for you to take home. You didn’t have any yesterday and since you were coming here right after work, you wouldn’t have had time to shop.”
“What a lovely thing to do.” Waking up to coffee and the sight of Trent in jeans and an unbuttoned shirt took the sting out of leaving his cozy bed. His unshaven jaw conjured up good memories, too. “Desiree’s right. You’ll make a fantastic dad.”
“Thanks for giving me the option.” He started to say something, then closed his mouth again.
“What?”
He sighed. “I’m probably a damned fool for bringing this up, but something Dallas said as he was going out the door last night keeps running through my mind.”
“About having a second one?”
“You heard that, too?”
“I did.”
“I’m one of four and you’re an only. I liked having siblings, mostly, except when one of them would get on my very last nerve. Were you okay with being an only?”
“Nope. I tortured my poor mother begging for a brother or sister. I didn’t care which. I didn’t know she kept trying after I was born but no dice.”
“So how do you feel about Montana being an only?”
“Not good, but she’s a start.”
He grinned. “I was afraid it was a dangerous topic.”
“Not really. Desiree set a precedent there, too. Bret and Gil have the same father.”
“Actually I did know that. But not the story behind it.”
“Faye talked about it during one of our birthday dinners at the Buffalo. The boys figure their dad was a fun bed partner but he and Desiree had nothing in common. They had the good sense to admit it and he didn’t stick around, but when she wanted another baby, she contacted him and he was willing.”
“Well, you have my number.”
She smiled. “And you’ve got mine. In all respects. I’ve had a wonderful time.”
“Me, too. I miss you already and you haven’t walked out the door.”
“But I need to.” She drained her coffee and set the cup on the counter. “That was delicious. Tasted just like regular.”
“The guy at the market said this was the best decaf brand he had.” He picked it up and handed it to her. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“That would be nice.”
“What time can you get here Friday?”
“My last appointment’s at three. If I pack a few things in advance, I should be able to be out here no later than four.”
“Good. That gives us a little time before we go over for the rehearsal at five.”
She glanced up at him. “I’ll arrive dressed for the evening, so?—”
“I know. I’m not planning to seduce you. We’ll just talk. I can tell you how my folks took the news before you’ll be coming face-to-face with them.”
“And I can tell you how my mom takes the news when I tell her I’m spending Friday and Saturday night with you.”
“You know what? I could drive in and pick you up on Friday afternoon. Then I can take you back home early Sunday morning. That’s a classier way to do it.”
“That’s the gas-guzzling way to do it.”
“But I want to. Sending you off like this feels wrong.”
She turned to face him. “Because you have a knight in shining armor complex.”
“Not really. I just?—”
“No, really. And I’m grateful, because if you hadn’t insisted on driving me home Saturday night, we wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“So sure, come and pick me up on Friday. I’ll leave the key under the mat so if you get there before I do, just let yourself in. I’ll see you then.” Sliding her hand behind his neck, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him.
With a soft groan, he kissed her back, gathering her close. Then he released her slowly and opened the door. “Drive carefully.”
“You, too.” She shivered as a cool breeze touched skin flushed from his kiss.
“Want a jacket? A blanket?”
“No, thanks. I’ll just run to the truck.” Resisting the impulse to kiss him again, she dashed across the porch and down the steps.
Her truck cab was cold after sitting there all night. Closing the door quickly, she set the coffee on the passenger seat and started the engine. She also turned on the heater, although it wouldn’t do anything yet.
She would bring a warm jacket out here for the weekend. Summer wasn’t here yet. She put the truck in reverse and checked her rearview mirror as she backed out so she could turn around.
When she started the turn, she glanced over at the cabin. Trent stood on the porch, barefoot, his shirt still unbuttoned and his hands shoved in the front pockets of his jeans. He lifted one hand and flashed the smile that had dazzled her Saturday night. She had a thing for good teeth.
She tapped the horn and drove away, watching in the rearview mirror until the trees blocked her view. She had a thing for Trent Armstrong, too. And it went way beyond friendship.