Chapter Six #3
“There’s that.” He couldn’t stand it. How could he be expected to? She’d thrown her arms around him with such easy affection. And his heart was balanced on a very thin wire. Trying to keep the movement casual, he set her aside. “Well, I could eat.”
“Good.”
She would have taken his hand, but his were already in his pockets. It amused and touched her how restrained he was determined to be. And if it made her naturally competitive spirit kick in, well, she couldn’t help it, now could she?
“I’m hoping to get down to Charles Town and watch some of the workouts once you take Betty and some of the other yearlings to the track.”
“She’ll be ready for it soon enough.” Relief was like a cool wave through his blood. Talking of horses would make it all easier. “I’d say she’ll surprise you, but you’ve been up on her. You know what she’s made of.”
“Yeah, good stock, good breeding, a hard head and a hunger to win.” She flashed him a smile as they approached the kitchen door. “I’ve been told that describes me. I’m half Irish, Brian, I was born stubborn.”
“No arguing with that. A person might make the world a calmer place for others by being passive, but you don’t get very far in it yourself, do you?”
“Look at that. We have a foundation of agreement. Now tell me you like spaghetti and meatballs.”
“It happens to be a favorite of mine.”
“That’s handy. Mine, too. And I heard a rumor that’s what’s for dinner.” She reached for the doorknob, then caught him off guard by brushing a light kiss over his lips. “And since we’ll be joining my parents, it would probably be best if you didn’t imagine me naked for the next couple of hours.”
She sailed in ahead of him, leaving Brian helplessly and utterly aroused.
There was nothing like an extra helping of guilt to cool a man’s blood. And it was guilt as much as the hot food and the glass of good wine that got Brian through the evening in the Grant kitchen. The size of it left little room for lust, considering.
There was Adelia Grant giving him a warm greeting as if he were welcome to swing in for dinner anytime he had the whim, and Travis getting out an extra plate himself—as if he waited on employees five days a week—and saying that there was plenty to go around as Brendon had other plans for dinner.
Before he knew it, he was sitting down, having food heaped in front of him and being asked how his day had been. And not in a way that expected a report.
He didn’t know what to do about it. He liked these people, genuinely liked them. And there he was lusting after their daughter. An alley mutt after a registered purebred.
And the hell of it was, he liked her as well.
It had been so simple at first, when there’d been only heat.
Or he’d been able to tell himself that’s all there was.
For a time it had been possible to tolerate being in love with her—or at least talking himself out of believing it.
But caring for her made it all a study in frustration.
He could certainly convince himself that he was in love with the idea of her rather than the woman.
The physical beauty, the class, the sheer inaccessibility of her.
That was all a kind of challenge, a risk he enjoyed taking.
But she’d gone and opened herself up to him, so every time he was around her, she showed him more of herself.
The kindness, the humor, the strength of purpose and sense of self he admired.
And now this teasing, this sexual flirt in an innocent’s body was driving him mad. And God help him, he liked it.
“Have some more, Brian.”
“I’ll be sorry if I do.” But he took the big bowl Adelia offered him. “Sorrier if I don’t. You’re a rare cook, Mrs. Grant.”
“Dee, I told you. And rare was just what I was for a number of years. Before Hannah retired—that was our housekeeper. She was with Travis longer than I’ve been with him.
When she retired a few years back I just didn’t want another woman, a stranger, you know, in the house day and night and so on.
I figured I’d better learn to cook something more than fish and chips or we’d all starve to death. ”
“Nearly did the first six months,” Travis commented and earned a narrow-eyed stare from his wife.
“Well, sure, and the experience made you get a handle on that fancy grill outside, didn’t it? The man was spoiled rotten. I wager you could even put a meal together for yourself, Brian.”
Idly he rubbed Sheamus—who was snoring under the table—with the side of his boot. “If I’ve no choice in the matter.”
Brian caught the lazy look Keeley sent him as she sipped her wine. Heat balled in his belly. In defense he turned to Travis. “I’m told you enjoy a hand or two of poker from time to time.”
“I’ve been known to.”
“The lads’re talking about a game tomorrow night.”
“I might come down—I’ve heard you’re a hard man to beat.”
“If you’re going to play cards, you should ask Burke to join you,” Adelia put in. “Then maybe Keeley, Erin and I can find something equally foolish to do with our evening.”
“Good idea. More wine, Brian?” Keeley lifted the bottle, cocked a brow. The purr in her voice was subtle, but he heard it. And suffered.
“No, thanks. I’ve work yet.”
“I’ll walk down with you when you’re ready,” Travis told him. “I’d like a look at that colicky mare.”
“The two of you go ahead. We’ll see to the dishes.”
Travis grinned like a boy. “No KP?”
“There’s not that much to be done, and you can make up for it tomorrow.” She got up to clear, and kissed his temple. “Go on, I know you’ve been worrying about her.”
“Thank you for the fine meal, Dee,” Brian added when she angled her head.
“And you’re very welcome.”
“Good night, Keeley.”
“Good night, Brian. Thanks for the ride.”
Adelia waited until the men were out, then turned to her daughter. “Keeley, I never would’ve thought it of you. You’re tormenting the poor man.”
“There’s nothing poor about that man.” Delighted with herself, Keeley broke off a piece of bread and crunched down on it. “And tormenting him is so rewarding.”
“Well, there’s not a woman with blood in her could argue with that. Mind you don’t hurt him, darling.”
“Hurt him?” Seriously shocked, Keeley rose to help with the dishes. “Of course I won’t. I couldn’t.”
“You never know what you will or you can do.” Adelia patted her daughter’s cheek. “You’ve a lot to learn yet. And however much you learn you’ll never really understand everything that goes on inside a man.”
“I’ve got a pretty good idea about this one.”
Adelia opened her mouth, then shut it again. Some things, she knew, couldn’t be explained. They had to be lived.