Читать книгу Special Deliveries Collection - Kate Hardy - Страница 67

Maggie stood in the kitchen, staring out the window. Amber had insisted that Brady be the one to tuck her in tonight. Which probably meant conning him into reading her multiple books before bed.

Their picnic had gone off without a hitch. In the afternoon they’d spent a little time at Penny’s with Flicker and then went grocery shopping, of all things. Maggie had been amazed by what Brady remembered from his days of working on the farm. He’d kept them both entertained with little stories about him and his brothers.

Amber had definitely fallen in love with her father, and Maggie couldn’t blame her. Brady had proven today that he was still that boy she’d had a crush on in school. But he’d also shown her that the grown-up Brady was even better with more substance and a way of viewing the world that had to do with life and experience that neither of them had had eight years ago. Crushing on teenage Brady had been easy, but grown-up Brady made her feel unsettled.

“Deep thoughts?”

She spun around. Even knowing he couldn’t read her mind, she felt vulnerable. As if She were latching onto an idea of what it would be like to do something insane like fall in love. With Brady.

“Did Amber go to sleep okay?” She had to find something to busy herself with. The dishes were done and put away. Everything was clean. Unless she wanted to pull out the oven cleaner and a scrubbing pad, there wasn’t anything left.

“After five books.” His smile was tender, as if he would read Amber a hundred books if she asked him to. “She was practically asleep when she asked for the fifth one. I made sure to read very slowly.”

“Great.” Oh crap, now what?

He looked as if he had absolutely nowhere to be. It was only eight-thirty. Maybe she should pretend to be tired and ask him to leave. She could watch some TV or work a little or…

“Do you want a drink?” Maggie blurted out. She had to say something, and everything else sounded rude after the day they’d spent together and especially last night with Amber. Besides, he just stood there watching her with a look that made her stomach flutter.

“Sure.” His gaze never strayed from her as she went to the fridge.

She opened it and pushed things aside to see what she had. “I have some milk and juice boxes and water and a couple of cans of Diet Coke hidden near the back. Sorry, I don’t normally have adult company besides Penny. So no real reason to drink.”

But damn, could she use a drink about now.

“Water’s fine.” His baritone voice made her knees tremble.

She straightened and closed the fridge. With a forced smile, she walked over to the sink and flipped on the faucet to cool the water. “Water it is, then.”

Her hands shook when she reached for the glasses. His hand curved around hers as his warmth engulfed her back. It would be so easy to go wherever this led them.

“Let me help you with that,” Brady whispered next to her ear.

Shivers coursed along her spine, pooling into an empty pulsing between her legs. It was only lust. His other arm crossed her waist and pulled her tight against him. His hardness settled against her backside, leaving no doubt where his thoughts were.

Their hands closed over the glass, and he moved it to the stream of water. While the glass filled, his lips caressed the back of her neck. She forgot to think, to breathe as she succumbed to the desire that hummed to life whenever he was near.

He took the glass from her hand and set it on the counter before shutting off the faucet. Turning in his arms, Maggie met his gaze. His pupils were dilated. His breath shaky.

“No more games, Maggie.” His fingers tipped up her chin as his mouth descended. There was no denying the chemistry between them.

His lips parted on hers, and she gave herself up to the feel of his mouth. The slide of his tongue against hers. The passion she’d been denying all week rose to the surface all at once. The kiss turned desperately passionate. She didn’t want to think anymore, only touch him and let him touch her.

She pulled his T-shirt loose from his pants. Her greedy fingers found their way under to memorize the ripples of flesh beneath. As long as she kissed him, she wouldn’t have to think, only feel.

Brady’s hands had found their own way under her top, curving around her back before lifting her onto the counter. Not for one second did he release her mouth, and she didn’t give him the chance.

It’s as if they both knew if they paused for one moment, reality would come crashing in. His fingertips traced a path of fire beneath her shirt, making her skin tremble, anticipating his touch. She wanted to live in this moment. To ignore the warning bells going off in her head.

His lips trailed down her chin and his teeth grazed her throbbing pulse in her neck. The upper cabinets bumped against her head. No thinking. Thinking wasn’t allowed.

But the kitchen? Not the best place in a house with kids.

“We…” she said.

His tongue found a spot on her neck that was as close to divinity as she had ever come. Even her toes curled in response to the flood of longing. Okay, just a second more and she’d stop.

The button of her jeans opened. Then she felt the tug of the zipper.

“Brady?” She tried again to be responsible, but his name came out as a soft moan.

His lips curved into a smile against her neck. He knew she was weak. Captured by his spell. Unable to untangle her thoughts long enough to think about Amber walking in on them.

That did it. She shoved against his chest and was surprised it actually moved him. His eyes were almost black and had that dazed look that she knew was reflected in hers. Their chests moved in time as they drew in much-needed air.

“We can’t do this here,” she finally managed to say.

“Maggie, you’re killing me.” His head dropped to her shoulder. His dark hair tickled her skin, keeping the fire on high.

“Brady, look at me.” It was about time he actually heard her.

He raised his head and met her eyes before his gaze dropped to her lips. She felt a corresponding tug deep inside. There was no way she was turning him out tonight.

“Not here.” She reached out and tipped his chin until he met her eyes again. “Not in the kitchen. Amber might wake up.”

His eyes glowed like a child’s at Christmas. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”

He swung her into his arms before she could make any comment and strode across the kitchen and up the stairs. She patted his arm until he lowered her softly to the floor in the hallway. Grabbing his hand and hoping for the best, she led him past Amber’s door and into her room.

He towered over her and walked her backward until the bed hit her knees. She grabbed his shirt as she lowered herself to the bed. He followed willingly. His lips met hers and banished the other thoughts that had bubbled forth.

“Condom?” she mumbled against his lips.

He pulled out his wallet and withdrew a condom, placing it on the nightstand along with his wallet.

“The door?” She had to cover all the bases while she was still coherent enough.

“Shut and locked.” He nibbled her bottom lip before kissing her senseless.

The sense of urgency took over again as she pulled his shirt over his head. She could ignore the little warning bell going off in the back of her mind. Especially when his mouth was doing divine things to her neck. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t discussed where they were going from here.

It hadn’t mattered before, why should it matter now? Her shirt followed his to the floor. His warm skin rubbed against hers, and breathing became optional. She fell against the bed as his lips worked magic along her collarbone. Her stomach clenched as he worked his way closer and closer to her breasts, which were confined by her bra.

Why shouldn’t she be allowed this? So what if he’d be gone in a week? Shouldn’t she enjoy what she could, like Penny always said?

His hands slipped beneath her and released the catch on her bra. With it out of the way, his mouth covered her nipple and she got her wish. Nothing but sensation flowed through her brain. He branded her with his mouth as his hands worked on her pants.

Want and need replaced everything. As his hands continued to explore her body, she nearly came off the bed when he switched breasts.

A small knock broke through the chaos of sensations. It was probably the house settling. Brady’s finger teased her panty line.

Another knock followed by a small “Mommy?” had Maggie slamming her hand over Brady’s and shoving him to the side. She took three deep breaths before grabbing a shirt and throwing it over her head.

“Just a minute.” Suddenly, she was engulfed in Brady’s rich scent. She had grabbed his shirt, still warm from his body. She held her finger to her lips when she looked at Brady.

He nodded.

Opening the door a crack, she saw Amber’s face covered in tears. Forgetting everything, Maggie dropped to her knees and held out her arms. Amber flew into them, wrapping her arms tight around Maggie’s neck.

“I…had a bad…dream,” Amber said through her sniffles. Her arms stayed tight around Maggie and her head lay on Maggie’s shoulder.

Maggie rubbed her back. Perhaps this was the universe saying don’t sleep with Brady Ward. “It’s okay. Why don’t we go to your room and get you into bed?”

Amber’s head shook violently on Maggie’s shoulder. “I want to sleep with you, Mommy. In your bed.”

Danger. Maggie tried to glance at Brady, but her head wouldn’t turn far enough. Maybe he’d hidden in the closet. He could sneak out after Amber fell asleep.

“Can I call Daddy?”

No matter how many times Amber called him that, it shocked Maggie. she didn’t know quite how to answer. After all, Brady was right there. No need for a phone call.

She wanted to laugh hysterically but instead her mouth opened and closed while she tried to think of some reason Amber couldn’t call Brady besides the fact that he was in Maggie’s bedroom.

“No need to call me. I’m here.” Brady opened the door all the way and knelt beside Maggie. She cringed. What would Amber think?

Amber immediately released Maggie and flung herself at Brady. A stab of jealousy hit Maggie hard. She’d always been the one to comfort Amber. The one Amber clung to when she needed a good cry. The one Amber relied on to keep her safe.

And now Brady was hogging her glory. Not that she wanted Amber to have bad dreams. She just wanted to be the one her daughter wanted to comfort her.

“What happened to your shirt?” Amber asked. She snuggled up to Brady the same way she always snuggled with Maggie.

“Your mom was cold.” Brady glanced Maggie’s way. How could she begrudge him this when he looked so damned happy?

“That was nice of you.” Amber pulled away and smooshed Brady’s face between her hands, forcing him to look at her. “Would you stay and sleep with Mommy and me?”

“Of course.” Brady didn’t hesitate for a moment.

What the hell was going on in her life? First she about had sex with Brady and now she was about to climb in bed with him and their daughter? This was too weird.

Amber grabbed both their hands and led them to the bed. She climbed in and under the covers. “Mommy on this side and Daddy over here.”

Not an ounce of the heat from before was in the look Brady gave her. It was questioning and tender. Almost as if he was giving her a choice. Oh, sure, Amber would blame her for driving Brady away.

Maggie shrugged and grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms from her dresser. After pulling them on, she climbed into bed with Amber.

“I don’t even get my shirt back?” Brady smiled.

“I’m still cold.” Maggie snuggled deeper under the covers. That, and it smelled like him. “If you aren’t going to be comfortable, you could always go home.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He sat on the edge of the bed and took off his socks, but kept his jeans on. He lay on top of the covers, put his arms under his head and crossed his ankles.

“I’m glad you’re my daddy,” Amber whispered.

“Me, too,” Brady whispered back.

Maggie reached over and shut off the lamp. As she lay wide-awake in the darkened room listening to the rustles and breathing of Amber and Brady, all the thoughts she’d put to the side while Brady had been kissing her rushed forward. But one question spoke louder than any of the others.

What if Brady wanted to be with Maggie because of Amber? All his charm and kisses were only to stay close to his daughter?

She felt a brush of his fingertips on her shoulder and tried to relax so he thought she’d fallen asleep. He wouldn’t even be in her life now if it weren’t for Amber.

Well, his charm and kisses wouldn’t work on Maggie. She didn’t need a man in her life and definitely not Brady Ward. She wanted a man who was in love with her for who she was. Besides, it wasn’t as if she were already half in love with the guy.

His hand slipped away and immediately she missed his touch. Oh, for Pete’s sake, she was better than this. Falling in love with the father of her child. Ha! Impossible because he lived in New York and she lived here. He was high class and champagne dreams. She was barbecue and beer.

Even if the chemistry was explosive, that kind of thing never lasted. Before long he’d resent her for holding him back. Especially since he didn’t love her. Her heart throbbed and a warm well of tears choked the back of her throat.

He would never love her. Could she ever know if he really loved her? He would convince himself that it was the right thing to do. To love the mother of his child.

She drew in a shaky breath to keep from crying because she knew without a doubt that if she hadn’t loved him before, she definitely loved Brady Ward now. And she couldn’t do a damned thing about it.