A MODERN

LOVE STORY

Jolyn Palliata

Electronic Edition

Copyright 2012 Jolyn Palliata

Cover art by Steven Novak

All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locations are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, and are used factitiously. All other characters, and all incidents and dialogue, are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

This book is dedicated to my family and friends. Thank you for your unwavering support, and unconditional love. I am truly blessed to have the people I do in my life.

Chapter 1

Twelve years old

Robbie all but pressed her small face against the glass of the car window as she stared in wonder at the landscape. Sure, she’d seen mountains before. In fact, at twelve-years-old, she was proud to claim to be a world traveler, although “world” by her definition was the continental United States, and nothing more. But she had never witnessed these mountains. The Green Mountains, her father had called them, and aptly named. Except for the misplaced patches of roughen gray meandering throughout, they were nothing but green. Green, towering, and beautiful.

“Robbie, honey, don’t look down. I don’t want you to get scared.”

She did just that despite—no…probably, because of—her mother’s warning, and thrilled in the dizzying heights they had already achieved. Route 108. Correction. Scenic Route 108. That’s what Mom had read off the map when they turned, and just like the mountains, it was appropriately named.

“We should get to Smuggler’s Notch soon. We can stop there for the night.”

Robbie turned to her mom and smiled at the way she looked in the sunlight. She had a shock of dark auburn hair against pale skin, as Robbie did, and eyes so deep and green they could almost be mistaken as jewels, or so her father liked to say. Robbie loved it when Dad told her she was the spitting image of her mother. After all, he referred to Mom as an angel, and in Robbie’s mind, you couldn’t beat the comparison.

Her mom turned the map to one side as she angled her head in the other, and then turned down Led Zeppelin so she wouldn’t have to talk quite so loud. “Tomorrow we can head up to Mount Mansfield.” She trailed her finger across the busy, creased paper. “Not too far at all. And there’s plenty to do at the resort itself.”

“Look. I know we’re on vacation here—when aren’t we, really?—but I’m not paying anyone in order to appreciate nature. We’re capable people. We can head out on our own. Actually…” Her father slowed as they approached a wide dirt road, and hung a right.

“Bradley. Where are you taking us now?”

“We have time, love. You said the resort wasn’t far. Why not have ourselves a little excursion before settling in for the night?” He peered through the windshield at the sun-dappled canopy of leaves. “Plenty of light left in the day.”

Mom laughed, well used to his spur-of-the-moment treks.

It was one such trek that landed them in Vermont in the first place. And New York before that, and Pennsylvania before that. And so it would continue, Robbie knew, until money began to run short and they settled in, briefly, in some no-name city and low-rent housing. Just long enough for her parents to work and save, and hit the road again. How long had it been now? Three years? Four? Didn’t matter. Robbie loved the adventure of the road and never knowing what they would see, or experience, next. One thing she could never deny; she had definitely inherited her father’s adventurous, although reckless, nature.

“Dad, is the truck gonna make it through there?” Robbie eyed up the clusters of trees as the road narrowed, becoming more pitted and grooved.

“You would doubt the Magnificent Exploding Explorer?”

Robbie giggled and blurted out the next line of her father’s well-known little rant. “Hasn’t exploded yet!”

“MEE is tough enough to squeeze us through with no real harm. Don’t you worry, Peanut. Just enjoy the ride.”

Both Robbie and her mother squealed as he gunned it across a rut in the ground, pitching them into the air and slamming down with a gut-wrenching drop. Robbie looked over as she saw her mother grab the ‘hold on for your life handle’—she wasn’t allowed to call it what her parents did—and her eye was pulled by the gleam of a diamond-shaped yellow sign nestled in the trees.

“Dad—” She lost the air in her lungs as her father hit another nature-made speed bump with a relishing zeal, and nearly maniacal laugh.

“Bradley! We’ll knock ourselves unconscious if you don’t cut it out.” But her mother’s smile belied her scolding as she adjusted what she claimed were her John Lennon sunglasses.

Her father slowed, just a bit, as he cocked his head and scanned the road. “What’s that noise?”

Robbie’s mind raced with the approaching thunder and whispered what she had read on the sign. “Fallen rock zone.”

They trickled down at first, small pebbles pelting the roof and windshield like bouncing pieces of hail. But they were soon followed by rocks, then boulders. The noise was deafening the moment before they hit, before MEE pitched to the side and wrapped around the neighboring trees, before the windshield burst safety glass across her parent’s laps and the roof caved in. And even when it was done, darkness engulfing them and dust clouding around them, the roar still echoed in her ears.

The noise faded as her heartbeat took center stage, but she could still hear the metallic groan accompanying the shift in the stones, and the last remaining window burst into a shower of gleams and glitters in the narrow stream of sunlight piercing the black.

Robbie’s breathing was laborious; small puffs of oxygen and dust, inciting a riot of coughing fits to ache in her chest, and tears to well up, stinging her eyes. She fought to calm herself, to try and filter her breathing through thinly-pulled lips. Isn’t that what Dad taught her? When they were flying across the hard-packed plains on dune buggies? Try not to breathe in the dust, he said. Can’t be good for the lungs, he claimed. No. It was her shirt. She held her sleeve to her mouth, and breathed through it. It helped. It worked. Dad knew. He always did.

The beating in her ears slowed and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” wavered through the gloom to clear her head and bring her careening back to reality. Driving. They’d been driving. And then…not. It was hard to see. Why couldn’t she see? Trying to focus, her eyes kept catching the particles swirling in the air, a mist of dust glowing in the sun’s beam. It was like looking through a light brown fog.

“Ro—” Her dad coughed, sputtered, and tried again. “Robbie? Gail?”

“Dad. I’m here. It’s… I’m here.” Her words were muffled by her sleeve, but he seemed to hear her regardless. She strained to see him through the gloom.

“Peanut. Are you hurt?” He adjusted in his seat, twisting with a pained grimace. “You hurt?”

“No. I don’t think so.” She looked down at herself for anything obvious, and then to her dad as the dust began to settle and the sunlight did its job. “Blood. You have…” She reached for his forehead.

“Bumped my head is all. Don’t you worry about me. Gail?” He took her mom’s arm and offered it a light shake.

“Mom?”

“Gail? Come on, love. Snap out of it. Ride’s over now.”

She didn’t move. Wouldn’t move.

“Mom?” Tears leaked, streaking down her overheated face. “Dad, wake her up. Make her wake up!”

“Gail? You hear that? Peanut says it’s time to get up now. And I agree.” Even Robbie could hear the fear in his voice.

Robbie’s breath held—may have stopped altogether—as her dad pressed his fingers to her mom’s throat, to her wrist. With a choked sob, he linked his fingers with her mom’s and hung his head. He made no sound, none at all, but his shoulders heaved and shook.

Terror clawed through the shock to burn a trail in her chest, and Robbie knew—as well as she knew her own name—that her mom was already gone. The scream that tore from her lungs was feral and vicious, the tears a torrent down her small dirt-streaked cheeks. Her dad snapped out of his grief to reach for her, calm her, and soothe her. She didn’t know how long she hollered and denied, but when she was done, she found herself on the floor of the backseat, arms wrapped around her father’s.

“Peanut? You with me?”

She mumbled an acknowledgement.

“I need you to do something. Can you do that? Can you do something for me?”

She nodded, pulling away.

“I can’t move, Peanut. I’m stuck in my seat, so I need you to get us those blankets.”

She blinked, but other than that, didn’t move. For a moment, all she heard was a line from “Kashmir”, the never-ending song looping over and over. And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land.

Stroking her cheek with the one hand that could reach, her father locked on her vacant eyes. “Peanut. I need you to listen to me.”

She nodded again.

“You feel that? The air’s getting in now, nice breeze. So, that’s good. Fresh air, right? But it’s got that bite to it, the cold. You feel that?”

She glanced to the exposed window.

“That’s right, Peanut. That’s where it’s coming from. Now we have to stay warm until help arrives, you hear? I need you to get those blankets out of the back. You should be able to reach them. The back end isn’t caved in, but be careful. Be very careful.”

She stared a moment longer, then slowly turned to crawl up on the seat.

“That’s right, Peanut. Take it slow. Slow and easy.”

Her small fingers found and fisted the first blanket she encountered, and then pulled free a second, and then a third. Slumping back to the floor, she looked up at her father. “I got the blankets, Daddy. I got Mommy one too.” She froze like a rabbit caught in the gaze of a predator when she saw her dad’s tears well up. Don’t move, and nothing will happen. Don’t say anything, and everything will be all right. She didn’t know what to do. All she knew was her daddy was crying—her rock, her protector, was crying, breaking. Weak.

“I’m okay, Peanut. I’m okay.” He knuckled the tears off his face and offered up a pitiful smile. “You did good. You’re taking care of Mom. That’s a great idea. We’ll cover her up, keep her warm.” He shuddered, muffling a moan as he maneuvered the spare blanket over her mommy, and then simply slumped back, eyes closed, the color draining from his face.

“Daddy?”

“Just resting a minute.” He opened his eyes. “There, all better. Wrap up in that blanket now.” He began covering himself with the third and stopped midway.

Robbie kneeled to help, concern for her dad now blossoming as her latest worry. “You’re bleeding again. There.” She pointed to his side where the blood spread through his shirt, and then touched the stain with her fingers. They came away wet.

“I think it stopped. Don’t you worry about me. Snuggle in now to keep warm.” He hooked an arm around her slight form as he bit his quivering lip. “We have each other, right? We’ll take care of each other.”

Onward “Kashmir” played, stuck in a perpetual loop, numbing Robbie’s mind into a stupor as she absently rubbed her daddy’s blood between her fingers.

*****

It took her three months to stop referring to them as Mommy and Daddy in her therapy sessions—names she had never used before that day. Not that she remembered, anyhow. And there were still days she had to remind herself, convince herself, they were really gone. Yet, here she was. Bag packed and moving away from St. Joseph’s Orphanage. At nine months, it was the longest time she had ever called a place home in a long, long time. And she was terrified to leave.

They told her she was going to a nice home, a real home they called it. Foster care. The words sounded dirty to her. Isn’t that where the rotten kids went? The ones no one loved? But she wasn’t bad, and she was loved. Or had been, once.

“It’s time to go, Robbie.”

With one last look at the busy street, she turned away from the window and heaved the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

“Do you need help with your bag?”

“No, ma’am,” Robbie responded, staring down at the toes of her Mary Janes, and then frowned. She really hated those shoes. She smoothed out her jumper. She really hated wearing jumpers.

They said they were taking her to another city. What was it called? Winooski. That was what it was. But she didn’t believe them; the ride was way too short and they never broke free of the sprawling city of Burlington. Maybe they had it wrong. Or maybe she did.

They stopped in front of the cheery yellow house with white trim. It was a nice little house, she decided. Nice wide porch. Nice big tree in the front. Nice green lawn. It was…nice.

A lean woman bounced down the steps to greet them. Her hair was a cap of blond—yellow to match the house, Robbie thought—and her smile was as bright as Robbie had ever seen before. She seemed…nice.

Mrs. Anita, with her no-nonsense business suit and tightly spun bun, gestured for Robbie to join them on the sidewalk. “Come along, Robbie. Let’s not dawdle.”

Dawdle. What a ridiculous word, and one of Mrs. Anita’s favorites, without a doubt. “Yes, ma’am.” She slid out of the backseat, dragging her bag behind her.

“Robbie Byrne, meet Leah Selwyn. She’ll be your foster mother.”

Leah crouched down and aimed that beaming smile right at Robbie. With a hand held out, she said, “I’m very pleased to have you in my home, Robbie. I hope you’ll be happy here.”

Robbie stared at her hand, looking for teeth, a trap, anything that should have her alert and aware. Glancing to the woman’s baby blues, she decided to go with her first impression: She was nice.

“Thank you, ma’am.” And with the manners her own parents had taught her, she took her hand and firmly pumped it once.

“Please, call me Leah. Lawson, your foster father, was supposed to be here to greet you, but, unfortunately, was held up on the work site. I hope you can forgive him that.”

“S’okay.”

“And Lucian was supposed to be around, too, but your arrival seems to have slipped his mind.”

Mrs. Anita squeezed Robbie’s shoulder. “Lucian is another child staying with the Selwyn’s. How’s he getting along these days, Leah?”

Leah straightened, nodding with a smile. “Very well. He’s continually testing the waters, but he’s a good boy. Certainly keeps me on my toes.” She held out a hand to Robbie. “Ready to go in and see your new home?”

Robbie nodded as she glanced to Mrs. Anita.

“Go along now, Robbie. You’re in good hands.”

“Yes, ma’am.” And she bravely followed, the gentle stranger leading the way.

*****

Luc raced through the thicket of underbrush, not noticing the way it grabbed to cling at his clothes; clothes already tattered and dirty from a day of rough play, and an even rougher fight.

She’ll draw first blood, he decided. Leah will skin him alive and then Lawson will pick the bones clean. Isn’t that what they threatened to do if he got into another fight? Or skin him alive and feed him to the dogs to pick clean? Whatever. They were going to kill him.

Let them try.

He slowed from a flat-out run to a slow jog, and then a brisk walk. Stubbornness slowed his feet, but sheer stupidity had his chin jutting into the air as he walked through the back door. Glancing to his feet, he cringed and walked back out, wiped them, and then came back in. He told himself it was only to save himself the hassle of cleaning the floor later, something Leah would no doubt nag him about until his ears bleed. Damn her.

“And this will be your room.”

Leah’s voice carried down the hall, and the statement had him confused until he remembered what day it was.  “Shit,” he mumbled, sulking through the kitchen. New kid. And not any new kid, a girl. And not any girl, one with a guy’s name. What the fuck, right? This was gonna suck ass.

“I’ll be making dinner shortly, and—” Leah’s eyes bugged out of her head and her hands flew to her hips. Luc successfully fought the urge to hang his head and even lifted it a measure instead. “Lucian Cintrone! What have you been into now?”

“Nothing.” He eyed the waif of a girl standing next to the highly annoyed woman. The auburn hair against pale skin was dramatic, as were her eyes. The way they glimmered reminded Luc of Leah’s favorite necklace. What was it? An emerald? She was short—What a little squirt!—and her skin was pasty and sickly looking.

She better not ralph all over his shoes.

“Have you been in a fight again?”

His eyes dragged back to Leah. “Maybe. So what?”

“What happened? Who was it this time?”

“Tommy, but he deserved it with the way he was looking at me.”

“And what way was that?”

He paused, almost confused by the straight-forward question. “What do you mean? I just told you. He looked at me.”

“That’s—” She pinched her nose and heaved a sigh. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. Robbie, this is Lucian. Lucian, Robbie.”

Luc merely nodded and hopped up on the stool by the counter, turning his back before he saw her response.

“I think I’m going to go unpack, if that’s okay with you, Leah.”

Leah’s smile warmed the room. “Absolutely, Robbie. Take your time, and let me know if you need anything at all.”

She brought out the first aid kit, rummaging for the antiseptic and bandages as she slated a glance at Luc. “You were supposed to be here when she arrived.”

“Aww. And I missed Maureen too, huh? That’s too bad.”

Leah swatted his arm. “That’s Mrs. Anita to you, mister.”

“Child abuser,” he mumbled, holding back his grin.

Leah laughed as she examined his knee. Torn pants, skin scraped and bloodied. “Nice impression you made on Robbie there, Luc. Despite your limitless charm on me now—note the sarcasm—you just earned yourself KP duty, and a personal tour of the neighborhood for Robbie tomorrow. And I’m talking the works.”

“Jesus Christ.”

Leah merely pointed a stern finger in his face.

“Fine.” He watched Leah tip the bottle of antiseptic with a cotton ball shoved over the mouth. “Take it easy on that stuff, Leah. That shit stings.”

Her mouth pursed as she began cleaning the wound.

“Sonofabit—”

“Lucian Cintrone, that’s enough of that! You just mind your p’s and q’s in front of a lady.”

Luc held back the smirk, but couldn’t stop the unbelieving raise of his eyebrows.

Leah laughed. “No, I would never presume to refer to myself as a lady. I meant our newest addition to the house.” She nodded towards Robbie standing in the doorway.

“Fine. I’ll mind my p’s and q’s. What the hell does that mean, anyhow?”

“Good lord, the effort it must have taken you to last two whole sentences before swearing again…” She rolled her eyes as she continued dabbing at his knee. “And to answer your question, quite simply, I don’t know.”

Robbie piping up from behind had Luc twisting around. “It originated in British pubs. It means Mind your pints and quarts. That’s the different sizes of what people drank. We have small, medium and large, they had pints and quarts. The man behind the bar would yell Mind your p’s and q’s! when a fight broke out so people wouldn’t spill.”

Luc stared at her a beat and then turned back to Leah. “She’s weird.”

“Lucian! Apologize. Now!”

He saw real anger there and looked back at Robbie. “I’m sorry I pointed out the obvious.”

“That’s okay. I guess I am, a little bit.”

“Aww, sweetie. No, you’re not.”

Lucian gawked at Leah and mouthed Sweetie? as a deliberate question.

“You shush, Luc.” She slapped a bandage on his knee.

“Hey!” He winced and glared with no effect.

“Go clean your room or something. I don’t want to see or hear from you before we eat.” Then she beamed a smile at Robbie. “Come on, sweetie. You can keep me company while I make dinner. Sound good?”

Luc slid off the stool and scowled as he passed the red-headed squirt. “I wouldn’t get too close to her. She might—”

“Lucian.” The warning was clear.

Satisfied, he let his smile spread from ear-to-ear as he walked to his room.

*****

“You better keep up Squirt ‘cause I’m not waiting on you. I don’t give a fuck what Leah has to say about that. Or Lawson either, for that matter.” Luc glanced over his shoulder. “You hear me?”

“Yeah.” Robbie bit her lip against what she really wanted to say, not sure how the rough-n-tough boy would react. He did nothing but talk, in her opinion. Okay, sure, it wasn’t like she’d ever known that many kids before, but still, he sure did like to hear himself. She’d never met another kid with so much to say, without really saying anything. Except swear words. He loved to cuss.

She studied him as he grumbled under his breath about stick-figure girls and a tiny pain in the ass, all the while kicking at every stone or pebble in his path. Even at twelve, he towered over Robbie, and yet, despite his lankiness, he wasn’t awkward and lumbering. He was fluid and strong. A tussled mop of dark hair matched his dark-brown eyes, which, in turn, matched his dark moods. And Robbie had to admit, she immediately admired him. Why couldn’t she be like that? Not the tall and dark part, but the hard and mean part. With anger like that, she bet she wouldn’t be so scared all the time.

Here was a kid who wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind, and exactly what he thought about it. Here was someone not afraid of his own shadow and able to take care of himself. She imagined there was nothing that would ever scare him. He’d never cower in the dark and jump at every sound in the night. He’d never have nightmares that had him fighting for air and getting all sweaty. No. Not him. He was all sleek and dangerous like a—

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Robbie blinked and stared. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. It’s weird. Knock that shit off.”

She felt her embarrassment blaze into her cheeks. “Sorry.”

“You’re not gonna be one of those psycho bitches that cuts a guy up when he’s sleeping, right?”

Other than her jaw dropping, she couldn’t muster up much more of a reaction. He was nuts!

“Guess not. Just checking.”

Stumbling over a rock, Robbie fought to keep up with Luc, and then followed him through a thick strip of woods and into a clearing by a creek. He sat and kicked back against a pile of rocks, arms folded behind his head. Eyes closed, he basked in the sun while Robbie regarded him, and then tentatively approached the bank.

Seeing no other good option, she spoke first. “I thought you were supposed to show me around.”

“I am. This is the only place worth going to, and no one comes here.”

“Why not?”

He lifted a lazy lid to eye her up before closing it again. “‘Cause I’ll kick their ass if they do.”

And what do you say to that?, Robbie wondered. She crouched down—ladylike, because of the jumper—and absently picked at the long blades of grass sprouting from the soft ground. It wasn’t until about twenty minutes later that Luc spoke again.

“You never shut up, do you, Squirt?”

“I don’t know what to say. And why do you keep calling me that?”

Luc pushed up on his elbows and studied her long enough to leave her squirming. “Why else? ‘Cause you’re scrawny as hell. I guess you’re okay…for a girl. But shit, you’re fucking tiny.”

“It’s just because you’re so tall.”

“Even still. Look, we might as well talk about something. Leah will tear me a new one if we aren’t gone at least an hour, and I’m getting bored just sitting here.”

“What do you wanna talk about?”

“Beats the hell outta me.”

Robbie picked up a stone, weighed it in her palm. Tipping her head to the side, she flicked her wrist, skipping the stone three times across the creek before it sunk. “What about Lawson? How come he didn’t come home last night?”

“He came home, just not until after we were in bed. He—they—own a construction company, and sometimes he has to work late.” He scooted next to Robbie and began sifting through the stones. “Of course that didn’t stop him from coming in my room last night and giving me what-for.”

“He hit you?!”

“Hell, no!” Luc shook his head once, clearly in disbelief. “We had a talk.” He snapped a rock out at the water. “Ha! Beat ya! Mine skipped four times. Take that, Squirt!”

She tried ignoring the obvious bait, but then began searching for another rock. “What’s a talk?”

“When he tells me I’m in trouble for fighting, and I promise never to do it again. And then he threatens to ground me, and I say again that I won’t fight anymore. And then he goes ahead and grounds me.”

“And then you fight again?”

He lifted a careless shoulder, dropped it. “Usually. But not on purpose. It just…happens, sometimes.”

“Oh.” Her rock only skipped twice, earning a smirk from Luc.

“Not that every single one of those assholes didn’t deserve a good beating.”

“Um…okay. And the swearing?”

He glanced over, tossing a rock into the air and palming it. “What of it?”

“I just never heard someone swear so much. Especially a kid.”

“It’s just how I talk.”

“And no one cares?”

“Never used to. Not until the L’s—ahh, that’s what I call Leah and Lawson.”

“I know Leah doesn’t like it. I heard her say that last night.”

“Yeah. Lawson doesn’t like it either. I try to watch it around them, well, sometimes. Other times I could give a fuck.”

Robbie cringed.

“Christ. Not you too?”

Her fingers closed around the perfect skipping stone as she answered. “I guess I’m not used to it, is all.” Her stone skipped five times.

Luc scoffed and tossed down the handful of rocks he had. “Yeah, well, you better get used to it ‘cause I’m not changing for anyone.”

“Why even try then? I mean, for Lawson and Leah?”

He paused as if considering his response. “They’re good people. You could do worse.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been in the system for as long as I can remember. From one foster family to the next. Some are real assholes. They hit, lock you up, feed you shit food. They just want to get their money. And then there are ones like the L’s.”

“How long have you been with them?”

“Couple of years. Didn’t figure I’d still be here.”

“Why not?”

“Shit. When you get going, you really don’t shut up, do you?”

She shrugged. “Don’t answer then.”

He glanced over. “I used to punch walls. One after another. Just punch holes in them until they kicked me out into the next shithole they had lined up.”

“Why?”

“Why not? They didn’t give a shit—the people that had me. They didn’t want me any more than I wanted them, so I made it easy all around. Didn’t work that way with the L’s. I’d punch a hole, and Leah would patch up my knuckles while Lawson fixed the wall. Over and over we did this, and they never said anything until the fourth or fifth time. Then Lawson said to me—like it was obvious or something—that I was just destroying what was rightfully mine. That their home was my home.” He cleared his throat and turned away. “I quit punching holes after that.”

Robbie smiled, put a hand on his shoulder. “You love them.”

He jerked out from under her touch and stuck his finger in her face. “I do not! And don’t you go ‘round telling people that neither. Not if you know what’s good for you.” He stalked back over to the big rock pile and leaned a hip against it.

Robbie sighed and looked back out at the water.

“What are you here for anyways? You’re parents ditch you too?”

“Not really. They died, and I can’t find my family.”

“You lost your family?”

“I didn’t know there was anyone else. But my dad gave the doctors a name before he died. He said that family takes care of family, and they’d love me like their own.” She wiped at her eyes with the heel of her hand, just in case. “The orphanage couldn’t find them. But I will. When I get older, I’ll find them and have a family again.”

“In the meantime, looks like you’re stuck with the L’s. Like I said, you could do worse. They even do family vacations.”

“They do?”

“Sure. Usually it’s camping though, so no taking along girlie things and shit.”

Robbie lifted her shoulders and scowled. “I like camping.”

“Yeah? You might be all right to have around then.” He sneered, chuckling. “You know you can’t wear dresses camping, right?”

“Ugh. No skin off my nose.” She scowled at the frumpy jumper spread around her legs.

“If you don’t like dresses, why are you wearing one?”

“It’s all that Mrs. Anita brought me.”

“Good ‘ole, Maureen, huh?” He pushed off and straightened, slipping his hands in his pockets. “Talk to Leah. She’ll get all fucking goofy like a girl, squeal and shit, and then take you shopping for jeans or whatever.”

Robbie flinched again and had to fight to keep from plugging her ears. This, apparently, did not go unnoticed.

His laugh was so full and rich, it sounded like it came straight up from his toes. “There you go again! You better toughen up, Squirt, or you’re gonna be shark bait at school. They’ll never let up.”

Her cheeks warmed with her anger-tipped embarrassment. “I can take care of myself. Anyone gives me any trouble, I’ll just kick them in the tutu.”

“The what?”

“The tutu.”

He hesitated. “Do you mean, like, between the legs?”

“Didn’t I just say that?”

“I don’t know what you just said, but I don’t think that’s what you call it on guys. Crotch, groin…balls.” Robbie flushed to Luc’s apparent delight. “But not toto or whatever you just called it.”

“Tutu is a nasty word. Just most people don’t know it. It comes from…” Her whole head heated up this time; neck and everything. “Never mind.”

“Aww, you can’t do that. You have to tell me now.”

“No way. Can’t do it.”

“So how do you know shit like that? Like last night, with the p’s and q’s thing. And now with this tutu thing—which you will tell me about.”

Robbie smiled as she yanked a thick reed of grass. “My parents had a thing for little known facts. My mom and I would look stuff up at the library all the time and quiz my dad.”

“You went to the library? For fun?”

“I like to learn. My mom taught me on the road. She made it fun.”

“On the road?”

“We moved around a lot. As much as possible, actually. This is the longest I’ve ever been in one place for as long as I can remember.”

“Fuck me. You didn’t have to go to school?”

“Nope. But I still learned stuff on the road, took tests and all that. Had to, by law. The orphanage got me a tutor while I was there to make sure I was where I should be for when school starts.”

“Wait. This is the first time you’ll be going to school?”

“Yup.”

“Whoa. How did you get so damn lucky?”

Robbie pinched the blade of grass between her thumbs and blew. The toneless whistle wavered in the air for as long as she could sustain it, and then she let out a sigh. “I’m not feeling so lucky.”

“Come on. Let’s head back. Don’t want Leah thinking we’re getting along or something.” He waited while Robbie brushed herself off. “Hey, I was meaning to ask you. What was with the light under your door?”

“What light?” she asked, cautiously.

“I got up to hit the head and I saw a light shining. It was too bright to be night light. Was it a flashlight?”

Robbie hung her head and muttered, “I don’t like the dark.”

They shoved their way through the rough foliage as they made their way back. “Yeah, well, good thing you don’t like the dark, there, Squirt.”

“Why?”

“‘Cause there’s this big-ass street light always shining through my window and keeping me awake. I figure you’re the new kid, you should have to deal with it. So you’re switching rooms with me, whether you like it or not.” Luc spun and got in her face. “You got a problem with that?”

She fought the smile and tried to feign fear, or at least, a measure of discomfort. “No.”

He nodded once and turned back around. “You might be okay, Squirt.”

“Thanks, Stretch.”

“Yeah, you and me, we might just get along. For now.”

Chapter 2

Fourteen years old

“Hey, Stretch. Can I ask you something?” Robbie stood in the doorway of Luc’s bedroom and surveyed the damage. “Jeez. Did a bomb go off in here? It’s safe to enter, right?”

“If that’s your question then you can go back the way you came.”

“Touchy.” She slipped in and eased on to the edge of his bed. “I have a date tonight.”

Luc turned away from his computer, swiveling in his chair until he faced her knee-to-knee. “We’re leaving to go camping in the morning.”

“I know. What’s that got to do with tonight?”

“Just saying.”

“I’ll be ready.”

He nodded once, then shrugged. “Was there a question, or you just gonna sit there and stare at me all night?”

“I wanted to ask for a favor.”

“To hell with that. You’ve got the wrong room, Squirt. The L’s should be back soon. Ask one of them for your fucking favor. I got shit to do.”

She let out a light gasp. “I can’t ask them.”

“Then too fucking bad for you. I’m not in the habit of doing favors for people.”

“Luc. Please. This is hard enough. Don’t make me beg.”

He angled his chair and kicked back as his brow creased. “What is it?”

“I have a date with Scott Morgan.”

“Why? The guy’s a total asshole.”

“He is not.”

“I’m not loaning you money.”

“I’m not asking for any.”

“I don’t have a car to truck you around in.”

“You don’t have a license either,” she pointed out.

“Never stopped me before.”

“I don’t need you to drive me anywhere.”

He waited a beat, then began ticking things off on his fingers. “Shit. I don’t have an outfit you can borrow. I don’t have any pull over your curfew. I don’t have any concert tickets to give you. And no, your ass doesn’t look big in those jeans.”

She laughed nervously, pushing at the big curls in her hair. “Ah, none of the above.”

“Jesus Christ, Rob. Ask or get the hell out. I don’t have all fucking night to guess.” He sighed and rolled his eyes when she winced at the swearing.

“It’s my first date.”

“And…?” He spread his hands out as if searching for the relevance. “Wait. You mean first ever?”

“Yeah.”

Folding his arms, he considered her for a moment. “I guess that’s about right. I don’t remember any others. But what’s this got to do with me?” He held up a hand. “Hold up. Maybe I don’t want to know. See Leah if you want to know about the damn birds and bees.”

“Jeez, Luc. No. Just, shut up a minute.” She pushed against her temples in frustration.

“My pleasure.”

She’d rather walk across burning coals than ask what she meant to, but on the other hand, it was too important to leave up to chance. She tipped her head back and spoke at the ceiling. “I’ve never kissed a guy before.”

At that moment, given how flushed she felt, hot coals would have been a soothing alternative. The silence was unbearable. Without looking at him, she stood to leave.

His hand clamped on to her wrist like an iron vice. “Hold up, Squirt. You got me curious now.” She sat slowly, staring at her hands as he let her go. “Where you going with this?”

“Scott’s probably kissed other girls before.”

“Probably.”

“I don’t want to mess it up.”

“And where do I come in?”

“You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you?” She glanced at his darkly amused eyes, his smirk.

“You bet your ass I am.”

“Forget it.” She tried to stand, but this time he clamped down on both wrists.

“Okay, okay. So, what’re you thinking?”

“That you’ve kissed girls before.”

“You’d be right about that.” When she didn’t respond, he continued. “And you want me to tell you how it’s done?”

“I don’t want…” She bit her lip. Oh, God.

“You don’t want me to give you pointers?”

“No. I do, but…”

“Shit, Rob. Just spit it out.”

“I-want-you-to-show-me-how.” Her eyes got big as she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Forget it,” she mumbled behind her fingers. “I can’t believe I just said that.”

“Jesus. Make up your mind. Do you want me to fucking help you, or not?”

She nodded.

“Then shut the hell up and let me think this through a sec.” Robbie stared at him, and he stared right back. “Okay, we start simple.” He rubbed his palms on his thighs as he leaned in, eyes locked on hers. “Now you’ll wanna tip your head to the side. No, not so much. Just so you don’t bang into my nose.” He pushed close, glanced to her lips. “I feel like you’re fucking getting ready to swallow me. Shut your mouth.”

Robbie did as instructed and he came closer, then closer. Her eyes fluttered closed when his firm lips met hers—once, twice. And just when she anticipated the third, she sensed him pulling away.

“That’s it? Luc—”

“Shit, Rob. Chill the fuck out. Just keeping it simple. Baby steps and all. Do you want me to do this or not?”

“Sorry.”

“‘S’all right.” He leaned back, running his fingers through his hair. “Okay, okay. Here we go. Now, let me show you. Just follow my lead.”

“Got it.”

“Don’t watch me.”

Robbie closed her eyes, and when she smelled his Juicy Fruit and felt his warm breath against her lips, she tensed.

“Relax, Robbie,” he murmured, putting his steady hands on her shoulders. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

His mouth brushed against hers, softly, then firmer with more conviction. When she felt his lips part, she did the same. When she felt the testing slide of his tongue, she matched the movement. They sank into the kiss, little by little, and Robbie forgot to pay attention to what she was doing and simply went with instinct. And when she did, she found it was as natural an act as breathing.

Luc’s fingers snaked up her neck, over her jaw, and then dived into her hair, knotting and anchoring there. Holding her firm, he changed the angle, took the kiss deeper. Robbie fought the urge to whimper as she battled to keep up, as if their mouths were at war and there could only be one victor. She wanted to touch him, grab him, pull him closer, but her muscles disintegrated and her arms wouldn’t cooperate. And then he loosed his hold, slowed the kiss, and pulled back.

Her lips felt battered, swollen, and when she spoke, her voice was barely there. “You win.”

He chuckled and sat back. “Damn, Squirt.” Shaking his head, he pushed to his feet. “Don’t worry about a thing. Scott definitely won’t be disappointed.” He chuckled again and rubbed at the back of his neck as he strode out of the room.

“No,” Robbie mumbled, “but I might be.”

*****

Luc woke up the next morning in a mood. The kind that everyone noticed, but no one mentioned. Not unless they wanted to get their head ripped off, beat with a flourish, and handed back as a wad of bloody pulp. He swung out to the dark side from time to time, but the black cloud that would hang over his head eventually drifted off. On this particular day, however, it seemed to take much longer than usual. That could only mean one thing: It wasn’t just a passing mood, something was bothering him.

He sulked as he stared out the window, fully aware of Robbie peeking over at him. He completely ignored her. He didn’t want to talk to anyone, especially her. Why? Who the hell knew? His moods teetered without conscious thought half the time, and the main target of them tended to just be someone of convenience rather than someone he had an issue with. But, whatever the reason, he couldn’t stand to even look at her. So he didn’t, and he sat, glaring at the passing world during the entire drive to the mountains.

When they arrived at their campsite, Luc was relieved to get some distance from Robbie. Within the confines of the car, he sensed whatever he was feeling towards her was festering and threatening to boil over. He needed some fucking fresh air, and something to keep his hands busy.  Helping Lawson set up camp helped, although didn’t fully alleviate, his mood.

“Something bothering you, Luc?” Lawson handed him another bag of gear as they fell into the familiar routine.

“No.”

“Oh, I can see that.”

“I’m in a mood. That’s all.”

“Seems more than that.” Lawson glanced at him. “Nothing happened then?”

“No. What would have fucking happened between when I went to bed and when I got up? I just woke up in a mood, and I’d appreciate it if everyone would leave me the fuck alone about it.”

“Hey, now. Like you said, no one did anything to you. So let’s try to keep it clean and not blast the world around you, okay?”

“Jesus. It’s gotten to the point a guy can’t just be in a bad mood.”

“You have a right to your bad moods, but no right to make everyone else pay for them. If you don’t want to talk about it, then fine. But I won’t have you lashing out at the girls when they get back. This is a vacation. It’s supposed to be fun, and no one needs to worry about tip-toeing around you all day.”

“Right. Like anyone would tip-toe. Like anyone really gives a flying fuck what my problem is.”

Lawson dropped his tent pole and strode over. He turned Luc with a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

Luc prepared to rant, but huffed a breath instead. “No.” Pulling his hands through his hair, he let the tension roll out of his muscles. “No. I don’t believe that. And I know everyone’s been tip-toeing, as you put it. But I don’t know what my problem is.”

“Well, if you figure it out and you want to talk, you know where to find me. In the meantime, try to shut it down some—the girls are on their way.” He nodded past Luc at Leah and Robbie walking back to the site, carrying the smaller, more manageable supplies.

Luc stooped to tie down the tent without looking at them.

“Lawson,” Leah called out, “where do you want this stuff?”

“Just over there, by Robbie’s tent.”

“Robbie’s going to go for a little hike before lunch, Luc. You want to join her?”

Luc looked over at Leah, and then at Robbie who—for once—was avoiding eye contact. “Fine.”

“There,” Leah said to Robbie. “Told you he’d want to go.”

“Oh, yeah. He sounds thrilled,” Robbie retorted sarcastically as she pulled out her hair tie. Shaking her curls out, she then smoothed it back into another tail.

“You want me to go or not?” Luc asked.

“Do whatever you want,” she said, still not looking at him.

“Luc,” Lawson whispered with a nudge. “Go with her.”

“Fine.”

“And watch out for her, would ya?”

Exasperated, Luc glared over at her as he responded to Lawson. “Don’t I always?”

Lawson clapped a hand on his back, drawing Luc’s attention. “You’re a good friend to her.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Scowling, he grabbed his pack. “Let’s go.”

They were a half-mile off and climbing up a ridge before Robbie started to nag.

“Are you gonna tell me what bug crawled up your butt? Or just be mad at me all day?”

“I’m not pissed at you.”

“Then talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He heard her sigh behind him, a long, drawn out sound full of feminine dramatics. “Shit, Robbie. What do you want from me?”

“What do I…  Nothing, Luc. I just thought we were friends enough to where you’d talk to me about whatever’s bothering you.”

“I don’t know what’s fucking bothering me.” He glared over his shoulder. “And I probably wouldn’t tell you even if I did.”

She didn’t respond, and he didn’t turn to look, but by her footsteps he knew she was still following him.

Just let her stew about it. He didn’t owe her anything. No explanation, no apology, nothing. So why the hell did he feel guilty then? Still scowling, he decided to throw her a bone, not because she deserved it, but just so their time together might be easier on him if she wasn’t pouting, as he knew she would be. Another look over his shoulder confirmed it.

“So, how’s Scott?”

“Scott?” Surprise colored her voice.

“Your date.”

“Oh, that. Well… It was fine.”

They stopped at the top of the ridge and each sat on a boulder to rest.

“Doesn’t sound good. Couldn’t have been too bad. You didn’t get home till after midnight.”

She looked at him over her water bottle as she tipped it back. “Did you wait up for me?”

“Hell, no. You woke my ass up.”

“Sorry. I didn’t think I was that loud.” She shrugged. “It wasn’t what I was expecting. The date, that is.”

“Not exciting enough for you?” He uncapped his water bottle. “How did the practice pay off?”

She blushed and laughed. “I guess that wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“What do you mean?”

“He…well, he wasn’t…good.”

Luc nearly spit out his water. “Just what do you mean by good?”

She looked at him and flushed an even deeper color. “He wasn’t good…at kissing.”

“Oh! That.”

“What did you think I meant?”

“I thought you were saying he wasn’t good in the sack.”

“In the… Jesus, Stretch! Seriously?!”

“Hey, not my fault. My mind just went there.” He chuckled as he leaned back on his palms, tipping his face to the sun. “So, in other words, after me, all guys will pale in comparison. Sounds about right.”

“Oh, boy, you’re really full of yourself, aren’t you?”

“Go ahead and admit it. You’ll feel better after you do.”

“Okay, I’ll admit that you were a much better kisser than he was.” And then she mumbled, “Definitely, much better.”

His grin was wide and genuine. “You just let me know if you need any more practice there, Squirt.” He looked over and winked at her pouty expression.

“Very funny. Make fun of the girl who doesn’t know how to kiss.”

“Who says you don’t know how? You’re not bad. Not bad at all. I’d say you have a natural knack for it.”

“Yeah?” She raised a brow.

“Sure. And you’ll snag a guy who appreciates it someday.”

“Just one?”

His brow furrowed. “Better be just one.”

Giggling, she hopped off the boulder. “Are you being protective, Luc?”

“Hell, no. Just stating the facts.” He landed next to her. “I know I like a girl that can kiss. Most guys do. Just don’t go getting a bad rep by running around kissing guys all the time.”

“Ew. Of course I won’t.”

“And that just brings me back around to my original offer.”

“To let me practice on you whenever I want? Ha! Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” She smiled, knocking him with her shoulder. “Such a selfless offer.”

“That’s just the kind of guy I am.”

Luc’s mood was better after that, and only continued to brighten with the constant banter zinging back and forth between him and Robbie. He still never figured out what exactly was bothering him, but after he felt better, who the hell cared? Instead, he just enjoyed the hike.

“Hey, Rob! Look at this!” Luc looked behind him but he didn’t see her. “You comin’, or what?”

“Hold your horses. I’m tying my shoe.”

He surveyed the dirt road. The pile of boulders and rocks compacted together between the road and the hill, and then to the other side where a trio of scarred Oak trees bent with another pile of rocks scattered around their trunks.

“What is it?” She jogged up behind him.

He gestured at the rocks. “Looks like a rockslide. A hell of one, too.” He kicked at a smaller piece of debris sitting in the middle of the road and stopped to look up the hill. “Can you imagine seeing something like that? Shit, the sound of it alone would have been awesome! Look.” He pointed at the wasteland the destruction made; the bare, brown path beaten down along the otherwise lush green hillside. “It must have broken off that rock face up there.” He turned to look at the trees again. “There’re weeds there. Lots of them. Must have happened a while back.”

Picking up a stone, he tossed it down the hill when a strange sound caught his attention. He realized he’d heard it on the onset, when it was quieter, but hadn’t paid it any mind. But now, it was getting louder, and rougher. He shot a glance at Robbie, and his feet were moving almost before he registered there was a problem.

Pale as a fucking ghost. That was all he could muster in his head as he reached for her. The next fractured thought was that she was dying. She clutched at her chest as her breath ripped out, fast and rough gasps that made his own chest ache. When he grabbed her shoulders, looked into her face, he saw the sweat on her brow wetting her hairline. And her eyes, those mesmerizing green eyes, were alight with terror. Simple, raw terror.

“Robbie!” He shook her once—a hard, teeth-shattering shake—but the vacant stare didn’t focus. “Fuck! Rob! Snap out of it! Shit! Shit!”

He jolted with the sudden understanding of what was going on. “Look at me, Robbie. Fucking look right here.” He got in her face, held her head still, and locked his eyes on hers. “Breathe. Long steady breaths. Just fucking breathe. Deep breath in. Now, Robbie!” He saw a flicker of recognition, of confusion. “That’s it, just breathe. Now let it out, slow. No, Rob, slow! That’s it.”

He felt her slumping out of his hold and he moved down with her to control her descent. “Easy. Easy. Keep breathing. No, Robbie! Fucking look at me! That’s it.” He shrugged off his pack, reached in for a blanket. “There you go. Put this on. You’re fucking shaking.”

Her breathing steadied, but her frame continued to quake. Cheeks flushed, she wrapped her arms around her knees and looked down to her hiking boots.

“Calm down. It’s just an anxiety attack. Just…” He swallowed hard and cleared his throat, allowing himself to relax. “Just breathe.”

Luc could tell by the measured rise and fall of her shoulders that she was consciously focusing on her breathing, and that the worst of it was over. “Fuck me, Rob. You gave me a fucking heart attack.”

“How did you—” She cut off her own words as she buried her face in her hands.

“How did I know what it was? I didn’t…not at first. Then I remembered what the L’s told me a couple years ago.”

Robbie lifted her face. “Told you?”

“Before you came to stay with us, they told me you were prone to panic attacks, and then told me what to do if you ever had one around me. I thought they were full of shit.” He shook his head. “Until now.”

Robbie’s sharp emerald eyes blurred, and she bit her lip.

“Oh, no you don’t. Don’t you fucking start crying on me, Rob.” But she went ahead and did anyway. Big, fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and they made Luc even more panicked than her attack did. “What’s wrong with you? What the hell happened?”

She shook her head, then lowered her chin to her chest and wept.

“Aw, shit,” he mumbled, sliding next to her to pat an uneasy hand on her back. “There, there.” He cringed at the cliché of his words, but didn’t even try to come up with any others. “Robbie…I don’t know what to do here.”

She leaned into him, tipped her head on his shoulder as her shivering began to pass. “You’re here. That’s enough.”

“What is it?”

“They… This is where she died.” Her voice was so quiet, he barely made out the words.

“Who—” His back straightened, and then he put an arm around her, pulled her close. “Your mother?”

She nodded, her voice gaining more strength. “The car was right there. Under all that.”

“Jesus.”

“She just… It was quick. I remember it was quick. Instant. And my Dad…well, he held on. He was strong and held on until we got to the hospital. Until he knew I was safe. He gave the doctors a name. Anna Byrne. And Colin, I think. I remember Anna because my grandma was named that.” She took a deep breath. “He told them to call her, that she’d take care of his Peanut, that family does that for family. But they never found her.”

Luc turned his head, pressed his mouth to her hair, and began stroking her ponytail. “I’m sorry, Robbie.”

“Thanks, Luc.” She turned, and buried her face in his neck, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Do me a favor?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t tell the L’s about this. I don’t need them throwing me back in therapy.”

“You sure you don’t want to talk it over with them? I mean, hell, they won’t make you go to therapy if you don’t want to.”

“It just took me by surprise, that’s all.” She pulled away as if to prove she was steady, and rubbed the tears off her cheeks. “I’m fine. It’s fine.”

He gave her hair an absent tug before dropping his hand. “You’re not fucking fine.”

The look she gave pierced straight through him. Anger mixed with sorrow, and a healthy dash of annoyance. “I’m fine.”

He held up his hands in defeat. “Okay. You’re fine.” He pushed to his feet as she did the same. “What about tonight?”

“What do you mean?” She handed him the blanket to put in the pack.

“Are you going to have nightmares again?”

She stared before pointedly looking away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Jesus, Robbie. I’m not an idiot. My room is right next to yours.”

“You can hear me?”

“Only when you wake up. It’s like a scream, but like you’re doing it in a pillow. It’s all muffled and shit. I don’t think the L’s ever hear it.”

“No. They would have said something if they did.” She gave one more long look at the rockslide, then pulled back her shoulders and turned toward the trail.

Luc fell in line beside her, slinging his pack over his arm.

“It’s the song that does it. That scares me,” she admitted.

“The song?”

“I hear it in my nightmares. It was playing on the radio when we were—” She looked down, then back up. “I don’t know the song, except in my nightmares. It scares the shit out of me.”

He stopped, stared.

“What?”

“I think that’s the first time I ever heard you fucking swear.”

Her mouth twitched towards a smile. “Great,” she said, sarcastically. “You’re rubbing off on me.”

“Hey, it adds character.”

“You’ve got enough character. And I don’t need any extras.”

He knocked into her shoulder; a light, playful gesture. “Does my swearing really bother you that much?”

“Sometimes.”

He didn’t respond. “I guess I’m still not used to being around people who actually give a— Ahh…who actually care about that.”

“Were they really that bad?” He glanced over and she elaborated. “Your other foster parents?”

He looked away. “Some were. Others… Whatever. My parents abandoned me when I was little. And the first foster home I was put in was…not great.”

“Were they mean to you?”

“That’s a way of putting it. From the outside they seemed normal, nice. Even their house was. When Maureen—it was always Maureen—came to check on me and the house, I kept my mouth shut. If I didn’t, there was even more hell to pay.” His hands fisted, clenched. “I spent most of the time in the dark, in the basement. They’d feed me, sometimes. Sometimes the food wasn’t rotten. And they’d beat me, a lot. Usually right after a scheduled visit by Maureen. No fresh marks right before her visit. ‘Course, they never hit my face or anything that couldn’t be covered up by a shirt and jeans. Shit, that still left a lot of ground to cover.

“I think the teachers started to notice something was off. I’m just guessing at that. They yelled at me one night, beat me senseless—even hit my face—and locked me in a closet in the basement. Then they took off.”

He heard Robbie’s gasp, but didn’t address it. “I don’t know how many days I was in there before someone noticed I was missing, but when they showed up—the police—I was sitting in puddles of piss and piles of shit; too weak to move, and too out of it to even care.”

Robbie wrapped an arm around his waist. Her voice wavered. “God. I’m so sorry, Luc.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to cry again. ‘Cause I can’t handle the crying.”

“I’m not going to cry.”

But he knew she already was without even looking at her. “S’all right, Squirt. I got through it. Twice I got ditched, but I came out kicking.”

“And punching,” she concluded, thinking of the random scuffles he always seemed to find.

He nodded, sliding his arm around her waist so they were linked. “Yup. And punching.”

Chapter 3

Sixteen years old

Robbie stepped under the hot spray of water and nearly groaned as it streamed over her body. There was no better way, in her opinion, to relax before a date than to soak in a shower. Unless, of course, that shower smelled like a certain guy you’ve had your eye on. Then…not so much.

A scent unique to Luc swirled in the steam, and she nearly groaned again. Jeez, he smelled good.

She hadn’t kissed him since that day two years ago, but she wanted to. And she’d thought about it. A lot. It wasn’t that she was awkward or shy around him, but a girl just didn’t go around kissing a guy…again…when he gave no signal or indication he even wanted her to. If she kissed Luc a second time, it would be because he initiated it, he wanted it. Not because he teased her about it, or hinted at it just to get under her skin.

So she patiently waited, and then not so patiently, as she slowly circled back around to one simple fact: He wasn’t interested in her that way. And that left her lusting after something she probably would never have. In grim determination, she had come to a sort of peace about it. Did she want him? Absolutely. But did she want to ruin their friendship by being bitter about the fact he didn’t want her? No way.

Robbie screamed and jumped back from the scalding water as she heard the toilet flush. Only one person would have done that to her. Hair dripping, she pulled back the curtain far enough to pelt Luc with her bottle of body wash.

He saw it coming and blocked with one arm. “Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go.”

“You were just in here.” She didn’t bother to point out how she knew that, exactly. “Haven’t you ever heard of the word privacy?”

“Let’s face it. You don’t have anything I haven’t seen before on some other chick.” He smirked as his gaze lingered, and Robbie suddenly felt smug.

“Is that so?” Completely unabashed, and full of a foreign brazenness, Robbie whipped back the curtain in one smooth sweep of her arm.

“Jesus Christ!” His eyes popped before he spun to face the closed door. “Robbie!”

She watched as the tips of his ears turned red, and the little crush she’d been harboring for years kicked up another notch. “What’s the matter, Stretch? I thought you’ve seen it all before.”

“Okay, so I was wrong. Now I’ve seen it all.” He paused as his head turned slightly to the side. “Are you getting back behind that curtain so I can brush my teeth?”

With a giggle, she slid the curtain closed.

“What the hell are you doing taking a shower in the middle of the day?”

“Date.”

“Who?” His tone was equal parts demand and curiosity.

“Richard Kendle.”

His breath hissed as she heard his toothbrush slide free from the holder. “I don’t like it. He’s not your type.”

“He’s exactly my type,” she retorted, lathering up her hair. Richard was tall, dark and handsome—just like Luc.

“If that’s the case, then you must have a thing for assholes, huh?”

“Yeah, apparently I do.” If he only knew. “What about you?”

“What about me?” he mumbled, no doubt talking around his toothbrush.

“Who are you going out with tonight?” She rinsed her hair as she listened to him rinse his mouth and spit.

“How do you know I have a date?”

“Duh. It’s Friday night and you took a shower.” She peeked out at him. “So, who is it?”

He glanced over. “No one you know.”

Scowling, she ducked back in. “Can I ask you something?”

“Could I stop you?”

“I’m curious. Since I’ve never met the girls you date—or I have, and just didn’t know it…I was wondering what your type is.”

“Why?”

“Like I said, just curious. You seem to think you know mine, so…”

“I don’t know. Tall, I guess. Dark hair, or blond—I could go either way there. Brown or blue eyes. A nice tan is a bonus.”

And everything Robbie wasn’t. Served her right for asking. “That’s what I figured.” She turned to shut the water off. “You still in here?”

“Yup.”

“You want another show or are you going to get out so I can get dressed?”

His response was the door clicking shut behind him.

*****

“Robbie. You look beautiful, sweetie.” Leah held out Robbie’s arms as she admired her outfit. “I knew that skirt would be perfect on you.”

“You’re wearing a skirt?” Luc called from the kitchen.

“And she looks fabulous in it,” Leah confirmed.

Luc’s long, lazy stride brought him into the room and he gave her an up-and-down scan. “I thought you didn’t like skirts.”

“Yeah, when I was like twelve.” She rolled her eyes.

“You look…different.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I don’t like it.”

“Don’t listen to him. You look lovely.” Leah smacked Luc in the shoulder as she walked back to the kitchen. “Be nice.”

Robbie turned and fussed over her outfit in the mirror. She looked fine. Correction, she looked good. Hot, even. She knew she did. What did it matter what he thought anyway? Pushing at the looping curls in her hair, she turned her face from side to side. Yup. She was smokin’.

Robbie heard Leah answer the phone as she faced Luc. He sat on the couch, eyeing her up with a mischievous smirk on his face.

Her glare had him feigning innocence with a lift of his shoulders. “What’d I do?”

“Why do you have to be such a jerk?”

His gaze hardened as he pushed off the couch. “Why do you have—”

“What?! He what?!” Leah’s panicked tone had them both darting to the kitchen. Absently, Leah reached out and gripped Luc’s arm. “Where? Which hospital?” Her wide eyes shot from Luc to Robbie. “I’ll be right there. No. Okay. Hurry.”

“Is it Lawson? What is it?” Luc searched Leah’s face as he demanded an answer.

“There was an accident on the job site. Part of the building collapsed. Lawson was…” She swallowed, hard. “Debris fell on him. He’s alive. He’s talking, but he’s hurt. Bad.” A horn sounded in the driveway. “I have to go. We have to go.”

“I’ll drive,” Luc said, shifting around Robbie to grab the keys by the garage door.

“No. That’s George. He’s taking us. He’ll fill us in on the way.”

“I…” Robbie’s chest squeezed and her heart raced as she backed against the wall. She couldn’t go. There was no way she could go. “I can’t…”

Leah grabbed her coat as she glanced over her shoulder, and Luc stopped, hand on the doorknob. “Robbie, we don’t have time… Shit.” He looked at Leah and explained. “It’s the hospital.”

“Go! Go on without me.” Robbie spun Leah towards Luc. “Call me as soon as you know anything.”

Leah grabbed the keys from Luc before he could respond. “Stay with her.”

“No. He should—”

“The hell if I’m leaving you here by yourself, Rob.” There was no give in Luc’s tone.

Leah touched Robbie’s arm. “I’ll be fine.” She put a hand to Luc’s cheek. “I’ll call when I know anything. Take care of each other.” And she darted out the door.

“Luc. God, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t go.” Robbie pulled her hair back in frustration. “Why do I have to be so damn weak? Jesus! It’s Lawson in there!” Tears pooled in her eyes.

“Don’t,” he said, tipping her head up to look at him. “Just don’t.”

“I’m sor—”

“Don’t, Robbie.” He shook his head. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I get it, okay?”

She nodded and sulked back to the living room with Luc at her side. They sank onto the couch together and she leaned her head onto his shoulder. “I hope he’s all right.”

“Me too, Squirt. Me too.”

The ring of the doorbell had Robbie jumping back to her feet. “Leah forgot something.” Jerking the door open, she was surprised for a minute to see Richard Kendle standing there.

“Damn, Robbie. You look awesome! You ready?”

“Umm…Richard.” She shook her head. “No. Sorry. I can’t go out. There was an accide—”

“What the hell do you mean you can’t go out? Come on. Get your jacket.”

“I said I can’t. Leah left for the hospital. Lawson’s hurt.”

“Soooo, you can call and check in later. It’s Friday night. Let’s go.”

“I…” She was speechless. What do you say to someone like that? And then she felt Luc’s presence behind her.

“She said no, Kendle.”

“I heard what she said, Cintrone, so back the fuck off. She’ll check in with you later.” Richard smiled as he eyed her up. “Her and I…we have plans.” The way he said it had Robbie shrinking back, and Luc shoving her behind him.

“There’s no fucking way she’s going anywhere with a piece of shit like you. And if you got a problem with that”—he gave Richard a hard shove that had him stumbling back—”then you can take it up with me.”

“Hey, man,” he said, hands held up, “it’s her fucking loss.”

“Piss off!” Luc slammed the door shut and spun on Robbie, eyes flashing with temper. “Is that the fucking kind of guys you’re dating?!”

She’d seen Luc mad before, even furious, but this topped them all. “I don’t…”

“Do you know what he fucking had in mind for tonight?! Shit! It was written all over his goddamn face!” He pointed a finger at her as he stepped closer. She retreated. “Did you know?! Were you going to—” He cut himself off as he noticed her backing away. “Shit. Robbie…”

Her voice was quiet, her eyes wary. “Of course I didn’t know, Luc.”

He hung his head before reaching for her, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m sorry, Rob. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“You didn’t—”

“I did, and I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be afraid of me.” He held her close. “Not you. Not you.”

She wrapped her arms around tight. “I know you’re just looking out for me.”

“I am. I…care about you.”

“I know you do. I care about you, too.” Even, maybe, loved him.

He pulled back and held her by the shoulders, slowly shifting his gaze to match hers. “We okay?”

“Yeah. We’re okay.” She rubbed at her eyes, the stress of everything hitting her all at once.

“Come here.” He led her back to the couch, pulled her down beside him. He guided her head to a pillow he put on his lap. “Lay down for a bit. We’ll wait for Leah to call.”

She did just that as he flipped through the channels for something to watch, and once he settled on a made-for-TV-movie, he curled one arm around her and stroked her hair with the other. Closing her eyes, Robbie sunk into the serenity he provided her, the sensation of being held and soothed by him. By Luc.

“Robbie?” His voice sounded far away as the fog began to lift. She felt a gentle shake. “Robbie? Wake up.”

“What?” She shifted and looked up at Luc. “Did I fall asleep?”

“Leah just called. Lawson’s okay. He’s gonna be okay.”

Tears sprung to her eyes as she wound her arms around him and pulled herself up. A laugh full of joy, and tears full of relief, had her weeping and shaking in his arms.

He issued an uneasy chuckle. “Jesus, Squirt.” And then awkwardly patted her back.

She laughed again. “Deal with it.”

*****

It had been months since the accident now, but he’s going to be okay still echoed clearly in Robbie’s mind. Lawson was alive, yes. But clearly not okay. None of them were. She glanced out the window of the Social Services building. How could the day look so bright and beautiful, but be so miserably dark at the same time?

“I’m sorry it’s come to this, Leah,” Maureen said, patting Leah’s hand on the table. “But I’ve done everything I can to make this right.”

“I know. I know you have.”

Maureen turned to Luc and Robbie. “You’ll be placed next month in your new homes. Leah has met them herself, for her own piece of mind. Everything is set.”

Robbie turned to Leah. “We really don’t have a choice here, do we?”

“I’m sorry, sweetie. We can’t stay. You know we would if it were possible.” She blinked at her tears. “We have family in Florida, and Lawson will have access to the best surgeons and therapy in the country. We’ll get him back on his feet and walking in no time.”

Robbie nodded and looked at Luc. He was quiet, as usual. And avoiding everyone’s eye contact, as usual. She wondered if he’d ever get over the L’s leaving.

“Go ahead and tell them, Maureen,” Leah said with resignation.

“You’ll live near each other—Leah and Lawson wanted to be sure of that—so you’ll still attend the same high school. Luc, you’ll be moving in with Joan and Edgar Powell. They are long-time foster parents—a good, loving home—and have a boy your age there already. His name is Conrad Ludlum and he’s been with them for six years. Good kid.” Maureen turned her attention to Robbie. “You’ll be staying with Julia and Frank Wenham. They’ve also been foster parents for quite some time, but they have no kids placed there at this time. It’s a fine, sturdy environment.”

Robbie glanced to Leah then back to Maureen. “Um…okay.”

“A fine, sturdy environment.” Luc said quietly, but with a volatile edge to his voice. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Leah put a hand to his shoulder. “It’s alright, Luc. I’ve gone there myself. They’re not overly affectionate types, but she’ll have a good home.” She turned to Robbie. “It’s probably not going to be the close-knit family environment that you’d want, sweetie, but you’ll be near Luc and they’ll take good care of you.”

Luc shook his head and jabbed a finger at Maureen’s paperwork. “No good. You send me there, and Robbie can go to the Powell’s.”

Maureen sighed. “We considered that, Luc. We did. But the Powell’s already have a 16-year-old boy in the house. To have a 16-year-old girl move in… Well, they foresee possible problems with that kind of living arrangement.”

Robbie gasped. “They think I’d… We’d…” She flushed with embarrassment, simply horrified at the thought.

“That’s bullshit, Maureen!” Luc snapped out.

“Hey, preaching to the choir here, Lucian. But there’s nothing that can be done. There are other options, but they all include Robbie being placed on the other side of town.”

“No!” Robbie held up her hand as if to ward off any further arguments. “I’ll stay with the Wenham’s.” She looked at Luc. “It’ll be fine.”

*****

The next four weeks flew by, and before Robbie knew it, the day had come. She was standing on the sidewalk, outside of the house she called home for over four years now, and stared blankly at the Sold sign swinging in the breeze.

“That’s the last of it.” Leah patted Luc on the back as he heaved a box into the back of the minivan. He barely got the hatch door closed before Leah flung her arms around him. “I’m going to miss you so much!”

Luc hugged her back, clenching his jaw. “You better get going.”

“Robbie, come here.” Leah gathered her up, tears in her eyes, and squeezed her so hard Robbie thought her ribs would crack.

“Let the girl breathe, Leah,” Lawson called out from the passenger seat, and then shook Luc’s hand, pulling him down into one of those manly hugs with a hard clap on the back.

“Oh, shush, you,” Leah said, wiping at her cheeks as she let Robbie go.

“I’m gonna miss you, Leah,” Robbie said, fighting her own tears, more for Luc’s sake than anyone else’s. He’d been through enough than to have to deal with her hysterics. “I’m gonna miss you too, Lawson.”

“Come here and give me a hug.” He squeezed her just as hard as Leah had before Luc edged her back and closed the passenger door.

Leah climbed into the driver’s seat and then gazed past Lawson to look at Luc and Robbie. “You two take care of each other, now. We’ll call after we get settled.” Her voice cracked, but she got the rest out. “We love you. Never forget that.”

Robbie watched as the van disappeared down the street, and then looked up at Luc’s stern expression. “You okay?”

He lifted a stiff shoulder, let it drop. “People leave. It’s what they do, whether by choice or not.”

She studied his face, the way he wouldn’t look at her. “I’m not going anywhere.” She took his hand, gave it a squeeze.

He gripped her hand back and she actually saw a glimmer of wetness in his eyes, but he still wouldn’t look at her. “I love you, ya know?”

Despite the situation, her heart leapt. And despite the fact that she knew he didn’t mean it the way she wanted, she couldn’t help but beam inside. “I love you too.”

He nodded once, and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “We should get home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“All right.”

He still hadn’t looked at her as he turned to leave, then strode down the street. Robbie sighed as she headed in the other direction.

It was strange, without a doubt, to call another place home. Her and Luc had each moved in with their respective new foster parents last week, but had spent the better part of their time helping the L’s pack for the big move. And now, the L’s were gone, and it was time to adjust to the new arrangements.

The Wenham’s didn’t seem so bad. Mrs. Wenham was a homemaker, a bright and chipper type, though a bit stern in most respects. And Mr. Wenham, a well-respected business man, seemed to be very nice, although a bit quiet and reserved.

Robbie let herself into the back door, and walked straight to the fridge for a bottle of water. She jumped when she shut the fridge door and was suddenly face-to-face with her new foster dad.

“Mr. Wenham, you scared me.” She put her hand over her heart and huffed out a light laugh.

“Frank. You can call me Frank.” He lifted a flask, tipped it back, then dropped it back into the jacket pocket of his navy pin-stripe suit. “Did the Selwyn’s make it off okay?”

“Yes.” Her stomach fluttered as every nerve in her body went on high alert. “Yes, they did.”

“Good.” He moved closer, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Now you and I can get to knowing each other better.” He traced his finger along her collarbone as he flashed her an easy smile. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Before Robbie could answer, he stepped back and glanced out the window. “Julia’s home. Maybe we can get better acquainted another time.” He brushed his fingers over Robbie’s shoulder before going to the door to help his wife with the groceries.

Chills raked Robbie’s spine, shuddering through her as she raced to her room. She locked the door behind her and crawled on her bed. Huddling in the corner, she pulled her knees to her chest and cried.

*****

For months, Robbie lived in a daze with only enough clarity to make sure she followed some very basic guidelines for self-preservation. First off, she stayed locked in her room as much as possible whenever Frank was home, which, thankfully, wasn’t very often. Secondly, she made sure to lock the bathroom door the second she closed it. He had a way of accidently barging in a minute or two after she’d shut it behind her. Thirdly, no more skirts or short sleeves; jeans and long sleeves only. And lastly, she didn’t make waves—she went to school, came home, ate dinner, did homework, went to bed. For the most part Frank had left her alone. For the most part.

“Where are you going?”

Robbie seized when she heard Frank’s voice behind her, and then froze. Julia was in the house somewhere. Where was she?

“You’re so tense, Robbie.” He gripped her shoulders, kneaded them with his thumbs. “You need to loosen up.” His hands snaked up and down her arms as he moved closer, pressing his hard groin against her. “I can loosen you up…if you let me.”

Robbie started to tremble, afraid to move, afraid to breathe. It would pass, she told herself. He’d done this before, this exact thing—rubbing her shoulders, her arms, and then rubbing himself against her—and then he’d back off. He always backed off.

“Don’t be afraid. I can be gentle.” His alcohol-tainted breath washed over her as he brushed her hair to the side. He wasn’t backing off.

“Don’t,” she whispered.

“Don’t what?” He held her hips as he pressed harder, groaning in her ear. “Why do you tease me, Robbie?”

“I… I don’t. I didn’t.”

“You do.” One hand moved up across her belly as he thrust against her again. “You see what you do to me. Do you feel it?” He grabbed her breast, squeezed it. “This is your fault. You did this to me. Always teasing me, taunting me.”

“No. No.” Her mind rejected what he was saying as it simultaneously raced to figure it out. Had she teased him? Taunted him? This wasn’t her fault. Was it?

“Mmm. And, still, you tempt me. Saying no when I know you mean yes. Tonight, Robbie. After Julia goes to bed, I’ll show you what you do to me. How you make me feel.” He began to grind his hips. “And you’ll like it. You’ll beg for it.”

“No!” She jerked out of his grip, darted through the house and into the night.

She ran for nearly six blocks straight before she slowed to a walk. Sheer terror kept her moving, just as the paralyzing fear kept her from crying. She had to think. What could she do? What should she do? First things first, she had to get back home before Julia went to bed. Barricade her door, that was what she would do. But not now. She couldn’t go back now. She took a deep breath and let it out, and backtracked towards her original destination.

She could hear the heavy bass thundering from the basement of the house when she knocked.

“Hi, Robbie! How are you doing?”

She hoped the terror didn’t still show on her face. “Hi, Mrs. Powell.”

“Mrs. Powell? Now, I’ve told you to call me Joan. You’re practically family around here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Joan chuckled as she gestured towards the basement. “They’re all downstairs. Just follow the racket.”

Robbie eased down into the throng of teenagers, dodging wild dancers and hand-talkers as she picked her way through the crowd. She knew where to find Luc. He’d be in the back room, hanging out with friends, and as far away from the stereo as possible.

“Squirt! You made it.” Luc pointed to the cooler against the wall. “Soda’s in there.”

“I’m good.” She sat in the chair next to him, hands pinched between her knees and back ramrod straight.

“We’re thinking of starting a game of poker. You in?”

She shook her head. “I’ll just watch.”

“Hey, I’ll be right back.” Luc got up and strode towards the bathroom.

Robbie watched him the entire way—it wasn’t hard since he towered over every other kid his age, and some adults. She focused on his easy-going nature as he stopped to talk to friends, and his don’t-mess-with-me nature when people he didn’t care for wanted to chat. He was strong and commanding. She remembered envying that when she first met him. She still did.

By the time he made his way back, nearly twenty minutes had passed. “Sorry it took so long. Crowded around here.”

“It’s fine.”

“Hey, Robbie!” Conrad shouldered his way into the room. “Luc didn’t tell me you got here.”

“Hey, Conrad. How’s it going?” She glanced from his hazel eyes to her watch, and back again.

He sat next to her, and leaned in. “Can I ask you something?”

“What’s that?”

“What is Robbie short for?”

“Nothing. It’s just Robbie.”

“Your parents gave you a dude’s name?” He laughed good-naturedly, and patted her leg. Conrad didn’t notice her flinch, but Luc did. “Were your parents high or something?”

She tried to stay relaxed. “Actually, they probably were.”

“Seriously? Man, your parents sound so cool!”

“Conrad,” Luc snapped. “Beat it.”

“But—”

“Beat it. I gotta talk to Robbie about something.”

“Aww, man, you’re breaking my heart.” He shot Robbie a smile. “See you around, gorgeous.” Conrad gestured at the other stragglers in the room. “Come on, everyone. Luc and Robbie want to be alone. Behave kids.” He laughed and closed the door behind them.

Robbie took one look at Luc and pushed to her feet. “Look. I gotta get back. I’ll talk to you later.”

He snagged her wrist, tugged her back down. “Not so fast. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.”

“Look at me.”

“What?”

“I said, look at me.” She slid her gaze to him and his dark eyes held her. “What happened? And don’t say nothing because that’s just gonna piss me off.”

She couldn’t speak. Not without losing it. Not without crying.

“Tell me, Rob. I know something’s up. You’ve been acting strange ever since the L’s moved away. I thought that was it, but…” He shook his head. “It’s more than that. You’ve changed. You never smile, you never dress up all fuc— all girlie anymore. Hell, you’re wearing a long-sleeved shirt in eighty degree weather.”

She averted her eyes when she saw his go wide.

“Are they fucking beating on you?!” He grabbed her arm and shoved her sleeve up.

“No.” She jerked her arm back.

“What? What are they doing to you?” She was certain he felt the instinctive flinch when he grabbed her shoulders, and then turned her to face him. “Robbie. You better fucking tell me right now. I know how this shit goes. Tell me!”

Tears welled up, spilled over. “I have to get home, Luc. Please. Just let me go home.”

“Why? Why do you have to get home? Why does it have to be now?”

She looked at him then, and whispered, “I have to get home before Julia goes to bed.”

“Tell me why.”

“It’s the only way to get to my room without… I have to get to my room. I have to barricade the door. Otherwise, he… He’ll…”

“Sonofabitch!” His fingers dug into her arms. “Did he fucking touch you?!”

“Ow. Luc, my arm.” Luc was shaking so hard that for a half-second Robbie wasn’t even sure he’d be able to consciously gain enough control to release her. But he did.

His hands fisted in his lap and his voice turned flat and dangerous, his eyes sparking fury. “You didn’t answer me.”

“He’s grabbed me. Rubbed against me. He hasn’t… He didn’t…” The tears streamed freely. “Not yet. But he wants to. He says he’s going to.”

Luc shot to his feet in a blur. “That motherfucker is dead!”

“God, Luc! No!” She grabbed his arm. “You can’t. You can’t say anything! Please, promise me!”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Robbie! Why the fuck not?! And why didn’t you tell me?! You should have fucking told me!”

“Because they’ll take me away!” she screamed. “They’ll yank me out of there and put me somewhere else!”

“And they should!”

Her hands dropped to her side and she stared up at him, stricken and defeated.

His face fell as he looked at her, and then gently took her hands in his. “What am I missing Robbie? Explain it to me.”

“There’s no other place to go. They’ll take me away from you. I can’t lose you too.”

With one quick tug, Robbie found herself wrapped in Luc’s arms. “Oh, baby,” he murmured into her hair. “You won’t lose me. We’re family.” He stroked her hair, her back. “We’ll figure something out.”

*****

A week later, Luc stepped up to Frank Wenham’s front door and rang the doorbell. He was home. And Luc knew the motherfucker was home because he had followed him.

The door swung open.

“Lucian?” The man studied him before leaning against the doorframe. “Something I can do for you?”

It took all of Luc’s willpower not to beat the sonofabitch to a bloody pulp right then and there. Luc was taller, and certainly stronger. He could take him. “I’ll make this quick. Before your wife gets home.”

“You’ll make what quick?”

Luc handed him an envelope.

“What’s this?” Frank spilled the pictures into his palm, and Luc had the satisfaction of seeing all the color drain from his face. Yes, cracking open the fucker’s skull would have been even more satisfying, but this would have to do.

“It’s amazing what a guy can get with a little fucking disposable camera. It takes pretty damn good pictures too, huh?”

Hot anger flared in Frank’s eyes. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“You know damn well. You even look at Robbie again, and your wife, your business, and your clients all get copies.”

“You can’t threaten me!”

Luc stepped up, got in his face. “The fuck I can’t. I’ve been following you for a week straight. I know where you’ve been, and who you talk to. Shit, I could call Maureen right now, or the cops, and get Robbie yanked out if I had a mind to—blow all this bullshit right out into the open.”

“So why don’t you?”

“Is that what you want? I’ve got no problem with that. Enjoy getting ass-fucked in prison.” Luc turned to go when Frank grabbed his arm.

“Wait.” He snatched his hand back when he caught Luc’s murderous glare. “Robbie’s just my foster kid. Nothing more.”

“You don’t look at her, touch her, or anything.”

Frank looked down that the pictures still gripped in his hand. “Agreed.”

“You do, and she’ll tell me.”

“There’s no problem here.”

“Yeah. See that there isn’t.” Luc gave him a good shove. “I’m keeping my fucking eye on you.”

Chapter 4

Eighteen years old

Robbie sat on the edge of her bed, her leg bouncing up and down.

“Come on, come on,” she muttered, glancing at her watch. Same time. Ugh! Just two more minutes until freedom.

She shifted and pulled the strap of her duffle bag over her shoulder. The bat Luc had given her almost two years ago was firmly in her grip. She snickered as she looked down on it, glad she could find the situation even slightly amusing.

It wasn’t a metal bat, but a wooden one because it was solid, packed more of a punch. He worked with her on stance and posture to ensure she could get every inch of her muscles working behind her swing. He made sure Frank wouldn’t get off easy if he made the grand mistake of finding his way into Robbie’s room. But the bat, in the end, was unnecessary. Frank had never come near her again.

One more minute to go.

She glanced around her room to make sure she had everything. Most of her stuff was already at Luc’s, snuck out here and there so when the time came, her load was light. And that time was…now! Midnight!

“Yesss,” she hissed, jumping to her feet. Her smile was huge as she stepped out into the dark hall and turned towards the door. A small sound from behind had her glancing back at Frank, standing at the far end in the dark. She laughed and flipped him off. “Sayonara, asshole.”

She was still giggling when she hopped up into Luc’s truck, parked at the curb.

He grinned at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Just saying my goodbyes to Frank.”

His smile faded. “Did he give you any trouble?”

“No.” She put her hand on his arm. “None at all. Let’s get out of here.”

Luc glanced over at her as he pulled away. “Hey. You’re wearing a skirt.”

“Yup.” She flashed him a beaming smile. “No more watching what I wear, what I say, what I do. I’m eighteen and free to do whatever the hell I want!”

“And tomorrow night, we celebrate. Just you and me.”

“Really?” She let loose a little squeal. “God, I love you. You’re the best, Luc!”

He chuckled.”Love ya too, Squirt.”

The drive to Luc’s apartment was short, and when they got there, Luc took her duffle bag and let her lead the way. She eyed up the building as she approached and could barely believe everything worked out as it did. Thank God Luc moved out of the Powell’s and had gotten his own place when he turned eighteen. Thank God Luc dropped out of high school—despite Robbie’s fierce protests at the time—and got his GED. Thank God Luc found full-time work in construction. Thank God, and thank Luc.

“The L’s called. They want you to call them tomorrow to let them know you’re okay.”

Robbie started climbing the stairs to the second floor. “I’m surprised they didn’t insist I call right when we got home.”

“Well, they did. But I convinced them to wait until morning.”

“And they agreed?”

“Only if I agreed to call if there was any trouble.”

She laughed as Luc unlocked the door. “God, it feels good to laugh about this all. I can’t believe it’s over.”

Luc gestured her in. “I can’t believe the L’s agreed not to report anything until after you got out.”

“We didn’t really give them much of a chance, did we? I thought Leah was going to strangle me through the phone for keeping them in the dark so long.”

He set her bag on the floor as they flopped onto the couch. “Not much we could’ve done about that. It’s not like they would’ve let you stay there, even though I had the situation under control.”

“You knew what I needed.” She leaned against him.

“Yeah. I knew.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and rubbed her arm. “And it worked out.”

“Yup.”

“All right. Let’s get you settled in. I set the alarm for you in the bedroom.” Luc stood and scooped her bag off the floor.

“Luc. That’s your room. I’ll just sleep on the couch.”

“Not having it. You have school in the morning.”

“You have work.” She pushed off the couch and followed.

He tossed her bag on the bed. “You have a scholarship to earn, and therefore, need more sleep than I do.”

“Like I could sleep, anyway. I’m too excited.”

“Try.” He tried to look stern, but the corners of his mouth twitched as he pulled her into a hug. “Humor me. Just tonight, okay, Squirt?”

“All right. But we’re gonna figure something out tomorrow.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

*****

Robbie raced home after school the next day. Not only because she was excited to have a home again, but because her and Luc were going to celebrate. Together. Alone. That night.

It was foolish, she knew, to continue abusing herself this way, but she was willing to make one last ditch effort to get Luc to see her as an actual girl, rather than just Squirt. Now that she was legally an adult, and out of a bad situation, it was time to see what they had between them. Correction. What they could have between them. He no longer had to worry about her, or watch her back—both things she had seen as obstacles to be overcome. Now she could just be her—a girl, a woman, in his life and one that didn’t need guidance or protection. She only needed him. And she had waited, held back, for him. He was the only one she wanted.

Okay, so she hadn’t really been saving herself for Luc, per se. The opportunity had never presented itself with anyone else, given the Frank situation and all. But, she had to admit, she always wanted her first time to be with Luc. Could she get what she wanted now?

By the time Robbie heard Luc’s boots on the stairs after his shift, she had worked herself into a full-blown tizzy. Grabbing her magazine off the counter, she launched herself onto the couch and whipped it open in an effort to look casual.

“Dammit,” she mumbled, turning the magazine right-side-up as Luc’s key slid into the lock.

“Hey, Rob.”

“Hey, Luc.” She glanced up, casual-like, as he kicked the door shut behind him. “Oh, you got pizza!” She flew to her feet.

“That’s not all.” He set the pizza down, and pulled a brown paper bag from under his arm and handed it to her.

“What is it?” She opened the bag, pulled out the bottle. “Champagne?” No, she thought, liquid courage!

“I told you we were going to celebrate. Guy at work hooked me up.”

“Pizza and champagne?” She laughed and threw her arms around him. “That’s awesome!”

He chuckled as he gave her a quick squeeze. “Let’s eat up before it gets cold, then pop this sucker open.”

*****

The pizza went fast, but the champagne went even faster. Luc watched with satisfaction as Robbie drank her champagne, talking about her college plans and the roommate she was assigned to live with in the dorms—Lizbeth something-or-other. He was happy to have her there. She was finally fucking safe, with no Frank to worry about, and nothing left to scare her.

He obliged when Robbie held out her glass for a refill, but felt the need to warn her. “I hear this shit sneaks up on you, Squirt.”

“So be it. Fill ‘er up.”

He laughed and poured. “That’s my girl.” And she was his girl, in a fashion. Six years they had known each other, and other than the L’s, she was the only person he gave a flying fuck about.

Tipping back her glass, Robbie leaned against his shoulder and snuggled close with a giggle.

“What’s so funny?” He slung his arm around her shoulder and began stroking her hair—just as he had done hundreds of times before.

She gestured with her glass towards the end table. “Juicy Fruit.”

“Are you drunk already?”

“Ha! No. On the table.” She gestured again.

“You…want a piece of gum?”

“Uh uh. Did I ever tell you… Naw. Forget it.”

“What? You can’t do that. You know that drives me nuts.”

“Yeah, I know.” She giggled again. “It’s just that whenever I smell Juicy Fruit, or see it, I think of you.”

“Really?” He took a long swallow of champagne. “Why’s that?”

“Remember when we kissed?”

Jesus Christ. How could he forget? The girl could fucking kiss! “Ahh…yeah.”

He felt her shrug under his arm. “You were chewing Juicy Fruit at the time.”

“I was?” He smiled with a swell of arrogance that she’d even remember. “I must have really made an impression, huh?”

She nodded and drank more, emptying her glass in a couple of gulps. Leaning forward, she put the glass on the table and then twisted to face him. “Remember what you said to me afterwards?”

Who could’ve had a single coherent thought after a kiss like that? “Not really.”

Her green eyes narrowed. “You told me to let you know any time I wanted to practice.”

“That’s right! I did say that.” He laughed, but it faded as he saw the look on her face. “What? Why are you bringing that up now?”

She tipped her head to the side, slid her face closer. “You helped me out when I needed you. What if I said I needed your help again? But of a…um…different variety.”

His mouth went dry as his brain caught up, his arms dropping away from her. “Robbie.”

“I want you to be my first.” She circled her arms around his neck. “I love you, Luc.”

“I, ah, love you too, Robbie. Which is why I won’t take advantage of you.”

“You wouldn’t be taking advantage.”

She was so close. Right there. He could almost taste her. “You’re drunk.”

“I know what I want.”

“Yeah, maybe in the moment, but tomorrow—”

Her mouth slammed into his, cutting off all further words, and—if he was going to be totally fucking honest—all further brain function as well. Her tongue sought his and he felt the sparks ignite behind the kiss. Without a rational thought, his hands dived into her hair, pulled her close as she scrambled onto his lap to straddle. The heat was all he could think about as his hands slid down to grab her hips. The heat consumed, spurred him on, clouded his thoughts. He felt the lust curl and bunch in his belly, ready to lash out to take, possess and own. But he kept it restrained, strapped down—painfully so—when he remembered just who he was holding.

Gripping her hips, he broke away and lifted her straight off his lap to set her back on the couch beside him. “No.”

Her eyes went wide as her cheeks flooded with color. “But—”

“No.” He dodged her reach by pushing to his feet. He tried not to look at her…deliciously mussed up hair, green eyes blurred with need, her skirt riding dangerously high to showcase her gorgeous legs. “Sleep it off, Rob.”

He walked away. What the fuck else could he do? And shut the door to the bedroom behind him. Frustration mixed with anger, which mixed with a fierce urge he had never felt before. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling his fingers through his hair as he took a deep breath. So she just decided she wanted him? Right out of the fucking blue? Like the champagne had nothing to do with it? Fuck that! Shit! Why couldn’t he be that fucking guy?! The kind that just takes what he wants?!

Because, he thought after another deep breath, it was Robbie.

That was why.

*****

Robbie shifted, and immediately groaned from the bass drum thundering in her head. “Make it stop. Turn it off,” she mumbled.

“How you doing, champ?”

She peeled back her lids, squinting against the light, and struggled to focus. “Stop yelling.”

Luc chuckled. “I’m not.”

She laid there a minute and took stock. She was on a bed—Luc’s bed, she assumed—and had one arm and one leg hanging off the side. Her head—heaven help her—felt like it was going to explode at any moment.

“How did I get here?” She winced at the sound of her own voice.

“I carried you.” He set a glass of water on the bedside table, a loud, sharp sound that threatened to burst her eardrums. “Of course, that was after you drank nearly an entire bottle of bubbly.”

“The champagne,” she groaned. It was all coming back to her now. The nerves, the celebrating…the kiss, his hands, wanting to devour him. She groaned again as she closed her eyes and slid a pillow over her head.

She felt Luc lift up the corner. “I see it’s all coming back to you now, Squirt.”

“Uh huh.”

“I’ll put some Advil on the table for you. Drink all the water, if you can. You have to get rehydrated.”

He started to lower the pillow again, but stopped when she spoke. “Luc?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry about last night.” She braved opening her eyes, looking at his expression. It was completely closed off.

“Don’t worry about it.” He let the pillow go and she listened as he walked away.

“Kill me now,” she mumbled.

*****

The rest of the weekend wasn’t as awkward as Robbie thought it would be. She apologized again—more to get him talking about it than anything else. But he blew it off. She could tell he sincerely believed she had only come onto him because she was drunk. How was it that the guy could normally be so perceptive, but this he couldn’t see? However, since it was an easy out for her, she took it…for now. Or, at least, until she could figure out another way to circle back around. She still wanted him. Still loved him.

There had to be a way.

On Monday, Robbie was so distracted by her thoughts at school, she finally gave up and signed herself out as sick. Luc was at work all day, so she’d have the apartment to herself to sit, veg, and think about things.

The door was unlocked and popped open when she reached it. She hesitated just outside the door. Had she remembered to lock it when she left? Thinking back, she decided she had. Had someone broken in? She backed up a step when she heard a female laugh. Curiosity got the better of her as she slowly pushed the door open with one finger to step inside. What she saw froze her in place.

From her vantage point she could see into the bedroom. She could see some blonde whipping her top off while she straddled Luc. She could see his hands on her, all over her, as she unbuttoned his pants. Sounds of pleasure and urgency flooded Robbie’s head to blend with the images she knew she would never shake. Tears stung her eyes as rejection speared through her. He’d rather have some bimbo than her. Rather touch someone, anyone else, than even consider…

She bit back an angry sob, slipped back out the door, and began easing it shut behind her. And then, at the last minute, fury rang true as she yanked the door closed with everything she had, slamming it so hard it shook the frame.

Even as she flew down the stairs, she heard the scrambling from above. And as she ran through the parking lot and around the neighboring building, she heard Luc yelling her name.

*****

“Serves me right,” Robbie mumbled, taking the offered can of Diet Pepsi from Lizbeth.

“How do you figure?”

“I knew he didn’t feel that way for me, but I pushed anyway.”

“You said he kissed you back.”

“He did.” She pressed a hand to her belly. “Oh, God. He certainly did.”

“But you figure that since he’s a guy…”

Robbie shrugged, agreeably. “Yeah. What guy wouldn’t respond to a drunk girl throwing herself at him?”

“Ha! Apparently, when it came down to it, this one.” Lizbeth set her own soda aside and flipped over on her stomach, crossing her legs behind her.

“He thinks of me as his sister.” Robbie groaned, lying on her back to stare at the ceiling. “Jesus. I didn’t even realize that until now.”

“He’s an idiot,” Lizbeth decided. “From what you’ve told me, you two have had nothing that even came close to a brother-sister relationship.”

“I don’t know. What I do know is that he thinks it’s his job to take care of me.”

“Oh.” Lizbeth smirked as Robbie glanced over. “So he thinks of you as a daughter too. Kinky.”

Robbie grabbed the nearest pillow and swung it over Lizbeth’s head as they both burst into laughter.

“Shut up, Lizbeth. You’re not helping.”

“I got you laughing. That’s helping.”

Robbie rolled and looked at the clock. Eleven.

“You heading home?” Lizbeth asked, pushing up to her knees. “Ya know, my parents wouldn’t mind if you just crashed here tonight, even if it is a school night.”

“Tempting. Very tempting. But I better go home.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Lizbeth hopped off the bed, and grabbed her keys off the dresser. “I’ll give you a lift.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t looking forward to walking across town in the middle of the night. And I sure as hell don’t want to call Luc for a ride.”

They made good time since there was hardly any traffic, and they joked easily about college and what they imagined dorm life was going to be like. When they pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building, Robbie glanced up to see all the lights on in her apartment.

“Well…dammit.”

Lizbeth craned her neck to get a good look herself. “He’s waiting up for you, isn’t he?”

“Looks like.”

“Do you think he’s pissed or worried?”

“Probably a little of both.”

Lizbeth patted her on the shoulder as she straightened. “Good luck with that.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Robbie took her time walking across the parking lot, not all together eager to face the wrath of Luc. But by the time she made it to the door, all cowardice had shifted to annoyance. After all, she had done nothing wrong. She was eighteen and could live her own damn life however she chose. He could do whatever—and whoever—he wanted, and so could she!

The door swung open before she even touched the knob. “Where the hell have you been?! Do you know how fucking worried I was?!”

Robbie stared him down, temper now licking at the edges of her annoyance. For one brief moment, seeing Luc as pissed as he was, she swore she could almost see smoke coming out of his ears. The idea had her smirking as she shoved past him.

“Don’t you walk away from me, Rob! I’ve got shit to say to you!” He grabbed her arm, spun her around.

The anger ignited and flared, turning her tone flat and calm. “Don’t touch me.”

Luc immediately let go and she stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She could hear the string of profanities streaming from the living room as she got ready for bed. She was still shaking with anger by the time she was done, and opened the door to find Luc leaning against the wall right beside it.

“I want to talk to you,” he said, pushing off to follow her into the living room.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you.” She pulled the blankets off the back of the couch and started to arrange them across the cushions.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making my bed.” She felt a small measure of satisfaction at his exasperated sigh.

“We talked about this before. You take the bedroom, and I’ll sleep out here.”

“Forget it.” She fought to keep her tone level, simply because she knew it would tick him off more than if she’d shout and scream.

“Robbie. I’m not gonna fucking have you sleeping on the couch. Now get your ass in there.”

She dropped the blanket and turned, slowly and purposefully. “Fuck you.”

It had the effect she was looking for. Exactly what was she was looking for. Just that one four-letter word had Luc’s mouth dropping open, rendered him speechless, and had the anger sparking in his dark eyes altering into something closer to fear.

“Fuck you, Luc.” She stepped closer, jabbed a finger at his chest, and watched as he actually backed up. “Do you think for one second that I want to crawl into the same bed I saw you and that skank making out in? Do you think for one second that I could curl up there, drift off, and not think about what I saw? Knowing I was laying on the same bed? The same sheets?”

“You weren’t supposed to be here.”

She stopped her advance and fisted her hands on her hips. “Well, no fucking shit, Luc. But I was. And you were. And she was.” She shook her head. “You don’t even get it, do you? Do you know how that made me feel? To know you pushed me away and pulled that into your bed instead?”

“You were drunk. I couldn’t even think of—”

She held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I know, okay. I know what you think about me, how you feel about me. I get it. I came onto you, drunk, and you weren’t having it. Fine. But even you, as heartless as you can be, have to be able to see how what you did, what I saw, hurt me. No matter the circumstance, Luc, you pushed me off—literally—and flaunted another girl in my face.”

He just stood there, looking down at her, arms limp at his side and sadness filling those deep, dark eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. You know me, Robbie. You know I wouldn’t hurt you. Not on purpose.”

“Maybe not on purpose, but you did.” She sighed and scrubbed her hands over her face. This had to be done. She had to get over it, and start getting over him. “I’m going to bed. Just…” She dropped her arms, turned away. “Just leave me alone.”

*****

Luc laid in his bed, but didn’t sleep. He couldn’t fucking sleep. How the hell could he? She was right, absolutely right, to blast him like she did. He had done exactly what she accused him of. How could he argue with that?

He shifted to get up, to go to her, but made himself ease back and settle—the same as he had the other fifteen times he had wanted to go out there. She had told him to leave her alone. If she meant anything to him, anything at all, he had to respect her wishes.

This fucking sucked.

He didn’t know what to do, what to think, how to handle it all. She said she knew how he felt about her, what he thought about her. Did she? Could she even know when he wasn’t sure what he thought, what he felt, himself?

Did he find her attractive? Hell, yeah he did…like no other. Would he have loved to get his hands on a body like that? Fuck, yeah! He was human, wasn’t he? Shit, he had wanted her naked and under him since she flashed him in the shower two fucking years ago. The image of her was still seared into his brain; her body, bold and beautiful, and wet. Even now, he had to work to shake the memory clear. But it was Robbie. His Robbie.

After the night she kissed him, ground her hips against his, he could think of nothing else except finding a way to seduce her, to have her. To get her to want him, to be with him, when she was sober and lucid. But he couldn’t do that to her. Couldn’t manipulate her in that way. Other girls—fine, no problem. Not Robbie though. She deserved better. She deserved more. He couldn’t take care of her, watch out for her, if he was looking at her in that way. In that light. He cared about her—hell, he loved her—too much for her to mean so little to him. He couldn’t be careless with her.

He had to get his fucking head straight on that simple fact. That was why he’d brought Lydia home on their lunch break. He needed a release, to have and take someone, and she was always a willing participant. No strings attached. Robbie wasn’t supposed to be there. She wasn’t supposed to fucking see that! It was her own fucking fault for being there!

He gritted his teeth, and forced himself to relax. It wasn’t her fault, it was his. He fucked up, not her. He was pissed because she caught him, because it made him feel guilty. Guilt he felt because he had hurt her. He couldn’t fucking stand the fact that he hurt her.

*****

A few months later, Robbie was standing in the middle of her itty-bitty dorm room, trying to decide where everything should go. It wasn’t like she had a ton of stuff, but still…there was no room in here!

“This is the last of it.” Luc set the box down on her bed and surveyed the room himself. “This is pretty small, Squirt.”

“Tell me about it.” She threw her hands up. “But what can I do? I’ll just have to make it work.”

“Do you need anything else before I go?”

“Naw, I don’t think so. But I wanted to talk to you, if you have a minute.”

“For you? Anytime.”

She sat on the edge of her bed and gestured for him to join her. “The past few months have been busy, huh?”

He nodded. “I guess. We’ve both been working a lot, putting in long hours. So, yeah.”

“I feel like we’ve been avoiding each other.”

He blew out a breath, glanced at her. “I suppose we have.”

“I don’t want that, Luc.” She touched his arm. “You mean too much to me.”

Smiling, he draped an arm around her shoulder. “Shit. I’m glad you said that. This tension has been killing me. I didn’t want to push, ya know?”

“I know. I needed the space to cool off, and you gave it to me. So, thanks for that.”

“I’m sorry. About everything. I hate that I hurt you.”

“It’s all right. You didn’t mean to. I know that.” She patted his hand as it rubbed up and down her arm, and then stood. “Well, I guess I should get to work at all this.” She glanced over at Lizbeth’s side of the room and her pile of boxes. “Got our work cut out for us.”

“Yeah, you do. Oh, hey. I almost forgot.” He dug a piece of paper out of the front pocket of his jeans and handed it over. “Our new address.”

“You’re moving this weekend, right?”

“Yup. That’s when my lease is up on the old place.”

“Bet Conrad is happy to be finally moving out of the Powell’s.”

“He is, but he’ll miss them. It was cool they let him stay until he could save enough. The two-bedroom is pretty small, but we can afford it. So, that’s something.”

Robbie smiled. “I’m not surprised they let him stay. They’re his family. Family watches out for family.”

“You’re my family.” Luc tugged on a lock of her hair. “I love you, Squirt.”

“I love you, too, Stretch.”

“And I’d love it if someone could grab this box before I drop it.” Lizbeth stumbled in, one box sliding precariously across the top of another.

Luc plucked it easily off the top. “We finally meet.”

Lizbeth smiled and tossed back her raven-black hair. “You must be Luc.” She dropped the box she was holding at her feet and held out a hand. “Nice to meet you at long last.”

He shook her hand. “Likewise. Well, I better get going.” He glanced over to Robbie. “Call me when you get settled?”

“You bet.”

He flashed a quick, endearing smile before ducking out into the busy hallway.

Lizbeth stepped to Robbie’s side, knocked her with her shoulder. “That was Luc?”

Robbie was still staring at the doorway, even though he was long gone. “That was Luc.”

“Mind if I get me a piece of that?”

“Yeah, I mind. A lot.” She slated a glare in Lizbeth’s direction.

“I thought you might.” Lizbeth laughed, obviously very pleased with herself. “Come on. Let’s get unpacked.”

Chapter 5

Twenty years old

Robbie let out a squeal as she grabbed Lizbeth’s arm. “I can hardly believe we’re finally here!”

“No kidding, right?” Lizbeth gave Robbie’s arm a responding squeeze. “It’s like a dream.”

“Step aside, ladies. Coming through.” They shifted, still clinging to each other, as Conrad came up behind them, winded, with his dark blond hair damp around his temple. He dropped two suitcases and three duffle bags at their feet. “Why do girls do that?”

“Do what?” Lizbeth asked.

“Grab onto each other when they’re excited about something? If I did that to one of you, I’d get smacked.”

“Oh, I don’t know, handsome. I might let you get ahold of me.” Lizbeth winked as his eyebrows flew up.

Robbie laughed. “Give it a rest you two. We haven’t even checked in yet. Where’s Luc?”

“He was…” Conrad glanced behind him. “Here he comes.”

Luc, loaded down with three suitcases and four duffle bags, strode easily through the lobby doors and set the bags down with the others. “I want to know what two women need a fleet of luggage for.”

Robbie patted his shoulder, then squeezed it as if testing for sturdiness. “You can take it, Stretch.”

“Didn’t say I couldn’t, but the question remains. All you need is a couple pair of shorts, shirts and a suit. No more. No less.”

Lizbeth gasped in mock horror, her gray eyes popping wide. “For a trip to the Bahamas? Are you kidding me? You need dresses and sandals. No less than four different swimsuits—”

“Four swimsuits? Why do you need four swimsuits?”

“Luc,” Robbie said, “you very obviously don’t understand. Think about it. We’ll be practically living on the beach or at the pool. We can’t wear the same suit every day. That would be like wearing the same outfit every day, and even you wouldn’t do that.”

Luc opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it shut again as he glanced to Conrad, apparently seeking some male solidarity.

Conrad held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. Seems like a sound argument.”

“See?” Lizbeth purred, running her hand down his arm. “I knew I liked you.”

Conrad flashed a goofy grin at Luc and tipped his head at Lizbeth. “Beautiful here likes me.”

“Damn suck up,” Luc grumbled, gesturing toward the guest counter. “Let’s get checked in. Ladies, watch the bags.”

Robbie watched as Luc walked away, unintentionally cocking her head to the side as she checked out his ass. When she realized what she was doing, she glanced to Lizbeth only to see her doing the same as she watched Conrad.

Snickering, she elbowed Lizbeth. “Enjoying the view.”

“Like you weren’t?”

“Ha! Saw that, huh?”

“Yup. Can’t blame you though. No more than I can blame myself. Damn. Conrad is looking fine.”

“He just broke up with Kate, ya know.”

Lizbeth flashed a knowing smile. “Which is why I’m taking full advantage of the situation. And you should, too. Then we could double.”

“With Luc? No. No way. Not even going there.” And yet, the thought remained compelling.

Lizbeth slipped an arm around her waist and tipped her head in to whisper. “Come on. You can take a vacation from yourself. Just blame the Mai Tais.”

Robbie matched Lizbeth’s position and tone. “I tried that one, remember? Didn’t work out so well.” She shook her head. “No. I’m good. We’re friends, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

“Don’t you think he’s hot?”

Robbie watched him across the way—long with lean muscles, sunglasses tucked in tussled midnight hair, dark eyes flicking a glance at her, and a brilliant white smile to go with it. “Damn. I still have eyes, don’t I?” She swiped at her mouth. “And drool too, apparently.”

Lizbeth giggled. “Amen, sista.”

“But I’m not going down that road again.”

“You love him.”

Surprised, Robbie slated her eyes at Lizbeth.

“You can’t fool me, Rob.”

“No.” She looked back at Luc as the two guys walked toward them. “You’re right. I do. But that’s why I had to let him go.”

*****

“You sure I look okay?” Robbie asked Lizbeth as she opened the pool gate.

“For the hundredth time, yes. You look fabulous. That emerald green cover-up makes your eyes pop. It’s perfect. And the suit underneath…” She snickered as she fanned herself.

“Oh, shut up. I can’t believe I let you talk me into it.”

“You’re beautiful, and you know it. Oh, hey. There they are.” Lizbeth gestured towards Luc and Conrad, already kicked back in their swim trunks with two empty chaise loungers between them. Lizbeth strolled up and dropped her beach bag on the ground, claiming the lounger next to Conrad as her own. “You guys are good. Perfect location.”

“Took you two long enough,” Luc mumbled, lifting his sunglasses to get a good look at them. “I like your shirt,” he said to Robbie before dropping his glasses down and turning away.

“Thanks, Stretch.”

“Wait till you see what she’s got under it,” Lizbeth said.

Luc turned back as Robbie smacked Lizbeth in the arm. “What’s under it?”

“It’s nothing. Just a suit.” Robbie sat and shaded her eyes with her hand as she looked around. “Hell. I’m leaving the cover-up on.” She pulled an oversized floppy hat and sunglasses out of her bag.

“Got your sun block?” Luc asked. “That skin could get burned on a cloudy day here.”

“Yup. And you’re right.” Robbie pulled out her sun block. “Which is why this cover-up is staying on.”

“You’re no fun,” Lizbeth said, peeling off her own cover-up to reveal a crimson red string bikini underneath.

“Holy shit,” Conrad muttered, staring slack-jawed at Lizbeth as she adjusted her sunglasses and laid back into a reclining position. “Sorry, Rob. I might have to start calling Lizbeth here gorgeous and you beautiful.”

Lizbeth smiled and reached over to trail a finger up and down his arm. “Aren’t you just the charmer?”

“Oh, boy,” Robbie mumbled, earning a snicker from Luc.

Robbie was more than generous as she spread on and rubbed in the sun block. She so didn’t need to get sunburned on her very first day of vacation. As she worked on her legs, she glanced over at Luc and then studied the lines of him, the planes of his muscles. Damn, look at that body! She could slurp him up in one sitting!

When he shifted, her eyes darted back to what she was doing. No need to get caught staring. But she couldn’t resist one more peek. She could tell he had sun block on with the way his skin glistened, and yet, she knew with his olive coloring he’d be bronzed and beautiful in no time at all. Lucky bastard. Why couldn’t she have skin like that? But no, she gets to be pale as a ghost or red as a lobster.

Scowling, she adjusted her hat and sat back.

“What’s wrong with you?” Luc asked.

“Nothing,” Robbie grumbled, surveying the scene in front of them.

The pool was busy. There were lots of people their own age, a scattering of older couples, and plenty of families. People splashed in the water, spread out in the sun, cozied up to each other, and bellied up to the outdoor tiki bar. There were screams and laughter, mumblings of private conversations, and underlying it all was the sound of the ocean, not more than fifty yards away.

“God, it’s just stunning here,” Robbie said, watching a family of four slip into the shallow end of the pool. “Can you imagine bringing your family here for vacation? I bet they’d have a blast.”

“Not my family. We’d kill each other,” Lizbeth said.

“What are you talking about? Your family is great,” Robbie said. “Someday, when I have a family of my own, I’m coming back here.”

“Me too,” seconded Lizbeth.

“What about you, Stretch? Would you come back here with yours?” Robbie asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t need a family.” He jerked a thumb in her direction. “I’ll just tag along with yours.”

Robbie briefly laid a hand on his arm. “One of these days, Luc, you’re gonna change your mind about that.”

“Not bloody likely.”

She smiled at the same old argument. She wanted a family, ached to have one again, and he could care less because he had never known how truly good and pure it could be. The L’s were the closest thing he’d ever had, and even they’d eventually left him.

Lizbeth’s sudden gasp had Robbie turning towards her. “Robbie. Look at that fine specimen of a man.”

Robbie followed her gaze and nearly gasped herself. “Hello, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. Wow.”

“You can say that again. Damn. Look at that physique. Very nice.”

“I didn’t think men like that even existed.”

“Oh, they do. They’re rare, but they do. And when you find one, watch out because he will knock you on your ass.”

Robbie hissed out a breath. “Look at those eyes, that hair…those arms.” She licked her lips. “Wonder if he has a dark side to match the rest.”

“I’d kill to find out,” Lizbeth breathed. “Oh, yeah. We’d get along just fine.”

“For Christ’s sake. Cut it out,” Conrad said.

Lizbeth giggled. “Oh, if it was a girl, you’d be talking about how hot she was.”

Conrad peered over the top of his sunglasses and studied the guy. “I don’t know. The way you keep going on, I might start to think he’s pretty hot, too.”

Lizbeth snorted a laugh and smacked him in the bicep.

“Shit,” Conrad said. “How do you girls expect us common men to keep thinking we have any chance at all against that. Talk about crushing a guy down.”

“Don’t put me in your class, man,” Luc said. “Common man, my ass.”

“That’s right,” Robbie put in, patting Luc’s arm with a laugh. “Studly here is a man all his own.”

“See,” Luc said. “Despite the ill-timed laugh—which I’ll completely ignore—the woman has impeccable taste.”

*****

The afternoon flew by as Luc watched the world around him. Directly next to him, in particular. Robbie’s milky-white skin, protected by the half-bottle of sun block she slathered on, just about glowed in the brilliant sunlight. Her off-the-shoulder shirt-thingy was nearly mid-thigh, but it was filmy and light, streaming down her body and drifting off her curves in all the right places. Or wrong places, depending upon your perspective.

On more than one occasion, Luc had to force himself to look away. It wasn’t often he saw her in a suit—or a suit and a shirt, in this case. But during the last couple of years, since he’d lived with her those few brutal months, he couldn’t help but to see her in a different light. Far different than he thought he ever would. She was a looker. No fucking question about it, but he knew better than to go there. It used to be more difficult than it was now. There were times when he would picture her flashing him in the shower, or their brief make-out session on the couch, and he would feel the familiar ache and warming in his belly that only she could stoke to such an intense heat. But he’d learned to effectively shut it down, or at least bring it down to a steady simmer. Now he could look and appreciate, without the fear of his instincts and urges taking over. And without having to worry about hurting her. She’d always deserve far more than he could ever give her. Much more than a simple tumble in the sheets.

With a deep, thought-clearing sigh, Luc closed his eyes and soaked up the warmth. Just focus on the sun, the relaxation, the ambient noises—

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to call it a day and hit the bar.” Lizbeth said. “What’d ya think?”

“I’m game,” Robbie answered. “But I think I’m going to take a quick dip first to cool off.”

Luc heard her ruffle around in her bag.

“I’ll come with you. Conrad, you joining us?”

“Naw. I’m just gonna sit here and enjoy the show. Make sure you ease in nice and slow. Same thing when you get out, too.”

Lizbeth laughed, and Luc heard the slap of what he imagined was her hand on his arm. She was always touching his arm.

“You coming, Luc?” Lizbeth asked.

He refused to open his eyes. “Nope.”

“Your loss. Both of you.”

Luc could infer what was happening with the sounds around him. The pitter-patter of feet was Lizbeth heading towards the pool. The girlie squeal was her easing into the cold water. The whistle was Conrad’s version of a compliment. The rustle of fabric right next to him was Robbie taking off her shirt-thingy. The second set of pitter-patter was Robbie—

“Holy shit,” Conrad muttered. “Dude. You’ve got to see this.”

“What?” Luc peeled an eye open to peer at Conrad. Noting his mouth hanging open like a damn fool, he followed his line of sight.

Luc jolted straight up when he saw Robbie. “What the hell is that?!”

Conrad made a strangled-laughing sound. “I think it’s a bikini.”

“Holy fucking shit. A single tug at two different knots and she’d be naked. That’s not a fucking bikini. That doesn’t have enough material to be considered anything near a bikini.”

“I don’t know, man.” Conrad gestured at the poolside. “She’s not the only one wearing something skimpy.”

“But she’s the only one I give a shit about.”

Luc was stunned. There was Robbie—his sweet, innocent…curvy, sultry Robbie—prancing around in three swatches of forest green fabric. Fuck no, that wasn’t a bikini. That was an excuse for men to paw at her. That was an invitation for Luc to start kicking some gawkers asses. That was his own personal torment and temptation at its finest. Jesus fucking Christ. The enduring simmer of heat in his belly suddenly flash-boiled over.

“I’m heading up,” Robbie called out to Lizbeth. “I’ll meet you in the room.”

“All right,” Lizbeth responded, dunking her head back again, then shooting a wink at Conrad.

Robbie walked up the submerged stairs, wringing her fiery red hair out as she went. Her hips rocked, her shoulders swayed. Her entire 5’6” frame moved sinuously with every footstep that brought her closer.

“I’m heading up.” Her voice sounded distant to his ears, as if she were talking to him with his head underwater. “You okay?”

“Uh huh.” His tongue ceased all functionality when she bent over in front of him to grab her bag. Fuckin’ A.

“Come by the room when you guys are ready to head down. We’ll need about an hour.” Robbie straightened when she heard a whistle a few chairs down, and blushed. She was fucking pleased with herself!

Luc still hadn’t regained speech when she walked away, strolling right past The Whistler’s chair.

“Hold up. I’m gonna see if I can hit that,” The Whistler said to his friend, tossing down his towel to stalk Robbie.

Luc was up in a flash, fury pumping through his veins. He vaguely heard Conrad call his name as his long strides brought him closer to target. Robbie looked back right as Luc fell in step behind the worthless piece of shit, hooked his hand around his bicep, and dumped his ass into the pool.

She spun to confront him. “Luc!”

“He’s fucking lucky that’s all I did.” Luc gestured with a nod of his head. “Keep it moving.”

She threw her hands up and turned back toward the resort. “You’re like an overprotective Neanderthal.”

“Hey, if that’s what it takes to keep his hands out of your pants, or lack thereof, then so be it.”

Robbie stopped and turned on him again, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Maybe I want his hands in my pants. Ever think of that?”

“Over my dead and rotting corpse!”

“That can be arranged,” she mumbled, crossing her arms.

Luc made it a point to look back at The Whistler as he started to heave himself out of the pool, but one look at Luc’s glare had him slithering back down again.

“For Pete’s sake.” Robbie sighed.

Luc turned back to her. “Are you fucking brain-dead, Rob? Have some damn sense. Do you really want someone like that?”

“Oh, shut up. I don’t need a brother-type telling me who I should, or shouldn’t, want touching me. And quit swearing at me!”

“Dammit, Robbie! I’m not your fuc— I’m not your damn brother, I’m your friend.” He glanced back to see The Whistler getting slapped by a girl in the pool. “And doing you a favor by the looks of it.”

Robbie glared her response and stormed away.

He couldn’t help but admire her form. “Brother type, my fucking ass,” he mumbled, jogging to catch up with her. He caught her elbow when she got to the lobby. “Hey. I’m not done talking to you about this.”

She jerked her arm away, and fisted her hands on her hips. “What if I wanted that guy? Hmm? Or any guy? Say, that one.” She gestured toward a man at the guest counter just as a young couple wandered into their eye line.

Catching the comment, the man smirked and pulled his shoulders back a measure. The woman backhanded him in the chest, and shot Robbie a glare.

“Not you,” Robbie said, as if it should’ve been obvious. “Behind you.”

The couple shifted to reveal an elderly couple directly behind them. The old man smiled a toothless grin as the old lady gave him a little shove towards Robbie. “You can have him, dear. But he’s no Lothario.”

The young couple snickered and walked away as Luc doubled-over with laughter.

“Oh, my God,” Robbie mumbled, face flushed. She punched Luc in the arm before stalking off.

Luc held his gut, his laugh dying off as he caught up to her just as the elevator arrived. He followed her in.

“Look, Rob. I’m not gonna stand by and let you bang some stranger. You got an itch? I’ll scratch it.” He was almost as surprised as she was by his offer.

He nearly flinched as he watched for her reaction, certain a fist was about to jab out at him. Instead, her face froze before it went straight from boiling fury to dumfounded shock. And then she laughed. Hard.

“My God! You almost had me going there.” She pulled her hands through her hair. “Damn, Luc. You better be careful. I nearly took you up on that.”

She had? He cocked a brow and her cheeks went pink.

“Okay, okay. Point taken. You win this argument. No hot-stranger-sex.”

They walked out of the elevator, turning toward her room. When they got there, she turned and hugged him. He nearly groaned from the contact, her warm, firm body pressed against his, slipping across the sun block still slicking the surface of his chest. And then she almost undid him altogether—to his certain detriment, and to hers—when she cupped his face and gave him a quick, hard kiss on the lips.

“I know you’re just watching out for me. Thanks for that, Stretch.”

He cleared his throat. “Uh huh. No problem.”

“Come get us in an hour.” She slipped into her room.

Letting out a huge breath, he turned toward his own suite. “Damn. I need a fucking cold shower.”

*****

The night held her. She was a slave to it, to the possibilities it held, and the moments it promised. And because it did, Robbie never wanted it to end—even despite their fight a couple of hours ago. Or maybe, she mused, studying Luc over the rim of her Mai Tai, because of it.

Now, just what would he have done if she had taken him up on his offer? While she was dying to find out, she knew it was better left unrealized. At least, that was what she kept telling herself. Would he have rejected her again? No. She didn’t think he would have. Not if he thought he was her only solution, that he’d be helping her out by sleeping with her. No. She knew Luc would do anything for her, and she wasn’t about to put him in that position. You don’t do something like that, manipulate a man like that, if you really loved him. But, what if she told him she was in love with him, that she always had been, and that was the reason she wanted him? Not because she was hard up, but because being with him would mean everything to her.

She continued to watch him as he scanned the crowd, contemplating what she knew deep down was not a real option, and monumentally selfish of her in the end. Luc would rather walk off a cliff than hurt her. How could she possibly put him in a situation to where he’d have to sleep with her with the sole purpose of not hurting her feelings? No. She couldn’t do that to him either.

Robbie blinked as she looked into Luc’s gloriously dark eyes. “Huh?”

He chuckled. “What are you thinking about?”

“Oh.” She shook her thoughts clear, sipped her Mai Tai. “Nothing. Did you say something?”

“I asked about your apartment hunting. Are you sure that’s your first drink?”

“Shush. You know it is.” She absently flipped her hair back. “Lizbeth was gonna check out another place when we got back, but I think I like the one over by you and Conrad the best. God. No more dorms. I can barely believe it.”

“Was it that bad?”

“Are you kidding me? No space. No privacy. Public bathrooms.” She took another sip, and then slid a peanut from a little foil package to pop into her mouth. “Did I ever tell you we had to walk down the hall in just our robes when we went to shower?”

Luc froze, his beer an inch from his mouth. “Weren’t there guys on your floor?”

She pointed at him and nodded. “My point exactly. Now you’re catching up.”

He took a long pull off the bottle and set it down. “Yeah. It’s good you’re getting out of there.”

“So, on to you. You excited to get started on your business courses?”

“Not especially. It’s still school.” He shrugged. “But I’m excited to get going on the business itself.”

“I still can’t believe Mick is selling you Hooligan’s. Picture it,” she said, spreading her hands in the air. “Luc Cintrone—bar owner and business man. It suits you. It really does. You gonna keep the name?”

“I’m not sure. Thinking about it. What’re your thoughts?”

She laughed and put her hand over his. “It suits you. Keep it.”

“Ha. Very funny,” he grumbled, signaling the waitress for another round. “I probably could skip the courses, but I figure if I’m going to do it, do it right.”

“And Mick is showing you the rest of it, off hours?”

“Yup. Every damn thing there is to know about the bar business is getting grilled into my head. By the time I turn twenty-one, I should be able to run that place with my eyes closed. And the schooling will make sure I turn a profit while I’m doing it.” He glanced her way and smiled. “I think Mick is angling to have me sign the papers right on my birthday, followed by a stellar party, of course.”

“But not at Hooligan’s.”

“Nope. Don’t worry. I didn’t forget you wouldn’t be of age yet. We’ll find another venue.”

Of course he had taken her into consideration—even though it was his day, his moment, he still thought of her. God, how she loved this man.

She thanked the waitress as she set down her drink, and then noticed as Luc flicked a glance at a passing woman. Sipping her drink, she watched as he casually scanned the woman over while taking a pull from his beer.

Ew, she was skanky. “You can do better than that.”

Luc jolted and looked at Robbie with raised brows.

“What?” she asked. “I’m not allowed to have an opinion on the girls you go after? Sounds like a double standard to me.”

He arrowed a steady gaze at her. “You don’t ever meet them.”

“Yeah.” She ripped open another bags of peanuts, tossed one in her mouth. “Why is that?”

“I don’t date like you date.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

He held up his hands. “Just that I’m not looking to get serious. When it’s someone who matters, you’ll meet her.”

She tried to shrug off the ache in her chest, but it turned her tone sour. “Fair enough.”

“What?”

“What?” She flashed him a conjured smile. “Nothing.”

“I know that tone. Spill it, Squirt.”

“I just feel bad you haven’t found anyone to matter yet.” Someone like her.

“Who says I haven’t?”

“But you…” Jealously mixed with flat out curiosity. “What’s the problem then?”

He took another drink, scanned the room. “She doesn’t see it yet.”

Even though she wanted him for her own, she felt nothing but hatred toward the girl who would deny him. “Then she’s an idiot. Not worth your time.”

He chuckled and tipped his head as if in agreement.

Robbie bit her lip as she worked her angle on what she wanted to ask. Best to just go with direct. “Is it Kelly Marquette?”

Luc looked stunned. “How do you know about her?”

She gestured vaguely, took a long swallow of her Mai Tai. “Conrad shares more than you do.”

“Oh.”

“So…is it her?”

“Hmm? Oh, no.” He seemed distracted, lost in his thoughts.

“What is it?”

His eye darted around before coming back to hers. “What did Conrad tell you about her?”

“Not much. Just that you were dating her for awhile. Why? Was there more to tell?”

“I didn’t know if he told you… Well, she had a pregnancy scare. We had a scare.”

“Really? What would you have done? If she had been?”

“Stuck.”

“You loved her?”

He sat back and let out a breath. “No, not at all. But you don’t abandon your kids. That’s why I was with her so long, otherwise I probably would have broken it off long before then.”

Robbie realized how tight her chest had become during the conversation, and she made herself relax. “I’m glad it turned out for you, Luc.” And me, she thought, nearly cringing at her own selfishness.

“Me too.” He tipped his bottle at her, took a swig. “Thank God you never found yourself in that position.”

“Yeah.” Suddenly, the room felt very hot, and anywhere else was better to look than at Luc. He seemed to notice this with perfect clarity. She laughed, nervous-like, and shifted in her seat.

“Who the hell was it?”

Did she know his eyes could get that dark? “It was nothing, Stretch.” She gestured—nearly grabbed in panic—at the passing waitress. “Could I get another please?”

Luc leaned forward, tugged on a tendril of her hair. “It’s okay, Squirt. Just talk to me.”

Robbie froze a tick, surprised by his sudden calm. “Who are you, and what did you do with Luc?”

He kicked back with a grin. A strained grin, but a grin nonetheless. “Go ahead.”

“All right. If you really want to hear about this.”

He gestured his bottle at her, indicating he did.

Okay. This was different. “The guy’s name was Robert Matthews. Second month of college, he had the great honor of being my first.” She watched his passive expression. “We hadn’t planned on… Well, we just hadn’t planned ahead. One thing led to another, and a month later I was hyperventilating in a paper bag thinking I was prego.”

His brow winged up. “A paper bag?”

“Lizbeth’s idea.”

“Hmm. Go on.”

“Anyway, it turned out I was just late. End of story.” He nodded, shrugged, but the white knuckles gripping his bottle belied his calm. She smirked and leaned in. “But, you know what I learned from that little situation?”

“Not to ever have sex again, too much trouble?”

She laughed, a deep throaty sound, and trailed a finger up and down his arm. “No way. I like sex.” He nearly spit out his beer, but she continued…and without losing her cool. “In fact, I love sex. But what I learned was how to get very, very, very skilled at putting a condom on a man.” She glanced around, then leaned in further. “There’s a trick to it, you see. Slight touches, gliding my fingers across that sensitive skin, and since my mouth is usually near…” She licked her lips, shrugged. “There are things that I learned to do, through lots and lots of practice, that would drive any sane man crazy, all by simply partaking in safe sex.”

Every muscle in Luc’s body tensed to the point where Robbie nearly felt it. His eyes looked like they were about to roll right out of their sockets, and if he clenched his jaw any tighter, she was sure shattered teeth would be involved.

She couldn’t hold back anymore.

She clapped her hands together as she threw her head back and laughed harder than she had in a long time. Tears squeezed out the corners of her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. “Jesus, Luc! You actually believed me! You should have seen your face!”

“Yeah, I bet it was real funny.”

“I’m sorry, Stretch, but you had that one coming.” She held her stomach as she sat back. “Honestly, where I left off, that was the end of the story. Safe sex every time after that, and only with the one guy. Is that better?”

He sniffed, the corner of his mouth twitched. “Yeah. Much.” He dug out his wallet, threw a few bills on the table. “Come on. Let’s call it a night.”

“Alrighty.” Robbie stood, wobbled.

“You okay there, Squirt?” Luc took her arm as he wrapped his around her shoulder.

“Yup. Just not used to Mai Tais, I guess.” She giggled and swayed. “Once I get moving, I should be okay.”

They walked up together, arm-in-arm, as Robbie continued to needle him about the sex talk. They stopped in front of his door.

“Here’s your room, Stretch. I’ll just leave you here, head on up to my own.”

“Naw, I’ll walk you. You shouldn’t—”

Robbie’s ears perked. “Is that…?”

Luc pressed his ear to the door, and Robbie matched his position.

“Conrad and Lizbeth,” they said together.

Robbie snickered, and slapped a hand to his chest. “Looks like you’re bunking with me, pal.”

“Looks like,” he said with a funny little smile Robbie couldn’t quite figure out.

“Oh,” Robbie gushed, slipping her arm around his again. “I can show you the suit I’m wearing tomorrow. If you thought today’s was non-existent then wait until you get a load of this one.”

Luc shot her a glare as she shoved him into her suite.

“Just wait right there. Let me go get it.” She ducked into the bedroom to yank it from her suitcase. “Ta dah!”

He slowly turned from his position on the couch, and then smiled. “Very nice, Rob.”

“Ha!” She held up the navy one-piece. “Thought you’d like that.” She tossed it on the end table and joined him on the couch. “God. I’m exhausted. Too much sun today.”

“Go ahead and crash. I’m just gonna stay up, watch some TV.”

“You sure?”

“I’m good.”

“All right. The couch pulls out into a bed, and I saw some extra blankets in the closet over there.” She looked at his expression. “But…you already knew that ‘cause your room is exactly the same. Got it.”

“Go to bed, Squirt.”

“Will do.” She stood and, without really thinking about it, kissed him. Normally, a kiss on the cheek was standard, but this time, for whatever reason, she kissed him right on the lips. And not just a quick peck, but the kind that lingered for just a second longer, crossing the line from platonic and eeking toward intimate. Damn, Mai Tais.

His gaze locked on hers as he tilted his head, tension washing through his features and the tips of his ears turning red.

She issued a nervous chuckle and patted him on the shoulder before backing away. “So, yeah,” she said. “Goodnight.”

“Night, Rob.”

She backed off another step, shook her head and turned. “Sleep tight.”

“Wait.”

Robbie froze, slowly looking over her shoulder. She had never seen Luc at a loss for words, but it was as if she could see right into him, watching as he mentally rummaged around trying to find the ones that fit.

He opened his mouth, closed it, then shrugged with an all-together different expression: Confusion. “What does that mean, anyway?”

“Excuse me?”

“Sleep tight.”

Robbie’s breath let out with a whoosh and she groaned—partially in relief, partially in frustration. “Goodnight, Luc.”

“I know you know what it means, Squirt,” he called after her.

“Another time, Stretch. Another time.”

Chapter 6

Twenty-two years old (Present day)

“Luc. Glad you could make it in.”

Luc looked up to see his attorney cutting through the reception area. He stood to greet him with a handshake. “Hey, Bryan. I just wanted to drop off these papers.” Luc smacked the manila envelope against his palm before handing them over.

“All signed and ready to go then?” Bryan pulled out the documents. “Sure you don’t want to come on back to my office while I look these over?”

“Naw. I have to get back.” He jerked his chin towards the papers. “You know how to reach me if there’s anything else, but that ought to do it.”

“All right.” Bryan held out his hand. “I’ll let you know if there’s anything else.”

“Sounds good.” Luc gave Bryan’s hand a firm pump.

Someone calling Bryan’s name had Luc turning towards the strong, feminine voice.

A woman with platinum blond hair, pulled back in a smooth twist-thingy, and piercing ice-blue eyes, approached. Sensible pumps brought her close to Luc’s height, a prim skirt showcased her never-ending legs, and a professionally-cut, though form-fitting, jacket completed the picture. High-powered business woman in high-powered gear, Luc decided.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” she said, holding out her hand.

“Luc Cintrone, may I introduce Payten Carmichael,” Bryan gestured as Luc took her hand in his. “Miss Carmichael is one of our heavy-hitters around here.”

“You’re just saying that because my father signs your paychecks.” She laughed—a polite, musical sound—as she shook Luc’s hand. “Mr. Cintrone. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Luc said, giving her another discreet once over as he let go of her hand. He could probably go for some of that, but most likely she’d turn it into some kind of fucking legal issue when he rolled right back off and walked away. Not worth the hassle, even with legs like those.

“Luc here owns Hooligan’s down on Summit,” Bryan said to Payten.

“Oh, yes, I do believe I’ve seen it.” She nodded as she folded her hands in front of her, not hiding the once over she was now giving him. “I’ll have to stop by sometime.”

Luc heard the little alarm bells going off in his head, and took a mental step back. “I’m thinking it won’t be your style. Look, I gotta take off, Bryan. Catch ya later. Payten. Take care.”

She smiled, halted him with a hand to his arm. “I’ll stop by anyway. I’m always looking for someplace new.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

*****

Luc was wiping down the bar when Conrad walked in from the back.

“Delivery’s been signed for. He’s unloading now.” Conrad shoved a case of beer on the counter. “I’ll get these into the cooler.”

“Sounds good.” Luc glanced over at his friend. “Just so you know, you are now officially half owner of Hooligan’s.”

“Really?” Conrad grinned as he clapped Luc on the back. “That was fast.”

“Ran the papers over this morning.” Luc smiled and jerked his thumb towards the back. “Now get to work.”

Conrad laughed. “Nothing changes, huh?”

“Not true. You’ll get a bigger paycheck.”

“Which Lizbeth will insist I spend on her.”

“That’s your own fault for getting involved.” Luc shook his head. “And staying involved.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Lizbeth called from the back.

“You could have told me she was here,” Luc mumbled, looking over at Lizbeth as she walked in.

“Just for that, I might not help you stock.” She slipped an arm around Conrad’s waist. “Congrats on the raise. Where’re you taking me?”

“Anywhere you want, gorgeous.”

“Oh, Jesus.” Luc said, eyeing up the couple. “Don’t you two ever let up?”

“Why would we?” she asked, popping open the case of beer. “We enjoy each other’s company, we’re in love, and the sex is amazing. Why walk away from that?”

“She’s got a point, especially about the sex.” Conrad patted her ass before ducking in the back room.

Luc tipped his head. “Is Robbie back there too?”

“Nope. She ran out to get a DVD for tonight.”

Luc froze. “She what?”

Lizbeth started unloading the box. “You heard me.”

“She was supposed to wait for me.”

“Well, I guess she got sick of waiting on you.”

“Shit.” He tossed down his towel and made his way behind the bar, scooting around her in the process. “Last time she picked one out by herself, I was stuck watching Moonstruck.”

“Ya know, you could avoid all this if you just took her out on a real date.”

He stopped and turned. “It’s not a fucking date. We’re just hanging out.”

“And maybe that’s your problem.”

What the fuck? “Look, I don’t have time to play guess what the crazy female is thinking. I have to go stop another female from subjecting me to The Sound of Music or some shit.” He grabbed his jacket by the back door and shrugged into it. “You’re on your own, Conrad. Go control your woman. She’s getting some crazy ass ideas again.”

*****

Luc set the huge bowl of popcorn on the table and settled into his overstuffed couch. “You’ve got that interview tomorrow, right?”

“Yup. I hope I get it, too. Give this college education a ride.” Robbie chuckled as she stretched out, her head on the pillow in his lap. “Five years of slinging pizza slices is enough.”

He stroked her hair, watching the way the silky strands cascaded against her milky neck. “You’ll get it.”

“We’ll find out. I’ll stop by the bar afterward and let you know how it went.”

“Sounds good.”

“Ready for the movie?” she asked, grabbing the remote.

“Sure thing, Squirt.” He slung his arm around her and kicked back. As the opening credits flashed across the screen, he took stock of their position. They always cuddled like this, for as long as he could remember. But why was it this could feel so comfortable, they could fit together so right, but have no elements of intimacy? He supposed, though, that the intimacy was there, just not the getting-down-and-dirty kind. His belly tightened. Jesus, he thought, don’t even go there. Think about something else. And for the next hour and forty-seven minutes, he managed to successfully do just that.

Robbie stretched and did a sexy little wiggle as she looked up at him with sleepy eyes. “Next time we get something with more action.”

“Deal.”

“Is it okay if I crash here tonight?”

“That’s cool. You can take my bed.”

She got up and he could feel her eyes on him as he shifted. “Don’t be an idiot. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“Robbie, I’m not gonna have you sleeping on the couch.”

“Enough, Luc. We have this same damn argument every time one of us crashes at the other’s, and it always ends up with you on couch cushions on the floor, and me feeling enormously guilty. So just cut the crap, and go to bed.”

“Bossy little thing, aren’t you?” He snickered, tugging on her hair.

“No. Just practical. You don’t even fit on the couch, and I do, so why argue with me about it?”

“Because—”

“Rhetorical question, Stretch.” She pointed to the bedroom. “Now, go to bed. I know where the sheets are.”

“Like hell.”

“You’re really not going to budge, are you?”

He shook his head.

She crossed out her arms, stuck out her hip. “Then we share a bed.”

“We…what?”

“I think I can trust you to keep your hands to yourself.”

Don’t be so sure, he thought. “Not the point.”

“Then what is?”

“Just…” He sighed, pulling his hands through his hair. “Look, Robbie. I’m tired. Can we just go to sleep and have this argument next time.”

“Fine.” She stormed into the bedroom, flipping the light off behind her.

“Thank God,” he mumbled, pulling the cushions to the floor. After grabbing the heavy blanket off the back of the couch, he snuggled in and tried to fall asleep. He was nearly there, when he felt a pressure against his back.

“What the hell?” He jerked and looked over his shoulder. In the moonlight, he could see Robbie as she eased closer behind him.

“If you’re sleeping on the floor, then so am I.”

“The hell you are.” Pushing to his feet, he scooped her up from under the blanket. He clenched his jaw when he felt her bare thighs against his arms—she had taken off her fucking pants. The discovery quickened his stride and he dumped her off on the bed. “Stay.”

“No way.” She scrambled to get to her feet, flashing her pink panties as her shirt rode up while she scooted across the bed. God give him strength.

“Robbie. I’m tired. Just… Dammit, just stay.”

“And what are you gonna do about it if I don’t?” She smirked, raised a brow. “Tie me up?”

Jesus Christ, what was she trying to do to him?! No mortal man had the strength he had in that very moment. “What the hell do you want from me?!”

She jerked back as if he’d just slapped her. “Nothing.” She swallowed, regained her composure. “Why can’t you just accept that I have your comfort in mind and don’t want you sleeping on the couch. It’s not right.” She threw up her arms and grabbed her pants off the end of the bed. “Fine. If it’s that big a deal, I’ll go home and sleep. Then you can have your bed, and no one sleeps on the damn couch.”

He grabbed her arm, rubbed his temple. “It’s late, Rob. Just stay here.” He shifted his gaze. “We’ll share the bed.”

*****

The next morning, Robbie trudged through the door of her apartment and stumbled straight to her bed. Falling face first, she let out a groan as she sunk deep into the plush bedding. Sleeping in the same bed as Luc was a huge mistake. She didn’t sleep a wink. Correction. Couldn’t sleep a wink. She was too hyper-aware of him, mere inches away, the entire night.

Turning her head, she glanced at her clock. She had a few minutes before she had to get ready for her appointment. Closing her eyes, she blanked Luc out of her mind, and tried to gather the energy to focus on a game plan for her interview.

She jolted when the phone rang, startling her right out of her own head. She pushed off the bed and darted into the living room to grab the phone.

“Hey. Just wanted to wish you luck before you go,” Lizbeth said.

“Thanks. I might need it.” Robbie glanced at the clock on the wall. No problem.

“I was afraid I was gonna miss you. When do you have to be there?”

“Three o’clock. I have plenty of time yet.”

“Robbie. It’s almost three now.”

She made a snorting sound and glanced at the clock again. “It’s only one.”

“No. Check again, sweetie.”

Robbie strode into her bedroom, took one look at her alarm clock, and nearly dropped the phone. “Shit. I must have fallen asleep. I gotta go!” And with an uncharacteristic string of profanities streaming after her, Robbie sprinted into the bathroom.

*****

Payten tugged the heavy wooden door open, and strolled into the cozy, dimly-lit atmosphere of Hooligan’s. She immediately zeroed in on the bar, and there he was, tall and commanding, behind the thick mahogany barrier, chatting with a few customers.

“Luc. So good to see you again.” She slid onto the deep-red, vinyl bar stool.

He straightened and studied her, then sauntered over. “Payten, right?”

“Good memory.”

“Or not so much considering we just met yesterday.” He pulled down the towel slung over his shoulder and wiped at a wet ring on the counter.

“I’ll give you that.” She unbuttoned her suit jacket to show the v-cut blouse she had underneath, and then leaned forward on her elbows. “I told you I’d stop by.”

To her delight, he had to break his gaze from the cleavage she knew she was showcasing. “Shit, you don’t waste any time.”

Not sure if he meant the stopping by part or the hitting on him part, she chose to go the safer route. “I’m always on the lookout for a nice, quiet place to unwind after work.”

“Quiet place, huh? Well, you best keep looking then. It’s not called Hooligan’s for nothin’. Give her about an hour to warm up and she’ll lose her appeal real fast.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me, Luc?”

“Now, why would I do that, Payten? I just don’t think we have anything here for you.” He locked his eyes on her, making his true intent very clear, then gestured towards the bar as if indicating he was speaking of her taste in drinks instead.

She loved a man who played hard to get. Especially one as dark and rough as this one. “I’ll take a beer. Whatever you have on tap.”

He held her in his gaze a moment. With a shrug, he said, “Lady’s choice.”

Payten watched as a cute dirty blond with hazel eyes walked behind the bar.

“Hey, man.”

“Hey Conrad. Get this lady a beer.”

“Sure thing.” Conrad winked at her, then looked to Luc. “Luc. You look like hell. What happened to you?”

“Nothing. Just didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Hung out with Rob, right?” Conrad asked, pulling a frosted mug from somewhere behind beneath the counter.

Guy’s night would do it, Payten thought, flashing Conrad a smile. If this Rob looked like these two, she’d have to hang out here more often.

“Not that kind,” Luc said, nudging Conrad in the arm as he was about to fill her glass with a light beer. “Give the lady a dark one.”

“Thanks, Luc.” She folded her hands on the bar, grinned, and tried not to curse out loud. “That’s just what I wanted.”

“Uh huh.”

“So, Luc,” Conrad’s gaze shifted from her back to his friend. “Uh…why didn’t you get much sleep? You two make it a late one?”

Payten was getting the distinct impression he was feeling Luc out for information. Not too casual about it, but just enough to slip under the radar, apparently.

“No. Ah…yes. I don’t know.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “She crashed at my place, and I just didn’t get much sleep. Why? What gives?”

She? Though Payten’s interest piqued, she pretended not to be listening by scanning the rest of the room, and sipping her nasty beer.

“Nothing, nothing. Just curious is all.”

“Be less curious, and more busy. We’re gonna get slammed soon.” Luc glanced at the clock. “I’m gonna get shit set up in the kitchen. Handle things.”

The room got bright when a patron opened the door and walked in. Payten looked over to see a green-eyed red head hanging her jacket on the coat rack.

“Hey, beautiful,” Conrad called out with a funny little salute. “How was your interview?”

The woman groaned as she slid onto a stool and smoothed out her skirt. “It was terrible.” She folded her arms and buried her face.

“It couldn’t have been that bad.”

She lifted her head, propping her chin in her palm. “You wanna bet? It couldn’t have gone worse if I had intentionally mucked it up.”

Payten only half-paid attention and only half-cared how the woman’s day went, but was suddenly more curious when she saw the look on Luc’s face as he walked into the room. He took one look at the red head, and his whole face lifted. Interesting. She glanced back at the woman and studied her closer. Yes, she supposed she was attractive. Intensely attractive, if she had to describe her perfectly. And from Luc’s reaction, very clearly her lead competition for his attention.

“Rob. How did it go?”

So this was Rob.

“Don’t ask, man,” Conrad said, setting a beer in front of her. “She’s in mourning.”

“That bad, huh, Squirt?”

“Don’t even get me started.” She grabbed the mug, chugged half its contents in one tip of the glass.

“Easy, slugger.” Luc chuckled and slid the beer away from her. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

Robbie’s shoulders suddenly tensed and she gripped the edge of the bar. Eyes going wide, Luc darted around the bar and grabbed her hands.

Payten had no idea what the hell was going on.

“Conrad! Shut the fucking window.”

Conrad shot across the room in no time, and slammed down the only open window, effectively cutting off the melody of ‘Kashmir’ from the car at the curb.

“Deep breaths, baby. Come on. Deep breaths.” Luc dropped her hands and cradled her face. “Look at me, baby. Robbie, look at me. That’s right. You’re okay.”

Robbie’s voice was breathless, but sturdy. “I’m okay. I’m good. I’m good.” She gripped his wrists. “Just caught me by surprise, is all.”

Luc let out a breath and took the glass of ice water Conrad had brought over. “Here. Take a drink.” He watched as she complied. “It’s been awhile, huh?”

“Yeah. Over a year now?” Robbie nodded, took another drink. “Sounds about right.” She set the glass on the bar, slid off the stool. “I’m alright. I’m just gonna head home.”

Payten strained to hear their conversation as Luc walked her to the coat rack.

“Why don’t I come over tonight? Sit with you awhile,” he said.

“Can’t. I have a date.”

He pulled those broad shoulders back. “Who?”

“That guy I met here the other night. Bryan.”

“My attorney?”

I’ll have to thank Bryan for that, Payten thought. Maybe give the man a raise.

Robbie shrugged, pulled her jacket off the rack.

“No. Not good enough,” Luc muttered, taking her jacket and holding it open for her.

Robbie might be stiffer competition than Payten had thought.

“You never think so.” Robbie turned and buttoned up. “Am I ever gonna be good enough for anyone?”

Luc looked stunned, then put his hands on her shoulders. “That’s not what I said, Rob. I meant he isn’t good enough for you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She leaned forward, kissed his cheek. “Love ya. I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah. All right. Me too.” Luc watched Robbie leave, and then strode back behind the bar.

“Can I get a refill, Luc?”

“No,” he grumbled, and kept right on going.

Payten watched him disappear in the back, and then gave Conrad what she knew was a disarming smile. “Conrad, right?”

“At your service.” He braced his palms against the edge of the bar. “What can I get for you?”

She tipped her head towards the back. “Did I do something to offend him?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“There’s such…open hostility.” She didn’t add that it warmed her blood to experience it.

“He’s always like that. You get used to it.”

“Oh, not everyone.” She traced her finger around the rim of her mug. “He’s not like that with his girlfriend.”

“His girl—” His brow raised before understanding lit his eyes. “Oh. That’s different. That’s Robbie,” he said, as if that explained it all. “Look, I gotta help these people. I’ll be right back.”

“No. That’s okay.” She reached into her purse and slapped a twenty on the bar. “I’ll see you around.”

*****

At closing time, Conrad listened as Luc cracked more dishes together in the back, and cringed at the sound of their profits going down the drain.

“Take it easy on the mugs, man,” he called out, and then muttered under his breath, “That shit doesn’t grow on trees.”

“The mugs are just fucking fine,” Luc snapped, walking behind the bar to take another load back.

“Jesus, Luc. Get over it already. Enough is enough, man.”

Luc straightened. “What the fuck are you talking about? What’s your problem?”

Conrad stopped wiping at the bar. “Right now, it’s you. Get over it, or do something about it.”

Slamming the mugs on the counter, he glared at Conrad. “You better start making sense, or you and I are gonna have a problem.”

“I’m talking about you and Robbie.”

“What about us?”

“Would you sleep with her and get it over with?”

“I… What the fuck, man?”

“Look, I know you want to, so get your ass over there and take care of business.”

“I can’t just bang Robbie like she’s any other chick. You know I can’t, so why are you fucking pushing it.”

“Because it’s more than that, man. You damn well know it, but won’t see it.”

“And I repeat: What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’re in love with her. Just admit it already, and get it over with. Shit.”

Luc’s mouth worked before finally finding his voice. “Lust does not equate to love.”

“It’s more than that.” Conrad held up a hand. “Let me ask you this. How come, in all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never once taken out a girl with red hair or green eyes?”

“I have, too.”

“Bullshit.”

Luc paused. “Then it’s just because I’ve never gotten busy with one. Hell. It’s not like they’re a dime a dozen, not like blonds and brunettes are.”

“How did I end up with a best friend that’s as dumb as a sack of rocks? Think about it, man. You’ve had the opportunity. Women are constantly throwing themselves at you—all shapes and sizes. But you don’t go for the red heads because they remind you of Robbie.”

Again, Luc’s mouth hung open. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“She’s what you want, but can’t have, and you don’t want a reminder of that. But the thing is, how do you know you can’t have her if you haven’t even tried?”

“You don’t know—”

“Let’s try this one. She’s going out on a date tonight, right?” Conrad watched as a dark cloud rolled over Luc’s features—the same dark cloud that had been plaguing him all night long. “There. Right there.”

“What?”

“It irritates the hell outta you she’s going out. You always get moody when she has a date. You’ve been that way since you were teenagers.”

“I’m not moody. Nice term, by the way, I’m not a fucking chick. I just worry ‘cause all the pricks out there.”

“You’re not worried, you’re jealous.”

“I am not fucking jealous.” Luc crossed his arms, leaned back against the bar. “I’m just…overprotective.”

“Overprotective. Yes, insanely so. I’ll give you that one. But definitely jealous too.” He bent over to grab a beer out of the little fridge, popped it open on the counter. “Put all the pieces together, man. You’re in love.”

“Conrad…” Luc blew out a breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Suddenly, his head snapped up with a glare at Conrad. “Fuckin’ A.”

Conrad tipped his bottle at him. “There you go. ‘Bout time you caught up.”

“Dammit!” Luc yelled, pushing off the bar to pace behind it.

“Told you.”

Luc spun, pointed a finger at him. “You shut the fuck up. Let me think about this a minute.”

“Think all you want. You know I’m right.” He chuckled, enjoying the show. “I always am.”

Luc stopped and slipped his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumped in defeat. “Fucking annoying is what it is.”

“Annoying or not, glad you’re finally aboard.” He set his beer down, and nodded to Luc. “I’ll let you finish closing, figure the rest of this out on your own. I got a woman waiting on me.”

“Wait. What the hell am I supposed to do now?” Luc started pacing again. “You couldn’t have fucking clued me in on this sooner?”

“Are you serious? I shouldn’t have to point it out to you at all.” He dodged past Luc, grabbed his jacket off the rack. “She’s in love with you too, Luc.”

There was only one word Conrad could come up with to describe Luc’s expression: Dumbstruck.

“Are you sure about that too?”

“Absolutely.” At least he hoped he was right.

“What if you’re wrong?”

“What if I’m not?” Conrad countered.

Luc took a moment, then slumped against the bar. “Shit. What if you’re not?”

Conrad strode out the door, and left Luc to stew on that.

Chapter 7

The next morning Robbie rolled out of bed in a mood. It went south the day before with the botched interview, worsened after the panic attack at the bar, and then hit rock bottom when she called Bryan to cancel their date. Bryan understood, he was very kind about it. But her stomach hadn’t agreed with her decision when she filled it with ice cream and cookie dough, instead of the previously intended seafood dinner. As if listening to her train of thought, her stomach grumbled in general protest when she grabbed a Diet Mountain Dew out of the fridge, cracking it open as she made a beeline to the bathroom.

A steamy, scalding shower was just what the doctor ordered, she decided, the water thrumming hard against her shoulders. Today she would take the day to gather herself and only do whatever was necessary for her own sanity—no appointments to keep, no places to go, no people to see. Just her and her own space.

Perfect.

Robbie spoiled herself by indulging in her favorite, and very expensive, body wash. And then followed up with a smear of scented lotion after she dried off. Feeling fresh and feminine, she went in search of clothes only to find she had put off doing laundry by one day too long. With no clean underwear or bras to wear, she slipped into a tank top and tore open a package of men’s boxers she had picked up the week before. It was her favorite lounging attire, as long as she was lounging by herself, that is.

After shoving in a load of laundry, Robbie headed to the kitchen for another soda. As she passed through the entryway, she scowled at the clock on the wall—still reading one o’clock. She made a mental note to change the battery, and then stopped short as she surveyed her apartment. Apparently, what she needed to do for herself, and her sanity, included cleaning her space. With a sigh, she retrieved her iPod and ear buds, and began pulling cleaners out from underneath the sink.

*****

Luc hadn’t been able to sleep a wink the night before, and two sleepless nights in a row made him punchy and pissed off. He still didn’t know what he was supposed to fucking do with the bomb Conrad hit him with, but what he did know was that sitting around on his ass wasn’t it. After pacing his apartment for the better part of the morning, he decided to go right to the source. He had no fucking clue what he was going to say to Robbie, but he figured it would come to him while he was there. It damn well better.

Maybe he should just tell her what Conrad said and gauge her reaction. Maybe he should just ask her straight out how she felt—she’d be honest, right? Maybe he should just go over there and kiss her… No. Whatever he did, he wouldn’t be the first to take the initiative. He had to find out if Conrad was right about how she felt without giving away his own feelings. No sense going there if the man was wrong. And Luc had reason to believe Conrad was wrong. Hell, he’d know if Robbie loved him. He would’ve been able to tell. She cared about him—no question. She loved him—no doubt about it. But fucking in love with him? That he would’ve been able to see for himself. But maybe caring was enough. For now. Jesus Christ, what the fuck did Conrad start by telling him all that shit?

Irritation crept up his back as he parked his truck in front of Robbie’s apartment. As he took the key out of the ignition, a thought occurred. She’d had a date last night, so what if she wasn’t home? As he stepped out of the vehicle, another more disturbing thought hit. What if she was home, but wasn’t alone?

Luc slammed the door shut before stalking up the walkway, his thoughts working him over until he was steaming with a pure and productive mad—the kind that propels the muscles forward and clouds all judgment.

She’d just met Bryan, she wouldn’t have had sex with him. She wasn’t that type of girl… But what if he got her drunk? What if she was careless and let things get away from her?

Well, he would show that sonofabitch what happened when a man took advantage of a woman. Who gave a flying fuck that the man was an attorney?! Let him sue! It’d be worth it to teach that asshole a lesson. No one puts their fucking hands on his Robbie.

No. Fucking. One.

He came to a halt at her door, and whaled on it. After two seconds, she still hadn’t answered, so he pounded again. More seconds passed, and nothing. What the fuck were they doing in there?! Spewing obscenities, he dug his keys out and unlocked the door himself. He whipped it open, stepped inside, and slammed it shut in one swift movement. Her name was ready to rip out of his throat when he spotted her.

She was standing on a chair and changing the battery of her kitchen clock. He was about to ask her if she was deaf, but when he saw her ear buds, he concluded that yes, she was indeed deaf. The woman didn’t know how to listen to music without blasting her fucking ears out. The counters were filled with various cleaners and buckets, so he deduced she didn’t have company, but was cleaning…well, everything. His anger began slipping away, but then saw what she was wearing—a tank top, and boxers. Who the hell did those fucking belong to?!

He strode up to her, calling her name, but she was oblivious as she got on her tip-toes to hang the clock back on the wall. He tapped her on the back just as she turned. Letting out a cry of surprise, she jolted and then teetered. Luc lunged for her and managed to catch her, but he had to do some creative maneuvering to break her fall with his body.

Robbie looked down at him with wide, green eyes and yanked out her ear buds. He could hear her music like it was blaring through tin cans.

“You scared the crap out of me!” she said, and then broke into a fit of laughter.

As her body shook against his, he was struck by her and how she felt. His heart did a firm knock in his chest. Glancing away from her captivating eyes, he noticed her tank pulled low, revealing ample cleavage.

That did nothing to help his current problem.

“Are you okay?” Robbie asked, the amusement still twinkling in her eyes.

“Fine,” he grumbled, shifting to get her off him. He was hard as a rock, painfully so, and the expression on her face—shock—told him she had just noticed.

“Are you…?”

“What?” he snapped, pushing to his feet.

Her eyes flashed and her full lips pulled tight; an expression he knew all too well. “Just what are you mad about? That I almost hurt myself, that you had to catch me, or that for half-a-second you actually found me attractive?”

“More than half-a-second,” he mumbled, trying to curb his own building temper.

“I can’t believe you’re embarrassed to be attracted to me. How do you think that makes me feel?” She stabbed a finger at his chest, adding kindling to his own bundle of anger. “Insulted, that’s what! Get out! I don’t even want to look at you right now.”

“I’m not embarrassed to be attracted to you. I’m embarrassed that you know I am. I shouldn’t want you as much as I do!”

“Why not? What the hell’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing! You’re… You’re…”

“What?”

“You’re Robbie!”

She backed up a step and studied him. When she finally spoke, the fire from her tone had sizzled out. “And that makes me…family? A sibling?”

“God, no! Family, yes. But I’ve never thought of you as a sister.” Up until then, all the words had flown uncensored from his mouth, but now he knew to choose his words very, very carefully. He stepped forward, gliding his fingertips across her cheek. “Best friend. Confidant. Touchstone.”

She jutted her chin out, her voice going sour. “And you’re embarrassed by me.”

“I’m embarrassed to want you, to even consider you’d want me too.”

“And what if I do?”

His chest squeezed tight. “That’s not funny, Rob.”

She reached for him, running her hands up his chest as she moved in. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

He grabbed her wrists to hold her steady. “But what if—”

“No. No what if’s.” She surprised him by arching in. “There’s just us.”

He couldn’t grasp a clear thought. He could only feel her, see her. He hadn’t known what to expect when he stormed over, but this wasn’t it.

The unexpected had him frozen in place, except for the clench of his jaw.

Her expression shifted in defeat, her tone going flat. “See? Embarrassed. Get the hell out.” She jerked her wrists out of his grip, and spun away.

All thoughts evaporated and he moved on pure instinct alone. Grabbing her by the arm, he twisted her around and moved in. His mouth took hers just as her lips parted to yell, and he tasted her immediately. But as he shifted to take it deeper, she squirmed and shoved him back.

Her eyes sparked with temper as they stared each other down, breaths already quickened from their short embrace. He wanted to put his hands on her, to pull her back, to have her, and was about to do just that, but there was no need—Robbie fisted her hand in his shirt, and jerked him against her.

Lips fusing together, he moved in, slamming her against the door. He touched her everywhere, anywhere, as she yanked his shirt off to slide her palms up and over his chest, to curl around his neck. His hands darted under her tank top to touch flesh, to possess and take, then caress and tug. Their mouths fed off each other, nipping and teasing to draw the other in.

Robbie grabbed his hand and moved it between her thighs. He shifted and her boxers fell with ease. He found no barrier of silk or cotton, only wet fire, and his fingers dived in. Breathing in her gasps, he drove her to madness, reveling as her body vibrated against him. His belly curled with lust as she fumbled with the button on his jeans, as she tugged at his zipper, as she found him hard and wanting. She explored with nimble fingers, and he nearly came undone.

Grabbing her wrists, he yanked them above her head, cuffing them with one hand as he let the other wander to hold and squeeze whatever he could reach. His tongue blazed a trail down her neck and across her collarbone. He had to taste her, wanted to taste her, and now that he had, he couldn’t get enough. She struggled to free her hands, wiggling and arching against him as he took her breast in his mouth.

“Now!” she demanded, hooking a leg around his waist.

Clarity sparked through his brain. “Condom,” he huffed.

She locked the muscle in her leg, rubbing her heat against him. “God, please, Luc. Now.” Her voice was an urgent whisper, a plea striking straight through the tether maintaining his control.

He plunged, one shocking moment. She whimpered a sound of pure female pleasure, and she then moved, rocking against him. With him.

Sensations, raw and commanding, rocketed through his body as he raced to have her, to rule her. It was all so surreal, and yet he was hyper-aware—she was everywhere, flooding his senses, while he was nowhere, spurred on by an insatiable force.

She matched his need, his urgency, stroke by glorious stroke. Hands still pinned, she dropped her head, nipped at his shoulder. He released her wrists and she clamped onto him, fingers digging into his heated flesh. Grabbing her hips with both hands, he took her in deep, hard thrusts.

He knew when he had her, when he brought her to peak for the second time. The sound of his name on her lips made his own release all the more euphoric, and totally consuming.

She was his.

Robbie buried her face in Luc’s neck as he held them up against the door with numb, tingling limbs, his cheek resting against her head. And he heard her say, with a breathless gasp, “You win.”

Luc chuckled, tipping his face down. Her boxers were pooled around her ankle, and her tank top was bunched up under her chin.

“I did that with a little less—okay, a lot less—finesse than I ever imagined I would.”

Robbie’s brow arched. “And, ah, how many times did you imagine this little scenario?”

He smiled, traced her lips with his finger. “Only about a million.”

“I’d say we’re about even then.” She grinned and slumped against him. “I don’t think I can move. I may have lost all use of my muscles.”

“I gotcha.” He reached over to flip the lock on her door, and then gathered her up.

She was like a feather in his arms as he carried her to the bedroom and laid her down. They cuddled up, wrapping around each other, and Luc reveled in the moment, absorbing the fact that Robbie was there, in his arms. He trailed his fingertips up and down her spine, each pass slower than the last, as he drifted off to sleep. And somewhere in the sleep-induced daze, he had the errant thought about how Conrad was fucking right—there was no damn doubt he was in love with her. And it seemed she loved him, too.

*****

Payten smoothed at her hair and business skirt before gripping the spindled-brass handle to tug open the heavy oak door. Her eyes adjusted to the dim interior almost immediately as she stepped inside, well used to the routine of brilliance to darkness on her almost-daily stops at Hooligan’s. A quick scan of the booths along the wall, and the stools along the bar, verified the evening crowd hadn’t beat her.

With a slight sway to her hips, she balanced and strode to the bar on thin heels—the type she knew accentuated her long legs, and worked her ass.

She flashed a beaming smile at Conrad as he watched her approach, a glint of appreciation lighting his gorgeous hazel eyes. If Luc hadn’t grabbed her by the throat first, Conrad surely would have.

“Evening, Conrad. Could you get me a beer?” She all but slithered onto the stool, then purposely crossed her legs.

“It would be my great pleasure, Payten.” Conrad smiled and winked before reaching down for a mug.

She rubbed at her neck, rotating it around as she surveyed the space for Luc.

“He’s not here.” Conrad set a lite beer in front of her.

“Excuse me?”

“You have eyes for Luc, do you?”

She took a long swallow, considering the situation, and how to work it. “Am I that transparent?”

“A bit.”

“I thought it’d be interesting to get to know him better, but he doesn’t make it easy.”

He lifted a shoulder and smiled. “So what do you want to know about ‘ole Luc?”

“‘Ole Luc…” She ran her finger down the side of her mug, slipping it across the gathering condensation. “He’s got a steely exterior on him, does he not?”

“That he does. The only one I’ve ever seen get through it is Robbie.”

“Robbie,” she said, thoughtfully. “What is their relationship? From what I’ve been able to figure, they’re like brother and sister, correct?”

“No, not at all. More like unrequited lovers, if you ask me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think they’re in love with each other, but still don’t realize it, even after all these years.”

“Looks like I may have my work cut out for me then.”

Conrad chuckled. “That you do, but know this: If you get tired of chasing Luc, I’m ready to be caught.”

Payten picked up on his teasing and went with it. “And what a catch I bet you are.” She batted her eyelashes, and caught a drop of condensation on the tip of her finger before sliding it between her lips.

Conrad shook his head and grinned. “See there? Yup, you can flirt with me anytime. Does my male ego good.”

She laughed in the way she knew captured a man’s attention, and patted his hand. “You’re no Luc, but you sure are a cutie, Conrad.”

“Let me ask you something, Payten. What is it about Luc that stirs women up?”

“I’d have to say it’s those deliciously rough edges he has.”

“Oh, yeah,” Conrad said with an eye roll. “He’s yummy. Lucky bastard.”

“I thought you had a girl.”

“I do. Beside the point.” He grabbed a rag, began wiping down the counter. “A man always wants what others have. I was just curious how Luc always seems to get it.”

“Well, with me, cutie, that’s what it is.” She sipped her beer, glanced at the clock. “What time are you expecting him?”

Conrad tossed the rag somewhere under the bar and looked at his watch. His brow creased as he responded, “Now that’s a good question.”

Payten watched as he walked into the back. About ten minutes later he came back with a smirk on his face.

“Did you find him?”

“Yeah. Best not waste your time, Payten. He won’t be coming around.”

*****

Robbie reached over to put the phone back on the bedside table. As she eased back, Luc wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her belly.

“Whoa. Watch the whiskers, buddy.” She squirmed as he rubbed his cheek across her navel.

“Don’t worry. I’ll soothe it, make it feel better.” He brushed his lips over her skin as he snuggled against her side. “Was that Conrad?”

“Yeah. I told him you won’t be in tonight. Hope that’s okay.”

“No problem. Couldn’t make me leave if you tried.” He planted light kisses up her chest, across her breasts. “Jesus, babe. You smell amazing. What is that?”

She couldn’t stop the moan as his tongue slid over a nipple. “Body wash. Lotion.”

“I never smelled it on you before.”

“You never got this close before.”

“My damn loss.”

“My gain now,” she said as his hand trailed up her thigh. She nearly whimpered in anticipation. “I feel like I’ve waited forever for this.”

“How long?” He teased her with his fingers, swirling little designs on her leg, and then lifted his head to nip at her bottom lip. “Tell me.”

She sighed a half-laugh. “Since you taught me how to kiss.”

His hand froze as he locked his dark eyes on hers. “For eight years?”

“I was starting to think you’d never take a hint.”

He chuckled, the tops of his ears turning pink. “You can thank Conrad for that one.”

“How so?”

“It seems I was missing the obvious. He pointed it out to me.” He kissed her, long and deep, and his hand crept between her thighs. “Wait. The night you moved in with me…”

“Not just the champagne.” His fingers slipped into her warmth, making her breath catch.

“And the Bahamas?”

She had to concentrate to string together the right words. “We could have done this on the beach.”

“Shit. I am a damn idiot,” he murmured, rolling on top to nudge inside. And then he paused, questions in his eyes. “Are you on…”

She nodded. “I’m clean, too. So you know.”

“I wasn’t—”

“It’s better to just get this out of the way straight off. I’m on birth control, and I tested clean last year.” He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off again. “I haven’t been with anyone since.” She lifted her hips, pushing into the delicious contact below. “Your turn.”

He groaned, resisting her invitation. His gaze deepened, turning serious as he stared down at her. “I’m clean. And I’ve never had sex without a condom before.”

“I thought you… You had a scare once.”

“It broke. I’ve always had the presence of mind to insist on it, no matter the circumstances. But you…” His hips jerked the slightest of movements. “You fry my brain beyond reason in a way no one ever has. There’s no logic with you.” He dipped his head to lick her neck, nipping at the tender skin. “I just need. And I want.” He lifted to trap her in his dark stare again. “And now that I know how good it feels to sink into your slick heat…” His breath caught as he slowly joined their bodies, his eyes rolling closed.

She hooked her legs around him, holding him close before he pulled back. “As long as we’re exclusive, you’re good.”

His eyes snapped open, fire sparking in their depths. “Damn straight we’re exclusive. And it better stay that way, too. No one else gets to have you. Hell, I want to lay flat anyone else who already has.” He growled as he gave his hips a firm, possessive pump. “You’re mine, Robbie.”

Wrapping her arms around him, she bit at his stubbled jaw. “And you’re mine.”

He moaned his assent, and all her thoughts evaporated as he moved, hard and deep, taking her straight into an oblivion she had never known.

Chapter 8

Robbie forced herself to shorten her stride as she walked down the street, and then shook her hands out, taking deep breaths as she did. When she caught herself speeding up again, she actually stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to mentally smooth herself out. Eyes closed she took another breath. Ignoring the murmured curse of the woman who had to step around her, she tried to logic through her predicament. There was no reason she should be nervous. This was Luc—a man she’d known for a decade. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? It was Luc.

Christ, you’d think it had been days since she’d last seen him rather than just the one. Really, how much had changed? They were still best friends, she was still in love with him, and she still knew him, trusted him more than anyone else in her life. He was the world to her, as he’d always been. So, they were sleeping together now. So what? What had really changed? Enough. This was Luc.

Damn! This was Luc!

“Screw it,” she mumbled, tugging open Hooligan’s door.

Her heart beat double-time when she saw him behind the bar. He looked…different. Better? Definitely more alluring, now that she knew what was under those jeans and shirt. Jesus. She wasn’t helping her nerves any with that line of thinking, now was she?

As she approached, Conrad elbowed Luc in the side and nodded towards her. Luc glanced over his shoulder, then bumbled the beer mug he was holding. It crashed to the floor, and he jumped back only to bang into a whole stack of them. The glasses clinked together as he fumbled to steady them, losing another in the process.

“Nice one, slick,” Conrad commented. He looked at Robbie, then back to Luc with a grin. “What’s your problem, man?”

“Nothing. Shut the fuck up,” he mumbled, although loud enough for Robbie to hear, and then arrowed his nearly-black eyes right at her.

She almost laughed at the display, but spared him the humiliation. At least she wasn’t that nervous, and knowing he was, effectively smoothed her out. However… Just because she wouldn’t poke holes in his male ego about his behavior, didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fun at his expense.

She smiled as she leaned against the bar. “You okay, Stretch?”

He cleared his throat, leaned a hip against the bar. “Yeah. Why?”

“You seem a little tense, is all.” She reached over and trailed a finger down his forearm. “Do I make you nervous now?”

“Why the hell would you?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m a known temptress when in a relationship. Some have even compared me to a succubus.”

That got his long, lean frame to relax, and even incited an easy smile with his quick laugh. “Is that so?”

“Mmm. So you better watch out. Fair warning.”

He leaned closer, took her hands in his. “Sorry, Squirt. But you couldn’t put me off, or surprise me, if you tried.”

“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think. There was this one guy I dated—a quiet, country boy with wire-rimmed glasses. I gobbled him up in one bite.”

“Maybe he wasn’t man enough to withstand you.”

“No. He just couldn’t resist my wily ways.”

Luc chuckled as he laced their fingers. “Babe, I’m pretty sure I could resist you, if I put my mind to it. I hate to tell you, but you’re not the great seductress you seem to think you are.”

“Really?” She raised a brow and smirked. “You sure you could resist?”

Conrad stopped picking up the broken glass long enough to lean into Luc and mutter, “Danger, Will Robinson. Danger.”

“Try me.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” She slipped her hands out of his and eased around the end of the bar, pressed up against his side to whisper in his ear. “What if I told you I want you? That I want to take you, to have you, any way I pleased.” She felt him tense as she laid a hand on his thigh.

“I want explore your body with my hands,”—she lightly dragged her nails across the fabric of his jeans towards his groin— “and with my mouth. I want to taste you.” She flicked his earlobe with her tongue. “Everywhere.”

“Mmm. The things I could do to your body, and all before taking you deep inside. Only then would you own me, rule me. God, I’d be at your mercy.” She forced her breath to catch and his hand gripped her hip. “I’d scream your name, beg you for more.”

She leaned back and studied her work. His jaw was clenched, shoulders tense, tips of the ears red, and eyes clouded with lust. Oh, yeah, nicely done. “Now, what were you saying about resisting me?”

“I stand corrected.” He shook his head, let out a breath.

“She’s got my number,” Conrad piped up as he dumped the broken glass. He peered around Luc to see her. “Could you do that part with the tongue again?” He looked up when the door opened and immediately shoved the dustpan into Luc’s hand. “You got things covered here tonight, right Luc?”

Robbie glanced over to see Lizbeth approaching.

Conrad didn’t wait for a response and was across the room in a flash. He grabbed Lizbeth, pressing close to devour her mouth. As soon as he pulled away, he spun her around to drag towards the door. Lizbeth, eyes wide, shot a baffled look at Robbie, then waved with a huge grin plastered to her face.

“Have fun!” Robbie hollered, a second before the door closed behind them.

“At least someone is benefiting from your sweet talk,” Luc muttered. “Jesus, babe. Where did you learn to talk like that?”

She laughed, shrugged, and hoped she wasn’t blushing too much. “I don’t know. Just came to me.”

“I like it,” he said, grabbing her by the hips to pull her near. “I’ve never seen that side of you before. It’s exciting.” He leaned down to kiss her, and she simply melted into him.

His mouth was amazing. All that heat between them ignited the moment his lips touched hers. It scorched and burned, racing through her body and lighting everything on fire. He consumed and demanded more without saying a word, and she wanted nothing more than to give him everything, anything, he wanted.

“How long until the bar opens?” she mumbled, her mouth racing down his neck.

She heard him groan as he put a firm hand on her shoulder. “Dammit. About five minutes.”

She hung her head and stepped back. “This is your fault, you know. You shouldn’t have dared me.”

He tipped her chin up. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not pinning this shit on me. But, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one suffering. Serves you right.” He chuckled, releasing her. “And, since you’re the reason I’m short-handed tonight, you get to help pick up the slack.”

She grimaced. “Fine. But no waitressing. Last time I got my ass pinched about twenty times. Even had the bruises to prove it.”

He sobered immediately. “You’re goddamn right you’re not waitressing. I’ll put you behind the bar. Anyone gives you a hard time, crack their skull with a mug.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little extreme?”

He pulled her close again, ran his hands down her back to cup her ass, giving it a light squeeze. “No one puts their hands on you, except me.”

His mouth took hers again, to sink her back into the inferno. She was being burned alive, and in the midst of all that heat she briefly wondered how she was ever going to survive him.

*****

“What can I get you?” Robbie asked.

“A lite beer. Whatever you have on tap will be fine.” The nicely-put-together, leggy, platinum blond, who had commanded a demanding audience as she strode through the room to cozy up at the bar, and was now staring at her with crisp ice-blue eyes.

Robbie eyed up the business woman as she filled a frosted mug. “I’ve seen you in here before, haven’t I?”

“I believe so.” She held out her hand as Robbie set the beer in front of her. “Payten Carmichael.”

“Robbie Byrne.” She took Payten’s hand, gave it a firm squeeze. “A pleasure.”

“It’s all mine.” Payten glanced around the room. “It’s pretty slow tonight. Has it been all night?”

“It got busy for awhile, but the majority has died off.” She tipped her chin at Payten as she tidied up behind the bar. “You a regular here?”

“Quickly becoming one, it seems. I like it here. It has a nice atmosphere to wind down in after a long day of legally kicking some ass.”

Robbie smiled. “And what is it you do for a living?”

“Lawyer, of the blood-sucking type.” Payten winked at her before smirking into her beer.

“At least you can admit it,” Robbie said with a laugh. “That can’t be easy work, especially for a woman.”

Payten arched a brow. “I think we have more weapons than we give ourselves credit for. Women, that is.”

Robbie ditched her housekeeping and leaned against the bar top. “How so?”

“I saw you watching me when I came in, and the way you surveyed the room when I did.”

“Yeah.”

“And I could tell you noticed how most people turned in my direction, their attention lingering possibly longer than it should have.”

“I did.”

“I learned long ago to carry my head high and not be afraid to showcase my assets. I exude confidence, and that puts most men on edge and makes most women guarded. They both tend to fear what they perceive as a domineering woman. In most situations, it gives me the advantage.”

Robbie nodded, the corner of her mouth turning up. “I have to admit, I was briefly one of those women. But I think you’re onto something here.” She pushed off the bar and resumed her duties. “I’ll have to be more careful about how I carry myself, see if I can elicit my own quiet power.”

“I have no doubt you can.” Payten tipped her glass in an accommodating toast before taking another drink. “So, Robbie, tell me how your interviews are going? Any leads?”

Robbie was confused, then remembered Payten had been there the other day when she’d come back from her last disastrous meeting. And then, of course, her embarrassing panic attack. Ignoring the existence of the latter event, she responded, “I haven’t had any more since that one you heard about.”

“No? That’s too bad. What did you go to school for?”

“Anthropology. The interview was with the Burlington Science and Natural History Museum.” Robbie rolled her eyes. “Unbelievable.”

“Was it really that terrible?”

“I thought so. At the time, anyhow. But today I got a call from my professor about it.”

“And?” Payten smiled, encouragingly.

“Oh, it’s not what you think.”

“What isn’t what you think?” Luc asked, coming in from the back room. He didn’t even spare Payten a glance, his focus solely on Robbie.

“I was just telling Payten that Professor Drennen called me today.”

Luc shifted his gaze to Payten, then back to Robbie. “You two know each other?”

“We do now,” Payten said, flashing a bright smile. “Go on, Robbie. What did your professor say?”

“Well, he confirmed I didn’t get the job—big shocker there. But he did say they were impressed enough with my background that if I’d had any experience, they would’ve offered me the position straight off, even if I’d slept through the interview. As it is, they agreed to follow-up second interview. Reluctantly. But they agreed.”

“That’s fabulous, Robbie,” Payten beamed.

“Yeah, babe.” Luc pulled her against his chest, giving her a quick squeeze. “You’ll knock ‘em dead.”

“We’ll see what happens. I’m not too hopeful, though.” Robbie tipped her head up for a peck on the lips before he pulled away. As she shifted and glanced at Payten, she thought she saw a glint of something hard and calculating in the woman’s eyes. However, a double-take revealed nothing but kindness and genuine delight.

“You just remember that quiet confidence you have inside you, and I have no doubt you will indeed knock ‘em dead, as our friend here suggests.” Payten emptied her glass in one final swallow.

Luc’s brow creased as he looked at Payten. It smoothed out when he turned to Robbie. “When’s the interview?”

“Monday.”

He tugged on a lock of her hair. “Be sure to stop by afterwards so you can tell me how it went.”

“You’ll be here?”

“Closing down for inventory, just like every other Monday.”

“Which is a real hardship for your customers, I might add,” Payten said, setting her mug down. She locked eyes with Luc and lifted a delicate shoulder. “Just saying, sweetness.”

Robbie snickered at his scowl. “Don’t mind him, Payten. He scowls at everyone.”

“I think I’ve already become immune to it.” Payten dug in her purse, pulled out a couple of bills to toss on the counter. “Are you working here now, Robbie?”

“Oh, no. Uh uh. Just helping out for the night. Lucky for him”—she gestured to Luc—“I had the night off.”

“Where do you work?”

“Been slinging slices at Mario’s since college. I’m the night manager now, but it’s still just slinging slices.”

“Mario’s. Yeah, I know the place. Best pizza joint in all of Vermont?”

“That’s what they claim.”

Payten eased gracefully off the bar stool. “Well, Robbie, it was a great pleasure chatting with you. I wish you the best of luck with your interview.” She flicked a glance at Luc. “Luc. Take care.”

“Bye, Payten,” Robbie chirped when Luc only stared. “Have a great night.”

Once Payten was out of sight, Robbie backhanded Luc’s chest. “You really have to work on your people skills, Stretch.”

“I’m not wasting people skills on her,” he grumbled, grabbing Payten’s empty mug off the counter.

“Grump.” She banged her hip against his. “Hey, I should really get going myself. I’ve got a staff meeting in the morning. Mandatory attendance.”

“Okay.” He leaned down to kiss her. “Give me a call tomorrow.”

“Sure thing, handsome.” She nipped at his lip and dodged his grasp. “No way. If I start with you now, I’ll never leave.”

“Tease.”

“You’ll survive.” She laughed at his glare and took a hold of his wrists, pinning them at his side as she brushed her lips against his. “I love you.”

“Me too.”

She saw the quick hesitation in his response, the flare of panic in the depth of his eyes, but she decided to keep it light. For now, she had no other choice than to do just that. And as she left the bar, she became absolutely certain that whatever they had going on between them was going to get complicated, and fast.

*****

Robbie had been on Luc’s mind all fucking morning. He just couldn’t shake her loose. Everything seemed different about her now—more real and alive. Little things he never really took note of before were suddenly fascinating to him. Like the way she bit down on that full bottom lip when she was measuring out a shot at the bar. Or the way her hip would sway out when she’d pivot around from the counter to the cash register. Or even the way her laugh lit up her eyes a moment before you heard it. Simple things like that seemed so important now, and as he noticed them, they’d pull his thoughts in other directions. Like how that full bottom lip felt when they’d kissed, or the grip he’d had on her hips when he’d thrust inside her heat, or the way her green eyes sparked with her orgasm, then clouded over after her release.

He blew out a breath and adjusted himself. Shit. Maybe he’d invite her over to watch a movie later so he could have at her. He scanned his messy apartment from his position on the couch.

Maybe her place was a better option.

His smile came quick as the phone rang, and he snatched it off the end table. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Now, didn’t I teach you better manners than to answer a phone that way?”

“Leah?” He snickered and already felt appropriately put in his place. “Sorry. I thought you were Rob.”

“No excuse. That’s no way to talk to a lady either. Even one you’ve known for half your life.” She laughed lightly. “How is my girl, anyway? I just called her, but she was running out for a bit so we didn’t get to talk much.”

“Why didn’t she just call you back on her cell? Isn’t that what you females do? Talk on the phone and gossip all damn day?”

“Shows what you know about women. So, fess up. What’s new in Rob’s life?”

Luc sank back into the couch, kicked up his feet on the coffee table. “She’s good. Got a second interview on Monday at the museum.”

“Is that so? And here I thought she bombed the first one.”

“Apparently, the girl has some damn fine skills. Even with a crap interview and not enough experience, they’re interested in having another go at it.”

“Well, good for her. It’s comforting to know that a museum isn’t run by a group of idiots. Someone over there sees her true potential.”

“Seems so.”

“So…” He heard the prim sound of a throat clearing. “What else is new in her life?”

Luc waited a beat. “You got something specific you’re fishing for?”

“Oh, I think you know. She mentioned there may be a—how do I put it?—developing situation between you two.”

“You could say that.”

“Luc, a relationship has to be more than just sex. You know that, right?”

He jolted and sat upright. “She told you?!”

“No, I just know her well enough to know.”

He made a pfft sound as he settled back down, guarded in his response. “You don’t know anything.”

“What am I, deaf? I could hear it in her voice.”

Luc sighed. “Well, shit.”

“Don’t hurt her now, Luc.”

“What am I, stupid?”

“Touche.” She laughed, then sobered. “I want you to think about this. You have each other’s hearts in your hands, like never before. Take care of each other. Do right by each other.”

“I know. I will.” But he could feel the heat rising up his neck. Wasn’t that all he could think about? The sex? Everything came back around to that, and Robbie deserved better. Of course there was more to her than that, and he damn well knew it. But he had to make sure she was aware of that fact.

“Don’t worry. This isn’t all on you. I told her the same thing.”

“Yeah,” he muttered, absently, his thoughts racing around what he could do to show Robbie how he felt. Saying it wasn’t enough. On the other hand, saying it might be too much.

“I always knew this day would come. You two are meant to be together. Always have been.”

“You did?” He considered that. “Seems like everyone knew, except us.”

“And the fact that you see it now only shows me all the more that you’re ready for this.”

“Jesus, Leah. Talk about putting pressure on a guy.”

“Sorry, Lucian. No pressure intended. All right, I better be off. Lawson sends his best, and we’re both looking forward to when you and Robbie can visit again.”

“Yeah, we’ll have to plan something soon. Tell Lawson I said hey.”

“You bet. Take care.”

“Yup. Bye.”

He held the phone in his hand, tapping the end of it against his chin. After a couple of minutes, he pushed of the couch and began to pace. Finally, he dialed Robbie’s cell.

“Hey, handsome,” she answered. “How you doing?”

“Good. Fine. Great.”

She giggled. “You okay? You sound weirded out or something.”

“I’m cool. I just wanted to ask you something.”

“Shoot.”

He swallowed, listened to the background noises on her end—music turned low, the buzz of traffic, the sound of her directional clicking. “I was wondering if you’ve got plans for tomorrow night.”

“Nope. Not really.”

“I was thinking about taking you out to dinner, or something.”

She paused. “Don’t you have to work?”

“No,” he snapped. “Why?”

She drew her words out. “Because it’s Saturday night and you own a bar.”

“Conrad’s got it covered. So, do you want to, or not?”

“Well, when you put it like that, who could resist?”

“Sorry. This is… Maybe this is a bad idea.”

“Now, wait a minute. I didn’t say that. The fact is, I’d love to have dinner with you. It’s you that doesn’t seem so sure.”

He stopped pacing and focused. She was right. It was all coming out wrong. He just had to say it. “Robbie, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night? I would love it if you could.”

“Absolutely.”

He let out a breath a bit harder than he’d intended, earning a giggle from Robbie. A sound he ignored. “Great. I’ll pick you up at six. Sound good?”

“Six works for me. Where are we going?”

He froze. Shit. “Can’t it be a surprise?”

“Sure, but you at least have to tell me how to dress.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you’re taking me for pizza, I’ll wear jeans. If you’re taking me someplace else, I’ll dress accordingly.”

“Oh. Someplace nice.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you at six then.”

Luc fell back on the couch like a man that had just walked five miles through the desert. This dating crap shouldn’t be so fucking hard.

*****

Luc tugged impatiently at the knot in his tie as he walked into Robbie’s apartment building. Deciding he would never be comfortable wearing one, he gave up trying to adjust it and rapped his knuckles on her door. A minute later, the door swung open and Luc found himself fighting the urge to drool on his way-too-tight tie.

Robbie was a vision—absolutely stunning and deliciously irresistible. Her hair was swept off her milky shoulders which were showcased in the dark green spaghetti strap dress. The cut exposed the top mounds of her luscious breasts, begging for his hands and mouth to honor and appreciate. The bodice hugged her slim frame, then streamed over her hips and thighs. When his gaze dragged up to her eyes, he saw the color of the dress complimented her eyes, making them appear limitless in their depth.

He wanted to grab her, devour and ravage, but that would negate the whole purpose of the night; to show her she meant more to him than just a good lay. Of course, a little taste couldn’t hurt. Without saying a word, he hooked his hand around her neck and pulled her in.

The chemistry between them ignited the moment their lips touched. He felt her hands on him, tempting him as they gripped his shoulders, ran down his back. His own hands roamed, skimming over the surface of her in a mad rush to feel every curve and dip all at once. She moaned as her fingers dived into his hair, her hips pressing against his.

He broke away with a groan and squeezed his eyes shut, leaning his forehead against hers.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just trying to get a handle on myself.” He opened his eyes to witness the concern in hers, and he gave her an easy smile. “We should go. We don’t want to miss our reservation.”

“You don’t want to…” She stiffened, pulled away. “Oh. Okay.”

How the hell could she look so rejected?! How could she not know how much he wanted her—in every way possible. “Babe, don’t you know how much I want to take you down right now? Jesus, the things you do to me…” He clenched his jaw, fisted his hands to keep them restrained.

“Then…” Her brow creased as she gestured vaguely into the air.

“We’ll be late.” He knew it was a lame excuse, but it was the better alternative to admitting why he wouldn’t just fucking take her right then and there.

She studied him, then smirked playfully before moving in. “We can find another place to eat. If you could just feel how—”

“Do not finish that sentence unless you want that sexy little dress shredded across your whole damn floor.” She arched her brow when he grabbed her wrists. “Taking you to dinner… This is important to me, Rob.”

She softened in his grip and smiled. “All right.” Leaning forward, she lightly kissed his cheek. “Let’s go then.”

Well, godammit. That was all he had to say to get his point across? He stared after her, dumbfounded, before jogging to catch up.

It was a bit of a drive to The Wine Cellar, and all the while Luc had to force himself to concentrate on the road instead of the scent of Robbie’s perfume…her sinuous movements as she crossed her legs…the sound of her contented sigh as she watched the scenery go by. Small talk helped to distract him. Grinding his teeth helped even more. But the long tortuous journey was well worth seeing her face light up and eyes pop when he pulled into the parking lot.

“The Wine Cellar? How did you manage this?”

“The owner is a steady customer at Hooligan’s.”

“Really?” She pulled her wrap tight around her shoulders as they walked across the parking lot.

Luc slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, banking on body heat to help warm her up. “Hooligan’s is a class act you know. Of course he’s been there.”

She giggled, as he knew she would. “How foolish of me to think otherwise.”

After the maître d’ took Robbie’s wrap, she trailed her fingers down the lapel of Luc’s suit jacket. “Well, aren’t you mister tall-dark-and-handsome personified. I couldn’t have asked for a better looking date.”

“Neither could I.” He felt like a damn idiot saying it, afraid it would sound like a mandatory return compliment. She was simply beautiful and he should have fucking thought to tell her that the moment he saw her. Dammit. If he wanted to use the night to show her what she meant to him, he’d better think faster on his feet than that.

The maître d’ showed them to their table, and they settled into small talk as they perused their menus and chose their wine. It wasn’t until they were waiting for their food that the conversation turned more into the direction Luc had hoped it would—the more getting-to-know-you personal kind.

“I love these,” Robbie commented, fingering the petals of the flowers set in the middle of the table.

Yes. Women liked flowers. Unfortunately, he was as uneducated about flowers as he was about relationships in general. “What kind are they?”

“This particular one…I’m not sure. I just know I love it.” She lifted her eyes and smiled. “I like wild flower arrangements with bold colors.”

“I thought chicks liked roses.”

“Some chicks might. I don’t.”

He noted his mistake—hard not to when it was clearly pointed out and highlighted with a quick glare. He hoped straight forward worked as well as it had before. “I don’t think of you as a chick, Robbie.”

“You better not.” Her lips twitched, but she purposefully turned her head away as she took a sip of her wine.

“Or what? You’ll kick me in the tutu?”

Robbie snorted and nearly spit out her drink.

Luc held back his own laugh. “Well, that was attractive.”

She smacked him in the arm as she dabbed at her mouth with a crimson linen napkin. “Oh, my God. I haven’t heard that in forever.”

“Shit, babe. You’re the only person I’ve ever heard say that.”

“Not in years, I haven’t.”

“You never did tell me what it meant.”

She shot a glance at him and blushed. “No, you’re right. I never did.”

“Oh, you’ve got to tell me now.” He took her hand, rubbed his lips against her knuckles. “Please?”

She giggled, her cheeks becoming more flushed. “It stems back to ballet.”

“I figured as much. Go on.”

“Back in the day, commoners had to sit right up by the stage whereas the wealthier people had the better view in the middle and back of the theatre.”

“Okay.”

“Well,”—she took another sip of wine—”the commoners had a…unique view of what was under the ballerina’s skirt. Or lack thereof, as the case may be. They labeled this…area as her tutu.”

He chuckled, leaned forward to brush his fingers across her cheek. “So tutu does mean crotch.”

“Ah…yeah. Eventually they figured out a way to fix the costume problem, but the label tutu stuck.”

“And aren’t you just the clever one for knowing these trivial facts. I love that about you.”

She smiled, looked down. “Thank my father for that one.”

“I certainly would if I could.” He squeezed her hand. “We haven’t talked about that in awhile.”

“About what?”

“Your family. You quit bringing it up. Why?”

She shrugged. “What’s the point?”

“What do you mean? You always had a plan to find them someday.”

“I might. Someday. When I can afford a private investigator. I actually looked into it a few years ago.”

“And?”

“They are ungodly expensive. Or at least the good ones are.”

He pulled his shoulders back, felt an edge of temper seeping into his tone. “Why didn’t you ask me? I’ll help you pay for one.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “It’s no big deal, Luc. I’ll do it eventually. You should be focusing on your business, making it the best you can.”

“Robbie—”

“Look. I know you’re not made of money, and I would never ask you to sacrifice what little you have to try and find someone who might not even exist. If the state couldn’t find them, what makes you think a PI will?”

“But you’re still going to hire one, despite what you just said?”

She nodded. “Probably. But that’ll be on me, not you.”

He could see it was important to her, so he didn’t pursue it. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“When and if you decide to hire a PI, and you need help, you let me know.”

“Deal. But first, I have to get a decent job before I can even think of indulging in a wild goose chase.” She laughed, though it sounded forced.

“You will. You have that interview on Monday. You’ll knock ‘em dead.”

“I don’t know. My professor made it pretty clear that they are looking for someone with experience.”

“How could you have any damn experience? You just graduated.”

“Internships.”

The waiter arrived with their food. Luc waited until they had been served before responding. “What kind of internships?”

“Museums, archeological digs. Stuff like that.” She cut into her chicken, took a bite.

Luc gestured with his knife as he spoke. “Why didn’t that professor of yours line up some gigs then?”

Instead of answering, she took another bite and stared at the flowers.

“Robbie?”

She motioned towards her mouth, indicating she couldn’t answer just then. But he wasn’t a fucking idiot. He could tell she was avoiding the question.

“Robbie.”

She cringed at his tone. “He did, but I turned them all down.”

He set his fork down with a clatter. “Why the hell would you do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t give me that shit.”

Her shoulders slumped as she poked at her food. “They were all either on the west coast or across seas.”

He waited for more. When there wasn’t any, he said, “So what?”

“You were here.”

His mouth opened, but no words came out. She…what?

She glanced over, saw his stunned expression. “I’ll find a job eventually. No big deal.”

“Wait. Back up a damn minute. You didn’t take the internships because you’d have to leave me?”

“There was nowhere else I wanted to be. I love you.” She smiled then as she leaned over and kissed him. “But you know that.”

“Yeah,” he said, suddenly very interested in his steak.

He noticed the questioning stare before she finally gave up and turned her attention to her own plate.

He wanted to say he loved her, but he knew it would sound false. Was he in love with her? Fuck yeah, he was—achingly so. But Conrad was wrong about how Robbie felt. When she said she loved him, it was an old familiar sentiment to her, and nothing more. To respond with words that had more weight felt like belittling her own, and pushing her where she wouldn’t want to be pushed. There were reasons why no one had ever fallen in love with him, and Robbie would know those reasons better than anyone. To love him was to slit her own throat. So no, he couldn’t tell her how he felt. He had to be fair to her.

“Luc?”

He glanced over, braced himself when he saw her biting her lip—an old habit she had when she was anxious about something. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Always.”

“Are you okay…with us?” She motioned between them with her fork.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He lifted his hands, let them drop. “I’m taking you out to dinner, aren’t I?”

“Yeah. True. I was just making sure.”

He could tell she had more on her mind from the way she shifted in her seat and averted her eyes. He put his hand over hers as she reached for her wine. “I don’t deserve you, Robbie.”

“Luc—”

“Let me finish.” He raised a brow, daring her to interrupt again. “I don’t deserve you, but I’m far too selfish a man to give you up.” He pulled her hand to his mouth. “You’re mine, now and forever.”

Her whole damn body seemed to go limp, and her eyes got all dewy and shit. “Oh, Luc.”  Her bottom lip actually began to fucking quiver, then she sniffled. Sniffled for God’s sake!

He let go of her hand, clearing his throat as he eased back. “Or at least until you decide to kick me to the curb.”

That got a watery laugh from her, and lightened the mood considerably. As she dabbed at her eyes, he gestured to the waiter for the check. “Let’s get you home.”

The ride home went too fast, racing through the time they had left together. When he walked her to her door, he dug out his own key and opened it for her. Before she could walk in, he grabbed her wrist.

“Why don’t you stop by the bar tomorrow night?”

“All right.” She tipped her head to the side. “Don’t you want to come in?”

“Yes. But I’m gonna take off.” And he leaned down to kiss her goodnight.

Her arms circled around his neck, but he kept the kiss slow and easy, getting a mere taste of her as he tried to skirt around the sparks of heat. They seemed to find him anyway. He caught himself crushing her against him, fisting his hands against the small of her back. Making a conscious effort, he put his hands on her hips and eased her back.

“You better get inside.”

One side of her mouth curved up as she considered him. “Are you romancing me, Luc?”

He felt his ears get hot and immediately felt defensive. “So what if I am?”

She cupped his face and locked him in her gaze. “Thank you.”

He relaxed, and pulled her into a hug. “You’re welcome.”

Chapter 9

Robbie didn’t even realize she had butterflies in her stomach until she spotted Luc through the doorway to the back room of the bar. At that moment, the fluttering in her stomach launched up around her heart where it grew to a full blown swarm. She resisted the urge to put her hand to her chest, a dead giveaway for what she was feeling, and instead tried for a casual wave when he spotted her. His smile was warm, and just a little bit shy—God that was cute—as he gestured across the room.

Glancing behind her, Robbie saw Lizbeth sitting in the corner booth surrounded by papers. She didn’t know how she did it, but she managed to suppress a laugh at Lizbeth’s exasperation as she slid into the booth.

“Did the guys mess up the books again?”

“I’ve told them a hundred times, not to touch the books. But do they listen? Noooo. Just trying to help, gorgeous,” Lizbeth said, mimicking Conrad’s voice. “I owe you one, my dearest love. I’ll make it up to you, my gorgeous girl. I ought to kick both their asses.”

Robbie snickered. “How long have you been at it this time?”

Lizbeth checked her watch and her shoulders slumped. “Jesus. The better part of two hours. Just what I wanted to do on my Sunday night off.”

“Do you need some help?”

“Naw. I’m about done now.” She scribbled down a few more notes, and then stacked the papers neatly in front of her as she turned her full attention on Robbie. “So.”

“So. So…what?”

“You had your big date last night, right? Spill.”

“It was good.”

Lizbeth’s eyes narrowed. “Good. That’s all you’re giving me is good. Come on! I want the juicy stuff. Or at least more details than good.”

Robbie glanced at Luc to make sure he wasn’t coming over yet, then hunched toward Lizbeth. “Okay. So you know how I’ve never seen Luc with his past girlfriends?”

“Yeah, as far as I know, you’ve never met one.”

“Right. He always refused to introduce me—even told me once that when the day came to where one actually mattered, then I’d meet her.”

“That day never came though.”

“True, but even still, through Conrad’s Exploits of Luc stories, I think we both got a good sense for how Luc is in a relationship, right?”

“Oh, hell yeah.” Lizbeth slapped her palm on the table. “Love ‘em and leave ‘em.”

“I have to admit, I was braced for that in the beginning. I seriously didn’t know how to act around him at first—still kinda don’t. I feel all weird trying to feel him out as a boyfriend, but I think after last night I’m getting a handle on him now.”

“Sounds vaguely dirty. Care to expand on that?” Lizbeth smiled as she propped her elbow on the table, cupping her chin in her palm.

“Well, last night before dinner, things got a little heated, but he held back. Now, we know Luc, and if he wants a woman, he’s not shy about it. But he didn’t want me.”

Lizbeth’s eyes flashed as she dropped her arm. “Why the hell not? What’s his damn problem?” She reached across the table. “Do you want me to kick his ass? ‘Cause I will.”

Robbie giggled. “No, see…I matter to him. He didn’t want to get down and dirty, he wanted to romance me. Lizbeth, he’s in love with me.”

“Umm, duh.” She sat back with a smirk. “And here I thought you were the smart one between us.”

“No, you don’t get it. I already knew he was in love with me. He just won’t say it.”

“What are you talking about? He tells you he loves you all the time.”

“Not anymore. Not since we’ve hooked up. He’s actually very careful about not saying it lately. But at least now I know he’s admitting it to himself, hence the romancing.”

“Jesus,” Lizbeth muttered. “And they say women make things difficult. Why doesn’t he just own up to it?”

“For Luc, to say it would open him up, make him vulnerable.” Robbie saw the confusion in Lizbeth’s face. “He was abandoned as a child, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It all stems from that. Don’t get too close, so when someone leaves you, it doesn’t hurt as much. He’s like that with everything, everyone. Keeps everyone at a distance. It took a lot of years for Luc and I to get as close as we are. Why do you think I stayed near for college, never took an internship?”

“You stayed for him.” Lizbeth nodded. “I never got that before.”

“I didn’t want him to feel like I abandoned him. He’d never admit it, but when Leah and Lawson moved away, it hit him hard, even though he knew they had no other choice.”

“I thought he was tight with them.”

“He is, to his credit. I know it wasn’t easy for him. But I wasn’t about to test those same waters myself. He’s too damn important to me. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with him.”

Lizbeth smiled. “So now he wants to take it slow?”

“Yeah, or keep it special—meaningful.”

“Regardless, that’s so…sweet. Wait. We are talking about Luc, right?” Lizbeth laughed.

Robbie joined in. “It’s something, huh?”

“That it is.” Lizbeth tipped her head to the side. “Ya know, Rob. Just because he won’t tell you how he feels doesn’t mean you can’t tell him. Who knows, it might pave the way for you.”

“Could be.” Robbie glanced at the door when it opened, and watched as Payten strode in, heading straight for the bar.

“Ugh,” Lizbeth said, drawing Robbie’s attention back to her. “That lady gives me a total creep vibe.”

“Payten?” Robbie shrugged. “She seems nice. Kinda arrogant, but she’s a lawyer. What’d you expect?”

Robbie looked over to see Luc heading towards the booth. Payten turned as she was waiting for her drink and nodded to Robbie in greeting.

“Here comes Mr. Romance himself.” Lizbeth slid out of the booth. When Luc got to the table, she put a palm on each cheek and gave him a loud smack right on the mouth.

Conrad yelled from behind the bar. “Hey, slick! Step away from the girl. That’s mine.”

Lizbeth giggled, grabbing her stack of papers. “Keep up the good work, Luc.” And then she pointed a stern finger in his face. “But you keep your hands off the books from now on.”

Luc watched Lizbeth walk away. “What was that all about?”

Robbie gave him a sweet, innocent smile. “Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Uh huh. And why don’t I believe you?”

Payten walked up behind Luc and flashed a smile. “Hey, Robbie. Would you mind if I join you?”

Robbie gestured to the other side of the booth. “Help yourself.”

“Hey, Luc!” Conrad hollered over the growing crowd at the bar. “Could use a hand over here!”

“I’ll be back,” Luc promised, tipping Robbie’s chin up to kiss her cheek.

“I think that man is sweet on you,” Payten commented, glancing at his retreating figure.

“I think you might be right.” Robbie smiled.

“I gather you two go back a long ways?”

“Since childhood.”

“Really?” She took a drink of her beer. “I’m curious, Robbie. What was tall, dark and broody like as a child? Was he the same ball of sunshine back then as well?”

“He’s always been a hard one to get to know.”

“No,” Payten breathed, feigning surprise.

Robbie giggled. “But he really has a heart of gold. Hell, I remember when we first met. We were twelve and I was new to the foster system.”

“Oh,”—Payten put her hand to her chest—”you were foster kids?”

Robbie nodded. “But Luc made it…well, easier for me than it might have been. Being twelve, orphaned and new in town really put a target on my back. Those little heathens at school smelled fresh blood from the get go. That was until Luc made his stance very clear.”

“And what stance was that?”

“Basically, tease me and get the shit beat out of you by Luc.” Robbie smiled, stared down at her hands as her thoughts wandered to the past. “Seems he was always looking out for me.”

“Seems to me, he still does.”

Robbie watched Payten take another drink as she tried to figure out her meaning. “I’m sorry. I don’t follow.”

Payten set her mug down. “Oh, perhaps it’s rude of me to bring up, but I was there when you had…well, I think it was a panic attack. I just meant that he took care of you then, too.”

“Okay. That’s embarrassing.”

“Please,” Payten said, “don’t be embarrassed. I used to get them all the time.”

“You?”

“Sure. They’re pretty far and wide now, but I still fear they’re going to pop up at the most inopportune moments. Like when I’m in court.” Payten rolled her eyes. “God, that would be mortifying.”

“I’d imagine so. I’m able to hedge them off for the most part, since I know the main trigger.” Payten arched a perfect eyebrow that signaled Robbie should continue. ““Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. It gets me every time.”

“I know you don’t know me from the next person, but do you mind if I ask why that particular song?”

Robbie studied Payten—her patient expression, her kind eyes, her supportive smile—and decided what the hell. As she launched into the story about her parents and the car accident, Robbie found it wasn’t that hard to talk about. At least, not like how it used to be. Perhaps telling someone she hardly knew, knowing she wasn’t going to smother her with pity and questions, made it easier. Maybe time had. Regardless, the words just kept coming out. She even included her fear of hospitals.

“Robbie.” Payten reached over, brushed her fingers across the back of Robbie’s hand. “Thank you for telling me. I know that wasn’t easy for you.” Her hand retreated back to her side of the booth. “This may sound odd, but I had an immediate liking to you the moment I met you. I think now I know why. You and I share a very unique past.”

“How’s that?”

“I was alone with my mother when she died. I was seven years old.”

“Oh, Payten. I’m so sorry.”

“Please, don’t apologize. It was just an accident. Or…that’s what I chose to believe. Either that, or it was her choice.” Payten shook her head, then smoothed her hair back. “No matter which, I was powerless against it. That’s when I started getting my panic attacks.”

“You were so young. Can I…”

“Ask how it happened? Seems only fair.” Payten took a drink before starting. “My father owns the law firm I work at. He’s big with the community—society events and such. My mother loved to entertain…that much I remember clearly. And she was very hands-on during the set up of the larger gatherings. It was then that it happened.” She swallowed hard.

“You don’t have to, Payten. We can just leave it.”

“No. It’s good for me to talk it through. I think that’s why I don’t have the panic attacks as often—I’ve told this story time and time again. Therapy. Very expensive therapy. Anyway, we were standing on the second floor balcony overlooking the pool. Only, the pool was drained for some sort of maintenance. I don’t remember the reason why. I suppose it doesn’t matter. What did was that if the pool was full, my mother might still be alive today.”

Robbie’s heart sunk to her stomach. “She fell?”

Payten downed the rest of her beer, nodded. “And I watched it happen. I watched her die.”

“God. I’m so sorry.”

Payten smiled, appearing to shake the sober and reflective mood as she squared off her shoulders. “Like I said, it does me good to talk about it. I can’t honestly say that her death had a profound effect on me. I mean, it certainly did, but after that it just seemed like death followed me around. That’s what caused my panic attacks more than anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“After my mother’s death, my father doted on me—bought me everything and anything I could possibly want. I suppose he was trying to make up for the loss of my mother in the only way he knew how. But the only thing I really wanted at the time, was for my father to be around more. Instead, he got me a little Yorkie. Poor thing ended up drowning in the pool. And then, when I was a teenager, I had another that the gardener killed.”

“He killed it?

“Might as well have. He left some chemicals lying about that poisoned the dog.” Payten’s eyes went blank. “Awful way for an animal to go.”

“I can see why you had the attacks. Did you ever get another dog?”

Payten snapped to and smiled. “No. I got my first Porsche shortly after that. From that point on, sports cars became my new babies.” She laughed lightly. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m just dreadful to be able to speak so easily about it all.”

“No, not at all.” Robbie wasn’t about to admit she had wondered that exact thing, and felt ashamed she had. Who was she to judge how others dealt with their grief?

Payten waved a hand, as if clearing the air. “Enough about me. Back to you.”

“What about me?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah,” Luc said, slipping next to Robbie. “What about her?”

Payten smiled politely at Luc’s hard tone. “I was just going to ask her if she ever found her family. Colin and Anna Byrne, was it?”

“You told her about them?” Luc asked, turning an astonished expression towards Robbie.

“It came up. But no, the state never did find them, and I haven’t been able to afford to do some digging of my own yet.” She smiled at Luc as he rubbed her thigh—an absent, yet soothing, gesture. “Some day.”

“I have just the person for you. Best PI in the business. Just leave it to me.” Payten pulled a notebook out of her handbag and scribbled a note of some sort.

“Oh, no, Payten. I don’t have the money saved yet. But as soon as I do, I’d love the name.”

“I’ll foot the bill,” Luc said, shooting Robbie a warning glance.

“The hell you will, Lucian Anthony Cintrone,” Robbie growled, overpowering his glance with solid, searing glare.

“I’ll pay for it.”

Robbie turned to Payten, poised to protest, but Payten was already shaking her head. “What’s the point of being rich and having connections if you can’t do a little favor for a new friend. I’ll take care of it,” she said, laying a manicured hand over Robbie’s.

“Thank you, Payten. Thank you.” Robbie bit back the threat of grateful tears, knowing they would only embarrass everyone all around. “Please, let me pay you back.”

Payten grabbed her bag and got to her feet. “When you have the resources we’ll discuss it. In the meantime, I’ll let you know if he finds anything out.” She tipped her head towards Luc. “I know how to reach you.”

“Thank you,” Luc said, holding out a hand.

Payten stared at it, then shook it. “That was painful for you, wasn’t it?”

“Little bit.”

“Thought so.” She smiled. “You two have a good night.”

“Looked like the two of you had some deep conversation going on over here,” Luc commented, putting his arm around her.

“Yeah. I told her about the accident, and then found out her mother died when she was young too. It was…I don’t know…kinda comforting talking about it again. Kinda bummed me out though, too.”

“You okay?”

“I think I’m gonna head home. I just wanna chill for a bit and go to bed early.”

“Did you want me to come over after closing?”

Robbie grinned, looked up at him. “For what?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

He chuckled. “Well, I was thinking for simple comfort, to have someone there with you. But I’m sure more can be arranged.”

She poked him playfully in the side. “And here I thought you wanted to take things slow.”

“Slower. You couldn’t possibly think I can hold back from you for any sustained period of time.” He brushed his fingers across her face, pressed his lips to hers. “No man could be that strong.”

She sighed as he pulled away, and contemplated his offer. Ultimately, she decided against it—she knew she wouldn’t be very good company. “I’ll take a rain check and just crash tonight.”

He studied her face, then nodded. “I can respect that. But promise you’ll call if you change your mind. Even if it’s just to have someone there with you. Deal?”

“Deal.”

Luc scooted out to let Robbie stand. “Good luck at your interview tomorrow.”

“Thanks.” She planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Come by the bar afterwards and let me know how it went.”

“You bet.” She shoved her arms into her jacket. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“Back atcha.”

*****

Robbie cringed as she stood outside Hooligan’s door, rummaging around in her purse for the key. She couldn’t wait to get her heels off. Although she was a master at walking in them, she rarely did. They only proved to make her feel clumsy. Besides, heels were for high-powered business women, not for girls who would rather play in the mud than wear button-down dresses and pumps.

“Finally,” she muttered, pulling out her key and shoving it in the lock. One more minute in that wind and she was sure her updo would’ve come undone. Already she could feel little tendrils whisping around and tickling her neck.

“Hey there,” Luc said, checking the stock behind the bar. “Don’t forget—”

“To lock the door. Yeah, yeah.”

“I get one night of peace in this place. Don’t think some damn idiot wouldn’t walk right in ‘cause he can’t read a closed sign.” He turned back to his inventory sheet.

“It’s locked, Stretch.” Robbie shrugged out of her black thigh-length trench coat and threw it on the coat rack.

The door rattled behind her.

“See? It never stops them.” Luc gestured towards the door with his pen as he glanced over. He froze, staring hard enough to make her want to squirm.

“What?” She smoothed her hands over her navy dress, suddenly paranoid that a button had come undone, or the v-neck shifted enough to reveal what was supposed to be concealed. Damn. She knew she shouldn’t have tried to pull it off. Girls like her should not wear dresses like that.

“You look beautiful, Rob.” He blinked, hard, and turned away as his ears flushed.

She felt the warmth of his compliment spread through her body as she stepped to the bar and slid on a stool. But for Luc, it seemed he was embarrassed by his own reaction. In fact, it was like a switch had been thrown somewhere inside him the moment the words left his lips. Not only had he turned away from her, but his movements as he checked through his inventory were stiff. He even had to clear his throat before he spoke again, and when he did, his voice was harder, more detached-sounding. What was going on with that guy?

“How did the interview go?”

She shrugged, noticing how he pointedly averted eye contact. “It went okay, but I don’t think I’ll get it. They seem very insistent that the candidate have field experience.”

He made a noise that sounded somewhat like a snort. “They don’t deserve to have you then. No one does who wouldn’t jump at the chance of hiring you. Shit, do they think they’re going to find someone more qualified just because they stood in a hole and pulled out some old bones?”

That was exactly what they thought, and she knew it. But instead of responding to him, she watched as he slammed bottles around and made angry little tick marks on his list. Something was eating at him, and it started the moment she took off her coat. Putting two and two together, she was pretty sure she knew what it was.

She decided it was time to scratch at the surface, quickly gathering her courage before she did. “I love you.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

He leaned over to look at the papers in front of her, and she caught his face in her hands. “No,” she said. “I love you. I’m in love with you.”

His eyes locked on hers a moment before launching himself over the bar to band his arms around her. His lips fused to hers, scorching her in a firestorm to where she barely registered his movements—that he had spun her, was pressing her back against the rail of the bar.

Her need for him was instantaneous, and she knew it was the same for him—she felt it in the possession of his mouth, the urgency of his hands. She finally caught her breath when he broke away and blazed a trail down her neck, across her cleavage. Tipping her head down, she dragged her teeth across his shoulder, spurring him on.

Slipping his fingers into the front of her dress, he jerked it open. Buttons popped off, raining down and scattering across the floor to reveal her sheer, black camisole. He clamped his mouth over her breast with enough force to make her stool tip and she hooked her arms over the edge of the bar to brace herself. When the barrier of material was too much for him, and her, he gripped the edge of the fabric and easily ripped it open.

She arched her back, giving him access to her bare breasts, as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She couldn’t get enough of him, of his hands, of his mouth. More, was all she could think. More. As if reading her mind, his hands raced down, and after a careless tug, her panties were gone too.

God, she wanted this. Wanted him. He made her feel wanted, needed. He lit fires inside her she hadn’t known could burn so fierce, in places she didn’t even know existed. Nothing in life could ever make her feel this complete, this whole. He was as much a part of her as her own soul.

She felt exposed in every way possible, and reveled in it. There she was, completely naked, head dropped back against a bar top, with a man who was still fully clothed and taking what he wanted—what was his to take.

His arm slid around her back as he grabbed her hip, lifting her higher and pulling her harder against him. And as she wrapped her legs tighter to comply, the stool tipped out from underneath her. She squealed as she squeezed with her thighs, surprised to lose the support beneath her. Luc’s arms clamped around her, and staggered as he swept her up.

“Are you okay?” The panic in his voice was almost laughable.

“I’m fine.” She nipped at his neck to elicit a moan. “Now where were we?”

“Wait,” he said, loosening his grip as he set her on her feet. “I can’t do this. I can’t take you like this.”

“God, Luc. Now is not the time to take it slow.” If that man didn’t get his hands back on her, she was going to burst. She just knew it!

“Now is exactly the time we should take it slow.” He lifted her face, kissed her nose. “You just told me you’re in love with me.”

The tenderness in his voice made her knees weak. “Yeah. I did.”

“So, we take it slow.” He rubbed his palm down her side, brushing against the side of her breasts as his mouth moved to nibble her neck.

An involuntary shudder racked through her. She could have sworn there were a pack of bees buzzing under her skin.

“Very slow,” he whispered in her ear, tugging on her earlobe with his teeth. “Your place is closer than mine.”

“Jesus. Let’s go.”

Luc chuckled and stepped back, glancing at the floor. “Ah, well…shit.”

She looked down to see every stitch of her clothing torn at her feet.

“Hell, I barely remember even doing that. When I get around you, it’s like I have no control. I just want to have you, right then and there.”

She kicked at her ruined dress. “How can I complain with a compliment like that?” She slid her hands up his chest. “You would have won that round for sure.”

He laughed and hugged her, groaning when her hands came around to give his ass a quick squeeze. “How am I going to get you home?”

“No problem,” she said, pulling away.

Robbie could almost feel his eyes on her as she walked towards the coat rack. She suddenly felt very sexy and confident walking around in nothing but her heels. For once, pumps worked for her, and her feminine ego.

“Holy shit,” Luc muttered from behind.

She smiled as she turned to face him and slipped into her trench coat. “There. No one will know but us.”

In three very long strides, Luc was at her side. “Jesus, there’s that other side of you again. I gotta say, I’m loving it.”

“It’s different with you, Luc. There are no barriers, no holding back. I can just be me and know that it’s okay.”

“It’s better than okay. It’s perfect.”

*****

Luc was ready to jump out of his fucking skin by the time they got to Robbie’s apartment. Goddamn, did the girl know how to tease him—unbuttoning her jacket enough for him to see the side of her breast, placing his hand on her thigh, then knocking it higher with the gear shift when she took it out of park. She was fucking lucky she made it home in one piece. He was ready to tear into her and leave nothing left behind.

Luc took slow, deep breaths as she unlocked the door. He wasn’t kidding when he told her he couldn’t, wouldn’t, take her against the bar. Not after what she’d said to him. He didn’t know what he’d been thinking. He heard her words and just fucking reacted. Totally selfish on his part, he knew. And he was determined to make it up to her, to show her what it meant to him.

“Home sweet home,” Robbie murmured, locking the door behind them, then sauntering up to his side. Jesus Christ, she was sexy as hell.

He clamped onto her hands before she could take off her coat. “Don’t.”

She arched a brow but complied as she watched him, a spark in her emerald eyes.

“Come with me,” he said, leading her to the bedroom, forcing himself to take small measured steps.

When they got to the bed, he turned around to face her. Without a word, he loosened her collar and pulled it down far enough to expose her shoulders. He couldn’t help but indulge in a little taste at the lovely curve in her neck, then straightened to take out the pins holding her hair in place. It tumbled in huge curls around her creamy shoulders, adding to the image of her as an Irish goddess in his eyes.

“I love you so much, Robbie. Sometimes it feels like too much.” His heart lurched as her eyes welled up. “But I trust it. I want it. And I want you. Always.”

He kissed her before she could respond, and took it deeper as her arms came around him, as he felt her tears on his cheeks. But he kept it gentle and slow. This he would not rush. His mouth moved softly down the length of her neck as he brought her arms down to her side.

“Let me show you, Robbie,” he murmured, his kisses raining down between her breasts. He got on his knees and looked up at her. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

More tears spilled over before he turned his attention to the knot barring his way. With a slow and easy tug, it unraveled and her coat fell open. He flicked a path across her stomach, and felt it quiver under his lips. His palms caressed, teasing himself, and her, by brushing against the sides of her breasts and over the top swell before taking them in his hands, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples. Her whole body began to tremble as his mouth traveled down, his hands flicking to the side, sending her coat to the floor.

“Luc,” she breathed, another shudder whipping down her frame.

He felt the unsteadiness in her legs as his hands roamed. He stood to scoop her up, and with a restraint he hadn’t known existed, he gently laid her on the bed. He was so focused on her, on how she made him feel, and how she felt in his arms, that his mind began to cloud over everything else. But one absent thought rang through the haze as she tipped her head back. The color of her hair spreading across the pillow looked like a liquid flame, licking and curling its way as it spilled across the fabric, and it occurred to him…that was how it felt to love her—like a fire that’s constantly burning, constantly consuming. He would have it no other way.

Her arms came around him, brought his mouth to hers. He took his time as his fingertips danced over her body to touch and feel. She seemed to understand his need to take it slow as her fingers peeled off his clothes with a patience that matched his. Instead of digging in, her fingers slid across his lean muscles, exploring with an intimate touch. It was all very new for him, exciting and nerve racking. He never knew it could be like this, like a smoldering that crept through his soul but still left a white-hot heat in its place.

His body shook and quivered as he restrained himself from rushing, and they gasped as one when he finally lifted her hips and pushed inside. They rocked together, a slow, easy beat as they took and gave back to the other.

She punched through him, hollowed him out, and left nothing but herself behind—the sweet scent of her hair, the sounds of her pleasure, the intoxicating taste of her skin, the feel of her soft body yielding to his. Nothing but Robbie existed now. And he wondered if it would ever be any other way again.

Chapter 10

Robbie eyed up Luc as he leaned back in the couch and began flipping through a magazine. Was he really being that casual about it all, or was it just an act?

His shoulders didn’t look tense, he seemed genuinely interested in whatever page he had just paused at, and his jaw wasn’t clenched. Who was this man, and what had he done with Luc?

“Did I hear you correctly?” she asked.

His gaze shifted to hers. “Babe, gauging from your reaction, I’m damn well thinking you did.”

“You can’t be serious. Are you serious?”

He sighed, throwing the magazine on the coffee table. “And why the hell wouldn’t I be?”

“Luc,” she teased, “you do realize this sounds a lot like commitment on your end.”

“Shit, Rob. I’m committed to you! How many different ways can I tell you that?”

She held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I know you are, but…”

“But, what?”

“Living together?”

“And why the hell not?”

Even though they had only been together for a month, she couldn’t think of a single reason why they shouldn’t. Rationally it didn’t seem long enough, but when was she ever rational when it came to Luc? She was just about to concede his point when the phone rang.

“Saved by the bell,” Luc muttered as he tossed her the phone. “We’re talking more about this later.”

“You bet, Stretch.” She grinned at his sulky expression as she answered the phone.

*****

“What did Payten say?” Luc asked for what felt like the hundredth time. Damn women can never get their fucking stories straight.

“I already told you.”

“Then tell me again.”

“She said to meet her at Hooligan’s because she had some information on my family. Can’t you drive any faster?”

“Look, she’s not going anywhere. Plus, she plagues the place just about every damn night that we’re open. If she’s not there when we get there, you can bet your ass she’ll be there tomorrow.”

“You really don’t like her, do you?”

“Hell, no. She irritates the piss outta me.”

“Any particular reason?”

He responded with a shrug. “Just does.”

“You better be nice to her, Luc. She’s doing me a major favor here, with the PI.”

“Hey, I haven’t said shit to her, have I? Don’t worry about me. I’ll play nice.” Robbie squeezed his thigh. He felt it straight into his groin. “Don’t do that when I’m driving.”

She laughed, patted his knee. “Just see that you do play nice, and I’ll be sure to reward you properly later.”

His stomach tightened as his imagination churned. “Godammit woman. You’re gonna be the death of me.”

“Think of all the ways I can torture you when we’re living together.” She rubbed her hands together. “Devious fun.”

He glanced over, then back to the road as he parked by the curb. He waited until he shut the car off before commenting.

“You’re all for it then?” He hoped he came off as casual. No sense in her knowing he felt like a fucking chick—all emotional and shit—at the thought of living with her. But in truth, there was nowhere else he’d rather be.

She slipped her palm over his cheek and leaned in. “You bet your ass I am. I just wanted to be sure you were.”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”

“Fair enough.” She gave him a quick peck on the mouth and retreated before he could grab her. “Behave. I wanna get inside and see what Payten has. You can grab at me later.”

“Count on it.”

Luc couldn’t ignore the tightness in his chest at Robbie’s obvious excitement. He wished Payten had run the information by him first. Who knew what kind of vague shit her PI had come up with? Robbie didn’t need to be grasping at fucking straws. Her family was probably lost to her forever, and they both knew that. But he also knew she’d pin her hopes on a ghost if it promised the return of her family—no matter the form.

“Hey, Payten,” Robbie said, hopping up on a stool.

“Robbie.” Payten looked surprised to see her. “That was fast. How close do you live?”

“Other side of town, but I nagged Luc to drive faster.”

Payten nodded at him. “And the glorified bartender shows his face. It’s been awhile, Luc.”

He nodded back. “Not long enough.”

Robbie shot him a warning glare, but Payten only laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I antagonize him whenever possible. It’s the only way he’ll say two words to me. It’s either the bite of his tongue, or the silence of his stare.” Payten lifted both palms as if weighing the options. “I prefer the bite.”

Luc scoffed when Payten winked at him.

Robbie glanced between Luc and Payten, then cleared her throat. “Ah…do you want a drink, Payten?”

“No, I’m good. Oh, hey, how did your interview go? I haven’t seen you since you had it. Did you get the job?”

“Nope. Need experience, blah, blah, blah. Call us when you get it, blah, blah, blah. It’s like a revolving door—I’m just spinning in place. Whatever. I’ll figure it out. How have you been? Work good?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” She waved a hand in the air. “I didn’t mean to distract you with pleasantries. I know you’re anxious to see what I’ve got.” She pulled a file out of her briefcase and flipped it open. “The PI found Colin Byrne in California. He’s your father’s half-brother, and he’d like to contact you.”

Jesus fucking Christ! Talk about not pulling any punches! Luc looked at Robbie and knew that if he blew a single breath at her, she’d tip right off her stool. Just fucking perfect.

“Half-brother?” Robbie muttered.

“You didn’t know your father had a half-brother?” Luc asked.

She shook her head. “No. I don’t think he ever mentioned it. But…I mean, the name matches.”

“Oh, it’s him,” Payten interjected. “The information has been validated.”

“How can you be so damn sure?” Luc demanded. “He could be anyone.”

He could see Payten mentally bristling at his comment. “My PI is one of the best, and I personally verified that he did an extensive background check on this man. What would I possibly have to gain by putting Robbie in harm’s way?”

“A fitting question if you ask me.” Luc pushed closer, towering over the blond. “I’m not gonna put her out there to contact some fucking stranger who—”

“Luc, sit down,” Robbie said quietly, censure seeping into her tone.

Fists clenched, he sat heavy on the stool next to her. He felt bad for dropping the F-bomb around Robbie, but this was just too damn much.

“What about Anna Byrne?” Robbie continued, ignoring Luc.

Payten rustled around in the papers. “She died 4 years ago. Cervical cancer.”

“And who was she?”

“His wife.”

Robbie nodded while Payten closed the file.

Payten studied her a minute. “He doesn’t know your name, Robbie. There’s no reason you can’t just drop this right now.”

When Robbie didn’t respond, Luc did. “What does he know?”

“That his brother had a daughter who is aware he exists. End of story.” She turned to Robbie. “Honestly, he doesn’t even know your name. He didn’t even know he had a niece, or that your father even died.”

Luc rubbed Robbie’s shoulder in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. “You should drop it, Rob. Who knows what this guy’s deal is.”

She slowly turned toward him, shrugging off his hand. “You want me to just walk away after all these years?” He could see her incredulity bank sharply into anger. “How many years have I talked about finding my family some day? And now you want me to forget it? Why?”

He rubbed her knee. “I don’t want you to set yourself up to fall. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

She relaxed under his touch. “That I can understand, but I’ll be okay.” She turned to Payten. “I’ll need his information.”

*****

Robbie was pulling ingredients out of the fridge when she heard Luc’s key hit the lock. Crap. He was early. She was hoping she’d have dinner made by the time he got home. Nothing softened Luc up like a nice home-cooked meal.

“Hey,” he said, strolling into the kitchen.

“Hey, yourself.”

He stopped, stared. “What do you want?”

She felt the heat creep up her neck. “Nothing. What?”

“You only cook when you want to ask for some damn thing or another, or if you’ve done something you think will piss me off.”

“I do not!”

His dark eyes bore right into her. “What did you do?”

She bit her lip. “I called Colin.”

“You called him? What part of wait for me did you not understand?”

With anyone else, she would have been offended, but she knew Luc and his protective—although sometimes misguided—nature, so she let it slide. “I would’ve been too nervous with you hovering around, so I had Lizbeth come over instead.”

“I don’t hover,” he grumbled.

“You do hover, and I love you for it. But I would’ve been a nut case if you’d been here.”

He sighed and threw his keys on the counter. “So, what did he say?”

“Not much at first. I think he was just as nervous as I was.”

“Uh huh.”

She fisted a hand on her hip. “Do you want to hear this or not? Do you always have to be so suspicious?”

“Expect the worst, so when it happens, it’s not such a damn shock. That’s my motto.”

“Your motto sucks. Forget it. I don’t want to talk about this with you.” She turned around to start making dinner. He wrapped his arms around her.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he muttered in her hair. “I just don’t want to see you hurt by this. Tell me. I want to know.”

“No. I don’t want to talk about it now.”

He splayed his hands across her stomach and pressed up against her back. “You’re not going to make me beg, are you?”

She giggled. “Might be interesting.”

“How about you make me beg later.” He reached around her to grab an onion off the counter. “For now, I’ll help you make dinner, and you can fill me in.”

“Fine.” She handed him a knife. “You cut up the veggies while I prep the roast.”

“So demanding,” he growled, nuzzling and nipping at her neck. “I like it.”

“Hey! Get to work.” She pulled out a roaster pan as Luc began cutting. “All right, so I called him this afternoon after Lizbeth got off work. We didn’t talk super long—just long enough to get the introduction stuff out of the way.”

“And?”

“Like Payten said, he’s my half-uncle. His mom married my grandfather after my grandmother died. He said my father never approved of his mom, and eventually took off. Colin was still pretty young when it happened.”

“Did your father keep in touch? Why didn’t you ever hear about him before?”

“He kept in touch, but I don’t know why I never heard about him. He said he got the occasional postcard from my dad while we were traveling around the country, but that’s about it. They were always real vague and impersonal, he said.”

“But he didn’t know about you?”

“Apparently not. He knew about my mother, though. But they never met. I guess my dad told him right before he died that he’d stop by next time we passed through California, but obviously that never happened.” She tried to stamp down her emotions as she scooped up some of the veggies Luc had cut, arranging them meticulously around the roast. “He didn’t know my dad had died.”

Luc stopped what he was doing to put a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

She nodded, let out a breath. “Yeah. I’m good.” She flashed him a quick smile as she composed herself. “Colin just figured he decided not to write anymore. Truth was, it didn’t surprise him either. My dad never wrote to anyone else in the family, and only those short messages to my uncle.”

“Man, he must have really been pissed at your grandfather.”

“Seems like.”

“What about your aunt? Did her name come up?”

“Just real quick. He said she died from cervical cancer four years ago. We already knew that though. And then we talked a little bit about how Mom and Dad died.”

Luc nodded. He looked like he was trying to gauge her temperament.

“I’m good, Luc. Really.”

“All right. If you say so. Anything else?”

“Not really. He asked about me and my life—how I grew up, what I went to school for. That kind of stuff. It was nice.”

“I’m glad it went good for you. Of course, it would’ve been better if I’d been able to be there for you.”

She grimaced. “Well, next time you can be there.”

“There’s going to be a next time, then?”

“I think so. He seems really nice. I’d like to get to know him better.”

“Maybe someday you and I will take a road trip out that way.”

“Really?” She threw her arms around his shoulders, pulling him down to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Oh, I would love that! Thanks, Stretch. You’re the best.”

“You bet I am, babe,” he chuckled. “And don’t you forget it.”

*****

A few weeks later, Luc was peeling away from the curb in front of Hooligan’s, and heading straight for Robbie’s. Thank fucking God Conrad agreed to cover things. It seemed like it’d been forever since he was able to get away for a whole night, and he was anxious to take Robbie out. Even though he saw her every day, they really hadn’t had the chance to sit and talk for any length of time. He knew she’d been interviewing for jobs, but wasn’t sure of where and when. He knew she had been talking and emailing more with Colin, but the details were hazy. It was time they got caught up. Wasn’t a boyfriend supposed to be a part of her life like that? Shit, he always was when they weren’t a couple, so it shouldn’t be any damn different now.

As he got out of his car, Luc mumbled a curse. He’d forgotten to pick her up some wild flowers. Damn. Next time. He should’ve turned around to get some, but now that he was there, he was eager to surprise her.

Maybe tonight they’d finally come to some solid agreement on the living arrangements.

With a grin, he quietly unlocked her door and slipped inside. He could hear her voice coming from the kitchen, and briefly wondered who she was talking to.

“I know, Leah. I need to talk to Luc about it, but I don’t know how. I don’t know what to do.” Robbie paused and Luc heard her set a glass on the counter. “No, he said there was money for that too. I don’t know how much there is.”

Luc eased closer to the kitchen. He knew he should feel guilty for eavesdropping, but given the nature of the conversation, he thought this was the best way to garner information.

“For a year. Yeah, San Diego.” He heard ice cubes clinking in a glass. “No. I can’t. I don’t know. I just can’t.” She sighed. “I’ll call you later. I’ve got to stew on this. Love you, too. Bye.”

He heard the phone click into the charger and decided to make his presence known. Turning the corner, he leaned against the doorframe and waited for Robbie to notice.

“How long have you been standing there?” Her eyes flashed as her cheeks flushed.

“Long enough. Mind telling me what the hell’s going on?”

“Look, I don’t care who you are. You can’t go sneaking around listening in on my private conversations.” She tried to push past him, but he clamped onto her arm, tugging her close.

“It wasn’t intentional. I was trying to surprise you. But since I heard, you had better just tell me what’s up.”

“Maybe it’s none of your business.” She jutted her chin in the air, a sexy air of defiance surrounding her.

He licked his lips, but let the moment pass. “I’m thinking it is.”

Her green eyes narrowed. “What did you hear exactly?”

“You saying you needed to talk to me. So, dammit, talk already. Enough of this cryptic shit.”

He let her jerk out of his hold and she stormed to the living room. He was hot on her heels. When she sank down into the couch, she buried her face in her hands, and after a deep breath, lifted her head.

“I got an email from Colin.”

“And that’s news because…”

“You know we’ve been talking, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And we’re getting to know each other, right?”

“Again…yeah.”

“I told him about my interviews, trying to find a job…all that stuff. Well, today I got an email from him saying he greased some wheels and finagled an intern position at the museum over there.”

“In San Diego?”

She shifted her attention to her folded hands. “Yeah. There’s more. Apparently, when my grandfather died, he left a chunk of money to my father, thinking he’d show up one day. Colin has been executor of the estate, and had the money set up in a trust fund.”

Luc sat and put a hand over hers, swallowing at the cinch in his throat. “Robbie, that’s great news.”

She nodded. “The money will come in handy, that’s for sure. Anyway, he suggested I come to San Diego and settle the estate. He wanted me to stay awhile so we get to know each other better since I’m all the family he has too. I told him I’d think about it. And then he came back with this museum offer. He said he didn’t want to say anything until he knew he could pull it off.”

“How long is the internship for?”

“A year,” she whispered.

Luc was stunned into silence. She’d be gone a whole fucking year? Panic edged into his chest before he squashed it down. No. This was good for her. She needed this for her future. He was not gonna fucking make this about him.

“I’m not gonna go,” she said. “I’ll tell him no.” She went to stand. He pulled her back down.

“What do you mean? Why not?”

“You want me to go?”

“Don’t be stupid. Of course I don’t want you to go.”

“Then I’m not going. We’re finally together, Luc. I’m not gonna leave and fuck it all up! I stuck before, and I’ll stick again.”

He was surprised by her tone, but more taken by what she’d implied. “What the hell do you mean you stuck before?”

“With college. I made that work, didn’t I? I’ll work this too.” She got up to pace the room. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He watched her stalking back and forth, mumbling under her breath like she did when she was working something out. From the snippets he caught, she was painting a pretty damn vivid picture.

“Hold up! You stayed here for college, because of me? What the hell, Robbie?!”

“Oh, no you don’t. You don’t get to be mad at me over that. You would’ve freaked, and we both know it.”

“The hell I would’ve!” He stepped right into her path, earning him a quick shove.

“Move your ass!” She jabbed a finger in his chest. “I’m working this out. Just let me handle this.”

“No. Listen up.” He grabbed her by the shoulders, shook her a little. “I handled it just fine when the L’s left and they weren’t even coming back. You would be. And I’ll be goddamned if I’m gonna let you pass up another opportunity because of some skewed image you have of me! What the hell do I look like? A damn charity case?!”

“Jesus, Luc. This isn’t about you! I don’t want to lose what we have, got it?! It’s not worth the risk.”

“What the hell do you think is gonna happen? We waited years to be together. We can survive one more.”

“You’d let me go? Just like that?” He could see the emotions storming through her eyes, and it softened him.

“No, not just like that. This wouldn’t be easy for me either, Rob, but this internship is what you’ve been waiting for. And it’s important to our future together, right? So this is what you do. I’m not going to let you hold yourself back on my account anymore.”

“I haven’t.”

“You have, and it damn well better stop here. No more missed chances. Shit, I’d drag you there myself if I could, but I can’t.”

“I know. Hooligan’s.”

“Yeah. Besides,” he continued, rubbing his palms up and down her arms, “this will give you the chance you’ve always wanted. You’ve finally found your family, and now you’ll get a chance to know him better.”

“I suppose. Letters and a short visit would accomplish the same thing though.”

“True, but you need this internship. Can’t do that with letters and a short visit. You have to commit to it.”

“I guess.”

“So…you go.” He kissed the top of her head. “But on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You get your own place while you’re there. Colin may be family to you, but you still don’t know shit about him.”

“Deal.” She sighed, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “I can’t lose you now.”

He absently tugged a lock of her hair. “Hey. I’ll still be here when you get back. You’re not getting rid of me so easily, Squirt.”

She wrapped her arms around him with a watery laugh. “Thank God for that.”

“And it’s not like they don’t have phones and email where you’re going.” He gave her a squeeze. “We’ll be just fine.”

*****

Robbie stood staring at the disaster covering her bed, and was momentarily too overwhelmed to figure out what to do next. When she noticed Lizbeth poking in her semi-packed suitcase, she suddenly spurred into action.

“Don’t take anything out of there! That’s all coming with me.”

Lizbeth backed away with her hands up. “That can’t be all you’re taking.”

“No, I shipped most of it already.”

“You shipped all your stuff to someone you barely know? What are you, nuts?”

Robbie shook her head as she grabbed her notepad off the bedside table. “I sent it all to Scott,” she said absently, trying to read her own handwriting.

“Who the hell is Scott?”

Robbie giggled. “Now you sound like Luc—he said the exact same thing. Scott Delray. You remember him from the dorms. He was on third floor of Scott Hall.”

“Scott at Scott,” Lizbeth said, remembering their little moniker for him. “That’s right. I heard he was out in California. He got an Anthro major too, right?”

“Yeah. I kept in touch with him here and there. He’s actually working at the same museum I’ll be at. Anyway, he’s holding my stuff and trying to find me my own place.”

“And until you find something?”

“Hotel for a week, and then Scott as a backup.”

“Really?” Lizbeth asked, shoving stuff aside so she could sit. “And what does good ‘ole Luc think about that?”

“After he remembered who he was, he was fine with it.”

Lizbeth arched an eyebrow in response.

Robbie looked at her pointedly as she tossed another sweater into her suitcase. “The frat party on St. Patty’s Day.”

Lizbeth snapped her fingers. “Sophomore year. Delta Zeta house.”

“Yup. In Luc’s mind, Scott is a safe zone. Anyone who’d take on three guys at once to defend my honor is all right by him.”

“Did they ever meet?”

“Um…I think once. Briefly.”

“And he’s fine if you end up staying with some other guy?”

“Okay, so fine probably isn’t the right word. More like tolerant. He knows I wouldn’t do anything, and he’s pretty sure Scott would respect my boundaries.”

“He said that?”

“Well…no. Basically, he said to tell Scott that if he lays one hand on me, taking on three frat guys would feel like a day at the beach in comparison to what Luc would have in store for him.”

“And did you relay said message?”

Robbie grinned. “Not yet. It’s not like I can just call the guy up, ask for a huge favor like this, and then threaten him with physical violence if he doesn’t act the perfect gentleman.”

“I’ll give you that one.” Lizbeth watched as Robbie began grabbing clothes and throwing them in the suitcase. “Not one for organization, are you?”

“I’m running out of time. The guys will be here any minute.”

“Are you good with me staying here this year?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about it. Rent is paid up for the year. You just have to cover utilities.”

“I can pay the rent, Rob. That isn’t an issue.”

“Don’t worry about it. Colin sent me a check from my inheritance trust. I’d have to pay the year regardless unless I wanted to give the place up, which I don’t. And you’re doing me a favor by watching over it.”

“If you say so.” Lizbeth twisted around to help Robbie close her suitcase. “I hope you don’t have any breakables in here, or they are about to snap.”

“Nope. Just clothes.”

“Don’t you want to take some pictures with you or something? Or did you ship those too?”

“I sent some, but I have a bunch in my purse too.”

“Ooo. Show me!”

Robbie dug in her purse and tossed her the compact photo book. Lizbeth caught it and began paging through.

“These are all of Luc.” She flipped some more pages. “Jesus Christ. Obsess much, Rob?”

“Shut up.” Robbie snatching the book back.

“Oh, yeah. You got it bad.”

“Quiet.”

“How’s he taking this? With you leaving, and everything?”

“Surprisingly well.”

“No way.”

Robbie sighed, lifted a shoulder. “Appears so.”

Lizbeth smirked. “I bet he’s probably ragging to Conrad about it right now.”

“You think?” Robbie asked as she heard the front door open.

“I know men, and you can’t tell me they don’t bitch like little girls when they don’t get their way.”

Robbie laughed as Conrad popped his head into the room.

“Gorgeous,” he said as a greeting to Lizbeth, then tipped his head to Robbie. “Beautiful. You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

*****

Luc stood with Robbie outside the airport security checkpoint. It hurt his chest to even think about her walking away from him, but he ignored it the best he could as he pulled her into a tight hug.

“This is the end of the line for me, babe.”

“I wish you could see me off at the gate,” she murmured, burying her face in his chest.

“I know. Me too.” He pulled back to look at her as the emotions warred inside.

She stared up at him, then cocked her head. “What is it? What are you not saying?”

He scowled. “I hate that you can read me so damn well.”

She poked him in the abs. “Fess up, Stretch. What is it?”

He ran his palms down her arms to grab her hands. “I just want to tell you something, okay? And I know it’s going to sound stupid, but what-the-hell-ever. Deal with it.”

“What? Just say it.”

“You’re going to be gone a long time, and you know I only want you to be happy, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So…” He straightened his shoulders, barging through his mental blocks. “If you meet someone else out there, I’ll understand.”

Her eyes went wide. “What?! Luc, I know it’s a year, but I’m coming back. There’s not going to be anyone else.”

The pressure started to lift off his chest. “It just had to be said. It wouldn’t be fair to you if I didn’t say it out loud.”

“I know, and I give you props for that.” She cupped his cheek with her hand. “Even though I echo the sentiment right back at you, I don’t think I can actually say the words.”

He gathered her close. “There’s no one else for me either, babe.”

Some kids suddenly tore away from their parents in a mad rush for the vending machines across the room, crashing right into Luc and Robbie in the process. Luc seared them each with a glare before they stuck their tongues out and kept right on going.

“Spawns of Satan,” he muttered as Robbie laughed, rubbing her thigh where one of the kids caught her with an elbow.

“Kids are kids.”

“Yeah, spawns of Satan,” he repeated, flashing a quick grin.

She lifted up on her tip-toes to give him a good-bye kiss. Not being one for public displays, he kept it short and sweet.

“I love you, Stretch.”

“Love you, too.” He crushed her in his arms, one last solid squeeze before reluctantly letting her go.

Watching Robbie make her way through security was probably one of the hardest things Luc had ever done. With each little step—ticket verification, x-ray machine, metal detectors—she was heading further and further away from him.

He sensed the change inside himself and tried to resist it. He had insisted she do this. He told her to go. But as he watched her turn and wave, and then disappear in the crowd, he couldn’t help but wonder why she was fucking leaving him.

His instincts continued to tug at his conscious all the way back to Hooligan’s. The love he felt for Robbie was still so new to him—intense and totally consuming. He had barely figured out how to deal with that before it was snatched away and put out of reach.

Already the fear and vulnerability of his childhood crept into his thoughts, just as it had when the L’s left. And again, he had to find the resolve to push it back. He reminded himself that she wasn’t leaving him personally, and that ultimately it was for their own damn good. But he slowly came to the realization that this was going to be a helluvalot harder than he’d anticipated.

Luc put up the mental shields as he strode to Hooligan’s door. This was not the fucking time, or place, to deal with this now.

“Luc. I was hoping I’d catch you,” Payten purred, catching up to him on the sidewalk. “Did you get Robbie off all right?”

He stopped and stared. “How did you know she left?”

She swatted at his arm. “She told me, of course.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. Just dropped her off.”

“Aw, you look sad.” She slid an arm across his back and angled him towards the door. “Come on, sweetness. Why don’t I buy you a beer to cry into?” Her laughter peeled through the air as she pressed up against his side. “Then I’ll let you insult me until you feel all better.”

He nodded as he let her guide him inside.

Chapter 11

Robbie clicked off her cell and stayed on her perch, sitting on the arm of the couch with a funny little smile on her face. Tapping her phone on her chin, she finally turned to look at the blond-and-blue-eyed man lounging across the couch behind her.

“How did he take it?” Scott asked.

Robbie gestured for him to move his feet, then sunk into the cushions. “Fine. He’s…fine.” Her laugh was quickly followed by a groan. “He’s not fine, but he’s trying hard to pretend he is. I have to give him points for that.”

“For the record, if you were my girlfriend, I’d be insanely jealous if you moved in with some other guy.”

“Well, Jesus. Yeah, when you put it like that it sounds terrible. But he knows it’s just until my apartment’s ready.”

“And he trusts you?”

“Of course.”

“And he trusts me?”

“Apparently so.”

“He’s an idiot.”

She slated him a look. “And what, exactly, do you mean by that?”

“Why would he trust a guy that has the hots for his girl?”

“You…what?! Since when?” Heat flooded her face.

“Since always, Rob. Jesus, if you didn’t know that, then you’re an idiot, too.”

She giggled, nerves buzzing beneath the surface. “I guess I’m an idiot then. Umm…does this create an issue for you? Should I move back into the hotel?”

His adorably crooked grin made an appearance as he swung his feet to the floor, twisting to face her. “Before I answer that, tell me this: If I made a move on you, would I have a chance?”

“Not a one.”

“That’s what I thought.” He winked. “You’re good to stay here as long as you’d like, and I promise to behave myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup. You just be sure to let me know if you change your mind, my Irish lovely.”

She laughed at the old nickname. “You got it.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t hold my breath.” He knocked her with his shoulder before standing. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”

Robbie grinned as she followed Scott down the hall, admiring the wide-shouldered man in front of her. What was it with her and broad-chested men? Oh, yeah—if it wasn’t for Luc, she most certainly would’ve changed her mind.

She sighed, sweeping the thoughts aside. She belonged with Luc, and that was how it should be. She’d waited too long for him to just throw it all away now.

*****

Luc slammed down the phone and scrubbed his hands down his face.

“Something wrong, sweetness?”

He dropped his arms to look at Payten. “Nothing I want to talk to you about.”

Lizbeth set Payten’s drink in front of her, giving her a warning glance before turning to Luc. “What about me? That was Rob, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he grumbled, sidestepping the nosey, steel-eyed woman.

“So, spill. What’s got your undies in a twist?”

“Nothing.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Fine.” He kept skirting around her as he wiped at the already-clean counter.

Lizbeth stretched her arm across the narrow walkway as he tried to get by her again. “And just what’s so fine with Rob that has you trying to scrub the finish off the bar top?”

He glared down at her, but she didn’t budge. He was too pissed to talk about it. He knew Robbie had no other choice… Fuck that! She had another choice. She could have stayed at the fucking hotel!

Lizbeth cocked her head to the side. “You know, you get this little tick in your eye when you are really torqued off. Let me guess. The week’s up at the hotel, right?”

“Yeah. So?”

“That means she moved in with Scott.” Lizbeth glanced over at Payten, drawn by the light choking noise she made. “You alright there, blondie?”

Payten dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. “Never better.”

Luc shoved Lizbeth’s arm aside. “I don’t want to fucking talk about it.”

Lizbeth turned and followed him the length of the bar. “You know you’ve got nothing to worry about. If there’s one person you can trust, it’s Robbie.”

“I know,” he grumbled. She just couldn’t let it fucking drop, could she?

“And the rates at that hotel were astronomical. Totally ridiculous. Even still, if you had asked her to stay there, she would have. If for no other reason than to put you at ease.”

“I know.”

“She loves you, Luc. God knows why, but she does.” She laughed and punched him in the arm when he shot her a dark look. “Lighten up! Seriously, Luc, if it bothers you that much, just tell her.”

“It doesn’t bother me,” he said, setting down a glass hard enough to chip it.

“Yeah. I can see that.” She tugged the glass from his hand before it shattered under his grip. “You can trust her.”

“I said, I know!”

“Good. So really know it then and quit acting like a moron.” She began to turn away, but stopped. “Did she say anything about Colin?”

“She had lunch with him a couple of times.”

“How did that go?”

“Why don’t you just call her?”

“I will, but I’m asking you. You know her better than anyone—how is she handling it?”

He sighed, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “She said it was awkward, but nice. Translation: She doesn’t know what to think about it all yet. I can tell she’s on the defensive, but wants to try, wants to make it work.” He shook his head. “She’s waited so long to connect with her family. It damn well better work out.”

“Aw, see? That’s why she loves you.” To his surprise, Lizbeth planted a kiss on his jaw. “You’re a good man, Luc.”

“Shut up,” he muttered, pushing away from the counter. “Hey, Payten. Do you have those papers on Colin?”

“Oh, that’s right. The background check.” She grabbed her briefcase and pulled out a stack of folders. “Crap. I must have left the file at home.”

“Figures.”

“Tell you what, I’ll be out of town for a few days, but I can meet up with you when I get back. Hooligan’s is closed on Mondays, right?”

“Yeah.”

She scribbled on the back of a business card before handing it over. “My address is on the back. Why don’t you stop by Monday night and pick up the file?”

He took the card. “Yeah, all right.”

She took a long swallow of her beer, then gathered her things. “See you then, sweetness.”

*****

Luc had a scowl on his face all the way to Payten’s house. In fact, he’d had a scowl on his face nearly every day since Robbie had left. He just couldn’t get over the fucking fact that she’d left. Robbie was gone. It didn’t matter that he could talk to her whenever he wanted. It didn’t matter that he could email her or text her, day or night, and he’d be assured to get a nearly immediate response.

She was gone.

It actually surprised him to realize how deeply he’d fallen for Robbie. Of course, he knew he loved her, but he didn’t know what that fucking meant until she was gone. It meant pain and depression. It meant trying to figure out a way to be there for Robbie, but to detach himself at the same time. He had to find some way to deal with all the shit. Robbie wasn’t the same kind of person his parents were, but Jesus fucking Christ if he could make that distinction right then. They left. She left. Logically, it shouldn’t be that cut-and-dry, but emotionally it sure as hell felt that way.

“Why the long face, Luc?” Payten said, greeting him at the door. “You know what you need?”

“The papers on Colin so I can be on my fucking way?”

She laughed, and then led him through a marble-floored foyer, down a hall, and into a large office. Sitting on the desk were two snifters of brandy. “You need a stiff drink.”

“Just give me the papers, Payten.”

“I have them right here,” she tapped a nail on a folder, centered on the blotter, as she eased a hip on the desk—quite a feat considering she was wearing a tight-ass skirt. When he went to grab for the papers, she leaned into him. “Oh, no you don’t. I want to talk to you about the contents first.”

He grabbed the glass she offered and took a drink. “So talk.”

While she seemed to continually refill his snifter, Payten went on to explain the process her PI goes through when doing extensive background checks, including commercial, financial, and criminal records.

“He’s a criminal?” Luc asked, lurching off his perch on the desk. He was surprised by the slight swirl in his head. Jesus, how much of that shit had he drank?

“You okay? You look a little…off.”

“Yeah. I’m fucking fine. Answer me.”

“No, he’s not a criminal. Actually, his record is squeaky clean which initially had my PI concerned. No one is that pure.”

“Then he’s got something to hide,” Luc concluded, steadying himself against the wall.

“That’s what the PI decided, but no…the man is actually the most boring person in the world. He gets up before the sun every day, drives to work while obeying all the traffic laws, works his job at a bakery, and then goes home. Period. The man is as safe as a kitten.”

“So what the fuck did you need to explain to me?”

She laughed as she sauntered toward him. “I just wanted it to be clear. I didn’t want you thinking the background check wasn’t thorough enough.”

He nodded absently as he studied her approach. To him, she looked like a predator stalking her prey. There was almost an animalistic glint in her ice-blue eyes as the corner of her mouth twitched up into a mischievous smile. “What’s up with you?”

She shrugged as she ran her palm up his chest to his shoulder, and pressed herself close. “I was thinking that I need a little release, and I think you’re just the right man for the job.”

“Jesus Christ, lady. Back the fuck off. Not interested.”

She lifted his hand and cupped it around her breast. “Are you sure, Luc?”

He couldn’t stop his body’s reaction, especially after she started nipping at his bottom lip. “Shit.”

Apparently Payten took that as a consent and reached down to flip open his fly. “Let’s have a little fun.”

Luc snapped to and grabbed her wrists, twisted her around and slammed her against the wall. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Payten?!”

She practically panted as she arched her body against his. “I want you. Just you.” Rubbing her groin to his, she moaned. “You want me too. You can’t tell me you don’t. I can feel you, right…here.”

His head was still muddled, but clearer than it had been. Now he just had to contend with the lust hazing his brain. He stepped back before releasing her wrists. “Christ. You’re like a fucking dog in heat trying to hump my leg.” Satisfied the insult would bring an end to it, he turned to get the file on Colin.

“Well,” Payten purred as she walked to the desk, “if it’s doggy style you like…”

Luc watched with wide eyes as she stepped out of her skirt and unbuttoned her blouse, revealing a pristine white bra and no panties whatsoever. She smiled coyly as she leaned over the desk, wiggling her firm little ass in the air. “Come and get it.”

It was as if his hand had a mind of its own as it rubbed against her hip, across her ass. His jaw clenched as the mental debate warred.

Payten peered over her shoulder and backed up a step, pressing against him. He grabbed both hips to steady them. His fingers dug into her flesh as she squirmed against his hold. “A year is going to be a long time without a woman, sweetness. You know you want me.” She dipped her ass and thrust up, dragging against his hard length.

Luc’s control snapped as he jerked his pants down. “This doesn’t mean a goddamn thing.” He ran his hands up her back, unsnapping her bra along the way, and reached around to grab at her breasts.

She gasped as she begged, “I don’t care. Do it. Just fucking do it!”

He could tell she was ready for him, and took her with one hard thrust. She cried out as her hand snaked down to stimulate herself. He was relentless in his rhythm, her pleas for more only fueling his stamina. There was nothing now except the sensation, except the pleasure. For the first time in weeks, he felt alive and vital. His heart thundered with his exertion, his blood pumped with his gratification. And when she began to scream his name and buck against him, he couldn’t hold on any longer and raced to his own mind-blowing release.

He lay across her back as she lay across the desk, each gasping to catch their breath.

“That was…” Payten trailed off as her voice broke. Swallowing, she tried again. “I almost feel brutalized.” She reached back, rubbed his hip. “It was everything I’d hoped it’d be.”

“Jesus, Payten.” Other than that, Luc was at a loss for words. He pulled out and yanked up his pants.

She stood to face him, but she didn’t come any closer. A slow smile spread across her face. “How about next time we have dinner first?”

“Who says there’s going to be a next time?”

“Oh, I think there will be.” She bit on the end of a fingernail as she watched, waiting for his response.

“I told you, this doesn’t mean a fucking thing to me. Don’t go thinking this is going anywhere and then come crying that I broke your goddamn heart.”

“The thought would never even occur to me. I want you. It’s as simple as that.” She trailed her fingers down her breast to tweak her nipple. “So, what do you say? Next Monday? Here? Dinner?”

His belly quivered as he reflected on the escape she’d given him only minutes before. Maybe she was just what he needed—a good distraction.

*****

“Morning, Scott,” Robbie called across the lab in a sing-song voice.

He turned, stared, and twisted back around.

Robbie giggled as she put her stuff down on her desk and began shifting through her In box. After only two months on the job, she was already swamped. Glancing at Scott, she tossed the files back on her desk and sauntered over.

She put a hand on each side of the enormous vase sitting on his two-drawer filing cabinet and buried her face in the flowers, breathing deeply. “Hmm. They’re gorgeous. Aren’t you just the lucky guy?” He glowered at her—there really was no other way to describe it—and she broke out into a fit of giggles.

“Shut the hell up. Who told you?”

“Maggie, of course.”

“Damn receptionist. I told her to keep her mouth closed.”

“She said you turned about five shades of red when you saw them.” She grabbed his chin and tipped it side-to-side. “I only see four. You must’ve gotten used to the idea of a woman romancing you, huh?”

“Jesus.” He shook his head. “It’s just not right. It’s kind of psycho…a little predatory, maybe.”

“Because she gave you flowers? Are you for real?”

“It’s weird, Rob.”

“Did you catch her following you home? Looking in your windows? Going through your mail?”

“No,” he grumbled.

“That would be psycho behavior. This”—she fluttered her fingers across the delicate petals—“is how a girl expresses how she feels. She didn’t do it to embarrass you or bruise your delicate male ego.” He shot her an annoyed glance, but she ignored it. “Look, if you’re not interested, you need to tell her. Otherwise, take it for what it is—a compliment.”

He stared at his folded hands a minute before answering. “How come you get it and she doesn’t?”

She smiled. “I’ve had practice figuring out a particularly complicated man. I guess it honed my male-deciphering skills.”

He looked up with a smirk on his face. “And you’re sure you don’t want to use those skills on me in any way, shape or form?”

Robbie grinned at the thought of a romance with Scott. Lord knew the man was fine, and she had to admit to herself that she’d been tempted. Honestly, who wouldn’t? Several times she’d caught herself thinking of what Luc had said to her about going for someone else if it would make her happy. But even though she missed Luc, and was lonely, it didn’t feel right. Scott would’ve just been a warm body, a temporary replacement for Luc, and she couldn’t do that to either one of them.

“I’m afraid I won’t be taking you up on that, Scott.”

He pointed a finger at her as he stood. “I saw that, my Irish lovely. Just now I had you considering it for about half a second.” He nodded, crossing his arms. “I might wear you down yet.”

“Oh, please.”

Scott chuckled as he picked up a clipboard off his desk and began flipping through the pages. “Did you see your landlord on the way in?”

She grunted and toed the corner of the filing cabinet.

“Didn’t go well, huh?”

“Yet another hang up with the apartment. I don’t know, Scott. Maybe I should just find someplace else.”

“You loved that place.”

“Yeah, but by the time he gets his crap together, it’ll be time for me to move back to Vermont!”

“Take it easy. The current arrangements are working fine. You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“No problem.” He glanced at his watch. “I have a meeting to get to. See you when I get back? We could do lunch.”

“I’m meeting Colin at Mano’s for lunch.”

“That’s right. It’s Tuesday. All right, see you when you get back.”

“Yup.” She leaned in to sniff the flowers one last time, then trudged reluctantly back to her dreary desk. Now, wouldn’t it have been nice if a certain someone had surprised her with flowers?

*****

“Robbie. So good to see you again.” Colin leaned in for a quick hug.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No, not at all. I’ve only just arrived myself. Nice choice on the restaurant, by the way. How did you find this charming little establishment?”

“My friend, Maggie, told me about it.”

“Fine, just fine.” He looked over the wine listing and gestured to the waiter. After he ordered their drinks, they fell into the usual pattern. How was work at the museum? How was work at the bakery he owned? Questions and discussion about their daily lives.

Robbie enjoyed their talks together, laughing and sharing like old friends, but very rarely did the conversation turn to the past. She had finally decided that should change.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like to know. I didn’t want to cross any lines.” His green eyes clouded with uncertainty.

“My dad’s death was a long time ago. I think I’d enjoy hearing about his childhood, even though your memories might not be particularly happy ones.”

“Be certain, I have plenty of happy memories to share. Your father and I always got along well. It was my mother he couldn’t tolerate.” He placed a hand over hers. “Give me time to gather my thoughts on the matter. I’ll be sure to shed some light on your father’s upbringing during our next luncheon.”

“Thanks, Colin. That would be great.”

“Then it’s done.” He leaned back in his chair, snapping out his linen napkin and laying it across his lap. “Now, do tell, how are things with you and the young man you spoke of? Luc, was it? You haven’t mentioned him as of late.”

Robbie shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. He’s been real busy, with the bar and everything. I guess he’s putting in a lot of hours. I’ve been trying to catch him on the phone, but lately we haven’t connected.” She took a drink of her wine. “He’s been emailing me though. So, there’s that.”

“I’m sure it’s just as he says—that he’s busy.”

She glanced up at him, surprised he noticed the depth of her trepidation. “Yeah, I know. I did get a hold of Lizbeth yesterday and asked her about him. She said she hadn’t seen much of him either, but would remind him to call when he gets a chance. Of course, I mention it in our emails too, but when he replies, he seems to always gloss over that part.”

“It must be a hard adjustment to have you missing from his life. For so long he’s had you, and now he doesn’t. Give him time. He’ll come back around to you.”

“I hope you’re right. Thanks, Colin.”

“My pleasure, Robbie. Anytime you need an ear, I have two at the ready for you.” He smiled as he refilled her wine glass, the crystal carafe catching the light as he did. “And now, we must toast.”

“To what?”

“To good fortune. Yours for finding the job and experience needed to reach your dreams, and mine for finding you to fill the void in my life.”

“That would be a part of my good fortune, too, Colin.”

“You are too kind, Robbie.”

She held up her glass. “To family.”

He clinked his softly against hers. “To family.”

*****

“So you have a date tonight, huh?” Robbie teased, knocking into Scott’s shoulder as they strolled through the African exhibit area.

He threw his hands up. “Now, how did you know that?”

“Maggie.”

“Is there anything she doesn’t know?”

“Your date’s name. We’ve been calling her Flower Girl.”

“It’s Tamara.”

They stopped short as a kid suddenly stepped in their path, looking up at Robbie with wide, amorous eyes. “What’s your name?”

“Rob.”

“That’s pwitty. I’m gonna name my dog Wob.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a snapshot of a beagle.

“Aww, that’s so sweet. Thank you.” She smiled, handing the picture back.

He flashed a grin of missing teeth before darting off to the side.

“You think you’re pretty special now, don’t you?” Scott said.

“You bet your ass. I just got named for a fancy beagle.”

They turned when they heard the boy talking to another woman. “That’s pwitty. I’m gonna name my dog Babwa.”

“Looks like you’re not so special after all. Barbara’s cutting in on your gig there.”

“I’m crushed.” She let her shoulders drop in mock disappointment.

“Hey. Look at those two.” Scott gestured to a couple of kids, dumping their popcorn on the floor and grinding it into the carpet.

Glancing around, Robbie saw who she thought was their mother sitting on a bench nearby. “Excuse me, ma’am?”

The woman looked at her with tired eyes.

“Your kids are making a mess over there.” Robbie gestured in their direction.

The woman turned towards the children and sighed. “Those aren’t my kids.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“They’re Satan’s,” she growled, pushing to her feet and stalking towards the hapless victims.

Robbie held in her giggle as she watched the scene. Then Luc’s words from the airport rang through her head: Spawn of Satan.

Her heart cinched as her breath caught.

“Whoa. Now there’s a lady at the end of her rope,” Scott snickered, stepping up beside her.

Robbie turned with a blank stare as the pieces suddenly came together. “I have to go home,” she mumbled, shoving her clipboard into his chest. “I have to find the director.”

“Wait. What?”

“I have to go home. That’s where my family is. Luc’s my real family.”

Scott palmed her shoulders. “Calm down, Robbie. What’s happening?”

She laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. “Nothing. Everything. I just…I know where I should be now.” Planting a loud kiss on his jaw, she squeezed him hard, then darted through the exhibit hall in search of her boss.

*****

Once Luc got the feeling back into his limbs, he rolled off the platinum blond and onto his feet. He made quick work of pulling on his pants and was already zipping them before she noticed he was getting dressed.

“Hey,” she protested, fully naked and spread casually across the couch.

“I have to get to work.”

She rocked onto her knees as he grabbed his shirt, draped across the back of the couch. “Before you go, I have a request.”

He eyed her up. “What sort of request?”

“I need someone to escort me to my company’s annual dinner this weekend. Could you make it?”

“Let’s get this straight. I am not your boyfriend or your escort.”

She held up her hands. “No question. Just looking for a favor.” She snaked her hands up his chest as she closed in to bite his hip. “I’ll owe you one.”

Jesus Christ, the woman was insatiable. And his reaction was undeniable. “Fine. We’ll talk later about it.”

“You sure you can’t stay a bit longer.” She hooked her fingers into the waist of his jeans, tugging him closer.

“No, Payten,” he said, his tone condescending. “Some of us have to work for a living.”

“Don’t feed me that bullshit, Luc. I work damn hard for what I have. Don’t treat me like an imbecile.”

He smirked, enjoying the temper he ignited. “Don’t act so fucking stupid and I won’t treat you like an imbecile. It’s simple, really.”

She leveled an icy stare at him. “Nobody talks to me like that.”

“I just did.”

She gripped his hips as she slowly moved in. Keeping their eyes locked, she pulled his zipper down with her teeth. His breath caught and he was hard in an instant.

“Nobody can get away with it like you do. You make me so hot, Luc.” She pressed her lips against his quivering abs as she dragged his pants down.

An hour later, Luc was finally getting into his car, cursing the time but feeling more than satisfied as he did. His phone was beeping on the dash, indicating he had a message. He flipped it open as he turned onto the street. It was Robbie.

Fucking hell.

The contentment he’d felt contorted into a twisted jumble of emotions: Frustration, annoyance, guilt, and anger. The only thing he wouldn’t let himself feel was how much he missed her, how much he loved her. That was what Payten was for—a barricade against the real emotions, the ones that dug down deep and hollowed a man out. She was the perfect distraction for him. He didn’t love her, he didn’t even really care about her, and she didn’t love him. She only wanted a good lay, same as him. It was a simple symbiosis for a purely pragmatic purpose. So why did it feel like he was betraying every moral he had?

Shit! He was doing what he damn well needed for survival. Watch out for number one, first and foremost. And right then, he was fucking number one! Robbie left him, godammit! Not the other way around.

The guilt shifted front and center when his cell rang. He glanced at the display. Robbie. “Sonofa-fucking-bitch,” he mumbled, his conscience warring as his stomach dropped.

In the end, it was fear that had him tossing the phone on the passenger seat. What if she heard the guilt in his voice? Or the blame he aimed at her in his tone? What he had with Payten was temporary, casual. Once he got a handle on things, he’d end it. No harm, no foul. Besides, who knew what Robbie was doing over there, still living with that fucking Scott asshole and all.

He focused on that line of thinking, allowing the anger to overtake every other emotion until he was certain he was in the right. He was feeling pretty damn confident by the time he arrived at Hooligan’s.

The atmosphere in the bar was insane. Rarely had the place been so packed, and the stress splashed across Conrad’s face told him it’d been this way for awhile. He picked a helluva day to be late.

Without a falter in his stride, he jumped right in and got to work. It was a good hour before people could walk comfortably through the crowd to the bar, but even then the demand seemed non-stop while the decibel level crept up, and not down. After his shift, he was going to need about a bottle-and-a-half of aspirin.

“Hey, Luc, you got a minute?” Lizbeth asked, stepping behind the bar from the back room.

“Does it look like it?” He smacked a customer’s change on the bar, and got the next person’s order.

Above the racket of all the chatter, Luc could barely make out the sound of the phone ringing. He looked over to make sure someone was getting it and saw Conrad snatch it, pinching it awkwardly in place with his shoulder as he rang up an order.

“Payten’s on the phone,” Conrad hollered.

Luc inwardly cringed as he heard Lizbeth next to him. “Payten?”

“Not now,” he barked at Conrad, guilt flooding in him as he popped a cap off a beer and set it on the bar. He tried to ignore Lizbeth’s presence, but he couldn’t help glancing over at her.

Her eyes went wide. “Motherfucker!” She shoved at his chest with both hands, and he took a stumbling step back.

“Back off, Lizbeth,” he growled, feeling the need to defend himself even though he knew he had no fucking leg to stand on.

“Yeah, I’ll back off after I deliver a message from your girlfriend, Robbie. Remember her, you slimy little prick?! She’s been looking for you and asked me to tell you to call her. I see now why you’ve been too busy to!”

He grabbed her arm as she spun away. His voice was low and dangerous. “Don’t you dare fucking tell her. It’s nothing.”

She struggled in his grasp. “Fuck you! Don’t tell me what to do.” She looked around at the patrons crowding the bar. “Busy night tonight, Luc. You wouldn’t want me to make a scene, would you?”

He let go of her, but stepped in her path. “Don’t do it.”

“You’re such an asshole.” Her eyes went stone-cold gray as she looked past him.

“What’s going on, gorgeous?” Conrad between them.

“Who was on the phone?” Lizbeth asked, jaw tightening.

Don’t do it, man, Luc thought, but held his tongue.

“It was just Payt—”

Luc sighed as Lizbeth shoved past him to get at Conrad.

“You dickhead! You knew?! You knew he was banging that piece of shit and you didn’t tell me?!”

Conrad stuttered out a few syllables, but nothing coherent. Even Luc recognized the panic in his eyes.

“Don’t try telling me you didn’t know. I saw your face when you realized what you said—like you were spilling some government secret.” She spun on her heel.

Conrad grabbed for her, but he was too slow. “Lizbeth!”

“The hell with you,” she called over her shoulder. “And don’t bother calling me, either!”

Luc watched as she disappeared into the back. He flinched when Conrad punched him in the arm.

“Hope the worthless piece of ass is worth it, Luc. You just ruined two relationships in one goddamn blow. That takes some fucking talent.”

“You’re the one who opened your damn mouth,” Luc retorted, turning to glare down at him.

“And you’re the one who opened your fucking fly.” Conrad stormed off to the other end of the bar.

“Shit,” Luc muttered. Despite the demanding crowd, he went into the back room, fists clenched, to regain his bearings. He knew he had totally fucked things up, and now he had to find a way to fix this shit.

His phone ringing had him cursing as he yanked it out of his pocket. “What?!” he growled, ready to give Payten what-for.

There was a beat of silence before he heard the sexiest voice he’d ever known. “Luc?”

“Robbie,” he breathed, slumping against the wall.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s…nothing. It’s just really crazy here right now.”

“Yeah, I can hear it in the background. Business is booming, huh?”

“Yup.”

“Well, all right… I’m… I’ll let you get back to work. I just, ah, wanted to hear your voice.”

He swallowed down the lump in his throat. “It’s good to hear yours, too.”

“I miss you so much, Luc. I can barely stand it sometimes. I can’t believe I let you talk me into leaving for a whole year.”

His brow knitted in irritation. “I didn’t—” But he had talked her into it, hadn’t he? What the hell was he thinking?! “You needed to go. Both for your family, and your job,” he said, reflecting back on their conversation.

“I know.” Her sigh bristled through the phone. “I’ll talk to you again soon, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

“Luc?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

The pressure building in his chest broke apart and he felt like his heart was crumbling. “I love you, too, Rob,” he said quietly, and snapped the phone shut.

He tipped his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. He did love her, which meant two things: He had to be true to her, and he had to stop banging the blonde. He would find another way to deal. He had to. He couldn’t fuck this up.

The rest of the night passed in a thick, murky haze. The voices echoing around him had no meaning other than the select few needed to get the drink orders straight. Other than that, he was oblivious as he sunk into his own head. He had never thought he was the type to get down about anything. If something was bothering him, he’d blow it off or tell the person in question to fuck off. Simple. Done. But this was a whole other animal. This time, he had no one to blame but himself.

The dark cloud hung over him all the way through closing, and was still lingering when he unlocked his apartment. If this was gonna be the way of it for the next fucking year, he was in for a helluva downward spiral.

He was so distracted by the weight on his shoulders that he nearly missed the naked woman sitting cross-legged on his La-Z-Boy.

“How the hell did you get in here?”

“I sweet-talked your landlord,” Payten admitted with a shrug. “He wasn’t going to let me in until I showed him the treats I brought. After that, he figured you’d be grateful for the intervention.”

“I don’t give a shit what you brought. Get dressed and get the fuck out. We’re over.”

Her bottom lip slipped out into a sultry pout. “Aw, did we have a bad night? I can make it all go away.” She stood and sauntered her way towards him. “I’m right here for you, Luc. And I’ll never leave you—not as long as you want me.” She trailed a finger across his chest as she passed, angling for a grocery bag on the table.

Her words hit on a nerve as he struggled with his resolve. She was here. She was a warm body. She was companionship. No. She wasn’t Robbie. The weight that had begun to lift settled back down. “I said get the fuck out.”

The words had no impact as she smiled over her shoulder, then dug around in the bag. She pulled out one item at a time, setting them on the table. Chocolate syrup. Caramel. Whip cream. “I thought you might be hungry after a long night at work.” She gathered the items in her arms, pressing them against her firm, tight-nippled breasts. “Come into the bedroom and I’ll see that you’re well fed.”

He watched her disappear through the doorway, and it took him all of two seconds to decide what the fuck to do. Forgetting the reason for the ache in his chest, he strode across the apartment to chase the cure for his pain.

Chapter 12

Colin walked Robbie as far as he could at the airport, and much like Luc had in Vermont, stopped to talk to her for a while before she went through security.

Robbie studied his reserved expression with a measure of remorse. “You understand why I’m leaving, right?”

“Certainly, I do. You must go where your heart is. The estate is settled, the inheritance transferred to your accounts. There is nothing to hold you back now.”

“I didn’t mean…”

“No, no, child. It is perfectly fine. You go—be with your Luc. I know he must be so happy to have you returning to him.”

“Actually, he doesn’t know. No one does. I called to tell him but… I don’t know. He sounded so sad.” She smiled in anticipation. “I decided to surprise him instead.”

His face lifted with his smile. “Oh, how delightful! You must write and tell me how it goes. But however will you get home from the airport if no one knows you’re to arrive?”

“There is a bus that goes right by Luc’s apartment. I’ll just take that.”

“Is it trustworthy?”

She smiled, feeling loved by the concern he showed. She sure was going to miss him. “It’s perfectly safe. Don’t worry.”

*****

Luc heard Payten snap her cell phone shut with a heavy sigh. “Problem, blondie?”

When she noticed his stare, she flashed a smile and smoothed back her hair. “Not at all, sweetness. Our weekend just got freed up.”

He shifted uncomfortably on the couch. How the fuck did he suddenly get maneuvered into a relationship where a word like our gets tossed around? Shit. This fling was getting all tangled up. “Our weekend?”

She pointedly ignored the infliction of his voice. “You know that dinner you promised to escort me to? Lucky us—it just got cancelled.”

“How the hell is that lucky for us? For me—I can see that. But you…”

“Smart ass,” she murmured, sliding onto his lap.

“There’s plenty of room on the couch for you to have your very own spot.” He put his hands on her hips to shove her off, but she anchored herself by curling her fingers around the back of his neck.

“It’s lucky for us because we now have the weekend to ourselves.” She traced a perfect fingernail down his neck. “And I plan on having my way with you. We can fuck like rabbits for two days straight.”

His pants suddenly feeling tight, he squirmed to the side and tried to change the subject. “For a lawyer type, you sure have a mouth on you.”

“And just think…you haven’t even seen what this mouth is capable of.”

So much for redirection. “Jesus, lady. Do you ever quit?”

“No.” She smiled, locking eyes with him. “I’m going to do things to this body that your imagination can’t even handle.”

He stared for a minute before finally pushing her off to the side. “Whatever.”

She laughed and draped her legs over his thighs and laid back, unbuttoning her shirt and eyeing him up like she wanted to eat him alive. This chick wouldn’t take no for an answer, and a part of him simply didn’t give a shit anymore. But then there was the other part that wondered how far he could push her before she finally had had enough of his bullshit.

This weekend just got a whole helluva lot more interesting.

*****

It was late afternoon by the time Luc and Payten fell back into a tangled heap on the bed. Sweat slicked the skin of their heaving chests as they struggled for air.

“My God, Luc. You’ve got some sturdiness in that frame of yours. You’re built like a fucking rock.”

He didn’t answer as his whole body relaxed back into the mattress. He would have gladly fallen asleep if it wasn’t for the doorbell ringing. “Sonofabitch,” he growled, rolling to the side.

Payten put a hand on his arm. “Don’t get up, lover. I’ll get rid of them.” She leaned down and bit his nipple, causing him to jolt. “Don’t go anywhere.”

He closed his eyes and he sank back down. “Get me a water while you’re up, and put something on. I don’t want you answering my door naked.”

Rolling over, he half-listened through the closed door and heard the murmur of female voices. He figured it was Lizbeth at the door, looking for a fight. Fuck that. He was staying right where he was. It wasn’t like she didn’t already know about Payten. He’d smooth that shit out later.

A few minutes later, he heard the door open.

“Hey, you have a visitor,” Payten said, closing the door behind her.

He peeled back a lid and was almost startled to see her somber expression. Lizbeth must have torn into her. He held the laugh back as he grabbed the water bottle from her outstretched hand. “Get rid of her. I don’t want to deal with her now.”

The corner of her mouth twitched as she drummed her fingers on the wall. “How did you know who it is?”

“What other chick would be here? Lizbeth’s been looking to bust my chops about you. Guess she got a bite out of you too.” He snickered as he took a pull off the bottle.

“It’s not Lizbeth. It’s Robbie.”

He choked, spraying water all over his bed. “What the fuck?!” He glared at her, barely-contained panic curling in his belly. “That’s not even funny, you bitch.”

She cocked her head to the side. “I guess I didn’t realize you hadn’t told her about us. I would’ve thought you to be the loyal type. I figured you broke up before she left.”

As he stared, it suddenly clicked she’d answered his door in a blouse with one button fastened. Oh, shit! “She’s really fucking here?”

Payten nodded and sat on the bed next to him. “She wants to talk to you.”

His self-preservation kicked into high gear as he sought to defend himself. “We did break up. Sort of. We agreed, if either one of us found someone else, all bets are off.” He failed to mention his little fling with Payten wasn’t supposed to amount to anything other than a damn convenient distraction.

“Then you have nothing to worry about, do you?” She patted his cheek. “This is a bit awkward for me. How about I get out of here and let you two get caught up?” She grabbed her clothes and quickly got dressed. “I’ll call you later, sweetness. I’ll let Robbie know you’ll be right out.”

He scrambled off the bed after Payten closed the door behind her. Pulling a shirt over his head, he silently cursed, wishing he could at least take a shower before he did this. That was all he needed—to smell like sweat and sex as he fought with his girlfriend about banging another woman. Jesus fucking Christ, how did all this shit go to fucking hell?!

He managed to pull himself together before heading to the living room.

“Rob. You’re here.”

Robbie’s cold eyes angled toward him. “I’m here.” The flat tone of her voice made him more nervous than the anger he was expecting. Even still, he couldn’t help but notice how damn beautiful she looked.

“You’re back.”

“I’m back.”

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

“No shit.” She arched a brow. “I kinda got that much for myself.”

It occurred to him that he should’ve asked Payten what had been said between the two of them. He stood there, at a loss for words. He wanted to go to her, hold her, touch her, but he knew he had no right.

“So…you and Payten, huh? I honestly didn’t see that one coming.” She shrugged. “Maybe I should have.”

Her accusatory tone got his back up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I know you and women, Luc. I’m not fucking blind. But I can’t believe I meant so little to you…” Her voice cracked. She pulled her shoulders back as she composed herself. “I never abandoned you. I was always coming back.”

“I know that,” he snapped.

“Did you?” She gestured towards Payten’s white, lacey bra, hanging over the back of the couch. “If you knew that, why did you start screwing the first available woman you came across?”

“It wasn’t like that.” His jaw tightened.

“That’s fucking bullshit, Lucian! Look at you two! People’s lives don’t mesh like this overnight.” She picked up a pair of Payten’s stockings and flung them at him. And then a Woman’s magazine, a nail file, a bottle of nail polish. Jesus, where had all that shit come from?! “You two have been together awhile!”

“You can’t tell—”

“If I ask Conrad or Lizbeth, how long would they say it’s been going on?”

He looked away, knowing exactly what answer she’d get, and how it would look.

She stalked up to him, hands on her slim hips, as she stared him down. “What would they say?”

“Awhile.”

“How long after I left?”

He didn’t answer. Didn’t want to.

“How long?!”

“The week after.”

Tears sprung to her eyes as she shoved at his chest. “You fucking cold-hearted sonofabitch!”

He grabbed her arms and tried to pull her close. “Rob—”

“No!” She struggled fiercely in his grasp.

He let her go. “Let me explain.”

“You think you’re this big fucking mystery to me that I couldn’t possibly figure it out for myself?! Bullshit!” She backed away. “But just because I understand what it stems from”—she shook her head—“doesn’t make it forgivable.”

He didn’t know what she thought she knew, but he was positive she couldn’t know the hurt she caused when she left, that it was so intense it actually caused him physical pain. “You don’t know—”

“Because I left you—despite the fact you encouraged it, even insisted on it. And this is my punishment. I lose you because I abandoned you, right? Leave them before they leave you. Hurt them before they hurt you. You know what?” She threw her hands into the air. “You win. If that’s the way you want this to play out, then so be it.”

He took a step toward her as she snatched her purse off the couch.

“Stay the fuck away from me, Luc. I mean it.”

He watched, dumbfounded, as she stormed out of his apartment. And out of his life.

*****

Robbie jabbed at the lock on her apartment door without a single ounce of patience. All she wanted to do was hide and cry, let the fury and frustration blaze through her and burn itself out. Dammit, she needed a release. She didn’t even think about the fact that she wouldn’t be alone, that Lizbeth still had use of her place. The lock clicked and the door jerked open before she slid the key home.

“Robbie!” Lizbeth grabbed her limp body into a bear hug. “Why didn’t you call? I would’ve picked you up.”

“Did you know?” Robbie whispered.

“I just got off the phone with Scott. He told me you were heading back. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

Lizbeth pulled back and studied her face, surely taking in her stinging eyes. “Oh God! I’m so sorry! I just found out myself.”

“So you do know?” Robbie stepped around her into the apartment. She heard Lizbeth swing the door shut as she started to babble at her back.

“Rob, you have to believe I didn’t know. Of course I would have told you if I had. I just hadn’t been around him much. That cock-sucking sonofabitch…” Her voice trailed off. “Who told you?”

“I went straight over from the airport. I wanted to surprise him.” She scoffed. “What a joke.”

“Was she there?” Lizbeth asked gently, putting a hand on Robbie’s arm.

Robbie suddenly found it hard to breathe as she remembered how it felt to see a barely-clothed Payten answering Luc’s door. I thought you two had broken up, Payten had said. I’m so sorry, Robbie. I didn’t know, she insisted. Payten was blameless, Robbie knew, even when she went so far to say Luc is with me now. At least she told it how it was.

“Yeah. She answered the door.”

Lizbeth spun her around into another hug. “I’ll fucking kill them both for doing this to you.”

Robbie brought her numb arms around Lizbeth’s back as the tears began to seep out of the corners of her eyes. As soon as she had a good grip on Lizbeth’s shoulders, the sobs ripped free.

*****

That evening, Luc left for Hooligan’s earlier than he’d intended to. He’d worked himself up into a good mad, and needed to focus on something to burn it off.

Robbie hadn’t even given him a chance to explain. She just fucking attacked. What the hell?! That wasn’t right! He had his reasons but she didn’t give a fuck, did she? Wouldn’t even hear him out!

When Conrad made it in, he took one look at Luc and demanded to know what happened. Luc didn’t try to contain himself as he spewed the story in the midst of a seething rage.

Conrad let Luc vent, and then waited until the red in Luc’s face faded before pointing out the obvious to his dense friend. “You’re not really mad at her.”

“The fuck I’m not!”

“You’re mad at yourself for fucking up, and projecting it on her because it’s easier to do that than admit you screwed the pooch on this one.”

Luc opened his mouth to spit out a retort, but realized Conrad was right. “When the fuck did you become so damn insightful?”

“I’m a bartender. Psychology 101 and a good ear is a prerequisite.” He took in Luc’s countenance—slumped shoulders and all. “Now what?”

“I don’t know. But I imagine groveling will be involved.” He scrubbed his knuckles along his jaw line. “Jesus, you should have heard her. She was so pissed she was swearing.”

“Sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you. Groveling is a decent start where Robbie’s concerned, but you know you’re gonna have to ditch the blonde, too.”

“Glad to do it. The next time I see her,”—he glanced at the clock—“which will be any minute now, I’m cutting her loose.”

“I don’t know why you went there in the first place. I mean, I can see why—the chick is seriously hot. But come on, man. You had Robbie.”

“Tell me something I don’t already fucking know. All right. I need to think instead of react. Jesus, every instinct I’ve had lately has been way fucking wrong. I gotta figure a way to fix this shit.”

Despite how well he knew Robbie, he had no idea how to go about it.  All he knew for sure was he had a craving for her—always had. There was a tenderness and connection he only felt in her arms, and since he’d had a taste of that, he knew it was all he’d ever want in life. It was as if there was this clarity now that she was back, but where the fuck had it been when she was gone?! He shook his head as he realized it was the fear of her leaving him, of never having her again, of never feeling that again.

“What?” Conrad asked, watching as Luc shook his head and rubbed at the back of his neck.

“I’m a chickenshit sonofabitch.”

“You’re just figuring that out?” He dodged the fist popping out in his direction. “Well, you’re on your own with this one. Can’t even get you insider information since Lizbeth still won’t talk to me.” He pointed at Luc. “That’s on you, too.”

Luc held up his hands. “I know, I know. Jesus, I can only put out one fire at a time.”

“Still,” Conrad mused, “I’m surprised one of us didn’t get a heads-up from Lizbeth. Doesn’t seem right that she’d want Rob to find out this way.”

“Yeah,” Luc muttered, considering the idea. “I’m guessing she didn’t know. Robbie had her suitcase with her. She must have come straight from the airport.”

“Because she couldn’t wait to see you,” Conrad concluded.

“Yes, thank you. I fucking got that part for myself.”

Luc was still glaring at Conrad when his cell rang. He dug it out and looked at the display. Payten.

“Yeah,” he answered.

“Hey, Luc. I’m so sorry. I know I was supposed to meet you at the bar, but my father just called and needs an impromptu meeting regarding a client of his. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll get together for dinner or something. Talk to you later, sweetness. Bye.”

His eyes went wide when he heard the click in his ear. Jesus, he didn’t even get a chance to get a word in edgewise. What the fuck?

He slid the phone back into his pocket. “Guess I’m not breaking up with the blonde tonight.”

“You should go to Rob’s and try to smooth things over. I got things covered here for a bit.”

“No way, man,” Luc said. “This shit’s delicate—I gotta handle it with kid gloves. I need to make things right, but I have to do it the right way. Once I get things straightened out on my end with Payten, and I’m free and clear—no strings attached—then I can go to Rob. Even still…” What the hell was he going to say to her? How could he make this right?

“She might be okay if you just tell her that you’re gonna break it off with Payten.”

“No. It’s not fair to have Rob waiting around until I can make it official. I won’t tell her how I feel and then what I intend to do. When I go there, it’s to damn well win her back—plain and simple, no screwing around. I’ll fucking get down on my goddamn knees to beg and grovel if I have to.” He looked at Conrad with genuine earnestness. “I have to get her back, Conrad.”

“I know, man. Do what you gotta do.” Conrad looked over at the picture he had of Lizbeth by the register. “You and me both, buddy.”

*****

Payten was steaming pissed as she drove away from Hooligan’s. He was gonna break up with her?! No goddamn way that was going to happen! Luc had another thing coming if he thought he could shrug her off so easily. Thank God she’d shown up when she had. Thank God she’d overheard his conversation with that sniveling little twerp, Conrad. To think that the two of them where scheming to get rid of her, like she was some piece of trash that could be tossed aside! They’ve both got another fucking thing coming!

Her mind raced around the problem at hand. This was something she could handle. She could always work a problem until she got what she wanted. Never had she done without anything she truly had to have. That fucking bitch Robbie just had to come back and screw everything up. She was supposed to have a year to work Luc around into position, not months. Christ, was she supposed to be a miracle worker?!

She suddenly laughed out loud as she pictured Robbie’s face when she answered the door. Her expression was classic! And what an imbecile that woman was—believing her when she said she hadn’t known they were still together. Of course she knew! Love like that doesn’t just go poof because of a temporary separation.

If it was anyone else, Payten knew she wouldn’t have had a chance. But she knew how to work Luc. She’d done her own research on that one. A troubled childhood had shaped him into the deliciously hard man he’d became. And she knew exactly how to exploit it. Abandonment was such a traumatic event to a child, and she counted on the fact that it had left scars. Of course, a touch of Rohypnol in his drink that first night certainly didn’t hurt. She’d figured the first time was going to be the hardest—to crack that iron shell of his—but that once he’d had a taste of her, it’d be harder for him to deny. She’d simply had to keep up the momentum. After all, he’d already had her once, why not again?

All her gambles had paid off so far. She was too fucking close to back off now. Besides, she was stronger than him. She had more determination, more discipline than he had. She could work this. Shit, even when he’d hollered Robbie’s name during sex, she’d been able to keep pushing forward. If she could refrain from taking his head off with that one—despite the fact he hadn’t realized he’d done it—she could focus on this tiny hiccup without any issues.

A thought suddenly bloomed into place. There was only one man that could help her now—her father.

Snatching her phone, she quickly made the call and arranged a meeting with her father at the house. Once that was done, she rolled her shoulders back and put a smile on her face, hoping it would be heard in her voice. Hitting the speed dial, she called Luc to postpone their date. She made sure she spoke swiftly, but not rudely, so he couldn’t try to do something stupid like break up with her over the phone. Men were so fucking heartless sometimes.

By the time she made it home, her father’s BMW was in the driveway. The house was actually his, but he chose to live in a condo downtown instead, leaving the estate for her use alone.

Payten went straight to the office, where she knew he would be waiting for her. When she strolled in, her father had already built a fire in the fireplace and had helped himself to a snifter of brandy. He was seated at the desk, twisting around to pull a leather-bound case volume off the bookshelf behind him.

He peered over his glasses when he heard her footsteps. “Payten. Good to see you, princess. You’re timing is impeccable. I’d been meaning to come over and do a little research, but I’ve been putting it off.” He focused on the book in front of him as he asked absently, “Now, what did you need my help with?”

“Well, Daddy,” she began, meandering towards him. “You know how you always told me to go to any lengths to get what I want?”

“Yes, princess. Never settle for less when you certainly deserve more.”

“I’m so glad you agree with me.” She smiled as she came up behind him, slipping a hand onto his shoulder. “I knew you would.”

*****

The next morning had Robbie up early and fussing around the apartment, trying to distract herself from dwelling and sulking. When it was late enough, she decided to call the L’s and let them know what was what.

“Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie?” Leah asked, concern lacing her tone.

“I’ll be fine, Leah. It’s not like I’ve never had a guy break my heart before.”

“Yes, I know. But…”

Robbie squirmed in the kitchen chair at the ensuing silence. “Could we talk about something else?”

“Sure. Have you been in touch with Colin since you left?”

“I emailed him this morning to let him know I got home okay. I didn’t mention what happened when I got here, but I’m sure I’ll have to tell him eventually. He knew I was planning on surprising Luc.” She cringed at the way the conversation seemed to keep coming back to that bastard.

“Well, then. New topic,” Leah said, apparently aware of the continued theme herself. “How was work at the museum? Did you get enough experience?”

She brightened a measure. “I might have. The director in San Diego wrote me a raving recommendation and even said she would personally call the director here. I guess we’ll find out. She said she’d email me after she contacted him. Keep your fingers crossed.”

“What are you going to do in the meantime? Back to tossing pizzas?”

“I’m not sure. I have plenty of inheritance money to live off of for awhile. If the museum thing doesn’t work out, I might volunteer for a dig site somewhere just to get away.”

“Sweetie…I’m so sorry. I can’t not talk about it. It just breaks my heart.” Leah’s voice broke, and she cleared her throat. “If you need to come visit us, please do. We’d love to have you.”

“I thought you were going on a cruise?”

“That’s not until next month. Please, come visit.”

“Maybe.” Robbie traced a finger across the grain in the table. “Did you… I mean, have you…”

“Luc called last night and told us what happened. I made it very clear how disappointed in him we were. He was—”

“I don’t want to know. Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Okay, sweetie. Just know…what he did was wrong. You know it, I know it, and most importantly, he knows it. That’s all I’m gonna say.”

“All right. Look, Lizbeth’s waiting on me. I better go.”

“Call soon, sweetie, to let me know how you’re doing. I love you.”

“Love you too, Leah. Tell Lawson the same.”

She clicked off her cell, and set it on the table. She buried her face in her arms.

“You don’t have to go with me, Robbie. No one would expect you to,” Lizbeth said, rubbing Robbie’s back.

“No. I’ll go.” Her voice was muffled in the confines of her folded arms. “I told you I would. Chances are he won’t be there, anyway.”

“Even still, I can go by myself. Conrad, I can handle. I just need to get the rest of my crap out of his place.”

Robbie lifted her head to study Lizbeth. She was leaning against the table, chewing her lip with abandon, and her eyes were darting all over the place. Oh yeah, she was nervous as hell. There was no way she was gonna make her go by herself. “Let’s go.”

The car ride over was quiet, but comfortable. And Robbie found enjoyment in being out of the apartment and into the sunshine. They grabbed a coffee along the way, adding to the calm atmosphere she was reveling in. Window rolled down, she closed her eyes and let the wind wash over her face. The tranquility, however, was short-lived as they pulled out of the parking lot.

A man in a truck pulled in, then made an exaggerated swerve around them. “It’s a one way, you stupid bitch!”

Lizbeth was quick to bite back. “It’s a two way, you fucking moron! Way to show your IQ!”

Robbie let out a giggle as they squealed into the street. “Nice one, Lizbeth.”

“Men are so damn stupid. They think they know everything just because they have two heads instead of one.”

Her giggle turned into a laugh. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“What?” Lizbeth said, feigning innocence. “You know it’s true. Seriously, men are dense. Look at mine! I’ve been with that idiot for two years and we never even officially lived together! And then he hides this shit with Payten? I should kick him in the nads so hard they get lodged in his throat.” Robbie caught her glance. “Sorry, I digress.”

“Although I appreciate your loyalty, there’s no need to make Conrad sterile over it. I’ll be fine.”

Robbie closed her eyes again, and took a deep breath. She wasn’t fine, and wondered if she ever would be again, but she was determined not to dwell on it. The more she dwelled, the more she cried. The more she cried, the deeper she sank into the abyss. And the deeper she got, the less likely she would ever be able to function again.

“Look at you,” Lizbeth said, drawing her attention. “Aren’t you pissed about all this?”

“Would it help if I stomped my feet and screamed?”

“I guess not.”

“Then I have to go with it. No other choice, really.” She kicked back as if she could really care less. Maybe if she put on a good enough front, she’d be able to believe it herself. “I always knew he was a snake. I just never thought he’d be one with me. My own fault. I should’ve known better.”

They pulled up in front of Hooligan’s. Robbie’s heart slammed in her chest when she saw Luc’s truck parked further down the road.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Lizbeth snapped. “We don’t have to go in, Rob. I’ll just come back later.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s just get this over with. I’m gonna have to see him eventually.”

“Yeah, but not the day after he breaks your heart.”

She sent Lizbeth a withering look.

“Fine,” Lizbeth said, holding her hands up. “But if he crosses the line, I’m gonna fucking kill him.”

“And I’ll let you, too,” Robbie mumbled, getting out of the car.

She unlocked and cautiously opened the door, but saw no one was in the main bar area. Maybe he’d left his truck from the night before. Sometimes he did that if he’d had too much to drink. But the light shining from the corner office had her rethinking her logic. Someone was there.

She glanced over at Lizbeth and saw her eyeing the office herself. “Let’s sneak over to the stairs. No one will even know we’re here. Well…unless my moron is up there.”

Robbie nodded her approval of the plan and they made their way through the bar. When they got to the door leading to the back room, and the apartment stairs, they heard a noise behind them. They both stopped to look towards the office.

There stood Luc.

He seriously looked like hell, and Robbie couldn’t help but take some pleasure in that. But the way he stared at her, as if he was trying to figure out if she was real or not, tugged at her heart. He looked lost to her, like some piece of him was broken. She’d known Luc a long time, knew him better than anyone else, and even she had never seen him look so exposed and vulnerable before.

When he took a tentative step toward her, the bar door burst open. Robbie saw Luc squint into the beam of sunlight blasting him as he turned, and then looked over herself. Payten was practically flying through the door and straight towards Luc, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Fucking bitch,” Lizbeth murmured as she took a step in their direction.

Robbie quickly grabbed her arm and held her back, shaking her head. Lizbeth shot her an exasperated expression before she apparently heard what Robbie had—sobbing.

“Oh, God, Luc! My father—” A cry of anguish cut through her words. “He’s gone! I can’t believe he’s gone! I was just talking to him last night. Oh, God. How can this be?”

Luc grabbed Payten as her knees went weak and she slumped in his arms. Her whole body shuddered and convulsed with an uncontrolled wail. Her shoulders heaved so hard, Robbie half-wondered if she was going into a full-blown panic attack.

Of course, if she was, Luc would know how to handle it by himself. “Come on,” she whispered. “Let’s get out of here.”

Lizbeth nodded and they headed toward the back door. Before they left, Robbie glanced over her shoulder to see Luc staring at her from over Payten’s head.

The expression on his face was gut-wrenching.

Chapter 13

“I can’t believe we’re going to support that bitch,” Lizbeth grumbled, stepping into a simple black dress.

“Lizbeth,” Robbie scolded, holding up two dresses and trying to decide which one to put on, “her father died.”

“So what? What does that mean to us?”

“She was a friend to us before all this…mess. And she’s with Luc now.”

Lizbeth scowled, then pointed to the dress on the left. “Wear that one. And I honestly don’t care about her, or her damn father. And, seriously Robbie, I can’t believe you do!”

Robbie sighed as she started getting dressed. “I don’t. Not really. But I know what it’s like to lose a parent. And from what I gather, Payten and her father were very close. She must be devastated.”

“Karma. That’s what it is.”

“Lizbeth!”

“Don’t Lizbeth me. I don’t get you. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would you want to go there and see them together? You do realize you will, right?”

“Of course I do!” Robbie snapped, exasperated. “I’m not an idiot. I know they’ll be together, but I’m just gonna have to get used to it.”

“Why should you?”

“Don’t you see? I can’t cut him out of my life completely. Despite everything, he’s still family to me, and always will be. We have to find a way to co-exist in each other’s lives because, no matter what, we’ll always be connected.” She glanced over at Lizbeth. Sympathy tugged at her features. “Don’t worry about it. This will be a good first step. Chances are, there’s gonna be so many people there, we won’t actually have to talk much.”

“The second you want to leave, you tell me and we’re out of there.”

Robbie wiggled around in her dress, shifting it into place, and zipped herself in. “Agreed.”

“You’re a better person than I am, Robbie,” Lizbeth said, hooking her arm around Robbie’s waist to lean her head on her shoulder. “There’s no way I’d be as forgiving as you are.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t forgive him—not in the least. I just know I have to work through this before I can get over it. And the sooner the better.”

Robbie had been right about the funeral. It was a good thing it was an outdoor affair, situated right in the middle of the cemetery. There was no way all those people would’ve fit in a church.

Robbie and Lizbeth decided to position themselves on the outskirts of the crowd, but even from that distance, her view of Payten and Luc was wide open. She was a bit shocked by Payten’s appearance, although if she stopped to think about it, it was appropriate for what she was going through.

Payten was wearing a black business suit and her hair was done up, as always, but her face clearly showed the gravity of the situation. Her large, black sunglasses couldn’t hide the strain on her features, and her death-grip on Luc’s arm as she looked at her father’s closed casket gave away the fact that she must’ve been holding onto her sanity by a thin thread.

Unconsciously, Robbie leaned into Lizbeth for comfort, unable to squelch the empathy rising inside of her. It was a long time ago, but she remembered exactly how that felt.

“Are you okay? Do you want to leave?” Lizbeth whispered.

Robbie shook her head as she stared at the casket, lost in her own memories.

Lizbeth reached around and held Robbie close, rubbing her arm as she did. “You just let me know if this is too much for you.”

“I remember…”

“I know. Let it out if you need to. No one is going to question someone crying at a funeral.”

Robbie nodded as the tears slipped free down her cheeks. The tone of the priest speaking over the coffin began to blend with the memory of her own parent’s funeral. To her, the speech sounded the same—same voice, same tone, same words droning into the next as the grief crushed her insides. She was lost and oblivious to everything around her as she made her own peace with the past.

“Rob,” Lizbeth murmured. “He’s watching you. I don’t think you’ll be able to avoid him. Do you want to go?”

It took her a minute to realize what Lizbeth was talking about, then her eyes landed on Luc. His posture was stiff, his stare, intense. She averted her gaze. “No. It’s almost over, then we’ll slip away. I wanted to give Payten my condolences… I don’t think I can.”

“No one would expect you to,” Lizbeth reassured, shifting Robbie so the tall man in front of her blocked Luc’s view. She handed her a Kleenex from her purse. “Here. He’s wrapping up. Let’s go.”

Lizbeth guided Robbie to the side and they nearly crashed into Conrad, blocking their escape.

“Lizbeth, I need to talk to you.”

“Not now,” she snapped, scooting around him with Robbie in tow.

“You won’t take my calls. You returned my flowers. What else am I supposed to do?” he asked, trailing after them.

Once they were away from the bulk of the crowd, Lizbeth let go of Robbie and whirled on him. “Get this simple fact straight, Conrad. I don’t have anything to say to you.”

Robbie felt a twinge of guilt, as if their fight was her fault. And, she supposed, in a fashion, it was. Lizbeth was only mad because he kept Luc and Payten’s affair a secret. If Robbie wasn’t her friend, she wouldn’t have cared less.

“Lizbeth, please,” Conrad pleaded, reaching for her hand. “I miss you. I miss being with you.”

She snatched her hand back. “Ugh, you are so going to Hell. Hitting on me at a funeral? What’s wrong with you?”

“Dinner. That’s all I’m asking for.” She scoffed. He changed tactics. “Lunch then. Anything. Just talk to me.”

“I told you. I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Luc. If I had it to do over again, I would have. Come on, gorgeous. You know you mean the world to me.”

She crossed her arms. “You are so full of shit, I’m surprised your eyes aren’t brown.”

Despite the verbal lashing, Conrad’s mouth twitched into a smile. “There’s my girl. Come on. Give a guy a chance.”

Robbie was so captured by the confrontation in front of her that she didn’t even notice Luc’s approach.

“Robbie?”

Robbie flinched at the sound of his voice and Lizbeth spun around. “Uh uh. No way, buddy. Get the hell away from her.”

“Robbie, please. I just want to talk to you a minute. Can you give me that?” The insecurity in his voice disarmed her as she nodded.

“Rob, you don’t have to do this,” Lizbeth said, eyes blazing as she stared Luc down.

“I know. It’s okay. Finish up with Conrad. I’ll be right over here.”

“And you,” Lizbeth said to Conrad, jabbing a finger in his chest. “You better not have been running interference for him so he could get Robbie alone.”

“Swear to God, Lizbeth,” Robbie heard Conrad say as she turned, “I had nothing to do with it.”

“You better not have, you asshole.”

Luc walked beside Robbie as she distanced them from everyone else. “What did you want to talk about?”

They stopped to face each other. Luc looked like he wanted to reach for her, but shoved his hands into his pockets instead. His dark eyes settled on her, searching her face until she wanted to squirm from the attention. She hated it when he did that. He knew her too well to hide from that probing stare.

“Are you okay? I mean…I know you’re not okay, but with the funeral and everything…” He took a deep, steadying breath. “I saw you crying. Memories haunting you?”

She nodded, blinking back the tears threatening to resurface. “Just saying my own goodbyes again.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

She decided to take it as an open invitation. “Yes. I need you to keep your distance from me for awhile. I get it, okay? I just need time to get used to the idea and adjust my”—she fumbled for the right word as the moisture crept into her eyes—“thinking. I need space to do that.”

He kept his hands to himself, but stepped closer, his brow creasing and eyes pleading. “I’ll give you whatever you need, Robbie, but can I say something first?”

She bit her lip and waited.

Dragging his hands through his hair, he took another step closer. “I know that I screwed up, and I’m so sorry. I know that’s not enough, but…” He tentatively cupped her face in his hands, then wiped at her tears with his thumbs. “You’re my family and I lost sight of that. I’m sorry I hurt you.” Seeming to remember himself, he quickly took a step back. “I know I’ll never be able to redeem myself in your eyes, but I have more I want to say. Only when you’re ready though.”

Robbie stared at him, not sure how to take him. It wasn’t very often he opened up, and she hated that she struggled to believe his sincerity.

“You ready to go, Rob,” Lizbeth said, stepping next to her.

“Yeah.” She glanced over her shoulder as they walked away. “Bye, Luc.”

He closed his eyes and nodded.

*****

A week after the funeral, Payten’s frustration level was at an all-time high as she punched a number into the TracFone. She drummed her fingers impatiently as she waited for Kate to answer.

“Ms. Carmichael. What can I do for you?”

“Oh, don’t give me that Ms. Carmichael business.” Payten smiled, feeling more relaxed already as she kicked her feet up onto her desk, her long, slim legs crossing at the ankles. “I need your help.”

“Your man denying you again, Payten?” Kate asked, a hint of incredulity in her voice. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Another woman keeps drawing his attention away. Ex-girlfriend of all things. I simply need to keep him focused on me for a time, and everything will be fine.”

“Just jump him and be done with it. The man wouldn’t resist you. After all, he’s a man.”

“I’m the grieving daughter. He’s supposed to want to comfort me. I can’t be all aggressive while I’m in mourning. Suggestive, yes. But that’s not cutting it…hence the need for a little assistance. That’s where you come in.” She angled her foot, admiring her Jimmy Choo’s, then leaned forward to swipe at some dust on the toe.

“You want me to slip him some ketamine again?”

“Oh, God no! That was almost a disaster last time.”

Kate’s voice took on a defensive edge. “Look. I slipped it in his shot right at closing. If he didn’t come straight home before the effects wore off, then that’s not on me. I can only do so much.”

“No, he came straight home. The problem was, I misjudged his mood when he wouldn’t take my call. I thought he was being all pissy, but he must have been depressed. The ketamine only heightened that. I swear, by the time he got home, he was ready to jump off the nearest bridge.”

“Oh, shit. What’d you do? How did you talk him down?”

“I reminded him that I was the one there for him. That I wouldn’t leave him.”

“Ahh…exploited his abandonment issues, huh? Told you that would work.”

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. I had to improvise.”

“How so?”

“I’d brought some ice cream and toppings, ya know…in case he got the munchies later.”

“Oh, I see where this is going.” Kate boomed a laugh into the phone. “Whip cream and ketamine. Sounds like the greatest of all aphrodisiacs. That would be a hit at the clubs around town.”

“It worked. That’s all I cared about.”

“Look, Payten. Be straight with me. Are you sure this man is worth it? He’s hot, given, but it sure seems like a lot of trouble to me.”

“He’s definitely worth it. And he’s mine.”

“To each their own. I gotta admire your tenacity though.”

“Any suggestions as to what we could try this time?”

“How about Ecstasy? That ought to tame him for you. I’ll be sure to give it to him earlier in the night so the effects are in full swing by the time you sink your claws in.”

“Sounds good to me. Why don’t you pay him a little visit tonight?”

“Done. It’ll be 5K to the usual account.”

“You’ll have it as soon as I hang up. And remember, Kate. I’m paying you for your discretion as well.”

“I’m just as liable as you. I’m not saying a word. Besides, this deal is pretty sweet for me, too. Where else would I make five grand for having a shot with a hottie.” She barked another laugh and hung up.

Payten turned off the TracFone and removed the SIM card. “Who knew PI’s could be so multi-faceted in their duties,” she mused, tossing the phone in the trash and snapping the card in two.

*****

“Hey, good-looking. Get me a couple of shots of whiskey.”

Luc glanced as the busty, dark-haired beauty and nodded. She looked familiar, but couldn’t quite place her. Probably a repeat customer. “My kind of woman,” he commented, pouring two shots and setting them in front of her.

As he turned away, she said, “Not so fast, gorgeous. You wouldn’t let a lady drink alone, would you?”

He turned back as she cupped her hand over one of the shots and slid it his way. Lifting hers to a set of full lips, she locked her eyes on him. “Bottoms up.”

He grabbed the shot. “Cheers.” And tipped it back.

They both slammed their shot glasses down at the same time, and then she slid off her stool. She slapped a twenty on the counter as she winked. “Keep the change. Have a nice night.”

“You too.”

“How come all the babes hit on you?” Conrad asked, watching the curvy woman meander through the meager crowd.

“They see my inherent charm,” Luc said with a humorless chuckle.

“Still down about Robbie?”

“What the fuck do you think?”

“I think you need to figure out what you’re gonna do there.”

Luc sighed and leaned back against the counter. “I have to wait this shit out with Payten. I may be a cold-hearted sonofabitch, but even I’m not gonna break up with a chick when she’s mourning the death of the only family she had left.”

“How long is that gonna take?”

Luc shrugged. “Beats me. So far she still seems pretty broken up about it. The challenge is being there for her without being there.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Notice the attempt at subtlety.”

“I’m a guy. I don’t do subtle.”

“I’m in love with Robbie, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And I want her back, right?”

“I’m following.”

“So, I’m not gonna fuck Payten when all I want is to get back with Robbie.”

“I gotcha. Wait. How’s the blonde taking it? Isn’t she like a nympho or something?”

“I tell you what, man. It’s getting harder to put her off without hurting her feelings. If she doesn’t back the fuck off, I’m gonna have to break up with her—grieving or not. Shit. I hope it doesn’t come to that though. I’d rather get it done with minimal female drama.”

“I don’t know, man. Why don’t you just tell Robbie how you feel? How can you wait?”

“You didn’t hear her at the funeral. I have to give her space. I can’t be fucking around with her mind right now.”

“You’d know best.” Conrad tipped his head at a customer. “What can I get for you?”

The conversation dropped as they got busy filling drink orders. Business stayed pretty steady into the night, and Luc found it easy to keep up enough of a pace to render Conrad useless.

“Jesus, man. You going for the Bartender Of The Year award, or something?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

Conrad stepped back. “Nothing, man. Not a damn thing. Chill the fuck out, okay?”

Luc shook his head, trying to focus on the exchange but found it too difficult to follow. “Whatever.”

“Can I have an MDG, in a bottle?” a woman called out.

“Sure thing,” Luc said, reaching for a bottle and popping the cap off. When he set it down, their fingers grazed. She blushed and smiled. He leaned down on his forearm to smile back at her. “Anything else I can get you?”

Before she could answer, Lizbeth pushed through the crowd. “Oh, give me a fucking break, Casanova. Do yourself a favor and watch yourself. Robbie’s here.”

As the lady ducked away, he straightened and scanned the room. “She actually came here?”

“Yeah. So, if you care at all, don’t go chasing skirts around her.”

“Of course I fucking won’t.”

“You say that like it’s a given.”

He shot her a glare, then continued his search. “It is. I care about Robbie. I don’t want to see her—” He saw her then at the end of the bar. “Motherfucker,” he mumbled, rage suddenly rearing when he saw her talking to some guy. “Who the fuck is that?”

Lizbeth tipped forward and looked down the bar. “I don’t know. We came alone. But good for her.” Her chin jutted up when Luc stared her down. “Listen, slick. If she finds someone who makes her happy, then I’m all for it. Shit, I’ve been telling her to go back to San Diego. At least there she’d have a job and someone that loves her.”

“She barely knows Colin,” he huffed, trying to reign in the anxiety he couldn’t seem to get a handle on.

“I’m not talking about Colin, I’m talking about Scott.” Her smile turned evil when he froze. “Oh yeah, he’s been in love with her since college. Even calls her my Irish lovely. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing you ever did hear? But she turned him down. She was loyal. So, yeah, I wish she’d find someone who actually knows what they got in her, ‘cause you sure-the-fuck never did.”

Luc hands shook with his emotions as he looked back at Robbie. The guy had his hand on her arm, and was leaning in towards her ear. Something fierce ignited inside. All he saw was red as he stormed the length of the bar.

“Get the fuck away from her,” he growled.

The man looked up and scowled. “Get lost, man. Go find your own piece of ass. This one’s mine.”

Robbie’s mouth dropped as she shoved the man, and then Luc took a swing, connecting with the man’s jaw hard enough to leave him sprawled and bleeding on the floor.

Luc stood over him, fists still clenched and the muscles in his arms bulging from the pressure. “You’ll want to fucking stay down. Conrad! Get this piece of shit out of here!”

Conrad came over as Luc spun around. He grabbed Robbie by the arm and practically dragged her across the bar to the office.

“Let go of me, Luc!”

He did, but only after he got the door shut and then blocked it with his body, forcing her to stay.

“What the hell was that?!” she yelled.

“Me?! What about you?! Letting that guy paw you like a piece of fucking meat!”

“No way, Luc. No! You’re not allowed to get jealous or make me feel guilty over nothing. I had it handled! Besides, I can do whatever the fuck I want!”

“Use your brain!”

“Fuck you! Get out of my way. If I want to go out there and sleep with the first man I come across, that’s my business!”

“The hell, you say!” He stepped toward her. She stepped back. “You’re not gonna just throw yourself at some guy like that again. You deserve better! Jesus, have a little self-respect for once.”

She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “What do you mean by again? When have I ever thrown myself at anyone, other than you?”

“Bryan,” he seethed, his anger running rampant with the memory.

“Bryan?” she asked, genuinely confused. “You mean attorney Bryan?”

“You were wearing his boxers that first time, when I fucked you against the wall.”

She came at him swinging. He grabbed her arms and pinned her into the wall. “You sonofabitch! I never slept with Bryan. Those were my boxers!” She struggled as tears sprung to her eyes. “And thank you for referring to one of the most important moments of my life so crassly. I shouldn’t be surprised though. Of course you would look at it that way, wouldn’t you?! Nothing more than a fuck against the wall!”

Her words sliced through the din of the fury engulfing him. He was suddenly very aware of his body, pressed into hers, and wanted nothing more than to have his way with her. As the need coiled inside, he rubbed his groin against her, resting his forehead on hers with his eyes closed. He was gonna fucking burst if he couldn’t have her.

Robbie’s gasp and whimper had him peering down through passion-ladened eyes. Her tear-soaked gaze stared up at him and he saw the conflict within. Going from one extreme to another, he jolted back and stumbled into retreat. What the fuck?!

He scrubbed his hands down his face and realized he was actually crying, rubbing the moisture across his cheeks. He just stood there, staring at his wet, shaking hands, and wondering if this was what it was like to lose your fucking mind.

“Luc?”

He jerked and twitched, then backed into the wall. She had to get out of there. She had to get away from him. “Go.” He fisted his hands and hung his head, waiting for her to leave.

“What’s wrong with you? You’re acting crazy.”

“I don’t know. I don’t know what got into me,” he whispered. “I scared you. Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry I scared you. I’d never hurt you, Robbie. You have to believe me. I’d never—”

“Shh,” she murmured, coming close enough to tip his chin up. “Just take a deep breath. Something’s wrong. This isn’t you.”

He did as he was told, and felt more soothed by her presence and voice than what the cleansing breaths could offer. “I’m better. You should go.”

“Not until I know you’re fine.”

He felt like a damn chick as he held back more tears. “I really don’t deserve you in my life, Robbie. My behavior… There’s no excuse.”

“There’s something going on with you, Luc. What is it?”

His emotions swirled painfully as he battled with wanting to do what was right versus his misguided instincts. He shook his head.

“Are you…” She made eye contact. “Are you on something?”

“Of course not!”

“Okay, okay. I had to ask.” She guided him to a chair and rubbed his shoulders. He felt like he was turning into jelly under her hands. “You feeling any better?”

He nodded numbly, no longer sure what the fuck he was feeling anymore. “I better get back out there.”

“Just give yourself a minute, okay? I’ll go out and tell Conrad you’ll be there in a bit.”

“Thanks.” He propped his elbows on his knees, burying his hand in his hands. He heard the door click shut behind her.

After about ten minutes, Luc felt centered enough to go back out. He caught himself scanning the crowd, but didn’t see Robbie as he went back behind the bar. Conrad nodded at him as he came over.

“There you are.” He tossed a rag in the sink. “Wanna do me a solid?”

“Not especially,” Luc grumbled.

“Tough shit. You owe me one.” Conrad tipped his head towards Lizbeth at the end of the bar. “She’s finally agreed to talk to me. We’re going upstairs. You got things covered?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Luc blinked hard, and refocused on his surroundings.

“Hey,” Conrad said, slapping a hand on Luc’s shoulder. “You okay, man?”

Luc shrugged him off. “Yeah. Go. Smooth things over with your girl. I got this. Hold up. Is Robbie still here?”

“Naw, man. She split.”

Luc nodded as he turned to get the next order being hollered out. The night droned on after that, one customer blending into the next as their voices rang eerily through his head. Once everyone had gone, he reveled in the silence as he tidied things up.

Thoroughly exhausted, he finally sunk into a booth with a bottle of water, still trying to get his bearings. His phone beeped in his pocket, indicating he had a text message. With a sigh, he dug it out.

Hope you’re feeling better. Sleep tight. Rob

He smiled as he read the message, wondering what the hell sleep tight meant and knowing she had the answer. The simple thought had him missing her even more. He tipped his head back, letting his love for her flood through him. The impact was staggering, and he took the time to really study what he was feeling. Robbie always made him feel complete and alive. There was nothing like it in the world, and he knew he would do anything to feel that with her again.

Folding his arms on the table, he laid his head down and decided he would sleep right there. And then, first thing the next day, he would go over to Payten’s and put an end to everything. God fucking help him for kicking her when she was down, but Robbie was the only one that truly mattered. And then he could focus on making sure Robbie knew, without a doubt, what she meant to him.

It was the last thought he had before he passed out cold.

*****

The morning brought Luc a headache that rivaled all others. Begrudgingly, he dragged himself out of the booth and onto his feet. He swayed a bit as he stretched his long frame out, then dug in his pocket for his keys. There was no way he was putting this off over a fucking headache.

Luc rang the bell at Payten’s place and waited for her to answer. When she did, he could plainly see the fury behind her cold, blue eyes. It was obvious she was trying to hold it back, but it was definitely there. It actually made him feel a little less guilty about what he was about to do. If she was already strong enough to be pissed at him, what was a little more fuel to the fire?

Luc cringed at his mental reference. He glanced toward the office where construction workers were already scurrying around. That was where her father had burned to death.

Payten led him into the living room, then turned on him. “Where were you last night? I tried calling.” She crossed her arms, tapping a finger on her bicep to belie her calm.

“Yeah, I heard the phone, but I was sleeping so I ignored it.”

“You weren’t at home. I checked.”

He raised a brow, but let it slide. “I slept at the bar.”

“With who?”

He shook his head. “We are not having this conversation.”

“I want to know who you were with.” Her eyes narrowed. “Was it Robbie?”

“I wasn’t with anyone, Payten. I didn’t feel good, so I stayed there.”

She let her arms drop as she beamed a smile. “Oh, well you could have called me. I would have come to get you.” She strolled over to the coffee table where she had various stacks of paper spread out. “Just so you know, I’m leaving on a little trip this afternoon for business—completely unexpected. But I shouldn’t be gone long. Feel free to have use of the house while I’m away.”

“I won’t be here when you get back.”

“Luc, I don’t know what you find so alluring in that apartment of yours, but you should really consider moving in here. It’s so much nicer.”

“Let me rephrase, Payten. I’m breaking up with you. I won’t be here when you get back.”

She slowly looked over at him, her face tensed into an expression he couldn’t even put a name to. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. This is over. Done.”

“You can’t just…” Her words trailed off, and then her tone shifted from accusatory to pleading. “You’re going to leave me all alone? After I just lost my father? You’d do that to me?! After everything I’ve done for you? After I’ve done nothing but be there for you?”

“I’m sorry, Payten. I really am. But I’m not the man for you, and you certainly aren’t for me.”

Feeling a little guilt under the relief, he turned and strode back to the door, closing it quietly behind him. But even through the solid oak, he heard a scream that sounded far more feral than grievous, and he knew for certain he had made the right call.

Thank God that was fucking over.

Chapter 14

“I can’t believe you’re finally moving in with Conrad,” Robbie said, handing Lizbeth some more clothes out of her dresser.

Lizbeth put a hand to her chest and took a deep breath. “Am I being a moron? I’m being a moron, aren’t I?”

“Not at all! It’s honestly about time.”

“It feels…I don’t know…right, I guess, but rushed too. I mean, until last night I just wanted him to drop dead. Okay, not really, but you know what I mean.”

“You never did tell me,” Robbie said, pulling open another drawer. “What did he say to convince you?”

Lizbeth smiled when Robbie glanced over. “He was really very sweet about it. After he finally got me to agree to go up to his apartment with him—no easy task, mind you—he just dumped his guts. He said that seeing what you and Luc were going through made him realize how much he wanted to be with me.”

Robbie considered this as she refolded a few rumpled shirts and placed them in a box. “Like what, specifically?”

“Oh God, Rob. We don’t have to talk about this. I’m sorry—”

“No, it’s okay. Really. I’m curious about how Conrad saw it play out. Ya know, his perspective. I know what yours is, and mine, but what’s his?”

“He knows Luc fucked up. He doesn’t condone it, but he said he also understood it in a way. I guess Luc took it hard when you left, and Payten came at him pretty hot and heavy when he was at his lowest. He doesn’t condone what Luc did, but he could see how it happened.” Lizbeth shrugged. “Anyway, he said that Luc was beating himself up pretty good even before you came back, and then when you did, Conrad saw how it destroyed you both. Of course, by that time, I wasn’t talking to him anymore. That coupled with the fact that you and Luc so obviously wanted to be together, but couldn’t because of all the shit that happened, made him realize what he had in me and that he had to get me back.”

Lizbeth looked over at Robbie and let her shoulders fall. “He explained it so much better than I just did. Plus, it took him about an hour to do it.”

“No, no. I get it. Seeing what Luc and I were going through made him appreciate you more.”

Lizbeth snorted. “You got a helluva way with words, Rob. You nailed it perfectly. Sorry. I suppose I could’ve said something like that instead of droning on about it.”

“No problem.” Robbie flashed a quick smile. “I wanted to know his perspective, and now I do. So, thank you.”

The doorbell rang and both women glanced at the clock.

“I thought Conrad wasn’t getting here until noon,” Robbie said.

“He’s not. And I told him that was the earliest he could come.”

“I’ll go see who it is. This dresser’s empty.” She pushed the drawer shut. “Be right back.”

Robbie picked her way through the scattered boxes—they really should start stacking these—as she meandered to the door. When she pulled it open, she was surprised to find Luc on the other side.

“Luc?” She took in his appearance—dark circles under his eyes, disheveled hair, stubble along his jaw—and was immediately concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine,” he said, his voice gruff. “I just wanted to tell you something.”

Robbie took a step back to allow him in, but he shook his head.

“No. I’m good out here. But I wanted to tell you I broke up with Payten this morning, and it’s all behind me now. I wanted you to hear it from me. I’m sorry it happened in the first place—I wish it never had.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, shoulders hunched forward. “I…you’re everything to me, Rob. You should hear that from me, too. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, and I think it’s only fair to warn you that I’m going to do everything in my power to prove my love for you, and to show you what you mean to me.” He shifted, his ears going red. “Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?”

Robbie was so dumbstruck by his admission that she nearly missed the question. “What? Oh. Lunch? Umm…I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Luc.”

“Please, Robbie. I know I hurt you, and I hate that I did. You shouldn’t forgive me, but please, let me at least try to convince you to give me another chance.”

Telling herself it was only lunch, she relented, but with obvious reservations. “Fine. But just lunch.”

Luc nodded once, shoved his hands in his pockets, and turned to walk away. She began closing the door when she heard his voice again.

“What does sleep tight mean?”

She pulled the door back open and didn’t even think about the oddity of the question, she just answered it. “Some think it refers to when mattresses sat on a weaves of rope rather than a box spring. They could tighten or loosen the ropes to sleep loose, or sleep tight for comfort. But, more than likely, it’s just a made up expression to say sleep well.” She cocked her head to the side as she watched his smile grow. “What?”

“I love you, Robbie.” And then he walked away.

Robbie watched him until he was out of sight. She shut the door, leaning heavily against it with a sigh.

“Did I just hear what I thought I heard?” Lizbeth said, peeking around the corner.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

“Hell, yeah. Spying too!” She smiled as she practically pranced down the hall. “So, what are you gonna do?”

Robbie shrugged. “Looks like I’m going to lunch with him.”

“And then?”

“Beats the hell out of me.”

“I never saw that side of Luc before. I always thought he was a giant prick.”

Robbie laughed at the common assumption most people made. “He’s got his soft side. He just doesn’t show it very often.”

“He does to you.”

“Sometimes.”

“Ya know, I noticed something that really shows me how he feels about you. I never picked up on it before, but looking back, it’s always been there.”

“What has?”

“You have a power over him, girl. There’s no denying it.”

“No, I don’t.” Robbie looked down, then back up. “Do I?”

“Didn’t you see his ears go red when he was talking to you? No other woman makes that man’s ears turn red, but you. No one else could.”

Robbie smiled, feeling a smug sense of satisfaction.

“You should work that,” Lizbeth said, pointing at her. “But be careful. I don’t want to see you getting hurt again.”

“Don’t worry. Neither do I.”

*****

Robbie fussed over her outfit—a skirt and blouse—and then her hair. She felt ridiculous, like a teenager getting ready for her first date, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She was already nervous enough about spending time with Luc after all they’d been through, but the fact that he’d sent her not one, but two bouquets of wild flowers prior to their lunch date had put her over the edge. That was not normal Luc behavior.

To distract herself, she went out into the kitchen and fiddled over the flowers instead of herself for awhile. And while she did, a thousand questions raced through her head. What would she say to him? How would they act around each other? How do they get past this? Could they get past it?

She nearly jumped out of her skin when the doorbell rang, and briefly wondered if she’d start hyperventilating. “Jesus Christ, I can’t handle this,” she mumbled, pulling the door open.

Luc smiled wide when he saw her, and let out a breath. “Part of me was afraid you’d change your mind and wouldn’t answer.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, trying to put on a calm front. He seemed to buy it.

“I made reservations for us at The Wine Cellar.”

“Where we had our first real date,” Robbie said, her tone dropping with a pang of sadness.

“Where we had a fresh start,” Luc said, holding his hand out to hers.

She smiled and nodded, closing the door behind her. “Thank you for the flowers, Luc. They’re beautiful.”

He brought her hand toward his lips, but when she tensed he let her go. “I’ve been meaning to get you flowers for awhile now, but never seemed to get it right. Now, that’s all I care about—getting it right.”

She wasn’t sure what to say to that, feeling a little stiff and defensive, so she chose not to respond. Instead, she changed the subject by asking him about business at Hooligan’s.

After that, conversation flowed freely between them. They talked about Robbie’s job hunt, her idea about finding a bigger apartment, and the L’s and their upcoming cruise. Basically, they talked about anything and everything except what had happened between them.

“How has Colin been? Have you talked to him since you got back?”

“Yeah. He’s doing good. At least I think he is. I haven’t heard from him in awhile. I was actually starting to get a little worried.”

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Luc glanced at her concerned expression. “You’ve tried calling him, I assume?”

She nodded. “The last time I got an email from him, he said to call when I had time to talk. But when I did, there was no answer. That was a week ago.”

“And you’ve tried calling him since?”

“Yeah. And I left messages too. I was thinking maybe I should have Scott go over and check on him.”

Luc made a sound in his chest at the mention of Scott, and Robbie looked at him curiously. “Did you just growl?”

“Of course not,” Luc grumbled, averting his eyes and stabbing at his steak.

She smiled at his reaction, knowing where it stemmed from. “Lizbeth told me what she said to you. Yes, Scott had feelings for me, but no, nothing happened.”

Luc lifted his gaze and began to smile, but it quickly faded. “It’s really none of my business.”

Robbie hesitated, then said quietly, “I say it is.” She put her hand over his.

He relaxed after that, even going so far as to agree with her about calling Scott. It seemed even Luc saw Colin’s behavior as out-of-the-ordinary, and he barely knew him.

The rest of the afternoon slipped past as they sat and talked, and then went for a drive to talk some more. Robbie was actually sorry to see their time come to an end as he walked her to her door, hands linked between them. It almost seemed like old times, even before they had started dating.

“Do you want to come inside?” she asked, not entirely sure it was the wisest idea she’d had, but deciding to go with her instincts.

He linked his other hand with hers as he turned to face her, looking down at her with those deep, dark eyes. “I would love to, but I’m going to decline.”

Watching for her reaction, he slowly leaned down to kiss her cheek. At first she tipped her head back in retreat, but then went with her gut again and tilted it up and to the side, giving him access.

“I had a good time today, Luc.”

“So did I.” He squeezed her hands before releasing them. “Could I see you again tomorrow?”

She cocked her head to the side as she read his expression. Did he think she’d say no? She should, but she found she didn’t want to. “Sure. We could do that.”

His shoulders seemed to lose their rigidity as he let out a small breath. “Great. I’ll see you then.” He leaned down for another quick peck. “I love you.”

*****

During the next week, Luc came and picked her up every afternoon to take her out. Every day it was something different; mini-golfing, bowling, shopping at the mall, even to a chick flick—all the things he normally wouldn’t be caught dead doing, all in the name of making Robbie happy. In addition, every other day she received a fresh, massive arrangement of wild flowers. Despite the fact her apartment was starting to look like a meadow, she loved the gesture. And, to her honest surprise, little by little, she found herself actually wanting to be with Luc again, in every way possible.

After each outing, Luc would hold Robbie’s hand, walk her to her door, kiss her cheek, and say he loved her. But he never took her up on her offer to come inside, even though by the end of the week, she was entirely sure she wanted him to. Finally, she decided not to take no as an answer.

Luc leaned down to plant his customary kiss on her cheek when suddenly Robbie turned her face into his, capturing his lips with hers. He froze against her for a moment, apparently unsure of where to take it. She made sure to help him along.

Tangling her fingers in his hair, she held firm as her mouth moved against his, teasing and tempting him with her tongue. His arms banded around her, fisting against the small of her back and crushing her against his chest. His mouth was hot and eager on hers, matching her intensity and need.

Unexpectedly, he eased back and squeezed her into a hug. His breath in her ear was gasping as he whispered his apologizes, that he hadn’t meant to get caught up in the moment. She couldn’t even wrap her head around what he was saying, not with his obvious excitement pressing hard into her belly.

“Luc,” she whispered back, clinging to him. “I don’t understand. What’s wrong? I thought you wanted this.”

He loosened his grip and held her at arm’s length. “Let’s go inside.”

She smiled and nodded. His brow creased as he looked her in the eye. “Just to talk, Robbie.”

She scowled and nearly argued, but figured a talk would provide her with some answers. They had better be good, though. Didn’t he say he wanted to be back with her? Didn’t he keep saying how much he loved her? She’d finally gotten the courage to give him another shot, and he denies her? None of it made sense.

Robbie had to hold back from stomping through her apartment in frustration as she led him inside. Once they were in the living room, she sat in a huff on the couch, arms folded. Luc sunk in next to her.

Tugging one of her hands loose, Luc engulfed it in both of his. “I know I’m confusing you, but I don’t mean to. Really, I don’t.”

“So what gives?”

“I didn’t think it was fair to you to…get physical…when we still haven’t even talked about what happened while you were gone.”

Robbie looked away. “I don’t want to. I’m trying to put it behind us.”

With a finger to her chin, he angled her face back toward him. “Let me ask you this. If a woman came up to me in Hooligan’s and started hitting on me, what would you guess my reaction would be?”

Robbie paused as she thought about it.

“See there?” Luc asked.

“What? I didn’t even answer yet.”

“You paused. That was enough.” He shook his head and sighed. “You don’t trust me, Rob. Not that I damn well expect you to, and I certainly don’t deserve it at this point, but I’m not about to get into an intense, physical relationship with you again when you don’t trust me. It’s not fair to you. I can wait.”

“What if I don’t want to wait?”

She shifted to straddle him, and he grabbed her arms. “I’m not playing games, Robbie, and I’m not trying to seduce, manipulate, or whatever. You have to trust me again. That is first and foremost for this to work out between us. This step is too important to skip.”

Even though she felt a little rejected, she knew he was right. If he had asked her that same question about a woman hitting on him before she left for San Diego, she would have answered in an instant. She knew, whole-heartedly, that he would’ve told her to take a hike. But now…

“Okay,” Robbie relented, slipping back off his lap. “So let’s start.”

“Now?”

His sudden panic almost amused her. “No time like the present.”

He pulled his hands through his hair and nodded. “Where do you want me to start?”

“Your choice.”

“Okay. All right.” He took a deep breath, and dove in. “You were right about what you said. About when you left. I didn’t expect it, but I felt abandoned. It wasn’t even like that though… I mean, I felt it, but it wasn’t like I held it against you or anything. It was more that I missed the intensity of being with you. I’ve never loved anyone before, and I didn’t know how to handle it when you weren’t there. When I’m with you…shit, I feel alive. It’s the best word I can come up with to describe it. And when you left, you took that with you. I couldn’t deal.”

He leveled his eyes at her. “I hope this doesn’t all sound like excuses to you. I know what I did was inexcusable, and I can’t even begin to explain how bad I feel. The regret. I’d rather cut off a limb than to hurt you. You have to believe me.”

“I do, Luc. I believe you.”

“I have to admit, my time with Payten is hazy at best. This is gonna sound like a line of shit, but I seriously don’t remember a lot of it. It’s frustrating as hell. I was with her…yes, I’m sorry, I was…but not many times. Jesus, not that the number of times fucking matters.” He grimaced, presumably over the swear word.

“Don’t worry about it. Just take your time.” She wanted to hear this, needed to. They had to get past this to move forward. No matter how hard it was to hear, there really was no other way.

“Those times I was with… I think I blocked it out or something. Maybe, deep down, I knew how wrong it was that my mind just kinda shut down?” The uncertainty in his tone made the last sentence sound like a question. By looking at his face, Robbie could tell he was lost in his own thoughts as he talked it through.

“You really can’t remember, can you?”

“No,” he huffed. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I know I was depressed, maybe even a little desperate, but I really don’t know why I did…well, what I did. I’m at fault, guaranteed. I’m not trying to dodge that bullet. But I can’t really explain it to you ‘cause I can’t figure it out myself.” His head fell against the back of the couch and he stared at the ceiling. “You shouldn’t trust me, Rob. Hell, I don’t even trust myself. I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind.”

His words triggered a thought, and she wondered about the significance. “Luc, remember that night last week at Hooligan’s? The night you and I argued in your office.”

His groan told her he knew exactly which night she was talking about. “Jesus Christ, Robbie, if I had—”

“No. Forget about that part. But your behavior… Luc, you were acting like a crazy person. Do you think something’s wrong? Like a chemical imbalance, or something?”

“Shit. I am crazy then, huh?”

“That’s not what I mean, but maybe there’s something that would explain all this.” Robbie huffed a small laugh. “I suppose I’m being naive in hoping there’s some other reason why you were with her, but I really think it’s something worth looking into. Seriously, Luc. You weren’t acting like yourself at all.”

He sighed as he ground the heels of his hands in his eyes. “I don’t exactly relish the idea of going to a doctor and asking him to prove that I’m nuts.”

“Well,” she said lightly, “if it’s any consolation, I already knew you were.”

He smiled, rolling his head to the side to look at her. “Thanks, Squirt.”

“Any time, Stretch.” She smirked as she crawled onto his lap, and cuddled into his chest.

“Ya know,” she said, trying to keep things light, “when you do let me have a go at you, I bet I’ll win.”

He chuckled as his arms came around her. His voice turned husky. “Nope, I already won—when you decided to take me back.” He kissed the top of her head, and murmured how much he loved her into her ear.

Feeling the full gravity of the situation, and the raw emotions it exposed, Robbie squirmed slightly before whispering, “Don’t you ever hurt me like that again.”

His lean, muscled arms banded tight. “Never.”

*****

Luc shoved Conrad through the door ahead of him, eager to get this over with.

“Hey, quit pushing.”

“Then stop dragging your goddamn feet. You’d think we’re in here for you, not me.” Luc stopped and stared around the jewelry store, not even sure where to fucking start. “Aww, hell. I’m way over my head.”

“What’s the rush for, man? Why do you all of a sudden need this now?”

“‘Cause I know what I want, and I wanna be fucking ready when Robbie gets there too.”

A demure woman with auburn hair lifted an eyebrow at the two men. “Can I help you gentlemen find something?”

Conrad didn’t hesitate to grab Luc’s arm and tug him forward. “He’s looking for an engagement ring.”

“How lovely,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her with a smile. “We have our engagement settings right over here.”

Luc followed as she strolled to a massive display case. His eyes went big when he saw all the choices.

“Do you know what you’re looking for?”

“Ahh, an engagement ring?” His face felt hot under her stare.

“Yes,” she said, “but do you know what carat diamond, the color, clarity? Perhaps, you have a certain cut in mind?”

“Shit. I can’t do this. I don’t know what any of that means.” He looked over at Conrad to see his similarly clueless expression. “Maybe I should just forget about it being a surprise and just bring Robbie in whenever she’s ready to pick it out for her damn self.”

“No,” the woman said, stepping closer. “No need. I can help you decide what you want, and if she doesn’t like it, you can always exchange it. A surprise like this shouldn’t be spoiled.” She slid the back of the case open and began setting several different options on top. “Have you two been together long?”

“Umm…”

“Since they were twelve,” Conrad put in, earning a raised brow from the woman.

“We’ve known each other since then, but now we’re finally on the same page,” Luc explained, trying to remain vague in an effort to not explain his love life to a perfect stranger. Shit. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought Conrad along.

“Maybe I should pick one up for Lizbeth. I bet she’d like that,” Conrad mumbled, leaning in for a closer look.

“Maybe you should pick one up?” Luc said, incredulity tainting his voice. “This isn’t a damn cheeseburger in a drive-thru. You don’t just pick one up for someone. This takes commitment.”

Conrad actually looked offended. “I’m committed,” he countered, his voice squeaking slightly.

“Listen to you,” Luc said, getting some real enjoyment out of the exchange. “The prospect terrifies you.”

“No more than you. Look, I love Lizbeth, and if I want to buy her a damn ring, then I’ll buy her a ring. And not you, or anyone else, can say a damn thing to stop me.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s right!” He turned to the woman and stabbed his finger at the display of rings. “Hell, I’ll take two!”

Luc busted out laughing, clapping Conrad hard on the back. “Man, it only takes one to seal the deal.”

Conrad’s face blazed as his eyes narrowed. “You just goaded me into that, didn’t you? Sonofabitch. Sorry…excuse my language,” he mumbled with a glance at the smirking clerk.

“Yeah, I did. Serves you right, too, for giving me such a hard time on the way over.”

“I didn’t… All right, I did.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, looked all around and muttered, “Try to have a little fun at a buddy’s expense and what does it fucking get you…”

Luc chuckled as he began discussing the variations of the rings in front of him with the clerk. He finally had it narrowed down and selected when Conrad punched him in the arm to get his attention.

“What?”

“You see that chick over there?” Conrad gestured to a full-figured, dark-haired woman at the next counter over.

“Yeah.”

“Does she look familiar to you?”

At first glance she didn’t, but when Luc really studied her, she did. “I guess so. Yeah, little bit. I think I’ve seen her at Hooligan’s a few times.”

Conrad nodded. “That’s what I thought too. Just curious. Hard to forget a looker like that.”

Luc stared a moment longer, trying to place her. She looked over, then away, with no trace of recognition on her face. He continued to watch as she pulled out a cell phone, and slipped out the door. The nagging feeling left when she did, and he wondered if maybe he hadn’t really recognized her. Some people just had familiar faces.

*****

Luc snapped his cell phone closed, his numb fingers nearly dropping it in the process. He leaned against the wall next to his apartment door. He had to, or he would’ve tipped right over. Jesus fucking Christ. How had everything gotten so fucked up? So out of control? He blinked and shook his head as his vision swirled.

Pulling himself together, he walked into his apartment and called for Robbie.

“In here,” she hollered from the kitchen.

His legs felt like they were filled with lead as he forced one foot in front of the other. The engagement ring that had been burning a hole in his pocket only moments before now felt like a weighted reminder of his guilt, and the choices he’d made.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” Robbie said brightly, kicking the oven shut with her foot. “Dinner’s almost ready.” She smiled as she looked over, then froze. “What is it?”

“We have to talk.”

Her shoulders fell. “That’s never a good thing.”

*****

Robbie sat in shock, initially unable to comprehend his words, and then not wanting to. “She’s pregnant.”

“Yes.”

“With your child.”

“Yes.”

“And…what? What now? Where does that leave you?”

“I have to go over there. I need to talk to her.”

“What?! No, you need to stay here and talk to me.”

“I can’t. I gotta figure this shit out. I won’t just abandon my own kid! She needs my help. She told me…she needs me. They need me!”

“Yeah, I bet she did,” Robbie retorted. Suddenly she realized the truth behind his words. They needed him. It was all or nothing for Luc. She knew he seriously didn’t see any distinction between Payten and the child. In his mind, they were one in the same. Would he even consider not being with Payten once she’d reeled him in?

Robbie felt the pressure settle in her chest. The hell if she was going to be the one to try and get him to realize the difference—he’d cut her to shreds for her efforts. He had to see it for himself. He had to make the choice, or he’d forever hold it against her.

Defeat washed over her. “You really don’t see any other way, do you?”

“Of course not, Robbie. This is my kid. How could there be any other choice here?”

Robbie was quiet. She decided there was no damn way she was going through this with him. Not again. She had to protect herself. “I’ll let you figure that one out. I’m done.”

“What do you mean, you’re done?” His eyes blazed as he studied her.

“Just what I said.”

“Rob. I’m not going back to Payten, but I’m not going to abandon my child either. Right now, she needs me. I have to go to her. Her and I, we’re partners in this. But only in this.”

“So you said.” She stepped forward and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Luc, and will—every day of my life. You remember that as your playing house with Payten.”

“Robbie—”

“No. I can’t watch you start a family with somebody else. Don’t ask me to do that—I don’t have it in me.”

“I won’t abandon my child.”

She shook her head. “See, that’s the thing you don’t realize. I would never have asked you to, and you know that.”

Chapter 15

Payten let out a peel of laugher after she hung up the phone. She had him right where she wanted, and she couldn’t have been more pleased with herself. She should’ve tried this tactic in the first place! Who would’ve really thought Luc would be so accommodating just because she was carrying his child? She counted on his support, certainly, but he was seriously ready to hop in his car and race right over!

Still smiling, she reached for the phone as the punch of a nail gun echoed through the foyer and into the living room. She scowled in the general direction of the noise. Now just how long does it take to throw down some new flooring and splash a fresh coat of paint? Hell, the furniture store had been ready to deliver almost immediately, but had to wait for those assholes to get off their asses and get the job done.

The sound of a miter saw squealed through the air and had Payten storming over to close the French doors, the only separation to be had between her and that damn racket. The scent of freshly cut wood hung in the air, and it reminded her of one major milestone the workers had actually accomplished—at least it didn’t smell like a crispy critter in the house anymore. She never thought they’d get that fucking smell out!

“Oh, shit,” she muttered, fanning her fingers out in front of her. “I broke a nail. Like I have time for this.”

She sighed as she flipped through her day planner, then picked up the phone.

“Yes, hello,” she said to a nasal-sounding receptionist. “My name is Payten Carmichael and I’d like to make an appointment to be artificially inseminated.”

She drummed her fingers on the table as she listened to the useless woman’s song and dance about how far out their schedules were booked, and what the appointment would all entail. Blah, blah, blah.

“Listen, Mary, was it? I’m in a bit of a hurry, and money really is no object. Now, why don’t you connect me to your office manager and I’ll discuss the matter with him or her. Thank you so much.”

*****

Luc slammed the receiver down and spun around to glare at Conrad, sitting in a booth filling ketchup bottles on the other side of the bar.

“Don’t snarl at me, man,” Conrad said. “I’m not the one who won’t take your calls.”

“Two weeks it’s been! Shit, I know she’s pissed, but this is getting out of fucking hand.” He grabbed his beer off the bar and took a swig off it. “I mean, hell, obviously this isn’t an ideal situation, but we can handle it.”

“Not ideal?”

“All right, so it fucking sucks, but now is not the time to overreact!” Luc slammed his beer down, and braced his arms on the edge of the bar. “Okay, okay. Shit. So, she needs some time. I can do that. I can give her space.”

“Yeah. I don’t think you really have any other choice though, huh?”

“Shut the hell up,” Luc snapped just as Lizbeth walked in.

“Hey, gorgeous,” Conrad said, tipping his head up to give her a kiss.

“I’m heading up to the apartment. Give a holler if you need help with anything.” Lizbeth straightened and locked eyes on Luc before walking up to the bar. Once she got there, she smacked a set of keys in front of him.

“What’re those?”

“What the hell do they look like, slick?”

The anger ignited deep down. “They’re hers, aren’t they?”

“You’re not as stupid as you look.”

“Lizbeth.” Conrad’s tone had an edge of censure to it. Good for him!

“What?!” Lizbeth snapped back, steel eyes cold and hard.

“Nothing.”

“Coward,” Luc muttered, fisting the keys off the bar. “If she thinks I’m giving her fucking keys back, she’s got another thing coming.”

“No need. You keep ‘em.” With a sneer, she reached over and patted his chest.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He grabbed her arm as she turned away.

Conrad jumped to his feet, but Lizbeth held up her hand to stop him. After a moment, she looked pointedly at Luc’s grip and he reluctantly let go.

“She moved.”

“Where?” Luc demanded.

“Around. Why do you think she moved, you fucking moron?”

“No way! You’re not pinning that one on me. She was looking for a place before the shit hit the fan.”

“Yeah, but why do you think you’re not finding out about it until now? And from me, no less. She’s serious about getting you out of her damn life.”

“She’s just pissed. She’ll get over it.”

“Bullshit.”

A touch of panic mixed with the anger, adding fuel to his defenses. “She can’t fucking expect me to abandon—”

“Oh, shut the hell up and think about it. One, Robbie would never ask you to do that, and two, in this particular situation, who abandoned who?”

Luc opened his mouth to protest, but snapped it shut. She fucking walked away from him! Didn’t she?

“You selfish asshole. That never even occurred to you, did it?”

He shook his head as he thought it through. “No. I didn’t abandon her, and I didn’t fucking leave her for Payten either—which is what she’s acting like I did! If anything, she left me because of all this.”

Lizbeth stuck a hip out and propped her palm on it. “Let me ask you this. How often do you see Payten now?”

He immediately got his back up. “She’s pregnant. She needs my help.”

“Pregnant doesn’t mean inept. You don’t have to dote on the woman. Unless she’s on bed rest or as big as a house, she’s quite capable of taking care of herself.”

“I’m not doting on her. I’m just making sure my kid is taken care of.”

Her posture eased back into a more relaxed stance. “Ya know, Luc, I admire your dedication, but you really are some kind of idiot.”

He noted her more casual stance, and chose to ignore the dig. “So…you gonna tell me where she moved to then?”

Lizbeth scoffed. “Oh, hell no!” Shaking her head, she stormed off toward the apartment.

Luc’s shoulders heaved as he looked over at Conrad who had nothing to add other than a shrug.

“You don’t have any idea where she moved to, do you?” Luc asked him.

“Nope.”

“Then what the hell good are you?” He snatched his beer and then muttered before taking a pull off it. “Useless.”

Conrad chuckled, twisting the top on another ketchup bottle. “Hey, man, didn’t you say you had an appointment this afternoon?”

“Oh, shit. Yeah.” Luc glanced at the clock. “Doctor’s appointment.”

“You sick or something?”

“No. I have to give a hair sample or something. You remember how I was all fucked up that one night? Well, the doctor said it sounds like I was tripping out or some shit, so he did a blood test. Only it came back negative, so now they want to do a hair test…I forget what it’s called. He figured working in a bar there’s a risks of someone spiking my beer.” He walked around the bar and headed towards the door. “Something to think about though. Don’t leave your drinks unattended, and tell Lizbeth the same.”

“You’re coming back, right?”

“Yeah,” Luc said, pausing with the door half open. “I might swing by Robbie’s place. Maybe give the L’s a call.”

“Robbie’s not there anymore,” Conrad pointed out.

Luc shrugged. “I just want to check it out for myself.”

*****

“I almost ran into Luc today,” Robbie said quietly, pulling more plates out of a box.

“What?” Lizbeth exclaimed. “Where?”

“I was heading back to the museum and saw him leaving his doctor’s office.”

“Did he see you?”

“For a minute I thought he did, but I ducked into a bookstore. I lost sight of him after that. Or he lost sight of me. Whatever…I didn’t see him again.” She shoved the plates in the cabinet and stared down at the next box. She really didn’t have the energy to tackle more.

“You okay, Rob?”

“I just can’t do it anymore, Lizbeth. I feel like I’m dying inside.”

Lizbeth brushed her hands off as she walked over. “Maybe you should just call him. I mean, he wasn’t too much of an asshole when I talked to him, and he really did seem concerned about you.”

“No. I can’t even begin to imagine being in his life when Payten’s right there, too.”

“You know he’s not with her, right? He still has his place, she still has hers.” Lizbeth put an arm around her shoulders. “I really think she’s using all she has on him though. He’s totally devoted to her care and every fucking whim. She’s playing it up bad.”

“Manipulative bitch,” Robbie grumbled. “A part of me feels bad for him, and another part thinks he deserves it. But there’s no part of me that wants to sit back and watch.” She glanced around at the mess in the kitchen and sighed. “I have to try and get this done before I go. I can’t leave it like this.”

When Lizbeth gave her a curious look, Robbie realized her mistake and cringed.

“Where are you going?”

“A trip. I leave late tonight. I didn’t wanna tell you until the last minute.”

“Why not?”

“‘Cause I don’t want Luc to know, and I didn’t want to put you in a position to where you’d have to lie to Conrad.”

“Don’t be a moron,” Lizbeth huffed. “I wouldn’t tell Conrad, and I don’t have to lie, either. I’ll be straight and say I don’t trust his ass not to tell Luc.”

Robbie smiled and snorted a laugh. “Fair enough. I just have to get away from all this for awhile. Get some distance, maybe a little perspective.”

“What about your job at the museum. You don’t want to give that up.”

“I won’t be. The trip is through the museum. I volunteered to go to a dig in Florida to learn about proper cataloging of artifacts. From there I’m going to South America to study the recovery and preservation of Mayan relics.” She grabbed at another box and dragged it in front of her. “I figured in Florida I’ll shoot over and stay at the L’s for a few days of quiet before I dive into work. They won’t be there, but it’ll be fine.”

“Why won’t they be there? Oh, wait. They’re going on that cruise, right?”

“Yeah. They leave tonight, too. They’re driving down to the Keys and the boat launches tomorrow. I haven’t told them I’m coming yet, but they shouldn’t mind. I have a key, so…”

Lizbeth looked knowingly at her. “You didn’t want them to tell Luc, huh? That’s why with the big secret.”

“I know, I’m being childish. But I know Luc, and if he catches wind of where I am, he’ll hound me.”

“I get it.” Lizbeth stood and took a survey of the area for herself. “How about this? I’ll go get us a couple of coffees, and we’ll hit this like a couple of caffeinated tornados.”

She giggled. “That doesn’t even make any sense.”

“Regardless, you get my meaning. You up for coffee?”

“You are a god, and you should be worshiped.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

*****

Feeling punchy after his doctor’s appointment, Luc decided to go home and call the L’s. Whenever he needed a second ear—the first having always been Robbie—he knew he could count on Leah and Lawson.

“She didn’t even tell me where she moved to. Hell, she didn’t even tell me she moved.”

“I think she’s trying to figure things out,” Leah said gently. “Same as you.”

“You’ve talked to her then?”

“Yeah. When she called about the new job.”

“What new job?”

“Oh…she didn’t tell you? That’s strange. She was so excited…”

“She got the museum position,” he deduced, smiling despite his frustration. Then he sighed. He would’ve loved to have heard it from Robbie herself. “She won’t talk to me, Leah. For two weeks now, nothing. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

“I’m not sure what to tell you, Luc. I know this was a bit of a shock to her, especially coming on the tail of what else you’ve been through.”

“Leah, listen to me. Listen to my voice. You know me almost as well as Robbie does. I love her. I am in love with her. Now, do I sound like someone trying to hurt her?”

“Of course not, sweetie. But you already have. You need to give her space to heal. After she has her feet back under her, then you can follow your heart and see where it leads you.”

Luc let her words sink in and, regretfully, agreed with her. If Robbie needed space, he’d give her space. And if being with him wasn’t what made her happy, then she shouldn’t be with him. He’d have to let her go—even though the thought of losing her made him want to fucking puke.

“Hold on, sweetie,” Leah said. “Lawson wants to talk to you.”

“Alright. Oh, hey…have fun on your cruise.”

“Thanks. We will. Love you.”

He heard a rustling as the phone was being passed off.

“Luc, my boy. You hanging in there?”

Luc smiled, appreciative to have such great parents in his life. And then he explained everything to Lawson, in much the same way he had with Leah—albeit with more colorful language, and much more aggression, best-suited to a conversation between two men.

“You’ll do what’s right.” Lawson said after a pause. “I have no doubt. Just follow your gut, son.”

It was the son reference that gave Luc pause, and then he quickly, but politely, got off the phone to follow his train of thought.

Lawson was a father to him, even though he wasn’t blood, he was a father to him. Luc knew he could call Lawson at any fucking hour of the day, for any reason, and he’d never be turned away. He could ask Lawson for any damn thing in the world, and if the man had it to give, he’d hand it over. Even living hundreds of miles away for the past six years, Lawson was no less a father to him than if he lived right fucking there in Vermont.

It suddenly occurred to Luc what Robbie had been talking about—what should’ve been obvious to him. He didn’t have to be in Payten’s life to be a good father. He didn’t have to see her every day to prove he loved his kid, or to be in the kid’s life. What mattered was the time he spent with his kid—the time him and Robbie could spend with his kid. What mattered was always being there for the kid, not for Payten.

Well, Jesus fucking Christ.

Luc grabbed his keys and strode out the door. Payten’s first, then Robbie’s. No. This time, he didn’t want to wait. Robbie first, then Payten.

*****

As he weaved in and out of traffic on the way to the museum, he thought about what to say. What the hell could he say?! I’m sorry…again. I love you so much…again. Shit. He knew she wouldn’t want to hear any of that, and he couldn’t blame her. Okay, so he’d just tell her what he figured out and that she was right. And then tell her he wanted to be with her, but understood she needed time. Then he’d have to just wait and see what decision she made.

Crawling amongst the other cars, Luc wondered how he was going to find her at work. That place was fucking huge. He figured he could just wait and watch for her, but that felt a little stalker-ish and he didn’t think he’d have the damn patience anyway.

He glanced to the side and saw Payten stroll out of what looked like a doctor’s office. Curious, he jerked the wheel to the side and parked at the curb. Payten told him she didn’t have any doctor’s appointments for a few weeks yet. Squinting against the sun sitting low in the sky, he finally made out the name on the building. It was a clinic of some sort, but it was the picture of a woman cradling a baby that was a dead giveaway.

He waited until Payten pulled out of the lot and turned down the street before hopping out of his truck. He didn’t know what she could possibly be hiding from him, but he was going to find out.

One look at the stern-looking nurse behind the counter had him deciding his plan of attack.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he said with a smile. “I was supposed to meet my girl, and I was running late as usual. I really don’t know how she puts up with me. Anyhow, I was wondering if I could join her in the back? Her name’s Payten Carmichael. Lovely woman, blond hair, blue eyes.”

“Yes, she was here. But I’m afraid you just missed her, Mr. Carmichael.”

Luc didn’t bother to correct the name and instead used it to his advantage. “Oh, God. Could I be a worse husband?” he asked, rhetorically. “I assume she saw the doctor.”

“They already went over the results.”

He leaned closer. “And?”

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you. Doctor-patient confidentiality. You understand, of course.”

“Of course.” Luc nodded, trying to look sheepish as he lowered his voice. “But if the news is bad… I don’t want her to have to go through that.”

The nurse’s expression softened as she considered him, and then she leaned forward as well. “The results came back…”

“Yes?”

“I’m afraid your wife is infertile.”

Luc stared at her with his mouth hanging open, thoroughly stunned.

“I’m sorry,” the nurse said, regret clear in her tone.

“So…no chance of pregnancy,” Luc murmured.

“No, Mr. Carmichael.”

“None.” He swallowed hard. “Whatsoever.”

Her expression became guarded and cold as she pulled back to study him.

Luc quickly dropped his face in his hands. “She must be destroyed. She wants children so bad. God, what she must be feeling.”

The nurse’s voice was soft, and a glance in her direction showed the skepticism had fled. “There are other options. The doctor went over them with her.”

He nodded numbly, an action he didn’t have to feign to achieve. What the fucking hell?! She wasn’t even pregnant?! That goddamn bitch!

“You should go to her.”

“Yes, yes. You’re absolutely right. We have a lot to talk about.”

*****

Luc didn’t bother knocking when he got to Payten’s—he just barged right in. “Payten!” he hollered from the foyer.

“In here,” she called out.

He strode into the newly-finished office to find her sorting through fabric samples and paint swatches. “I think I found the perfect theme for the nursery,” she gushed, holding up some pictures. “You have to take a look at these. They’re fabulous!”

“Cut the crap, Payten.”

She froze as a hardness he’d never noticed before crept into her features. “You’re cranky.” Tossing the pictures on the table, she turned toward him with her arms crossed. “I don’t think you’re getting enough sleep. Once the baby comes, we’ll have to talk about your hours at the bar. It might be time to sell it. You’ll be needed here, at home.”

Luc had to remind himself that first of all, she was a woman, and secondly, she was a lawyer. With those two thoughts in mind, he backed up a couple of steps before talking. “What fucking baby?”

Payten’s eyes popped wide. “Luc, I—”

“Drop it, bitch. I know the goddamn truth.” His tone was flat and calm, belying the rage under the surface, but knowing this was a safer route to take.

“You can’t talk to me like that. I’m the mother of your child. I deserve some respect.”

His hands fisted as he took a step forward. “You fucking bitch! I went to your doctor’s office. I know you can’t have kids!”

Her hand flew to her mouth. “That’s a lie. I miscarried…” He saw how hard she was biting on her lip, and wasn’t surprised to see the tears that followed. “I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

“Oh, fuck off, you manipulative piece of shit!” He took another step forward, his whole frame vibrating. “I’m walking out that fucking door, and I don’t want to see you anywhere near me or anyone else I know. If I fucking even think I see a strand of your bleach blond hair in my vicinity, I will make your life a living fucking hell! Do I make myself clear?!”

She stared at him, a mixture of emotions presenting across her features.

“Do I?!” he roared, his voice booming through the air.

She flinched, but then sneered. “Crystal.”

*****

Luc wanted to call Robbie right after he found out the truth, but it took him a couple of days to not spew forth a string of profanities at the mere thought of that blonde bitch, Payten. Besides, he wanted to make sure she stayed away first, and so far, she had.

He was still planning on giving Robbie the space she needed, but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t give her the facts. She’d been just as affected by all this shit as he was—she deserved to know. Finding Robbie, however, proved harder than he’d thought it would be.

Sitting in the office at Hooligan’s, Luc mulled over the information he’d received when he called the museum. Or, actually, the lack thereof. She left on an assignment. That was all they would tell him. Well, that was fucking helpful.

The sound of Lizbeth and Conrad’s voices in the empty bar had Luc jumping to his feet, and darting through the door.

“Lizbeth,” he called out, stopping the couple by the main door. “I need to get a hold of Robbie.”

“Isn’t that just tough shit for you? What do you need her for?”

Luc averted his eyes in embarrassment. There was no fucking way he wanted to admit to her that he’d been swindled by some bimbo. Besides, Robbie deserved to know the truth first. “I’ve got something important to talk to her about.”

She raised a brow.

“It’s private,” he clarified.

“Either you tell me and I pass it on, or you’re shit out of luck, slick.”

“Lizbeth, he said—” Conrad began, but cut off when she shot him a glare.

“Look. She doesn’t want him to know, and I’m respecting her wishes. If the two of you don’t like it, then you can both go to hell.” With that she shoved through the door, and let it slam behind her.

“Well, shit,” Conrad huffed.

Luc felt guilty—he didn’t want to get between them again. “Go after her, man. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out.”

Conrad nodded before ducking out the door. Just as Luc was about to call the L’s, another possible source of information, his cell phone rang.

“Luc Cintrone, please.”

Luc didn’t recognize the voice. “Speaking.”

“This is Dr. Gales office calling about the results of your hair strand test. The doctor would like you to come in for a consult.”

“Can’t you just give me the results over the phone?”

“I could, sir. But the doctor would still like to speak with you in person.”

“Fine. What did the test say?” He heard the rustling of papers on the other end.

“You tested positive for Rohypnol, ketamine and MDMA. They were ingested fairly recently, too. The doctor will discuss that with you, along with the short- and long-term effects.”

“What the hell are those? I’ve never even heard of them.”

“You may know them better by their street names: The date rape drug, Special K, and Ecstasy. Did you willingly consume any of these drugs?”

“Of course not! One of them I’ve never even heard of. What do they do?”

“The doctor can give you more details than I can, but Rohypnol is a benzodiazepine, ketamine is a hallucinogen, and MDMA acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic. Ecstasy has actually been known to trigger effects for weeks afterwards, several of which are psychological.”

“Great,” Luc mumbled, pulling his hand through his hair. This was all he needed on top of everything else.

“Can I schedule an appointment for you this afternoon?”

“Yeah. Whenever. I’m wide open. Wait. What about the STD test I had him run.”

More rustling of papers. “That came back negative.”

At least he had one thing going for him.

*****

“So you two haven’t had any weird mood swings, or blackouts, or anything?” Luc asked as him, Conrad and Lizbeth sat around Conrad’s kitchen table.

“I haven’t. Have you, gorgeous?”

She shrugged, then winked. “No more than usual.”

Luc half-smiled at her joke. “Lizbeth, do me a favor? Make sure Robbie knows about this, okay? Make sure she’s all right.”

Lizbeth nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

“Thanks.” Luc pushed away from the table and looked at Conrad. “You sure you got things covered for a few days?”

“You bet. Lizbeth agreed to help out, too.”

“How long you gonna be gone?” she asked.

“Three days, tops. I’m going up to the mountains. Gotta clear my head.” He still hadn’t bothered to tell them why, and was content to let them think it was because of this whole drug business.

“Think the cops will figure out who did it?” Conrad wondered out loud.

“Who knows. They said they’d stop by for a statement later in the week.”

“Don’t forget to tell Payten you’re leaving. I don’t want her nagging us for three days.” Lizbeth scowled at the idea.

“You won’t need to deal with her,” Luc said, catching Lizbeth’s curious expression as he turned towards the door. “I’m gonna call the L’s before I split, then I’m outta here. See you in a few.”

*****

Robbie sighed as she hit the play button on the answering machine again. She knew she should feel guilty for listening to the L’s message, but she had already heard it when it had been recorded a few days ago.

Hey, Leah. Lawson. I know you’re on your cruise, but I guess I’m kinda hoping you’ll get a chance to check your messages while you’re gone. I wanted to let you know what’s all going on around here. Rob took off on some assignment or something…you might know where. Since I don’t, I haven’t been able to touch base with her. If you talk to her, could you ask her to call me? I gotta fill her in on some shi— Some stuff. Oh, hell. I might as well tell you. After our last talk, I figured out what Rob was all pissed about. That I could be a father to my kid without having to be there for Payten. Of course, Rob could have just told me that… Anyway, I was heading to the museum to find Robbie when I found out Payten wasn’t really pregnant—she played me. Who the hell knows why? Oh, and there’s gonna be an investigation or something over some drugs someone slipped me. I’m figuring it happened at the bar. Conrad and Lizbeth are fine, and Lizbeth is gonna check on Rob. Anyway, I’m taking off for a few days to clear my head—gonna do some hiking in the mountains. If you get this, give me a call on my cell, otherwise I’ll catch you when you get back. Love ya, guys.

Luc’s voice sounded so distant, so sad. That culminating with the fact she missed him something fierce and empathized with what he was going through, had her wondering what she should do…if anything at all.

The phone ringing brought Robbie out of her contemplations, and she nearly answered out of habit before stopping herself. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was no one she knew, and let the machine pick up instead.

This is Sam Tombs calling for Lawson Selwyn regarding the Colin Byrne investigation. If you could please give me a call at your—

Robbie snatched the phone, fumbling it before shoving it at her ear. “Hello?”

She heard the man clear his throat. “Yes. Is Lawson Selwyn available?”

“No. He’s out of town right now. What is this about Colin?”

The silence was brief. “I apologize. I was told this was a secure line, and I could speak freely.”

“You can. Colin is my uncle.”

This time the silence was longer. “May I have your name, please?”

“Robbie Byrne. The L’s— I mean, Leah and Lawson are…were…my foster parents.”

“Have you spoken with Mr. Byrne recently?”

“No. Actually, I’ve been kinda worried ‘cause I haven’t heard from Colin. Why are you calling Lawson about him? Who are you?”

“I’m a private investigator.” He paused. “Mr. Selwyn did list you as a possible contact, but I never thought I’d need to. I apologize if I seem caught off guard. Your foster father hired me to verify your uncle was who he said he was.”

“He did what?! I can’t believe—”

“He was correct in doing so, Ms. Byrne.”

“What do you mean?”

“The man is not who he claims to be. It seems he was hired to play the part of Colin Byrne. His true identity is Richard Hawstone.”

Robbie was stunned into silence. It was a full minute or two before the man spoke.

“Are you still there?”

She mumbled a response.

“I imagine this is a shock for you.”

“Talk about the understatement of the year,” she muttered. “Who the hell hired him? Why did they hire him? What the hell is going on?!”

“I was unable to make contact with Colin Byrne myself. By the time I deduced he was hired for the role, he’d disappeared. I was very discreet in my research, but I imagine somehow he caught wind of the investigation. As to who hired him—does the name Kate Wiles ring any bells?”

Robbie thought about it. “Not at all.”

“How about Payten Carmichael?”

“Sonofabitch!”

*****

“Wait, Robbie. Calm down. What did he say?” Lizbeth grabbed Conrad’s arm, nearly in a panic herself from the sound of Robbie’s tone.

“Colin isn’t even my damn uncle! That bitch Payten hired him! Probably to get me out of the way so she could sink her fucking hooks into Luc! Shit. Luc! I have to get a hold of him.”

Lizbeth’s mind was racing to keep up. “He’s in the mountains. Last we heard, he’s heading home tomorrow. Are you positive about all this, Rob?”

“Yeah. The L’s had hired a PI to check out Colin—thank God they did! Jesus, Lizbeth. What else did that bitch pull? First this, then the fake pregnancy. I mean, who does that?!”

Lizbeth’s shoulders jerked back. “What fake pregnancy? She’s not pregnant?!”

“No. Luc called and left a message on the L’s machine saying she faked it.” Robbie sniffled, then huffed a breath. “She played us. She played all of us.”

“That bitch is going down. I don’t give a shit if she’s lawyer. No one should be able to pull this kind of shit and get away with it.”

“My thoughts exactly! Look, I’m coming home. I’m packing my stuff right now. Try to get a hold of Luc and tell him what’s going on. I’ll keep trying, too.”

“Do you want me to call the cops or something?”

“Not yet. First, I’d like to have a word with that bitch.”

*****

“Payten. It’s Kate.”

“Yes, Kate. I assume you received your…retainer?” Payten leaned back in her chair.

“Yeah, I did. And I did as you requested. Got a hit, too. Apparently the Selwyn’s hired their own PI and he found out about Richard. Not only that, he knows about me and you.”

“Shit.”

“Robbie Byrne’s on her way home now. You’re her first stop. Just wanted to give you a heads up before I jet.”

“And where do you think you’re going?” Payten asked, drumming her fingers on the ink blotter in front of her.

“I’m laying low until things blow over.”

“Coward.”

“It’s called self-preservation. You’d better start thinking about covering your own ass, too.”

“Already done. Take care, Kate.”

Payten crossed her legs as she slowly twisted back and forth in her chair, taking stock of her surroundings. “So this is where it ends,” she murmured, her lips curling in satisfaction. “It’ll be perfect.”

Chapter 16

Luc came home first thing the next morning, and dove right into the weekly inventory. He knew it’d be best if he kept himself busy. Three days in complete and utter solitude had leveled him out enough to feel steady, but if he sat around doing nothing, he was bound to get fucking twitchy again.

A knock at Hooligan’s door pulled him from his thoughts and he went to see who it was. He looked at the medium-built man in the dreary suit for two seconds before deciding he was a cop.

“Detective,” he said absently, holding the door open for the man to enter.

“Detective Merrill. How’d you know?” he man asked, amused.

“Are you kidding? You scream cop.” Luc walked back behind the bar, picking up where he left off with the inventory.

“Why not Sargeant then, or Officer?”

“Because you’re wearing a suit. I’m curious though…since when does a detective follow up on a drug report?”

“Excuse me?” he asked, pulling a notebook from his pocket.

“Aren’t you here about all the drug shit?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. Fill me in.”

Luc shrugged. “Someone’s been slipping shit into my drinks. It’s been reported, so I thought that’s why you were here.”

“No. I came on another matter.”

“What can I do for you?” Luc asked, tucking a couple boxes of cocktail straws back under the bar.

“It’s my understanding you’re dating a Payten Carmichael. Is that correct?”

Luc looked up as he shoved his hand in his pocket. His fingers immediately curled around the engagement ring he’d bought for Robbie. Since he’d gone to the mountains, he had taken to carrying it around with him. It was probably a chick-thing to do, but he didn’t give a shit—it calmed him, made him feel close to Rob.

“That is not correct. Why do you ask?”

“You are aware her father died, yes?”

“Yeah. We were together at that point, but broke up shortly after the funeral.”

“What can you tell me about her?”

“She’s a fucking psychotic bitch, that’s what I can tell you.”

Detective Merrill’s face lifted with surprise. “Seems a bit extreme for a spurned ex-boyfriend. Care to elaborate on that?”

“I cut off all ties when she lied about being pregnant. That bitch played me.”

“Seems she might have done more than that.”

“Like what?”

“We suspect foul play in her father’s death. I’m the investigating officer on the case.” It was obvious the detective was watching for his reaction.

“What the fuck? Are you serious? I thought a fire got him.”

“It was, but first it was blunt force trauma to the head.”

“No shit?”

“A bookcase had fallen on him. Given, there had all kinds of marble bookends and whatnot, but that feels a little too convenient to me. Couple that with a bottle of brandy spilling just right to splash toward the fireplace?” He shrugged. “It could have played out like that, but not likely.”

“That bitch is even more psycho than I thought,” Luc muttered, bracing his arms against the bar.

“I could be wrong, mind you. It’s all guess work at this point, but I wanted to get your insight on her. Apparently, you don’t see this murder scenario as too farfetched.”

Before Luc could answer, Lizbeth came wandering into the bar from the back. “Conrad asked me to help out with inventory.” Her eyes came to rest on the detective, then traveled to his badge, now visible with the way his jacket hung open. “Oh, a Mr. McCutie cop. What did Luc do now?” She giggled as she snatched up Luc’s clipboard.

“He’s here about Payten,” Luc said with a scowl.

“Oh, good. Robbie got a hold of you. Can you believe that bitch?”

“Whoa,” Luc said, his whole frame tensing. “What about Rob?”

“All that shit with Colin.” She glanced at the detective. “I didn’t think she could get arrested for it, but shit…I’ll take it. I just hope Robbie gets her licks in before you pick her up.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Luc demanded.

Lizbeth looked to each man’s expression. “Oh, God, you don’t know. I thought for sure she’d get a hold of you. Colin wasn’t her uncle. Payten hired him to get Robbie out of the way.”

“Are you sure about this, ma’am?” Detective Merrill asked, jotting some notes in his notebook.

“Yeah.” She turned to Luc. “The L’s hired a PI to investigate Colin. He told Robbie what he found out. Luc, she was so fucking pissed. I’d almost feel sorry for that bitch Payten if I didn’t already hate her so much.”

“Feel sorry…? Hold up. You said something about Robbie getting her licks in?”

“Yeah. She’s probably over there right now confronting the bitch.” Lizbeth folded her arms across her chest. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about Payten?!”

Luc’s wide eyes landed on the detective. “If she killed her father, there’s no telling what she’d do to Robbie.”

Detective Merrill pulled his keys out of his pocket and raced towards the door. Luc was right on his heels with Lizbeth yelling behind them.

“You can’t go,” the detective barked as he ran to his car. “Stay here. I’ll call you,”

“I can go with you, or I can go on my fucking own. Either way, I’m there.”

“Get in the back.”

Luc jumped into the back of the car on a curse. Detective Merrill grabbed the CB to call for backup as he squealed away from the curb.

Luc fished out his cell phone and went to punch in Robbie’s number before he remembered she’d changed it. “Fuckin’ A,” he muttered, then called Payten’s.

There was no answer.

*****

Robbie was a ball of throbbing fury by the time she leapt out of her car and stomped to Payten’s door. A piece of tape over the doorbell had her pounding an impatient fist on the door instead, and she was pleased when it swung open under the force of her knock.

“Payten?!” Robbie yelled, knowing full well she was home—Payten’s car was in the driveway.

“Robbie?” She sounded pleasantly surprised. “Please, come in. I’m in the office—second door on your right.”

Robbie scowled at the nerve of that bitch, and stormed in without a second thought.

The minute she stepped into the dimly-lit room, the stereo assaulted her ears with the melody of ‘Kashmir’. Her breath caught and held as her muscles locked up. Fighting the roaring in her head, Robbie struggled to fill her lungs with oxygen. She made a wheezing sound, her heart thundering, and for a moment all she could do was hold onto the edges of consciousness. But, suddenly, cutting through the din, was a sharp jab in her neck. Heat radiated from the pinprick of pressure, then raced down her shoulder.

Her legs felt like wet noodles as she slumped to the floor, falling into a pile. She rolled on her side as the music cut off.

“Well. That was certainly easier than I thought it’d be.”

Robbie shifted her gaze to look at Payten. She had a satisfied smile as she tapped the stereo remote against her thigh.

“Wha—” Robbie swallowed thickly. Her mouth felt like it was filled with sand.

“I imagine it’ll be hard for you to speak, so you needn’t bother trying. Besides, I can’t think of a single thing you’d have to say that I would actually want to hear.”

Robbie fought to make her tongue cooperate and found if she worked at it, she could speak. “I know what you did to me.”

Payten’s eyebrows arched as she brought a hypodermic needle up for her inspection. “Really? I was told this drug was still in the experimental stages.”

“Colin,” Robbie clarified.

“Oh, that.” Payten tossed the needle on her desk and leaned a hip against it. “Yes, well. You do what you need to in the name of love.”

“Love?”

Payten’s eyes narrowed. “You have only yourself to blame for all this, Robbie. I told you Luc was mine, but you continually failed to realize the truth of it all.” She spread her hands out in front of her. “And to think I had tried to help you, to do you a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yes,” Payten snapped. “Richard was a gift to you when I discovered your real family had died years ago. He was the perfect choice in that he was at least partially genuine. You see, he’d grown up with your father, so at least the stories of your father’s childhood rang true. He was resistant to the idea of portraying Colin at first, but he needed the money more than a clean conscience. Turns out, that wasn’t enough. Richard had become quite fond of you, and had decided to tell you the truth. I just couldn’t let that happen.”

“What did you do?” Robbie breathed, trying to move her heavy limbs.

“Don’t concern yourself. He proved useful, in his own way, when he was cooperating. How’d you think I knew when you were coming back, so I could conveniently be at Luc’s place when you did? How’d you think you came into the inheritance money funding your new life away from my man?” Payten crossed her arms as she studied Robbie. “I do wonder though, what is it about you that gets these men all keyed up about you? It’s a shame I don’t have enough time to learn your secret. Although, I suppose, in the end it has done you no good. You cost Colin his life when he tried to protect you, you gave your own life for trying to take what’s mine, and if Luc doesn’t fall into line, you’ll cost him his life as well.”

“No,” Robbie whimpered, screaming inside to move a leg, an arm. Anything!

“Oh, don’t you worry about Luc. I imagine he’ll come back in no time. After all, he’ll need to lean on to someone after your tragic suicide. Sure, it might destroy him, but you know what they say: You always hurt the ones you love.” She gestured vaguely at Robbie. “You’d know about that, wouldn’t you?”

“I wouldn’t—I won’t…”

Payten sneered as she taunted. “What could I do? I just walked in and found you had bled out all over my floor. I tried to resuscitate you, but you were already gone. And I’ll have your blood on my hands, evidence that I tried to help. I’m a highly skilled actress when I need to be. Always have been—even at the tender age of seven when my mother plummeted to her untimely death. Everyone felt so sorry for me—a child crying and screaming for her mother as gray matter oozed from her crushed skull. My father was beside himself as he tried to comfort me. It was easy to manipulate him—the man was a fool. But he gave me everything I ever wanted in life…including Luc.”

“You killed your own father?”

“Just like my mother, it served a purpose, and therefore, suited my needs. Besides, the man had outlived his usefulness. There wasn’t a thing he could provide me that I couldn’t gain for myself now. Except Luc, as it turned out.” She smiled as she mused, “It was about time my father proved useful again.”

The phone ringing had Payten glancing away, but she didn’t bother to pick it up.

“Don’t hurt him,” Robbie mumbled, feeling the fatigue washing through.

“Who? Luc? Only if he denies me again, but there are ways around that. He resisted me in the past, but I made him fall in line.” She smoothed back her hair and glanced at her watch. “Ya know, I heard from Luc that you have a thing for little-known-facts. I bet I have some for you: Did you know that Rohypnol, in small doses, can cause someone to lose their inhibitions without knocking them out? Ketamine’s pretty handy, too—it can make someone mellow and relaxed, more open to suggestion… Unfortunately,” she added with a sour expression, “it can make you very depressed as well. Ecstasy…well, we all know what that one can do.”

“You had to…drug him…to have sex with you? Pathetic.”

“Pretty ballsy for someone about to die,” Payten said, pulling a scalpel out of her desk drawer. “I believe an anthropologist would have access to these at work, correct?”

Robbie tried to struggle when Payten bent over her, but her body didn’t move an inch. She pulled Robbie’s arms out from her side and rolled her on her back. When she was satisfied with the positioning, she moved in.

Robbie felt the bit of the knife despite the odd paralyzing of her limbs, and then the shooting pain as Payten dragged the scalpel down, cutting her vein open lengthwise.

“An anthropologist would also know the right way to do this. It’ll show you meant business. Don’t worry. You’ll go fast. Faster than you deserve, no doubt.” She glanced at Robbie’s face, then grimaced when she noticed Robbie’s hand twitch. “And not a moment too soon, apparently. It seems the drug is starting to wear off. Thank goodness they’d have no reason to test your blood,” she muttered under her breath. She shot Robbie a smile. “Not that they’d know what they found if they did.”

Robbie’s mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Payten leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I always get what I want, Robbie. I don’t care who gets in my way. That’s why I always win.”

*****

Traffic had them slowing and Luc’s anxiety kicked up. Grabbing the metal mesh between them, he shouted, “Can’t you go any fucking faster?!”

“Shut it, sit back, and buckle up!”

“Fuck you! Get me to Rob!”

“I’m trying,” the detective murmured, weaving through traffic.

“Shit! She’s not answering her phone! Hurry up!”

When they raced up Payten’s driveway, Luc’s heart jumped into his chest as he spotted Robbie’s car. “Get me the fuck out of here,” he demanded, shoving at the locked door.

“I go first, or you don’t get out.”

“Fine.” He flew out of the backseat, and straight into Payten’s house with the detective cursing behind him.

*****

The phone ringing brought Payten to her feet, but again, she didn’t answer it. She simply locked onto Robbie’s gaze as she leaned back and waited for her to bleed out.

Robbie didn’t know how long it had been, but she could actually feel the life draining out of her. The pleas running through her head went unspoken, the curses and anger went unexpressed. She could only hope and pray no one else would be hurt by this bitch.

Instead of saying her goodbyes to those she loved, questions raced through her head: Would the L’s be in danger now? Would Luc ever find out the truth? And then she heard Luc, calling her name. It was faint and echoed, as if sounding through a long concrete tunnel. She tried to chase his voice, but she couldn’t hold on as it wavered in and out.

Everything faded to black.

*****

Luc couldn’t fucking believe what he was seeing as he slid through Rob’s blood on his knees. He grabbed onto her wrists, but it kept coming. “Robbie! Godammit, Rob! You wake up right now! Merrill, call an ambulance!”

“Let her go, Luc. Just back away.”

Luc looked up to see Payten aiming a gun at him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Merrill pull his piece.

“Freeze, Payten. Put the gun down. You don’t want to do any more damage.”

She shook her head. “If I can’t have him, then no one will.”

Robbie shifted in Luc’s arms, drawing his attention. “Robbie! Come on, babe. Come on. Hold on for me.”

He faintly heard the click as Payten cocked her gun. He looked up in time to see a bullet explode through her chest, spraying a mist of blood onto the window behind her.

“Jesus,” Merrill muttered, keeping his gun on Payten and pulled the trigger again as she swung her weapon toward him.

Her body fell straight back, her gun skidding across the floor.

Merrill grabbed a radio out of his pocket and called for an ambulance as two more cops rushed into the room. One of them raced to Payten’s body, and the other flew at Luc.

The cop took her pulse. Nodding, he looked to Merrill. “It’s weak, but there.”

“They’re on their way.”

Luc stayed glued to Robbie’s side, murmuring encouragements into her ear as the cop did what he could. When the EMTs arrived, he was unceremoniously shoved aside to allow them to work. Merrill grabbed Luc’s arm as the EMTs checked her vitals.

“She’s flat lining,” an EMT barked, grabbing his paddles as the other abandoned the IV he’d started.

“Clear.” Her whole body bounced off the floor.

“Robbie!” Luc moved to rush forward, but Merrill held him firm. He restrained Luc’s arms behind his back when he continued squirming.

“Let them work, Luc!”

“Clear.” Her body convulsed again, flopping limply in the pool of blood surrounding her.

“Jesus Christ! Let me go! Robbie!” Luc thought he was going to go fucking mad, standing by helplessly as she died right before his very eyes. “Don’t you fucking leave me!”

*****

“Luc. You can’t stay here forever. You need to go home and get some rest.”

Luc stared blankly at Leah. “What if she wakes up?”

“Sweetie, she’s not going to wake up from a medically-induced coma.”

“I know that,” he grumbled, taking another drink of his cold coffee. “They’ve been testing her off the ventilator, and her vitals have been stable. I don’t want them to bring her out when I’m not here.”

“We could call you when they decide to try.”

“No.”

“Luc, you need rest.”

“I need to be here for her more than I need sleep.” He leaned his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward in his chair. “The last words we said to each other were in anger, Leah. I have to be here. I need to take care of her, no matter what.”

“I’ve talked to the doctors, Luc. So have you.” She paused to rub his back. “She might wake up with brain damage. Lawson and I could—”

“I said no matter what. I won’t leave her side again.”

“Considering what she’s been through,” Leah said gently, “she may not want you there.”

“Then I’ll convince her she’s wrong. You’ve said as much to me yourself—Rob and I are meant to be together.”

Before Leah could answer, Robbie’s doctor approached to inform them he wanted to take her off the ventilator and extubate her.

“Now?” Luc asked, shooting Leah an accusing glare.

“Yes. You can wait outside in the hallway. We’ll come get you when it’s done.”

*****

Later that night, Luc sat by Robbie’s bed, fiddling with her engagement ring as he propped his elbows onto her mattress. The extubation had gone well, and Robbie had responded, but they had to sedate her when she started having an anxiety attack over being in a hospital.

They wouldn’t let him in. He told them it’d be an issue, but no one fucking listened to him.

As he gazed around the room, knowing she’d have a better reaction when she finally woke up this time. Every flat surface Luc could find had a vase filled with wild flowers, and the space no longer resembled a hospital room. Well, at first glance, anyhow.

“Is that a ring?” Robbie whispered, her voice raspy, cutting into Luc’s thoughts.

“Hey,” he breathed, smoothing her hair back and absently tugged on a lock lying across her shoulder. “How you feeling?”

“Tired.” She swallowed, winced. “My throat hurts.”

“They said it would be sore for awhile.” Luc grabbed a cup with a straw off the bedside table, and held it to her mouth. “Take a sip. Just a little one.”

Robbie did as she was told, her head falling back into the pillow when she was done. After she studied Luc with sleepy eyes, her gaze drifted around the room. “I’m still in the hospital.”

“Yes. But I’m here with you. You’ll be fine.”

She looked at him again. “You did this. The flowers.”

He shrugged, feeling as though he hadn’t done enough. “I thought it would help.”

“Thank you.” Her fingers crept towards his hand, and he took it gently in his. She closed her eyes with a slight smile before opening them again. “You didn’t answer me.”

His brow creased.

“The ring. Is that what I think it is?”

He felt his ears burn as he chuckled. “I was thinking of sliding it on your finger when they had you under. I mean, a girl can’t say no if she’s in a coma.” He shrugged when he saw the humor light up her green eyes. “Seemed a safe bet, anyway.”

“I don’t think I could ever say no to you, coma or not.” She lifted her other hand to cup his cheek, tracing her thumb under his eyes. “You haven’t been sleeping. You look so tired.”

Luc let out a breath. “Robbie…I’m so sorry—”

“Stop. I know what happened. I know what she did to us. She told me.”

“I shouldn’t have—”

“I said stop.” She took a steadying breath. “We’ll get through this. Together.”

Luc dropped his head on her hand, squeezing back the tears of relief.

“Are you going to put that ring on me?” Robbie asked quietly.

Luc’s head snapped up. “You sure?”

Robbie nodded, tears swimming in her eyes.

Luc slid the ring home, then brought her hand to his mouth, kissing each and every knuckle. “I love you, Robbie. I’ll always love you. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make you happy.”

She smiled as the tears finally spilled over. “You already have.”

# # # # #

Now Available…

CONNECTED

a Twists of Fate novella (Book 1)

A rock group’s rhythm guitarist, Rhys Alexander, dies and finds himself bound inside the body of a woman he’s never met. Can she help him move on to the other side, or will he end up finding the love of his life…after his has already ended?

Excerpt:

After a few minutes of digging through her closet, Addison came up with two black dresses. She wanted something simplistic to fit her style, but elegant. Something not too revealing, but feminine; something that would make a man drool but leave enough to the imagination to have him wondering what was hidden underneath.

What are you doing?

“I’m trying to decide which dress to wear.” She chewed on her fingernail as her eyes shifted from one dress to the other.

Wear the one on the right.

Her eyebrows shot up. “You can see them?”

Hell, no. But your inability to make a fucking decision is raking at my nerves.

“So you just picked one at random?”

It’s a decision, isn’t it? It’s not like you’re any closer to one.

She lifted a shoulder in semi-agreement as she eyed the wraparound number on the right.

Worked for her.

She shoved the reject dress back into the closet before she went to dry her hair and throw on some make-up.

Rhys was surprisingly quiet throughout, and then she realized he had closed off their link. Why? She had no idea, but at this point it hardly concerned her. She was just thankful for the quiet.

After fluffing her blonde locks and putting on her face, Addison shrugged out of her robe. She took her time as she picked out some frilly panties and bra—because you just never know—and then wiggled into the dress.

“Oh, boy,” she mumbled, studying herself in the mirror. The dress didn’t leave as much to the imagination as she had hoped. She couldn’t go out like this, could she?

A sly smile crept to her face. Well, maybe…

What’s up, sweetheart?

Aaand the cocky attitude was back.

“Just checking things out. This dress is a bit…revealing. I’m not used to it.”

He chuckled. What? he teased. Can you actually see your knees?

She pulled at the fabric wrapped tight around her chest as her ample breasts kept trying to pop out and say ‘hello,’ and then she tugged fruitlessly at the hem.

“It shows a lot more than that,” she muttered, rethinking if she could leave the house that way or not. After all, it was only a third date, and on top of that, she never truly intended to ever wear that dress; it was a impulse purchase on a day she had felt a helluva lot braver than she did just then.

Jesus, it can’t be that bad. Hell, if any damn flesh is showing, you’d consider it to be too revealing.

“I would not.” Though she probably would.

Don’t get all offended and shit. You showed me your picture, remember? Very proper, very conservative, very non-revealing. I know your type.

“My type. Is that so?” She propped her hands on her hips, her contempt pushing her to prove the stereotyping asshat wrong. “Would you like to see for yourself? Then you can enlighten me with your vast knowledge as to how this dress is too conservative, and fits my type perfectly.”

Snorting a laugh, he encouraged her further. I would love to see your oh-too-sexy dress, sweetheart. Lay it on me. I’ll try to contain myself.

Striking a ridiculously sassy pose that had her giggling, she projected her image from the mirror.

He made a choking sound, and she felt his entire being seize up.

Frustrated, she shut down the image. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

For crissakes, woman, you’re fucking hot in real life! What the hell happened to the prim-and-fucking-proper-working-class girl?!

Suddenly feeling very confident, she tipped her head to the side and studied her image again, being sure Rhys saw it as well.

“I let my hair down, which I’m known to do when I go out. I put in my contacts, which I also do from time-to-time. And I put this on,” she ran her hands down her dress, caressing every curve. “Which, I might add, you picked out. I think you made the right choice, don’t you?” She turned in the mirror, glancing over her shoulder to show the ‘v’ of bare skin slashing down the back.

Addison, baby, you’re killing me. Of all the damn luck; to be stuck in the head of some searing hot babe. He groaned as if in real pain.

She laughed at his dramatics, and closed off the image. “What does it matter what I look like? I’m still me. The irritating woman you fight with constantly.”

Yeah, but before I was getting a rise out of you ‘cause I could.

“And how has that changed?”

His voice shifted low, almost sultry. Now I’m kinda thinking of it as foreplay.

It was her turn to make the choking sound, followed by a wave of heat planting itself firmly in her cheeks. “Oh, please.”

That’s right, baby. Beg.

She couldn’t help but laugh, refusing to take the man seriously. “This is going to be a long night.”

His chuckle joined hers. Count on it.

“You better behave yourself, Rhys.”

To that, he had no response.

About The Author

Jolyn Palliata writes romance for adults and young adults alike, and has dabbled in just about every genre there is (paranormal being her favorite). She lives in the Midwest with her highly patient husband and insanely energetic son. For more information, or to contact Jolyn directly, please visit her website at http://www.JolynPalliata.com or email her at Info.JolynPalliata@gmail.com. She loves the interaction with her readers!