First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

She was still grumbling when she appeared in the little kitchenette a little while later wearing the loose Capri sweats and T he’d set in the bathroom for her.

“You know,” he said, his eyes amused as he looked her up and down, “I don’t recall you being this grumpy in the morning.”

“That’s because waking up for early morning sex is infinitely preferable to being tossed in a cold shower.”

His lips quirked. “You’re not strong enough for early morning sex yet.” His eyes began to glow. “Once a day, baby, till we get you healthy again. Follow the program, keep up with your treatments and we’ll take it from there.”

Once a day? Was he insane? And what the hell was this program he was talking about? She looked at the food he’d laid out on the counter – coffee, soy milk, a banana, and a whole grain muffin with peanut butter. She narrowed her eyes.

“So what are you telling me – if I’m a good girl and do as I’m told you’ll reward me with sex?” she asked facetiously.

“Exactly.” Ian’s eyes glittered.

Lexi had to make a conscious effort to keep her jaw from hitting the floor. “You must be joking.”

“Not even close,” he told her, sliding a paper in front of her. “This is your schedule for today.”

Lexi glanced down, not believing what she saw. Every hour of her day was planned out, including meals, workouts, rest periods, with a few hours allotted for working. “You’re insane,” she said, pushing the paper away. “I’m not doing this.”

“Yes, Lexi, you are.” Ian didn’t raise his voice, but his tone took on an authoritative quality that breached no argument. He pushed the paper back toward her. “And I’ll tell you why you are going to do it.”

Lexi watched, her eyes widening as Ian reached down into his sweats, his arousal obvious as he stroked himself. It was so incredibly erotic she had to tighten her thighs. “Because I need you, Lexi. And I think you need me, too. You’re not the only one who misses early morning sex.”

She swallowed hard, licking her lips. He had no idea just how much she needed him. Or did he? It was both a relief and a disappointment when he tucked himself away and leaned back against the counter.

“What are these numbers?” she asked, noticing the values etched next to the various items on the schedule.

“Weighted point values,” he said, grinning. “Points earn you rewards.”

“Rewards?”

He nodded. “Rewards. Positive reinforcement for good behavior. Be a good girl, Lex, and you will be rewarded, baby.”

“And what exactly are these rewards?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want. Rides on the Harley. Midnight picnics. Sexual favors.” At the mention of the last, she inhaled sharply, making him laugh, though his eyes reflected the same hunger she was sure was in hers.

A soft knock at the door had her reining in her wild thoughts.

“Now who is that at this ungodly hour?” Lexi asked, but Ian didn’t seem surprised in the least. She understood why a few moments later when Shane appeared, looking wide awake in light sweats and a muscle shirt under a black jacket. Without apology, he grabbed her coffee mug and downed the rest of the contents in a single swig.

“Let’s go, Lex.”

Lexi looked questioningly at Ian, expecting him to say something. He didn’t. She started getting a bad feeling in her stomach. “Go where?”

“To the gym.”

Ian grinned. “Meet your new personal trainer, baby.”

“Oh no. Oh hell no.”

“Oh hell yes,” Shane said, his eyes sparkling.

“Ian, do something!” she said helplessly.

Ian ignored her pleas and regarded Shane. “Have her back by eight-thirty. Aidan’s expecting her at nine o’clock.”

“Ian!” she shrieked as Shane grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the door. Ian, however, made no move to come to her aid. He leaned against the counter, one leg crossed casually over the other at the ankle, feet bare, coffee in hand. “You’re not coming?”

“Fuck no,” he said cheerily. “Too goddamned early. I’m going back to bed.”

*

The gym time (an hour of swimming, followed by an introductory yoga class) was followed up by meeting with Aidan over breakfast, then working for a few hours. Ian’s schedule allotted four hours a day to start, which allowed Lexi to make progress on planning the menu, lining up suppliers, and so forth. It was much less than the ten hours a day she had been putting in, but Aidan was just as immovable as Ian when she tried to discuss it with him.

“So, you were in on this, too, I take it.” Lexi sipped her tea – apparently she was only permitted one cup of coffee per day – as Aidan pulled out yet another folder of natural food suppliers in the Mediterranean. It wasn’t as much of a question as an accusation, but it was spoken without any sharpness.

“How long have we known each other, Lex?” He left the file unopened and sat back in his chair. For the first time, Lexi noticed how tired he looked.