Chapter 14
When Thad heard Sophie’s cries, he threw the covers off of him and picked up the jeans he’d worn yesterday. He put them on as he stumbled toward the door. There were two master bedrooms on the third level, one on each end of the house, and two smaller rooms between. Sophie was in the one closest to Lucy. When he reached the room, he saw that Lucy was already there, comforting the girl.
The nightmares were becoming a regular occurrence. He went to sit on the other side of the queen-size bed.
“A green-eyed man came to get her,” Lucy said as she held a crying Sophie. Sophie was still under the covers, her arms looped over Lucy’s neck and Lucy leaning toward her to hold her close, rubbing her back and looking solemnly at Thad.
“She had the same dream the last time.” He felt helpless while everything in him urged for some action that would make it all better for the girl. “We’ll get her counseling. Help her get past this.”
Lucy realized along with him that he spoke as if Sophie would be in both of their lives...indefinitely.
His determination to rescue the girl as though she were his own daughter instilled a bolt of panic in him. What was he thinking? None of this was a sure thing. Lucy. Sophie. Especially Sophie. The two of them together spelled family. And family he did not do without sharing a single last name. Sharing a last name meant forever. And he’d never have forever with any woman. That would take a miracle, and Thad didn’t believe in miracles. He believed in reality, and reality was a lot harsher than that.
He stood up. “You’ve got this covered.”
Sophie pushed back from Lucy, her crying subsiding for a moment. “Where are you going?”
Thad froze, looking down at Sophie’s teary face, her eyes beseeching him, needing not only Lucy but him, as well.
“Nowhere,” he heard himself say.
He saw Lucy’s adoring smile over the child’s connection to him.
“You have to chase the green-eyed man away,” Sophie said. “Lucy said he’d be no match for you and that you’d chase him away.”
Thad lifted his brow. “Lucy is telling stories again.”
“It’s true,” Sophie insisted. “You can scare him away.”
“Okay. I’ll go scare him away.” Indulging them both, he began his search in the room, spending extra time in the closet and under the bed.
“He’s not in here.” He went to the window and made a show of searching through the darkness. “Don’t see him...wait a minute. What’s that?” He looked back to a wide-eyed Sophie and a delighted Lucy. “I think I see him.”
Sophie clung tighter to Lucy. “Go get him! Go chase him away!”
“You two stay here so I know you’re safe.” Thad opened the balcony door and ran down the stairs, glad no one was around to see him. There, he waited out of sight, timing his absence in his head. This had to be believable. A few minutes later, he ran back up the stairs and into Sophie’s bedroom, slightly winded from sprinting up all those steps.
Sophie huddled with Lucy, still on the bed, frightened and expectant.
“I caught him,” Thad proclaimed, feeling as if he was in one of Lucy’s made-up stories. “I told him if he ever came back he’d have to go through me to get to you.” He moved closer. “You were right. He was afraid of me. He’s gone and he’s never coming back.”
Sophie looked at Lucy for confirmation.
“You heard him. The green-eyed man is gone. For good.” She tapped the girl’s nose with her forefinger.
Sophie relaxed and giggled.
“Let’s read something and then you need to get some sleep.” Lucy found a book and reclined on the bed beside Sophie.
Thad locked the balcony doors and then leaned against the frame. He watched Lucy read to the girl and listened to her animated voice. All the while he struggled with letting go of what swelled in his heart. Forever. With the two of them...
Sophie’s eyes drooped and then closed. In less than a half hour, she was sound asleep. Seeing the child enveloped in so much peace, knowing he had a lot to do with that, Thad felt something shift in him. His resistance weakened. Lucy gently pulled the covers up to her chin and then turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only the night-light.
Thad went with her to the door, leaving it open as they left.
In the hall, Lucy turned to him. “You’re good at that.”
“At what?” He shouldn’t even ask. She’d start in on him again.
“She’ll never have another nightmare again, thanks to you.” She leaned against the hallway wall, too dreamy for his comfort zone, but sexy as hell. This time without a robe, she wore that silky nightgown. The strings tying the bodice were loosened and teased him with half of her breasts exposed. He could see the shadow of her nipples and thighs through the thin material. The nightgown came to just above her knees.
He felt himself react, the tightening down low, the quickening of his pulse. Awareness of her sensuality engulfed him. With resistance vanishing, temptation took its place. What would it be like to forget reality for one night?
Lucy noticed the change in him. Her appreciative smile faded and a darker pleasure took over. Her eyes grew hungry.
Drawn to her, he crossed the hall. Her hands slid up his chest as he swooped down to kiss her. Bracing his hands on the wall, he kissed her softly at first, exploring her and loving how her breathing deepened. Her mouth fit his deliciously.
Was this what kissing the mother of his child would be like? He enjoyed the fantasy. It was okay as long as it remained a fantasy.
Lucy ran her tongue along his mouth. He opened for her and they caressed each other that way for a while. Fiery heat coursed through him, reaching every wicked nerve ending in him. She arched her body toward him. Her hips pressed against his growing hardness.
Kissing her harder, he ran his hands down her body, one over her breast the other down to her rear.
“That nightgown is driving me crazy,” he rasped.
“You’re driving me crazy.” She sought his mouth again.
He kissed her while he kneaded her breast, feeling the nipple go stiff.
“Sophie,” Lucy whispered.
Though the child slept, waking her to this wouldn’t be the best example to make.
He moved back, and she took his hand, leading him into her room. It was nearly identical to his, only having a different color scheme. Lucy had chosen the blue hues and he took the one with green.
“Are you sure about this?” He shut the door. Even if she wasn’t, he might have to convince her. This was one fantasy he didn’t want to miss.
“Yes.” She backed into the spacious room, walls painted a soft yellow and offset by white trim. Every room had a balcony door. Lucy had left the blinds open, and moonlight streamed in. She hadn’t turned on a light when she’d gone running for Sophie.
Her gaze roamed all over his body, down to where his erection strained his jeans, all over his upper torso and back to his face.
“Are you?” she asked.
Her body in that nightgown beckoned. “Yes.”
She lifted the silky thing off her and dropped it to the floor. Completely naked, her dark, thick hair tumbling over her shoulders, she was a vision. Her breasts jutted, firm and free. A sinewy line divided her ribs and abdomen. She shaved her private area so that only a strip remained. Light from the window outlined her trim thighs, starting at the apex of her sex.
Thad removed his jeans and boxers. His erection was almost painful. He couldn’t remember ever being this hard before. Maybe when he was a teenager.
As he stepped toward her, she waited. She wanted more foreplay. Standing close, he angled his head to kiss her while he touched her breasts. When that wasn’t enough, he trailed kisses down her neck, over her collarbone and down to first one and then the other nipple.
She held his head, her fingers buried in his hair, sounds of pleasure whispering from her. She was holding back so that Sophie didn’t hear them. That she had to hold back heated him immeasurably. What would she sound like if she let go?
He kissed her lips again, his hands on her rear, pulling her to him. She groaned into his mouth.
Then she broke free, stepping back. Turning, she moved like a cat on all fours onto the bed, presenting her rear and enticing him further. She sat on the sheets, waiting for him.
He crawled over her, kissing her as she still sat. Heat radiated between them. With one hand on his chest, she touched him with her other, curling her fingers around him and softly rubbing.
“Oh,” she breathed.
He was so hard.
Thad kissed her with more purpose, guiding her down onto the mattress. He shoved pillows out of the way, fanning her hair across the white sheets. The sight of her was so erotic he nearly penetrated her right then. But this fantasy had to last.
He treated her to more kissing, then moved out of her reach, down to her feet. He kissed the tops of them and made his way up her calf, spreading her legs as he moved past her knees.
She gripped his hair as he satisfied curiosity and ran his tongue along the landing strip she kept so neatly trimmed. Reaching sweeter center, he brought her to a shivering brink and yielded to her tugs on his hair. Kissing her belly, tickling her belly button, he treated her breasts to more before lying on top of her and taking her mouth.
Her hands went from his hair down his back and to his rear, where they stayed as he began to probe for her warm wetness. He pushed into her, slow and steady, rising up from a long kiss to look into green eyes that shone in the moonlight. As he moved back and forth at the same pace, a deep rightness settled in his soul, gripping him and intensifying the explosive ecstasy they made together.
Lucy stretched her arms above her head, her fingers touching the grand wooden headboard. She was a million-dollar painting and the headboard was her frame.
“More,” she breathed. “I want more.”
She wanted more. Thad pushed into her with more force, thrusting over and over. A strangled sound burst from her. He clamped his mouth over hers and moved faster.
A long groan vibrated into his mouth. He kept his eyes open to watch her. She lifted her knees and now it was him who groaned. Unbelievably, they peaked at the same time, each quieting the celebration that broke free in audible release.
Thad lay on her for a few seconds before rolling to her side. He kept the fantasy alive, unwilling to let it be more than that. But try as he might to keep it at bay, it was more than a fantasy.
“That was fantastic.” She rolled toward him, saw him staring off across the room, and asked, “Are you okay?”
He covered it well. Kissing her, he answered, “Yes.”
Lulled from great sex, she snuggled with him and moments later fell asleep. It was a while later for him before he could put his thoughts to rest. What would morning bring? How would Lucy feel? Would she be willing to engage in his kind of relationship? Or was the most applicable question, how would he feel?
* * *
Lucy kissed Thad awake. She’d slept for a couple of hours and waking next to him had stirred her into arousal again. He’d let go with her; she’d felt it when he’d made love to her. Afterward he’d seemed to slip into negative thought, but hadn’t withdrawn as she’d feared he would. She wasn’t sure if anything would come of this, and she wasn’t ready to think about it. All she knew was he was worth a chance.
As his eyes fluttered open, she pushed him onto his back and straddled him. The covers were askew at the foot of the bed. She waited for him to wake up more. Bending down, she kissed his sexy mouth before moving on to his chest. She kissed him everywhere the way he’d done to her. When she reached his waist, she took his erection into her mouth.
“Lucy,” he murmured.
She made him rock hard in a matter of seconds. Kissing him all the way back up to his lips, she met his hazel eyes and saw them drooping, not with tiredness but with flaming passion. She loved that she could do that to him.
Guiding him between her legs, she sank down onto him. He sucked in a sharp breath. Planting her hands on his muscular chest, she moved her hips to grind on him, going slow at first. He held her breasts, caressing her nipples while he watched her—worshipped was more like it.
His response emboldened her. She moved faster. His hands moved to her hips and then her thighs. His thumb found her sweet spot and expertly rubbed, slow and in tune with her movements. Until she began to spiral into a pleasurable eddy. He sensed it and rubbed harder. Her orgasm came quickly.
Rolling with her, he took over the top position and drilled into her. Like her, it didn’t take long.
Once again he lay on her until their breathing calmed. And as before she feared he’d withdraw. She saw grimness in his eyes before he closed them and kissed her.
She let him have his space and didn’t say anything. When he lay on his back, she curled next to him. Their lovemaking had a profound effect on him, and Lucy wondered if she should go with it. Not try to get him to talk about his phobia of marriage and kids. He was obviously great with kids, and his trouble with marriage was a misconception, one she was starting to believe he’d overcome...with the right woman.
Was she the right woman? That she couldn’t answer. But deep inside, deep in her core, she couldn’t ignore the instinct that told her to forget caution, forget her determination to find a man who wanted what she wanted—a family—one she was sure about, and focus her efforts on winning Thad.
If she was wrong and failed to change his mind, then she’d have some good memories, after her broken heart healed, but good memories nonetheless. She’d also face the challenge of topping Thad. The sex would be difficult to beat.
But that’s what made him worth the risk. He might have convinced himself that he could have a relationship with a woman and not marry her in preparation for the inevitable split-up, but he could never have a relationship like that with her. He’d withdraw. She hoped she was wrong but she didn’t think she was. If he couldn’t overcome his flaws, this would be a brief relationship. If he made progress and embraced what he felt for her, they had hope.
The sun was coming up, or sort of. It was overcast today.
“Weather report said there’s a storm moving in.” When other topics were too heavy, there was always the weather.
“Late winter storm.” Easing away from her, he sat up on the bed. “Could be a strong one.”
“Maybe we should just stay in today.”
“We’ll be all right. The storm won’t get here until tonight. We should be home by then.” He got off the bed. “Let’s get ready.”
It was early. They had plenty of time. He needed to escape.
Unable to meet his eyes, she kept her back to him and went to her suitcase for something to wear. Slipping into her robe, she tied it shut as he came up behind her.
“About last night.”
Dreading what his comment brought to light, she turned reluctantly toward him.
“And this morning.” He grinned to be playful but she saw his discomfort. He didn’t like the subject any more than her. Although he had different reasons than her for not liking it, she had to give him credit for having the guts to talk to her.
“It was good,” he said, and then more honestly, “Really good.”
Hearing a but coming, Lucy stepped closer and put her finger over his lips. “Let’s not talk about that today. It’s Sophie’s birthday.” She said it as an excuse. She wasn’t prepared for another diatribe about love.
“Lucy...”
“Not today.”
“We have to talk about it.”
So he could make sure she bought into his antimarriage philosophy? “Not today,” she said with more force.
He studied her and then relented. “All right, not today.”
“I’m going to get ready now.” She needed to be alone.
“Right. Sure.” Awkwardly, he headed for the door. There, he looked back at her and she felt his uncertainty.
He wanted to convince her to have a relationship with him on his terms. What frightened her was she actually wondered if she should.
* * *
After a pizza lunch in Corolla where Lucy endured Thad’s contemplative looks and absorbed herself in Sophie’s excitement, they drove to a sandy parking area not far from Carova. After Thad parked, Lucy bundled Sophie up for their wild horse tour. They were going to return to the beach house for present and cake time. The suspense was killing Sophie. She wanted to skip the horse tour.
Lucy zipped up Sophie’s jacket and looked up at the darkening sky. “Are you sure we have time for this?”
Standing with his hands half-stuffed in his front jean pocket, one leg relaxed and looking like a sexy model in a magazine ad, Thad glanced up. “We might get a little cold, that’s all.” Did he think being here out in the cold was better than nestled in the beach house, alone with Lucy?
“Want to learn about wild horses?” Lucy extended her hand to Sophie.
“Yeah!” She skipped alongside Lucy toward the open-roofed SUV waiting for them. Thad had arranged for a private tour.
Thad followed. He’d been withdrawn all day so far, and she knew he was thinking of last night—a dream. She hadn’t cornered him with questions and now she wondered if she should have. He’d tried to talk to her about it and she’d given him an out, something she suspected he appreciated, although it was hard to tell. He was a man who hid his emotions well once he put his mind to it. And he was definitely doing that today. Sophie was their distraction. After spending most of the day putting up with him, Lucy decided not to anymore.
“Sit with us,” she said. “It will be warmer.”
With no sign that it bothered him, he sat next to her, Sophie beside Lucy. He had his cop face on. She hadn’t noticed he had one until today. Whenever things got to him and he withdrew, this was how he handled it. Kept it all to himself behind a thick shield of armor, a tough exterior for a strong man.
The driver began a narrative about the history of the Spanish mustangs that inhabited this area of the Outer Banks for about five hundred years. They were brought here by explorers. A cold gust of wind diverted her attention. The sky was darker, and out to sea, waves white-capped. The four-wheel-drive vehicle bounced and jerked over the deep sand.
Lucy put her arm around Sophie and looked ahead to catch sight of a good-sized herd of horses.
“I see them!” Sophie leaned toward the window, out of reach of Lucy’s arm. The driver slowed, explaining that they couldn’t get too close, as the animals were protected here.
Lucy shivered as another gust of wind whipped through the open SUV. They were exposed on all sides, except where the windshield rose up.
Thad surprised her by putting his arm around her. Checking to see how pained he was and seeing a slight smile curve up, she snuggled closer, welcoming the warmth. She couldn’t tell if she’d triggered the smile or if the outing had. It didn’t matter—being close to him thrilled her and she didn’t stop the good feeling. He was also more relaxed than she’d seen him all day.
Sophie was absorbed in the horses and what the guide was telling them about this particular herd, which mares were expecting and tidbits of behavioral details, like how some horses liked humans more than others. She wondered if he was making it all up.
After an hour and viewing two more herds, the driver headed back to where he’d picked them up. On the way, it began to rain. Tiny pelts of rain at first, but the closer they got to the parking area, the heavier it fell. Lucy noticed Thad surveying the sky. Maybe the tour guide should have offered to reschedule. He probably didn’t get many requests for private tours this time of year and maybe he needed the money.
The rain was getting uncomfortable. Even Sophie forgot all about horses and huddled close to Lucy. She held her and Thad held them both.
“It’s cold!” Sophie complained.
Why did children think adults could fix everything?
“We’ll be all right,” Thad said. “I’ll get us back to the beach house.”
Lucy didn’t doubt he would. Sophie didn’t mind the weather at all. She was having fun searching for horses, who were now becoming scarce as they sought shelter.
The driver turned around and headed back to where they’d parked the Jeep. The tour was over, if a bit rushed. Lucy didn’t mind. She’d rather get out of this weather. Plus, being close to Thad gave her a warm glow. His cop face had vanished and fondness for her had taken its place. Not afraid of the storm and not afraid of what last night and this morning meant. He was completely relaxed now.
Every time she tipped her head up to see him, he looked down, and each time he did so was warmer than the last. Who needed a jacket when his eyes and all they let her see heated her plenty? And oh, she did love his eyes, more than ever after last night.
He seemed to feel the same about hers, because when she tipped her head again, he didn’t look away. Encouraged that last night hadn’t been a total loss, she lifted her face more and pecked a quick kiss to his lips. The moment felt right for it. No alarm or withdrawal changed the way he regarded her. He seemed to lose himself in what they made together. Love. The fuel for it. Not wanting to own that two-ton block any more than she was sure he did, she just went with it, embraced the moment and whatever followed.
Still staring at each other, she closed her eyes when he kissed her softly and a lot longer. She could kiss him all night.
They separated when Sophie’s child voice sang, “Hhheeeyy,” followed by a giggle.
Sophie may have been embarrassed by the sight of them kissing, but she eyed them with curiosity. She’d seen the love brewing there. Kids weren’t stupid. They knew the real thing when they saw it.
The driver noticed, too, grinning to himself as he turned the windshield wipers to a faster speed. The rain had picked up.
By the time they made it to the sandy parking area, their Jeep rental was the only vehicle left, and the rain poured in earnest.
Lucy took Thad’s hand and then Lucy’s and they ran to the Jeep. The wind had really picked up, driving sheets of rain into the sandy landscape. It was hard to breathe it was so strong.
Thad took Sophie from Lucy. “Get in.”
She did while he made sure Sophie was seat-belted in. Then he walked with his head turned away from the pelting rain. Sitting behind the wheel, he dripped water but wasn’t daunted by it. He started the engine and drove as fast as he could through the deep, wet sand.
“It’s going to get bad tonight,” she said.
“Yeah.” He kept his focus on the barely visible outline of the rough road. “I’ll get us home.”
The way he said that pulled Lucy’s heart. He may not be convinced he would be lucky enough to find real love, but he cared for her and Sophie. He cared more than he realized.
It wasn’t even dinnertime and a person wouldn’t be able to tell. It was so dark. Thad navigated the dirt and sand road with firm hands. They weren’t far from the house. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled.
Lucy checked on Sophie. She’d dug into her tote and had her dolls out, bobbing them up and down as though they were riding horses. Her innocent trust touched her. She may know the weather was bad, but she trusted Lucy and Thad.
The jolt of the Jeep brought her facing forward again. Thad steered through deep, wet sand. For a moment Lucy thought they’d get stuck, but he maneuvered the vehicle without faltering. She could see the house ahead. Sheets of rain pelted to the ground. The Jeep’s headlights had come on. The sun was probably setting but it was already dark.
Thad seemed confident he’d get them back to the beach house, but Lucy was beginning to wonder.