BACK AT THE ESTATE, DARKNESS loomed in the sky, hovering over the brick, two story mansion. Isabelle and CJ sat on the floor inside the den, watching the cartoon Peppa Pig, while Richmond stood outside on the opened deck grilling steaks beneath the porch light.
Unable to get her mind off Russell, Kayla stood at the counter next to the sink, pouring sugar into a pitcher of iced tea. Lowering the container of sugar to the marble countertop, she hefted the spoon by her side, lowered it into the drink, and stirred.
While I don’t know much about Russell, I know he’s a big fat liar.
“The steaks are done.” Richmond’s husky voice broke Kayla’s train of thought about his lying-behind father. She looked over her shoulder to find Richmond entering the kitchen carrying a pan loaded with seasoned peppery steaks, grilled corn on the cob, vegetables, and red potatoes.
Inhaling the spicy aroma, Kayla’s stomach growled. I’m starving. “Mmm. It smells delicious. You really didn’t have to cook for us. Thank you.”
Richmond lowered the silver pan to the stove. “I often cook dinner for Isabelle, so it’s really no big deal. Something I would’ve done anyways. I just hope it tastes as good as it looks.”
“I’m sure it will.” Kayla walked over to stand beneath the kitchen’s arch. “CJ. Isabelle. Dinner’s ready.”
Isabelle hopped to her feet. She reached for CJ’s hand and helped pull him to a stand. “Come on. Let’s go wash our hands so we can eat.”
“I already washed my hands,” CJ exclaimed.
Giggling, Isabelle covered her mouth. “That was earlier today, silly,” she stated between her spread fingers on her lips.
Kayla snickered. Boys. “CJ. Go wash your hands with Isabelle, then come eat dinner.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Short minutes later, the four of them sat at the dinette table inside the kitchen. After Richmond blessed the food, Kayla lifted her head to meet his gaze. Sitting across from him in Salina’s old spot, an uncomfortable feeling swept over her. She felt like she had no business sitting in Salina’s chair. Distressing over it, her rear shifted in the seat.
Kayla hefted her fork. Her eyes traveled over the other faces joined at the table with her. Her mind on Salina, a shadow of sadness touched her heart. God, Salina had had it all before she got sick. Before someone had taken her life. Poor Salina. Poor Richmond. And poor Isabelle. Kayla shivered at the thought that she’d been murdered inside this home, right inside her bedroom.
Forcing herself to think of something happier, Kayla carved out a piece of steak with the sharp knife, then forked it into her mouth. Juicy flavors burst into her mouth as she chewed the oh-so-tender meat. Speaking of tender, she wondered if Richmond’s kisses were tender. If his touches were tender. If his lovemaking skills were tender. Imagining the fine specimen sitting across from her naked, moisture gathered in her center. Wondering if his manhood was dark and thick, heat flooded through her veins. Sex clenching, she carefully swallowed her food.
Oh my. She’d gotten so hot and bothered until she had to take a long gulp of her iced tea. Richmond would never take a second look at me, so I need to get him off my dirty little mind.
“I’m glad the two of you could join us tonight.” Richmond’s deep baritone voice straggled around the kitchen.
“I’m glad we could stay, too. The steak is delicious. Very tender.”
Tenderly, his eyes seemed to melt into hers. “I did do pretty well, if I may say so myself.” He took a swallow of the sweet tea, then lowered his glass to the napkin. “So tell me, Kayla…what do you like to do for fun?”
Holding up a finger, Kayla wrapped her lips around her straw and sipped again at the sweet, sugary tea. Ah, delicious. Other than look at you, let me see. “I like to go to the movies, ice skating, swimming, and reading. Love a good book. What about you?”
“Let’s see. I like horseback riding. I enjoy breeding horses. Golfing, I enjoy that as well. But my favorite thing to do in my spare time is to play Polo. It’s such an active sport, and I love it.”
“Have you ever seen a horse born? I haven’t.” As soon as the question left her mouth, she felt stupid for asking it. She slapped her forehead. “Of course you have.”
“You’re right. I have.”
Kayla’s cell buzzed against her chest. She pulled it from her bra and spied the Caller ID. Great! Carson. Wanting to give him a dose of his own medicine, she tapped the ignore button, sent him to voicemail, and laid the cell on the table. She hefted the buttery corn on the cob to her lips. “So. What were we talking about?”
“Baby colts. If you’d like, perhaps you can join me during the delivery of one sometime. It’s the most amazing thing to witness. Gypsy Rose is pregnant now, and about to deliver any day.”
Kayla’s lips hitched. “I’d love to see the birth of a colt.”
“Then it’s a date.” A date. “Um. I meant a plan.” Changed your mind about that date thing rather quickly, I see. You’re no more ready to start dating than I’m ready to go skydiving.
“Oh, another thing I like to do is skydiving.” What the hell? Had this man read her mind or what?
After dinner, Kayla washed the dishes, got the children a bath, and shortly thereafter the four of them regrouped inside the den. Sitting on the floor beside Richmond with her back resting against the sofa, she held CJ in her lap while he held Isabelle in his.
Clenching the book Peter Pan in her hands, the children listened intently as she read them a bedtime story; however, the entire time she read to them, all she could think about was how hot this man sitting next to her made her. Richmond’s close proximity to her drove her mad. Made her hotter than burning fire. Overcome with heady arousal, Kayla’s mouth watered. So much so, she felt like she could drool any moment now.
Isabelle lay her head on her father’s chest. “Can people really fly, Daddy?”
“No, Pumpkin. Only in fairy tales.”
CJ pointed at the blue cast encasing his arm. “No. No. Flying off the toilet.” His remark caused everyone to laugh.
“All right, you two, it’s time for bed.” Richmond stood. “I’m going to put her to bed. You two make yourself at home. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks. I’m putting CJ to bed, too.” Following Richmond up the staircase, Kayla tugged CJ’s hand, then entered the guest bedroom at the other end of the hallway opposite Salina’s old room. She turned back the covers on the bed, laid CJ down, then pulled the covers up to his chin.
Rubbing her fingers over his hair, she gazed at his brown, round face and his adorable brown eyes. Such a cute kid. Hopefully, one day Carson would find it in his heart to spend more time with him.
“Sleep tight.” She bent over to kiss his forehead.
Fisting the linen, CJ squeezed his eyes shut. “Night. Night.”
Kayla entered the bathroom inside the guest room and turned on the shower. Steam billowed toward the ceiling as she stood over the sink brushing her teeth. Standing in front of the mirror, she pulled her hair on top of her head into a high ponytail. Ready to indulge in a long, hot shower, she pulled open the pantry to find it empty. Remembering she’d used the last wash cloth and towel on CJ, she grimaced. Dang, she didn’t have anything to bathe with.
Kayla jogged down the staircase and rounded the corner off the den. Wanting to borrow a clean towel and wash cloth from Richmond, she walked down a long, narrow hallway and headed toward his bedroom, tucked in the rear corner downstairs.
When she reached his bedroom, the door was open, so she walked in.
“Richmond,” she said softly, walking further inside.
Richmond stalked from his closet butt naked. Shocked to see her, he jumped. “Kayla!”
Kayla’s breath caught in her throat. Starting with his rock solid chest, her eyes lowered to his dark, thick shaft stretching long against his toned thigh. OhmyfreakingGod. His big rod hung like the horses he bred.
Electricity surged through Kayla’s veins. Her heart palpi
tated in her chest. She slapped her hands over her eyes, then whirled. “I’m sorry.” Keeping her face covered and her back to him, she fled from the room belonging to the sexiest masculine man she’d ever laid eyes on—Richmond beast-of-a-cock Spaulding.
Embarrassed as hell, Kayla jogged up the stairs. Unable to concentrate, she turned left when she reached the top of the stairs and hustled down the hallway. I saw his penis. Ohmygod. Ohmygod. It’s big. Huge.
Reaching the end of the hallway, she grasped the door knob and flung open the door. A big black Doberman Pinscher sitting on the bed leapt from the mattress and began charging in her direction. Kayla’s heart spiraled.
Oh crap, wrong room! This is Salina’s bedroom!
Just as the Doberman was about to pounce on Kayla, Richmond jumped in front of her and clapped his hands. Bare chested, with a towel wrapped tight around his waist, he clapped his hands again.
The Doberman bared his teeth. “Sit, Killer! Sit!” Richmond’s husky voice echoed inside the cold, dark room. Meeting the dog’s vicious gaze, Richmond spoke to the dog through clenched teeth. “Killer, I said sit. Sit. Now.” Drool slipped from between Killer’s razor sharp teeth, then he shut his mouth. Obeying his commander, he folded his hind legs into the floor, then sat his rear on top of them. Whimpering, he licked his furry right paw.
Getting things under control inside the room, Richmond turned to face Kayla. “Are you okay?” His brown eyes impaled her.
Ashamed and shivering, Kayla dropped her head. He’s going to be angry at me for coming inside Salina’s old room. Starting with his bare feet, Kayla’s gaze traveled up his muscular, hairy legs, over the white towel wrapped around his waist, lingered over the bunched muscles of his chest, then landed on his handsome face. “I’m sorry. I thought I was entering the guest room where CJ is.”
Richmond put a finger to Kayla’s chin, tilting her head back. Understanding settled inside his pupils. “It’s okay, Kayla. Mistakes happen. My goodness, you’re shaking.” He wrapped his arms about her shoulders and drew her to his solid frame. “Thank God I got here in time because Killer would’ve eaten you alive.”
Feeling safe wrapped within the confines of his strong embrace, she nestled her head to the toned muscles of his bare chest and draped her arms around his waist.
The only person I’m worried about eating me alive is you, Richmond. And I have the distinct feeling I’d love every minute of you feasting between my legs.