Page 36 of Tempest

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Tuesday Evening

Ivy walked out to the pool and looked around for Ryan. He’d been as busy as a bee since he got home from Austin. He’d been intent on getting the security system installed before they left for the fish fry. Glancing at her watch, she realized that he wasn’t going to have much time to get cleaned up before they had to leave. Just as she was about to call out for him, he sauntered around the corner of the house. “There you are,” she said.

“I’m done for today. I have the basics installed, and I can add more tomorrow.”

Her heart picked up an extra beat as he moved closer. Lord, he was sexy. His massive chest and tapered waist heated her in places she’d forgotten she had. Before she could get carried away with her lustful thoughts, she remembered that she had to alert him about what they might encounter tonight. “I…uh…have to warn you about something.”

“What’s wrong?” he barked out. “Have you received a threat?”

His body went on alert, and she felt the rigidity of his muscles as he slid his arm around her waist. “No! Nothing like that.” He let out a breath, and she felt his chest relax under her hand. “It seems that our little trip to the pharmacy has been the talk of the town.” Spreading her fingers wide, she felt his heart beating steadily. So far, so good. “Um…”

Lifting her chin, he grinned wickedly and waited. “What’s going on, Ivy?”

Fidgeting under his gaze, she decided to spit it out. “I’ve had five phone calls today from friends from high school. They pretended to catch up, but the real truth is they wanted to know if we’d gone through all the boxes of condoms and if it’s true that extra-large really means extra pleasure.” Pulling away, she covered her face. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it through when we were there the other day. I’ve put you in a terrible spot.”

“Ivy, that’s the best thing I’ve heard.”

He started laughing so hard, she figured that he was going to bust a gut. “It’s not funny.” Waving a hand, he tried to stop. “Everyone is going to be staring at your crotch all night.” That made him laugh harder. “Well, I guess you’re not mad.” Spinning around, she stomped into the house.

Following closely behind, he caught her hand in the kitchen. “What did you tell your friends?”

“I told them that a lady never brags and that it was none of their business. I might’ve also mentioned that it was true what they said about SEALs.”

He stifled a laugh before he responded. “And what do they say, honey?”

“They get the job done.” He lost it again. Honestly, seeing a grown man leak tears while he laughed was just downright wrong. It wasn’t a proud moment, and he didn’t have to be enjoying it so much. “Stop laughing.”

“I’m trying,” he sputtered out.

“Go get cleaned up, because we have to leave in twenty minutes. I promised to help with the dessert table.”

He kissed her head and wiped his eyes. “You want to come help me out in the shower?”

She narrowed her eyes and sniffed. “No. I do not.”

“I just want you to answer questions honestly tonight when people come ask.”

She pushed his chest and he held her hand against his heart. Leaning over, he moved his lips across her neck and she about melted. She deserved the torture. After all, she was the one who started this. “Go on.”

“Maybe tonight, I can show you what extra-large feels like. I have a lot of ideas for us, Ivy, and I want to get started on them as soon as you give me the go ahead. I figure once we do, we’ll be regulars at Fabar’s.” He released her hand and walked away whistling.

Her whole body felt like it was going to explode. Visions of Ryan and what she wanted to do to him danced in her head. A warm heat pooled in her panties as she visualized him naked in the shower. Shaking herself out of the fantasy, she walked into the kitchen, pulled out a bottle of water, and drank it down. How many condoms were in a box, anyway? The phone rang and she almost jumped. Lord, she was on edge.

Being celibate for as long as she had was making it difficult to resist the lure of the man in her shower. Hell, even if she hadn’t gone without, he would have been hard to resist. Picking up the phone, she answered breathlessly. “Oh, hey, Tamara. How are you?” Another friend from school and another set of poorly veiled inquiries about the man staying in her house. She’d done it this time, no doubt about it.

***

Ivy stood at the dessert table and arranged the dishes as she kept a close eye on Ryan. Right now he was across the courtyard, surrounded by some of Dripping Springs’ finest ladies. Her Aunt LeLe was practically drooling on his shirt. Maybe they could leave right after dinner. Shaking her head, she realized that was a bad idea. A lot of people probably had them pegged as sex-crazed. If they left before dancing, that would only add fuel to the fire. Oh, well. She’d made the mess, so now she just had to face the consequences. It wouldn’t be the first time the town had gossiped about her or her family. And it probably wouldn’t be the last.

“Baby girl, did you make your coconut cake?” Mama called out as she approached.

“I did. I also made some brownies.” She took her mama’s plate of cookies and placed it in the center. Bea’s snickerdoodles were legendary, and they deserved a spot up front.

Bea followed her daughter’s gaze and patted her hand. “Honey, it’ll stop before you know it. People are just curious about the man you brought home.”

“Mama, I made this mess.”

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