Page 39 of Waiting for Him
“Sure. We have some bunk rooms above the offices. We’ll be staying there tonight anyway.” He helped her to her feet and then stood as well. “I’ll grab our bags and take you up there.”
“I can read you a bedtime story if you want. Women tell me I’m quite entertaining in bed.”
* * *
Kat gaped at the stranger grinning at her, amusement swirling in his deep blue eyes. He’d been talking to Jake when she first walked over, but now that his attention was on her, she wondered how she hadn’t noticed what a hunk he was. His dark blond hair must fall below his shoulders because he had it tied back in a small ponytail. A snug T-shirt covered his upper torso, and his jean-clad legs were long and lean. From how he had them stretched out in front of him, she guessed he was a few inches taller than Benny. And like the men of Trident, he had a warrior's physique sculpted from hard work and training. No health club or steroid needle could produce such a perfect male specimen. Holy crap, the man was gorgeous in a dangerous, bad-boy sort of way. “Um . . .”
“Stop being an asshole, man.” Benny snarled, putting his arm around her and drawing her into his side. It was a blatantly possessive gesture and made her shiver in delight.
The hunk feigned being insulted, his large hand spread across his broad chest. “Who? Me? I’m a jackass. Egghead’s the asshole.”
“I heard that!”
As Brody plopped back down in his chair, the other man chuckled. “You were supposed to hear it, asshole.” He turned his attention back to Kat, and his gaze softened. “Sorry, little one. The name is Carter, and your boyfriend here should know by now that I’m just joking, although his obvious jealousy tells me you’re something special to him. If he treats you wrong, just let me know, and I’ll kick his scrawny ass for you. Okay?”
When he winked at her playfully, Kat couldn’t help the smile spreading across her face. It was hard not to like the man instantly. “Nice to meet you, Carter. I’m Kat. And thanks for the offer, but he treats me just fine. He knows I swing a mean baseball bat if he doesn’t.”
“Ha! You’ve got claws. I like you already, Miss Kitty-Kat. It’s my absolute pleasure to meet you.”
Her heart clenched at the nickname her father used for her as Carter’s eyes flickered toward Benny. “She’s a keeper, man. Don’t let her get away.”
“Yes, she is.” Lowering his head, he gave her a quick kiss. “And I don’t plan on losing her again.”
* * *
A few minutes later, Kat was stripped down to her underwear and in bed as Boomer pulled the covers up to her chin. Some of the six spare bedrooms had bunks, but this was one of two with a queen-sized mattress. An attached bath meant she didn’t have to go out into the hallway for any reason.
He placed the bracelet Brody had given him around her left wrist. “This has a tracking device in it, Kitten. If something happens to you, which we’ll do everything we can to avoid, it will help us find you. It’s just a precaution.” He brushed her hair away from her cheek. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?”
She nodded, her eyelids growing heavy. “I’m good. Your parents aren’t staying much longer, so go sit with them. I’ll be asleep in no time.”
Kissing her on the forehead, he saw she was right. She was already going under by the time he shut off the light and opened the door. When he returned to the backyard, he noticed a few people had left. Jenn had gone to work, having switched shifts with another waitress at the pub owned by Jake’s brother. Marco and Brody were also gone, and Devon mentioned they were in the office working on an embezzlement case. Kristen and Angie were over by the outdoor kitchen, preparing a dinner of grilled chicken, salads, corn, and potatoes, while Ian turned on the giant gas grill.
Boomer sat beside his mom, who’d joined his dad by the fire pit. Eileen smiled at him. “I’m still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact she’s back, but I have to say, I haven’t seen you this happy since high school. And I’m thrilled for you too. For both of you. Back then, I could see how good you two were together, even if you didn’t.”
Blushing wasn’t something he did often, but he never talked about women with his mom. He knew she wanted grandchildren one day but wasn’t one of those mothers who nagged their sons to get married. “She’s the one, Mom. She always was, and I’ve said it several times within the past few days, I’m never letting her go.”
Eileen reached over and squeezed his hand. “I know you won’t, Ben. Just keep both of you safe.”
“I will.”
“Fuck!” Boomer’s dad leaped from his chair, holding his shoulder. “God-fucking damn it! I just got stung by a bee. Leaned back on the fucker.”
His wife and son jumped up and began pulling on Rick’s shirt, trying to get a look at the site. The last time he’d gotten stung, his foot had blown up like a balloon, and they knew if a bee got him again, the reaction could be worse. Eileen now carried an Epi-pen and Benadryl capsules in her purse, just in case.
Boomer saw the large welt forming at the back of his shoulder. “The stinger’s out. Any trouble breathing, Pop?”
“No. But look, I’m already getting fucking hives. Eil, just give me the Benadryl. I’ll take the pills first, and if it gets worse, I can use the pen.”
She dug them out of her purse as Kristen approached with a water bottle. Rick quickly popped the pills into his mouth and washed them down with the cool liquid. “Fuck. How the hell could something so damn tiny hurt like such a bitch? 'Scuse my language, ladies.”
The women all chuckled at him, having heard a lot worse from their men. Angie had made an impromptu icepack with a zip-lock baggie and handed it to Boomer. After ordering his father to sit back down, he stuck it between the affected shoulder and chair. “Mom will have to drive home. The Benadryl knocked you on your ass the last time you got stung, old man.”
Rick grumbled and cursed the dead bee some more.
“You don’t have to drive home tonight,” Kristen informed them. “You know you can always crash in one of our spare bedrooms.”
Smiling at the younger woman, Eileen shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, Kristen. But I have an early dentist appointment in the morning. It’ll be better if we go home. I just want to wait a while to make sure Rick’s reaction doesn’t worsen.”
