Page 42 of Beat of Love
But …
Soaking in the tub.
“Wanna watchFast and Furiouswith us, Raff?” Preston asked.
“We’re having a marathon!” Olivia added.
He focused his eyes on Preston. “Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.Fast and Furious?” He’d heard of the movie franchise. Just never watched any.
“Yeah. Best movies ever. We’re watching five and six.”
“I’ve never seen aFast and Furiousmovie.”
Three pairs of eyes goggled at him.
“Never?” Olivia gasped.
“Nope.”
The twins spoke at the same time.
“It’s got lots of action and car chases,” came from Preston.
“And family drama!” Olivia exclaimed.
“Guys!” Amelia cried. “Five is set in …Brazil.” She whispered the last word.
“Yes! Brian and Mia break Dom out of prison and go after a drug lo—” Olivia slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes saucers. “Oh.Oh.”
Yeah. He wasn’t sure what to say either.
Movement from the doorway to the left of the fireplace caught his eye.
Brandy-Lyn, clad in black-and-white striped pajamas dotted with hot-pink stars, stood staring back at him. “What …” She cleared her throat before continuing, “What are you doing here?”
All rationale fled as he focused on the way the soft flannel molded her body; her breasts, those glorious mounds swaying with each move; her hips undulating as she walked—
She clapped her hands, snapping him from his lustful inspection. His eyes shot up, meeting her inscrutable gaze. Her lips thinned before she turned her attention away from him. “Girls” — she jerked a thumb over her shoulder — “time to rinse your faces.”
In an unspoken acknowledgement that their invitation to stay and watch a movie was now moot, both Amelia and Olivia said goodbye. But as Amelia passed him, she stopped, reached onto her toes, and placed a kiss on his cheek, murmuring, “Thanks for listening today,” and followed her sister through the doorway their mom had just emerged from.
Brandy-Lyn moved closer, rounding the couch, bringing the scent of something flowery with her. It smelled heavenly.
“I’ll see you out,” she said, moving past him. She grabbed a long cardigan from the hall stand and opened the front door.
Rafferty gave Preston a wry grin. “Thanks for the movie invite. Maybe another time, yeah? If your mom agrees,” he hastilyadded. It was more than likely he’d be asked to steer clear of her kids. Which was wise.
Preston nodded. “That’d be cool.”
With a nod to the boy, Rafferty walked out the front door and pulled it closed, taking a moment to study the woman wrapping the woolen garment around her torso. She moved to the wooden railing and stared out into the dark.
A gentle breeze whispered through the shrubbery, bringing with it a whiff of dry grass.It was too dark to read her expression, but her folded arms and stiff figure spoke volumes — her unspoken turbulence a sharp contrast to the peaceful night-time atmosphere beyond the cabin.
“Have I crossed a line? Coming here, I mean. It’s just … I was worried about Amelia. She took quite a knock this morning …”Mentally and physically. He angled his head and rubbed his neck. It was Amelia’s unhappiness that concerned him the most, but he focused on the other. “But if I hadn’t approached her, she’d never’ve gotten injured, and for that I am truly sorry.”
Brandy-Lyn turned outward, dropping her arms. Hands braced on the railing, she lowered her head and exhaled a long, weary sigh. “You’ve done nothing wrong.” She gave him a side-glance. “We both know where to lay the blame.”
Moving away from the door, Rafferty stopped just short of her, the narrow beam of light from the gap in the drapes cast a glow across the wooden planks, creating a natural boundary. Any closer and he’d haul her into his arms and make her forget her name, never mind the hurt and anger toward her jerk of an ex. “Your ex is a douchebag,” he muttered, fisting his hands. It would be so satisfying rearranging the schmuck’s arrogant features.
