Page 680 of Hell Hath No Fury
The man did not hide that fact.
But there was a difference between like and attraction. “Attracted to me or likes me?”
“Well … both.”
“So why hasn’t he done anything about it?” Celeste asked. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who doesn’t go after what he wants.”
I gestured to my younger sister as if to say, “Yes, thank you, I agree.”
Jade narrowed her eyes on Celeste before focusing on me. “I don’t know why he’s holding back. I think Colt knows, but he won’t tell me. But maybe he thinks you think he’s not mature enough. I mean, you did call him a man-child. Several times.”
Hope was a wretched blossom blooming deep within. I tried to shove it down. “It’s more than likely I’m the opposite of the kind of woman he usually dates.”
“In what way?” Celeste frowned.
“I am neither in my twenties, beautifully athletic, a college graduate, nor am I from a good East Coast society family.”
“You don’t really think that stuff matters to Foster, do you?” Jade retorted. “He had a child when he was still in college. Not exactly Mr. Perfect Society Guy.”
Hmm. That was true. Maybe I was projecting his initial attitude about me onto who I knew him to be now. And hadn’t we decided we were going to see the best in each other?
Still … “Like Celeste said, Foster is a man who goes after what he wants. If he wants me, he knows where to find me.”
“Does that mean you would be interested?”
I shrugged. “Certainly in sex. Anything more than that … I’m not sure.”
Jade’s face fell. “But you’re not the casual-sex type.”
“There is a huge age difference between us, and I might not look so hot to Foster when I’m sixty and he’s still forty-nine. However, I am attracted to him, so …” I shrugged, feeling butterflies at the mere thought. “I wouldn’t say no to sex with a hot younger man. As long as he knows what he’s doing.”
The thought of Foster’s mouth and hands on my body made me shiver with unfulfilled desire.
* * *
Foster Darwin was the last man I’d ever let near my body with his hands and mouth!
In fact, he could rot in hell for all I cared!
Instead of my leisurely breaststroke across the pool, I furiously powered through the water in the front crawl. Back and forth, hammering out my hurt and rage.
I tried not to think of the events earlier that day, but I couldn’t stop seeing it.
A warm near-summer’s day, I decided to spend it outside, pottering in our garden. The pool took up most of the backyard, but flower beds lined the front lawn and hanging pots decorated the porch. I’d bought some fresh plants and was near the flower beds adjacent to Foster’s driveway, digging in the cool soil, when an Escalade swung up onto his drive.
An older woman in gray linen pants, a white, high-neck blouse, and matching gray linen jacket hopped out of the SUV. She wore sunglasses, but I felt her stare and sat back on my heels. A man who looked an awful lot like an older version of Foster rounded the hood.
“Grandpa, Grandma!” Georgie shouted. She dashed down the porch and across the driveway as fast as her little legs could carry her.
My heart pounded at the sight of her, and I felt stupid tears prick my eyes.
Jesus, I missed that kid.
And I was so thankful to see her happy as her grandfather swung her up into his arms for a hug. I smiled, watching them greet one another, noting Foster had appeared on the driveway too. As Georgie turned her head to look at him, she caught sight of me.
Her pretty little face lit up. “Em!” She took off across the driveway before anyone could stop her, and I dropped my gardening implement just in time to catch her.
The feel of her in my arms made me emotional, and I hugged her tight without touching her with my dirty hands. Then she letme go, and I realized she’d gotten soil on her pretty purple dress, anyway. “Oh, honey, I got you dirty.”
