“Drank it. But I started a fresh pot when I heard you drive up,” Abe said. “Got quite the merry little band with you, Hank.”
Hank tugged Lainie beside him. “Abe, this is Lainie Capshaw. Lainie, this is my brother, Abe.”
Abe switched his coffee mug to his left hand and thrust out his right. “Good to meetcha, Lainie.”
“Likewise, Abe. Thanks for having me as an extra houseguest.”
He smiled. “No trouble at all. How long are y’all stayin’?”
“Just tonight. We’re heading to Gillette early tomorrow.”
Kyle dropped his bag and dust puffed out from where it hit the ground. “Hey, Abe.”
“Gilly.”
Hank smirked at Abe’s use of Kyle’s old nickname.
“Well? Don’t keep me in suspense. How’d you do in your CRA debut?”
“First place.”
“Outstanding. Was the purse worth more or the points?”
“Definitely the points. Although the money wasn’t bad. Ain’t gonna make me rich, but luckily I’ve hooked a rich travel partner to share expenses with for the next couple weeks.” Kyle nudged Hank when he snorted.
“You guys taking the camper?” Abe said to Hank.
“You’re not using it for huntin’, are you?”
“Have at it. I’ll get Bran and a couple of guys to help us load it.”
“I’ll call him,” Hank offered. Part of the reason he wanted to see his friends was to show Lainie off.
She’s not really yours.
But she will be.
“Where am I crashing?” Kyle asked Abe.
“Probably be quietest down in the basement. Back bedroom.”
“Cool. I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a little shut-eye.” Kyle shouldered his duffel and lumbered into the house, the screen door slamming behind him.
No doubt Kyle was sore about the Lainie situation.
Hank focused on Abe. “Where is Miz Celia?”
“Who the hell knows? She’s been coming home at the butt crack of dawn for the last two weekends. Then she sleeps all damn day. She won’t tell me nothin’ about where she’s been or what she’s been doin’. Maybe you can coax something out of her. I sure can’t.” Abe drained his coffee and grimaced. “Sorry for rambling, Lainie, when it appears you’re ready to fall asleep on your feet.”
“It’s okay. If there’s anything I can do while you guys are checking cattle or whatever, I’d be—”
Hank smothered her babbling with a decisive kiss. When he eased back, she blinked up at him. “What was that for?”
“For thinking you’re gonna be a maid, housecleaner, and cook. What part of ‘guest’ is confusing to you?”
“The offer to help out is deeply ingrained in me. A little kiss ain’t gonna stop it, sorry to say.” She yawned. “As much as I’d love to chew the fat, if you don’t need me I will hit the hay.”
“I’ll be waiting in the machine shed whenever you two get done.” Luckily Lainie missed Abe’s lewd wink.
Lainie didn’t gawk at the surroundings of his home. He steered her half-stumbling form down the hallway. Damn woman. He’d bet she hadn’t slept a wink waiting for them to pick her up. He opened the door to his room, praying he hadn’t left it a pigsty.
She sighed dreamily. “That’s the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. Is it real? Or am I asleep, dreaming about an enormous marshmallow?”
“It’s real.” Hank managed to catch her before she face-planted on the carpet. “Whoa, there. Lemme help you.” He guided her to the edge of the mattress. “Let’s get your boots off.”
“I can do it.” She frowned. “Probably.” Another frown. “Maybe.”
While she debated, Hank lifted her foot and yanked off her right boot. Then her left. She fell back onto his puffy goose-down comforter with another blissful sigh. “ Night, sexy bullfighter.”
He laughed. “You need my help getting undressed?”
“Why can’t I just sleep like this?”
“Because I’ve fantasized about getting you nekkid between my sheets since the first time we met and I ain’t about to let the opportunity pass me by.” He stroked her hair. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you in the buff.”
“True. But I’m too tired to move.”
“I know, baby. Lift your arms.” Hank removed her shirt. Sweet Jesus. She wore the sheerest black bra he’d ever seen outside a lingerie catalog. The way the mounded flesh popped over the fabric hardened his cock. The tease of her peaked nipple poked into the material and begged for his hungry mouth. Somehow he tore his gaze away and tugged off her jeans.
Fuck. It figured she wore matching sheer black panties that hugged her sweet, feminine cleft. He peeled back the covers and gave her a gentle nudge until she scooted in.
When her skin slid over the cool cotton sheets, she moaned. Loudly.
He half hoped Abe heard that.
No, hopefully Kyle heard that.
Hank smoothed the springy curls from her face, reluctant to leave her. She looked so small and vulnerable . . . and perfectly at home in his big bed.
“You’re staring at me, Hank.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Depends on if you’re planning on doing more than looking.”
“Not right now. I ain’t gonna take advantage of when you can’t be a full participant in what I’ve got planned.”