A Place to Call Home (12 page)

He tensed under her touch. Grimacing, he looked away, a hint of pain in his eyes.

“Mac, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I should be going. I just wanted to drop off the muffins. I only ran out in these old PJs because I thought I wouldn’t see anyone. Then here we are and I’m dressed like this and, well, I got to go.” It may be warm outside, but her skin tingled under his touch forming goose bumps and reminding her how easily he aroused her. God, it felt so good to be this close to him.

He didn’t let her pull away. “I think you look sexy as all hell right now.”

She smiled, rubbing his arms with her hands. Something in his eyes told her he was very vulnerable right now. She remained quiet, to give him the time he needed to decide to talk. She’d respect his privacy if he didn’t want to re-hash his past.

“I’m divorced,” he said unprovoked. He took her by the hand and walked outside to the deck. Sitting on the stairs, he gently tugged until she sat beside him.

“I come from a good family with money, but I’ve always refused handouts,” he said. “I wanted to work and support my family myself. My ex-wife decided after three kids she didn’t like being a mother. She found herself a rich sugar daddy to travel the world with until he died. Now she’s super rich living somewhere in the Mediterranean. She sends the kids money for birthdays and Christmas but usually to the wrong kid for the wrong birthday. We don’t see much of her, but she is cold and vindictive and enjoys busting my balls. She shows up a few times a year to play mother, but I know it’s not out of affection for the boys. She doesn’t do anything unless it benefits her.”

“Sorry, she sounds like a bitch,” Hannah said. With her mouth open, she shook her head. Nothing good could be said about this type of woman.

“When you’re right, you’re right. She’s a sick woman. She doesn’t want anything to do with her kids, yet when she comes to visit she acts like she’s calling the shots. So I end up putting her in her place and she leaves in a huff.” Mac leaned over and picked up a small branch from the ground. His fingers toyed with the teardrop leaves sprigged on the end, his gaze fixated on his hands.

“I want to hear more.” She nudged him with her elbow. “All of it. I want to hear about who Austin MacDevin is, where he came from.”

It took him a moment, but he spoke slowly, his Southern accent pronounced in the quiet tepid night air. “I was a star football player in high school and college. After I earned my bachelors degree in business, my ex-wife was my girlfriend at the time and had gotten pregnant, so we married. I was happy. I attended trade school to learn general contracting so I could open my company. I busted my butt to build my business especially after my son, Aidan, was born. I wanted to give him a legacy. So I built my business and raised my boys while my ex complained about how boring her life was.”

 When he quit speaking, silence surrounded them. He stopped fidgeting with the branch and just held it. His eyes narrowed, and he stared straight ahead into the darkness. He appeared to be deep in thought. When he spoke again, the words came out slowly. “After Luke was born, she never let me touch her again. That wasn’t a problem for me since I’d long since stopped wanting her. My life was so busy I’d learned to go without sex. Then, she’d go on trips to New York saying she needed a vacation. I didn’t care that she went but the boys missed her terribly. And we never knew when she’d come back. Each time she left the trip was longer and longer. Then she called me one day and said she wanted a divorce. She’d met someone who had tons of money and could afford to give her the lifestyle she deserved.”

“What about the boys?” Hannah asked, her heart breaking.

“My words exactly,” he said somberly. “I had given up on our marriage years earlier knowing she didn’t love me, but I stuck with her because of my boys. They loved their mother.” He stopped for a moment and took a breath then stared straight ahead again. His profile showed his hardened features, his mouth turned down at the corners. He tossed away the branch after snapping it in two. “She crushed their hearts. Without blinking an eye. She said they were big boys and would be fine. Christ, they were only three, seven, and nine. They were just babies and she fucking abandoned them. I never wanted to kill someone in my life, but had she been in front of me, there’s a good chance I would’ve.”

Hannah wound her hands through his arm. “Then that would’ve left your boys without any parents. You did the right thing, Mac. Kids handle things better than adults sometimes. And from what I can see you’ve gotten them through the tough times. They are great kids. Just like their dad. They idolize you.”

“Try telling them that. Tonight they think I’m the biggest asshole around.”

“Yeah, well, I bet they’re feeling a bit guilty themselves for disappointing you.”

He snorted. “Hardly. They banded together and ganged up on me like I was destroying their lives by sending them to bed right after dinner. The friggin’ sun was just setting. Aidan was completely mortified having to go to bed that early at his age, so he got the other two going.”

She offered her warmest smile. “Of course. That’s his job as the oldest, I suppose. Getting the others on his side is typical teenager mentality.”

Mac laughed slightly without humor. “Well, he did it awesome tonight. They called me mean and I lost it. I yelled at them and marched each one of them to their rooms and slammed the doors. I haven’t heard from any of them since.”

“Then you can get to bed early yourself. You’re going to need your rest when you start my renovations.” She stood dragging him up by his hand. With the privacy of the night surrounding them, she raked her eyes over him before settling her attention on his face. “And you’ll need your rest for when I decide to take you to bed.”

“Oh? When
you
decide?” His smile came easy now, his eyes soft, humorous, despite the sad story he’d just confided.

“Yes. Goodnight, Austin.” She leaned up and placed a brief kiss on his lips and stepped quickly away before he could hold her there any longer. She wouldn’t have resisted his touch. She would have melted into his arms and done anything he asked. Her body craved his caresses, begged for his nakedness. Every inch of her skin heated from his closeness and the desire dancing through his eyes. Yes, without a second thought she would’ve succumbed to any pleasure he suggested.

But timing was everything and tonight just wouldn’t be ideal to get naked with the very handsome and virile Mac—not after his ordeal with the boys. She had no regrets leaving, knowing that plenty of opportunities lay in her future. No way would Mac lose interest any time soon. She certainly wouldn’t.

Getting into her car, she drove away quietly while he stood there, hands in his pockets, moonlight glinting off his black hair, his silhouette etched in her memory.

Chapter Thirteen

“Josh, shouldn’t you be working to keep the good people of Charleston safe instead of in here busting my balls?” Mac asked his younger brother, who currently sat with his feet perched on the corner of Mac’s desk. “Isn’t that what a deputy for the Charleston’s sheriff’s office should be doing?”

“Told you. I’m on lunch,” Josh said, running a hand through his short black hair. “Now put down the damn pen and join me.”

“I have work to do. Get lost,” Mac said.

“Fine.” Josh rolled his eyes—the same deep blue irises as Mac’s—stretched his long body, grunted, and spoke again. “Guess I’ll just have to rope off your office as a crime scene. Then you’ll have to leave and have lunch with me.”

Mac eyed him and grinned. “Try that and it really will be a crime scene.”

Josh erupted in laughter.

A knock on the door caught Mac’s attention, and a moment later, Hannah entered the office.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt, Mac. But you said to come by to sign the building permit and…” She stared at Josh and her smile disappeared. “It’s you,” she said, angrily. “Another friend of yours, Mac?”

“He’s my brother.” Mac looked from Hannah to Josh. Mac imagined Hannah in Josh’s arms and jealousy kicked him in the gut, whooshing the breath from his lungs, when. His jaw tightened, fists clenched. Damn it! He didn’t want there to be a history between his brother and the woman who had haunted his dreams for the last few nights. “You two know each other?”

“I should’ve known you’d be related,” she said. Crossing her arms, she remained near the doorway.

“How the hell do you two know each other?” Mac demanded.

Josh laughed. “Relax, bro. It’s not what your dirty mind is no doubt thinking. Let’s just say I welcomed the lovely lady into town with a warning instead of a ticket for driving dangerously.”

“Shocker,” Mac said, his shoulders relaxing. Thank God their acquaintance had been nothing more.

“Oh, hush up,” Hannah spit at Mac.

He held up the papers that required Hannah’s signature, and she stomped over to his desk, her gaze keeping track of his brother.

“You know, you can find trouble anywhere, can’t you?” Mac said and handed her a pen. He pointed to the place on the building permit for to sign and then faced his brother. “You should’ve given her the ticket.”

“Nah.” Josh rose, holding his deputy hat in his hands. “I believe in giving a break every now and then especially to pretty newcomers.”

After signing the papers, she straightened and thrust the pen back into his hand. Thank God she’d retracted the tip or else he’d have ink poisoning right about now.

“What you should’ve done is lock her up then I wouldn’t have had to rescue her from the damn ceiling.”

She pointed her finger at Mac. “I swear, Austin MacDevin, if you so much as mention that stupid story one more time I’ll—”

“Oh, my. What did I walk in on?” A tall, slender woman holding a small child said from the door.

Mac threw his pen down on the desk and leaned back in the chair. “Christ, what is this, a family reunion? I’m working here, if anyone hasn’t noticed.”

The other woman ignored Mac and walked to Hannah, extending her hand. “Hi. I’m Mac’s older sister, KelliAnn.”

“Hannah O’Leary. And who’s this angel?”

“This here is my daughter Shelby,” KelliAnn said. Her deep blue eyes opened wide and perky. “Say hi, Shelby.”

The blonde child waved her small hand to Hannah. Everyone, including Mac, laughed. How could he not? She was so adorable.

Mac came around his desk, took his niece from his sister, and held her high above his head to the child’s delight. “Who’s my favorite girl?” he asked in the silly voice he reserved only for babies.

“Me,” she squealed, pointing her thumb toward herself.

“That’s right, baby girl.” Mac cuddled the child while his sister turned to Hannah.

“So tell me, what’d you do to him?” KelliAnn inquired.

“What?” Hannah asked. With wide eyes, she glanced back and forth between Mac and his sister.

“When I walked in, I think you were on the verge of threatening bodily harm.”

“KelliAnn, drop it,” Mac warned.

 “Go on,” she said to Hannah. “I’m listening. I want to hear what you’d do to our Austin here.”

“I think he can figure it out,” Hannah said, frowning at Mac. “But it would involve loss of certain body parts.”

Josh laughed even though Mac shot him a vicious look.

His sister giggled. “Oh, I like you.”

Mac ignored them and played with Shelby. “See why you’re my favorite girl, princess? You can’t talk a lot. Now the rest of you, out. Only Shelby can stay.” He held the girl up, raspberried her belly, and the child shrieked in delight. Mac forgot about the aggravating adults in his office, his mood lightening. Playing with babies always softened his heart.

“Come on, Shelby,” KelliAnn said. “Uncle Mac has to get back to work and we have to go shopping for pretty things. We just stopped in to say hello.”

Shelby protested and held her arms out for Mac, who kissed both her hands.

“You go with Mama now. I’ll see you later.” He opened her tiny hand, kissed the palm, and closed her little fingers. “You hold on to that kiss until I see you again. Okay?”

Mac caught Hannah smiling from across the room and winked.

KelliAnn turned to Hannah. “My mom heard you were new to town, Hannah, and bought the old Brigman house. She wants to have lunch with you some day. She’s head of the Town Arts Council and will probably want to draft you into joining the next town fair.”

Mac’s mouth dropped. She what? “You can’t have lunch with my mother.”

Hannah faced him. “I didn’t know I needed your permission to do anything, Mac.”

“When it comes to my mother, it’d be nice for me to have a say,” he answered sarcastically.

KelliAnn and Josh exchanged inquisitive glances.

“Don’t worry. I won’t make her divulge any family secrets, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’ve nothing to hide. Just tell me if she contacts you.”

“Giving me orders now, Austin? Try that and I swear I’ll show you a part of my temper you won’t like.”

“Oh, and I so much like the rest of your temper,” he said, sarcasm dripping from his words. “Stop being a brat and get out of here.”

“A brat? How dare you call me a brat when you’re a stubborn ass?”

“I call it like I see it.”

Hannah made an unintelligible sound and clenched her fists. “You’re impossible.” She grabbed her purse. “It was nice to meet you, KelliAnn and Shelby. As for you two, well, I have nothing nice to say, so I’m not going to say anything.”

“There’s a change,” Mac said.

“Hey, what did I do?” Josh asked innocently. “I only gave you a warning and not the ticket.”

KelliAnn looked around confused and then spoke to Hannah. “Would you like to come shopping with me? I think we’d have a lot of fun and could have some girl talk.”

“No, KelliAnn,” Mac said, firmly.

“I could use some girl talk as a matter of fact,” Hannah said, moving to KelliAnn’s side.

“KelliAnn…” Mac protested louder.

“Listen, I have to get back to work now that I know Hannah’s on the roads,” Josh said and smiled.

Hannah hoped he caught a glimpse of the green daggers she shot his way.

KelliAnn walked over to Mac and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “I’ll be by tonight to give you and the boys haircuts. Come on, Hannah. Mac’s got more bark than bite.”

Hannah followed his sister out the door, and said over her shoulder, “Too bad, since I do like a man with bite.”

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When Mac arrived home, he found KelliAnn giving the boys haircuts. She had finished Ryan and Luke and worked on giving Aidan some cool new hairstyle that required gel.

“Don’t put that crap in my son’s hair, sis,” Mac bellowed when he walked into the kitchen. “He’s a boy for Christ’s sake.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Aidan said. “It’s the style.”

“Style my ass. Men don’t wear hair gel and hairspray.”

“Oh, Mac, quit your complaining. A little gel isn’t going to kill his manhood. See how you like that, Aidan.” KelliAnn held up a mirror.

“Cool. I like it.”

While Mac sifted through mail, he spied her slipping Aidan the bottle of gel.

“Keep it out of his sight, or he’ll toss it out,” she whispered.

Mac glanced up. “I heard that. Make sure I don’t find it.”

“Oh, leave him alone,” KelliAnn said, “Sit down. You’re my last customer.”

He fingered through the mail, tossed it on the counter, and removed his T-shirt. He sat in the chair and she quickly draped the smock over him, tying it at the back of his neck.

“I’ve got to warn you, sis. I smell. I’ve been sweating my ass off for the last two hours.”

“I’ll just spray you with some cologne, is all,” she said, giggling.

“Don’t you dare,” he warned, moving to avoid the spray.

“Sit still.” She grabbed his head and positioned it face-forward. “I won’t be responsible for clipped ears if you move like that again.” She buzzed him with hair clippers. “You’re awful cranky today, Mac. What gives?”

“Nothing.”

“Would you like to hear how my day was with Hannah?”

“No,” he said simply. Nothing good at all could come from his nosy sister spending the day with the woman he wanted to fuck more than he wanted to breathe. Hadn’t his ears rung all day knowing they would be discussing him? He may be still getting to know Hannah, but he knew his sister very well. Without a doubt his sibling would have battered Hannah with question after question until she positively squeezed every juicy detail out of the unsuspecting woman about her relationship with Mac.

KelliAnn talked anyways like he knew she would.

“We did a lot of shopping. Hannah has amazing taste and a good eye for a bargain. She told me of her plans for her restaurant and showed me some pictures of her other ones. Oh, my God. They are simply amazing. She’s amazing. So successful and so young. And she’s so beautiful. I wish I had her legs.”

“Your legs are fine,” he said gruffly, feeling a matchmaking session beginning.

“Yeah, but hers are so shapely. After three kids, I’m lucky my legs look like legs at all.”

“Sis, you know you look amazing, so shut up. And stop trying to sell me on Hannah. I’m not interested.”

“Aren’t you, though?”

“No,” he said louder. “So stop trying to set us up. I mean it.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Mac. We hardly talked about you at all. We had much more interesting things to talk about. She even let me cut off all her hair and give her a nice short haircut to keep those curls under control.”

He swung around and glared. Aw hell. Why would any woman with Hannah’s beautiful hair think of changing it? He never even got the chance to grab a fistful and bend her head back to devour that delicious mouth of hers. Damn it!

“You cut her hair off? What the hell were you thinking?”

“Oh, please, it was just hanging there. I gave her something with style.”

“She had style. Her hair was gorgeous. Jesus, why would you do a thing like that, KelliAnn?” His voice thundered through the room, his heart rate doubling. He wanted to curse his sister up and down and bit his tongue not to.

KelliAnn giggled, then laughed uncontrollably.