A Simple Twist of Fate (16 page)

“Exactly. Tonight is about me wanting you. Me needing to get out of the house and driving right here, early even, because you were the only person I wanted to see.”

She gave him a little sigh. No exasperation or anger. It was one of those women sighs that telegraphed happiness.

At least he finally got something right where she was concerned.

Her finger trailed in a slow seductive line down his chest to his stomach. “Much more of that talk and you are going to get really lucky.”

And like that he doubled down on his vow for the rest of the night not to talk about secrets or family or anything other than what she wanted him to do to please her. “You know, I feel pretty lucky.”

“Do you now?” She rained kisses over his chest. “And to think your brothers believe you’re ruled by your big brain.”

He shifted, lounging deeper into the chair and bringing her over him so her breasts came even with his mouth. He raised his hips to let her know they wouldn’t be eating any time soon. “Oh, there is another body part doing my thinking at the moment.”

“Let me see . . . ah, yes. I think you’re right.”

He glanced across the room. “Any chance we’ll make it to the bed this time?”

“Maybe next time.” She guided his mouth to her breast and closed her eyes when his tongue brushed over her nipple. “This time we’re trying the chair.”

“I love your bossy side.”

“Then lean back and let me be in charge.” She licked around the rim of his ear. “You’re not the only one who ran out and bought condoms, you know.”

Smart and prepared. She was perfect.

Chapter Seventeen

Almost a day had passed since Beck showed up on her doorstep. They stayed huddled in her apartment through dinner and breakfast and lunch, and now they’d circled back to dinner again. Good thing she’d stocked up on pasta and a few other staples at the apartment, including condoms, or they would have had to venture outside before now.

And that would have sucked.

Up there, in her house, cuddled on her couch or rolling around in her sheets, he was hers. They could forget about all the problems raging around them and trying to bang their way inside.

The last twenty-four hours had been about the combustion of pent-up desire. After a month of wanting and circling, they managed hours of privacy. It was nothing short of a miracle.

Now they stumbled across the back lawn of Shadow Hill and up the steps to the porch off the kitchen. After all that time in bed . . . and in the shower and everywhere else . . . Sophie couldn’t believe her legs supported her. She leaned heavy on Beck’s arm, keeping her fingers linked through his, just in case sex-driven sleep deprivation gave way to exhaustion and she dropped to the grass.

Then there was the potential awkward moment ahead. Once they stepped inside everyone would know. Would read it on their faces and the intimacy of their touch. Not that she was embarrassed. Hell, no. Grown-ups had sex . . . and this sex had been hot and amazing.

Nothing about their night together would be a surprise anyway. Beck had checked in at the house this morning via text. He hadn’t shared whatever his brothers texted back. She guessed it was something guy-like and annoying. Probably looked a lot like Leah’s text saying it was
about damn time
.

Plus the idea of walking in the house as something other than the pseudo-housekeeper on the secret hunt to save her aunt really appealed to Sophie. The moment managed to be both daunting and exciting.

Beck reached around her and pushed the back door open for her to go through first. She glanced at him over her shoulder as she stepped inside. “I’m not exactly used to walking in here without a bucket and mop.”

Beck chuckled. “I’m disturbed by how sexy that sounds.”

“We’re disturbed you think so.”

At the sound of Declan’s voice, Sophie’s head whipped around and she stopped walking. It was either that or run headfirst into a wall of people.

“What are you—” Beck rammed into her from the back. “Declan, why are you hovering at the back door?”

He was the least of Sophie’s worries. Looked like they had a houseful of people as their welcoming committee, including a lovely older woman. Declan, Leah and the not-so-mystery guest stood around the butcher block island, sharing a piece of what looked like blueberry pie.

The scene could only be described as homey. Sophie immediately went into flight mode. “Uh, Beck.”

The woman was tall, like a good five-eight or so, and thin with a short brunette bob and pretty face. With few wrinkles and an open smile, she was one of those women who fit in any time. Could be anywhere from her mid-thirties to her mid-fifties, though Sophie knew the latter was the right answer.

The flowing dress pants and tank sweater showed off toned arms and a stack of silver bracelets. The woman managed to be stylish in the way that came from being sure of your place in the world. And her face carried traces of all three brothers, but mostly of Beck.

Only Sophie would be unlucky enough to meet Beck’s mother after spending hours in bed with the man.

On instinct, Sophie dropped Beck’s hand and her fingers went to her hair. She’d seen her face in the mirror an hour ago. With pink cheeks and shiny eyes, she knew she wore a satisfied expression of a woman who hadn’t been out of bed or in clothes for . . . well, a long time.

And that’s what Beck’s mother would see. A woman who just had hours of hot sex with her baby boy.

Awesome
.

Beck still hadn’t moved from his position just inside the back door. He’d managed to get it closed but that was it. “Mom?”

“Hello, honey.”

“I didn’t know you were here.” He shifted around Sophie.

Now Sophie watched fascinated as Beck kissed his mother on the cheek as her hands, with the long artist’s fingers, rubbed against his broad back. So much for the belief that Mrs. Charlie Hanover, who had been a victim of so much and blamed for so much out of her control, would be a bit chilly and distant. Nope. Despite being shorter and smaller, she slipped her arms around Beck and hugged him tight.

When she pulled back, she touched his hair and treated him to a warm and loving smile, filled with pride. Probably the same one she’d been giving him since he was a baby.

No question the bond between them pulsed with life. Probably also explained his healthy attitude toward women, because he seemed fine showing his mom affection and receiving it back.

He stepped out of his mom’s hold but kept an arm around her. “How did you get here so fast?”

That told Sophie what she needed to know. This was not a surprise visit. She’d chat with him later about forgetting to mention his mom’s visit. Not his brightest move.

“She lives one state away and there are these things called planes.” Declan glanced at the clock as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Do you need me to tell you which day it is? Because you might have lost track of one or two. It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. Both of you.”

Beck’s smile faltered. “You could shut up before I punch you in front of our mom.”

“I hope that doesn’t mean you had a bad night. Actually,” Declan closed one eye as if pretending to think. “A bad afternoon, night, afternoon and—”

“Declan, I believe that’s enough.” His mother sent him a momma-has-spoken raised eyebrow.

Leah slipped her arm through Declan’s. “I love your mom.”

“I’m betting the feeling is mutual.” Beck smiled as his gaze swung back to Sophie. He shifted his weight so he stood next to both women. “Mom, this is Sophie Clarke.”

The older woman’s smile never wavered. She stepped forward and held out a hand in welcome. “Hello, Sophie. I assume you’re a friend of Beck’s.”

Declan choked around a mouthful of pie. It took an exaggerated slap on the back from Leah before he could talk again. “Wow, Mom. Really?
Friend
is the word you choose?”

Beck’s you’re-dead
scowl suggested he didn’t find his brother’s amusement all that funny. “It’s called ‘tact,’ and you’re confused because I’m the only one who inherited it from Mom.”

The conversation zinged and Leah shot Declan a side-eye warning. Sophie took it all in as Beck’s mom held Sophie’s hand in both of hers, giving a squeeze before she let go. “I’m Kim Hanover and I’m thrilled to finally meet you.”

Finally?

Sophie decided right then there was no way she’d call the other woman Kim. The idea of even meeting her now, after being all over her son for hours, had Sophie wanting to run out the back door and keep going.

That wasn’t the only thing that made her insides skip and bounce. The infectious family banter, complete with the obvious love that flowed around them, hit Sophie like a punch. She’d fought that outsider vibe her whole life. Callen didn’t trust her and the brothers questioned her motives, but still the Hanovers included her. Even now Beck rested his hand on her lower back.

A hit of dizziness spun in her head. She wanted to be a part of this even as she knew she couldn’t be. Standing a few feet from the woman who was once married to Charlie, the same man who had an affair with Sophie’s aunt, made Sophie long for six degrees of separation instead of only one or two.

It was all so sick and wrong, and she couldn’t stop the churning. Maybe if she had shared the story with Beck the twitchiness wouldn’t be slamming through her so hard. But he insisted they focus on touching and she refused to feel guilty for not fighting him on it.

But she could get back to work. Sort of.

Sophie cleared her throat as she slipped out of Beck’s hold. “Did you need me to set up a bedroom for your mom?”

He frowned. “
What
?”

“I’m confused. Why would you be taking care of something like that? Beck knows how to make a bed, or he’d better. He certainly learned that one years ago.” His mom picked up the edge of piecrust as she stared at Beck.

Blergh
. Sophie inched her feet apart for balance. It was either that or give in to the spinning sensation and fall to the floor. She’d been lying about her housekeeping skills for so long she knew the answer should just roll out of her. Instead, she froze as her gaze traveled around the room. From Beck’s scowl to his mother’s look of concern. Sophie finally settled on Leah and Declan. Their near-laughing expressions made her wonder if she’d completely blow the impress-the-mother opportunity by banging their heads together.

Leah let out a little “
hmmm.
” “Funny how Beck didn’t mention Sophie’s cleaning during your weekly calls.”

“Yeah, Beck.” Declan leaned against the kitchen island. “Did you forget to tell Mom about Sophie?”

His mom waved off the suggestion. “Oh, he mentioned her several times. That and the hand-holding is how I knew she was the girlfriend.”

Until that moment Sophie had been frozen, almost trapped in her body, as she tried to jump-start her brains cells into finding an intelligent way out of there. But this topic was way more interesting. “He did . . . wait, his what?”

“Talking about you? Yes, all the time.”

Beck put a hand on his mother’s arm. “Okay, Mom. That’s probably enough information.”

“The housekeeping part is what he skipped.” His mom shot Declan a look that said “
and as for you
.” She cleared her throat. “You didn’t offer that information either.”

“Which, I believe is your mom’s way of telling you to behave,” Leah said with a not-so-subtle poke to Declan’s stomach.

He rubbed the spot of the zap. “Calls or not, I want to hear Beck’s answer to the bed-making question. Should be interesting.”

Sophie usually liked Declan, but he was walking a thin line between being funny and begging for a kick to the shins. She was about to treat him to a good whack but she turned back to his mom instead. “I cleaned the house for Nanette. I’ve been helping since your sons moved in.”

The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Nanette could afford a housekeeper?”

“That’s a popular question.” Declan dodged when it looked like Leah leaned in for another poke. “But Sophie being here is convenient for Beck, isn’t it?”

“Remember how I told you to shut up?” Beck asked. “Now would be good.”

Their mom put her hands together in a soft clap. She made only the slightest of noises but both brothers jumped to attention. Leah and Sophie weren’t far behind. Loud or soft, Sophie wanted that skill—that ability to quiet the Hanover men on command—and from the way Leah smiled she liked it, too.

“Clearly I should have come sooner since my sons’ manners seem to be deteriorating.”

Since the words came out on an exhale of what sounded like fatigue, Sophie rushed to cover the resulting silence. “It’s understandable if Sweetwater isn’t your favorite place.”

The words were out there and Sophie couldn’t figure out how to call them back. The brothers stared at her in open-mouthed wonder. Only their mom didn’t wince. Still, the quiet intensified after the bumbling statement.

Sophie was about to apologize when Declan jumped in. “Interesting choice of topic.”

“No, I like it that she’s not tiptoeing around the obvious. And it’s not a secret.” Their mother walked around the island to the coffeemaker. In a few efficient moves she had the filter dumped and a new one in and set up for a new pot. She shut the lid with a click and turned around again. “Well, maybe what happened in Sweetwater all those years ago is a secret to you, Sophie. Did you grow up here?’

“No, Seattle.” Sophie couldn’t believe she got that word out with throwing up after her spectacular foot-in-mouth acrobatic act.

“Well, the abridged version of my time in town is that I lived here years ago, when the boys were very small and Leah was only a baby. Beck wasn’t much older. When the boys’ father left, I didn’t stick around.” Some of the life drained out of the older woman’s eyes. “Needless to say, my memories of the town are mostly negative, so I didn’t really welcome the opportunity to rush back here.”

“That’s kind of a sanitized version there, Mom,” Beck said.

“I hit the relevant parts.” She shrugged. “Besides, I’m sure Sophie knows about Charlie.”

Sophie nodded. “Yes.”

“Then I say we don’t talk about him.” Their mom turned back to the cabinet and took out five mugs. She reached for a sixth and her hand hovered in the air. “Where’s Cal?”

Declan spent more than a normal amount of time lining up the cups in the middle of the kitchen island. “Buying building supplies, I think.”

“Does he know she’s here?” Beck asked as he reached for a piece of the piecrust.

His mom watched every move. “
She
?”

“Sorry, Mom.”

Sophie didn’t say anything because she had no idea what she could add. After the way everyone ignored her setting-up-the-bedroom offer, well, after dissecting it and having the muscles in Beck’s cheek tick, she decided to practice her listening skills. But you didn’t need to be related by blood to notice the way the mood changed when Callen’s name came up. It wasn’t exactly a subtle shift.

Their mom continued to fuss and move around the kitchen, cleaning up and setting out plates and drinks for everyone. The hint of trouble came from Declan and Beck. They glanced at each other every time their mom’s back turned.

She finally spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence as she stacked small plates next to the half-eaten pie. “It’s fine. Cal is old enough to set his own schedule.”

“He’ll be here soon or I’ll go find him and drag him back.” Beck’s words echoed his dark expression.

The change in his personality from when they walked in the door, and certainly from the last few hours of rolling around all sexy and warm, shocked Sophie. And she knew the way he operated. He grew serious and the questions started right after. The man did seem to thrive on a good cross-examination, even when he glared his way through it.