Break the Rules (The Flanagan Sisters Book 1) (2 page)

“There
were also a number of shipwrecks to dive,” Jack was saying. “The ocean takes
over the man-made structures so quickly. The fish and eels move right in and
make themselves at home. When you swim by they watch you as much as you watch
them.”

Tanya
giggled at whatever Hal whispered in her ear. “It’s getting late. We should
probably head home.”

Bridget’s
headache had disappeared and she was enjoying talking to Jack. Wasn’t that just
typical?

“Bridge,
Hal’s offered to show me his place. Are you all right getting home on your
own?”

So
that was the real reason. Not sure whether to be amused or annoyed she simply
said, “Sure.”

* * *

The
cab pulled up in front of Bridget’s house and nerves tickled her stomach. “This
is me,” she said and paid the driver.

“I’ll
walk you to your door,” Jack said, before asking the driver to wait.

After
Tanya had left with Hal, he’d insisted on accompanying her home, saying he
wanted to delay his return so he didn’t cramp Hal and Tanya’s style. Bridget
could totally understand that and it gave her an opportunity to decide what she
wanted to do about him.

“Nice
place,” he said as he followed her up the path to the front door.

“Yeah.”
The front light came on and she turned to face him, her hands clasped together.
She was tempted to invite him in, but that was against her dating rules.

He
took hold of her hands. “I had a nice time tonight.”

“Me too.”
Her body tingled in response to his thumb lazily brushing the back of her hand.

He
pulled her closer and she tilted her head, her lips parting slightly. Something
in her chest fluttered. He was going to kiss her and she wanted him to. He bent
his head and his lips met hers. The fluttering stopped as her senses took
control. His lips were firm and he tasted like coffee. When his tongue flicked
over hers she couldn’t suppress a quiet moan. It had been a long time since
she’d been kissed like this, since her body had reacted like this. She had to
stop this now before it went too far.

Bridget
broke the kiss and took a step back, her breath unsteady. She swallowed. “I
have two rules to dating,” she said. “And one is never to sleep with someone on
the first date.”

“What’s
your second rule?” His tone was light and he was smiling.

Her
lips twitched in response. “I don’t date people I work with.” She wasn’t going
to make
that
mistake again.

“Fair enough.”
He shuffled his feet. “Want to be a rule-breaker tonight?”

The
hopeful look on his face was sweet. She grinned at him. “Yes,” she admitted.
She kissed him again needing one more taste before he left. He gathered her
close, and ran his hand down her back to her butt. Her body heated and she
leaned closer. Damn she wanted him. She broke the kiss. What the heck, she
deserved some fun. Playing by the rules hadn’t got her anywhere. “Want to come
in?”

“Hell
yes.”

She
laughed as she unlocked the door and Jack dashed back to tell the driver he
wasn’t needed.

Anticipation
stirring, she led him down the hall to her bedroom. It was way past time she
did something spontaneous, and Jack was the perfect guy for it. She turned,
drew him into her arms and claimed his lips.

It
had been too long for Bridget to take things slowly. Her body was on fire and
she wanted him naked. Her fingers worked busily on the buttons of his shirt,
while his hands snuck under her top. She shoved the shirt off his shoulders and
then lifted her arms so he could rid her of her own top. Her brown hands
contrasted against his lighter skin as she ran them over his chest, enjoying
his muscle tone. She needed more. She wanted to forget her responsibilities and
just feel. And damn he felt good.

Quickly
she unclasped her black cotton bra and threw it to the floor. His thumbs
brushed her nipples and she threw her head back as glorious sensations flooded
her and pooled between her legs. They had to get to the bed.

She
moved backwards, her hands tugging on his jeans to draw him along with her as
she undid his button and zipper, pushing his pants and underwear
down. He was sexy as hell. She couldn’t stop running her hands over him,
and the sound that came out of her mouth as she stroked his manhood sounded
like a purr. She wanted him inside her now.

His
eyes darkened as he pushed her on to the bed. She fell willingly back onto the
mattress, and then fumbled with her own jeans until he grabbed the waistband
and pulled them off.

She
couldn’t get any hornier. Her mound pulsed with desire, and when he brushed his
fingertips lightly over her belly and down between her legs she had to have
him, now. Lifting herself onto one elbow, she reached into the drawer of her
bedside table and handed him a condom. “Jack, now,” she panted.

He
quickly sheathed himself and then his body covered hers. It wasn’t enough. His
hardness pressed against her and she kissed him, needing to taste him.

Slowly
he entered her, filling her, and her brain short-circuited. All she could do
was move and feel, moaning his name.

Sensation
built quickly like a tidal wave. She was on the edge, and then they both went
over, calling out each other’s names.

* * *

Bridget
lay on her back, her arms outstretched, and a huge grin on her face. That had
been incredible.

“Wow,”
Jack breathed.

Wow
didn’t really begin to cover it. She just nodded, not able to form a coherent
word.

He
leaned over and kissed her long and deeply. “I’m glad you broke your rule.”

Bridget
gazed up at him. “So am I.” It was past time that she had some
fun, that
she lived a little and tonight she’d lived a
lot.

“Got
any plans tomorrow?”

Shoot.
She did. “I’ve got lunch at my mom’s.”

“That
sounds nice.”

“Yeah,
we get together every other week.”

He
stretched and glanced at her. “Should I call a cab then?”

Bridget
hesitated. As much as she would have liked him to stay, it could get awkward in
the morning. She sighed. “Yeah, my sister is picking me up early.”

He
reached to the floor, pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket, and ordered a
cab. She couldn’t resist running her hand over his back and down to his
luscious bottom.

He
glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Can I see you again?”

“I’d
like that.” She rattled off her mobile number and he saved it in his phone.

“What
about dinner tomorrow?”

Her
chest squeezed. He was as keen as she was. “I won’t get back until late.
How about later in the week?”

“Sure.
I’ll call.”

She
was a little disappointed that he didn’t offer an alternative, until she
remembered he was starting a new job on Monday.

Jack
got up and pulled on his pants and shirt. It was a shame to see him cover up
that gorgeous body.

Outside
a horn tooted. “That’ll be my ride,” he said.

Bridget
stood up, threw on a T-shirt, and followed him to the door. She kissed him
again, not really wanting him to leave.

“I’ll
call,” he promised.

“You’d
better get going, otherwise the cab might leave.” She stepped inside and put a
hand on the door. “I’ll look forward to your call.”

She
shut the door and grinned.

She’d
have to thank Tanya for making her go out.

Chapter 2

Bridget’s cell phone rang, waking her. Groaning
and reaching over to check the display, she saw the time and swore.

“Morning, Carly.
Are you on your way?”

“I’m
at the front door. Are you still asleep?”

Bridget
suppressed another groan and sat up. “I was. Sorry, late night. I’ll be right
there.” She hung up, threw on some clothes and walked to the front door to let
her older sister in.

Carly
stood on the doorstep, immaculately groomed as always. Her naturally curly
brown hair was straightened to perfection and hung just short of her shoulders.
She was wearing a knee-length gray skirt and a white blouse, and her feet were
clad in a smart pair of four-inch gray pumps.

Bridget
leaned in to hug her shorter sister. “We’re going to Casa Flanagan, right?”

Carly
gave her a look. “Yes. I’ve come from a business brunch.”

Bridget
frowned. “It’s Sunday, sis. You shouldn’t be working.” She turned and led her
into the kitchen, where she switched on the coffee maker.

“It
was a charity thing,” Carly said. “I’ll make the coffee. You go take a shower.”

Bridget
smiled her thanks and headed for the bathroom. Tanya’s bedroom door was open
and she was lying face down on the mattress, still dressed in the clothes she’d
worn last night. Bridget closed the door. She was sure Tanya would give her all
the details when she got home tonight.

Her
thoughts drifted to Jack. She’d had such a great time with him. She was glad
she’d broken her rule and invited him in. It had been … well, amazing was
too soft a word to describe it. She’d never experienced such overwhelming
passion before. She’d been consumed with lust, and the only words in her head
had been the mantra –
now, now, now
.

Bridget
turned on the shower, then stripped off and stepped under the spray. As much as
she’d wanted him to stay, she was glad he hadn’t. It would have been totally
awkward to have him still here when Carly arrived.

She hoped
he’d call her today.

After
a quick shower, she dressed and met her sister in the kitchen where she had a
travel mug of coffee ready to go. “Thanks, Carly.” Bridget took a sip and
sighed with pleasure. “You’re not having one?”

“No,
I’ve had my coffee for the day. You ready? You know how Mama gets when we’re
late.”

“Zita
will let her know.” Bridget grabbed her phone and sent her younger sister a
text saying they were running late.

The
response arrived moments later.
Late night, huh?
Can’t wait to hear about it!

Bridget
grinned and locked the front door behind her. Carly was already getting into
the driver’s seat of her brand new silver BMW. Bridget closed her eyes as she
sank into the rich leather interior and took another sip of coffee.

“
You going
to tell me about your night?” Carly asked.

She
opened her eyes. “Tanya wanted to go dancing.
Said it would
take my mind off not getting the promotion.”

Carly
glanced at her. “They didn’t give you the job?”

“Nope.
They didn’t even bother to tell me. I ran into the HR manager as I was leaving
on Friday afternoon and asked him when I would hear. He said the new safety
manager was starting on Monday.” The familiar irritation bubbled up inside her.
“They must have known for weeks and they didn’t tell me.”

“I
can’t believe they could be so stupid,” Carly said, her tone indignant. “You
work your ass off for them. You know that oil refinery inside out and all of
the guys respect you. You were the natural choice.”

Carly
was right. Bridget had been working as group leader of safety for two years and
everyone had expected her to get the promotion. “I know.
Doesn’t
matter.
I don’t know if it’s my age or my gender, but something isn’t
working in my favor.”

“They
can’t discriminate on either of those terms. You should go after them for equal
opportunity.”

“There’s
no point. I can’t prove anything. All it would do is make me less popular with
senior management, and I’ve ticked them off too many times telling them truths
they don’t want to hear.”

Carly
opened her mouth to say something else.

“Just
leave it,” said Bridget. “I want a whole day when I don’t have to think about
work.”

With
that in mind, she turned off her cell phone. She wasn’t on call this weekend,
but the guys on shift often called anyway for her opinion. Today they could
contact the designated person instead. Bridget needed the break.

* * *

The
drive out to their mother’s property took just over an hour. Carmen lived on
five acres that Carly had bought for her after making her first million. She
was fairly self-sufficient – growing her own food and with a coop full of
chickens. She always said farming reminded her of El Salvador.

Carly
pulled into the long driveway and slowed as Zita’s two dogs came bounding out
to greet them.

“She
has got to train them to stop doing this,” Carly said, her knuckles white on
the steering wheel as the dogs darted around the car.

“You
know Zita,” Bridget replied.

Their
youngest sister was all about animal rights. She was too kind-hearted to
discipline her rescue dogs. Aside from rushing out to greet visitors, the two
animals were actually well behaved.

Carly
stopped the car close to the house and they got out. Carmen was already at the
door.

“There
you are! I thought you’d found something better to do.” She spoke in rapid
Spanish.

Bridget
resisted rolling her eyes. Her mother loved to joke about their busy lives. She
said the same thing whenever they didn’t arrive on time. It didn’t matter if
they’d sent a text to say they were running late.

She
kissed her mother on both cheeks. “I’m sorry. I slept in.”

Carmen tutted at her as she greeted Carly.
“Have you been out partying?”

“Tanya
took me out.”

Carmen
sniffed. “That girl never stops.”

Bridget
walked through into the kitchen where spicy smells hit her. Zita was stirring something
in a pan. “Hey, Z,” she said, pinching one of the
pasteles
from the table. She was starving.

“
Hola
.”

She
broke her
pastel
in half, careful not to let the stuffing drop out, and
gave some to Mario, one of the young foster children her mother was looking
after. Bridget winked at him and he grinned back.

“Where
did you go last night?” Her mother puttered around the kitchen getting them a
drink, while simultaneously giving Bridget
the
stare. “Were there boys
involved?”

“I
hope they were men,” Zita said, and grinned at her mother’s shake of the head.

Bridget
smothered a smile. “I met a nice man and gave him my number.”

Carmen
glanced at her. “What does he do? Where is he from?”

“Mama!”
Holy hell, she always wanted details. “His name is Jack, he’s from Houston but
has been living in Australia, and I don’t know what he does. I didn’t want to
talk about work because I didn’t get the promotion.”

Carmen
slapped a glass of
horchata
on the table in
front of her, spilling some of it. “Oh, baby, why are you working for such
fools?” She stood with her hands on her hips.

As
Bridget had hoped, she’d distracted her mother from more questions about Jack.

Zita
lay
a hand over Bridget’s. “I’m sorry.”

Bridget
shrugged. “There’s nothing I can do about it. They obviously didn’t think I was
ready for the position.”

“But
you have been doing the job for six months!” Carmen gestured emphatically.

“That
doesn’t seem to matter.”

“You
should quit. They’ll be begging you to stay.”

“It
doesn’t quite work like that, Mama.” Changing the subject, she asked, “What’s
for lunch?”

* * *

After
Bridget had eaten far more than she should have, she followed Zita outside to
pick some fruit to take home.

Her
little sister had inherited her looks from their Irish father. Her strawberry
blonde hair was naturally straight and she often tied it back in a ponytail.
She always wore the most colorful clothes she could find. Today it was a bright
red skirt, matched with a white T-shirt and sequined flip flops. Zita didn’t
remember much of El Salvador, being only three when they’d left, and Bridget
sometimes thought she was making up for it by wearing traditional festival
clothing.

As
soon as they were clear of the house, Zita said, “Tell me about Jack.”

Bridget
laughed. “There’s not a lot to tell.”

Zita
pushed on. “Where did you meet?”

Bridget
sighed. “Tanya dragged me out dancing last night and hooked up with Jack’s
brother. Neither Jack nor I wanted to be out, so we convinced them to go to a
quieter bar where they could keep dancing. We chatted for a couple of hours,
then
he took me home. I gave him my number.” She shrugged.
“We’ll see if he calls.” She really hoped he would.

“Sounds
like a gentlemen if he took you home and nothing else.”

Bridget
wasn’t going to discuss it with her little sister. “He was nice.” She entered
the large greenhouse to pick some
mamey
and
jocote
, her mother’s favorite fruits. “So what’s the story
with the new girl?”

The
farm was a foster home for refugee children, mostly from Central America. Their
mother had insisted on helping when she heard how the situation had worsened
over the past few years and unaccompanied children were fleeing to the United
States. It worked well because she and Zita spoke Spanish and there were no men
around, so it was generally the abused girls who were sent to them.

“I
don’t know the full story yet,” Zita said. “She’s been raped.”

It
was tragic that didn’t surprise Bridget. It was all too common for the girls to
have been sexually assaulted either before they’d left their home or by the
people smugglers who took them across the border. “Where is she from?”

“El
Salvador. We only know what she told immigration, and that’s not a lot. I’m
sure she’ll open up when she gets to know us.” Zita placed another fruit in the
basket. “She’s part of the new trial.”

“That’s
great.” It was a big deal. Zita and Carmen had been fighting for many years to
stop children being imprisoned in detention centers. It could take months, if
not years to process them, and the incarceration was hard on them. The trial
was to test whether the children could indeed be fostered out in the community
while their applications were being processed.

Children
who were granted asylum and had no family in the United States inevitably
stayed at Casa Flanagan and became part of their family. The house had eight
bedrooms, plus there were multiple small self-contained units on the property,
where the girls moved as they got older and more independent. Celebrations were
always huge in the Flanagan household.

“What
about Mario and Jacinta?” The brother and sister had been living with Carmen
for two months now while the search for their mother continued.

“We’ve
got a lead. Their mother might be in Wisconsin. We should know in the next week
or so.”

“That’s
great.”

The
situation in Central America was uncertain for many people. Mario’s mother had
fled the country for the United States in the hope of finding work, leaving her
children with her own mother. As she’d earned enough money, she’d sent it back
to help get her children out of the country, but because she wasn’t a legal
citizen, she never included her address.

“It
is great,” Zita said with a sigh. “But I’ll miss them. Mario is so cheeky.”

Bridget
gave her sister a hug. Zita had the softest heart of all of them. She always
got too attached. “You’ll stay in touch. You always do.” She picked up the
basket full of their harvest. “Come on, let’s get this inside.”