Caitlin's Hero (9 page)

He was entranced by the sexy way she twirled strands of her thick auburn curls through her fingers when thinking about something. He had to stop himself, on more than one occasion, from reaching over and touching her hair. He knew it
would feel soft.
It was an incredible
experience
being with the Walters family, one he could get very used to—if he were the settling down type, that was, he tried to remind himself.

Of course, he had lost his head once, and who could blame him? The way Caitlin had
taken
the gelato from
his
spoon, her cheeks hollowing in as she sucked, then licked that lucky little silver spoon clean, had driven him wild. And she’d topped it off with that
sensual
moan! He was a man, after all, not a saint. What could he say? It had been painful with the table edge crushing his cock as he’d leaned over and engulfed her mouth almost into his. She’d tasted cool and tangy. He’d taken his time to lick all remnants of the lemon gelato from her
sinful
mouth. It was
his
dessert, after all, he’d mused to himself as he’d consumed her.

It had taken Brodie a few moments before he’d remembered the kid. The look on Riley’s face was
a worry.
His eyes were wide and his mouth open, with gelato dripping down his arm
. He looked a bit shocked
.
Brodie resolved to keep himself under tighter control in front of the boy in the future.

Caitlin’s reaction had been a surprise as well. She’d burst into fits of laughter, the sound like tinkling bells in heaven to his ears. Brodie
couldn’t
help but join in with his own bellowing laugh. He
couldn’t
remember the last time he had laughed so heartily.

Dinner was over all too soon. Brodie paid the almost embarrassingly small bill, leaving a generous tip. He helped Caitlin back into the front passenger seat of his car by placing both hands around her hips and lifting her. In one smooth motion, he placed her gently on the soft leather seat. He wasn’t ready for the evening to end just yet.

“So, Walters clan, is there any way I can tempt you into coming back to my place for a bit? The night is still young, and Riley, I think I may have a few of the movies you were talking about on DVD.” Brodie knew there was nothing noble in the way he was using Riley for his own gain, but hey, he would give the kid the DVDs if it worked.
Win-win!

“That’d be great, Brodie. Gosh, I think just being able to say I was at your place is enough. The guys at school will go ape when I tell them! Can we, sis? Ple-e-ase?”

The eager look on Riley’s face left Brodie feeling of a twinge of guilt, but he just hadn’t spent enough time with Caitlin so wasn’t about to back down.

“Well, I guess that would be okay, but only for a short time, Riley. It’s a school night so we can’t stay out too late. If you’re sure it’s no trouble, Brodie, that would be lovely.” The smile she gave him almost took his breath away, but the way she fussed over Riley sounded quite motherly.

Chapter Eleven

The trip back to Brodie’s home seemed to take no time at all. Riley talked all the way there about his favourite movies and whether or not they were in Brodie’s collection. Brodie was pleased to confirm he did indeed own many of the films Riley mentioned, and offered to loan them to him. All the while, Brodie greedily held on to his angel’s hand. It was warm and so delicate in comparison to his. Caitlin’s fingers were long and slender with short, well-groomed pink nails. Brodie just wanted to suck and lick every single one of those precious digits.

The image of doing that made Brodie groan, the sound coming out louder than he’d intended. He was truly stunned when his angel dragged his hand towards her lips and kissed each of his fingers tenderly. It was at that exact moment that Brodie knew he was a goner. Would he ever get enough of this woman? He didn’t think he would, even if she was his forever. He just hoped her parents wouldn’t object, or be concerned about the age difference. One thing was certain—Brodie would do everything in his power to win them over, and he already knew he had an ally in Riley.

He parked the car in the garage. Caitlin stayed in her seat and waited for him to come around and open her door. He was pleased about that. Riley, of course, had jumped from the car the moment it had stopped. The kid was a ball of energy
and had taken off to look at the view outside
.

Brodie lovingly lifted Caitlin from the car, brushing his lips gently and quickly over hers. He let her body slide down his, enjoying the feel of her as she made her way over his chest, hips, crotch and thighs. He took her hand and headed up the private outdoor stairway that led to his balcony and door. He was pleased to notice both Caitlin and Riley stopped to admire the spectacular view of the Parramatta River.

After a few minutes, the pair joined him inside his apartment. Riley went immediately to the
large
DVD cabinet that held Brodie’s extensive collection, where he emitted
various
sounds of pleasure. Brodie took the opportunity to show off his living quarters, even feeling a
tad
nervous at the thought of Caitlin’s impressions.

Brodie was pleased with his home and was proud at having chosen all the décor himself. The choice of modern furniture was very stylish. Large, comfy, tan leather
couches
were placed strategically, encouraging
visitors
to sit and gaze out at the busy waterway. Deep brown, lush carpet that made you want to curl your toes in it covered the floor. Co-ordinated lamps filled the room with a warm, soft glow. A large, flat-screen television was mounted on one wall, complete with the latest in media equipment neatly
positioned
underneath in a cabinet that matched the DVD housing. Hanging on the other wall were several accolades to Brodie’s extensive and successful career.

Make no mistake, it was a man’s abode, but it still had a warm and cosy feel about it. Brodie stood staring at Caitlin, wishing he could just take her in his arms and make passionate love to her all night. He wanted to pleasure her as no other
man
had, so no one else could ever take his place. Brodie was no fool, though. He had Riley’s welfare to think of here as well, and he didn’t think the boy was up for that sort of life lesson. What was more, he was sure the kid’s parents would be horrified. It was okay. Brodie was a patient man. He sat down on one of the tan lounge chairs and pulled Caitlin into his lap.

Caitlin seemed to melt into his body, and she relaxed in his arms as if she had spent her life there. It pleased Brodie to know she trusted him already. He wanted to
put into place a
plan to meet her parents, and started to tell her so.

“Will your parents be at home when I drop you back? I’d love to meet them.” Thinking of Riley and his parents had raised Brodie’s curiosity—not that he overly minded sharing this first date with the kid, but he did wonder what Caitlin’s parents did for a living and why they weren’t around tonight.

At the mention of her parents he felt Caitlin go rigid. Even Riley, whom he’d thought was absorbed in the DVD collection, stopped and turned towards his sister. He waited for what seemed an age for her to answer him.

“What the hell is going on, Caitlin?” Brodie asked, confused and slightly angered at the lack of response from either sibling. He could only think that maybe they had something to hide. Perhaps Caitlin thought her parents might disapprove of their daughter dating a footballer, or maybe it was the age difference between him and Caitlin. Whatever it was, Brodie really needed an answer.

“I hope you don’t think your parents will be put off by my career choice? I know some people think rugby league’s a bit brutal, but there is a lot more to me than just my league career. I’m quite a successful businessman too…”

Brodie had never felt so insecure—couldn’t believe he was spouting off a bloody
résumé
to convince Caitlin he was good enough for her, good enough to meet her parents. Then Brodie had another, more appealing thought. Maybe it wasn’t him at all. Maybe it was her folks she was embarrassed by, and she didn’t want him to judge her by parents who were hippies, or something like that.

But as he sat debating all the angles, Caitlin remained still, with tears in her eyes. Brodie’s heart clenched. He had upset her.

It was then that he noticed Riley was standing in front of him. Taking his sister’s hand, Riley calmly spoke. “Our mum and dad were killed in a car accident
a
year ago. It’s just Cate and me now. If it wasn’t for her I’d be in a foster home. Cate left uni and came home to take care of me,” he continued, his pride and love for his sister evident.

Brodie was in shock. He didn’t know what to say. She really was an angel! So much strength, loyalty and love in one gorgeous little package. He was so proud of her he could have cried.
That
definitely would have been a sight people would have paid to see. Big, tough, always-in-control Brodie James blubbering. Brodie brought his hand up to cover Riley’s, connecting himself with both of these precious people.

“Well then, son,” he said to Riley. “So it’s only your permission I need to court your sister?”

It was a magic moment. They were all full of emotion. So much had happened in such a short time, and Brodie could not wait to become fully involved with the lives of this incredible small family. He could not wait to make them both part of his life as well. Starting tonight.

He took the time to explain his busy schedule to Caitlin and Riley. Training wasn’t what took up most of Brodie’s time—it was the travelling to interstate and overseas games. This weekend, the Sydney Jets were up against the Auckland side. The game was scheduled for Sunday in New Zealand, with the team leaving on Saturday morning.

“I just had a great idea,” Brodie started eagerly. “The Jets are playing in Auckland this weekend. Why don’t you two come over with me and watch the game? I can arrange everything. We leave Saturday morning, so Riley won’t miss any school, and you can stay in the same hotel as me. My treat.” He was really getting quite excited about the whole idea, his mind so busy racing off in all directions, thinking about the
many
things that would need to be organised, that he nearly missed Caitlin’s reply.

“Not that I don’t love the thought of a trip overseas, and I’m sure Riley would just love the opportunity to hang around your teammates, but I think there could be one glaring problem, Brodie. We don’t have passports. Never have.”

Reluctantly, Brodie had to admit defeat this time. Riley was obviously disappointed. But Brodie was not about to give up—he wanted to see that smile back on the kid’s face, hated that look of sadness.

“Well, so this weekend is a no-go, but you have to at least promise to come the following
weekend. We’re playing at home.
I can give Riley a tour of the team room before the game, then after we win,” Brodie added with a wink, “you can come and join in on the celebration with the rest of the boys. What do you say, mate? Does that sound good?”

Riley beamed back at Brodie, nodding eagerly. It was all Brodie could do to stop himself from hugging the boy. Well, the fact that he still held Caitlin captive on his lap made it difficult, anyway.

It was getting late, and Brodie knew he had to get Caitlin and Riley back to their home and beds, but it was hard for him to let them go. There was so much he wanted to tell Caitlin. He wanted to explain his failed marriage, tell her about his loving parents who had property up north. He could already see himself and Riley on the quad bikes, racing around the fields of the small hobby farm he’d purchased in his parents’ names. All of these things could wait. They would have plenty of time when he returned from ‘over the ditch’.

Riley had selected two DVDs to borrow. Brodie was impressed by the boy’s restraint in taking so few. Perhaps Riley already knew he’d have access to the others at any time soon. Brodie couldn’t help but hope that was the case.

He managed a few deep, hungry kisses with Caitlin while Riley was distracted, but it was in no way enough. They made plans for him to take Riley to watch Caitlin sing the following night at Mia’s, acting as chauffeur to them both. This
idea
seemed to make Riley very excited. Caitlin was to organise a sitter for Riley on Monday night, so
she and Brodie
could have some private time together. She had assured him the sitter would be free and happy to oblige, and had shaken her head at his offer to pay the sitter’s fees.

She was a proud and independent woman, his angel. He loaded them into his car and started for Ashfield.

He could tell Caitlin was restless. “What’s wrong, angel?” he whispered.

She just shook her head, a sad little smile on her face.

“The reason we met you out on the kerb tonight, Brodie, was that I was embarrassed for you to see where we live. Even more so now, after seeing your beautiful home.” Caitlin waved her arm around to encompass her surroundings as she spoke. “Your place is so wonderful. Riley and I share a little one-bedroom flat. It’s tiny and run-down—shabby, really. Riley has the bedroom and I convert the
s
ofa into a bed each night for myself. It may not be much, but at least we own it.”

“Oh, angel, baby, you shouldn’t have worried about stuff like that. You have nothing to
be
ashamed or embarrassed about. You are doing such a good job being there for your brother, I would never have judged you like that.” Brodie couldn’t believe what she was saying. He was so sorry that she’d
believed
she had to hide anything about herself.