River's End: River on Fire Part 9

THEIR CONVERSATIONS, THOSE OF the sisters-in-law and Joey's, filtered through Hailey's thoughts all afternoon as she swam and floated with her kids. Both of them. That was huge. Brianna seemed to chill out towards her whenever Cami was around. Hailey didn't understand it, but was grateful all the same. Towards sunset, they finally emerged from the refres.h.i.+ng water. She was drying off when the kids begged her permission to all sleep together down on the beach tonight. Ben and Marcy promised to come with them. Bonfire, s'mores, hot dogs... it all sounded like a night of sheer bliss for the kids. And all the adults were coming too. These Rydells spent lots of time together. But how to say no? Her kids were so animated. They were excited and even tolerated her indecision.

She changed into jean shorts and a tank top, taking a few moments to put makeup on, with no reason why. Tugging a brush through her hair, she even blew it out with a hair dryer. She and the kids showed up to the large fire on the beach and saw all the Rydells down there too. Amidst the friendly chats were spurts of laughter, and the couples were all holding hands or wrapping their arms around each other. Hailey tried to stay back a bit, feeling as though she were cras.h.i.+ng it. Naturally, they all welcomed her. Joey came near her and sat down. Her entire stomach churned and every subsequent movement he made, whether leaning his shoulder forward or using his hands to position a hot dog on the roasting stick, only resulted in making her breathless in his company.

There were plenty of s'mores and tall stories, along with personal anecdotes of the men growing up. She heard how Ben and Charlie and Erin began learning to ride the horses and why Kate commandeered control of the ranch's PR and advertising business. Then, one by one, people started to wander back to their homes. Rosie needed to go to bed. Jack was tired and he tugged on Erin's hand to come with him. Kate and AJ reminded Cami of the rules, checking with Ben and Marcy to be sure they were staying overnight. Hailey respected all the care and stern rules surrounding the event. She seconded the guidelines, and Joey's gaze stayed riveted on her. Then, it was just them and Ben and Marcy. They were talking amongst themselves and Hailey was quiet. Deathly, uncomfortably quiet. Her kids were staring up at the stars, talking loudly and laughing even louder. They so deserved this time together. She got to her feet, knowing Joey's eyes were still on her, and said her goodbyes. The kids waved her off, looking so excited with their sleeping bags and the novelty of doing something that they'd never done before. She sighed when she was finally alone, walking towards her cabin.

But then... only minutes later, she heard footsteps and a hand slipped into hers. She stopped dead, turning with her heart lodged in her throat, not out of fear but sheer excitement. Of course, she knew it was Joey. Holding her, he leaned towards her to touch her cheeks and run his hands through her hair, his gaze caressing all the places he touched. Moving even closer, he pressed his lips on hers. She closed her eyes, leaning against him and relis.h.i.+ng his warmth and his body. Just him.

"Come with me to my house."

She didn't vocalize a reply, but gave him a small, infinitesimal nod. Yes. She would go there. Yes. Holy h.e.l.l. Yes. She understood that this time, it wasn't for dinner. She followed Joey as he tugged her hand and increased his pace. They crossed through nearly nonexistent trails that she'd be lost on were it not for his guidance. Finally, up ahead, Hailey saw the steps to his deck. They slipped into the house silently. Facing each other without any lights turned on, the gloomy interior allowed them to barely make out their features. She swallowed the huge knot of anxiety in her throat.

He put his hand out and touched her wrist, circling it with his fingers. Ever so gently, he pulled her towards him, pressing her against the hard wall of his chest. "I'm glad you're here, Hailey." Their heights allowed them merely inches before their mouths joined together. In a word, it was perfect. Hearing his voice say her name made gooseb.u.mps rise on her arms in response. He leaned down and when his mouth touched hers, both of his hands combed into her hair and encased her head. In seconds, the first gentle touch of persuasion stoked the heat, which exploded, nearly incinerating them as their mouths instantly opened, along with their bodies. They practically b.u.mped into each other as both of them started writhing towards each other, encircling their arms with the other. His hot mouth was delicious and wet and it felt like the best heater of her life.

His mouth found her lower lip, chewing on it and then sliding over to her cheek, her temple, and her ear. His tongue swirled inside it and he sucked her ear lobe until her entire body seemed to shudder in response. She tilted her head towards his fiery tongue. Her deep sigh was filled with the desire now coursing through her, as well as the sensation of sheer goodness coming from his mouth on her. Her mounting desire was revealed in the excessive warmth of her skin.

Joey trailed small kisses behind her ear and down her neck, following her hairline. In response, more tremors coursed through her body. His touch was so soft and gentle, yet it boiled the blood in her veins to the point of nearly incinerating her skin. The tenderness she sensed was so at odds with all the heat it was creating inside her. Stopping at her shoulder, his mouth dropped down towards the hollow of her throat. She arched, throwing her head back, grabbing his head and twirling the silky strands of his hair through her fingers. Stroking his hair in the same rhythm as his tongue on her skin, Hailey didn't flinch when he dipped his head down to the top of her s.h.i.+rt and then even lower, to the top of her bra. His nose nuzzled between her still covered b.r.e.a.s.t.s as his hands wrapped around her and brought her even closer to him as if he were inhaling her. She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth and comfort he offered as her entire body soon became engulfed in towering waves of pa.s.sion. Her desire was so thick and strong, it made her swell and dampen, to the point of dripping with antic.i.p.ation. He'd done nothing more than to nuzzle her. And cuddle her. And kiss her.

Lifting his head, but not his hands, he stepped forward and she stepped back. Somehow, in an almost awkward dance, they remained embraced. Still kissing, they made their way down the hallway and through a door into a dark bedroom. His bedroom. Joey started to search around for a light, but Hailey grabbed his hand. "No lights."

Yes, of course... because she was older. Probably owing to her insecurities, but mostly because she hadn't had s.e.x with anyone new for sixteen years, so it was intimidating to do such an act with a new partner.

His mouth lifted off hers and he stilled. "Is it because of our age gap?"

Her breath was shallow, almost panting in response to all of his kissing. But his question wasn't flippant. His tone was serious.

"Not so much anymore. It's just that... I haven't done this with anyone besides my ex-husband in sixteen years. That's a long time. I-I'm a little scared."

She whispered the last part, tucking her head against his chest, hiding under his neck, and wrapping her arms around his trunk. She nearly snuggled under his armpits and cuddled up to his radiant heat, his muscles, his chest, his strength... She almost felt like Brianna, and the way she used to snuggle up against her father. For some reason, being in the bedroom made it all very real, which sort of freaked her out.

"Of me? Why, because I'm younger?"

"I'm not afraid of you, just of this. I knew Brent and he knew me. It's just so... different." She felt so lame; she didn't know how to describe it. It was so much more than different. It was intimidating. Odd. Scary. Sad. Yes, it was even sad. It meant her marriage and her fidelity to her kids' father was over. Of course it was over, finished, ended forever. But she didn't fully embrace that before; not until this moment. So yes, it was different.

"I'm nervous too. Sixteen years with the same guy is a hard act to follow. And I don't want this to be a fling or a one-night stand. You're not getting laid. I don't intend to disappear tomorrow, Hailey. I plan to see you again. And often. This isn't the end for me." She felt his chest rise and fall under her ear as if he were taking a deep breath for courage. "I've never felt this kind of... potential? Yeah, maybe that's what you'd call it. I've never felt any potential for a permanent relations.h.i.+p with anyone else before. No other woman. So I can't exactly say I'm comfortable either."

His arms held her tightly against him. His head rested on hers and he turned his cheek to the side. Hailey never expected such tenderness from him. She immediately chided herself again; why did she keep doing that? Did she a.s.sume he'd react like a clueless, h.o.r.n.y eighteen-year-old, suddenly let loose in the world to have as many partners in s.e.x as he could? He wasn't like that. He might have possessed the looks to be a callous womanizer, but his entire demeanor contradicted that. And yet, Hailey kept discrediting him. She was glad he didn't realize how often she did. Her arms tightened around him even more as his words filled her with joy and she processed them. She never considered the intimidation factor to spring from her. Joey was intimidated at being the first lover she'd had since her husband. Since her long-term relations.h.i.+p. The one that started when Joey was only ten. She shook her head. G.o.dd.a.m.n. Why did she keep doing that? She almost sighed. She wasn't meant for this. The age difference freaked her out too d.a.m.n much. Other people might say it just didn't matter when two people connected like she and Joey had... but it did matter. Despite how often she tried to ignore it and insist that it not.

His mere touch, the grasp he held on her, suggested he cared very much about this, and her. She took more strength from that. This wasn't just an act of mindless s.e.x. Especially on her end, no matter how much his physical beauty might addle her mind, he was so much more than that and offered so much more to her.

She leaned back far enough to cup his face with her hands. She stared up into his eyes, but the shadowy room hid their meaning. "There's nothing for you to compete with. Let's just live in the present. It's tonight. Now. You and me. Neither your history nor mine is relevant here. Okay?"

His breath expelled. "I didn't think you'd say that. Okay. I can do it, if you can."

She nodded. "I can."

Stretching up on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips on his with care. Her fingertips wandered to his hairline where she combed through the mussy strands before pulling his head down lower and allowing him deeper access to her mouth. His hands followed her lead and tugged into her errant strands of hair. They stepped in unison, held together by their mouths, their tongues and their hands. He stopped at the bed and they separated far enough for him to lift her t-s.h.i.+rt off, and then his own. He fingered her bra, outlining the tip of her breast. She was a full C-cup and a perfect handful. He rubbed the smooth, silky skin, going under her armpit to reach the bra clasps in the back. He released them along with all of her former hang-ups.

Her tongue delved deeper into his throat as he slid her bra off her back and shoulders. Seeking its contents, his fingertips cautiously accessed the alabaster orbs and both of his hands soon cupped her ample b.r.e.a.s.t.s in his palms. She moaned as he played, weighed, bounced, and rubbed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His thumbs fluttered over her now tightly pebbled nipples where his fingertips followed. Twisting, poking, pus.h.i.+ng, and prodding until his lips released hers, he dropped his head down to take her breast in his mouth. His hands slid down over her stomach as his mouth clung to the ends of her breast and she savored sensation as he devoured her. He undid the snap on her jean shorts and the rasp of the zipper when it descended sounded loud enough to make gooseb.u.mps of antic.i.p.ation break out all over her skin. She let her head fall back, pus.h.i.+ng her chest forward to give him further access to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her hands rubbed everywhere she could reach: his hair, the side of his face, and his neck and shoulders. She rested her hand against his jaw and felt the muscles, opening like a hinge and flexing, as he worked her nipples alternatively in his mouth.

He tugged her shorts down her legs and she gingerly stepped out of them, without dislodging his mouth from hers. He slid his hands back up her legs until he found the source of heat in her wet core. His fingertips feathered through the tiny curls and hair, testing her, waiting for her response. She bucked on his hand, nearly causing his mouth to pop off her. Rising up higher, his mouth found hers, and his hands innocently rested on her waist again as he kissed her for several minutes. She was writhing in her eagerness underneath him. But there was no hurrying Joey. She could not squirm around enough to dislodge his hands off her waist and place them where she preferred. The heat of her body was growing unbearable and she needed to feel the pressure of his hands, his fingertips, his mouth and his tongue. She needed him. She squirmed and writhed in frustration. Yet he refused to do any more than kiss her. She finally dislodged her mouth from his and attacked his clothes. She wanted him to see how difficult it was to restrain himself while being so close, and naked as the cool night air, and so pleasantly warm when the heightened contact on his skin begins to build and then... nothing. How could she relieve all that build-up and need? Oh, G.o.d, the need.

She tackled his shorts and quickly worked at removing the familiar uniform. Who knew polo s.h.i.+rts and khakis could entice her brain to become s.e.x-drugged with need? He was so hot. Every inch of him ignited her entire body, brain, heart, and soul into a huge conflagration. Nothing else mattered. She needed him. All of him. Inside her. On top of her. Surrounding her in every way.

Her hands were nearly shaking when she dropped down to slide his khakis off and he swung free. Huge and rigid with engorged blood, she could tell Joey was also in need of her. Her hands slipped over his ma.s.sive stalk, feeling the length of him as he groaned and shut his eyes. Seeking her mouth with his, he cupped her face, brus.h.i.+ng his thumbs over her jaw and chin in a gesture that was so soft and tender, her over-s.e.xed brain cherished the detail that the man might want her. The sincerity of his reactions was also more mature, controlled, and sensitive than she was to him. His eyes were closed, and his mouth was leaning into hers. She held his erect p.e.n.i.s in her hands while his fingertips ever-so-gently held her face, as if she were a delicate flower he could not pry his eyes off. Like a hummingbird he was trying to carefully hold, or a b.u.t.terfly he intended to set free. The contrast of their hot pa.s.sion coursing not only through her, but also his body, combined with the presence of something else, something so caring and tender, that made her heart melt. She felt it disintegrating into a puddle in her chest and oozing throughout all of her blood stream. He could not have seduced her more; not even if he put his tongue inside her. Which she wanted also... but this? This was way beyond words in the realm of being s.e.xy.

He moved slightly backward, dropping his hands to her waist as he gently guided her to the bed and let her straddle him. Their mouths never left each other as her body moved on top of his. She rubbed her slick, swollen core over his rigid, engorged p.e.n.i.s. It was the perfect post for her to rub herself against. She did it some more, using her hips gently and with complete control to t.i.tillate the inside of her lips. Teasing. Torturing. Not quite inside yet, but just enough to taunt her body with the prize. Fulfillment. Deep and strong and rough. But not yet. Their mouths remained open and their tongues still played together as their lower halves mimicked their top halves. There was so much she wanted to do with him. So many places on his body that she wanted to touch, kiss, and lick. She wanted him to do the same with her. She could no longer deny her need. Not now.

While their mouths twisted and their tongues intertwined, she sank her hips down on top of his shaft. She felt his startled response when his entire body jerked before pus.h.i.+ng deep inside her. His hands came to her waist again and he helped lift her up and then down. Harder this time. Slowly and torturously, she slid the hot, slick walls of her v.a.g.i.n.a off him before gradually, and excruciatingly slowly, sliding down over him again, drawing deep groans and excited sighs from both of their mouths.

He gasped. "Condoms."

"I can't get pregnant," she replied as she slid off the heated point of him. He was like an arrow coming right through her to land directly on her bullseye every time. He plunged into the core of her, where an o.r.g.a.s.m already waited for release. "Tubes tied, after I had Jacob." Her lips were just millimeters from his before she sucked back onto his mouth and her body sank down just as fast and hard on him. He didn't answer, but used his hands to anchor her hips before his hips took over from below. Coming up so hard and fast, he nearly jackknifed inside her. He continued until her body was trembling over his. He suddenly flipped her over, staying connected inside her, and pulled her leg up over his hip. By positioning himself like that inside her, she reacted with satisfied groans and physically responded to the new sensations. He pushed himself inside her fully. His body loomed over hers as she received him as far as her body would allow. Throwing her head back, she clutched his shoulders to keep him exactly there, oh-so-there as she nearly convulsed with pleasure underneath him, milking him dry as her entire insides tightened and squeezed. Fireworks and rainbows seemed to be bursting through her eyelids.

Holy c.r.a.p.

She fell flat, utterly exhausted, and yet he pushed inside her still. She felt the stirring of raw emotions as he finally stiffened and groaned her name before his body spurted warm liquid inside her. She pushed her hips up higher to increase the pleasant sensations for him. He moaned and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

The delightful afterglow seemed to ripple through both of them in lingering, long aftershocks. He kept his face down and she looked up at the ceiling. His hands moved and he lifted his face high enough to cradle her head again between them. His lips sought hers in a soft, gentle kiss. His warm breath tickled her neck and ear and temple. He kissed her hairline and rubbed her forehead. She sighed. He was so hot. But the gentle way in which he handled her? The tender touches, kisses, rubs, and caresses? They were an aphrodisiac like nothing else; not even his outstanding looks could hold a candle to them.

He finally withdrew from her body and she turned towards his chest, letting his arms sweep around her. He nuzzled her neck and whispered right into her ear. "That was like nothing I've ever experienced before."

She closed her eyes and her arms squeezed him tighter in response. She had no idea what to say. Did she feel that way too? She didn't know. She'd had good s.e.x before that was deep and connected, when she was still with her husband. She could not truthfully admit that it never happened before with her. Did that matter? But maybe it was because they did not use any condom. Maybe it was all physical. If so, no wonder Joey said it was "like nothing he ever experienced before."

He kissed her temple.

"You know I don't live here. This can't last too long."

He sighed. "Let's not go there. Let's not worry about what happens next. Let's just be here."

"I can't even do that though... the kids. I can't stay here."

His head nodded against hers. "Then, enjoy it for a few hours. Don't try and pretend this isn't something, Hailey. I clearly feel the difference. And I think you felt it too."

She sighed. He sure as h.e.l.l wouldn't let her get away with it just being s.e.x. Which would have been so much easier, considering everything. "Yes."

He rolled to the side and pulled over some covers. She got up and went to the bathroom to clean up. She was freaked out by her reflection in the mirror. She hadn't seen herself like that in so long. She stared in the mirror now at her sweaty hair, messed up by his hands, and observed the unsettling snarls. Her face was free of makeup, and she saw the beginnings of wrinkle lines around her eyes. She sighed and shook her head at the awful reflection. What could he possibly see in her? All she saw was a tired, middle-aged, average mother of two. How could he think she was something special? Something he never experienced before? She just didn't see that.

She slipped out of the bathroom and was slightly surprised to find the soft glow of a lamp burning. He sat against the headboard and stared right at her. He was awake. His chest still bare, the defined muscles looked so s.e.xy to her with the bed covers barely over his hips. Her entire body was immediately flooded by burning hormones. Her embarra.s.sment over her reaction flushed her skin. She didn't expect the light to be on. Using her arms to cover up her b.o.o.bs, she wished she could hide the sides of her hips that she called her "corners" because they hung out a little farther than they should have with small fat pockets that inexplicably showed up about five years ago.

"I know what you look like, Hailey." His voice startled her and she lifted her eyes to find his direct gaze fixed on her. His eyebrows were raised. She waited as his voice continued, "You don't get to hide from me. You think I'm looking for beauty flaws? I'm not. I'm not comparing you to anyone either. I'm just... totally amazed you are here with me right now. Why can't that be enough to convince you?"

"Because it's so surprising to me. No one who looks like you has ever given me a second glance." She scurried towards the bed and ducked under the covers.

He leaned towards her. "Like me?"

She pushed the hair over his forehead. "It's just stupid insecurity. It's odd to me. You know? You being in your twenties, me so... far from there."

He kissed her mouth. "Don't act like this is some kind of novelty. It's so much more than that. I'm attracted to you. The person you are. The body you have. Thirty-eight years of it and all." He kissed the corners of her eyes. She tilted her head towards his soft lips and kind compliments. Wow, he was good. The silky feel of his warm skin nearly had her body pulsating. "I've watched you in every light there is. In every way. From your arrival here, to seeing you in your swimsuits. If you think there's an inch of you I failed to miss or stare at while thinking about all the things I could do to you, then you're sadly confused over my interest in you. So you can waste your time by being shy and insecure, but that's on you, not me." His hands traveled over her waist to her thighs and he caressed where her legs connected to her b.u.t.t. "And don't try to use my age, or my stupid face, as a reason to trivialize me, or what I've clearly expressed and shown how I feel toward you, and the potential I see growing between us."

She nearly swooned at hearing his words. They were punctuated even more by his mouth kissing hers and his hands oh-so-expertly exploring all of her. Her thighs, her b.u.t.t, even her "corners." He relaxed and rubbed her, his hands tacitly rea.s.serting his undivided interest, s.e.xual and otherwise.

And he was right about how she kept trivializing him. That's what she expected, owing to her own insecurities. Joey earned a ten on any beauty scale and Hailey was so not. She was simply average, pleasantly attractive, and perhaps better than many but not particularly blessed with the beauty wand. Not like Joey was.

"I have cellulite. Wrinkles. You can't understand how hard it is for a woman like me to face a man like you, especially naked."

He lifted his face to stare at her. "I appreciate you not calling me a boy. You often tried to put me in that category before."

"How did you know that?"

"Because you kept acting like I was Brianna's age. Honestly, from the very first time I looked at you, I responded inside, and wanted this to happen. So you can list all of your imperfections to me. I've seen them already, Hailey. I've seen all of you. Just as clearly as you see me. You can be weird about it. I don't care. Just don't, please don't, speak for me, or a.s.sume you know my opinion. Or my desires. I know what I feel. I know what I desire. And I desire you."

She sighed, letting her fingers play in his hair. Her eyes shut when his hands slipped between her legs. "Oh, my G.o.d, you are so good with words... among other things."

"Then let me. Quit questioning my motives. Quit being insecure about it. I swear to you, I've never been into a woman as much as I am into you. No one. No one in the past and no one who could walk up and steal my heart. I'm not a flake. I'm not untrustworthy, and once I decide something, I rarely change my mind. You can trust me, but whether or not you choose to, or continue to use this shallow bulls.h.i.+t of our age gap, and my f.u.c.king face-"

"And your body. They're both pretty spectacular," she interrupted.

He nearly groaned. She smoothed her fingertips over his frown and coaxed out a smile finally that filled her heart. Even her brain relaxed, and weirder still, she actually believed him. His integrity was every bit as deep as his beauty. She leaned forward and kissed him.

"I'm sorry. I believe you. It is bulls.h.i.+t. When it's like this between you and me. Alone. It can be bulls.h.i.+t. But outside of this, when I'm with my kids, and back to my old life, I have no idea how this will work out or fit. But for now? I think I do trust you, Joey."

"And this?" he asked. Hanging his lips above hers, he probed two fingers inside her body, and her legs opened to greet him.

"And this," she whispered, her gaze clinging to his. He had control; she was at his mercy. She was his. Now? She wasn't the grown-up adult anymore, he was. He had complete control of her like this. She didn't release his dark eyes, which were fastened on hers as the familiar sounds of total release started to drift from her mouth. Using his fingers inside her, he kept pus.h.i.+ng and touching until finally filling her with unparalleled pleasure. Building her up into an o.r.g.a.s.m that had her screaming his name, she was clinging to his shoulders. To bring her down from it as her blood stream sizzled, he turned her to the side and filled her up from behind, slipping into her wet, slick folds. Almost instantly, her body was climbing back up toward the impossible height and spiraling depths of another o.r.g.a.s.m. He spooned her from behind, using his body to envelop hers, and wrapping his hands protectively around her. He grasped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s as his body moved inside her and she thought she'd die quite possibly of sheer bliss.

After she fell asleep in his embrace, she remained right up against him as his s.e.m.e.n dripped out of her into a cool, wet puddle. She didn't even care when it dried on her hips and inner thighs. Embraced in his arms, she kept her eyes shut. For so long, not just months, but years actually, she'd been feeling so alone. Empty. Hollow. He was filling her up again, protecting her and connecting with her. And his softly spoken words of hot compliments along with his groans of pleasure from her were the greatest aphrodisiac she could imagine.

When she awoke, the pleasant aches she felt when she s.h.i.+fted made her happy. She lifted her head as the sunlight filtered inside, making squares on the floor and she saw shadows twittering in the morning sunrise. She groaned when she noticed the time on the clock. Six.

Joey still clutched her closely in his sleep. Deep, regular breaths raised and lowered his chest. She leaned forward and planted her lips on his. He stirred, his sleepy eyes blinking open as his hand came up to the back of her head. He pressed her closer so their tongues entangled and distracted them for several minutes. Finally, she s.h.i.+fted back. "I have to go now. If the kids show up at the cabin and I'm not there..."

He nodded. Reality. Kids. The main difference between them. All the pretty words from the night before suddenly spoiled in the face of day, even though his body was physically ready to reinforce whatever existed between them. He sighed. "I know. I'll walk you there."

She watched him slip from the bed, still fully erect. His a.s.s was strung so tightly, not an ounce of shyness did Joey suffer as he went to the bathroom without bothering to fully close the door. She heard him start to pee and the toilet flus.h.i.+ng. He came out still rubbing his eyes. Nearly half asleep, he wandered to his closet. She felt a smile on her lips. Joey wasn't a morning person. Hailey was. Bright and early she could wake up and be ready to talk. Probably owing to years of little kids interrupting her sleep.

Arising, she went to clean up her lower end again before slipping her clothes back on. "Time for coffee?" he asked as his hand took hers and tugged her towards his kitchen.

"No. Better to be safe, just in case."

He nodded and, without another word, took her out the back door. She spotted her cabin up ahead. Empty. Or so she hoped. Joey stopped, hidden in the trees still. He hugged her to his chest and she clung to him. He kissed the top of her head.

"When I see you next, don't act weird. Don't feel insecure. I like you, Hailey. I want to do this again. And for as long and as often as you'll let us. I won't let your kids find out. I'll do it anyway you want. Just don't push me away, or punish me. Promise?"

She nodded her head. It was easy now that this intimacy filled their hearts. But what about when they were in front of others? She wasn't sure how she could manage to accomplish his request.

"I'll try. It's just, you know, with my kids around all the time... I can't promise that I will know how to act. I've never dated anyone in front of them. It was always their father. There was no blus.h.i.+ng or awkward introductions. I can't figure out how to do this properly. But I promise I'll try."

He kissed her. "Don't worry; we'll figure it out."

She didn't really know how they would. Or when. But Joey spun around on his heels, and his jeans-clad legs looked so strong and muscular as he went down the path. Hailey's entire body still zinged and pinged with s.e.xual arousal, desire, release, and emotional satisfaction. Her heart felt full and heavier than anything else her body dared to feel.

She really liked him.

Ignoring her thoughts, she quickly escaped into her cabin. It was empty. She set about preparing to be Mom again. Showering, changing, was.h.i.+ng her clothes, and tidying the cabin, she made coffee and breakfast so that when her little ducklings wandered in yawning, tired, cranky, and hungry, she could feed them while they told her about their fun night.

She started an affair with another man. That made her officially no longer with their father.

The revelation tugged her heart strings. But for the first time in years, her heart felt alive again. New. Young. Refreshed and re-pumped.

Chapter Nine.

HAILEY SAT ON THE beach with soaking wet hair, clutching a towel around her. As always, she was trying to hide herself. She was much more self-conscious when Joey was around. Her insecurities were very real to her, having lived with them for so long, and something he couldn't convince her to abandon. They included being with him.

Charlie, Cami, Brianna and Jacob all frolicked happily in the water. Rosie was wading in the shallow depths, held by Allison, who was chatting with Kate, Erin, and Hailey. Their voices combined, heightened to a crescendo, lessened, and rose again as they all erupted into a collective giggle.

It was almost the dinner hour and Joey was just getting off work. He came directly to the Rydell swimming hole, naturally a.s.suming the hundred-and-five-degree weather would have dictated that everyone be there. And he was right. He slid down on the sand beside Hailey, which caused her to jump in surprise as her head whipped around. Her cheeks instantly flushed pink and her shoulders and neck went rigid with discomfort. He discreetly touched her lower back with a swift swipe of his hand and promptly removed all of his body parts from hers.

"Hey," he said softly, his lips hovering just a few inches from her ear.

She was turning from pink to almost red in her blush and didn't dare look back at him. "Hi," she replied while looking down. Her reply was short, simple and almost snarled at him.

He turned his head so his lips couldn't be read by anyone else and muttered, "Relax. Act more naturally, or someone will catch on. You're being way too obvious that I make you nervous."

"I'm not nervous," she snapped between tightly clenched lips.

"Oh, really? You're so red, you could be wearing spray paint."

Taking in a calming breath, she let it out in concentrated, deep puffs. He wanted to touch her thigh, or grab her hand, or kiss her mouth. But no. Not here. Not now. Probably not for a long time. That was only one of many caveats about being with her. He understood that clearly now. He was thoroughly prepared to act mature and not only live with it, but accept it without any argument and be kind about it. "How was your day?" he asked to distract her.

"Hot."

His lips quirked up. She caught on. "I mean, sweltering hot. And nothing to do with you, Joey Rydell." She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "We spent the entire afternoon sitting in the river. I only just got out."

"Good idea. This oppressive heat is even a bit much for me. I hid all day in my office, huddled beside the air conditioner." He flashed a grin and stood up to slip off his s.h.i.+rt, carefully tucking his sungla.s.ses into the s.h.i.+rt pocket. Her gaze rose to watch him and she couldn't divert her eyes from lingering on his chest. He grinned at her. Flus.h.i.+ng with shame, she immediately looked down and seemed to concentrate on her toes, now digging deeper in the hot, white sand. Pa.s.sing by her very casually, Joey started up a conversation with Kate before jumping into the water.

Joey surfaced, refreshed and wet, and he and Erin spent a good twenty minutes discussing Bella Ray, the horse Jack was teaching them how to train. Taking a break from the relentless heat, they switched their workouts to the early mornings now. Standing in waist-height water, they were talking so easily. It was nice after all these years to have a natural ease develop between them like they were always just friends. That was owing mostly to the daily training sessions with Jack as their guide and warden. His presence alone did wonders to help them move beyond their brief tryst and simply accept it. Few brothers had the privilege of knowing the bedroom sounds made by their sister-in-law when she was turned on, or turning her partner on, but it was something Joey tried to banish into the far corners of his mind. His aim was to forget all about it. He had plenty of good memories to replace it with, benign, platonic memories. He so rarely looked Erin in the eye or let his eyes linger on her form anymore.