Scene of the Crime

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Scene of the Crime ISBN #978-0-85715-452-1 ©Copyright Ashley Ladd 2011 Cover Art by Natalie Winters ©Copyright January 2011 Edited by Elizabeth Delisi Total-E-Bound Publishing This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing. Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution. The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork. Published in 2011 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

SCENE OF THE CRIME Ashley Ladd

Dedication I’d like to dedicate this book to my friend and editor, Elizabeth Delisi. I appreciate her guidance and help in making this story the best it can be.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Pepto Bismol: The Procter & Gamble Company Pac-Man: Namco Bandai Games Inc. Wii: Nintendo of America Inc. Polaroid: Polaroid Corporation Tupperware: Dart Industries Inc. Rolex: Rolex Watch USA, Inc.

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Chapter One

Chills struck Robyn Cattrall as she stepped onto the grounds of her alma mater. Memories good and bad blindsided her for several moments. She’d done a lot of soulsearching before accepting a post here as history professor. But the burnished autumn leaves and chill in the air made her feel alive again. They brought the promise of soon-coming winter with its wonderland of glistening snow, something she’d missed living in south Florida for the past couple of decades. She consoled herself that as a connoisseur of history, she had learned from past mistakes and knew better than to repeat them. Just because she was back at the scene of her first heartbreak didn’t mean she was doomed to repeat it. She’d make sure she didn’t. Fortyfour now, she was a lot wiser than she’d been at twenty-two. Funny, she felt young on a campus surrounded by twenty-year-olds, especially when a horde of students burst into the sunshine and several young studs eyed her appreciatively. She did her best not to drool over what might be her future students, and tried hard to keep a pleasantly professional smile. But when she came face to face with the ghost of her first love, Phil Williams, her jaw dropped, her eyes widened and her heart stopped. Unabashedly, she stared. Phil… What was he doing here? Phil’s glance slid over her without a hint of recognition, and he passed by without a falter in his step. She hated herself, but she turned and stared at his retreating back as the sea of people parted around her, then swallowed him. How could he not turn to look at her? How could he forget? How could he look so damned good? She gulped and licked her lips. When someone bumped her, she jolted awake. Embarrassed, she checked her campus map and hurried to her office.

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Breathing hard, her legs sore from walking too fast in high heels, she sighed in relief when she reached Sobhol Hall, home of her new office. She smiled at her name etched on the door, then fumbled with her keys. By now, the weight of her briefcase was killing her arm and she was happy to unload it on the barren desk. She sank onto the plush chair behind the secretary, rested her head on the high back and wondered if she had conjured a ghost. Phil wouldn’t be here. If he were, he’d look a lot older. That man hadn’t been a day over thirty. “Wishful thinking,” she muttered. Wishful? Did she really want to see the guy again? He was a cheat. He was married. Not that he’d told her that little fact until after she’d fallen head over heels, at which time he’d sworn his wife was divorcing him, that she was the bad guy. She stared out the window, not really seeing the present. But she wouldn’t let herself get sucked into such a disastrous past again, either. She wouldn’t allow a married man with children to ruin her life or even keep her from sleeping one more night. She hadn’t thought of him in years—well, not much lately—until this job offer came up. Needing to talk, her heart racing, she called her best friend, Kim Zahn. “I saw him. I mean, it couldn’t be him, but it looked just like him.” Kim laughed. “Whoa! Slow down. Breathe. Who’s him?” How many hims were there in her life? “Him! Phil him.” Silence ensued for several seconds, then, “Uh, I’ve been meaning to tell you…” Dread filled Robyn and she jumped up and migrated to the window. From her fourthstorey office, the people milling around below looked like ants. Still, she squinted to see better. “Tell me what?” “You know…Phil. Well, I ran into him the other day. I’m sure you’ll find this really funny…” Robyn knew she wouldn’t laugh, but she was wrong. Hysterical laughter bubbled off her lips as Kim said, “It turns out Phil’s the girls’ softball coach for MSU. He came back to town about ten years ago, but I never ran into him until last week.”

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Robyn wasn’t sure whether to believe her ex-college roommate or not. The woman was a born romantic and incurable matchmaker. Kim had set up her up with the ex-Mr. Cattrall. Once was more than enough. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Another empty silence stretched for several moments before Kim let out a long sigh. Then, in a slightly higher pitched voice, Kim said, “You’d already taken the job and I was afraid you’d bow out. You can’t live your life running from jerks, at least not if I can help it.” Her friend did have a point… Still, she didn’t have to like it. “He can’t be here,” she whispered. “Why not? We’re here. It’s a free world. You saw him.” Robyn leaned against the wall and pressed her fingers to her aching temple. “He hasn’t aged. If that was a fifty-year-old man I saw, I’ll eat my phone. Who is he? Jack LaLanne?” Kim chuckled. “You must have seen his son. He looks just like Phil used to.” Robin’s headache eased only slightly. That explained why the man had passed her without blinking. Still, the resemblance was uncanny, right down to the sexy swagger and five o’clock shadow. That also meant Phil would look more age-appropriate. She exhaled in relief. She hoped he was balding and paunchy and not a threat to her libido. She might not even recognise him if she were to stand behind him at the grocery. Then, she wondered how many offspring the man had and if they all looked like him. Just how often would she run into Phil and his brood in a small college town like this? She bit her lip. She didn’t want to think about Phil or his family or her own aging. She’d stayed pretty much the same size-wise, but no amount of anti-aging cream could chase the wrinkles away from around her eyes or the deepening crevices under her cheeks. “Well, I’m settling into my office and then I’m coming home.” “I have a hot date tonight, so let yourself in. It’ll be fun to be roomies again,” Kim said over a burst of music. Robyn hoped so. The arrangement was only temporary, until she found her own place. She enjoyed her independence, and couldn’t take noise when she was trying to sleep. “Have fun. See you later.” “Wait! Maybe Rusty has a friend for you. We could double-date.” Robyn was glad her friend couldn’t see her sneer. She tried to keep it out of her voice. “No, thanks. I have lesson plans to go over. Classes start in a few days.”

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“But not tomorrow. Rusty knows Phil. He’s single,” Kim said in a sing-song voice. “Should I have Russ ask him?” Phil? Robyn gulped and clutched her throat. “Hell, no! Are you nuts?” She wanted to kick herself. That protest had been way too vehement, which would make her friend a thousand times worse. She inhaled and tried again. “Nah. Really, I have a ton of stuff to get done, and I honestly have no desire to see Phil again.” “Phil will be disappointed. I told him you were moving back, that you’re available, and he wants to see you.” Robyn sucked her teeth. She wanted to reach through the phone and strangle the other woman. Mentally, she carried a big picture of Phil inside a circle with a big red line through it. “Well, I don’t want to see him. That’s ancient history.” “You’re a history teacher, so you know history repeats itself.” Robyn couldn’t do it. Kim might be insane, but she wasn’t. “No. That goes for tonight and every other night, as far as Phil’s concerned. You’re right. I well remember history. I’ve gotta go.” Before her friend could slip in another word, she closed her phone and turned off the volume. Annoyed with Kim for matchmaking, annoyed at Phil for living, she couldn’t get anything done. After an hour, she packed up and left. Instead of reacquainting herself with the campus as she had intended, she hurried to her car. Afraid she’d pass Phil or his son, she kept her head down and avoided eye contact. By the time she got home, her adrenaline was flowing and she felt flushed. When she opened the door, she did a double-take and jumped back. The place was one huge pink blob. Looking at it made her eyes hurt. Back in college, Kim had worn a lot of pink and she’d had a few pink touches on her side of the room, but this was overkill. Candy-cotton pink walls were bordered with roses. Hot pink, melon pink and just about every other shade of pink Robyn had ever seen made up the rest of the room, including the furniture. It reminded her of the inside of a Pepto Bismol bottle, only it didn’t settle her stomach. Just the opposite.

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Fortunately, to counteract the visual, delicious smells filled the apartment and she sniffed appreciatively. Then, she remembered Kim was supposed to be going out, so she wondered why. She shut the door with a small bang to alert her roommate to her presence. “Honey! I’m home.” Kim’s head poked out from the kitchen and their gazes collided. She frowned and sauntered closer, covered from neck to toe in pink, looking like a huge pink blob. “Is that a bird on your head?” Robyn was at a loss and drew her brows together. When the other woman yanked her hair, she put a protective hand over it. Who was the pink blob to lecture her on fashion? What was wrong with a ponytail? “No. I pulled up my hair.” “You’re my age, not ancient. Let me cut it. It’ll be my welcome back gift.” Kim patted her own coiffed hair and smiled prettily. “You can’t go to school looking so frumpy.” Frumpy? Robyn scowled, disgusted with the image. It was a ponytail, for heaven’s sake, not an old-fashioned bun. “I’m here to teach, not get my M.R.S.” Kim took her by the elbow and led her to her bedroom. She pointed to the pink vanity chair. “Sit.” Robyn stayed standing and eyed the spot dubiously. “I thought you had a hot date. Are you having it here? Is that why it smells so good?” “Yes and no.” Kim picked up her scissors and waved them at her. “Promise you’ll like the new do. It’ll take off ten years.” She looked that old? She peered in the mirror. Her hair was still its natural shade of mahogany. Her complexion was creamy and smooth. She hadn’t added a lot of weight. If not for the wrinkles… “I look that bad?” Kim’s reflection joined hers in the mirror, blinding Robyn with all the pink. Her gaze dissected Robyn’s figure. “No. But you could be so much better.” Her ego warred with her common sense. If Phil were to see her, she wanted him to drool, to know what he’d thrown away. However, she didn’t want the man to think she was getting prettied up for him, either. She chewed her lip and untied her hair. It was rather shapeless and in bad need of a cut. Dead ends made it poofy. That’s why she’d been tying it up. “Okay. If you have time.”

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Kim grinned and shooed her to the sink to wash her hair. Then, she styled it into a cute bob, angled forward around her chin. Kim wouldn’t let her up until she gave Robyn a full makeover. “Look at you. Femme fatale. You’ll have all those hot young studs crowding your classes now.” Robyn rolled her eyes. She hadn’t worn so much makeup since her wedding. She felt like Cleopatra. The makeup seemed like it was about to slide off. “Thanks.” Kim dangled a sequined empire top and a pair of her skinny-legged jeans. “Let’s see the whole package.” Robyn’s inner warning sirens blared and she folded her arms across her chest. “What are you up to? And it better not have anything to do with Phil.” When Kim looked away, Robyn’s heart stopped. “You set me up.” The doorbell chimed and Kim shoved the clothes into Robyn’s arms. “You have to see him sometime. Might as well get it over. Either you’ll fall into each other’s arms and live happily ever after, or you’ll get him out of your system.” “Traitor,” she muttered. But she liked the sound of the second. Still, when Phil’s voice reverberated through the apartment, she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

**** Robyn escaped from Phil and his unwanted advances before dessert could be served. He seemed to think she wanted his hands creeping under her skirt beneath the table. He couldn’t be more wrong. Before she lost her cool, dumped her drink over his head and told him just how vile she found him, she stood. Shaking her cell phone, she lied. “Family emergency. I have to go.” Kim looked up and started to say, “Your family’s go—” When Robyn’s eyes shot twin death rays at her, she closed her lips. Phil scraped back his chair and made to stand. “I’ll take you home.” Her heart stopping, Robyn thrust out her hand. “No! Uh, they called a cab for me. It should be here any moment.” “I’d still like to support you,” Phil said. “I’ll come along.”

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Her blood froze in her veins. The man was choking her. She felt like she had an albatross around her neck and sinking fast. “No. Really, I need to go alone.” Phil’s shoulders dropped and he sank to his chair. He looked crushed. She couldn’t feel sorry for him, however. He’d brought this on himself. He had some nerve, expecting her to be available to him with nothing more than a smile years after he’d dumped her. Luckily, her phone rang. She glanced at the display, not really seeing who called, and said, “That’s them.” Kim glared and folded her arms across her chest. “Call me. Fill me in.” Robyn nodded, then pivoted on her heel. As she hurried away, she waved over her shoulder. “Bye!” When she was safe outside, she breathed a sigh of relief and took in a lungful of fresh air. The town had changed since she was a student, and she didn’t recognise the street except for the road sign. A coffee shop bustled with customers a couple of blocks down. A crowd gathered around a young man playing guitar on the corner, and several people dropped money in his hat. She headed towards the coffee shop, then spied a pool hall. A pool player all her life, her fingers itched to feel a cool pool cue slide through them. She longed to smack around a few balls. Pool balls would be a lot more legal than Phil’s, so she slipped inside. The felt tables beckoned to her and she gravitated to them. When a waitress asked her if she wanted a drink, she ordered a beer. The first tasted so wonderful and she felt so good, she ordered another. She noticed a crowd milling around a far table and, curious, she walked over and pushed her way through the patrons. She pulled up short when she almost bumped into the cutest, tightest ass she’d seen in years. Upon closer inspection, it belonged to a man bending over the felt with a pool cue. She watched as he put away the balls in the next couple of shots. When he moved to the other side of the table and she caught his eye, she lifted her beer to him. The mischievous glint in his dark brown eyes snared her. He looked to be younger, maybe in his thirties. She couldn’t tell and didn’t care. It had been a long time since such a sexy man had looked at her as if she were eye candy. The way his gaze roamed her length sent tremors down her spine. He lifted his drink to hers and cracked a sexy grin.

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After the game ended, she sidled up to him and drawled, “I bet I can beat you.” The man straightened and took a swig of his beer. Then, his gaze raked over her slowly and appreciatively as he leaned against the table. “I’m pretty good. I just beat the last three guys that I went up against. What makes you think you can take me?” “Scared to be shown up by a woman?” She’d been a pool shark for years, and tonight she felt as if she could walk on water. She enjoyed the pool stick gliding through her fingers. It felt nearly as good as sliding her fingers around a man’s long, hard cock. Fair was fair. She returned the favour and let her gaze ravish him. She ran the tip of her tongue across her lips, inviting him to accept her invitation. Just exactly what that was, she wasn’t yet sure. The man winked. “Women never scare me. Especially not pretty ones like you. You’re on.” He made the mistake of giving her first break, and she put away most of the balls before messing up. She was so busy sending furtive glances at him from beneath her lashes, her angle was off. “Damn! Your turn.” Her opponent took a swallow of his beer, then handed her a new one. “Not bad. Stand back and watch how it’s done.” She watched, all right. Every rigid muscle. Every flicker of his eyes. Every moue of his lips. She wanted his fingers to slide over her the way they glided over his pool cue. Feeling mischievous, she leaned over the other side of the table as he was shooting. His stick jumped and the ball swirled impotently to the side. He shook his head as his gaze penetrated her. “No wonder you win.” She felt a bit chagrined, so she stood back and behaved for the rest of the game. When she won, she smiled at him as she chalked the end of her stick. “Are you game for a rematch?” He towered over her and squared his shoulders. “Best two out of three. What will the winner get?” “If I win, I get you all night—” “In my bed.” His lopsided smile grew wider and he drawled, “Looks like I’ll win even if I lose.”

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She couldn’t help but notice how his pants grew tighter. Her pussy tingled in response and her panties grew wet. She whispered to him, “How about if you say I win now, and we’ll have a rematch later?” He took her hand and led her to the parking lot where he climbed aboard a motorcycle. He twisted around with a glint in his eyes. “Climb on behind me and hold on tight.” Mere moments later, they were in his apartment and Robyn’s clothing burned her body. She couldn’t take the flames. If she didn’t hurry and get them off, she would perish in the blaze. Her former opponent, now her partner, raced her to discard his clothing. His pants flew past her head to the tune of her giggles. His underwear made a ringer of the lamp across the room, and his socks ended up in a heap on the floor with hers. A jungle beat pounded in her head as he pinned her with his gaze, then crooked his finger at her. As if magnetised, she sashayed to him, feeling delightfully wispy and willowy. She floated across the floor more gracefully than the most acclaimed dancer, stopping a breath short of him. She gazed up at his handsome face, cherishing it as his hot breath coasted across her cheeks. Quivers racked her, and she didn’t try to hide them. She longed for him to join her on this rollercoaster ride. His cock swelled and stood erect. It grazed her pussy without either one of them moving their feet or leaning forward. His soft, hot skin seared her and her quivering turned to quaking. Her pussy throbbed, yearning for him to fill her. She lifted her lips and splayed her hands across his shoulders. “Kiss me.” When he slashed a gentle, provocative kiss across her lips, laughter bubbled out of her. She sucked his lower lip into her mouth and rubbed her breasts against him. Then she said, “Ravish me. Are you burning up like I am?” Against her lips, he murmured, “I’m totally on fire.” “Let’s put it out.” “First, we have to stoke it.” He scooped her into his arms, then plundered her lips.

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After coming up for air, he reverently laid her on the bed and lowered himself on top her. He stroked her arms and legs, then her belly. He buried his face between her breasts, then licked his way to her nipple. Meanwhile, his hand stroked her pussy. He found her clit and massaged it until she writhed, strangled by moans. “Have mercy. Take me,” she whispered raggedly as she wound her fingers through his hair and imprisoned his head against her breasts. Rapture rippled through her; she was going to come with just his hand loving her if he didn’t stop it. She yearned to come with him. “Fuck me now. I want to feel you inside me.” He lifted his face, his eyes heavy-lidded, and he nodded. “Anything for my lady.” My lady. She loved the sound of that. She hadn’t been anybody’s lady in more than five years. Her last bed had only known her…and the cat. She widened her arms and legs to welcome him inside, shivering when he shimmied up her body and moulded her to him. “I’m like Tina Turner. Enough of the slow and easy. I’m ready for the hard…and rough.” “Me, too.” He plunged into her so hard, so deep, she screamed in ecstasy. Relentlessly, he drove into her until she couldn’t catch her breath, until her heart raced so fast, she wouldn’t be surprised if they soared to heaven. And beyond. Wildfire licked her veins and she was aflame. She met him thrust for thrust. Starved, she ravished him. Then, her orgasm washed over her and she clung to him as if she would drown if she lost hold. Ravenously, she claimed his lips and drank deeply of him as they floated back to earth and she spooned against him. She stared at the sliver of moon visible through the parted curtains and was glad to be back in town. This man was so much better than that scoundrel Phil. She was so glad to be over him once and for all.

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Chapter Two

Robyn awoke to the sound of war drums pounding in her head. She looked around and shivered. This wasn’t her place. It didn’t look like a woman’s room at all. There were no frills, no tchotchke, and the colours were browns and greens. Definitely a man’s room. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to remember why she was here, how she had gotten here. Memory came in spurts. There was a crowded, smoky pool hall, a pool table and a man. Everything was coated with a liquor haze. She’d been drunk. Not just tipsy, but totally, completely schnockered off her ass. Someone started whistling from another room, a tuneless and unassuming sound…and one of the scariest in the world. She assumed the whistler also owned this house, and that it was a man. God, she hoped it was a man. Last night she’d been so drunk, she could have found a three-headed alien attractive and done only God knew what with it. Trepidation turned into fear. Just because she’d awoken with her head intact didn’t mean she was safe. She wrapped the sheet around her naked body and searched for her clothes. She found her jeans under the bed, her blouse hanging on the bedpost, and her bra lassoed around a lamp across the room. Her underwear and one shoe were MIA. The water in the other room stopped at the same time as the whistling, and soft footsteps approached. Alarm strobed through her head as she frantically sought her purse. She couldn’t leave her ID, keys or access to her money here. “Good morning, sunshine. I let you sleep in,” the gorgeous young man who looked better than Phil had twenty years ago said as he lounged in the doorway, regarding her with smouldering appreciation. She gulped. She was still scared, but in a different way. The Greek god standing not four feet from her in nothing more than boxers looked to be twenty years her junior. She’d gone out with a few younger men, but not this much younger.

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Her throat dry, her mouth parched, she licked her lips. Since he was eyeing her up and down, she didn’t feel too bad returning the favour. In the bright daylight, he looked even younger than he had the previous night. Now that she was sober, he also looked a lot like Phil. Ugly suspicions made her feel uneasy. “What’s your name? How old are you?” The man’s eyes bulged, then a crooked grin spread over his face and he laughed. “Old enough to take a woman to bed and not get arrested. And you were more than willing to come home with me last night.” She swallowed a moan with her sigh of relief. Still, she wondered if she’d be inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame or rather, the Hall of Shame. If Kim found out, she’d be infamous. “It’s Saturday. You can stick around for breakfast if you like. I fry a pretty mean egg.” He swaggered across the room, the shadow of his cock showing through the white underwear. Very aware her pussy was bare and that the promise of his cock looked way tastier than any egg, her clit tingled. She hoped he couldn’t see how decadent she felt. His gaze followed hers and his grin widened. “Or we could go back to bed…I didn’t catch your name.” “Annie.” She didn’t feel safe identifying herself, so she only gave her middle name, and then only a derivation. “Dade.” He stuck out his hand as if they had just been introduced under very circumspect circumstances. Feeling surreal, she took his hand. When his touch electrocuted her, she jerked back and scolded herself. This was suicide. Last night, she’d been drunk as a skunk, but now she was merely hung over and in shock. She had to get out before she asked if Phil were his father. What kind of slut was she? Sleeping with her ex’s son? Being turned on by him? She hated herself, but she wasn’t sure if she were turned on because of the man himself or because he reminded her of Phil in his younger days. She wrestled her gaze away from her lover and the scene of the crime, and scooted back. The shoe and her panties would just have to be casualties of war. They were old shoes, anyway. “Thanks, but I have to get home.”

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Mischief danced in his eyes, so like Phil’s, but even darker. He sauntered over to her, then passed her. She held her breath, wondering what he was up to. When he dangled her panties in front of her, she almost swallowed her tongue. Lord have mercy. “You might want these.” Dying inside, she gulped and snatched them away. She balled them in her fist and crammed them into her purse. “Thank you.” “Let me pull on some clothes and I’ll take you home.” He winked. “You won’t mind riding with me on my motorcycle.” There was no way she was going to put anything of his between her legs again, or wrap her arms around him. She inched backward towards the bathroom and right before she locked herself in, she said, “I’ve already called a cab. It should be here in a few moments. But thanks.”

**** One good thing about being in a college town, she realised a half-hour later, was she could walk just about anywhere, and where she couldn’t walk, cab rides were relatively cheap. She was home within a few minutes. That also meant, of course, she lived close to Dade. She feared she’d run into him at the corner grocery store or the doctor’s office, not that she planned to frequent the pool hall again after last night. No, she wouldn’t return to the scene of the crime and purposefully run into Dade again. “Where were you all night? Family emergency?” Kim asked as Robyn tried to sneak into the apartment. In a hot pink fuzzy robe and bunny slippers, Kim nearly blinded Robyn. Still hung over, Robyn was on the verge of retching, and this wasn’t helping. She shielded her eyes from the glare. “I went out for an early morning stroll.” Kim sashayed closer. She nibbled her breakfast burrito as she eyed Robyn. “Bull. Not dressed like that. Plus, your bed’s been empty all night.” Kim’s brows wiggled and her eyes gleamed with glee. “Did you and Phil get back together?”

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Robyn tried to keep her expression neutral. “No. And nothing’s going to ever happen between me and Phil, so you might as well give up.” Kim screwed up her lips. “Never say never. Hello! This is me you’re talking to, not some stranger. I know how gone you were over the man.” She didn’t need this. Didn’t want it. She thrust out her hand. “Stop. Although I very much appreciate your offer to let me room with you, I won’t be able to stay if I have to hear about the wonderful merits of Phil in my own house.” Kim pouted but nodded. “Okay. Ixnay on Phi—” No way could Robyn tell her friend about the newest chapter in the Phil-Dade saga, or she’d never live it down. She wasn’t sure she could ever come to terms with herself over the matter. But she was a mature, adult woman this time around, so she’d find a way. Kim finished munching another bite of her burrito, then waved the remainder at the kitchen. “I left one of these in the microwave for you. I made it with egg whites and fresh veggies, so no guilt.” Guilt over food or not, Robyn couldn’t eat a bite. But she knew better than to tell her friend she didn’t feel well, or there’d be a million more questions and speculations. “Thanks.” Robyn traipsed to the kitchen, took a couple of bites of the food and put the rest away. After that, she cocooned herself in her room and buried herself in preparing lesson plans.

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Chapter Three

It bothered Dade Williams he didn’t know Annie’s last name, the woman who had shared his bed a couple of nights ago. He was sure he’d never seen her before. He’d remember someone so exquisite. He waffled between being awed that Annie had reawakened his emotions and not wanting to feel those things for a one-night stand. He wasn’t that kind of guy. He didn’t play with hearts, and didn’t like it in reverse. He might look like his father, but they were very different—at least if his mother were to be believed. He could never, would never hurt anyone the way his father had hurt his mother. He wouldn’t jeopardise his family or put them through hell. He rubbed the back of his neck, then circled his head to get the kinks out. He wasn’t in the mood to see his mother, but it was his obligatory Sunday dinner with her and it was the least he could do to spend one meal a week with her. Her cooking was always far better than his, so he tried to focus on that bright point. Even though her house was on the outskirts of town, it only took him fifteen minutes to reach it. Their town was a speck of a speck on the map. She’d be offended if he knocked like a stranger, so he walked in. “Mom! I’m here. Do you need me to do anything for you?” Helen strolled out from the kitchen and gave him a peck on the cheek. She wore her blouse tucked into her jeans and her hair feathered as if she still lived in the 80’s. She wiped her flour-covered hands on a dish towel and smiled at him. “I’m making your favourite roast and vegetables. It should be done in a bit. Maybe after dinner, you could take a look at the kitchen disposal. It’s making a funny sound.” He nodded and sniffed appreciatively. The roasting meat smelled delicious, and his stomach growled. “No problem.” Helen’s grin grew larger. “Go play Pac Man while I finish up.” Dade tried to keep a neutral expression on his face. His mom called all video games “Pac Man.” She still thought Wii was a French word meaning “yes” and had no clue what it really was. She only kept a couple of old games around for his enjoyment when he visited.

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She wasn’t big on TV, and preferred to listen to music while she did her work. He didn’t think she knew any musicians after 1990 as she only listened to 70’s and 80’s music. As he settled on the couch in front of the TV, he spied several photographs spread out on the coffee table in front of him. Idly he glanced at them, then froze. Ice froze his blood and he couldn’t move. Only his gaze flickered over the faces in a couple of the pictures. The young woman with his father bore an uncanny resemblance to Annie. Only she looked to be much younger, and wore similar styles to what his mother wore today. His father couldn’t be a day over thirty in the image. His fluffy hair covered his collar. Phil gazed down at the woman next to him with adoration. Maybe love. “She’s back in town,” Helen said in a raw voice. She sank onto the couch next to him and jabbed a finger at the woman. “That’s the slut that broke up my marriage to your father.” Dade’s heart jumped into his throat and his head throbbed. “Are you sure?” His voice came out as a croak. Choking, he slid his finger between his throat and his collar to give his windpipe room to expand. Helen snorted and picked up the old Polaroid. She held it in front of his face. Nodding, she said, “I’m sure. Sue told me she’s the new history professor at the university. She has the office a couple doors down from her.” Dade’s mind clicked so fast, his thoughts scattered in a hundred different directions. The din in his brain tried to deafen him. With great difficulty, he focused on his mother and what she was saying. He twisted to better face her. “So you know her name?” For some reason, he needed to know this woman’s identity. It was hard enough to process things without so much as that. He prayed it wasn’t Annie. “Robyn Cattrall. Why’d she have to come back? Sue said Russ fixed up your dad with that slut a couple nights ago. I bet they’re shacking up already.” Helen dragged in several deep breaths and closed her eyes. Dade’s head reeled. He was relieved it wasn’t Annie and yet, was his father seeing this Robyn again? Or had Sue seen him and Annie together and mistaken them for Phil and Robyn? “Is Sue sure?” When he studied the picture again, he sucked in his breath. The two women looked like twins. Or maybe mother-daughter.

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Mother-daughter? He gulped and couldn’t breathe. Could Annie be Robyn’s daughter, and if so, who was Annie’s father? Could he have slept with his half-sister? His gut twisted and bile rose in his throat. He was going to be sick. “Excuse me.” He escaped to his old room that Helen kept ready in case he stayed over. He felt like he’d stepped into a time warp, surrounded by his many baseball trophies and track ribbons, and old posters of Brittany Spears and Ken Griffey Jr. Needing answers yesterday, he punched the speed dial on the cell phone and grumbled into the phone, “Pick up, Dad.” When Phil’s voice went into his message spiel, Dade sighed and barked into the phone, “Call me. It’s urgent.” He set his phone to vibrate and stuck it on his pocket before returning to the living room. He faced his mother. “An emergency’s come up. Can I have a rain check for dinner?” Helen’s expression fell, but she squared her shoulders and stood. “Of course. Are you okay?” He didn’t know yet, but he didn’t want to give her more worries. “I’m fine. There’s been a fire…” Helen nodded. “It’s your job, so you have to go. I’ll get someone else to look at the disposal. I’ll fix you a doggy bag. It’ll just take a sec.” Before he could get out a word, Helen sprinted for the kitchen. Doors, pots and pans banged about as he followed her at a slower pace. “Mom, I’ll be fine. I’ll grab a sandwich. If I can, I’ll stop back later to look at the sink.” At least he wouldn’t feel like a total shit for bowing out now. But he could hardly breathe, and his head was about to split. Helen pivoted around and thrust a plastic bag filled with Tupperware containers at him. “It’s already fixed. Save it for later and don’t worry about coming back tonight.” He’d see. If he weren’t in jail for murdering his own father, he’d try to return. But he wrangled his expression into something he hoped was pleasant and gave his mother the kiss she always demanded, then accepted the care package without further complaint. If it made her happy, it was the least he could do. His phone buzzed and he was eager to answer it without Helen’s curious ears listening. “I’ve got to get a move on. Love you.”

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He sprinted out the door, digging out his phone as he made a dash for the car. Sure enough, it was his father calling. “Tell me about Robyn Cattrall,” he ordered without greeting. Silence greeted him for so long, he didn’t know if the old man had suffered a heart attack or if he’d hung up. “Dad? I need to know.” “Why?” Phil croaked. “What is she to you?” Dade’s heart twisted. “That’s exactly what I need to know. Did she have your child? Do I have a sister you never told me about? Annie?” “Sister? Who in hell is Annie?” Phil’s voice was so low and strangled, Dade could hardly hear the words. He threw the phone down onto the passenger seat and stepped on the gas. Dade’s car must have sprouted wings, for he was at his father’s house in five minutes when it should have taken fifteen. He marched in, hunted down his father and faced off against him. He planted his hands on his hips so he wouldn’t strangle the man, then glared down at him. “Give it to me straight. I don’t give a damn what song and dance you might have given Mom.” Phil raked his fingers through his hair, then peered up at him. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Care to enlighten me?” Dade gulped in a deep breath. He didn’t like himself for bringing up this subject, but he had no choice. He wanted to deck his father for putting him in this impossible position. “Robyn Cattrall. You remember her?” Phil jutted up his chin and there was a hint of defiance in his eyes. “She’s a woman I saw the other night. We double-dated with Rusty. Why do you ask?” Dade narrowed his eyes and his heart flipped. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or concerned. “The same woman you dated twenty-something years ago when I was a kid?” An unhealthy reddish tint crept up Phil’s cheeks. He shuffled his feet as his glance slid away. “Your mother told you about that?” “Oh, yeah, and she told me the lady’s returned to town. So you’re seeing her?” Phil shrugged and still refused to meet his gaze. “I got together with her once.” Dade bristled. He wondered what his dad meant by that cryptic remark? “Did she have your baby? Do I have a half-sister? Or does she have a younger sister?”

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Phil’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “No.” He paused for several moments, seeming to look inward as his hands clenched. “At least, not that she ever told me about. Why would you ask?” Dade wasn’t prepared to tell his father he’d slept with his girlfriend or possible daughter, but how did he not answer now? “Because I think I met her. Whoever she was didn’t look old enough to be your girlfriend. And if I do have a half-sister, I deserve to know.” Phil peered at him closely. “This Annie person? You talked to her?” Dade’s throat felt tight and the words wanted to stick in his throat, but he pushed them out. “Yeah. I talked to someone that could be the identical twin of the woman in the pictures. She only told me her name was Annie.” His gut twisted and jealousy flared. He told himself to back down, not to presume anything. He wasn’t sure who the woman was—they said everyone had a twin. He hated this uncertainty. Whichever way it played out, he wasn’t going to like it. “So, you’re dating her again?” Phil puffed out his chest and gave a sly grin, but he didn’t reply. “Bastard!” Dade muttered under his breath. He wasn’t going to get a straight answer out of the man, any more than his mother ever did. “You suck!” Phil scowled and followed him to the door. “Why does this matter to you? Your mother and I are divorced.” “Then why the secrecy?” Dade was afraid he knew. “Because you were stringing my mother along again, raising her hopes when you had no intention of getting back together with her. Plus, the sister thing.” Phil scowled. “It couldn’t possibly be my baby.” Unfortunately, Phil didn’t look as assured as he sounded, and Dade needed to know. More questions than ever burned in Dade’s gut. He had to know. He had to find Annie or whoever she was. If she were his sister, he had a right to know. And if he and his father were sleeping with the same woman, he was going to put a stop to it. When he pulled up to a red light, he called 411 and asked for Robyn Cattrall. When the operator had no listing, he asked for Annie Cattrall. Neither name came up in the system. He cursed and slammed the steering wheel. So all he knew was that this Robyn was a history

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professor at the college, and she was new in town. He vowed to go through every classroom at the college the next day until he tracked her down.

**** When someone banged on her office door, then barged in without waiting for a response, Robyn jumped to her feet. Her heart hammered against her ribs. When Dade marched in and stood before her, her heart stopped. Shakily, she drew herself to her feet. “The polite, customary way to enter a room is to knock softly and wait to be invited in. May I help you?” Dade’s eyes flashed fire. “Is your name Annie?” Robyn’s gaze skipped him to look pointedly at the etching showing in reverse on the smoky glass window in the door. She drew in a deep breath before she finally admitted. “Dr. Robyn Anne Cattrall.” “What is your mother’s name? Are you named after her?” What kind of questions was this? “Gloria. Why?” “So, you’re the woman who’s dating Phil Williams? My father?” At the emphasis of father, she winced. Then, she quickly bristled herself. “I’m not dating anyone.” “Not according to him. Phil Williams. Ring a bell? Your boyfriend?” Fury rose in her, but she tamped it down. She wasn’t a hundred percent surprised this was happening, and she sympathised even if she were reeling. “Phil Williams hasn’t been my boyfriend in more than twenty years.” “But you went out on a date with him the other night?” The man’s gaze pinned and dissected her, making her squirm. She did her best to stand her ground and not show it. As calmly as she could, she said, “No. My friend tricked me into going to dinner with him. I excused myself as soon as we finished eating. What is it to you?” Incredulity flashed across Dade’s face. “What is it to me? If you thought it would be nothing to me, why did you tell me your name was Annie?” unclenched at his side. Angry glints flared in his eyes.

His fists clenched and

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Did he think her that much younger than she really was? That she could be her own daughter? She didn’t know whether to be flattered or scared. Hoping to pacify the man, she waited and spoke in low, measured tones, “Since you have to ask me that, we don’t know each other. I gave you my middle name because I hoped we’d never meet again and you wouldn’t know who I was. I’m not proud of it, but we had one drunken night together, hardly enough for you to give me the third degree.” His gaze roamed over her. “So, you are the woman my father dated—dates? You were knocked off your ass, Robyn. Tell me, did you go home with me because you thought I was Phil? I know I look a lot like he used to. Did you think I was him?” She grimaced and kicked herself for the hundredth time. She veiled her gaze from him and licked her suddenly dry lips. She tried to remember that night, which was a blur. Then, she shook her head. “Honestly? I was completely schnockered. I didn’t realise what or who you looked like ‘til the following morning, and then I was so freaked out, I bolted. You didn’t seem to know who I was then. What happened since?” He snorted and paced before her. “My mother had your picture out, bemoaning the fact you’re trying to steal my dad from her again; that’s what happened. Think you were freaked out? What about me? I didn’t know if I’d made love to my half-sister or my dad’s mistress.” All her blood drained to her feet. Feeling faint, she clutched at the desk so she wouldn’t keel over. Then, she lowered herself to her chair before her knees buckled. “Half-sister? Mistress?” Neither flattered her. “I can assure you I’m not your half-sister. I went out with your father more than twenty years ago. I’ve never had children, not even with my exhusband.” “So at least you’re single?” How low did the man think her? First, he thought she was his father’s mistress; then, that she dated his dad at the same time she slept with him; and finally, that she cheated on her husband. “Yes, I’m single. I don’t appreciate your insults. Get out.” Dade didn’t move. He leaned over her desk. “You yourself said you were drunk out of your skull that night, sweetheart. You broke up my parents’ marriage. What the hell am I to think?” “Phil Williams never told me he was married when I started dating him. Then, he told me he was separated and getting a divorce. I didn’t know until much later he lied about all of

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it. Whereas I’d love to forget about that distasteful part of my life, I was innocent. I’m sorry if I unintentionally caused you or your mother any harm. If it makes you feel any better, my husband cheated on me, so I know what kind of pain that causes. But I would also appreciate it very much if you and your family would leave me alone. Goodbye.” She gestured pointedly at the open door. “I wish I could believe you. If you’re on the level, stay away from me and my family.” With that, Dade swaggered out the door and closed it behind him. Robyn’s nerves quivered so much, she couldn’t stand for long and she was tardy to her next class an hour later. She wasn’t the villain in this scenario. She was just as much a victim, not that she liked it. Dade and his mother were blaming the wrong person. Of course, it was easier to blame a stranger than someone you loved. If blaming her made them feel better, then so be it as long as they did it silently, from afar. She was going to get on with her life and forget they existed. She quickly took a silent roll call, trying to stick to her resolution to forget Dade. Although Dade was older than most of her students, he wasn’t much so. Even if she’d never met the man’s father, never dated him, he was too young for her. She wasn’t a total prude, and had dated men five or seven years younger on the few dates she’d been on. But this guy had to be younger than that, unless Phil was a lot older than she’d thought. But no, Phil was only six or seven years older than she. At most, that meant Dade could be thirty to her fortyfour. Amazed and in shock, she muttered, “I’m a cougar.” Then, she moaned. As a respected professor, what would the trustees, the alumni and her colleagues think about that?

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Chapter Four

A week later, Phil showed up at Robyn’s house. When she answered the door, he thrust a bouquet of daisies at her. Although they were her favourite, she eyed them with dismay. Then, she decided it wasn’t the flowers’ fault who had brought them, so she rescued them. “These had better be for Kim.” Phil pushed his way into the room, then turned to face her with a reprimanding expression. “They’re for you. May I sit? We need to talk.” She stayed at the door and held it wide. She swept her hand to usher him out. “No. We have nothing to discuss.” “How do you know my son, Dade?” Robyn couldn’t breathe. Just how much had Dade divulged to his father? She didn’t want Phil to know—but why? Did she still have feelings for the louse? No! The thought poisoned her brain. Unless she counted disgust, anger and dislike. Did she have feelings for the younger man? Feelings? For someone she just met? For someone whom she knew nothing about? Nothing personal such as his likes and dislikes. His job. His hobbies. His philosophy on life. Then again, she knew all she needed to know. He was her ex-boyfriend’s son, and he was much too young for her. Case closed. “I kicked his ass at pool.” Phil cracked a rueful grin. “You always were a shark. How about a game now?” Although her fingers itched to hold a pool cue, she didn’t want to prolong Phil’s visit, nor did she want to revisit the scene of the crime. Nonchalantly, she waved her hand. “I don’t play much anymore.” “But you played Dade.” And she’d done something else with Dade she’d never done, and never would do again with Phil. “Get over it.”

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Phil’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you blushing? You have a thing for my son? Or you just go for guys who look like I did at that age? I get it—out with the old, in with the new?” Before Robyn could say anything, Phil stormed out and slammed the door. Robyn swallowed her sigh and put the flowers in water. Would this day never end? Just as she was finishing her salad and ready to call it a night, Kim sauntered in. She did a double-take at the daisies and her smile widened. “Who brought the flowers? Phil?” Robyn screwed up her lips. “No one.” Kim sniffed them and took one out. She waved it under Robyn’s nose. “It had to be Phil. Who else are you dating?” Robyn’s blood boiled. She’d almost blurted out that she’d been with a much younger, sexier man, that Phil wasn’t the only person in the universe with a thing between his legs, or who could give flowers. At the last second, she bit her tongue. The only way to keep her secret was to tell no one, especially not Kim. “It’s not the flowers’ fault. And no, I’m not dating Phil. For all I care, Phil can go jump in a lake.” Kim dropped the flower on Robyn’s lap. Her eyes danced with glee. “Thou dost protest too much. You’re not the ice maiden you pretend to be.” Unfortunately not. Dade had defrosted her pretty well when her defences were down. But Phil did just the opposite. She couldn’t respect any man who cheated on a woman. Not then. Not now. He’d been no better to her than to his wife. She twiddled the flower between her fingers and grimaced. “You’re my friend, right? So why do you want me to go out with a cheating, lying son of a bitch? I’ve had more than enough of that for one lifetime.” Kim’s jaw dropped and she gulped. “He couldn’t help it he was already married when he met the love of his life—you.” Robyn couldn’t believe her ears. Was Kim forty-four or fourteen? “Bull. Married is married. It’s a commitment, and you don’t cheat. Period.” “Eric really messed with your head, didn’t he?” Kim came over and massaged Robyn’s shoulders.

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“And Phil. It’s amazing I didn’t turn into a lesbian.” She slam-dunked the flower into the garbage can and darted for the sanctuary of her bedroom. “I really mean it. Phil’s history. I don’t love him. I don’t even like him. I don’t care to see him again. Case closed.” She slammed the door.

**** Helen’s face was smeared with tears as Dade hugged her. Her body shook in his arms. “Sue told me your father went to that slut’s apartment again yesterday. He took flowers. He only gave me flowers after he cheated on me.” Dade couldn’t take it anymore. He held his mom at arm’s length and gave her a stern look. Life would be so much better if women were as easy to deal with as fires. “Listen to me. You have to stop playing the victim. The man’s not worthy of you.” Helen peered at him through her haze of tears. “How can you talk that way about your own father?” Dade led Helen to the chair, then gave her his handkerchief and a glass of water. With pity and sadness, he looked down at her. “Because it’s the truth. You deserve a lot better. You need to stand up for yourself and your needs.” “That’s a lot easier to say than do.” She blew her nose and gazed up at him. “I love him. He’s the father of my only son. I thought we were getting back together. We were seeing each other until she came back to town.” Dade swallowed the curses burning in his throat. “You’re divorced. He’s not good enough for you. Move on.” He crossed his fingers, hoping his words would sink in. He wanted to kick himself for having a tryst with the same woman his mother obsessed over, for obsessing over her himself in a different way. At the moment, he didn’t like himself very much. How could he tell his mother to get over his father when he couldn’t forget a one-night stand? Finally, she nodded. “I’ll try, but don’t expect miracles.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Good. Don’t rush anything, but be open. You’re still young.”

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He couldn’t get Robyn out of his mind. He was afraid his father couldn’t, either, especially after the report about the flowers. It seemed he’d have to make another visit to the lady, that he hadn’t been clear. Within half an hour, he was at her office. This time, she wasn’t there, so he paced the hall, debating if he should wait around or ask someone if they knew when she’d return. Then he heard her lecturing a few rooms down. He hung outside the door and listened to her lilting voice, enjoying the way she spoke. Finally, she emerged laden with a briefcase and papers. Like the first time he saw her, she made his mouth water, except this time it was against his will. In hip-hugging blue jeans, flowing blouse and bejewelled sandals, she looked much younger than his mother, even though Robyn couldn’t be far from her age. Also, unfortunately, she was easily the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. He could see what his father saw in her, but not vice versa. Exquisite as she was, she could have her pick of men. Why would she want a broken-down man who hadn’t aged well, and who had a penchant for cheating on women? When the professor saw him, she froze; then she pivoted on her heel and quickly made her way to the end of the hall opposite her office. The clicks of her heels shot straight to his heart as surely as any rifle barrage. Needing to talk to her, he followed. “Ms. Cattrall…” Robyn stopped and without turning around, she said succinctly, “It’s Doctor Cattrall.” Her sauciness made the corner of his mouth quirk. He couldn’t call her something as cold and clinical as doctor after their hot night together. He still burned from her touch, was still intoxicated by her scent. “Robyn.” With a long sigh, she turned to face him. “Please don’t address me so informally in front of my students.” Her scowl should have made him back up a step or two in self-defence, but it looked so adorable on her, he almost forgot his mission. He moved closer and his traitourous body wished it could move closer still. He leaned over her, amazed he didn’t burst into flame when her eyes shot fire. “We need to talk.” She shifted from one foot to the other and switched the hands holding her things. “There’s nothing more for us to discuss. Excuse me.” She ducked under his arm and darted towards her office.

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He hadn’t come across town and waited for almost an hour to go away empty-handed, so he followed her. When he caught her by her door, he blocked the entry. “But there is. Should we talk in private or out here?” He wasn’t surprised when she ushered him into the privacy of her office. Students and faculty were staring at them. She let him in and closed the door behind them. Then, she unloaded her hands and faced him. “I have ten minutes until my next appointment. Tell me what’s on your mind.” He kept seeing her naked, writhing beneath him; then, he pictured her doing the same thing with his father and wanted to throw up. He pictured his mother’s teary face and he wanted to punch something. Instead, he counted to ten and softened his voice. “You told me you weren’t seeing my father. But that’s not true. It’s killing my mother.” And him. A look of incredulity flashed across Robyn’s eyes and she tucked her hair behind her ears. “How did you come to that totally asinine conclusion?” It boggled his mind how she could look him square in the eye and deny her duplicity. Was this how his mother felt every time she tried to speak to his father? He wanted to scream. Was the truth so much to ask for, even from a stranger? “You and Phil were alone at your apartment two nights ago. He gave you flowers…” She harrumphed and balled her hands on her hips. “And that, of course, means we’re dating, practically engaged or married?” She raked her fingers through her hair and shook her head. “Did I move to Peyton Place instead of Athens? Tell me, are there spies outside my door or video cameras? Or did your father shoot off his mouth with his own deranged version of what happened?” As Dade’s mind reeled, he thought she muttered, “Save me.” “Word gets around like wildfire in small towns like this and no, Phil didn’t say anything. One of my mother’s friends told her, and now she’s home crying her eyes out.” Robyn put her fingers to her temple and closed her eyes. After several moments, she gazed at him with a mixture of pity and fury. “For the last time, I am not seeing your father. I have no desire to see your father. He came to my house against my wishes and like you, he pushed his way in. I told him to get lost and stay lost. Now, I’m telling you the same.” Dade had no intention of doing that until he was sure his mother would be okay. “So, let me get this straight. My dad is pursuing you, and you’re doing nothing to lead him on.”

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“Unless he thinks rejection is an aphrodisiac, no.” She lowered herself into her chair and swivelled around. For several moments, she stared out the window, then asked, “Would you like me to assure your mother of this? I’m willing to talk to her, if you think it would help.” She would do that? Shock radiated through him. He hadn’t expected this. He feared it could be the thing to push Helen all the way over the edge, even if he found the gesture magnanimous. “I don’t know.” “Look. I’m on her side. I’ve been cheated on, so I know it hurts like hell. I’d never willingly help someone cheat. If you think I can help…” She spread her hands wide. The part of him that longed to be close to her wanted to take her up on her offer. The other part that needed to protect his mother said no way! although he appreciated the kind gesture. He felt better that she wasn’t seeing Phil and had no intention of doing so. His estimation of her grew. She was a nice woman, and if they weren’t locked in this impossible family drama, one he’d like to pursue. He glanced at his watch. She wasn’t the only one on a schedule. He had an appointment with the cops to investigate the scene of a suspicious fire. “Let me think about that. I’ll get back to you.” Before she could respond, “It’s now or never,” he made his escape. Against his better judgement, he wanted to leave himself a reason to return.

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Chapter Five

Robyn’s mind worked overtime and she was on overload by the time she was ready to call it quits the next day. She hadn’t really wanted to confront Dade’s mother and admit she had dated her husband once upon a time, or more recently, bedded her son. Put that way, she felt like a wicked woman, one that was out of control instead of the decent, hardworking, intelligent professor she was supposed to be. If any of this got out, the scandal might drive her out of town. Worse, it might destroy her career. If she couldn’t teach, she didn’t know what else she wanted to do. This was the life she loved. This was the college she most loved, her alma mater. When she neared Kim’s apartment, fire trucks blocked her street. Their sirens blistered her ears and acrid smoke stung her lungs. The road was blocked, so she parked on a nearby street and keeping her fingers crossed it wasn’t her house on fire, she tried to get closer. But as she pushed her way through the crowds, the flames licked higher into the smoky air. When she had a clear view, her gut twisted. Kim’s apartment building was engulfed in flame. She’d just unloaded her storage shed and moved her things into Kim’s place, so everything she owned except her computer, which was in the car, was up in flames, too. How long she stood and stared, she didn’t know. How many times the crowd jostled her, she didn’t care. She tamped down her dismay, knowing Kim and the other residents had lost far more than her. She prayed nobody was hurt—or worse. She tried to reach Kim by phone, but all she got was Kim’s voice message. Starting to feel panicky, afraid Kim had been trapped inside, she made her way through the crowd to the front where firefighters were putting out the last of the blaze. Policeman half her age held her back. “Do you know if everybody got out safely? I can’t reach my roommate. She wasn’t feeling well, and stayed home today to sleep.” “Sorry, ma’am. We don’t know anything yet. The firemen are still working on the fire.” “Thank you,” she said when she really wanted to curse, scream and run into the building to see for herself.

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Hoping that person was less informed than others, she worked her way around in a circle, questioning each one, receiving the same frustrating answers. Then, she spied Dade inside the perimeter, acting as if were there in an official capacity, even though he wore civilian clothing. She took the opportunity to study him without his knowledge and felt a thrill of attraction. He was very much in command of himself and those around him. His manner and his voice were calm, if authoritative. His every movement was precise and lithe. It was such a shame he was Phil’s son, or she’d put aside her misgivings about younger men. Maybe because of him, or maybe because she had noted a lot of older women-younger men relationships since her return to this campus, she was losing her wariness of dating someone younger than herself. All her life, she’d found older men sexy. But now, the vast majority had lost their appeal, as well as their figures. She preferred virile men who took care of themselves. What did it matter what the calendar said, as long as it added up to at least twenty-one years? Suddenly, Dade spun around and pinned her with his gaze. He gave her a slight nod, then swaggered over to her. He gestured at the building. “Bad scene. Is this your neighbourhood?” She looked at the plume of smoke with dismay. “You could say that. My friend lives in this building and I’m staying with her until I find my own place.” Concern shadowed his eyes. “Oh, wow. I’m sorry.” She swallowed hard and wondered again if Kim were okay. “It’s not your fault. Are you a cop or something? Why are you allowed in there?” “Or something.” The side of his lips quirked. “I’m the local fire commissioner. When this is all done, I’m the poor slob who has to figure out how this happened and try to stop the same thing from happening in future.” Digesting this, she nodded. It was a very responsible job for someone his age. “Do you have access to inside information? For instance, do you know if anyone was hurt? My roommate, Kim Zahn, might have been inside. She stayed home from work today…” Tears clogged her throat and she sniffled. Dade squeezed her shoulder and led her to a quieter spot. His gaze bored into her with empathy and concern. “To our knowledge, everybody got out. A couple of people were

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transported to the university hospital for smoke inhalation. Most of the others are busy trying to find a place to spend the night or watching all this.” She gulped. She hadn’t thought about where she’d spend the night, but that was secondary to finding Kim and making sure she was okay. “Do you have the number to the hospital? I have to find my friend. She’s not answering her phone.” Dade pursed his lips and nodded. Then, he dialled his phone and handed it to her. “The hospital.” When the hospital nurse confirmed Kim had been brought in to be treated for smoke inhalation, Robyn wasn’t sure if she were more worried or relieved. At least her friend wasn’t still in there. She handed the phone back to Dade, her fingers tingling when they accidentally brushed his. She cursed the waver that flavoured her voice. “She’s there. I have to see her. I’m going over.” “I’ll go with you. You shouldn’t drive.” Her heart fluttered at the thought of being enclosed in a car with Dade and spending more time with him. “I’m fine, and you’re needed here.” “I can’t do anything here until everything cools off. That’ll be hours. And you’re too shaky to get behind the wheel. I don’t want you to wind up being hospital roommates with your friend.” Truth was, she felt a little shaky, and if she’d permit herself to get over the facts behind their story, she quite liked having him around. He seemed to be a nice guy, someone who had a strong, willing shoulder. “Okay, but I have to check my car. I’m not sure it’s parked in a good spot. All I need is to have it towed or broken into. That and my computer are all I have left.” Without asking permission, he tucked her arm through his and guided her through the waning crowd. Then, he helped her into his truck and took her to a safer place to park. Within fifteen minutes, they were talking to Kim’s attending physician. “Is she going to be okay? How long will she have to stay here?” Robyn asked anxiously. “We’d like to observe her for a while, at least overnight,” the doctor said. “She’s in ICU.” “God, no.” Robyn sank against Dade and didn’t protest when he put a steadying arm around her. She tried to smile up at her protector. “She’s like the sister I never had. We’ve

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been friends since our college days.” She didn’t add that Kim had offered her a home after her louse of an ex-husband stole her house and kicked her out. She could always depend on Kim, and now it was her turn to be there for her friend. “Can I see her?” Robyn asked. The doctor checked his Rolex and nodded. “But just for a few. She’s weak and her throat is raw. Don’t let her talk.” Robyn turned to Dade. “Thanks for the ride and everything. I’m going to stay here for a while.” “Where will you spend the night? You look all out yourself.” She bit back a “Gee, thanks,” and replaced it with a smile. “I’m just going to pull up a chair so I can stay close.” “You won’t do your friend any good that way. I have a couch. I’ll sleep on that, and you can have my bed. We’ll only be a phone call away.” Warning sirens blared in Robyn’s head and her heart raced. She didn’t trust herself anywhere near Dade’s bed. She might have a different view of him now, but theirs was still a doomed relationship. Relationship? They had no relationship. He was just a nice man who was helping her out. “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Dade scowled and pulled her to the side. “I’ll be gone checking out what caused the fire. You’ll have the place to yourself for several hours. Once you’re refreshed, you can look for a motel or another place to rent.” Robyn nibbled her lip. She was exhausted, and the idea of finding a motel so late at night didn’t appeal any more than trying to catch a few winks on a hard hospital chair. “Okay. But I’ll take the couch.” Dade rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong with you women? Can’t a guy be chivalrous without you thinking we have ulterior motives? I won’t be there. You don’t have to worry about me being in the bed.” She’d see. After she checked on Kim, she was even more exhausted. Seeing tubes and monitors hooked up to her friend did nothing to improve her mood. Kim looked pale and drawn in the colourless bed, without her bright pink clothing. Before she left, she bought a hot pink

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robe with fuzzy slippers for her friend from the hospital gift shop to add a bit of cheer. Dade threw in a pink teddy bear and get-well balloon. As tired as she was, Robyn’s nerves zinged when she opened the door to Dade’s bedroom and spied the scene of the crime. Although the bed was made and Dade was in another room, she couldn’t bring herself to cross the threshold. “It’s just a mattress,” she mumbled to herself, feeling silly. Dade came up behind her and handed her a glass of warm milk, so different from the beer he’d plied her with last time she’d been here. “You can do it,” he said in her ear. Unfortunately, his hot breath coasted along the nape of her neck and she shivered. Her nipples puckered and her pussy quivered. To hide her reaction, she crossed her arms over her chest. When he thrust the glass closer to her, she scowled but took it. “Thanks.” “It’s just a bed and I’m not the boogie man. You’re safe with me.” She did feel safe with him, but wondered if he would be safe from her. He was everything she looked for in a man. If not for the one very important deal-breaker, she’d jump his bones right now. Instead, to keep her mouth busy and her hands occupied, she cupped both hands around the glass and drank her milk. Dade tousled her hair. “Get some rest. I have to go to work.” Before she could say more than, “Good night,” he was out the door and she was alone with his bed. With trepidation, she eyed the monstrosity and thought about the couch. But the couch looked cramped and hard compared to the bed she knew was soft and oh, so comfortable, so she crawled under the covers and pulled them up to her chin.

**** The next morning, she awoke with a start when her phone rang. Disoriented in the strange room, she searched for her purse and didn’t find it in time. The ring tone had been that of the college and when she saw the time, she gagged. “Oh, God. I’ve missed two classes. I’ll be sacked.” Dade sauntered in from the kitchen in just a pair of white boxer shorts and a bare chest. His gaze roamed her appreciatively and she remembered she’d stripped down to just her

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underwear to sleep. With a gasp, she turned on her heel and sprinted for the bedroom and her clothes. Dade followed, chuckling. He leant against the door frame and watched her with amusement. “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before.” She wanted to ask if he meant her nakedness or women’s in general. She didn’t like the thought of him knowing other women intimately, even if she had no business being proprietary. He held out his arms. “See? I have less clothing on than you and I’m not embarrassed.” His gaze appreciated her again. “Believe me, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. What are you? A size eight?” “Six.” “Nothing at all.” “Stop that!” She wanted to throw something at his laughing face. He knew she was uncomfortable being here. “Stop what? Telling the truth? You’re very fine. Quite beautiful, in fact. Especially when you’re embarrassed or angry.” “And I’m at least ten years older than you.” “So? Would you care if I were ten years older than you?” “I said at least. How old are you?” “Thirty-one. And you?” No wonder he was so strong and virile. The guy was in his prime. “Forty-four. An old woman.” He took a couple of steps towards her, mischief dancing in his eyes. “No, you’re not. They say fifty’s the new thirty, so that makes you twenty-something.” “You weren’t very good in math, were you.” It wasn’t a question, but it got a laugh out of him. “I’m good in math…and a lot of other things.” It was those other things that worried her. “And I’m good in history. Our history isn’t the greatest.” He closed the gap between them and towered over her. He slid his finger under her chin and forced her to gaze up at him. “You’re confused. That wasn’t our history.”

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His breath warmed her lips and his scent called to her. His father had never affected her like this. She had never gone to bed with his father, or even thought about it, like she was thinking about it with him. Her body quivered and she cursed it. She couldn’t be thinking about repeating the crime again, could she? The frissons of desire shooting through her body said so loud and clear. A rogue thought stopped her cold. Had Phil merely been a prelude to Dade? Had he primed her? Obviously, she thought them very handsome, and incredibly sexy. She batted the thought away. The only one she found sexy and desirable now was Dade. It wasn’t fair. He stood so close, his cock brushed against her when he breathed. It was tented, obviously trying to escape its prison, obviously wanting to say hello. She fought her primal desires, reminding herself she wasn’t Cro-Magnon woman that let the men make all the calls. But that didn’t help. Ninety-nine percent of her wanted this man, longed for him with every breath she took. Only her mind held her back, and it was losing the battle. Struggling to make sense of this, to do the right thing, she held back. “It doesn’t bother you that a long time ago, I went out with your father?” Dade lowered his head and kissed the side of her mouth. “Did you go to bed with him?” “No. Never.” “And if you had, I still wouldn’t care. That was then. This is now. I believe you when you tell me you’ve been over him for a long time. How could I not, when you quiver and shake every time I touch you?” To prove his point, he ran the tip of his finger down her arm. To her dismay, she proved him right and quaked. Her pelvis rolled forward and her pussy rubbed against his cock. “I’ll take this to mean you’re as hot for me as I am for you. That you want to kiss me as badly as I want to kiss you. That you want to share that bed with me here and now.” Here and now… She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. “I missed two classes. I have to run. I have two more today.”

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When she started to fly by him, he captured her wrist and halted her flight. “No, you don’t. I spoke to the university. They called while you were asleep. They know what happened, and don’t expect you in today. They asked me to tell you you’re in their prayers and to give you their best wishes.” He pulled her up against him and splayed his hands across her ass. “That means you and I have the whole day off. I need to spend it in bed, but I’d very much like it if you stayed here with me, sharing it.” Should she? Did she dare? “If you’re afraid what other people might think, don’t be. Not my mother. Not my father.” She enjoyed the feeling of his cock pushing against her pussy more than anything she had enjoyed in years. “Are you a mind reader? Or am I that transparent?” “I’m just getting to know you. And I’d like to get to know you a lot better. How about it?” She wanted that more than anything, so she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. Hard. When he opened his mouth, she traced his lips with her tongue, then delved inside to show him she wanted to get to know him very, very well. When he lifted her off the ground and moulded her to him, she drank deeply of him. Then he lowered her reverently onto the bed and she held out her arms, inviting him to join her. “You’re not afraid of my bed anymore? Of me?” His whisper caressed her cheek, then slid down to the curve of her breasts as he moved down her body. His cock felt hard and insistent against her legs and she yearned to feel his flesh, hot and silky, so she pushed down on his pants. “Let’s get naked.” “Now, you’re reading my thoughts.” Dade kicked off his pants, then unhooked her bra. With his teeth, he dragged her panties down. He paused when his face was in her pussy and he buried it there for several moments. Squirming, she held his head and sifted her fingers through his hair as he lapped at her labia. She was glad she wasn’t drunk tonight, as she wanted to remember every wonderful moment. Primitive growls rumbled in his chest, and she urged him to continue getting her naked. When she was totally bare, she spread her legs wide and crooked her finger at him. “I want your cock, now.”

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“Older women are bossy, but I like it.” He crawled on all fours to her until his cock hovered over her pussy. He dipped his head and suckled her nipple, pulling it deeply into his mouth. Then, he kissed his way to the other and suckled it. He lowered his body onto hers and his cock snuggled between her legs, long and hard. His hips ground against her, teasing her. She couldn’t take another second and insinuated her hand between them. She curled her fingers around his cock and brought it to her pussy. “Take me, lover.” Instead, he stopped and rolled off. He looked at her sheepishly. “We forgot something.” The something she’d also forgotten made her grimace. “Do you have protection?” She recalled he hadn’t had any last time they’d made love. They’d been too inebriated to care and fucked anyway. A grin spread over his lips. “I invested heavily after our last night. I didn’t want to be caught by surprise again.” He rooted around in his nightstand until he pulled out a box. She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Let me do the honours, please.” She couldn’t wait to feel his throbbing penis in her hands. Anxious to ride his cock, she stole the booty from him and ripped open a foil package with her teeth. Then, she rolled the rubber sheath down over him. Since he was on his back, she swung her leg across his middle and straddled him. Then, she impaled herself on his shaft, inching down until he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her down the rest of the way. He bucked and pounded into her so hard, the bed smacked the wall. He penetrated so deeply, she gasped and clung to him. Her fingers bit into his shoulders and her swinging breasts grazed his chest. Ravenous, she milked his cock, pulling it all the way into her. Her rhythm grew erratic as she ground her hips against his. Flames licked her groin and burst into the rest of her body. Then, her orgasm flooded over her and she was in rapture. He arched his neck and plunged into her several more times before he held her tight against him, growling her name. With him still inside, she lay down on him and tenderly kissed his lips. She murmured, “That was awesome. I don’t care what anybody says or thinks.” “Except me, of course.”

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She tilted her head and stared at him. “So, what do you say?” “I love you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I met you. All I want to do is be with you, love you.” A wicked grin danced on her lips, and she rolled to her side and propped herself on her elbow to better look at him. “Is that all? I want to lick you all over and fuck you.” His cock flexed and he rolled onto his side, tweaking her nipple. “Oh, I want that, too.” “Tomorrow’s a Saturday. Except for visiting Kim, we can stay in bed all weekend.” The phone rang. They looked at one another, then Dade reached for it. He read aloud, “Mom.” Then, he looked at her. “Let’s tell her—another time.” Wanting Dade all to herself, she nodded. “Later is better.” Just as Dade was licking her thighs, making his way back to her pussy, her phone rang. If not for Kim, she’d ignore it, but she had to answer just in case her friend needed her. “Sorry. Maybe it’s about Kim.” It wasn’t about Kim, it was Kim. “Hi, sweetie. The nurse told me you were here and worried about me. Do I have you to thank for all these adorable pink things?” Robyn nodded, then realised she wasn’t on a web phone and Kim couldn’t see her head bob. “Dade and me.” “Who’s Dade? You said Dade, not Phil?” Kim asked. Then, she said, “Oh, my God, you mean…?” Dade licked her nipple, then nibbled it until Robyn couldn’t think straight. He stuck his finger in her pussy and moved it around until she had to bite back a moan. “Uh, I’ll have to fill you in later, but it’s a very good thing.” Dade pressed her back against the bed, climbed on top and snatched the phone. “Kim. Glad you’re better, but you picked a helluva time to interrupt. I’m about to make love to my woman. Again.” Robyn’s ears almost burst when Kim shrieked. “We’ll visit in a bit. Okay?” Robyn gaped at him. “I can’t believe you said that.” “Talk to you later.” He hung up on Kim and set the phone on the dresser. Then, he kissed her, long and slow. When he came up for air, he furrowed his brow and said, “You said you didn’t care what anybody thought.”

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She still had a lot to learn about this man who so intrigued her, with whom she was falling in love. Whoa! Falling in love? Wonder filled her. If these miraculous, breathtaking feelings weren’t love, she didn’t know what they were. She’d been on a long journey to find Dade. Everything she’d gone through before was a build-up to finding and falling in love with this man. She smiled and tapped his chin with her finger. “I don’t, but you just blurted it out.” He sucked her finger into his mouth, then spoke around it. “Move in with me. Let’s do this full-time.” Her heart flipped. Her jaw dropped. Was this a marriage proposal? She thought about it, then decided not to ask. They were on the right track and she didn’t want to jinx things. Being in love, moving in with him, making love to him every day was enough for now. The rest would work itself out. Happiness stormed her and she nodded. “Yes!” Then, with a rueful grin she added, “I’m already moved in. Everything I own that hasn’t burned up is already here.” “Maybe, maybe not. Some things may be salvageable. I’ll take you to look after we visit Kim. Anything else you need we can shop for. What woman doesn’t want to get an entire new wardrobe?” She was relieved she’d kept her valuable papers and genealogy in a bank vault, and backed up digital versions of her photos online. Everything else could be replaced. “My old clothes were out of date, anyway. Do you mind shopping with me?” Dade gathered her in his arms again and tucked her against his heart. “I’m going to love doing everything with you. But I vote we hold off on buying you clothes until we absolutely have to. I rather like having you naked all the time.” Laughter bubbled in her throat and she playfully punched him. “Only if you go naked, too.” Dade licked his lips, then buried himself in her. “Absolutely. I’d have it no other way.”

About the Author Ashley Ladd lives in South Florida with her husband, five children, and beloved pets. She loves the water, animals (especially cats), and playing on the computer. She’s been told she has a wicked sense of humour and often incorporates humour and adventure into her books. She also adores very spicy romance, which she weaves into her stories. E-mail: [email protected] Ashley loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.

Also by Ashley Ladd Abracadabra Bon Appétit Whirlwind Relationship Carnal Lust Bad Conduct Crazy in Love Recipe for Disaster Simon Says Last Man on Earth Naughty Boys Heart and Soul Submissive Dreams Wild Fantasies Confessions of a Nympho The Perfect Gift Wishcraft Shipwrecked Cougars and Cubs: Scene of the Crime Homecoming: Naked Ambition Friction: Sorry Charlie Summer Seductions: Doggy Style Caught in the Middle: Charity’s Auction Night of the Senses: Welcome to Paradise My Secret Valentine: Secret Admirer Christmas Spirits: Christmas Miracles Heatwave: Liquid Heat Lust Bites: Volume One Brit Party: Best Mates

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