Summer Fling
by Asrai Devin
Published by Asrai Devin at Smashwords
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Discover other titles by Asrai Devin at Smashwords.com
Second Chance Romance Book One Up in Flames Series
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2340
Complications Over Coffee - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44645
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44645
Colours of the Rain short story
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/14492
View excerpts of these titles after the main event
Thanks
I didn't do a thank-you page in my first book and I didn't really think of it until getting ready to process this one. I used to write thank yous for my future novels as a teenager. Before I even finished a novel.
So thanks to:
My new husband, Chad. For his support, even if he doesn't get what I do.
Our daughter who amazes me daily.
My parents and step-parents, who have helped me endlessly.
NaNoWriMo and the people #nanowrimo on goodchatting Server. I never would have finished my first NaNo without the group. You know who you are.
My best friend Aman, who told me that she loved my first novel (before it was even edited). And encouraged me to keep going on this “Up in Flames” project (but only because she wants Corey's story).
Smashwords and public book shelf and all those wonderful sites out there who help authors sell their books or just plain get them out there. And Creative Commons for giving license to “the rest of us”.
And all the boys who never gave me a second look, but fueled many a romantic fantasy in my mind.
And in the words of the incomparable Suzanne Brockmann “Any mistakes that I've made or liberties I've taken are completely my own.”
Chapter 1
Kyle McLachlan hummed the Nickelback song that had been playing in his truck as he walked into his parents’ house. He knew they were out at his sister's place, a short drive out of town, today, so he didn't announce his arrival.
With no car parked in the driveway, he assumed their tenant was out as well. Their tenant was a new elementary teacher, whom he'd never had a chance to meet despite her living there nearly ten months. Maybe she went with them today, he had no idea.
The basement door was already ajar so he used his foot to open it all the way. He hauled his two bags downstairs. His teammates always razed him for carrying too much luggage. He never could decide what he wanted to wear so he packed more than once choice. In this case he would stay for a whole two weeks. It seemed like a good idea at the time, now that time seemed endless. Not much went on in Bow Island, AB these days.
On the other hand, having a bit of downtime might be good for him. Playing for the Calgary Flames kept him on the go. Even more after the team had won the Stanley Cup. Hard to believe it had only happened a month ago.
And that danged tenant, Sabrina, or something, she hadn't even come to the game. Supposedly she was a huge Oiler's fan. But having lived with his parents for the last year, you'd think the woman would have some sense of family.
He rolled his eyes at himself. "You're getting soft in the head, McLachlan," he muttered out loud to himself. Who cared who this Oiler's fan was anyway? He hadn't met her before and he'd only be here a few weeks.
He stopped at the bottom step and took a deep breath. He was home again. He opened the door to his bedroom. At least the one he'd occupied until he left to play hockey just before his eighteenth birthday. He dropped his bags on the bed and looked around.
His mother had gotten a new bedspread. And decorated the room. He frowned deeply. It smelled too good in this room. Nothing like the musty basement bedroom of his youth. It smelled as if someone female now occupied the room.
"Shit." Someone female did occupy this room. They had given his room away to someone else. He was too stunned to react to that knowledge. Why hadn't his mother informed him of this move before he arrived? She had to have known he would go straight to his room. Or what had been his room.
Before he could gather his wits, let alone his bags, a shadow appeared in the doorway. The first thing he noticed was her long wet hair, slicked back from her face. He glanced down and found her wearing only a towel. He swallowed hard and wished he'd thought before he'd just barged in.
No wait, this was not his fault. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and he found his mouth had gone dry. He wasn't sure why. She wasn't remarkable and he'd grown used to having remarkable women through themselves at him regularly. Well, not regularly. Frequently. Often.
She was tall and barely had to raise her head to look at him. He was unnerved by her eye contact. She was sturdy looking under the snugly held towel. A bit stacked on top as well. Not that he was looking there now. He kept his eyes above her neck as she scrutinized him. "I said excuse me," she said, sounding annoyed.
Kyle shook his head, realizing he'd missed her first words. Okay, so not the first impression he'd been planning. "Hi, uh, sorry. This is, er, was, my room. No one told me you moved into it. So I'll just grab my stuff and head upstairs. I'm Kyle by the way."
"I know," she said. "I'd rather have this conversation when I'm dressed." Her tone was getting bitchier by the second.
Kyle grabbed his bags and exited the room without looking at her again. Okay, that was the worst first impression in the universe. He cursed his mother, as he climbed the stairs with his bags. He entered the guest room.
Well, the time had come. He was just a guest in this house now.
* * *
Serena Miller dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. She shouldn't dress up for Kyle McLachlan Despite her crazy small crush on a man she'd never met. He was a hockey player, but he played for the Flames. She was a sworn fan of the Edmonton Oilers.
She'd come to love his family, in the past ten months. She only planned to stay temporarily in their house, until she found another rental. Lisa and Kevin McLachlan insisted she stay. Lisa was happy to dote over Sabrina, cooking her meals and even doing her laundry. She'd grown close to the McLachlan’s as close as she was to her family, whom she missed dearly. That was why she'd stayed.
She was glad he hadn't noticed her blush when she'd found him in her bedroom. She'd forced her voice into a cold one. She had definitely been left unsettled by his sudden appearance. In her room.
Damn it. The memory of his gaze over her body left her hot and cold at the same time. And he was waiting upstairs for her.
She ran a comb through her hair, but didn't bother doing anything more to her appearance. Even if she had the desire to do so, she did not have the skill. Despite being the only female child in her family, her mother didn't have the time to do girl things with her as a child.
She looked at the roof as she heard stomping footsteps. Hopefully Lisa and Kevin had returned early and she wouldn't be left alone with Kyle any further.
They had not returned, she discovered, when she poked her head upstairs. The stomping was merely the man himself, as he made himself a sandwich and left a mess all over the kitchen counters. Serena stood and cleaned as he sat at the table and ate.
"You don't need to clean up after me. I will after I eat," he said around a mouthful. "I'm a grown man despite the stories my mother might tell you."
"I don't mind. I usually try to clean up what I can. Your mother doesn't leave much," she countered.
He smiled at that as she looked at him over her shoulder. "You're Sabrina, right?" he asked just before he drained a tall glass of milk.
"Serena," she corrected, trying not to frown at him as he wiped a milk mustache from his face.
"Kyle. Or Ky if you prefer, my family calls me that. No one else, but I can't break them of it. I'm sorry, I should have offered to make you something to eat as well."
"I'm not hungry. I had a light lunch after my run and before my shower."
"Sorry about that by the way. Not the best first impression."
"Nothing we can do now, except not mention it. Any impression of you was ruined when I learned you played for the Flames."
His expression turned somewhat wary. "And I had almost forgotten your devotion to Edmonton's ailing team. Someone has to cheer for the underdog."
That barb stuck. No one insulted her team. She held back a growl.
He laughed, which made Serena's anger grow higher. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. I shouldn't tease. Especially since we just met. Feel free to slap me."
Serena felt her anger being replaced by embarrassment. He'd been trying to rile her and he'd succeeded. "Maybe you should call your parents cell phone and let them know you're here."
Kyle shrugged. "I wasn't sure I would make it in today and I didn't want to interrupt their plans. I can entertain myself for a few hours if you were worried about me." He fluttered his eyes at her.
Serena turned away.
"How did you come to occupy my room?" After he put his dishes in the dishwasher, he leaned on the counter next to her.
"Your room?" She whipped her head around to look at him. No one had told her that it was Kyle's room she occupied. Was it still his bed? The thought of sleeping in his bed unnerved her somehow.
"I slept in that room from the time I was thirteen until I left just after I turned nineteen."
"When you got recruited and sent to Montreal's farm team," she recited.
He cocked his head with a half-smile. She felt her knees go a little weak and she gripped the counter behind her. She couldn't decide if his sweet brown eyes or the cocky smile that did it for her. Having all his attention on her was making her nervous. "I guess my career is frequent topic here?"
"Sometimes. We watch all the games, Calgary and Edmonton. Your parents tease me, I tease them. We have fun."
He smiled at her. His pictures didn't do him justice she decided. She needed to stay clear of him. This had the chance to eviscerate her being.
"What time did they say they were coming back?"
"Your parents?" He nodded. "I don't know. That reminds me Lisa asked me to put the roast in." He moved aside to let her into the fridge. "We usually eat supper around 6:30."
Kyle nodded. "I think I'll go catch a quick nap then. That drive took more out of me than I thought. Not used to driving I guess."
Serena nodded dumbly. Relief coursed through her body, as she held the roast pan in her hands and stared at him.
"What are your plans? I mean so I don't surprise you again. Don't you have a car?"
"It's in the shop," she said, blinking at the rapid fire questions. "I'm going downstairs and do some marking and listen to music. I'll keep it down."
He smiled again and reached out to ruffle her hair. "See you at supper then." She watched him leave the room. Then she remembered the roast she was still holding. She turned the oven on and pushed it inside.
She let the door close with a satisfying bang, before she headed for her basement cavern. The McLachlan’s had given her the basement bedroom, in fact they had given her free rein in the basement. She didn't spend much time down there as Lisa or Kevin usually insisted she come upstairs with them.
Now she had to figure out how she would spend the next two weeks avoiding their youngest child. She could not afford to do something stupid like that.
Chapter 2
Ky sat with his parents and Serena on the back porch. They had eaten the roast that Serena had cooked earlier in the day. Combined with his mom's world famous mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, made from last year's garden beans, Kyle was glad that he was home.
Only temporarily home. Now that the meal was over, the two weeks stretched before him somewhat endlessly.
"I'm sorry we forgot to tell you about the bedroom arrangements. We just thought Serena should have a bit more space for herself than just the guest room."
Ky met Serena's eyes and noticed she was blushing. No one else seemed to notice. "I tried to stop her," Serena put in.
"Oh, dear. We don't need all that space. I feel as if I am intruding when I do wash."
"It's fine Mom. Just, I intruded and surprised us both. But we're over that." Neither of them had explained the full surprise. Lack of clothing. She was fully covered now, but he had the promise of what lay beneath her casual clothing.
"I'll be out of here in a few weeks anyway," Serena added. At the same time Ky said, "I'm only here for two weeks."
"Neither of you need to be running off for the summer. Ky, we don't see you enough now that you're a hockey star. And Serena you aren't intruding. We consider you one of our kids." Lisa patted the girl's shoulder.
They let the subject drop and fell into silence. Ky's dad broke it. "Serena here is quite the little hockey watcher. She had lots of comments on how you guys played."
"Did she?" Ky smiled at her weakly. "Any suggestions for me?" He felt like rolling his eyes. Really she was just a girl, he was a professional player, what could she have to add to his game? They were the top team in the league for now.
"You often hang back, just pass instead of taking shots. Probably because you feel like you're the rookie and everyone else has a better chance to score than you do."
Ky was taken aback. That was all true. Of course, he wasn't about to show his insecurities. He stood and started for the house. He felt Serena's eyes on him the entire time. "We shouldn't let the dishes sit too long."
"I suppose you are right." Lisa lifted her body from the chair.
Serena stood as well. "I'll help Kyle take care of things. You and Kevin relax."
To his surprise, his mother remained seated. "All right. We'll let you kids take care of things tonight."
Since when had his mother ever allowed someone else take over her kitchen? Ky felt even more annoyed with this intruder.
"I'll dry," Serena said, slipping around him in the entry way.
Ky held back his sigh. "Fine."
He turned on the water and found the detergent under the sink. He took the stack of plates and sank them into the hot water.
"I'm sorry I pointed that out in front of your father. I know you're a pro. And you're really good. Most of the time. Anyway, I think maybe we should just stay away from the topic of hockey while we are here."
"Right, that sounds best."
Ky started washing the dishes. "So," she said, "what are you doing for the rest of the summer?"
"Take a little trip down south somewhere. Then I'll go back to Calgary and keep in shape. You're going back home for the summer?"
"Maybe." She sighed. "My brother's don't like that they can't keep an eye on me. As if I'm some sort of child." She shoved the plate she'd been drying into the cupboard. "Sorry, shouldn't take my frustrations out on your parents’ dinnerware."
Ky smiled. She was the furthest thing from a child he could imagine. She was the sturdiest woman he'd ever seen. And the cutest, he'd decided during his nap earlier. Her hair cropped short. He could imagine her strong legs wrapped around him.
Shit, he dropped the glass he was holding into the other sink. "Damn." Where had that thought come from? He wasn't attracted to this Oiler fan, intruder in the slightest. Okay, just the slightest. He reached to rescue the glass and encountered her fingers.
A spark between them made him pull his hand back and apologize. "Sorry. I was daydreaming about a vacation."
"Seems we both have it in for the dishes," she joked. He laughed.
"Sorry, you were talking about your frustrations and you brothers. You aren't exactly a child." She was young, not much younger than his twenty-five years.
"Exactly. I'm twenty-four. I passed all my classes. I'm a certified teacher. I don't need my big brothers to take care of me."
"Hey don't look at me. I'm the youngest here." He went to get another stack of dishes from the table. "Exactly how many brothers do you have?"
"Three." She softened. "I don't mean to make them out to be monsters. They only do it because they love me. They mean well. They only need something better to do with their time."
Ky couldn't help it. He laughed. "I'm the youngest. But my brother and sister are older, and they have better things do. Thankfully." Both of them were married with kids. "When you go home, you have to meddle in their lives and get them married off."
"They are married. They have kids. But I'm still their focus. Somehow. They hate that I'm down here. They'd rather I stayed in Sherwood Park like them for the rest of my life." She groaned.
"My mother would rather I stay here for the rest of my life."
"Why not? It's beautiful down here. A small community."
It was Ky's turn to groan. "It's boring. I get to go all over the country, the continent. I'm used to some excitement."
"Granted, not much excitement around here. But I like that." Serena shrugged. Ky watched in appreciation as she bent to put a pan in a lower cupboard. He needed to get out of here before he did something stupid and ran off his mother's newest daughter. He tried to remember why he disliked the woman so much. He couldn't remember. He averted his gaze as she returned.
"There isn't even a gym around here that I can work out in," he whined.
"Oh poor baby. You'll have to run," she leaned in and whispered as if it were a conspiracy, "outdoors. You can join me. It'll be a nice change."
Of course, she ran for fun. He should have known from her beautiful thighs. Each day he appreciate her curves, a pleasant contrast to the usual sticks he had around him. At least he didn't feel as if he might crush her.
"Sure. Outdoors. Running." This could be endless. He'd have to get tout of the house. Many of his high school buddies lived in the area. He could party with them.
He wouldn't stick around the whole time, conversing about the old days with his parents, running around after his siblings' brats and watching his cock get hard every time Serena bent over. He needed a distraction.
He tried to recall if Vicki Nelson's name was mentioned? She lived in town, but he could not recall if she was single.
* * *
Serena watched as Ky juggled his six-month-old niece and his beer. He looked uncomfortable when his sister, Tanya, foisted the baby into his arms so she could chase her three-year-old son as he headed after a cat unfortunate enough to wander through the yard.
"You've been gone too long little brother," Tanya said as she walked by Ky, her son under her arm as she headed for the house. "Looks good on you."
"I'm better at chasing little boys around."
"You really want to change his pants?" Tanya smiled brightly, turning.
Ky pulled a face and Serena laughed. She watched it all from her lawn chair. Kevin and his son and son-in-law were gathered around the barbecue.
Ky turned to Serena. "You're just going to sit there and laugh at me?"
He'd been in the house six days now. She'd done her best to avoid him, staying late at school, hiding in the basement to grade papers, whatever was necessary. Now Kevin and Lisa had all their children and grandchildren home for a barbecue. Serena wasn't allowed to hide any longer. And she couldn't keep her eyes off Ky.
It was disheartening. Oh well, one week down and one to go. She just had to solidify her summer plans with Kevin and Lisa. After supper she'd do that, no need to interrupt family time.
"What since I'm a woman I'm supposed to be a natural at holding babies?"
"More than me. Besides, you've seen these brats more than I have in the past year. They know you." His voice wavered dangerously close to whining.
"Stop being a whiner. You can take on a guy who has like six inches and one hundred pounds on you in a fight." That was an exaggeration.
Ky scoffed. "Getting punched in the face wasn't half so scary. What if I drop her?"
Serena rolled her eyes and continued, "Get your nose broken. And your niece, who weighs little more than ten pounds or so, that scares you."
"Serena, please, take her. Before I drop her."
"No. I'll hold your beer if you want. Sit down." She pulled a chair forward. "Sit and you won't worry so much. Geez, you'd think this was a torture chamber instead of a welcome home family party."
"Aren't they synonymous?" Serena chuckled. "I don't see you jumping for joy at going home for the summer."
She looked the other direction and took a long swig of her beer.
"You're not going home for the summer are you?" He had taken the lawn chair next to her and was leaning toward her.
She gave her attention to baby Kyla who kicked happily in the crook of her uncle's arm. "Hi sweetie. How are you today?" She got a coo in response. "Oh yes, your momma told me you were a talker."
"See it's a female thing. You can coo to anyone's baby without looking like an idiot. I do that and the guys on my team make fun of me for the rest of my career."
"Oh, the trials of the alpha male ego. I feel for you." She tapped her chest with her fist.
Ky snorted. "Thanks. I can feel the sympathy. And yes I did notice you're avoiding my question."
"I haven't discussed it with Kevin and Lisa yet. I don't think they counted on having me intruding in their lives their entire summer. I imagine they'd like their basement back someday. I should just find another place." She lifted her gaze and found herself staring into the depths of his warm brown eyes. And she was surprised not to find them taunting her. They were filled with compassion.
She was never so thankful to be off her feet, because her knees turned to liquid. She could almost feel his lips brushing across hers. His body pulling hers tight against all that muscle. This was a terrible train of thought and she forced her gaze back to Kyla.
"They love you, as much as they loved any of us. Believe me they hate an empty house. The only thing that could make them happier is if I stayed the summer." He shifted Kyla on his lap. "Which is so not happening?" He had obviously become comfortable holding his infant neice. He looked almost natural at it at the moment.
Thank god he was leaving. If she wanted to needle him, she would ask him why he wouldn't stay the summer. Now she needed him to leave. The sooner the better before she fantasized about them falling in bed together or worse- a relationship.
That one was definitely destined to be a fantasy. Men like Kyle didn't fall for girls like her. He was flash, and a partier and beautiful. She was sturdy and dependable and very average.
She merely nodded and drank from her beer. She turned her attention back to the baby. Hopefully, the night would be over soon. Despite their best efforts, she still felt like an outsider, intruding on their family time.
It was during supper around the picnic table in the backyard that Ky forced her to discuss her summer plans.
She had been helping feed three-year-old Caden his supper and wasn't paying much attention to the adult talk going around her. Until, she heard Lisa say her name. "Serena, were you thinking of sticking around for the summer? I thought you'd want to spend the time with your family. And have your vacation."
She couldn't glare at Ky because all the attention was on her. "Uh, well, I was talking to Ron Collins and he said something about a summer sports program in need of a leader. And I could take two weeks off and see my family then. Like most people." She gave a pointed look at Ky.
Kevin and Lisa exchanged a look. "We have no problem with you staying here. We're going to be in and out of the house, so you might be here alone sometime," Lisa said.
"Well, nothing is set in stone. I have to apply for the job and all go through the hiring process since it's not through the school system." She shrugged. "We'll talk about, when I know more." She squirmed under the family scrutiny, especially Ky's eyes looking at her pointedly.
Tanya smiled. "We'll do anything we can to keep you around here. She's a great babysitter," she said to Ky. "If you're looking for extra staff, you should shenghi Ky into it. He's great at every sport known and despite what he says, he's great with kids. He used to babysit when he wasn't playing hockey."
The surprise caught her first. She turned to look at Kyle. "You used to baby-sit?"
He shrugged and hid behind his beer bottle. "For extra cash. Hockey didn't allow me to have a regular part-time job."
"Lora Gershew told me a few weeks ago that you were the best baby-sitter."
"Gershew there's a name I haven't heard in ages."
Tanya wasn't finished. She pointed at him with her fork. "She said you were the best because you'd always be Ken when she played Barbies."
Ky's face turned red as everyone around the table laughed. Serena felt an ache of compassion for him. That was a side of him she hadn't expected. She tried to imagine teenage Ky on the floor playing dolls with a little girl. It was too sweet to imagine.
They were supposed to be telling her horror stories, about how terrible a guy he was. Wasn't he a cheat or a liar or at least a serial dater? Any flaw would do.
"And you wonder why I never come to visit," Ky said.
"Just helping you with a summer job. And Serena, so she has one."
"If I don't have one, I'll just go home and hang out." She didn't let her cringe show. The last thing she wanted to do was spend her summer at home. With her parents. And brothers close by. But she would rather do that, than work with Ky all summer. That would be too close for comfort.
The topic of conversation turned and Serena breathed a sigh of relief. No way she would ask Ky to help her out with the program, even if she were desperate. He had to go away. Living in the same house meant nothing but trouble and heartache.
* * *
Ky didn't quite double over when Serena elbowed him in the gut on the way back out of the house, as they cleaned up after supper. Probably his punishment for bringing up her summer plans during supper.
His sister and sister-in-law were in front of them carrying in dishes. He wanted to sit with his brother to tell him about playing professional hockey after supper. Serena interrupted his plan by shoving a pile of dishes into his hands.
"This is women's work," he'd taunted her. He couldn't help that crack after their earlier conversation while he held his niece.
He grabbed her shoulder before she could get out of arms reach and hauled her back into the entry way. He pressed her against the wall and trapped her with his arms. He could look intimidating when he wanted to, at least he thought so. She looked at him defiantly.
"Hey, if I had it my way you'd just find a place to rent and move out in the middle of the night instead of face my parents."
She stomped her foot in frustration. "You are exactly the type of male I wanted to get away from when I moved here. You, you," she sputtered, "dork."
"I think you meant to call me an asshole."
"I'll thank you to just stop interfering with my life."
"I've only done it once."
She hesitated. She refused to meet his eyes for a second. Then she flared again at him. "Well, that's once too many. I told you that my brothers tried to run my life. And now you're doing the same thing. You cannot be gone soon enough."
The hesitation startled him more than the accusations. However, she was right. He had no business to bring that up with his parents. He stepped back. "You're right."
She looked confused. "What?"
"You're right. I had no business doing what I did. From the way you talked before, you love living here. My parents love having you. I'm only here for two weeks, one more after this. So no matter what I think of you, don't let that affect you staying here."
She flushed deeply then moved away. "Well, good." She didn't sound sure of herself now that the fire was gone out. Was it possible she liked him? A little. "Okay then."
He turned and headed back for the kitchen, to get another beer. "Hey," he called after her, making her stop. "You're fun when you're angry. But much more beautiful when you're not."
She fled the house, making him chuckle. The only problem was, if she did like him, he needed to avoid her and for the next eight days then high-tail it out of here. Maybe he should even cut his visit short.
The image of her eyes flaring at him, flashed in his mind, making him squirm. He could imagine those eyes flashing at him with passion.
The last thing he wanted to do was leave soon.
Chapter 3
Thursday morning Ky was doing his laundry in preparation to return to Calgary for the rest of the summer. He'd planned to meet his family on their annual camping trip.
The sooner he left the better. The sooner he could go find some hot woman at a bar, take her home and make him forgot all about Serena. Well, it wasn't likely to work long term, since she continued to amaze him.
She woke him to go jog in the morning. Punishment against his meddling or a way to spend time with him, he didn't know. And it was all he could do to keep pace with her. Him. His job was to be in good shape. So was hers, at least partly. She also had to keep pace with rambunctious kids all day. Okay, she could be in better shape than he.
He was home alone now. Blissfully alone. Blissfully quiet. No laughter from Serena. Her loud voice missing when she was teasing him. He missed her, though she was only at work.
It was kind of pathetic since he had been annoyed with her only ten days earlier. Of course, he still missed his old room and having the basement to himself.
The phone rang interrupting his silence. He thought about ignoring it, this wasn't his home anymore. He answered in the kitchen anyway. "Hello, McLachlan residence. Kyle speaking." Old habits died hard.
"Ky, it's Ron Collins."
"Hi Mr. Collins." The high school principal and his former coach, when he'd been eleven. Sam Collins had been the same age as Ky. "What can I do for you?" Ky also dated his daughter for a while. He'd rather avoid discussing that.
"I was talking Tanya, your sister, the other day and Miss Miller today."
Miss- "Serena?"
"Yes. She's going to run our summer program. And I had another teacher here, uh, you probably don't know him. He contracted mono and I'm running out of time to secure facilities or cancel the program."
Of course, Tanya would mention him. No Ky isn't doing anything all summer. He likes children. He should give back to the community. "And this has to do what with me?" He decided to play dumb.
"Tanya said you weren't doing anything. And I thought you'd like a chance to give back to your community. You learned a lot about hockey here. And, well, we'd like you to help Ms. Miller, er Serena, out and run the program with her."
Run the program with Serena. The most stubborn woman he'd ever met. Working with her, planning activities with her. Deferring to her. He nearly groaned at the thought. He recalled the fire in her eyes. The thought was so tempting.
"We'd pay you," Collins was going on. "Not as much as you're used to making. But the program, the kids, could really learn from you."
Was there no one else who played sports in this town? He shook his head. He wasn't going to do this. He couldn't do this. He needed to get back to Calgary. So why then did he say, "Sure. I don't have summer plans and I owe the town." He owed the town nothing; he'd gotten to the NHL on his merit.
As if, the little voice of conscience piped in, you got to where you thanks to a lot of people, including people in this town. "Why don't you come to my office this afternoon? We can get the contract squared away. And you and Serena can get planning the program. How convenient that you're living in the same house."
Ky grunted at that. Yeah, it was great. He regretted his decision already. Well nothing doing now. "Sure, I'll come in after I have some lunch."
"Great. Good to have you back in town. And you'll be great at the program."
"Yeah great. Talk to you later." He hung up the phone and leaned his head against the wall. He needed to be committed. Instead of doing the logical thing and banging his head against the wall, he picked up and the phone to call his mother and make sure she was okay with having an extra tenant for the summer.
* * *
Serena couldn't believe it when Ron Collins told her that Ky had agreed to work with her for the summer. She'd mentioned his name, convinced that he wouldn't take the job.
She spent the day hoping he would accept.
The thought was ridiculous.
Oh hell, who was she kidding? She had a full-fledged crush on the guy. He was hot, he was sweet, funny and a great athlete. It had been seeing him hold Kyla that sealed it for her. Or maybe his teasing remark after she elbowed him in the gut. That had been flirting. She hadn't been flirted with much, but she was pretty sure that was flirting.
Of course, three weeks had passed, since then he talked to her with only respect. Only when it had to do with work. He didn't make small talk or even the slightest joke.
It was the longest three weeks she'd spent in Bow Island. Every time he looked at her she was dying to hear him laugh, to see his smile. But he was all business.
She watched him now across the field with a group of kids while they tossed baseballs back and forth. It was damn hot out, but the day was nearly over. She took a swig of water then turned back to her group who were playing catch as well.
Her watch beeped signalling the day's end. The week's end as well. She sank with relief, onto the nearest bench after all the children had gone. She glanced at Ky at the other end of the bench. "That was the longest day yet," she said.
"Regretting your choice to stay here?" She looked at him expectantly. Was he teasing her? He wasn't even looking at her; he was staring at someone coming in the distance. Someone female.
She felt an uncomfortable pang of jealousy. An ex-girlfriend? A current interest of his? Was that why he'd been so distant the past month? She shook those thoughts off.
"No," she replied. "I love being here. It's just, tiring at times."
"All things worthwhile are tiring." Their eyes met for a moment and he looked away first.
Was that why spending time with him was so exhausting? She'd felt as if she held all her feelings in. It was ridiculous.
They looked at the approaching woman. She looked on a mission. Even from a distance Serena could see her made-up face and perfectly done hair. She wore impractically high heels. Serena pushed her hair out of her eyes and rubbed her forearm over her sweaty face. Even if she wanted to wear make-up, it would have worn off by this point.
"Know her?" she grunted.
"Yes," he replied through clenched teeth.
"Should I leave you two alone?"
"Don't you dare," he warned. That was interesting. Serena bent to pack the equipment from the day.
"Hi Kyle," the blonde beautiful woman said, as she approached them, in a falsetto voice. Emphasis on the false, Serena thought with a smirk.
Ky stood to help Serena. "Hello Vicki." He didn't look at her.
"How are you?" Serena watched the girl-in-too-little-clothing, stand over of Ky. If he looked up, he could probably see up her skirt.
"Tired," he said. "In need of a shower."
That would probably scare a girl like Vicki off. Serena coughed to cover a laugh. They turned to her for a moment. "Okay?" Ky asked. She nodded.
"After you have your shower, the old gang are having a barbecue and drinks at the old Stang place. Marshall Parker owns it now. Someone said you were in town. And I thought I'd track you down and invite you over. For old times sake."
And Serena knew exactly which times the woman wanted to relive. She lifted one bag and moved toward the truck.
"I'm being rude," Ky said. "Serena, this is an old friend, Vicki Nelson. Vicki this is Serena Miller. She's teaching grade three and doing the summer program."
"Right. Hello, nice to meet you," Vicki said tightly.
"Back at you," Serena said, stopping to give the woman a brief smile. Vicki obviously saw Serena as competition. She'd heard of that problem, but had never experienced it. She wasn't the type that men chased and Vicki obviously was. Serena continued walking toward Ky's truck.
"How 'bout the barbecue and drinks?"
"Well, maybe. I'll have to talk to Serena about it. See if she's up for it. We had a hard day."
"Oh. I see."
"It would be a little rude of me to say yes and not invite her," Ky pointed out.
"Right. Well anyway, we're all meeting there about six. Bring your own meat and drinks. And here's my number. In case you're finding Bow Island as exciting as I do." Serena watched as she pressed the number into Ky's hand. Then she walked back off in the direction she'd come. Giving Ky a good view of her very tiny ass.
Ky hoisted the second bag and took it to the truck.
"You don't have to invite me. You should go hang out with your friends if you want to. The old gang?" She didn't do well at keeping out the snark.
He tossed the bag into the truck-bed "Yeah right. I really want to relive my high school days." He gave her a look over the back of the truck. "Come with me so it'll be bearable."
She gave him the same 'oh please' look. "Right." She rolled her eyes at him then walked to the passenger door and opened it.
Ky got in the driver side. But he didn't start the truck. "I bet you never go out. How many friends do you have down here? Besides Collins and my parents."
"I'm friends with the art teacher. She's the only one close to my age and single. Mrs. ..." Shit, she couldn't recall the woman's last name. Or first. She wouldn't admit that though.
Ky raised his eyebrows. "We settled that. You're coming to the party with me. We'll escape early. I'm sure we have some work related activity tomorrow."
"The only thing I'm doing tomorrow is staying in bed as long as I can."
"And the lake trip with my brother."
Serena didn't answer. She wasn't going to the lake either. "Let's go home. I'm starving."
"Serena you are coming with me to the party. And to the lake. I can't wait to see you in a bathing suit." He grinned at her and she leaned back in the seat. She was hot now for reasons that had nothing to do with the weather.
He was flirting with her again and in her book, that was a good thing. They were spending their days together anyway.That time should be enjoyable.
* * *
Kyle showered after Serena but before supper. "Okay, dealing with kids all day is officially the most tiring job I've held," he said, as he sat on the back porch with his dad while they grilled the hamburgers.
"A little respect for women hey? Never a bad thing," Kevin McLachlan said with a smirk.
"Yeah, yeah." He waved his hand. "You've got some smoke coming pretty steady off the grill. You gonna check that?"
Kevin stood and opened the lid. "Just fine."
"All right. Just recall I like mine cooked and not burned to a crisp."
Kevin shut the lid and rolled his eyes at his youngest son. "All right, wise guy. You wanna do it?"
"Hey I worked all day."
"So did I. Never mind. You aren't used to real work." Ky might have taken offense but it was said with a grin.
"I don't think it's so much the kids as my coworkers. Er, my co-worker."
Kevin glanced at the closed patio doors. The kitchen wasn't near the back porch anyway. "She's quite the girl isn't she? Most guys I think, miss her beauty. I'm glad you saw it."
"How could a guy miss her?" Ky recalled the first time he saw her. Of course given her state of undress in their first meeting, he'd have to be dead not to notice her body. But she wasn't beautiful, like Vicki, like so many women he'd met in the past few years as a hockey player. She was something else entirely. "All right," he conceded. "I suppose she gets overlooked a lot."
"She's a bit shy as well. Doesn't help."
"Wicked sense of humour. For an Oiler's fan."
The door opened in the middle of his sentence and Serena stood there with hands on her hips. "Talking about me?" Kevin and Ky sputtered to explain. "I suppose you think they'll kick me out of the party for being an Oiler's fan."
Saved by her own admission. As long as his dad didn't say, "What party?" Which he did.
"Vicki Nelson came by this afternoon and invited us to a party," Ky replied, his gaze steady on Serena.
"She invited Ky. He's just insisting I tag along." She narrowed her gaze. Still steadfast in her refusal to go.
"So instead you'll sit here doing nothing. Come on, it'll be fun. You'll meet some people. We won't stay long."
"Thank god. The girl never gets out," Kevin added.
"I'm not a girl. And I don't need to get out. And I don't need a bunch of overbearing men running my damned life." She dropped the salad bowl onto the picnic table then went back into the house.
Kevin and Ky shared a look. Shit. "Apparently, she moved here because her overbearing brothers were always trying to run her life."
"Then you go fix it. And get her to go to that party with you. Your mother and I are worried about her not getting out."
"Fix it? How do you want me to fix it?"
"Ky, I could tell you. But I think some things a man needs to learn for himself."
"You have no idea do you?"
"Grovelling usually works when you lack a plan."
He wasn't even in a relationship with her and he was grovelling and apologizing. This didn't bode well for his romantic future.
Good grief, he had no romantic future. Maybe just some good old fashioned sex for a few weeks before he headed back to Calgary. Maybe sex. Shaking his head, he opened the patio doors and went inside.
His mother waved a steak knife at him. "What is wrong with you two? She went through here, nearly crying. When I asked her what was wrong she muttered something about overbearing men."
"I'm going to talk to her. Gawd."
He got The Look from his mother. "And she is?"
"In the basement, hiding. From you."
He ducked his head, and ran from his mother's glare He knew what he did wrong. The exact thing he swore he wouldn't do again.
He could hear her sniffling as he raised his hand to knock on his bedroom door. It was her bedroom now. He steeled his resolve. He was a pro hockey player. He faced the toughest men in the National Hockey League. But he feared a woman, barely a woman who was crying. It wasn't fair. He was far from home ice here.
He knocked. "What?" she said, trying to hide her sniffling.
"Can I come in? I don't really want to grovel through a closed door."
"Then try going to hell."
"All right." He stomped his feet. "Okay, I'm in hell."
That got him a little laugh. "Come in." That made him more tense, but he pushed open the door and peered tentatively around the corner. She sat on the single bed, curled into the corner. He sat on the furthest edge from her.
"I'm sorry I keep trying to push you around. I like you; I want to see you happy." He glanced at her out the side of his vision. "Believe it or not, I do like spending time with you. I just have the urge to tell you what to do."
"Why do you make it seem like I'm a pain in the ass?" She bent her head, refusing to look at him.
"Because, you're beautiful." He turned to look at her since she was avoiding him. His comment surprised her enough that she raised her head. He smiled weakly at her.
"You think so?"
"Yes. And, seriously, I don't want to ..." He didn't know how to say it so she wouldn't take offense. Every angle he saw left hurt feelings. He was screwed and in too deep to turn back now. "Do anything. Because, I'm not, I'm, it would just be sex. For me." He realized he was babbling, because she stared at him incomprehensibly. "I just, I don't want to, get involved." With you. That was better left directly unsaid.
"I think that was almost a compliment." She was smiling, which confused him. "What makes you think I would want more than just sex? See you try to manage me before you even ask."
He thought about crawling over to kiss her. It would silence her. Instead, he stood. "In short, I'm sorry. Please, I like spending time with you. I'd like you to come with me. Introduce you to some people. Please come and eat supper at least. Then you can decide on a full stomach with normal blood sugar." He moved to stand beside her and touched her shoulder, unable to stop himself. She had such soft skin.
"The only thing I'm agreeing to is supper."
"That's a start." Ky kissed her on the cheek as if it were a reflex. Then he realized what he'd done and he ran, like a chicken-shit.
* * *
Supper first, but during supper she'd found herself wanting to go the party with Ky. Not so she could hang out with his old friends. So she could hang out with him.
After his confusing admission, she had new things to consider. She'd spent her time thinking that he didn't want anything to do with her. Noting was further from the truth.
He thought she was beautiful. She glanced covertly at him.
She felt the twisting knot in her stomach that she'd felt the first time she saw him. Standing in her bedroom. Like, was he here to make all her dreams come true? At least some of her fantasies for the afternoon? He was very sexy, more so when he was working with some kid with no coordination and doing his damnedest to encourage the tike to keep trying.
Then, he would assume if they slept together she'd want a relationship. For one, she hadn't had sex in, well, much too long. Second, she wasn't some delicate woman, looking for a successful man to define her or support her. She could be successful on her own. But getting some actual cock wouldn't be a tragedy either.
He was looking at her. Especially from someone who she'd been fantasizing about. If she went to this party, she'd get a little tipsy and her vibrator would get an extra long workout tonight. Getting drunk wouldn't be so terrible. She deserved to let a little loose. She hadn't done that in, well, ever. She'd been on a tight leash with her brothers all watching over her. And since coming here she'd been trying to keep her image clean, being the outsider and new teacher in town.
She sighed. Ky was still watching her. "What?" he mouthed to her. She shook her head with a glare.
She helped Lisa clear the table after supper. Ky followed her into the kitchen and cornered her while his mother was absent. "Did you decide to come?"
"Yes. Fine. I'll come. I need to get out. Yada, yada."
"All right. We'll get cleaned up here. Do you, like, do a beauty routine before going out?"
She cocked her brow at him. "Do you?" When most girls were getting interested in make-up, she was interested in her stamina and her wrist shot.
"No. But I dunno, I never see you leave for work. I don't want to make any assumptions about what time we are leaving? I've had some girlfriends who expected me to arrive on time for a date but wouldn't be ready until fifteen minutes after our reservation."
"What kind of? Never mind." Serena shook her head. She didn't want to ask about type of women he usually dated. "I don't need to put on make-up. I believe we need to get a case of beer and whatever you want to drink."
"Do you wanna just share a case of beer?"
"Fine." What she wanted to know was what she needed to do to share a bed with him? At least for an hour. One of them would have to return to their room before his parents noticed anything. She'd figure that out later. Maybe when she was drunk.
He slapped his hands together. "Let's get dishes done and hit the road. Oh, it's not far. We'll just walk over so we don't have to worry about driving." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a little hug, pressing his nose against the side of her head. "Thanks for coming with me."
She shivered as he let go of her, hoping he didn't notice how his closeness affected her. "Yeah, let's get going. I'm sure Vicki is waiting for you."
He rolled his eyes. "Hey, I'm only going to get you out of the house. My goal is get you drunk. And let you loose." He winked at her.
She shoved him toward the sink. "For that, you get to wash tonight."
Chapter 4
Serena stood at the edge of the lighted area of the McLachlan's backyard. The party had moved here in the last forty-five minutes for reasons she hadn't followed. She just knew Ky had been steering her home. Her head was buzzing and she'd had to lean on Kyle to make it home. Big strong Kyle. Sexy Kyle.
She watched him now as he talked to his friends about playing hockey. They were as enthralled by him as she was that much was clear. They hung on his words.
Serena wanted them to all go home. She wanted him all to herself.
She'd been edged out of the light by that bitchy Vicki and her hard stares. Ky had barely given the other woman an acknowledgment. And Vicki was pissed off at the cold shoulder she'd received. Which left her glaring at Serena since they'd arrived at the McLachlan's.
Kevin and Lisa sat outside beside a dying fire when they'd arrived. They chatted with some friend's of Kyle's.
Serena grabbed a lawn chair and sat. Relief coursed through her. Now if the world would stop spinning, she'd feel fine. Or if Kyle came and held her.
"You tired of all these people?" he asked her.
Her head swivelled around to look at him in surprise. She groaned and gripped her chair. "Shit. Ky why didn't you drink more beer?"
He laughed. The sound wrapped around her, like a caress. The soft juncture between her thighs felt slippery.
"I'm not that drunk." Serena dropped her head between her legs, praying not to wretch.
"I can see that." He rubbed her back. "I told you I wanted to get you drunk. It's a sight."
Serena pulled away from his hair touch. "Fuck you," she said gently. She bit back a second groan at THAT thought. If only, she could.
"You wish, princess." He leaned back and took a long drink from his beer bottle. His hand remained on her shoulder. She met his eyes and they glowed a little.
He wished it too, she knew he did. Serena looked away. "To answer your first question, I might be tired. I think I need another beer to stop the spinning of your backyard." She reached out for the one in his hand.
Ky held it out of reach. "Hell no. I am not holding your hair while you puke. Especially in that downstairs bathroom, I puked more than once there. Without my parents finding out."
"So not surprised by that."
"I suppose you never got drunk in high school?" He finished his beer off and set the empty bottle on the deck behind him. Serena watched his muscles flex under his shirt. She curled her fingers around her chair arms.
Serena pushed herself up. "I have to pee."
Ky stood and helped her up as well. "I'll help you inside. Don't want you trip on your feet."
"I can't snipe back at you when I'm drunk. My brain is too slow."
They climbed the steps and into the house. The house was dark and Ky guided her down the hall and into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Serena used the facilities. She made a decsion as she washed her hands and splashed some water on her face.
She opened the door and found Ky still waiting for her as she expected. She pretended to fall into him and he caught her.
Serena looked at him through her lashes. He sighed as she lifted her face. She stretched on her toes to meet him. It only took a brush of her lips before he took the lead.
He took her head into his hands. "Damn," he muttered, slanting her head to the side and crushing his mouth over hers. Serena gripped his shirt to hold him as she opened to his heated kisses. All their pent-up passions and frustrations came rushing out into that first kiss. It wasn't soft or romantic or anything she'd first hoped it to be. It was demanding and set her body on fire. She rubbed her body against his.
His tongue slipped past her open lips to clash with hers. He tasted like beer and something that could only be him.
Serena quickly got restless with just kissing. She unzipped her hoodie and let it drop behind her. He couldn't miss her chest now, if he'd overlooked it before. She pressed it into his chest, sliding up and down.
He took the hint and released her head, sliding his hands down her front. He molded one breast into each hand. Her nipples sought his warmth or just tightened in surprise to unfamiliar touch. "Your brain might be slow, but your body reacts just fine." He murmured as he kissed her neck, taking a small nip out of her.
He recaptured her mouth or maybe she took his again, Serena's brain couldn't quite catch up. Ky lifted the bottom of her shirt and slipped his hands inside. His fingers dug into her soft skin. He left a trail of tingling behind as he sought her breasts.
When he found her bra, one hand slipped behind her and unsnapped her clasp. He pushed the lacy cups up as well leaving her breasts open to his caress. His thumbs brushed over her nipples. Serena gasped into his mouth and clutched him tighter. He rolled one between his thumb and finger which elicited a moan.
Then, Ky dropped his hands to her stomach and rubbed her gently. "I wasn't going to touch you," he whispered into her hair. Even as he said it, his mouth was searching hers again.
She heard a door open in the hall. They separated and looked toward the sound. It was from the room Ky was staying in. And Vicki Nelson was standing there in the doorway.
"I was waiting for you, Ky. For like, a long time," the bitch slurred.
Serena felt a cold chill replace the warm passion. Serena pushed away from Ky and started to move away.
Vicki noticed Serena. "You said you wouldn't be long. And now I see what was keeping you."
Ky looked panicked between the two women. "No. I didn't, Serena. Vicki, I wasn't. Fuck." He stumbled over his words, as if he wasn't sure who he should make an excuse with.