while marriage and a permanent home did not.
When the meal was over, he got up and started clearing the table the way he always had. Rosie understood that about him, at least, and had never tried to talk him out of helping. She’d taught the other boys to pitch in during kitchen duty, but Damon had done it without being told.
Clutter bothered him, but dirty dishes drove him nuts. He didn’t have to worry about that with this group, though. With everyone helping, the dishwasher was loaded and the table wiped down in minutes.
“I have a case of Baileys in the pantry if anyone wants more coffee with a little kick to it,” Rosie said.
Damon exchanged a grin with Cade. The two of them had bought her the booze when she’d been laid up in the hospital. She’d forbidden anyone to bring her flowers because that would imply she was seriously ill. So instead they’d delivered a case of Baileys to her hospital room. She’d gotten the message—she’d have to live a long time in order to drink it all.
“Thanks for the offer,” Phil said, “but I should probably head on home.”
That was his cue. “Before you leave, could I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” She walked over to him as if she expected him to blurt it out right here in the kitchen, in front of everybody.
“Let’s go outside.”
She blinked. “All right.”
He was aware of Rosie’s little smile and Cade’s lifted eyebrows. Ignoring their reaction, he ushered Phil out of the kitchen, through the living room and out the front door. Let them think what they liked. He was taking steps to end this potentially explosive situation.
She stopped on the porch. “Okay, we’re outside. What is it?”
“Let’s take a walk down to the barn.”
“Why?”
“Look, I’m not going to jump you, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Not that it hadn’t crossed his mind, but he was a more disciplined man than that.
She smiled. “I doubt that’s your style. I picture you getting a woman alone and then charming her until she jumps you.”
“That’s not my plan, either.” Damn, but she looked good with the porch light gleaming on her red hair. “Believe it or not, I have something important to discuss, and I don’t want to do it where someone might come out and interrupt what I have to say.”
“Everyone in the kitchen thinks something is going on between us.”
“Well, it’s not, and if I have anything to say about it, it won’t.”
“Oh, really? When did you—”
“Let’s walk. We can go see Ringo.” He gestured toward the porch steps, and to his relief, she started down them.
“I’ve met Ringo a couple of times. He really is a great cat.”
“And a smart cat, too. He stowed away in the truck when Cade left Colorado to drive up here. He knew who to hook up with for a better life.”
“Cade’s a good guy. I wasn’t sure I’d like him after hearing how he’d run out on Lexi, but now that he’s back it looks like they’re resolving that situation.”
“I hope so. Those two belong together.”
“Seems like it.” She stopped and turned to him. “Okay, nobody can hear us unless we start shouting. Do you really want to pay Ringo a visit or can we just settle whatever’s bugging you right here?”
“I guess we can talk here.” He reached for his hat to tug the brim down, but he’d left it in the living room. Instead he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans, and that was where they were going to stay. “We need to find you a replacement.”
“Is that right?” She tucked her hands in her hip pockets and rocked back on her heels to look at him. The gesture emphasized the swell of her breasts under her blue shirt. “And may I ask why?”
“You don’t know?” Even now, with his plan foremost in his mind, he wanted to grab her and find out what that tempting mouth of hers tasted like.
“Not for sure. Spell it out for me.”
“I’ve tried to imagine us working together, and it always turns out the same way in my mind.”
“Which is?” A couple of dusk-to-dawn lights kept the inky darkness at bay, but didn’t make the area bright enough to see faces clearly.
That was just as well, in his estimation. He didn’t need to look into her eyes and discover they were hot with desire. “We end up having sex.”
“You could be right.”
He couldn’t see it in her eyes, but he sure as hell heard it in her voice. His fingers curled inside his pockets, and his groin tightened. In any other scenario, he’d haul her into his arms and the game would be on. “We can’t do that.”
“I can’t speak for you, but I’m fully capable of doing that.”
He blew out an impatient breath. “I didn’t mean we can’t, like we aren’t physically able.” He was so physically able. More so with every passing second. “I mean it wouldn’t be good.”
She chuckled.
“I didn’t mean that, either, damn it! Let me just say this. Rosie set us up.”
“I figured.”
“So we agree on that. Good. The thing is, in Rosie’s world, people fall in love and get married. If she figures out we’re seeing each other, then that’s what she’ll expect, but that’s not what I’m prepared to deliver, so the best plan is to find your replacement.”
“Whoa there, cowboy. Back up the forklift. How did we get from I’m not marriage material to you have to be replaced? I think you missed a few key points in the middle.”
He thought through what he’d said. She was right that he’d skipped over the embarrassing part, which was that he didn’t trust himself to work with her, especially knowing that she’d be fine with getting horizontal. “I don’t...” He paused to scrub a hand over his face. “I don’t think I can resist you.”
She didn’t respond.
“Did you hear me?”
“Oh, yes, I heard you. I’m just savoring that last comment. I may have aroused uncontrollable lust in a man before, but he’s never admitted it. I’m having a Cleopatra moment, a Helen of Troy moment, a Marilyn Monroe moment, a—”
“Okay, okay. Let’s get back to the heart of the matter. Who can we call in to take over for you?”
“Nobody.”
“Oh, come on, Phil. There has to be some guy who won’t charge a fortune and can do the job.”
