The Firefighter and the Single Mum, page 5
The three of them sat down at the table, and she was pleased when Austin took the time to explain their situation to Josh.
“Your house sustained a fair amount of water damage after your neighbor’s fire,” Austin said, looking directly at Josh. “I hope you don’t mind, but I convinced your mom that the two of you should stay here for a while, until after the repairs are completed.”
“Really?” Josh’s bright blue eyes, so much like Sam’s, flashed with hope. “That would be so cool!”
“It’s a temporary arrangement, Josh,” she warned. “A couple of weeks at the most.”
“I know,” he agreed readily enough. She suspected a couple of weeks seemed like forever to a nine-year-old. “I can’t wait to tell Tony!”
As Tony lived just a few blocks away, she understood his enthusiasm. For a moment she felt reassured by her decision. Maybe these few weeks wouldn’t be so bad. Anything to help turn Josh around from the stranger he’d been to the boy she’d once known.
“Lindsey, I was thinking that it would be good for Josh to learn Tai Kwon Do.”
“What?” She paused, her fork halfway to her mouth as she swung her gaze back to Austin. “Are you crazy? How exactly does learning Tai Kwon Do teach Josh not to skip school?” She was seriously annoyed. Why on earth had he brought this up right in front of Josh? Had Austin done it on purpose, so that she could be the bad guy when she had to say no?
He was interfering in her life again.
“Actually, Tai Kwon Do is all about self-discipline, which is a trait that can be applied to many things, like homework.” Austin finished his spaghetti, and then surprised her by standing and clearing away the dirty dishes. “The whole focus of the martial arts is all about teaching kids self-control.”
Oh, sure. She was supposed to believe that? At her obvious skepticism, he continued, “Seriously, Lindsey, I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think it would help. In fact, I ran the idea past Dr Sandberg and she thought it would be good for Josh, too. And you don’t have to worry about the cost—consider this an early birthday present from me to Josh.”
“Please, Mom?” Josh’s gaze implored her to agree. “I promise I won’t skip school anymore.”
She sighed, glancing between the two of them, wondering if she was the one being unreasonable. She wanted to refuse on principle, because Austin was interfering again. Especially as taking Austin’s money for something like this went against the grain.
Yet hadn’t she asked for Austin’s help when Josh had skipped school? What if she was wrong? If Dr Sandberg had given permission, this could be just what Josh needed. When was the last time she’d seen Josh look so excited?
Months. Since before Sam’s funeral.
Wavering, she slowly nodded. “I’ll consider it, Josh, but you need to know, if you skip school or get into another argument with other kids on the playground, I’ll yank you out of those classes so fast, your head will spin.”
“Yay! Thanks, Mom.” Following Austin’s example, Josh picked up his empty plate and carried it to the sink.
“Finish your homework,” Austin said in a stern tone.
Josh nodded and ran back to his room. For a moment she was irritated with Austin for his seemingly effortless ability to get her son to listen.
Then was ashamed of herself for resenting him. After all, wasn’t the need for a father figure exactly why she’d agreed to this arrangement? She should be grateful Austin cared enough about Josh to be there for him.
“Thanks, Lindsey,” Austin said softly. “I think learning Tai Kwon Do is just what Josh needs to give him some badly needed self-confidence.”
“I hope so,” she said, carrying her own dishes over to the sink. “Although next time you’d better run the idea past me first, without involving Josh. I didn’t appreciate being put on the spot like that.”
Austin winced at her sharp tone and looked apologetic as he took the dirty plate from her hands. “Sorry about that. You’re right. I guess I didn’t think.” He shooed her away from the sink. “You cooked, so it’s my job to clean up. Why don’t you relax for a few minutes? Later on we can go back to your house to get the rest of your things.”
Relax? While living in the same house as Austin? Not likely. “It’s your night off,” she protested. “Surely you have better things to do?”
“Nope.” His tone was cheerful. “Why don’t you make a list of whatever you think you’ll need over the next few weeks? As soon as I’m finished here, we’ll get going.”
She couldn’t think of anything they’d need. Austin pretty much had everything covered in his house. As she sat at the table, watching him work, she belatedly realized that her decision to move in with Austin might cramp his bachelor lifestyle. Hadn’t he point-blank asked her if she was seeing someone? Just because she wasn’t interested in a relationship, it didn’t mean Austin wasn’t. After all, this was his night off. What if he wanted to go out tonight?
What if he met some woman he wanted to bring home? To spend the night with?
A pang of jealousy cramped her stomach, making her feel sick.
“I realize you probably have plans on your nights off, so don’t worry about us,” she said quickly, pushing aside the lump in her throat. “Josh is usually in bed by nine o’clock on school nights and I’m usually asleep early, too, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing us or anything.” She knew she was babbling but couldn’t seem to stop. “I mean, really, don’t think Josh and I will get in the way of your…uh…social life. Just pretend we’re not here.”
Austin paused in the act of rinsing the dishes and neatly stacking them in the dishwasher to glance at her. “Lindsey, I’m not seeing anyone and haven’t for months. Do you honestly think I’d bring some woman home with you and Josh here?”
He hadn’t seen anyone for months? Secretly relieved, she shrugged. “Why not? You said yourself we’re friends.”
“We are, but I’m not interested in a social life, as you put it.” His grin was lopsided. “Right now, nothing is more important than you and Josh.”
“But if you change your mind—” she started.
He interrupted. “I won’t.”
“All right, then.” She smiled back, a warm glow sweeping through her at his words, even though she knew he didn’t really mean them.
At least, not in the way she wished he did.
That night, Austin couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned, kicking off the covers, unable to bear the cotton sheets against his body. He threw himself on his back, feeling as if his skin was too tight for his body. What in the hell was wrong with him? He hadn’t felt this wired since the night of the fire.
After a few hours, he rolled out of bed and doused himself in cold water, hoping the cool shower would ease the aching tension. It helped a little, but as he stared at his reflection in the mirror above the sink, he forced himself to admit the hard truth.
Sharing a house with Lindsey was going to be more difficult than he’d thought. Had he been nuts to open his home to her? If this was how bad he was after one night, he couldn’t imagine how he’d feel after a few weeks.
Being this close to Lindsey without having her was going to drive him insane.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He’d just have to get over it. He’d had the ridiculous notion that focusing on Josh would help keep his desire for Lindsey under control. But Josh was old enough to spend a fair amount of time with his friends, and during those times Josh was gone or otherwise occupied, swimming in the pool out back or playing video games, he and Lindsey had been alone. And those stolen moments did nothing to help him ignore his growing attraction for her.
Turning away from his rueful reflection, he drew on a clean pair of boxers and stood at the patio doors, gazing out at the pool in the backyard, where Josh and Tony had spent a good couple of hours earlier that afternoon, playing water volleyball. At least Josh was enjoying himself in his new surroundings.
Too bad he couldn’t say the same thing for himself.
Hell. If he thought going out and finding a willing woman to take the edge off would help to get rid of his obsession with Lindsey, he’d do it.
But during his most recent trip home, he’d learned that other women didn’t hold the same appeal they once had. At first he’d thought it had been because he hadn’t gotten over Sam’s death. But then he’d realized it had been more than that. No matter how he’d tried, he hadn’t been able to summon the smallest flicker of interest in the cute redhead he’d met one night or the sexy brunette he’d been introduced to the following night.
He simply wasn’t interested in anyone else.
Only Lindsey.
And that scared the heck out of him.
Unable to bear the closed-in feel of his bedroom any longer, he turned away and crossed the room. Silently, he opened his door and padded down the hall, past Lindsey’s and Josh’s rooms, to the kitchen.
He knew his way around without using any lights, and his bare feet didn’t make a sound as he entered the kitchen. But when he bumped into something soft, he abruptly realized he wasn’t alone.
Lindsey let out a soft cry, taking a quick step backward. He reached out and grasped her shoulders to steady her.
“Gosh, you scared me,” she said in a strangled whisper.
“I’m sorry,” he said, immediately contrite. He did feel bad about frightening her, but he couldn’t find any remorse over bumping into her like that. Even in the dark, she was the vision of his dreams, her hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Her soft, lemony scent went straight to his groin, his body aroused to the point of pain.
Being this close to her only reinforced the edgy awareness he’d been battling all night.
She turned away, the flash of moonlight through the window bathing her profile in a soft glow. He sucked in a quick breath when he saw the glint of tears.
“What is it?” he asked quickly, tightening his grip on her slim shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Lindsey’s denial was too quick, and she brushed away the tears, trying to turn away from him.
He didn’t like the thought of her crying. “Lindsey, please, tell me what has upset you. Is it Josh? Something I said? Something I did? What?”
“No, it’s nothing like that.” This time, her lips curved in a small smile. “I…had a bad dream, that’s all. Then when you scared me, it all came back. It’s silly. Don’t know why I let a dream get to me.”
A bad dream he could handle, he thought—although his heart still squeezed at the thought of her being so upset. He drew her against him, offering comfort. “Hey, it’s OK. We’ve all had bad dreams at some point.”
Expecting her to give him a brief hug then draw away, he was surprised when she surrendered to him, burying her face in the curve of his neck, hanging on as if she didn’t plan to ever let go.
His heart thudded painfully in his chest and he slid a hand down the curve of her back, suddenly aware of how little she was wearing. The thin cotton T-shirt wasn’t much of a barrier—he could feel the warmth of her skin radiating through it.
When her lips brushed lightly against his neck, he thought for a moment he’d imagined the caress. But his body tightened when the moisture of her breath fanned his cheek.
“Lindsey?” he murmured, mixed signals clamoring in his brain. Was it even remotely possible she wanted the same thing he did?
She tipped her head back to look up at him and the silent offering was too much to ignore. He bent his head, covering her expectantly parted lips with his mouth, claiming her as his in a bone-jarring, mind-numbing kiss.
CHAPTER FIVE
AUSTIN’S KISS WAS so simmering hot Lindsay was surprised her feet didn’t melt to the floor.
Rational thought vanished. She should push him away, but the need clamoring through her had other ideas. Instead, she clutched his shoulders and returned his kiss, basking in the thrill of desire. How long had it been since she’d kissed a man?
Aeons. Or so it seemed.
Austin didn’t just kiss her, he made love to her with his mouth, as if nothing was more important than her lips.
And then suddenly he thrust her away from him, breathing deeply, and holding on to the kitchen counter for support. “I’m sorry, Lindsey. I had no right to cross the line like that.”
Bereft, she leaned against the sink, her own knees threatening to buckle. Why had he stopped? She licked her lips, tasting him, and it took all her control not to throw herself back into his arms.
Bad enough that she’d practically begged for his kiss.
“Don’t move out,” Austin was saying now, talking fast as if he was worried she was going to interrupt. Did he think she was angry with him? A hysterical laugh nearly broke free. “I promise I won’t cross the line this way ever again.”
OK…Obviously he wanted to keep their relationship on friendship terms. She should be glad, because she wasn’t in the market for anything more either. Yet there was an emptiness inside her where love and passion had once been. She swallowed hard and nodded, knowing he probably couldn’t see her in the dark.
What if she wanted a kiss to happen again? What if she wanted more?
Forget it. What she wanted didn’t matter. Austin was a friend. Maybe he was trying to protect her from ending up as a one-night stand. Obviously he wasn’t a guy who did long-term relationships.
At the moment a one-night stand didn’t sound like such a bad thing. Anything to make this ache of longing go away.
“It’s all right, Austin. I— Don’t worry about it.” What could she say? Admit that she’d wanted that toe-curling kiss as much as he had? And then what? She didn’t think she could really handle a one-night stand, as tempting as it sounded. Austin wasn’t the type of guy to settle down—he must have had ample opportunity over the past few years. She’d never met a steady girlfriend of his. There had to be a reason he avoided long-term relationships.
“You won’t leave?” he asked again, his tone anxious.
“No,” she said slowly. “I won’t leave.”
He was quiet for a moment, before murmuring, “Good. Thank you. Good night, Lindsey. Sweet dreams.”
“Good night.” Unable to move, she stayed where she was, until Austin padded silently back down the hall to his bedroom. Alone again, she let out a heavy sigh and sank into the nearest kitchen chair, willing her heart to return to its normal rhythm.
She really should leave. Should pack up her own and Josh’s things and move into the nearest hotel. But she couldn’t. Because truthfully she couldn’t afford a hotel. And Josh needed Austin.
Instead, she vowed to find the strength to keep a safe distance between them.
Lindsey managed to keep out of Austin’s way over the next few days. Of course, it helped that Austin seemed to be staying away from her, too.
And while it hurt a bit to realize he was avoiding her, she told herself to get over it. It was better this way.
The one time they were forced to talk to each other was during dinner. They’d gotten into the habit of sharing their evening meal each night in a very familylike way. Except Austin insisted on taking turns with the cooking, depending on which of them happened to get home first. On certain days, like tonight, he drove Josh and his friend Tony to their Tai Kwon Do lesson, so she’d gotten home before he did. She didn’t mind cooking for him. And tonight, when he and Josh walked in, she decided it was past time they had a serious discussion about the progress on her house. She’d left the details for Austin to deal with for too long.
“Something smells delicious,” he greeted her with a cheerful grin.
She rolled her eyes. He always said that, no matter if she made tuna casserole or lasagna. Tonight she’d thrown together baked chicken. Nothing fancy.
“Thanks. Have a seat, it’s ready.” She waited until everyone was seated and digging into their meals before getting to the point of what she wanted to know. “Austin, you never told me exactly what the repairs would be on my house. I need to know how much this is all going to cost.”
His brow rose. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of everything.”
She ground her teeth at his slightly condescending tone. “It’s my house, remember? I’d like to know exactly what is being done and how much it will cost.”
He paused as if finally realizing she was dead serious, and then slowly nodded. “All right, I’ll get you the paperwork after we finish eating.”
Slightly mollified, she took a bite of her chicken. Not bad, if she did say so herself.
“Mom, we learned how to do a jumping snap kick today,” Josh jumped in with an excited voice. “You should see how high I can kick! I can’t wait until we get to break boards with our feet.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your lessons.”
“Will you come and watch when I test out to become a yellow belt?” Josh persisted.
She didn’t realize testing out was part of the process. Sliding a questioning glance over to Austin, she saw him give a slight nod. “Sure. I’d love to.”
“It won’t be for a few weeks yet, but I can’t wait. White belts are for sissies.”
“Hey, don’t talk like that.” Austin spoke up. “Remember what your sensei said? There will always be someone worse than you and better than you. This is a test of your own strength and endurance, not anyone else’s. You’re only competing against yourself.”
“Yeah, I know.” Josh made a wry face.
She was glad to see her son was excited about his classes and hoped this would channel his energy into something constructive rather than destructive, like skipping school. The one nice thing about Josh’s classes was that they were right after school, so with Austin’s help driving him on his days off she’d been able to sign up for a couple of extra shifts on the days Josh had class.
It sounded like she was going to need every dime she could make in order to pay for the repairs.
After Austin had cleaned up the dinner dishes, he brought a stack of papers over to the kitchen table. “Here are the quotes I’ve received and obviously I’ve accepted the most reasonable ones. The electricians are rewiring the house first, and then I’ll arrange for the drywall repairs.”
