Page 7 of Irresistible

CHAPTER THREE

Sunday

Brock stood in front of Lilly’s door and contemplated how big of an idiot he was. He’d resisted her for most of his adult life, and he couldn’t figure out why it had taken his baby brother’s double-dog dare to make him act. Truth be told, it was the jerk at the pub who lit the fire. If she was on the hunt for companionship, then he was going to make himself available. Scrubbing his hand down his face, he knocked resolutely and waited.

Loud barks could be heard from inside the house, and he knew Popcorn was on duty. Through the glass panes of the front door, he saw her walking toward him. The pleasure of seeing her never diminished. When she cocked her head and frowned, he worried their habit of arguing might prove to be a bigger obstacle than he imagined. When she opened the door, he saw her Australian shepherd wag his tail. At least the dog was happy to see him. “Hey, Lilly.”

“I don’t see you a dozen times in the last year and now you’re everywhere. Are you here to arrest me?”

“No plans to arrest you, but if you want to play with my handcuffs, I’m game.” When she didn’t smile, he realized it sounded much better in his head. “Are you going to invite me in?”

“Wasn’t planning on it, but the handcuff comment has me curious.” Stepping back, she made room for him to enter. “Are you into bondage?”

Coughing out a response, he managed to say, “No.”

“That’s too bad. I was thinking of spicing up the book I’m working on, and bondage could be the answer.”

The dog stepped forward and pressed into his leg, so he decided to love on him until he could get his mind working. A picture of Lilly spread out on her bed with her hands tied over her head with a pink silk ribbon filled his head. After that, a slide show of fantasies he’d had about her played across his mind. Clearing his throat, he gave her a smile. “Want to go get something to eat?”

“Have you received a fatal prognosis? Are you dying?”

He pushed his hands into his pockets. “Wanting to eat with someone doesn’t mean that I’m on my deathbed.”

“But wanting to do it with me makes me question your grip on reality.” Lilly’s eyes lowered and she shook her head. “My guard dog is licking your boots and sitting on your feet.”

“Popcorn loves me. Always has.”

“Well, thank you for the invitation, but I’m going to have to decline. Pete is coming over and I’m making him dinner. He’s going to brainstorm with me and expects to be fed.”

“Why didn’t you want me to help the other day? I’ll brainstorm with you anytime.”

Lilly turned, walked down the hall, and called for her dog. Popcorn slowly rose, gave him a long look, and then followed Lilly into the kitchen. Closing the door, Brock examined his surroundings. He’d been to her townhome only once and hadn’t had a chance to look around. He figured that she settled in this part of town because of the neighborhood shops and walking trails. The Village at River Ranch sat south of the Vermillion River and was known for attracting younger residents. Made sense that’s what she surrounded herself with.

As he walked down the hall, he noticed the walls were painted a warm caramel color and filled with photographs. Taking his time, he studied a few. There were a lot of family photos as well as some impressive shots of Lake Martin. He noticed Lucy’s signature at the bottom and wondered when the youngest Bertrand sister had become such an accomplished photographer.

Walking into the great room, he saw Lilly standing at the stove. “The lack of response suggests that you’re not interested in my help. Which makes no sense. Pete isn’t that creative. I probably have a lot more ideas than he does.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Pete has been a fountain of information. He was the one who helped me out with the murder scene in my last book. That book was a New York Times bestseller.”

Sliding into a chair at the island, he shrugged. “So, what’s happening in book twenty-one? The usual mayhem and murder?”

Giving him a side-eye, she smirked. “What do you know about my books?”

“I’ve read every single one, some twice. I hate to admit how much I enjoyed your early romantic suspense ones. Those were some steaming hot scenes you wrote, and I enjoyed the hell out of them when I was deployed. A lot of the men I worked with did too. You were kind of a celebrity among the MARSOC guys.”

Setting her spoon down, she came over and sat down next to him. She put her chin in her palm and grinned. “A bunch of Marines read my books. I’m kind of giddy.”

Gazing into her sparkling eyes gave him a little shot of adrenaline. “Darlin’, half the guys in my unit were in love with you.”

“Oh, my goodness, that’s so sweet.” Sitting back, she smoothed out her T-shirt. “Are any of them around now? I haven’t dated in a while, and I think it’s time I got back out there.”

“No!”

Lilly pushed her hand into his leg and laughed. “You’re always trying to spoil my fun. It’s been true since the moment I met you.” She stood, went over to the stove and stirred the grits. “There’s tea in the fridge. Help yourself.”

Stepping around Popcorn, he walked over, pulled the pitcher out and filled two glasses. What Lilly had said was true. She had been a wild child growing up, and he’d always felt that he had to protect her. Her adventurous nature had gotten her into more scrapes than he cared to remember. She was a daredevil at heart, and there wasn’t a double-dog dare that she wouldn’t accept. Once the neighborhood kids had figured it out, they were constantly coming up with things for her to do. Had he not kept a close eye on her, God knows what would’ve happened. “I wasn’t trying to spoil anything for you. I just wanted to make sure you lived to see another birthday.”

Moving the grits off the heat, she gave him a small smile. “I liked to jump out of trees and stuff. It was all harmless.”

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