Page 38 of Beckon

“You’re probably right, but we need to be sure before we open the door.”

After peeking through the peephole, she set her son down. He promptly shouted, “Chandler, is that you?”

Tami rolled her eyes. The kid had no sense of self-preservation. Her mother’s words came from the kitchen as if she’d heard her thoughts. “He’s just like you at that age.”

“Yeah, it’s me. Are you going to let me in, or do I have to stand out here until it gets dark?”

Chandler’s voice brushed away her earlier worries but amplified other thoughts. Tami had to get her own body under control, or she wouldn’t make it through dinner and their grand plan of cleaning the jacket would be toast.

After undoing the locks, she allowed Chester to open the door forhis buddy. Chandler greeted Chester first with a fist bump that then exploded.

When their eyes clashed, his smile widened. His hand went to her waist and his lips to her cheek. Completely PG, except his lips lingered as he whispered. “I haven’t stopped dreaming about those sleep shorts. What were they, pelicans?”

Chester had already run off to the living room, most likely depositing himself in Harold’s lap. She thanked God for that because Chandler’s words rustling across her cheek caused a shudder to work its way the length of her body.

Chandler, just by existing, kept her at the peak of awareness. It was unlike anything she’d experienced, and she relished it. Just weeks ago, that thought would’ve flooded her with guilt, but it didn’t anymore. Her mother’s words and Chandler’s acceptance of Reese’s memory made it possible.

She looked into his eyes when he pulled back with his naughty grin. She couldn’t resist stroking his cheek, and his eyes shuttered closed. “They were cranes, anyone with half a brain knows the difference.”

A rich chuckle came from deep in his chest, she felt the vibration through her palm. Which he turned and kissed. “My mistake, I must have been distracted by something far more interesting than native avian.” He growled as he brushed past her into the house.

“Harold, how are you?” Chandler greeted as he entered the living room.

“I can’t complain. I’ve got the company of two beautiful ladies, this fine young gentleman here, and now you. I’d say I’m doing pretty darn good.” Tami watched as Harold eyed the flowers in Chandler’s hand. Ones she failed to notice because she was more concerned with the hand that was touching her instead. “You bringing my lady flowers yet again? Well, I beat you to the draw. Better luck next time.” Harold teased Chandler and it was so… natural and familiar.

In Harold’s defense, Chandler had brought her mother flowers almost every time he visited.

“Not this time, sir. I know when I’m beat. These are for the beautiful angel that stole my heart.”

Chandler turned and handed the bouquet to Tami. She immediately brought them to her nose for a big whiff. Which brought on a sneezing fit. She wasn’t allergic to flowers per se but shoving the pollen right up her nose probably wasn’t smart.

“I’ll go put these in some water.” As she turned to leave, she heard Harold teasing Chandler about being better at wooing than him.

To which she promptly yelled back, “Please, do not teach Chester any tricks just yet then, Harold.”

“Hey.” Chandler turned and followed. “What about me?”

“Well, according to Harold, we have nothing to worry about with your skills, so teach away.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” she answered casually as she placed the flowers in the vase and turned to study it.

Chandler wrapped his arms around her from behind and turned her into his body. He left her no choice but to arch her back when he leaned into her. The countertop at the small of her back.

For a second, she expected him to lift her to sit on it and devour her mouth. Then she’d wrap her legs around his waist and rub her body against his.

Chandler growled against her lips, like, growled,growled. “I’ll be happy to demonstrate my skills at any time.” Before she could respond, he was feasting on her lips. He bit the lower one before his hot mouth traveled down the front of her throat. She felt his teeth scraping the skin as he went.

“Ahem. I don’t think that is what the kitchen is for, you two. At least not now. I’m in charge of sides, so take that elsewhere.”

Chandler leaped back when her mother cleared her throat. Tami had forgotten her mother was even in the kitchen until then too. All she could think about was his lips on her skin.

When she looked from her mother back to Chandler, she couldn’t help the laughter that burst from her. He looked like he’d been caught with his pants down. Well, that’s kind of accurate.

It made him look so young. The blush, the apologetic eyes, the whole package was comical.

Her mother, that was a different story, she looked amused. The more Chandler looked embarrassed, the more amused her mother seemed.

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