Page 77 of High Seduction
Matt pointed to the corner. “That’s my assistant’s direct line. Call her, and we’ll see what we can set up in terms of a donation or two to the team.”
“Hang on.” Marcus shook his head. “No, I mean I feel bad enough—”
“I’ll warn you now, arguing with Matt about money is a losing cause,” Tim cut in. “Just say thank you, and call the man’s assistant on Monday.”
“And if you don’t, I’ll call for you.” David tipped his head to Matt. “I’ll speak for my brother, who’s too busy sticking his foot in his mouth. Your offer is not necessary, but donations are very much appreciated. Government funding only goes so far, so thank you.”
“Agreed. And since I know personally how important it is to have search and rescue on hand, I’m always on the lookout for places to support.” Matt tossed Tim a dirty look. “Someone should have mentioned sooner he was with a new team.”
Tim shrugged. “You need mysteries in your life.”
“Alisha and Devon are on Skype,” Becki interrupted from the doorway. “Tim, come in. They’re waiting to talk to you and Erin. The rest of you, everything else is laid out on the counter, if Marcus has finished sacrificing the first burgers.”
Marcus grinned sheepishly. “You’re never going to let me live down burning those steaks, are you?”
Becki passed Tim a smile on her way to drape her arms around her lover’s neck. Marcus slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to kiss her passionately in spite of the crowd stepping around them on their way back into the house.
Tim watched for a moment before heading inside, hungry for that kind of relationship. Longing for the connection he saw in the people right around them, and the urgency to get to that stage with Erin grew.
All through the visit with Alisha and Devon, all through the meal, he pondered his dilemma. Wanting to push harder, make the moves.
Maybe it was time to simply take what he and Erin both needed. It had been far too long coming as far as he was concerned.
Their lunch finished, they said good-bye and headed out the door, pausing on the path leading back to Tim’s truck.
Matt cleared his throat. “Before it becomes a huge topic of discussion, I’d like to announce my assistant found a great place to rent about an hour from here.”
“So you’ll be staying in the area for a few days?” Erin asked.
“Yes, but I was thinking...” His friend dragged his fingers through his hair, a wry smile sneaking out. “I know this might seem a touch crazy, but the place is big enough for all of us. To make up for having to abandon my place on short notice.”
Tim hesitated, listening to what his friend wasn’t saying. “You have things to do in Calgary—when?”
“Wednesday.”
Which meant he’d be holed up by himself until then. Tim squeezed Erin’s fingers and considered how this changed his plans for their extended holiday. It was the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.
He turned to Erin, but she was staring at Matt, a frown on her pretty face. “You’ll be all alone until Wednesday?”
“Erin. I’m a grown man.” Matt shrugged. “I spend a good deal of time by myself.”
“Not right now, you don’t,” Erin flashed back.
Tim’s smile only widened as Erin twirled toward him. “Want to keep holidaying with Matt?”
“If it’s okay with you?”
“Spend more time with this jerk? You’re a glutton, aren’t you, kitten?
A subtle smile snuck out. “Only for some things.”
Matt’s pleasure that his suggestion had been accepted was clear. “I’ll get the directions.”
Erin held up a hand. “Wait. Before we head off to places unknown, we’re swinging by my house so I can grab some clean clothes. I insist.”
“No problem.” Tim leaned forward and kissed her cheek, unable to stop the teasing whisper. “Although why you think you’ll need any clothes is a mystery.”
Her eyes widened—her interest and excitement obvious. She swallowed, and her gaze flicked ahead of them where Matt was waiting with the truck door already open.
