Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1)(45)

He blew out a long breath like he was seconds from a jump. Over water. At night. Another deep breath and he raised his hand to knock. But before his knuckles hit the wood, the big door swung open.

And there she was. Even more beautiful than he remembered. Her face sweeter, her eyes greener. She blinked and gave him that shy, sexy smile that had grabbed him by the heart that very first day.

She wore a short, flowing skirt with a black tank top outlining every curve of her breasts and belly. He could barely breathe. This was not a reunion of beach-fling lovers. They’d never been lovers, and it was more than a fling. Much more.

He’d waited two weeks and all he could think to say was “Hey.”

“Hi.”

She opened the door fully and stepped back. “Do you want to come in? The kids are outside playing.”

As he walked behind her through the house, a smile spread. Abby’s house. The decor reflected the woman, her taste and her talents. Nice but not flashy. Neat and organized without being stuffy, a place kids could play without worrying about breaking things. Abby had never struck him as a woman who asked for a lot.

The kids’ framed artwork decorated the walls interspersed with candid photographs. It was another level of intimacy, being in her house. Seeing her private things. Her life away from vacation. And he remembered her saying she would have given it all up. It hurt to think she’d been lonely.

“Something smells good.” Something other than Abby, though she smelled plenty sweet.

“The girls made you some brownies. Though I wouldn’t recommend the ones with tiny finger holes filled with sprinkles.”

“No?”

“No. I can’t vouch for the ones after Charlie got involved.”

There was a smile in her voice, then, hesitantly, it spread to her lips and he fell for her all over again. Just that fast. Just that easy.

“They’ve asked me a million times when you would be here.”

She moved to call the kids, but there was one thing he wanted her to know first. “Abby.” He stopped her with a light hand on her arm and couldn’t keep himself from sliding his fingers over her soft skin just a little bit. “This can be whatever you want it to be. I have a hotel room. I don’t even have to stay for dinner if you’re not comfortable.”

He felt the tension ease out of her, which is what he’d wanted.

“Come on. The kids are dying to see you.”

—

Whatever she wanted it to be? She followed him outside, thinking she didn’t know what she wanted it to be. That one touch on her arm brought back the memory of every one before it.

Blue jeans hugged his powerful legs, perfect butt. White shirtsleeves set off the heavily muscled arms that had wrapped around her. That she wanted wrapped around her again. Had she really wanted to forget him? Had she really thought she could?

He looked the same, but so much better. It was all she could think as she watched him with the kids. Hugs and tackles ensued, a reunion of epic proportion.

“Now you’ve done it.” Matt caught Jack in a headlock, rubbing his head with his knuckles.

“I’m going to be a soldier like you,” Jack said, spinning out of his grasp. “Do you think I’d be good?”

“You have to go to school first, then lots of training. But yes.” He cuffed Jack’s ear and followed with a loving pat. “I think you’d be very good.”

Matt’s eyes slid past Jack to hers. Had she imagined a shadow crossing his face at the mention of “soldier”?

“I’ve already been practicing,” Jack said. “See?” And he let loose with his best karate kick.

Matt’s eyes were still on hers when Jack’s foot made contact with his crotch, and he went down in a heap, both hands cupped tightly between his legs.

He rolled from his side to his back, breathing through clenched teeth.

“Matt?” She knelt beside him in the grass.

“It worked!” Jack shouted triumphantly.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Abby asked.

“No. I’m…Just…give me a…minute.”

The kids crowded around with a mix of curiosity, sympathy, and pride. Gracie’s concern manifested in twenty questions aimed at the patient.

“Are you okay? What did you hurt? Are you going to be sick? If you are, don’t puke on the carpet.”

Abby cradled his head in her lap. “He’s not sick, honey.”

Annie returned with ice balled up in a paper towel. Uh…not going to help.

“Sorry, Matt,” Jack said, sounding only slightly repentant. “But that was a good kick, wasn’t it?”

“Very good,” Matt said, his breathing slow and deep.

Abby continued running her fingers through his dark, cool hair, just like she did to Jack and Charlie. She wanted to hold him, ease him, for all the times she hadn’t been there. Couldn’t be there.

“Mommy,” Gracie said, concerned. “Maybe you should kiss his boo-boo.”

Matt’s eyes flew open and her face went hot. “A kiss would be nice.”

“I, uh…I better not. I mean…I better check on the food.” She left him to recover, trying not to think about kissing his…anything.

When they’d both recovered, Matt grilled the meat and vegetables she’d prepared and they ate outside on the patio. They fell into the same easy rhythm, cutting food and catching spills. The kids bombarded him with questions and details of every day since they’d parted. It reminded her of their last dinner at the beach, except this time, other than the kids, they were alone.