'Not exactly the words you used last time we spoke,' he reminded her.
She laughed. 'Things said in the heat of the moment, you know what I mean? Listen, I'm glad we can put the past where it belongs.'
Had he said he'd forgive and forget? As usual, she heard what she wanted to.
'I really do have to go. Don't forget to call and let me know. I'll be forever in your debt, Brandon. I really will.'
She hung up before he could reply, which was a good thing since he really didn't want her owing him a damn thing.
From his quiet room, he heard the sounds of Annabelle puttering around, making herself at home in his kitchen. After tossing off the covers, he rose from the bed and pulled on his jeans. He told himself he was going for breakfast and then heading to work, a day no different than any other.
Except he'd be coming home tonight knowing he could make love with Annabelle again, and again if he wanted to. Not even talking with Laura could dim the thrill that thought caused.
So by the time he'd taken a quick shower and headed to the kitchen, he had a dumbass grin on his face and looked forward to the day in a way he hadn't in a long while.
Not even the persistent ringing of the telephone, the caller ID showing his parents* number, could change his good mood. Especially since he'd made the decision to ignore anything having to do with his mother or father, determined to put them and their persistent negativity out of his mind.
He strode into the room and settled himself in a chair beside Annabelle. He glanced at her breakfast choice, surprised. 'Cold cereal?' he asked.
Annabelle raised an eyebrow. 'What? You were expecting pancakes? Eggs? Waffles maybe?' She shook her head, laughing. 'This is as good as it gets in the morning so you'd better get used to it.' Her eyes opened wide as she caught her words. 'I mean, this is as good as it gets. Period.'
'Hey, cereal and milk is fine with me.' He ignored the slip-up because everything from her actions to her relaxed smile told him she was comfortable with what had happened between them, and that she didn't expect anything more than this.
They were on the same wavelength, and things couldn't get any better, he thought.
'Are things quiet at the lodge?' she asked.
He nodded. 'I'm paying the crews overtime to work weekends, but if it helps us fix the problems and open on time, it's fine with me.'
She stirred her soggy Lucky Charms with her spoon. 'Look, I've been thinking about the PR and the summer camp you have planned. I understand you're a private person, but there are subtle ways you can help kids with dyslexia to work with their problems all year round.' She raised her gaze slowly, obviously unsure if she'd touched a nerve by bringing up the subject.
He drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He'd promised himself he'd give her the tools to do her job and not get angry or defensive, but he had to admit, defensive was still his gut instinct, especially after just talking with Laura.
'You had time between last night and this morning to think things through? I must not have kept you busy enough,' he said, half joking, half filled with hope she'd halt the discussion.
'Guess you'll just have to try harder.' She shrugged and his jersey slipped off one shoulder, revealing bare skin. Whether the move was intentional or not, his body temperature spiked another notch. A smile pulled at her lips. 'Now stop trying to get me to change the subject.'
He groaned. 'Okay, what'd you have in mind?' he forced himself to ask.
'You're a successful businessman and a famous athlete, much as I hate to admit that and boost your already huge ego. But think what the revelation would mean to struggling kids who already look up to you.'
'No. I am not doing some expose on my life.' He slashed a hand through the air to emphasize his point.
She pursed her lips in a pout, probably one she hoped he couldn't deny. 'Just think about the kids who are too ashamed to admit they have problems and fall through the cracks because of it.' Her cereal forgotten, her voice held a pleading edge.
'What I think about are the repercussions at home when you admit you can't learn like everyone else.'
'Better to struggle?' she asked, frustration in her voice.
'Better to pretend you just don't like school than to be laughed at for being stupid.'
'Then why offer the camp? Why give kids a place to come if you think it's going to stigmatize them?'
He leaned forward on his elbows. 'The camp will give
'An equal opportunity camp for delinquents and kids with disabilities alike, huh?' She shook her head. 'I don't buy your theory. You're assuming your experience with your parents is the way all families will react to dyslexia or other disabilities. Are you suggesting kids shouldn't be diagnosed at all?'
'I'm suggesting that I don't force the issue. I'd rather give kids a place to come where they can experience the freedom of learning in a nonjudgmental environment, no matter what their problems or issues are.'
She pushed her cereal away and rolled her eyes. 'Sounds so good, you're definitely full of it. In fact, it sounds like you're running and not just from your parents' reaction.' She rose and stood in front of him, her face inches from his. 'Who else hurt you, Vaughn? Was it your ex-wife? Is that why you haven't called her back?'
He narrowed his gaze, unable to believe she was this feisty, this frustrating, this gutsy. That she would push him so far angered him beyond belief. But damned if it didn't turn him on, too. 'As a matter of fact, I just did call her back.'
'Oh.'
'She wanted to borrow money.'
Annabelle blinked. 'I see. So was it her?' she asked softly. 'Was Laura the one who hurt you and made you close yourself off?'
'You don't know what you're talking about,' he said, though he was afraid she did. Afraid that once again, she'd dug into his psyche and understood him too well.
The truth was that as much as he wanted to help kids like him, he really was afraid to put himself out there for public scrutiny because then he'd risk rejection. Vaughn might have gotten help with reading but it was the psychological scars that remained.
'Okay I'll stop pushing. Just think about it,' Annabelle said into the silence, her lips so close he could almost taste her.
Last time he'd agreed to
She grinned. 'I'll take that as a yes. Now kiss me.'
He blinked, surprised but definitely not opposed to her directive. 'That won't solve our differences,' he reminded her.
'Maybe not, but it'll sure feel good.'
He laughed, breaking the tension. She had a way of doing that, easing his mind, making him feel good.
But just when he was about to kiss her, the damn doorbell rang.
'What is it with this place?' she asked. 'Phone calls, door bells, interruptions galore. It's like Grand Central Station.' She tucked her hair behind her ear and inclined her head toward the entry.
He hit the intercom button on the phone near the wall. 'Who is it?'
'I should have known you'd be too damn lazy to answer the door yourself. No wonder you're getting old and flabby. Get the hell out here and let me inside,' Yank Morgan ordered with the ferocity of a drill sergeant and a man used to getting his way.
At the sound of the older man's voice, Vaughn's stomach plummeted. 'Were you expecting him?' he asked Annabelle.
Eyes wide, she shook her head. 'No, but I'm going to get dressed while you let him in.'
'Good idea.' The last thing Vaughn wanted was to have Yank Morgan stroll in and realize it was the morning after Vaughn had had sex with his niece,
Yank's nieces were his pride and joy. If the man found out Vaughn had slept with Annabelle, no commitment involved, he'd have Vaughn's hide. Bottom line, he'd cut him out of his life again. And that was the
