Hot Stuff

because, like Vaughn, the other man wasn't big on expressing emotion or his feelings.

'At least we've started making up for lost time,' Vaughn said, stepping back. He eyed Yank careful wondering how far to push, then decided to go all the way. 'You can't really get back time that's long gone Yank. Go home to Lola and make things right.'

'When you're single too long you get set in your ways.'

Vaughn snorted. 'You've been set in your way since the day you were born. Lola knows everything about you and loves you anyway.'

'You deserve someone like that,' Yank said, pinning him with his blue-eyed stare.

'Yeah, in another lifetime maybe.' Thoughts of Annabelle drifted through his mind. She was waiting for him, but she'd understand if he was held up giving advice to her uncle.'Did I tell you I met your parents while I was in town getting coffee?' Yank asked.

Vaughn stiffened. Now that was one scenario he hadn't counted on. 'How'd you know it was them?

'I was flirting with that pretty girl behind the counter and she laughed 'n said I reminded her of you only older. I said that's because you're my boy. Yank grinned, practically beaming at the notion.

Damned if a lump of appreciation and love didn't lodge in Vaughn's throat. He couldn't speak right now if his life depended on it.

But Yank had no such problem. 'That's when I heard it. The snooty voice sayin’, I beg your problem? Brandon's our boy. I turned to see a woman dressed haughtier than Lola at her prissiest and a man in argyle. From your descriptions in the past, I knew they were your folks.'

'And they actually claimed me?' Vaughn asked wryly,

Yank nodded. 'Long enough to put me in my place and then once Joanne introduced us, to blast me for encouraging your interest in sports. Like you were a little kid they could mold in their image.' Yank shook his head sadly. 'I'm sorry they never came around.'

Vaughn cleared his throat. 'Me, too.'

Before either man could say more, Vaughn's cell phone rang, interrupting them. Annabelle was right. There was always one interruption or another around here. No wonder she'd opted for privacy at the lodge. A place he was heading to now.

'Listen, Yank I'm late for an appointment.'

'Hot date?' the other man asked.

Vaughn's gaze darted from his. 'Sort of.'

'Annie must be busy working, so tell her goodbye for me and I'll see her in New York for the party.'

'Will do,' Vaughn said, feeling somewhat guilty for not telling Yank the truth. But what could he say? I'm sleeping with your niece? With a shake of his head, he pushed his uneasiness away and grabbed Yank in a bear hug. 'Take care,' he said to the other man.

'You, too. See you in a few days.'

Vaughn nodded and while Yank headed back to face his problems in New York, Vaughn took off for a promising evening with Annabelle.

AS ANNABELLE LOADED the animals into Vaughn's SUV for her trip back to New York, her heart pounded in her chest and regret filled her. She found it hard to leave Vaughn behind, especially with their night at the lodge so fresh in her mind. She'd intended to take him away from all the pressures in his life and bring him to the one place where he could be himself. Instead she'd found a place where she felt more herself as well. As they'd laughed, playing twenty questions about each other, she'd realized he already knew the answers. The man understood her insecurities and admired her strengths in a way no man had before.

They'd shared the dinner she'd brought along with a bottle of wine and watched the sun set beneath the tree they'd settled under. It was another perfect memory to add to the others. Which only cemented this separation as a dam good idea. She didn't need to get any more attached to the man than she already was.

Their time together had been intimate and special, leaving Annabelle with her needs sated, both physical and emotional. Oh yes, she thought. Distance was very necessary right now. Better she turn her attention to the family fun fest that awaited her. She'd promised her sisters she'd come a couple of days before the party to help with the last-minute details and to shop for something to wear.

'Tell me something,' she said as she slammed the trunk of Vaughn's truck closed and tried to sound nonchalant.

Vaughn was lending her his vehicle. He planned to drive down with Nick and Mara the day of the party, so he wouldn't have to leave the lodge for too long a time.

'What?' he asked.

'If this party is something we throw every year, why does it seem to get more complicated and make me more nervous each time?'

He walked her around to the open driver's side door and paused, one hand on the window. 'Maybe because this year you invited an extra couple of dozen people?' He brushed her hair off her face. 'Which you didn't have to do but I appreciate anyway.'

'I know. That's why I did it. For you.'

He smiled that killer smile. Not the sinful grin that made her knees melt or the sensual twist to his lips he used on many people but which meant nothing. No, he smiled the one-hundred-percent genuine smile focused on her alone. The one that made her feel alive, special…and even loved. Yet he'd promised her everything but.

Loved.

She blinked into the glare of the morning sun. The morning after she'd spent the night in Vaughn's bed, his arms wrapped tight around her, her animals surrounding her, and when all had been right with the world. Because she was in love.

Love.

Oh, no. She was obviously a complete idiot, she thought. Because she'd gone and done it again. She'd fallen in love when she'd sworn she would keep her heart under lock and key. And she'd fallen in love with Brandon Vaughn of all people, the egocentric, football jock who couldn't see beyond his own self-importance.

Hah. She wished those words were true. If only the description she'd thought pegged Vaughn was accurate, her heart wouldn't be in jeopardy right now.

'Are you okay? You spaced out on me for a minute.'

She pasted a sunny smile on her face. 'My mind's already on the trip and everything I have to do once I get to New York,' she lied.

'Then you should get going.'

'I should.'

But he didn't step aside, still blocking her access to the driver's seat.

'What are you doing?' she asked.

'Say goodbye, Vaughn,' he said, his voice dropping a husky octave.

'Goodbye, Vaughn,' she heard herself repeat, mesmerized by his voice. His compelling gaze. By him.

He leaned in closer. 'Goodbye, Annabelle.'

I'm going to miss you, she thought but didn't say so out loud.

And when his lips closed over hers, she thought he'd miss her, too.

AFTER GREENLAWN, New York City felt like another planet. Annabelle walked into Barney's to meet Lola and her sisters to shop for outfits for the party. What would normally be a near orgasmic experience for her, since she loved shopping in the extreme, felt like a chore because it didn't involve Vaughn. She knew she had it bad.

'Annabelle, darling!' Elizabeth, her personal shopper, met her before she'd reached the cosmetics counter not three feet from the door.

'Hi,' Annabelle said, greeting her with a warm, brief hug.

'So good to see you! It's been way too long, so either you're cheating on me or you've repeated the outfits in your closet one too many times,' Elizabeth chided.

Elizabeth had dressed Annabelle for events from black tie fund-raisers to afternoon picnics and lawn parties.