Free Fall

traveled a lot for their jobs, and when they had been in the same house for any amount of time, they'd fought. Her grandparents had never greeted a day without a bicker.

As a result, she and her sisters had developed relationships based on their own bickering hierarchy, with Lily at the bottom, of course. But then Matt had come into Sara's life and Lily had witnessed a deeper bond than she'd ever imagined could exist. Matt would do anything for Sara, anything. 'You know he loves you. He's such a sap.'

Matt lifted an eyebrow. Sap?

Revenge made her smile. 'You've got him wrapped around your little pinkie. You know it.'

Sara sniffed. 'You only think that because you're relationship challenged. You don't understand.'

Hard to dispute the truth. Relationships, like love, gave her the hives. But she wouldn't mind a few days of mutual lust. With the man who was standing next to Matt, watching her every move with that quiet intensity that made her want to dive at him.

Sara sighed and held the big lump of her belly, looking pale.

'Let's sit down,' Lily tried again. 'I'll rub your back.'

'Don't worry, I'm not going into labor. I'm not ever going into labor. I'm going to be pregnant forever.'

'Whatever you say,' Lily soothed, trying to pull Sara toward a table. 'You still need to sit down. Matt'll be here any second, so-' She'd been about to suggest Sara wipe away the mascara dripping down her cheeks or comb her ratty hair, but Matt came forward and wrapped his arms around his wife.

'Hey, baby,' he said, and hugged her unresponsive form. He went to kiss her mouth but she gave him a cheek. 'Sorry I'm late.'

Sara stared at him. 'Does your new girlfriend wear perfume that smells like a cedar chest?'

'Uh…'

'Because you smell like a cedar chest, Matt.'

'Yeah, that's my fault,' Lily said quickly.

'Really? How is that?' Sara asked.

Yes, Lily, how was that? 'Well…' Her mind raced around the fact that Mart's second job was at the lumber mill. 'He picked up some supplies for me.' Brilliant, she thought. A good excuse and more revenge at the same time. 'For that new cabinet and shelves I need in my office.' She smiled sweetly at Matt, who was looking a little strained. 'I can't wait to see what you're going to build me.'

'I can't believe you're selfish enough to demand new shelves now, when 7 need him,' Sara said, shocked.

'That's me, selfish queen bee.'

Matt opened his mouth but Sara melted against him. 'Oh, Matt.' Her eyes were suspiciously shiny. 'Really? You're sweet enough to build my sister some shelves?'

'Uh…yes. Yes, I am.'

'Oh, honey.' Sara threw her arms around his neck and sobbed. 'I'm so sorry. I'm losing my mind.'

Lily had to give Matt kudos for not pointing out that yes, Sara was losing her mind. Instead, he just held her tight and said, 'I love you' and then laughed when Sara dragged him out of the bar, murmuring something about her out-of-control hormones.

'Hey!' Lily called after them. 'Hey, you come back here, you're on duty!'

Matt glanced back at her. 'Give me a few more minutes?'

'Damn it.'

Logan pushed away from where he'd been holding up the wall and came toward her. 'I hope he appreciates you.'

'Oh, he will. The whole time he's building me new shelves.'

He took her hand, stroked a thumb over her knuckles, and everything within her tightened.

He looked her over, from her favorite pair of faded jeans to her forest-green cashmere hoodie sweater and matching beanie that she'd stuffed her wild, out-of-control hair into. She'd dressed at the crack of dawn in a hurry, more for comfort than style, but watching him take her in, seeing his eyes heat, suddenly she felt feminine. Even pretty.

Then a slow sexy smile curved his lips and her body, already alert, quivered. 'I thought about you today.'

'Did you?'

'Oh, yeah.'

And just like that, she didn't feel so sore and tired anymore.

He tugged her just a little closer, blocking her view of the bar with his broad shoulders. 'How was your day?'

'That's my line to you.'

'I skied. It was amazing. No emergencies today, though.' Reaching up, he stroked away a long strand of hair poking out of her beanie and into her eye. 'You didn't get out?'

'Too busy.' Still was. Sasha, the other bartender, was sending her frantic help-me glances. 'In fact, I've got to go,' she said very reluctantly.

'That's too bad.'

She looked into his dark eyes and sighed. He didn't know the half of it. 'I'll buy you a drink,' she said. 'What would you like?'

His free hand came up, his fingers dancing over the side of her neck, lightly probing right over her sore muscles. 'Are you hurting?'

The touch sent little shock waves through her system. 'Just a little kink.'

He massaged it, applying a pressure so gentle that she wanted to drop into a puddle on the floor. 'Oh, my God.'

'Good?'

'Extremely.' She bit back her moan and locked her knees to avoid falling to the floor. 'Are you hungry?'

Cocking his head, he studied her with that dark, dark gaze. 'You're awfully good at that. Deflecting the pampering.'

'It's my job.'

'I don't want to be your job.'

'No?'

'It should be your turn for a little pampering.'

She laughed. 'Not in my job description, unfortunately. I really do need to go.'

He caught her hand when she would have moved toward the bar. 'Two days ago you made me an honorary member of your staff.'

'I did.'

'Maybe you could do the same right now.'

Her breath caught. 'What job would you like?'

'You.'

The temperature in the room shot up, and Lily looked him over. For two nights, he'd played heavily in her fantasies. She'd already decided it'd been too long since she'd indulged in a nice-or not-so-nice-hot fling. 'Have at it.'

His answering smile was the sexiest, wickedest thing she'd ever seen and nearly melted her bones. She wished, just for a moment, for her old, uncomplicated life.

'I'm just afraid it'll have to be later. I have to get -to the bar.'

When he followed her, sitting at one of the tables as she went behind the bar and began working, she couldn't help feeling pleased. Work was a heck of a lot more fun when she had a great view. She brought him a beer as soon as she and Sasha caught up with the rush.

He tugged her down next to him, and she smiled. 'Are you tired of being alone on vacation?'

'I'm not often by myself. I'm doing fine.'

'Search and rescue keeps you pretty busy, I imagine.'

'I thought so. Until I saw you. I think you're busier.'