Their assignment was going to be a piece of cake at this rate.
Chapter 8
She’d opened the door but good.
That kiss… It had felt like an earthquake intent on destroying every fortification she’d erected. What good were four chaperones when she’d offered herself up like the tasty sweet he’d fed her?
But God, it had been so hot.
And now she was on her way to his house. She was supposed to live with him for the duration of the project.
“Alice, please pull over at the next viewing area,” she said abruptly. “It’s so lovely along this road.”
Alice shot her a look indicating she knew the view wasn’t what had gotten to her, but she did as instructed, and the view was lovely. The hills were a lush green and blinding to the naked eye before the terrain turned sandy and flat. She loved it here. Oddly, it reminded her of home.
Home. It was the Holy Grail for her.
Feeling at home among his family yesterday had been the aftershock to the earthquake in the kitchen. His parents had been the best of hosts, keeping the conversation light even as Francesca caught them watching her every now and then. By the end, the speculation had left their eyes, and they’d embraced her with genuine warmth, their acceptance touching her deeply.
Seeing Quinn with those he loved had been equally compelling. He’d stayed mostly quiet, letting the others take the lead—Arthur and J.T. telling stories that made everyone laugh, Clara reacting with laughter or playful punches to their arms. They’d all been so at peace with each other, so comfortable. It had been touching to witness it, especially since they’d made such a point of including her. After dessert, Quinn had helped her out of her chair with an easy smile that told her how happy he was to see her getting along with everyone.
But today she could make a new resolution: to keep her mouth and hands away from him until she was more sure of what would happen after they went to bed together. Those details felt more critical than ever to her sense of peace. Making love wasn’t the issue, really. It was what came afterward that worried her.
“Are you ready to drive the rest of the way yet?” Alice asked, tapping the steering wheel like an impatient drummer. “Or are you going to keep stewing about the kiss? I can get out and take some photos if you need more time. Maybe go on a hike or something.”
She managed a brief laugh. “A hike, huh? It’s not that bad.”
“Isn’t it? Stop blaming yourself. So you kissed him. I mean, he’s not my type, but he’s totally delicious. He’s like Everclear ignited on that Greek cheese I love.”
“He’s like flambéed saganaki?” Francesca let out a gusty laugh. “Oh, you and your metaphors.”
“He’s flaming—but…wait, I’m hearing how that sounds. No, he’s volcanic.” She uttered a sound that must have been a volcano exploding, her big-lashed eyes and mouth widening to add to the comedy. “Make sense?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes. Continue.”
“Anyway, even Clara noticed the way he looks at you. Of course, she also noticed the way you look at him.” She made another explosion sound. “Are you really, really sure you want to move into his house? We could say we changed our minds.”
“No way,” she said, knocking her fists against the tops of her thighs. “That would make too much of it.”
“You do realize his family members aren’t really chaperones, right? I figure it’s a canny ruse to get you to stay with him. Trust me when I say that Clara especially is going to do everything she can to bring you two together. She made that clear yesterday. Hargreaves will follow the straight and narrow, but Arthur—”
“Is trouble with a capital T,” Francesca said with a smile. “But he’s absolutely adorable. Smart as a tack too.”
“So is Hargreaves. If I had a grandfather, I’d want him to be Hargreaves. Okay, so we agree they’re all likable. Score one for Quinn. What do you want to do? Because we’ve been sitting in a running car for fifteen minutes and you’ve barely noticed the view.”
“We go.” She took a deep breath. “Once I start working, I’ll be more focused. Yesterday was intense on many levels. I hadn’t expected to be so affected by meeting his family or seeing where he grew up.” But she should have known better, of course.
The house had been filled with photos of the Merriam family at all ages, and when she’d gone to the bathroom, she’d taken a moment to look at a few. His sweet round cheeks as a baby had crushed her, and so had the recent photo of their family at Flynn’s wedding. Quinn’s underlying unhappiness had been evident to her. He was the only one who didn’t have his arm around a partner, and the look in his eyes said he was not just alone but lonely.
“They’re a good group.” Alice nodded emphatically. “I’d like them for friends and neighbors under other circumstances.”
“Oh, you and your friends and neighbors talk,” Francesca said. Alice was a great believer in the power of friendship.
“Family can be hit or miss, and there isn’t much you can do about that. But you get to choose your friends and your neighbors. Surrounding yourself with good ones is the key ingredient to a happy life, with neighbors being the most important since they live next door. You’re my neighbor, and you’re also my best friend.”
“And you’re mine.” Francesca thought about her own family. With no siblings, she’d been sent to boarding school in England at a young age. Her mother had always made her feel loved, but she hadn’t been strong enough to stand up to Francesca’s father. And then she’d died, and the home they’d shared had stopped feeling like a home.
Truthfully, Francesca had always envied what Quinn had. At one time, she’d dreamed about what it would be like to become one of the Merriams when they got married. Over brunch, she’d gotten a vivid glimpse, and it was tantalizing her heart again.
“I have to see this through. I owe him, and more importantly, there still is something between us.”
Alice put the car in gear. “Okay, I’m pulling back onto the road. When we arrive, though, you’re going to have to be clear about my role as chaperone. If I find you in serious lip-lock, am I supposed to barge in and pull him off you or something? Or do you want me to let things…run their course?”
“Lip-lock? Really, Alice.” Her mind flashed back to the look in his eyes as he kissed her. Heated. Loving. A tad scared. But she didn’t think he’d let anyone stop him.
She hoped not.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I know.” Her phone chimed, and she picked it up to see the caller ID. “It’s my father.”
She pulled a face, something she’d only done since meeting Alice, who had taught her how.
“We better stay put then,” Alice said, pulling a face as well. “He only calls when—”
“He wants something,” she finished, taking the call. “Hello, Father.”
“Francesca.” His voice was terse, the way it was every time she disappointed him, which was often. “How do you think it makes your papa feel when he hears from another source that you’re working with Quinn Merriam for the next month?”