Max nodded a greeting, but noticed that Kent didn’t respond. She assumed it stemmed from his daughter’s e-mail and from the fact that politeness didn’t seem to run in the family.
Adam explained, “Ms. Blake is just being careful. We had an uninvited guest the other day.”
“Who?”
Adam shrugged. “Some man claiming to be a computer repairman. FBI took him away.” He had no intention of telling Sylvester the full story.
Kent turned a withering eye on Max. “Do you have a permit for that thing?”
“Yep.” Then ignoring him, she called out, “Ossie and Ruby, go play on the beach, I’ll be there in a minute.” They took off.
She turned to Adam. “Thought you were going to run this morning.”
“Hard night, so I slept in.”
His eyes said it all. Memories of last night rolled over her, and she shook her head. Still ignoring the glaring Kent, she said to Adam, “Let me put on some clothes and I’ll get your breakfast.”
“Okay,” he replied, trying not to ogle those gorgeous bare legs.
“How do you want your eggs?”
“Bare—I mean scrambled.”
Max gave him an odd look, then said, “It’ll be ready in a bit.”
She shot Kent a glance over her shoulder then walked off. Adam watched the sway of her hips and the way the motion played with the edges of her thigh-high jersey. Damn!
“Adam, who is she, really?”
He cleared his mind of the vision that had him so entranced and the recurring memories of last night. “She’s my new housekeeper. I’m sure Kaitlin e-mailed you about her.”
Kent hemmed and hawed as if he didn’t want to reveal the truth. “I thought you didn’t like dogs?”
“I don’t, but Ruby and Ossie are a unique breed.”
“They’re a menace,” Kent corrected, and ran a hand over his bald head. “Vicious dogs like those shouldn’t be running loose.”
Adam saw that Kent was sweating. “Naw. They’re okay.” Smiling to himself, he thought maybe the dogs weren’t such a bad addition to the household after all.
When the men entered the house, Kent looked around and the first thing he said was, “What have you done to the place?”
“Decided to make it a home,” Adam lied. “Max has been in charge, and she’s doing a good job. Kaitlin’s helped out, too.”
“So Kaitlin is proving her value, just as I predicted.”
“If you mean with my mail, yes.”
Kent walked around, looking displeased at the mess. “You know I’m hoping you and Kaitlin will still hit it off.”
“I know you do, but I told you a year ago it wasn’t going to happen, and you sending her here to play secretary won’t change things.”
“She’d make you a perfect wife, Adam. She’s poised. She knows how to entertain.”
“Even if I was looking, which I’m not, Kaitlin wouldn’t be it. She’s too young and she’s not my type.”
“I still say she’d be perfect.”
“You have your opinion, and I have mine.”
They were at an impasse, but Adam knew Sly would keep pressing his case, no matter what. In the beginning of Sly’s academic career such single-mindedness had been necessary to propel him to the top of his field. Back then Dr. Sylvester Kent was one of the most highly sought after researchers in the country. But when hubris took over and he began to believe his own press clippings, his world started to unravel. Scandal replaced scholarship. Colleagues became witnesses for the prosecution in cases involving malfeasance, questionable use of university funds, and child support. He lost his tenure, then his job, then his fame. For the past eighteen months he’d been teaching an intro physics class at one of the state’s community colleges, and instead of being grateful to be working at all, he had nothing but contempt for the students, the other members of the faculty, and for the everyday, ordinary life he was now forced to lead. Adam didn’t feel sorry for him. “What brings you by?”
Kent shrugged. “Just wanted to see how you and Kaitlin were doing.”
Adam watched Max cut through on her way to the kitchen. She had on a pair of snug red capris and a thin black halter top. Her flip-flops showed off purple toenails. The male in him preferred the short jersey.
Kent’s voice interrupted Adam’s reverie. “Where’d you find her?”
He turned his attention back to Kent. “She was recommended by a friend.”
“Woman like that could distract a man from his work.”
Adam didn’t reply.
Kent added hastily, “I’m not insinuating anything, of course. I know how serious you are about the prototype.” He then cast a glance around at the remodeling. “Who’s paying for all this?”
“The DOD.”
“Really?”
“Have you had breakfast?”
“No. I drove straight through.” He lived in Grand Rapids, the state’s second largest city.
“Then join us.”
“I’d like that.”
Adam knew he would.
“Good morning, everyone,” Kaitlin called out cheerily as she sat down. No pearls this morning. She had on an old pair of green sweats and sneaker mules on her feet.
Her father apparently wasn’t feeling the sweats, because he said, “Morning, Kait. I trust you are usually better dressed most mornings.”
“I am, Father. It’s pretty early. I haven’t had time to get it together.” She helped herself to the carafe of OJ on the table and poured herself a glass. After taking a dainty sip, she set down the glass and gave her father a fake-looking smile.
“The early bird always gets the worm,” he said with amused solemnity. “Isn’t that right, Adam?”
Adam toasted him with his cup of coffee but didn’t reply.
Max was in the process of putting eggs, grits, and the rest of breakfast on the table when Kent said, “I prefer my eggs sunny side up.”
Max looked at the bowl of scrambled eggs and said, “I’m sorry. You must have this place confused with a restaurant.”
That said, she went back to the fridge, pulled out butter and orange marmalade for her toast, then took her own seat. “Adam, will you pass me the eggs, please.”
With amusement on his face, he picked up the bowl, and on that note breakfast began.
Over the course of the meal, Max didn’t say much. In fact no one said much because the pompous Sylvester Kent apparently loved the sound of his own voice. When he wasn’t chastising Kaitlin about her posture and correcting the way she handled her silverware, he was berating everybody and everything, from the President to the janitors who swept his classrooms after hours. “Laziest bunch of misfits I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting.”
Max wondered whether he’d been born with all that arrogance or if he had grown into it over his lifetime. She’d heard her share of windbags, but this cricket-looking character took the cake.
He then asked Adam, “So how’s the prototype coming?”
“It’s coming.”
“I’d like to look at it. I hear you’re having problems. Maybe I can help.”
Adam shook his head. “You don’t have the clearance anymore, remember.”
Kent leaned back and waved a well manicured hand dismissively. “Oh, who cares about that. I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“DOD cares, so, no.”
Kent leaned forward and stated, “Surely a quick peek isn’t going to compromise national security. You’re taking this entirely too seriously.”
“Yes, I am,” Adam replied over his raised coffee cup.
Max saw Kaitlin’s eyes flash with quiet satisfaction. The girl seemed pleased that her father was not getting his way on the issue.
Kent then declared pompously, “Well, maybe I’ll just have to sneak in and find out what’s going on on my own.”
Max drawled, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. My dogs don’t like folks sneaking around.”
He tossed back, “If those d
ogs come anywhere near me, they’ll be in the pound.”
“If they catch you sneaking around, there isn’t going to be enough of you left to call the pound.”
He began to sputter.
In no mood for a discussion, Max picked up her plate, walked it the short distance to the sink, then went outside to play with the dogs.
She was tossing them pieces of driftwood when Adam came down to the beach about thirty minutes later.
He said, “You okay?”
“Just fine.”
The sky above was gray, and the sun was hiding behind the clouds. Max had all kinds of emotions flailing around inside her, the least being her unabated attraction to yon tall, dark, and handsome scientist. She’d hoped that a bite of the dog would mellow her out and free her to concentrate on something else besides jumping his bones, but it hadn’t quite worked out that way. The man’s hands were magical, and any woman in her right mind would want more. “Is Kent always so pompous?”
“Always.”
“How long is he staying?”
Adam shrugged. “No clue. Depends on what he’s after, and he is after something. He always is.”
“Interesting man.”
“I almost choked when you told him you weren’t running a restaurant.”
“The help probably don’t speak wherever he comes from.”
“And that would be Gary, Indiana.”
Max was surprised. “How long has he been using that faky jakey supposed-to-be British accent?”
“He’s talked that way the whole ten years I’ve known him.”
Max shook her head. “Well, keep him away from me.”
“Do my best.”
Adam wanted to kiss her good morning but he was sure Kent was up in the window watching, so he had to content himself with just looking at her; studying the bones in her face, watching the way the wind ruffled her short spiky hair, looking down into her eyes.
“You know,” Max said softly, and she had to force herself not to touch his bearded cheek and feel the warmth of his skin, “that was very good last night.”
He smiled a smile that had probably been breaking hearts since the sixth grade. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
“I didn’t hold out very long, did I?”
“I wasn’t going to bring that up.”
“Such a gentleman.”
“My mama raised me well.”
Chuckling, she bent to take the stick from Ruby’s mouth then handed it wordlessly to Adam.
He looked down into Ruby’s intelligent eyes, then back at Max. He tossed the wood a short distance down the beach and Ruby took off like the athlete Max knew she’d truly be in time. She was just over two years old now.
“They love to play,” Max told him. “If they had their way, they’d do nothing but this all day every day.”
Picking up a nearby Frisbee, she sailed it down the beach in Ossie’s direction. He leapt into the air and brought it down. “This and swim.”
Ossie brought Max the Frisbee, and she sailed it again so he could go after it. Ruby trotted back with the stick in her teeth and waited for Adam to free it and throw it.
Adam hesitated. Throwing a stick was one thing, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to get near Ruby’s teeth just yet. The dog waited patiently. Adam could see Max watching him from where she stood a few feet away, but she didn’t say anything. Steeling himself, he reached down and gave the wood a gentle tug. Ruby released it and took off. Grinning, Adam threw it as far as he could, and she chased it excitedly. When Adam looked Max’s way, he saw that she was smiling, too. She nodded her approval, and a pleased Adam waited for Ruby to race back so he could throw it to her again.
The workmen began arriving at nine and effectively put an end to the morning’s playtime. The quietness of the beach was replaced by a cacophony of whining saws, pounding hammers, and the footsteps of men and women going in and out of the house. To Max’s displeasure, Kent announced he would be spending the day, ostensibly to catch up on things with Kaitlin, but she was convinced he was hanging around just to be nosy. Adam, on the other hand, planned on working all day.
“Coward,” Max accused him playfully as she walked with him down to his lab. “You’re trying to duck Kent.”
“Bingo.”
“Don’t leave me with that man,” Max warned teasingly.
He chuckled. They were now by the lab door and alone.
“How’s your back?” Adam asked, fishing for a way to make her stay as long as he could.
“Almost good as new.”
“Thanks for helping fix up the house.”
“No problem.”
Max had no idea why she’d followed him down here. That neither of them seemed capable of doing anything but staring at each other and asking inane questions was apparent. He circled his arms around her waist and peered down into her face. “This okay?” he asked.
“Quite.”
“Don’t want to be pushy.”
“I’ll let you know if that happens.”
“Want to kiss you.”
“Want to be kissed.”
He grinned and slowly lowered his head to fit action to words. His mouth was warm, the electricity instant, total, numbing. Max eased herself closer and the kiss deepened, filling them both with the sweet opening notes of desire they’d experienced last night in the moonlight.
Adam wondered if he’d ever get used to how perfectly her tall lean body fit flush against his own, or cease to be amazed by how soft and silky the skin of her arms and back felt under his exploring palms.
“Oh wow. Sorry, you two.”
They broke the embrace and saw an embarrassed-looking Benny standing a few feet away.
“Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Max asked, “What’s the problem, Ben?”
“Who is that crazy man upstairs? He’s about to make your painters quit.”
Max gave a soft curse. Sighing, she asked Adam, “Permission to shoot Kent?”
“Permission granted. Just have the dogs drag the corpse out into the lake.”
She grinned. “You go to work. I’ll see you later.”
Benny nodded at Adam. “’Bye, Doc.”
Adam nodded, and entered the lab smiling. Sylvester Kent had no idea who he was dealing with, but he was sure Max would have that fixed by lunchtime.
Max found Kent upstairs on the second floor. The painters were standing around looking mutinous while he was elaborately explaining the deficiencies of their work. “Look at that corner,” he was saying when Max and Benny walked up. “I’ve seen baboons wield a brush better.”
Max folded her arms and growled, “Kent!”
He spun. Seeing her standing there, he said dismissively, “Oh, it’s you. I was just telling these men that the ceiling will have to be redone.”
“Oh really.”
“Anyone with an eye can see that.”
Max glanced around at the angry painters and said to one of the young apprentices, “Jason, you and Dr. Kent are about the same size. Would you take off your whites and hand them here, please.”
Jason began shaking himself out of his white overalls. Once he had them off, he handed them over.
She said, “Thanks,” turned to Kent and held them out. “Put these on.”
Confused, he took a step back, “Whatever for?”
“Apparently, baboons can do a better job, so I want to see if it’s true.”
The painters snickered and Benny just flat out laughed.
Max stood there waiting.
“How dare you insinuate—”
“It was okay when you were insinuating.”
He looked livid.
Max said, “Stay out the way, or I’ll have you put out.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh I’ll dare. In fact, I’ll put you out personally.” She handed the smiling Jason back his overalls. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
Max announced for all to hear, “If D
r. Kent even looks at you, I want to know.”
The men smiled and resumed working.
Max looked at Kent, said, “Have a nice day,” and stalked off.
She didn’t see Kent for the rest of the morning. She assumed he was hiding out in Kaitlin’s room but didn’t care, she just needed him to stay out of her way.
After lunch she was down on the beach playing fetch with Ossie and Ruby when she looked up to see Kent making his way down the stairs. Not happy, she ignored him until he got close enough to say, “Ms. Blake?”
She noted the change in his tone. He sounded conciliatory. She wasn’t buying it, though. “Dr. Kent.” She sent the Frisbee down the beach for Ossie.
“I’ve come to apologize.”
Max stopped and studied the fake smile on his face. “Oh really? Figured out where the power is around here, have you?”
He coughed in response.
“That’s okay, Dr. Kent. Takes a big man to recognize the woman behind the throne.”
He stared.
Ruby trotted over to Max’s side, and she patted her neck affectionately.
Kent asked, “Who are you really?”
“I’m the housekeeper.” She tossed the Frisbee for Ruby this time. “And my job is to make sure Dr. Gary isn’t bothered.” She held his eyes boldly.
“I have Adam’s best interest at heart, too.”
“Is that why you’re trying to force your daughter down his throat?”
His eyes widened.
“I don’t pull punches Dr. Kent, especially when I’m wading in somebody else’s bullshit. With you, I’m guessing I’ll be needing my waders.”
He drew himself up. “Do you know who I am?”
“Nope, and I don’t care.” It was her experience that men like Kent hated it when women refused to be intimidated or impressed. She took the Frisbee from the waiting Ossie and sent it hurtling down the beach.
Kent answered his own question. “I am so far above you both academically and socially—”
“And that counts, where? Maybe in a university cafeteria, but not anyplace else.”
He looked at her as if she’d just grown another head.
Max had had enough. Smiling, she said, “Thanks for the apology. I’ll see you later.”