Yesterday's Scandal (The Wild McBrides 3)

She drew a deep breath, the action pushing her breasts against the thin fabric of her summery blouse. Again, his fingers itched to have a go at that row of tiny, flirty buttons. Her next comment brought his attention abruptly away from her cleavage.

“I want you to bill the repairs to me,” she said firmly.

He studied her determined expression. “Forget it.”

“I’m serious, Mac.”

“So am I. You aren’t paying for my repairs.”

“Look, I know you still think Brad had something to do with this. And even though I really hope you’re wrong, I believe in taking care of my responsibilities. If there’s even a possibility that he’s the guilty party, then I should pay for—”

“I said forget it.” He wasn’t about to let her take this any further. “Regardless of what I believe about the person who did this, I know for certain that it wasn’t you. You aren’t going to pay for it.”

“But if Brad really did—”

“If Brad’s guilty, then it should be up to him to make restitution, not you. I won’t take your money, Sharon.”

“But—”

“Have you even asked Brad if he had anything to do with it?” he asked gently.

Her stricken expression was answer enough.

“You haven’t,” he interpreted. “You’re afraid of what he might say.”

She sighed and rubbed her temples. “I’m such a coward.”

Catching her wrists, he pulled her hands away from her head. “You,” he said, “are the least cowardly person I’ve ever met. I can’t imagine many other women your age who would have accepted the amount of responsibility you’ve taken on this summer. You’re the one who deserves a vacation, but it seems like everyone’s taking one except you. No one could expect more of you than what you’ve already given.”

Her hands cradled in his, she shook her head. “I don’t mind watching out for my brother while my mother takes a trip that was the chance of a lifetime for her. It’s just—well, not quite as easy as I’d expected.”

“So don’t take on more stress than you’ve already got. I’ll take care of my problems, even if they involve your brother. Neither Brad nor I need you to handle this for us.”

She bit her lip, seeming to contemplate his words for a moment. And then she gazed up at him again. “Mac? Why didn’t you tell me you were a police officer?”

He winced. “It didn’t come up?” he offered lamely.

She only looked at him.

He sighed. “I don’t know. It just never seemed like the right time to mention it.”

“Or maybe you thought it was something I had no need to know about you?”

He wasn’t sure how to answer that.

She let him off the hook with a slight smile and a shake of her head. “It’s okay. I’m not trying to learn all your secrets. I just wondered.”

All his secrets. He glanced toward the house where so many of the McBrides were still gathered. “Sharon—”

“I guess I’m just a little stressed today.”

“I don’t want to cause you any more.”

She squeezed his hands. “Don’t worry about it. I can handle it.”

He remembered the vow he’d made to himself that he wouldn’t hurt her. He devoutly hoped it was a promise he would be able to keep. Taking a chance that they wouldn’t be seen—and not really caring at that moment if they were—he leaned over to brush his lips across hers. Her mouth was warm and soft and clung to his for a moment before he straightened away from her. It wasn’t easy for him to release her hands and step back. What he really wanted to do was toss her into his truck, take her to his apartment and spend the next twenty-four hours making love to her.

At least twenty-four hours.