“You know we can skip that game with my brothers,” he murmured softly against her lips.
“Hmm, and deny them the chance to work off their competitive frustrations? I wouldn’t dare,” she said, grinning.
He gave her one of his most charming smiles. “Forget my brothers. I promise if we were to stay here I’d make it worth your while.”
Her grin broadened. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you would, but I’m not sure I can keep up with you, Chance.”
He bent his head and nipped gently at her neck. “Hey, you’ve been doing a pretty good job so far.”
Her laughter was low and husky. “Thanks, but I have only so much energy to spare. I may be younger than you but I’m definitely out of practice.”
He took her hand, raised it to his lips and kissed her fingers. “If you’re sure you’re not ready to try the springs in my bed then I guess we’d better go.”
While walking her out to the car, he said, “I’ve made reservations for us tonight at Cedar Keys.”
She glanced up at him. “Cedar Keys?” She’d heard the place was rather expensive.
“Yes, Cedar Keys. My special lady deserves special treatment,” he said, opening the car door for her.
My special lady. A part of Kylie wished that she was indeed his special lady and then immediately regretted the thought. Just because she was in love with him didn’t mean he had to love her back. She had to remind herself that this weekend was about absolute pleasure. Love had nothing to do with it.
“Will your brothers wonder why I’m with you?”
Chance glanced over at her before starting the ignition. “They know we left the ball together last night, Kylie.”
The insinuation of his statement gave her a moment’s pause. “So chances are they know we spent the night together.” It was a statement more so than a question.
“Not necessarily. For all they know I took you home and I went to my place after inviting you to join me this morning. But will it bother you if they’ve figured things out?”
“I know that it shouldn’t,” she said quietly. “But I am the mother of the girl their nephew has a crush on.”
Chance lifted an eyebrow. “So?”
“So they might figure that I should be setting a better example.”
Chance frowned. He reached over and took her hand in his. “Hey, we’re spending time in Pleasureland this weekend, remember? We don’t have time to take any guilt trips. Besides, there’s no need for one,” he said gently. “One day you’re going to have to accept that what we do is our business, Kylie. And we don’t have to answer to anyone.”
She drew in a long, unsteady breath. “I wish it was that easy for me to think that way, Chance. But after I got pregnant with Tiffany, my parents made sure that all their friends knew they had nothing to do with the way I turned out. I heard them call me a bad seed once. Since then I’ve tried so hard to be good and to raise Tiffany the right way.”
He reached over and pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. “Oh, baby, you have. You’re being too hard on yourself. No one is perfect, not even your parents. And they had no right to lay something that heavy on you. We all make mistakes. I bet if you were to clean out their closets you’ll find something they’d rather leave hidden.”
She shook her head. “I doubt it. You don’t know my parents.”
“Yes, I think I do. They aren’t one of a kind, you know. There are others out there just like them.”
A smile she couldn’t contain curved her lips. “Yes, I know.”
“Then remember that. Always keep that thought in mind.”
He released her and Kylie thought she fell in love with him even more at that moment. “You’re good at that, you know.”
He glanced over at her as he began backing the car out the driveway. “Good at what?”
“Soothing my ruffled feathers.”
He smiled. “Glad I could help.”
“Hey, man, did you have to bring your own personal cheerleader?” Bas whispered as he set a screen for Chance to shoot.
Chance laughed as he made yet another shot and Kylie stood and cheered again. “Jealousy won’t get you any points, Bas. You could have brought Cassandra.”
Bas frowned. “Are you kidding? Can any of you imagine her sitting over there on the bleachers watching me get hot and sweaty?”
Donovan chuckled. “No, I don’t think we can.”
“Hey, will the three of you cut the crap and let’s get some playtime?” Morgan growled, pushing Bas out of the way and getting the ball from Chance.