Long Road Home (The Barker Triplets 4)

Shane walked her to the door. “I’ve got all your information, and as soon as I’ve got something worth seeing, I’ll send you some pictures.”

He opened the door to find Bernadette standing there. Today, she wore bright purple coveralls that definitely didn’t match the mustard-colored hat plopped on her head. Her smile was wide as she pointed over her shoulder. “That’s your missus coming along with Marisol.”

Dora Lee slid past them both. She gave a quick wave and headed off down the path that led to the main house and parking.

“You got any cold ones left in there?” Bernadette didn’t wait for his reply. She moved past him and helped herself to a cold Stella and held one up questioningly at Shane. He politely declined since he had to drive.

“We’ll have to take out the shovelhead next week.”

“I can’t,” he replied with regret. “I’m leaving tomorrow for home.”

“But you just got here.” Bernadette didn’t bother hiding her shock.

“I’m actually thinking of renting this space on a semipermanent basis. I have a feeling we’ll be back.”

Bernadette took a good long drink and swiped at the corner of her mouth. “I sure hope so.”

They both turned when Bobbi and Marisol appeared. “Sugar, why on earth haven’t you brought your lovely wife to our little corner of heaven? I would have had her for happy hour.” She winked. “Or some kind of fun.”

“Never mind about that, Mari. They’re leaving.”

“That’s what Miss Bobbi Jo here was just telling me.” Marisol had a pretty pout. “Our students will be sorely disappointed; however, I understand the need to get back home and take care of some very important business.” She winked at Bobbi Jo and gestured to Bernadette. “Now come on, and let’s leave them be.”

Shane closed the door after they left and turned to Bobbi. “This is a nice surprise.”

“I had Marshall drop me off on his way to the hospital.”

“Is Gabby okay?”

“She is. They’re talking about bringing her back to Marybeth’s tomorrow, and she’s agreed to get treatment at some place in California. Which is kind of random because it’s so far away, but apparently, it’s one of the best treatment centers in the country.”

Shane was secretly pleased. He’d made a few phone calls. It was the best treatment facility in the country.

Bobbi glanced around. “This is a beautiful studio.”

“It is.”

“Is that a sofa over there?” Her tongue darted out and caught at the corner of her mouth. His heart sped up immediately, and his body flooded with the kind of heat that could only be alleviated by the woman in front of him. Vixen. She knew exactly what she was doing.

“Looks like one,” he replied, managing not to sound too far gone.

“Is it soft?”

“Don’t know.”

“Don’t you want to?”

He reached for her. “I don’t give a damn about the sofa.” But she spun out of his orbit and practically danced over to it. She ran her hands along the seat. “It’s so soft.” Then she patted it down but good. “Why don’t you take a seat, Mr. Gallagher?”

“Mr. Gallagher, is it?” His blood ran hot, and he was wound up tighter than a damn clock. She moved aside when he got close to her and he sailed past, setting his ass on that sofa like a champ. He was more than ready for whatever Bobbi was going to throw at him.

Except he kinda wasn’t, because no longer was Bobbi a woman with sex on her mind. She was a seductive temptress playing him like an instrument that had been set in the corner for far too long.

She wore a fuchsia dress that was tight around the chest and fell in soft waves to just above her knees, and red heels at least four inches high. She reached behind her neck and untied the laces, and in less time than it took Shane to march his butt over to the sofa, she stood in front of him in nothing but those red heels and a delicate gold chain around her neck.

Her breasts were already fuller, and he reached for them, hungry for touch and feel and damn near crazy with need. But Bobbi wasn’t having any of it. She shook her head and pushed him back, then ordered him to undo his jeans.

He would have cut them off if she’d asked him. She knelt in front of him, untied his boots, and gently tugged them off. Then she sat back on her haunches, and his gaze devoured the dark recess between her legs.