Sweet Surrender Read online

  She’d wanted to taste his lips from the first day when she’d come upon him in the old shed. At the time, she had filed it under being a lonely, divorced woman.

  Her lips parted, waiting for the experience that she craved. She was only vaguely aware of his other hand pulling her into an embrace that pulled her body against his.

  Her tongue slipped between his lips and she let her imagination run wild. She kissed him, enjoying the idea that maybe she’d shocked him. His surprise did stop him from responding to her. Though she had limited experience with men, she deemed him an excellent kisser. She peeked through one eye to see if he did it with his eyes closed.

  At her slight pause, Pierce sensed Haley’s examination of him. He took it as his cue to lead this dance. Not that he needed any encouragement.

  The feel of Haley in his arms awakened a hunger within that was new, vibrant and addictive. He hungrily plunged his tongue into the sweetness of her mouth. A groan eased out of him like a lazy note. She answered with a soft moan that made him hold her tighter.

  “Well, isn’t this a cozy picture.”

  Pierce pulled away from Haley, recognizing the husky accuser. He tried to keep an arm around Haley, but she had stepped back out of his reach. Two options were ahead of him. He could tend to Haley and reassure her or he could tend to his sister who glared at him.

  He introduced Haley to his sister, noting Sheena’s open hostility.

  “I came by to see who was renting my mother’s house,” Sheena stated.

  “It’s me and my daughter, Beth,” Haley offered.

  Pierce remained silent, hoping that Sheena would be on her way. But Sheena resumed her seat on the back steps and proceeded to eat an apple. Damn. If she wanted to air the family disagreement over selling the house in front of Haley, he couldn’t do much to stop her.

  “Miss, what’s your name?” Sheena asked.

  “You may call me Haley.”

  “You’re planning to buy this house?”

  Haley nodded.

  “Are you planning to play house, too?”

  “That’s enough, Sheena. Haley, could you give us a second?” Pierce said.

  “No problem.” Haley had locked stares with Sheena. She walked past his sister, never looking at him. He waited until the back door clicked shut.

  “Walk with me,” Pierce said to Sheena.

  Sheena didn’t budge.

  “Please.”

  She smiled, but her expression looked more like a snarl.

  He led the way to the bench that had been cleaned and repainted. He didn’t take a seat until she sat.

  “What was that all about?” he asked.

  “I could say the same about you. I know that you like to help the damsel in distress. But it looks to me as if she may have ulterior motives,” Sheena said.

  “You don’t know anything about her,” he replied.

  “And whose fault would that be?”

  “I would have included you, Sheena. But sometimes you are so impulsive, like a few minutes ago.”

  “A few minutes ago, I was protecting my assets, unlike you.”

  “Haley isn’t a money-grubbing character.”

  “Nope, just another woman who needs a father for her child and a rich husband. Guess you answered the ad,” she said derisively.

  “Don’t jump ahead. I’m simply enjoying Haley’s company.”

  Sheena sighed. “I can’t stay mad at you, Pierce. We’ve been through the heavy drama, but we’ve had some great times.”

  “Does this mean that I can come for Sunday dinner?” He grinned. Sheena’s lift of his exile did lighten his mood.

  Sheena gave him a brief hug. “Feel free to bring your new friend and her daughter.”

  “I’m not sure about that.”

  “I promise to behave. But if my brother is going to act like a love-starved man, no matter how true the label, then I need to keep close tabs on the subject at hand.”

  “Give her a break. She’s had a rough time of it.”

  “First you fall under her spell of seduction. Now you’re all up in her business and playing the spokesperson. Boy, are you falling hard?” She laughed, patting him on his shoulder before leaving the yard.

  Pierce watched her get into her car. A smug expression remained on her face. He suspected that he would be the subject of discussion and jokes to her husband.

  Plus he couldn’t deny that he was happy to be back in the fold. Since the house was proving to be such a divisive factor in the family, maybe once they met Haley, his siblings would feel more comfortable about the sale of the house.

  He looked toward the back of the house. The moment had been lost.

  Haley didn’t move from her vantage point that allowed her to see the animated conversation between Pierce and his sister. The hug at the end had to mean something, since his sister wore a smile that hadn’t been there at her initial meeting.

  Now Pierce was coming inside the house.

  His sister’s visit saved her from making a further fool of herself. If he thought that she was going to fall into his arms again, he was mistaken. But just to be sure, she sat at the small table in the kitchen.

  “Sorry about my sister bursting in,” he said.

  “Seems like she was concerned about the house. And I think she was a little concerned for you,” Haley said.

  “Sheena is a bit protective,” he said.

  “Sounds a tad territorial, too.” Haley remembered the woman’s highly critical survey.

  “Only at first. I explained your situation to her and now she wants to invite you to a cookout at her place.”

  “What could you have said that would bring on such an invite?”

  “It’s for you and Beth,” Pierce added.

  “I would consider going, if you told me why your sister changed her mind.”

  He raised her chin with the crook of his finger. Softly he stroked her lip with his thumb before placing a kiss on her mouth. “She wanted to meet my girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend?”

  “Welcome, Haley,” Sheena said and shook her hand. Haley returned the greeting, exchanging small talk.

  Beth stood at her side, still pouting from an earlier disagreement. She hadn’t wanted to come to the cookout. Beth would’ve preferred to spend the afternoon in her room.

  Haley didn’t like how much time Beth wanted to spend away from her. She knew that teens wanted independence, but Beth’s desire to be alone didn’t strike her as a need for independence. Rather it seemed more a sign of anger.

  “I’m glad you made it.” Pierce escorted her to the deck. “Hey, Beth, Sheena’s got the latest video-game system downstairs, if you want to check it out with the other kids.”

  Beth shrugged, but it didn’t stop her from acting on his invitation and taking off toward the basement.

  “You worry too much about her,” he said.

  “Can’t help it. I don’t think that she’s adjusting as fast as I thought she would. I picked this town, this community, even the house because I thought the change would do her good,” Haley said. “It doesn’t seem to be working out.”

  “She’s having normal growing pains. Be patient with her.”

  Haley nodded, not feeling as confident as Pierce sounded.

  “It’ll be okay,” Pierce reassured. “Let’s grab a hot dog. Looks like they just came off the grill.”

  “Sounds delicious. I want mine with lots of ketchup and mustard.”

  “Onions and pickles?” Pierce said.

  Haley wrinkled her nose. “No kissing then,” she whispered.

  Pierce pulled her to him and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on her mouth before pulling away and leaving her with a huge grin. “Figured that I’d get started before I feasted on the onions,” he said.

  “Looks like my timing is always off.” Sheena looked at them. At least this time she was smiling, Haley thought. It appeared Sheena’s suspicion was gone, and had been replaced with open friendship.

 
; “I’ll go get the hot dogs.” Pierce squeezed her shoulder. He probably sensed her panic that he was leaving her side.

  “Let’s grab a couple of chairs in the shade,” Sheena offered, gesturing to the chairs.

  Once they were seated, Haley waited for Sheena to begin the conversation.

  “How do you like our city?”

  “It’s beautiful. Seems like a growing city. I see a lot of houses being built,” Haley said.

  “It’s a city that’s taking the overflow from Frederick and Baltimore. Many people can’t afford to live in those cities. I only hope that it doesn’t get too overpopulated. Then we’ll have problems like crime, overcrowded schools and traffic jams.”

  “Sorry to be contributing to the demise of your country living.” Haley wanted to keep quiet, but she felt Sheena’s contempt for the newcomers to the city expand to include her. She wasn’t going to let her get away with it, even if she was Pierce’s sister.

  “It’s not an accusation, simply a fact,” Sheena said. “How do you like the house?”

  “I love it,” Haley replied.

  “That’s where we grew up.”

  “And no one wanted it?”

  “We all went our separate ways. After my mother died, we rented it, but the occupants were never ideal. Several of them had kids who ruined the walls,” Sheena said. “The house has been empty for a year now.”

  “Well, that won’t be a problem with me and my daughter. Plus we’re planning to buy the place and make it our home.”

  “Pierce may not have told you, but not all of us are in agreement with this sale.”

  “Is that why you’re taking your anger out on me?”

  Sheena pulled back, clearly shocked that Haley had taken the offensive.

  “I understand your attachment to your family home, but I need a stable environment for my daughter. Beth is going through a difficult time right now.”

  “Where’s her father?”

  “I’m divorced,” Haley said.

  “And you think you can handle work, home and everything else that comes along with being a single parent?”

  “Are you a single parent?”

  Sheena shook her head.

  “That may explain why you’re talking to me with no respect,” Haley said.

  Haley needed the house. The price suited her. The financing worked to her advantage. Pierce was an added bonus, but she wasn’t going to take this woman’s crap to get all those things.

  Nevertheless, she kept a close eye on Sheena’s reaction. Her shock had dissipated, but Sheena’s face had hardened into a no-nonsense expression.

  “I’m hard-pressed to show respect when I find the tenant throwing down with the landlord after a month,” Sheena said.

  If this was a fight, Haley would accuse Sheena of dealing a low blow. And it hurt as bad as if it had really happened. She couldn’t get indignant because of Sheena’s honesty.

  One month and she’d acted without restraint. Pierce looked damned good, but so did other men and she didn’t end in a lip-lock with them.

  He’d be on somebody’s list as an eligible bachelor, especially with his being a doctor. Yet, Haley had been married to a corporate executive and knew from firsthand knowledge that credentials didn’t make a man.

  No, Pierce meant more to her than just a meal ticket. He lit up her life every time she spent time with him. He genuinely listened to her, offering insights rather than making demands of her.

  “Thank you for inviting me. It’s time for me to leave,” Haley said and stood, wishing that she and Sheena could have gotten off to a better start.

  She didn’t wait for Sheena to insult her further. She went in search of her daughter. When she found Beth, they would leave. If she saw Pierce, she would explain why she was leaving, but if not, his sister could give him whatever explanation suited her.

  The raised voices of children having fun spilled out of the basement as Haley approached the door. She hoped Beth wouldn’t resist her. This was not the time or place for a scene.

  Despite the volume, there were only a handful of kids down there. Beth sat in front of a large TV with game remotes, playing against another kid. Haley positioned herself to see what was going on without distracting Beth. Her daughter was in the lead and had a few boisterous cheerleaders on her side.

  A familiar deep voice urged Beth to be careful as she rappelled off a cliff, shooting at planes overhead.

  “I was wondering where you got to.” Pierce moved out of the shadows to stand next to Haley. He slid an arm around her waist. She loved the feel of his body next to hers.

  “Sheena had me on lockdown.”

  “All this time?”

  Haley nodded. “It wasn’t a pretty sight.” She wished that she didn’t have to say anything, but he had to know why she was leaving. “I’m getting Beth so that we can leave,” Haley told Pierce.

  He pushed off from the wall and stood directly in front of her. His tall frame blocked Beth’s performance from Haley’s view as the other children cheered. She could hear high fives go around the room.

  “Are you leaving because of Sheena?”

  She didn’t answer. It didn’t matter. Maybe Sheena was a blessing in disguise because Haley had been forced to deal with the fact that she was being silly and young at heart over Pierce.

  “I’ll be right back. Please stay until I return.” She didn’t answer. “Haley, don’t leave without me.”

  “Pierce, as much as I would like for you to take up the fight for me, it’s not necessary. I’m leaving because I’m tired. Beth has had a long day. She has her doctor’s appointment in the morning.”

  “I’ll help you with Beth. Give me a call when you get home.”

  Half an hour later, Haley drove from Sheena’s home.

  “I had a good time, Mom,” Beth said.

  “I’m glad to hear. Did you get a chance to eat?”

  “Yep.”

  Haley looked at her daughter. She was glad to see a smile on her face. Although she was still as thin as a rail, it sounded as if they had rounded an important bend in their relationship.

  “Where’s Pierce? I’m surprised he didn’t come with us.”

  “He’s talking to his sister.” Haley looked over to Beth. “You don’t mind him coming over?”

  Beth looked at her. “I know that he makes you happy. And when he’s around, you don’t bother me as much.”

  Haley was left openmouthed, staring at her daughter. Then she dissolved in laughter. She guessed her daughter had a point.

  “I’m really glad you don’t mind,” Haley said. She took Beth’s hand and rubbed it against her cheek.

  “Whatever makes you happy. He doesn’t make you cry.”

  “You knew,” Haley blurted. “I tried to hide it.”

  “I know you tried to make my life run smoothly, but there’s no point in hiding the ugliness,” Beth said.

  Haley turned onto her street, amazed at the adult-toned conversation that she was having with Beth. She had to constantly look over at her to determine whether her daughter was serious.

  “Stop growing up so fast on me.” Haley grinned at her, and was amazed when her daughter grinned back at her.

  When they entered the house, Haley heard the phone ring. She hurried to answer it.

  “Hey, I’m outside,” Pierce said.

  “Meet you on the back steps.”

  She hung up the phone. A small measure of fear made her hesitate. What if his sister had turned him against her?

  She paused at the door, resting her forehead against it. She could handle any bad news.

  “Invite him in, Mom. You’re like a high-school couple sitting on the steps talking. I’m going to bed now. No need to worry about me,” Beth said behind her.

  Haley figured that there was no use pretending she didn’t care for Pierce for Beth’s sake. She opened the door to invite Pierce into the house.

  In the doorway stood Pierce and his sister.

  “Dr.
Masterson.”

  Pierce looked up from the patient’s file. “Yes, Dr. Peters.”

  “Is everything okay? You’re a little quiet today. No bad jokes. No sugar-free lollipops. Do we need to switch places?”

  Pierce grinned. He set down his pen. “Dr. Peters, the day that you get me to sit on your couch and spill all my dark secrets is the day that I move out of town.”

  “That’s what everyone says. But you’d be surprised how good you’ll feel after talking things out,” Dr. Peters said.

  Pierce resumed writing notes in the file. Mr. Peters had been his first patient when he’d moved back into town and started his practice. Dr. Peters was a well-known psychologist and professor at the nearby university with prestigious awards and writing credits.

  “Seriously, though, can I help you?” Dr. Peters asked.

  “It’s a woman.” Pierce snapped the file shut. “You can button your shirt. You’re all set.”

  “I’ve made lots of money listening to men pour their hearts out about their women.”

  “That sarcastic tone does nothing to make me want to tell you anything,” Pierce said.

  “It’s not sarcasm.” Dr. Peters squirmed his way off the table. Pierce went through the usual motions of offering assistance, knowing that his hand would be brushed aside.

  “Men want a straightforward answer as to how to deal with women. Don’t spend your money figuring them out, spend money figuring out yourself. Then you’ll understand where your better half is coming from.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like sound advice. Since I know myself and I don’t have any issues, then I’m fine.”

  “Spoken like a true male.” Dr. Peters extended his hand. Pierce shook it. “Well, Doc, guess the old ticker still has a few more beats,” Dr. Peters said. Pierce nodded. “Good. Then I’m heading to the mountains to do some rock climbing this weekend.”

  “Don’t forget to wear a helmet.”

  Dr. Peters opened the door, then paused.

  “Yes,” Pierce prompted.

  “You’re so good at looking after others, telling them what they need to do, diagnosing and solving problems. Who does that for you?”

  “I do that, Dr. Peters,” Pierce answered confidently.

  “Wow. Well, I’m heading to the mountains. You’re already at the top of yours.” He waved and walked down the hall.