A SEAL's Temptation

2

HEATHER’S WORDS WERE still playing through Lark’s mind when she closed the coffeehouse at six. She’d been obsessing over their conversation, replaying it in her mind for the past few hours. But she still didn’t know how she felt about it.

It was sweet of her aunt to try to help out. And the increase in customers had definitely impacted the bottom line. But that didn’t mean that Raine would have wanted Lark back in San Francisco, hobnobbing with the artsy crowds, throwing clay for a living and attending gallery galas to celebrate her latest ceramics show.

As she cleaned the coffee and tea machines, she tried to imagine herself living that life again. But she couldn’t see it. In part because her circle of friends there not only included her ex-boyfriend, his new wife and, of course, the three good friends who’d just had to send Lark pictorial proof of Eric’s infidelity.

More, because she didn’t feel as if she fit in that life any longer. But Heather was right—she didn’t really fit here, either. She felt like a square peg wandering around a world of round holes.

But fit or not, she was stuck in this round hole for however long it took to climb out of the financial hole she was in. Or, since there was no way she was selling the coffeehouse to Paul to tear down, maybe she could find a buyer who would pay what it was worth and keep her mom’s dream alive. Lark moved on to wiping down tables, her shoulders drooping a little as she tried to imagine where she’d go, what she’d do.

But her imagination wouldn’t cooperate.

Because underneath it all was the simple fact that when she left The Magic Beans, when she moved away from Little Lake, she’d be saying goodbye to her mom. Again.

And she wasn’t ready for that.

She was wiping down the last table when she heard a tapping on the glass.

“Sara,” she exclaimed as she unlocked and opened the door. She was surprised to see her since the younger woman knew the coffeehouse closed early during the week. “Did we have plans that I forgot about? Or are you jonesing for an after-hours caffeine fix?”

“Neither. I’m here about the apartment. The one upstairs next to yours. You said I could put something in it this week, remember?” Sara’s words were as upbeat and bouncy as her movements as she danced into the coffeehouse.

“Yeah, sure,” Lark said, exchanging her sponge for the broom. The second floor housed two fully furnished apartments. Lark had taken one for herself when her mom died. The other was usually rented out, but the tenants had moved the previous month and she’d yet to find anyone new. “What are you storing?”

“My brother.”

Lark almost bobbled the broom.

“Your what?”

“Shane. My big brother.”

“You want to put your brother upstairs? Why not at your mom’s?” Then she narrowed her eyes. “Is he alive? Because I draw the line at storing dead bodies.”

“Of course he’s alive.” Sara laughed, starting to help with the cleanup by grabbing a bag out of the trash can. “I dropped him at Sam’s for a beer.”

Lark glanced out the window toward the corner sports bar with a mild sort of curiosity. Over the past year or so, she’d met all of Sara’s family except the secret brother. This should be interesting.

“He flew in for my birthday,” Sara continued as she emptied the rest of the trash cans. “Isn’t that sweet? But I want to surprise my mom, so I need a place for him to stay until Tuesday.”

“Is this your brother’s first visit since I moved here?”

“Yeah. He’s, um, super busy with work and stuff.”

Lark could hear the tension in her friend’s voice. It took a second before she remembered that there were problems between Sara’s mom and her brother. What those problems were, Sara had never said.

But apparently it was enough to keep the talkative woman quiet, since Sara had only mentioned her brother a couple of times. From her description, he was a cross between a philosopher, a Greek god, Einstein and a Boy Scout with a degree in psychology. What she didn’t know was what he actually did for a living.

Whenever she asked, Sara sidestepped, shrugged or sighed. Which was probably the issue their mom had. Maybe they were ashamed of his job. Lark frowned, trying to think of a job worth being ashamed of. But all she could come up with was male stripper.

Hmm...

“How long is your brother visiting?” Lark asked, grinning a little as she imagined Sara’s reaction if she asked if her brother danced in a G-string. She’d better keep it to herself, though. Otherwise Heather would have him dancing in the corner while she hawked penis-shaped brownies.

“He said he’s only staying for a few days, but I’m hoping it’ll be a week.” Sara’s shrug echoed her pouty tone as she piled the trash bags by the door to the backroom.

“He has to get back to work?” Maybe he was a headliner at one of those fancy strip clubs.

“Yeah, something like that,” Sara said. As if she were eager to avoid answering questions, the pretty blonde grabbed the tray of dirty mugs and carried them into the back.

As much to finish her chores as to tease Sara about her brother’s stripping career, Lark followed.

The back room was so small it barely held the two of them and the dirty mugs. The purple walls were stenciled with her mom’s favorite motivational quotes, like, Do It With Happiness, the floor-to-ceiling shelves were filled with supplies and the sink and industrial dishwasher were tucked under the window overlooking the stairs to the apartment above.

On one shelf was a picture of Raine, her arms wrapped around Lark and a wide smile on her face. Lark would never admit it to anyone, but sometimes when she was alone back here, she talked to the picture. Thankfully, it never talked back.

“So,” Lark said, loading the mugs into the dishwasher, “you never told me what your brother does for a living. Or is it top secret?”

One of the ceramic mugs slipped out of Sara’s hand, plopping in the sinkful of watery bubbles. The blonde squealed, Lark cringed and the mug floated to the surface without a crack.

“Whew, sorry about that,” Sara said, handing over the mug.

Wincing, Lark carefully placed the delicate cup in the dishwasher. Maybe she should give teasing Sara about her brother a rest. At least until the other woman wasn’t handling her mugs.

“Um, yeah. Shane’s job is sorta top secret, actually,” Sara said, her voice carrying a fake edge. “He’s not supposed to talk about it, so maybe do me a favor? Don’t ask him while he’s here. He’d feel awkward, and it kinda upsets our mom.”

Wow. He really must be a stripper.

Or worse.

Before Lark could figure out what a mother would consider worse than a stripper, the chimes on the door tinkled.

Sara let out another loud squeal, tossed the sponge at Lark and ran out of the back room. Figuring it was the stripper—no, no the brother, she corrected—Lark took her time finishing up before heading out to meet Shane and decide if he had the body to justify her stripping theory.

Oh my.

He was gorgeous.

Wasn’t he gorgeous?

She thought so, but the room had taken a nice, slow spin, which she was sure accounted for the sudden dizziness filling her head and the odd tightness in her belly. Resting her hand on the door frame, Lark blinked a couple of times so she could see him more clearly.

And oh boy, was she glad she did.

Because she’d been right. He was gorgeous. Sara hadn’t exaggerated—he definitely had a little Greek god in there somewhere.

Tall, close to a foot over her own five-four, he had a swimmer’s build. Broad shoulders, a slender waist and long, long legs. The kind of body that would look mighty sweet naked but for a gleaming coat of oil.

His dark brown hair was cut supershort, the top spiked in a way that looked as if he’d run his hands through its thickness while it was wet and left it at that. Unlike Sara’s round sweetness, her brother’s face was narrow, with slashing brows and a full mouth.

Oh, that mouth. Those lips. Mmm. Lark wet her lips while imagining doing the same to his. She was pretty sure she could spend hours nibbling on that bottom lip of his and still not be satisfied.

She’d bet if he were doing the nibbling, her satisfaction would be guaranteed. She didn’t know if it was all the talk of sex today, or if he was simply the most desirable man she’d ever seen in her life. Either or both got credit for the images flooding her mind.

The two of them, naked. Oh yeah, she’d bet he was even better naked. Long, lean and luscious, he’d know what to do with his body. Better yet, he’d know what to do with hers. She’d bet he could do things she’d only read about in those sexy romance novels.

“Lark, hey,” Sara said in a bouncy tone, her arm hooked through her brother’s as she pulled him across the room. “I am so excited. I finally get to introduce you to my favorite person in the whole world.”

Lark hurried over to the checkout counter, hoping it’d be enough to prevent her from jumping him while his little sister was in the room. Jumping a guy before they were actually introduced was just rude.

And, she remembered as her stomach sank into her toes—taking a good chunk of her happy lust with it—jumping friends’ brothers was against the rules.

Dammit.

“This is Lark,” Sara said as she and the hunk of gorgeous sexiness reached the counter. “She runs The Magic Beans. Best coffee in Idaho with the greatest baked goods. The muffins I brought to the airport were from here. Shane loved them, Lark. I’ll bet he’s going to be in here all the time, drinking coffee and eating goodies. Is that great or what?”

It took a moment for Lark to realize that the younger woman had run out of verbal steam. She ran a mental replay of the babbling, but only remembered every other word.

“Great,” Lark murmured, anyway, unable to tear her eyes off the man in front of her. It wasn’t against the rules to look, and he looked even better up close. Her heart beat a little faster, her breath shaky as she offered him her best smile. “If you liked the muffins, you’ll have to try our sugar cookies. Everyone loves them. They’re soft and sweet, but everyone says they get a guy hard and horny.”

It wasn’t her own words that clued her in to what she’d said. It was the expression on their faces, Sara with her wide-eyed shock and Shane’s arched brow, that made Lark realize she’d quoted Cassia’s take on the cookies out loud.

The heat that’d been stirring in her belly climbed its way up to coat her cheeks. Holy crap. She’d just offered the sexiest man she’d ever met a copulation cookie.

She tried to think of something, anything, to say to make up for it. But her mind was terrifyingly blank.

Thankfully, Sara jumped in.

“Like I said, this is Lark. She’s my BFF and she’s going to be your landlord for the next little while. Hopefully the next long while if I have anything to say about it,” Sara said, the words flying out of her mouth so fast Lark was surprised they didn’t have smoke behind them.

Shane smiled, those full lips spreading to show perfect white teeth and a tiny hint of a dimple in his cheek. Lark wasn’t sure if it was because her cheeks were on fire or if it was because the lust was running so hot it was giving her orgasm previews. But she was pretty sure her panties had just melted.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Shane’s voice was as sexy as his smile. Low, a little husky and so, so mellow. Lark had a sudden vision of hearing that voice in the dark. She’d bet his hands would be just as smooth as his words as he slid them over her naked skin.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said, hoping her hand wasn’t wet as she held it out to him.

When he wrapped his fingers over hers, her only thought was gratitude that her hand had actually been dry. Otherwise the electricity sparking between them might have caused some pain.

She bit her lip, studying his face. Did he feel it, too? His friendly expression didn’t look as if he’d been plowed down by lust, so maybe it was just her.

Disliking that idea, Lark slid her hand from his. She didn’t take her eyes off his face, though. It was just too yummy.

“Lark?”

His eyes were the dreamiest green, with thick lashes and a look of intensity that promised he’d give anything he did his full attention. She gave a delicate shudder as she imagined what it’d be like if all that attention was focused on her body. On their pleasure. Oh, baby.

“Lark.”

Her eyes skimmed down that sleek face, with those high cheekbones and full lips, over shoulders made for holding on to during wild sex and a chest that just begged to be cuddled against. It was all Lark could do to keep herself from stepping back so the counter didn’t block her up-close view of what he had to offer below the waist. If the rest of him was anything to go by, she’d bet whatever he had behind that zipper was an amazing treat.

“Lark!”

“What?” Lark blinked. She shook her head as if waking from a very hot dream, then she blinked again. Oh my God. She wanted to groan. Better yet she wanted to run for the nearest cold shower—to ice down the desire and to cool her blazing cheeks. Horrified, her eyes shot to Sara’s, hoping her friend would give her a hint how long she’d spent staring like a lust-struck man-meat groupie.

“Sorry to be a pain,” Sara continued as if she hadn’t just yelled for Lark’s attention. But her eyes were dancing. “Are you done closing up? I want to show Shane where he’s staying. You know, get him settled so I can run to the store, pick up some food. I didn’t want to get groceries early in case he changed his mind about coming.”

At her brother’s arch look, Sara threw her arms in the air.

“It could happen. You know it could. And if it did, what was I going to do with a bunch of man food? It’s not like I can take it home or anything.”

Lark’s brows rose. Not just at the reference to their family issues—which she’d thought were off-limits—but at Sara’s confrontational tone. Her gaze shifted to Shane’s face. Instead of looking upset, he was grinning. Obviously he must be used to his sister’s babbling and lack of tact.

“Apparently Sara thinks I’m incapable of finding food on my own.” He slanted his sister a rueful look, then shook his head as if to say go figure. “It’s a wonder I survive without you.”

“As if.” Sara swatted him on the arm. “I just want to spoil you a little. I know you don’t get spoiled where you’re at. And I hardly ever get to see you. So the least you can do is let me have fun with it.”

“Then why don’t I show you the apartment,” Lark said before the banter could continue. As an only child, she was never sure if siblings were teasing, arguing or both.

“It’s a studio, so it’s kind of small but it’s comfortable,” she continued as she got her keys from the drawer under the counter. “I’m in the apartment next door, so if you need spoiling and Sara isn’t around, just knock.”

Holy shit. Had she actually said that? Lark gave a mental groan.

“I mean, if you need coffee or a snack and we’re closed down here,” she said quickly, afraid she’d start babbling like Sara soon. “I can help with that.”

But apparently Shane was as sweet as he was sexy. His eyes danced, that hint of a dimple winking again.

“I’ll do that. From what Sara said, your coffee is great. If it’s as good as this place looks, I’m sure she’s right.”

Lark looked around at the funky, fun space as she came around the counter.

“Thanks. My mom always wanted her own coffeehouse. Once she’d saved up enough, she decided to open it here so she could live near my aunt.” Lark hesitated as pain, swift and familiar, gripped her heart. “I joined them a year or so ago.”

“So it’s a family business. That has to be interesting.” His tone made it clear he wasn’t sure if interesting was a good thing or not.

Clearly picking up on that, his sister elbowed him with a huff.

“He says it like that because he’d run screaming into the night before he tied himself to forty hours a week with any of his own family,” Sara said, heading for the door.

“I would,” he said, offering Lark a serious nod. “I really would.”

Delighted that his sense of humor was as sexy as his body, Lark grinned.

“That makes you very brave to spend a whole week here, surrounded by family,” she teased.

The light in his eyes dimmed a little before he gave a one-shouldered shrug.

“Sara hopes I will. More likely, I’ll run screaming for the airport after the party Tuesday.” His lips twisted into a grimacing sort of smile before he headed for the door.

Lark followed a little more slowly as her mind and body did battle.

Her body argued that he was hot. Easily the sexiest guy she’d ever met. She was single; she hadn’t had sex in eighteen months, two days and—she glanced at her watch—twelve hours. He was single and he knew how to laugh.

Her mind countered with the fact that he’d be here for a week, maybe less. He was as temporary as a guy could be. And, again, it was against the rules to fool around with the brother of a friend.

Besides—her mind tossed with a victorious glee—he was probably a stripper. Sex with a stripper was all kinds of tacky.

“Upstairs?” Sara asked, all but clapping her hands with excitement.

“Upstairs,” Lark agreed, gesturing Shane ahead of her as she locked the door. She blew out a breath, then followed them along the wraparound porch to the stairs at the back of the building.

Which gave her a perfect view of Shane’s butt, encased in khaki cargo pants.

Mmm. Those little fingers of lust tickled again so her thighs trembled a little and her belly tingled.

To hell with the fact that he was only here for a few days, that he was her friend’s brother and that he might make his living wearing a tear-away cowboy costume.

All she wanted was that body.

* * *

WATCHING HIS SISTER all but bounce her way up the outside stairs that led to his apparent home away from home, Shane gave himself a moment to assess the situation.

Sara’s friend was seriously hot.

Dark eyes and darker hair gave her a sultry look, her full lips and lush lashes cementing that impression. She made him think of a gypsy. Not so much in looks since her hair fell in a sleek line to her shoulders, the edges jagged and choppy. But the dozen bracelets jangling on her wrist and the hoops hanging from her ears were big enough for a baby’s fist to fit. And then there was the way she looked at him, as if she could not only see into his mind, but all the way to his dreams.

But he was only here for a few days. A week if he gave in to his sister’s nagging. He was supposed to be spending time with Sara, maybe mend fences with his mother.

So getting a major hard-on for a small town girl who was besties with his sister was on the no-go list.

Even if she was seriously hot.

Once he was sure he had a handle on his reactions—and his body’s response to the luscious Lark, Shane followed the women up the short flight of stairs.

As he went, he mentally cataloged the terrain. Cool weather with a clear sky meant good visibility. The coffeehouse was located at the corner of Main Street, the second floor offering an easy view of downtown. Minimal noise as businesses shut down and locals went home for the day. The stairs creaked; he stepped harder on the next one and deemed them safe enough. And Lark Sommers was seriously hot.

He shook his head, forcing his attention back to recon.

Except he wasn’t on duty. And this wasn’t a target zone.

That didn’t mean he was off the hook for paying attention to details, evaluating locations and gauging risks. No that estimating the distance from the apartment windows to the ground below was more important than appreciating the way Lark’s hips swayed as she walked.

And what a sway she had. His eyes traced the curve of her butt. Her backside was just as sweet as her front. So why not enjoy himself while he was here? If Lark was interested, there was no reason not to see how far that interest he’d seen in her eyes could go.

It didn’t have to be an issue.

Did it?

Sara’s laugh burst out like happy bubbles floating through the air. Shane smiled as her exuberance lifted his mood. Damn, he’d missed her. Hearing her cheerful voice made him realize how much he tended to block out thoughts of his family. Because of his mom, sure, but also because of his job.

As they reached the landing, Sara shot him a bright smile and set his mind straight. The situation between their mother and him was hard enough on Sara. She didn’t need to deal with her best friend pissed off at him, too.

Which put Lark right back in the off-limits category.

He stepped into his temporary quarters with his resolve in place and looked around.

“What do you think? It’s great, isn’t it? Not too big, not too small.” Sara moved through the room like a bumblebee, flitting, landing and flitting again.

Because watching her was making him dizzy, Shane glanced around at the space instead.

Approximately five hundred square feet, the floors were polished wood, the walls a soft blue and the furniture looked comfortably lived in. A small kitchenette stood at one end, a door that led to what he assumed was the bathroom at the other.

Scattered everywhere were pottery and what he thought might be porcelain. A long, slender vase the color of a stormy ocean stood next to a sculpture of an owl so detailed he could see each feather. A wide-lipped bowl covered half the kitchen table and the open kitchen shelves housed almost as many pottery mugs and cups as he’d seen downstairs.

“As you can see, it’s pretty self-explanatory.” Standing in the middle of the room like a centerpiece, Lark gestured to each feature with an elegant hand. “Living room slash kitchen slash bedroom here.”

Lark lifted the couch cushions to show him the pull-away, her silky-looking purple blouse gaping as she bent over. Her bra matched, just as silky and bright as her top.

Shane’s mouth went dry.

Damn.

There was nothing sexier on a woman than matching undies. His eyes skimmed down to her denim-covered hips. Did the rest match, too? Then he noticed that her short fingernails were the same shade of purple. Yeah. Her panties matched.

Damn again. She’d just gone from seriously hot to the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. Shane didn’t usually fall into instant lust, but he was more than willing to make an exception in this case.

“The bathroom’s through that door.” Lark pointed to the one next to the kitchen. Then she opened the door of the one he’d assumed was the bathroom. “This is storage. Sorry it’s full.”

He walked over. More to get closer to the sexy brunette than because he cared about her storage habits.

Then he saw the various pieces of pottery and ceramic sculptures scattered around the small space. Damn. It was like getting hit in the face with the vast variety of colors, shapes and styles. Under all the color and fun, all he could see a lot of imagination.