Free Lights Out by Ruthie Robinson Page A

to her.
    “Thank you,” she said, smile wide, pushing herself even more into Joe.
    “Well, have a good night, you two,” Piper said, winking at Joe. “Might want to take it indoors this time,” she said, and chuckled.
    He laughed, but caught himself before Rachel noticed. Piper watched him pass her on his way out, taking note of his hand entwined with the woman’s.
    * * *
     
    Joe rolled over and looked to the space next to him, now empty, and inwardly groaned, hoping that Shane wasn’t awake. He’d overslept, meant to get up and get her out long before light and before Shane woke up.
    He sat up, throwing his legs over the side of the bed, running his hand through his hair. Usually he limited women and their overnight stays, but it had been a while for him and the sitter said Shane was asleep when he arrived home after leaving Lights Out, so he thought he’d quietly tiptoe her in and quietly tiptoe her out in the morning. Things hadn’t worked out quite the way he planned. Hell, the whole night hadn’t gone according to plan. He was still smarting from running into Piper, her laughter, her grin, her assumptions that she knew him.
    He stood up, grabbed his pants, slid his legs into them, found a t-shirt and pulled it over his head and went in search of Rachel of the Night Sky. He still couldn’t comprehend how she’d come up with that.
    Where had she gotten off to, he wondered, walking over to check the adjoining bathroom. No sign there. Maybe she left early, on her own, but he doubted that. She had been pushing for more lately, wanted to meet his nephew—proof she could do family. She couldn’t do his family. Shane was enough for him. He didn’t mind, in fact he loved his nephew, hadn’t thought twice about where he would live after his mother left. Of course it would be with him. But it still put him with children sooner that he’d expected, if at all.
    He played dad growing up, starting at the ripe old age of ten. His father and mother had not been anywhere near responsible for him and his sister.
    He headed down the hall, looking under Shane’s door. It was dark. Hopefully he was still asleep. He entered the kitchen and yes, there she was, standing next to the coffee maker, bra and panties on. Not the best way to start the morning with kids around, but she didn’t know that. She turned, smiling as he walked over to her. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and handed it to her. She looked at him, surprised.
    “In case you run into my nephew,” he said, reaching around her for a coffee cup.
    “Thanks for making me coffee, Rachel,” she said, to him, a little irritation creeping into her voice. “And I didn’t know he was here,” she added.
    “Thank you,” he said, pouring a cup and leaning against the counter. She slipped over closer to him, squeezing in, lifting her face and placing a soft kiss on his lips.
    “I had a good time last night. Thanks,” she said.
    “You’re welcome.”
    “What are you doing today?” she asked.
    “Not sure.”
    “Want me to stay a little longer?” she said, moving her hand to the button of his jeans.
    “Not today. I usually spend time with my nephew on the weekends, plus I’ve got to catch up a little on work,” he said, looking at her. Her hand stopped mid-button at the look he gave her.
    “I could hang out with you, too. Or maybe we could get together tonight? Want me to call you?” she said, not quite ready to give up the ghost.
    He shook his head. “Let me call you,” he said, taking the coffee cup from her hand. “My nephew will be up in a little bit. I try not to mix my personal life with his.” He took her hand and lead her back down the hall to his room. He closed the door and started looking around for her clothes. He handed them to her. She snatched them from his hand and turned her back to him.
    “I’ll wait by the front door,” he said, closing his bedroom door behind him as he left the room. Joe, you could have handled that better,