Free Family Ties by Louise Behiel

was certain but unhurried as he moved to their mutual fence. Starting from the alley, he gently pulled on every board, checking each of them. Poor guy – even this late at night Chloe was keeping him at work. He found one that caught his attention. The quick rat tat tat of the hammer secured the board with a well-placed nail.
    It took him only a few moments but it felt longer to Andie. Watching the play of muscles across his chest and in his arms made her mouth dry as lint. She could see his concentration and wondered what it would feel like to receive such focus. She could only imagine what it would be like to be the woman he let in.
    “That should keep her inside your yard.”
    Gray’s voice dragged Andie from her reverie. “Uhm, excuse me? What did you say?” she asked, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. Thank heavens he couldn’t read her mind. He’d probably have been shocked to have a woman ogling his body.
    “I said I think the fence should keep Chloe inside now.”
    “Oh good. If there’s a way out, she’ll find it.”
    “I noticed.”
    Andie giggled at the dry tone of his voice which showed what he thought of that experience. “It couldn’t have been that bad. She wasn’t over there long enough to get into too much mischief.”
    “Not today. What about her other visit?”
    Her giggles grew to full-fledged laughter. “I’m sure it’s not an experience you want to repeat, but it turned out okay.”
    “Sure – as long as we both know I’m not a pervert.” He placed the hammer on the picnic table on his patio and turned back to her.
    “I know Chloe is irrepressible. She seems to have decided she likes you, so she’ll move heaven and earth to see you. To spend time with you.”
    His groan was audible and caused Andie to laugh again. “She’ll get over it – if you’re lucky.”
    “If I survive, you mean. It seems every time I turn around she pops up – usually at the worst possible moment.” He leaned over the fence, his gaze resting on her.
    “I have fresh lemonade in the fridge. Want some?” Andie heard herself ask.
    “Sure.” He searched her face for a moment, then stepped back. “I’ll come around.”

Chapter Five
     
    Sucking on a mint, Gray flipped the latch and stepped into Andie’s back yard. He quietly slid the bar into place since the bedrooms were on this side of the house. He needed to apologize and he’d prefer not having to do it in front of an audience.
    Climbing the three steps to her deck, Gray looked around. It was a good yard for a house full of kids, although he’d probably get rid of some of the landscaping ‘pretties’. A noise drew his attention toward the kitchen. Andie set a jug of lemonade on the counter. She leaned back into the fridge, then bent over and pulled open one of the bottom drawers.
    His mouth dried as her pink shorts pulled tight across her butt. He’d always been a butt man and Andie’s made his palms itch. He’d bet it fit perfectly. But her front wasn’t anything to be ashamed of, either. He remembered her breasts pressed against his chest when he held her against him.
    Fascinated, he watched her straighten, a lemon in hand. As she turned to the counter he scraped up some moisture in his mouth and swallowed. Feeling the pull deep in his belly, he turned away from the house, shifted the part of his anatomy that had sprung to life, then took a seat at the glass-topped table on her deck. No point in embarrassing himself when the lady had offered him a cold drink. She was acting neighborly and he was getting randy. And while he didn’t want to be her friend, he didn’t want her to think he was trying to get into her bed. He wanted to apologize for the kiss in his kitchen – not make things worse.
    “You must be exhausted.”
    “Not really.” She’d been running around with the kids as he’d carried armfuls of scrap from the basement of his house.
    “You’ve been busy all evening. What are you doing to your place?” she asked,