Free Playing for Keeps by Jamie Hill Page A

more of those in the fridge and bring them out?"
    She held up her bottle and looked inside . It was more than half gone. She handed it back to Rob and said, "I'll make it seven. Be right back."
    He grinned and downed the last of her beer. The whistles and catcalls Maddie received walking into the house changed into applause when she returned with beer for everyone.
    Rob introduced his friends to her while he passed out the beer.
    Maddie tried furiously to remember their names. Shorty was about six foot two . Smoky was short and stocky with a black handlebar mustache. Dugout had long hair pulled back into a ponytail. Doc had bright red hair like hers, and Fred was the oldest, by far, of them all.
    She grinned. "I can't wait to hear the stories explaining these names."
    They all sat around the edge of the pool, and Rob said , "Easy. Shorty, well, he needs no explanation. Smoky considers himself the best barbecue grill man in Oklahoma. Doc is an E.M.T. and firefighter on the rural fire department out here. Dugout, well, when we played softball, that's where he spent most of his time. And Fred is just Fred."
    Maddie smiled at the older man. "Poor Fred. No cutesy nickname for you, huh?"
    He chuckled. "They used to call me Gramps. Then they realized I was doing the work of three of them. That ended pretty quickly."
    There were rumblings of disagreement and things tossed around. Maddie sat back and enjoyed watching their easy camaraderie. They were obviously good friends. She finally asked Rob, "Would you like me to fix something to eat? You guys must be hungry."
    " Nah, Coop." Fred stood up and the others followed. "We're taking off." He raised his cap to Maddie. "Pleasure to meet you, Ma'am. We'll probably see you tomorrow."
    Rob took off his ball cap and waved it after them . "See you guys. Thanks." He wiped his brow and finished his beer.
    " Bye," Maddie said as the men walked around to their cars at the front of the house.
    Rob reached for her wrist and pulled her between his legs. "Come here, you."  He pressed her into him. "You sure look pretty today."
    She slid her arms around his neck and made a face. "And you are a sweaty mess!"
    Grinning, he nuzzled his face in her neck, while she tried to squirm away. "I'm a mess, am I?" He grasped the back of her head and pulled her face to his firmly. He kissed her forcefully, his tongue playing against hers.
    When she could catch her breath she whispered , "Wouldn't you like to clean up a little bit first? I've already had a shower, you know."
    " Must be why you taste so sweet," he murmured.
    " Rob!" she squirmed in protest. "What if someone comes back?"
    " Then they'll get quite an eyeful. Because I have plans for you, right here and now." He leaned her back against the stack of boards they'd use to build the pool deck.
    Maddie groaned . She could only protest so much, then lust took over and she gave in. As usual.
     
     
    * * * *
     
    " You are so naughty," she said when he released her.
    " I am so exhausted," he answered. "I want a shower and a bed."
    She put her clothes back on and followed him into the house. "How about something to eat?"
    " Nah." He grabbed an apple on his way to the shower.
    Maddie ate a salad and went to check on him after his shower. He was in bed, sound asleep. She smiled, pulled the door shut, and went to the living room to watch TV.
    When she woke in the morning, Rob was already out by the pool. His friends were there, all hard at work. She figured she 'd best steer clear. Rob wanted to get the whole thing finished today, and might not appreciate interruptions.
    She 'd noticed a fine layer of dust around the house and decided to do some cleaning. Starting in Sophie's room, she tore everything apart and cleaned really well before she put it back together. She washed sheets and curtains, not sure how often Rob did stuff like that. She finished both their bedrooms, and was working in the living room when he came in.
    " Mornin', beautiful." He kissed her