Free Deception by Gina Watson

scared?”
    “Yeah, I guess I am. We fit together well here in this home, but there are a lot of distractions and we don’t have to do anything for ourselves. I’m afraid that once we’re alone together for such long periods of time we might not like each other.” She shrugged. “Stupid I know, but I’m not used to entertaining a man.”
    “You don’t have to entertain him, Bails. You just have to exist in the same space. You’ll do your thing, he’ll do his, and then you’ll fall into a rhythm.”
    “Really? It’s that easy?”
    “It is. Even with the difficult ones. Trust me. And Parker seems anything but difficult.”
    “No, he’s pretty easy going.”
    “Bails?” Parker’s voice came from the en suite bathroom. “Somebody is really excited to see you.” The door to the bathroom opened and out walked Parker in all of his naked glory with a full-on erection.
    Maura jumped up and squealed. “Oh, my God!” She covered her eyes and ran from the room.
    In her haste she physically ran into Julian in the hallway. Bailey came running down the hall with the heels in her hands.
    “What’s wrong, Maura? You’re all flushed.”
    “Nothing’s wrong with her . Your brother on the other hand has exposed himself twice to my sister. Sorry, Maura.”
    “He did what?” Julian demanded.
    Maura chewed her lip nervously and took the shoes. “Once at our house I walked in on Bailey and Julian having intercourse and then just now Parker sort of . . . well, he had a . . .”
    “He came out of the bathroom stark naked in full boner mode.”
    “Thank you, Bailey.” Maura said.
    Maura turned and made her way to her room.
    Julian laughed deeply behind her.
    In the room provided for her by the ever-gracious Davids, Maura looked into the mirror attached to the dresser. She was flushed so she touched up her makeup, and then put on the set of gold stud earrings that had belonged to her grandmama. A heavy knock at her door startled her and she jerked, banging her elbow on the hardwood of the dresser. Rubbing out the pain she walked to the door and opened it.
    “Oh, Hello.” Everett stood like a grand oak, hands clasped behind his back.
    “Hi again. I was hoping I could talk to you about Fiona.”
    “Of course, please come in.” Maura smiled as she shut the door. All these David boys were absolutely clueless when it came to women.
    Everett sat at the writing desk and Maura took the corner of the bed since it was the only other seating surface. He looked sharp in a suit jacket and matching slacks. Maura thought he always looked so nice.
    “So what’s on your mind?”
    “Fiona will not go on a date with me.”
    Hmm, Fiona had confided in Maura so she was aware of the over-the-top tactics Everett had been employing. “Let me ask you something, Everett. Have you ever taken a woman out on a date before?”
    “I took Shelby Peterson to the senior prom.”
    “That sounds very nice. Anything since then?”
    He leaned back in the window seat and stretched his legs before him, crossing them at the ankle. “Well let me think . . . I work a lot so I usually just go out with the women I work with. We get dinner or unwind at the bar. Eventually they follow me home, but I don’t think those excursions would be classified as dates per se.”
    “It’s okay. I only ask because if you haven’t actually taken a woman on a date, or haven’t dated very much, then you’re probably overdoing it. Also, Fiona’s pretty savvy—your intentions toward her will have to be sincere or she’ll never take you up on your offer to date.”
    Everett frowned. “My intentions are honest. Why does everybody keep saying that?”
    He was not happy. Maura raised her hands in surrender. “I’m only trying to help, Everett. Why don’t you tell me about these dates you’ve asked her on?”
    “I’ve asked her to come with me to Boston to try the best lobster roll known to man. I’ve asked her to the New York Broadway production of Phantom of