Free A Major Distraction by Marie Harte Page B

Michael Cava.”
    “Retired,” his father said, a twinkle in his eye as he stood to take Genevieve’s handshake. “A pleasure to meet you.”
    “You too, sir.” She smiled.
    “Call me Mike.” He smiled back, another victim of Genevieve’s charm. “Come on and sit down.”
    “We don’t want to impose,” she started, but his mother waved away her apology.
    “No, dear. Please, sit with us. It’s not often Brad comes to visit.”
    “Brad.” Genevieve shook her head. “Why are you avoiding your parents?”
    “A good question.” His mother watched him.
    The blasted woman knew why he’d been avoiding her. She kept bugging him about being single, trying to set him up with her friends’ desperate daughters.
    “Well, I’m here now.” He glared at his father, who didn’t hide his laughter all that well.
    Before Brad could make up some excuse to leave pretty soon, his parents engaged Genevieve in conversation. Then his mother, a skilled interrogator in her own right, had Genevieve’s personal details spelled out. The woman was thirty years old, had a younger sister, parents in Maryland, was on track for a big promotion, and loved working for Colonel Drey.
    “Julian’s a good man,” his father agreed. “Taught Brad a ton about the intel business.”
    “He’s teaching me too.” Genevieve had no problem talking with his parents. She seemed so natural by his side. Not intimidated by his high-ranking father and his connections, and not trying to suck up to him either.
    Brad sidled closer to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
    She gave him a startled look then smiled and turned back to his mother.
    His girlfriend. Hmm. He could handle that.
    When his father motioned for him to leave the table, Brad followed him inside.
    “What’s wrong?”
    His dad clapped him on the back. “I like this one. Don’t fuck it up.”
    “Dad.”
    “She’s not like the others you’ve dated. And she sure the hell isn’t like Dana. You know I never liked her.”
    Which had been a major point of contention between him and his father when he’d married Dana over his father’s objections. “Dad, Genevieve and I aren’t serious.” Yet.
    The word popped into his head and wouldn’t leave.
    “Well, get serious. A girl like that, with her brains, looks, and savvy, is just waiting to get snapped up by the right Marine.”
    Brad sighed. “Great pep talk, Dad.”
    His father snorted. “You’re not as smart as you think you are. You screwed up with Dana, and you’ve been paying the price since. But hell, boy, if Mike and Olivia can find love, you sure the hell can. You’ve got my appeal after all.”
    Brad grinned, ignoring the pressure not to repeat the past. It wasn’t as if he’d tried to get bamboozled by Dana. “Yes, sir.”
    “Smartass. Make sure you invite Genevieve next week. Your mother and I have a thing to go to tomorrow night, but next Sunday we’re on for family dinner. I want to see Genevieve with you.”
    “Dad…”
    “Do Mike and Olivia like her?”
    “Yeah, but—”
    “Good.” His father slapped him on the back hard enough to fell a tree then walked away.
    Finally making their escape after consuming nearly a pitcher of tea, Brad took Genevieve home, where they cleaned up and dressed for their group dinner. She in her place, he in his.
    For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why it bothered him so much that she’d gone back to her house. She only lived next door, yet Brad wanted her with him. In his home, his bed, his shower.
    She wore shorts, a cute T-shirt, and sandals, her hair clean and dry and setting off her gorgeous tan as it flowed over her shoulders unbound.
    He pulled her close. “Think we can be late for a quickie?” He ground against her and kissed her with a lot of tongue.
    She pushed him away, breathing hard. “It won’t be quick because I’ll drag you under me until we both get all dirty and sweaty.” She nipped his lip. “But after…you’re all mine.”
    He