Lost Rhodes, page 7
He didn’t back down. Arms crossed over his impressive chest, he glared right at her. “Not sure what hunting our own food has to do with the asinine idea of you clambering up on the roof of a house you know nothing about.”
“We need to cover the holes, and it’s not going to work if the tarp is attached on the inside.” She wanted to throttle him.
“Do you know where the joists are? Which are stable and which to avoid? Because I’m guessing you don’t.” He moved closer and glared down at her.
“What the fuck do you know about houses? You said you’re a rich boy who doesn’t work.”
“Maybe I lied.”
“No, you’re merely being a prick.”
He paused. “I may have lied about the work.” A shrug. “I was. And I didn’t say I was a prick.”
“My mistake,” she sneered.
“Iris, look. Bottom line, it’s dangerous. What happens if you fall off or through? Like you pointed out, we can’t leave and I’m not a doctor. Hell, I don’t even play one on television.”
Her lips twitched despite not wanting to smile. Damn it, he had a point.
She held her hands up, trying to regain control of the conversation. “I can judge where the holes are from inside and just be careful up there. There are some additional sheets of plywood I can lay over the holes. Tarp then plywood. Just a temporary fix.” She held up her hand. “You can’t do this. We don’t have decent shoes for you and as much as I’d love to give you my boots, they won’t fit you. Your feet are too big.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Weren’t complaining about that last night or earlier today.”
Grateful for her darker skin so he couldn’t see her blush, Iris cocked an eyebrow. “Your modesty is overwhelming.”
“I know.”
Her snort escaped as she rolled her eyes. “If you think you can handle being out there for a short time in those sorry excuse for shoes you have, you can hold the ladder.”
“There’s a ladder?”
“Yes.” How sturdy it was, she didn’t have a clue. “We can rig something up to pull up the plywood.”
His expression told her how not okay he was with this. “Okay,” he forced through clenched teeth.
They headed to the barn, and she narrowed her eyes against the stinging wind and snow. Hell, it felt like sleet was making its way in there. They didn’t find enough tarps, but there was enough plywood to cover the holes, which was a good thing.
Piros investigated on his own as she worked in silence with Bradford. The man didn’t have a problem working and he was in shape.
“When you said earlier that you lied, what did you mean?” she asked as they carried over a sheet of plywood.
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying.” They set it down and walked side by side back to grab another. “You know something about buildings.”
Bradford shook his head. “Not really. I know some from the charity I have.”
She nearly tripped over her feet. “Charity?”
His cheeks pinkened, and he wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Yeah. I started one for homeless veterans. My brother serves, and while we don’t talk about it much, he’s often mentioned how hard it is for the men and women who’ve given so much of their life to get readjusted into civilian life. Most of the homeless are veterans in some cities. I wanted to give back.”
Ignoring the plywood by her, she walked to his side and pushed up on her toes to kiss him. “That’s very unprickish of you. What does your brother think?”
“He doesn’t know.”
“And what is it called?”
He grasped her coat when she went to step back, bringing her close once more. After a kiss that kicked her body’s temperature up, he shook his head. “I’ll tell you, but after we finish your crazy idea.” Another kiss. “So we can be warm, and I can have my dick inside you.”
She lifted up once more and nipped his lower lip. “Is that what turns you on? Talking about other guys while fucking?”
“You, beautiful. You turn me on, just by breathing.” He moved her hand to cover his groin, and she squeezed his erection, eliciting a small moan from him. “Not now.”
“You started it.” She backed away, putting the plywood between them. “But fine, let’s finish this first.”
His laughter made her smile.
* * * *
Bradford had never been so happy to be sitting on a makeshift bed, holding a cup of warm soup by a fire in his life. Every second Iris had been up on that snowy roof had taken years off his life. Not to mention the ladder was shit and he had been shocked it didn’t collapse.
But they’d done it. Survived and were back in their small, warm room. Today’s soup was minestrone. He was on his second bowl, and Iris was still on her first. She’d positioned the food and the camp stove in here as well.
With the additional ice storm moving in, she’d not wanted to open those doors unless necessary. The food was in a far corner to stay away from the heat. More trips to bring in wood had happened as well.
“Tell me,” she commanded, tapping her foot to his as she got comfortable.
“I think we’re missing the my-dick-inside-you part. Not sure I can tell you without that.”
“I’m still eating. Deal.”
So was he. “I named it Welcome Home. My initial venture was smaller. Done in a town that was having issues with their unhoused population. I sent in my researcher to see how many were veterans and we started there. I’ve always been interested in architecture, so I’ve been learning that as I go along.”
She sipped her soup but her eyes were locked on him. Bradford cleared his throat. Not even Livingston knew of this.
“We? Who’s we? You said that your military brother doesn’t know, does your oldest?”
“No. He doesn’t see me as anything but a playboy fuckup. If I’d told him, I think he would have tried to talk me out of it or taken over.” He curved his fingers around the cup, grateful for the warmth that helped soothe his nerves.
“Then who is we?”
“I have a board.”
“Good for you,” she praised immediately. “I don’t know a lot about it, but seems like you’ve taken all the necessary steps.”
“I keep my name out of it. Something less for my father to pervert, and if he knew, he’d try.” The growl and ice in his voice took him by surprise.
Iris didn’t speak on it, just pushed on like he’d not said anything about his father.
“Tell me about the first place.”
“We built a tiny home community.” He ate a few bites of soup. “I used local businesses for the building. If I’m helping the community, then I am actually going to help them.”
“That’s brilliant.”
He smiled at her words. “There are stipulations, of course, to being able to have a tiny home. Work is a necessity. No drugs. No crime or things like that. They are allowed to have a pet. We learned that animals are vital to most of them becoming reintegrated into civilian society.”
“What about the ones who aren’t able to work?”
He shook his head. “No. There is work to be done in the small community, and if you’re unable to hold down a job or people won’t hire you, you can work on the community garden. Become a handyman. Work at the office. We have options.”
She put down her cup and took his away before climbing into his lap and settling her legs on either side of his hips. When she cupped his face, he lost his heart.
“Regardless of what you think your brothers may or may not say to you about this, Bradford, you’re doing an incredible thing.” She rested her forehead to his.
Bradford closed his eyes and realized that this was what it was like to have someone in his life who supported him unconditionally. Didn’t give a damn about how much he was worth or want him for a personal gain. She was just supportive.
“And what are you working on now? Expansion?” She moved to slide off his lap and he held her in place.
“Yes. Going to a larger city. It’s where I was flying to when my brother told me to leave town. I just purchased two old apartment buildings in a military town. Once the renovations are finished I’m going to do the same thing, open them for homeless veterans.”
She rocked on his cock but didn’t look away from him. “If you’re in a larger town, who are you using for the renovations?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He lifted her shirt, allowing his hand to settle upon her warm skin. “The manager who will run it is starting to line all of that up.”
“Are you getting new appliances for everything?”
“No. Worked out a deal where we get outdated models that didn’t sell, or maybe have a scratch or dent on them. If the ones in the apartments will work, we’ll keep those. I’m trying to open one right away then finish up the other and open it.”
“That’s a huge endeavor.” She chewed on her lower lip. “If they were expecting you there, do you think they’ve alerted your brother you haven’t shown up?”
Fuck. I didn’t think of that.
She pushed her fingers into his hair, warm breath fanning over his lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“What about you? Will your family wonder where you are?”
“No. They know I’ve gone off the grid, so to speak.”
“You weren’t planning on being home for Christmas?”
“If I made it, great. If not, I would show up when I did. My mom, thankfully, gets that about me.”
Bradford stretched them out on the bed and flipped the blankets over them. He loved being cocooned with this woman.
“Tell me about her? She sounds incredible.”
Pure love was the only word he could use to describe her smile.
“She is.”
She inched closer and rested her cheek against his torso. Bradford settled his palm along her neck, letting his fingers dip in and out of her soft curls.
“My mother had married a man who had a child from his previous marriage. My youngest sister. She adopted her. They couldn’t have children of their own so they adopted more. Boys and girls of all ages.”
“Sounds pretty incredible.”
“I enjoyed it for sure. Well, once I figured out they did actually want me. We didn’t have a lot of new things, but we had all we could ever need.”
A humorless laugh escaped him. “You had love, beautiful. That’s more than a lot of people have.”
“I know. One of my sisters is overseas right now. She was adopted when her mother, a military woman, got tired of being a mom when she came home. Violet was used to being a possession and an object the multiple men who came to see her mother wanted to get their hands on.”
“Fuck. Did they ever?”
She shook her head. “Violet says no, but some days I wonder. All I know is she’s not a fan of military men. Respects what they do, but in her eyes, they’re just looking for the next fuck. Men or women, it’s just if they serve in the military. She’s not had any good experiences in that vein.”
“Guess we’ll have to keep her away from Hastings then.”
Her lips turned up at the edges.
Bradford claimed her mouth, wanting something more physical than verbal at the moment.
Chapter Eight
The snow had finally stopped. The skies had cleared and damn if she didn’t have a signal on her phone. Not inside the house, but hey, she was willing to stand outside in the middle of the yard.
“Oh my God, Iris. Are you okay?”
Tears burned the corners of her eyes. She’d not realized how worried her siblings would be to not hear from her. “I’m fine. Promise, Daisy. The storm finally ended and it’s fucking beautiful out here. Not sure when the roads will be passable, but it’s looking up.”
“You know you could have told us more about this place instead of springing it on us once you’d already headed out there.”
“I’m sorry.”
Her sister snorted. “No, you’re not.”
“You’re right. I’m not. How are you doing with your hottie? Legs over his shoulders yet?”
“Iris!”
She laughed and tipped her head back to the sun. “So…that’s a yes.”
“I hate you.”
She tsked. “And around Christmas. Shame on you, Daisy.” Bradford walked out on the porch, and she realized he should make a call to let people know he was okay. “I have to go, hon.”
“Love you, Iris. Oh, Vi is heading out from Papua to Djibouti.”
“Thanks for letting me know. Make sure you call Mom on Christmas. None of us will be home this year.”
“I know, but I’m just getting back from this shitstorm in NOLA and I can’t make it home.”
There was something else in her sister’s voice that awoke the protector in her. “What’s going on?”
Bradford watched her for a few moments then headed to the edge of the porch and down. Into the deep-ass snow.
Is he crazy?
He was, she realized as he continued on through the deepening snow to reach her. Moving up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. Damn it, her legs were all weak and shaky now.
“Daisy?” she pushed. Her youngest sister was well-known for keeping her emotions contained deep inside.
“I’m fine, Iris. Promise.”
“I know you’re lying but I’m going to let it go. But you call me if you need me.”
A sorrowful snort. “You’re stuck in the damn mountains, sis. I got this.”
“Never a doubt in my mind, Daisy. Love you.”
“I love you too.” She ended the call, and Iris frowned as she stared at her phone.
Turning in Bradford’s arms, she tried to scowl at him, but damn it, he didn’t make it easy. Hot as hell. Sexy. And downright adorable when he looked at her like he was doing.
She shoved her phone into his chest. “Call whomever and let them know you’re alive.”
His lip curled up, and she pushed harder on the phone. “Bradford.”
He snatched her gaze and gave her a slow, melting grin. “You know I get hard when you use that firm tone on me.”
Rolling her eyes, she refused to get distracted. “Call someone.” She whistled, and Piros bounded out from wherever he’d been. “I’m taking him on a walk.”
Even as she said it, she bent over and checked to make sure his boots were on securely and his bright orange collar wouldn’t fall off. There were a lot of things she would let slide, Piros and his safety weren’t one of them.
Bradford hooked his finger in the back of her jeans and tugged. Standing straight, she glanced over her shoulder.
“You aren’t getting out of this.”
He flashed that grin again. “Get out of what? I just wanted to come on the walk with you.”
“No. You still don’t have proper footwear. In fact, make your call quick and get back inside.”
Damn those sweatpants that did nothing to hide his erection. The man had zero shame.
Not that I blame him given what he’s packing. His smirk firmly in place, he held her phone in one hand and gripped himself with the other, highlighting all too well what she didn’t need to focus on.
Want? Hell yes. Need? Definitely not.
Maybe I do need it. Her gaze drifted back down to his cock, right there, no ignoring it pressed against the gray material.
“Something you need, beautiful?”
Damn her body for reacting to him like a common hussy. I want to be a hussy with a tiny bit of decorum.
“No. And if you don’t want to lose that appendage of yours, which seems to be a favorite, you may want to get back inside. Yes, the snow has stopped, but it’s cold out here.”
He encroached on her space once again. “You sure?” Bradford brushed against her and she clamped her lips together to keep her moan contained.
“Positive.” She turned away before she gave in to her rampaging baser instincts. “Make your call and head inside.”
It wasn’t easy putting one foot in front of the other, but she managed to drag her body from his. Piros bounded beside her, happy to get some time outdoors. The urge to look over her shoulder nearly had her caving but she held on. Only after she’d made it past some of the towering trees on the property did she stop and sag against a trunk, depending on it to hold her up.
“I’m the eldest female. I should be levelheaded and not making up scenarios where I’ve fallen in love with some rich boy whose plane went down. For goodness’ sake, sure he’s a god in bed, but that’s not a reason to develop feelings. We’ll be going our own ways soon enough.”
Why she didn’t believe the words she’d just uttered to the universe, she couldn’t explain. Shoving away from the tree, she exhaled sharply then set out again, turning up the collar of her coat to help ward off the chill.
She didn’t stay out long enough to change her body’s mind of what it should be focused on. However, she was feeling better about everything, having also cleaned off her car and made sure the engine would turn over.
As she walked to the door—that ugly red she would be changing right away—she thought about how stunning this place was going to be once she was done. Just like that, her decision had been made. She was keeping the place and was going to turn it into some kind of sanctuary.
She moved up the hallway, envisioning it finished and, oh, warm. A second’s pause before she opened the door to the one warm room in the place, and Bradford turned his head to meet her gaze as he knelt before the camp stove. The smile that curved up his lips should have come with a warning label.
“What are you making?”
“Coffee.”
She could go for that right now. “Nice.” Iris shrugged out of her coat and draped it over the back of a chair near the fire. She had taken three steps toward Bradford before she realized she’d been about to kiss him, like they had such a relationship. Stopping, she returned to the fire and removed her boots to let them dry.
“On the bed.”
