He leaned forward, kissing her forehead. She wanted to punch him in the gut; it made her feel like he pitied her. Looking back into her eyes, he said, "You, sweetheart, are definitely a challenge, but no, that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I like you. A lot. We have fun together. I know you don't do traditional relationships, but I'm not a traditional kind of guy." He released his hold on her arms and took a step back. "If you could get past your stubbornness just a little, you'd find that out. And maybe, just maybe, mind you, you'd see that not all relationships are the same." He turned and walked back toward the door. With his hand on the door knob, he glanced back at her over his shoulder. "You've heard it dozens of times, I'm sure. Not all men are the same. The truth is, not all relationships are the same. The key is to find the one that fits you. I think we'd fit, because we both hate the rules. You proved that when you were prepared to break the rule you made with your sis
It was a risk, he knew, leaving her to make her own decision about the two of them. Karla was a stubborn woman; it was her excelling trait. She'd refuse to call him, even if she wanted to, just to prove to him that she was the one in control. Yet, Mitch knew she had to come to him to make their relationship work. She had to recognize that maybe, just maybe, there was someone out there who could give her what she craved without judging her.There was no doubt in Mitch's mind he was the one to do that. He knew what type of person Karla Harper was, knew what type of person she needed to be with and why. The issue wasn't that he didn't know all that; it was that Karla didn't know it. Now, the challenge was to make her see it.He stepped out of Karla's condo building and into the bright Florida Sunday morning. Slipping onto the seat of his bike, he pushed the ignition button and reached for his helmet. It was all in her hands now. She would either give him the chance or she wouldn't. If he
Another hump day and Karla was more than ready to go home and call it a night. She already spilled three drinks, made four wrong, and bitched Charlie out just for showing up again. Paul was about as ready to send her home as she was wanting to go. "What in the world has gotten into you lately?" he asked in a fit of frustration. "And it's not just tonight. Your mood has been sour all week. What has you in a tailspin?" He lifted the brown golfer's hat he started wearing recently off his head and wiped his brow with the back of his hand before replacing the hat. Karla thought it silly. He just wanted to touch the hat."Nothing," she snapped. "Charlie just annoys me.""Then you shouldn't have spread your legs for him. What the hell did you think was going to happen? And that's no excuse for your screw ups behind the bar. Get it together." Paul shook his head as he walked away.It wasn't Charlie, she knew, who caused her mistakes. He happened to be the kitten she could kick when she couldn'
Mitch sipped his coffee on his way to his recliner. It was too late for coffee, he knew, but he couldn't bring himself to sleep yet, and he didn't need alcohol in his current mood. He couldn't believe he had misjudged Karla so much. He thought for sure she would be at his place Monday night. He didn't expect her Sunday night, of course. Not the stubborn Karla Harper. Even if she wanted to go to him then, she would have waited just to prove some point that existed only in her head. But he thought for sure she would have been here the next day, feeling that she made him suffer enough.Had he misjudged her? Did she really not want a relationship? That disappointed him, because Mitch swore Karla was the perfect match to his tastes. She worried that he wanted a monogamous relationship, only promising her that he was different to give him a chance to change her. He didn't want to change her, however. He didn't want a monogamous relationship, either. He wanted Karla and everything she was. He
"Rules?" Aimee stared at her over breakfast, obviously just as confused about Mitch's non-traditional relationship as Karla. "What kind of rules do you make that allows you to cheat on your boyfriend?"Karla stabbed at her eggs as she shrugged. "He says it's not cheating as long as we both know it's happening. That's one of the rules. If we want to screw someone else, we have to tell the other one. Then, it's not sneaking around; it's just sex."Aimee stared at her, holding her coffee in front of her with both hands. Karla knew her traditional sister was having a hard time with everything Karla just told her. Karla struggled with it as well, if she was honest with herself, at least in understanding it, and she was the wildest of the twins. "He does know you, right? I mean, Karla Harper obeying the rules never worked before, not even for our parents, so why does he think he will be different or his rules any easier?"Karla shrugged. "I'm not really sure, to be honest, but he swears he c
"Mitch! Mitch, are you back here somewhere?"Mitch grabbed the part he needed off the back shelf and headed for the front of his shop and the male voice that called out to him. Brad Pennington stood there, hands in his pockets, searching the bay area of Mitch's shop for his friend. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out showing properties or something?" Mitch walked over, handing the rotor he carried to Lloyd before walking over to his workbench and turning back to Brad, leaning against the bench, arms over his chest. Mitch hadn't talked to his friend since the other morning in Karla's condo. It actually surprised him that the man even came to his shop.Brad shrugged. "I was just in the area showing some houses over in the Bay Lakes area and thought I'd swing by and say hey."Mitch gave him a skeptical look. "Just to say hey, huh?"Brad shrugged, sliding his hands into his back pockets. "Lame, huh? Actually, I wanted to apologize. I feel like I keep stepping in the middle of so
She didn't feel like dressing up, so she just slipped on a sundress and a pair of sandals before heading out the door, another cup of coffee in her hand. Yet, the screaming of the unanswered questions tumbling around in her head weren't the only disturbance to her morning. As she stepped into the condo's corridor, the echoing of pounding on a door, as well as someone persistently screeching Clint's name, assaulted her ears.Karla groaned, knowing it couldn't be Miss Fowler causing the ruckus. The woman was a snoop, but at least she was a quiet one. No, the only person who would cause such a commotion, who would disturb her peace, would be Bonnie. Karla's temper simmered as her muscles grew taut. "Hey!" she yelled, stopping just outside her door and folding her arms across her chest as she thrust a hip out to the side. "Unlike yourself, Clint works during the day. You're only disturbing the rest of us with your bullshit. Who the hell let you into the building anyway?"Bonnie Asher turne
Mitch stared at Karla, fighting the urge to snatch her into his arms and squeeze the hell out of her. It was in her nature to see the negative and think the worst of everything and everyone. It was maddening at times."So, let's see who wins, shall we? What do you have to lose?" To be honest, she had nothing to lose and he knew it. Even if she failed, even if they failed, she was already so set on not being in a relationship that it would be him who was left with a broken heart. She didn't seem to be the type to invest herself too much into anything. Oh, she pretended, of course. It was part of the game after all. But it wasn't real. She always played a part, a role for others, while doing her best to rake in the proceeds of the box. He knew he had his work cut out for him, but he was determined to see it through, even if she forced them to crash and burn.Karla stayed still, hands still crossed over her chest. "And what about these rules of yours?"He shrugged. "There's really only tw
They were the last ones to arrive at the park, the others already choosing a spot and Marvin Asher firing up the grill. Karla wore a skirt that actually covered everything it should and had her breasts tucked conservatively out of sight. Aimee was shocked but glad. Clint's parents would get to know all about her sister soon enough. Aimee didn't need the first meeting to be a shocker for them.Abby ran to the Ashers first, giving them each a hug and squealing when her grandfather picked her up and threatened to throw her in the air. Then, to Aimee's surprise and delight, the little girl ran to Aimee's mother and hugged her as well. She offered the others a quick hello and then darted for the playground, Clint's mother following just to keep a nervous eye on her. Paul and Mitch stood beside the picnic table, Karla clinging to Mitch's side, as Aimee's mother sat in front of them, all talking and laughing. Aimee stood still a moment, soaking in this perfect scene. They were one big happy f
Aimee stretched, her arms extending out to her side only to come up short as her hand hit another body. Rolling over, she gently ran a hand over Clint's face, a smile dancing across her own. The Saturday morning light peeked through his curtains, calling them to rise and shine, but Aimee ignored it, as she had tried to do every morning since Monday night. Every night she fell asleep beside him, and every morning she woke up wrapped around him, her arms exploring his naked chest. No matter how tired they were when they went to bed, the two of them decided, for Abby's sake, they'd make sure they wore pajamas before falling asleep. A young girl still had moments of nightmares, after all, and needed her Daddy in the middle of the night. Monday night everything changed. Bonnie was no longer his wife. Oh, he still had to stand before the judge next week and make it official, but for all intents and purposes, it was a done deal. Nothing stood in the way of their happiness now.She ran a fing
When the kiss broke, he grinned down at her. "Just tell me we can do some more photo shoots."She laughed again, harder, freer. "Clint Asher, I'll do whatever you want. All you have to do is name it." She kissed him again, this time softer, with less urgency, but just as much passion.When the kiss was over, she slid back into her seat, scooping up her wine glass as she did. "So tell me about today."He did, sharing with her how Bonnie wasn't planning on signing the papers in the beginning. First, he told her Bonnie's revelation of a need for family and why she returned. Then, he explained how he convinced her how signing the papers was the only way for the two of them to get on with their lives, that she could be the best mother to Abby she could be, but she would never again be his wife. He told Bonnie that she needed to respect Aimee and make the transition as smooth as possible. They were Abby's parents, but they would never be friends.When he finished, Aimee told him about Bonnie
The night dragged on, and Aimee could not shake her nervousness. Clint had asked her over to join them for dinner but still had not said anything about what he felt they needed to discuss. He hadn't even mentioned his meeting with Bonnie that afternoon, which made Aimee keep quiet about how the woman visited her. No need to bring up the subject if he was going to end it with her.Abby was a bundle of energy, bouncing on the couch and wanting to dominate the attention. After growing bored with that, she dragged Aimee to her room and played tea, while her father cooked dinner and music played from the front room. As Aimee played dolls with Abby, she wondered if the girl knew the extent of everything that was happening in the lives of the adults around her or if she was blissfully oblivious. For the little girl's sake, she hoped it was the latter."Dinner's ready," Clint called from the front room. Aimee had to admit he sounded happy since she arrived, not as if he was ready to send her o
A knock came at the door. Aimee glanced over her shoulder but didn't move to answer it. If it was Clint, she wanted to postpone the inevitable for as long as possible.Whoever it was knocked again. Karla stepped out of the hallway, glanced at Aimee, and then moved to answer the door. "You worry too much," Karla said over her shoulder.Aimee turned back to the ocean, the curling waves matching the churning in her stomach. She knew she was being dramatic, but she couldn't stop herself. She hated defeat."What the hell are you doing here?" Karla's voice snapped Aimee's attention around. Expecting to see Clint standing there, she was stunned when she noticed Bonnie, the woman ramrod straight, her neck stiff, and one white-knuckled hand gripping her purse strap close to her shoulder. Aimee could feel the confusion furrowing her brow, her eyes squinting, as if trying to make sure she saw what she actually saw. "Bonnie?""Again I ask, what are you doing here?" Karla stood in front of the oth
Something went wrong. While Aimee had no idea what that something was, she knew it had to be about Clint's divorce. Why else would he text her saying they needed to talk right after meeting with Bonnie? The waves barreled onto the shore, breaking upon the sand and rearranging the Atlantic Coast, just as Clint's text rearranged her security, sending her spinning in the riptide of the unknown. She stared at the white foam as the ocean sucked it back out into the deeper waters, reclaiming it as its own. Had Bonnie succeeded in the same thing with Clint? Had she won the fight and taken her husband back? Once again regaining her happy little family?She closed her eyes against the onslaught of scenarios that pummeled her mind, her head screaming against the intrusion. With everything she could muster, she tried to fight the battle within her, giving Clint the assurance he wanted that she believed him when he told her he would be here forever. Yet, it wasn't her experience. Men said whatev
Clint pulled into the local Starbucks, deciding it was the safest place to meet Bonnie to get her to sign the divorce papers. Hopefully, the opportunity for her to respond negatively would be greatly reduced by the public meeting. He had no doubt that meeting her in private would lead to her doing something detrimental to the proceeding. He just wanted to get her to sign the divorce papers and get the whole thing over with, so he could get on with the rest of his life, get on with his relationship with Aimee.He sighed. Hopefully, get Aimee to calm down and return to normal. It wasn't that all the adventures she came up with weren't hot as hell. They were, and he wouldn't mind doing them, but not if she only did them to compete with Bonnie. He wanted Aimee to be Aimee, the woman he fell in love with, the woman who sat on the couch with him and Abby and watched Disney movies, the woman who jumped into a flour fight in the kitchen, giggling and tossing the white powder everywhere. He did
Aimee stretched, her body screaming its protest at her, hating the fact that morning was already here, and she needed to rise and shine. Only one part of that would be possible until after coffee. She rolled over, her gaze drifting to the sliding glass doors at the east of her bedroom. The morning sun coaxed her, urging her to call into work and take the day off, to make a day of it at the beach, the sun's rays kissing her flesh. She grinned, scrunching down into her covers, her mind drifting to Clint's lips on hers, the passion in each one of his kisses, warming her insides like the sun would warm her outside. If she was going to call out of work, she wanted to spend the day in bed with Clint.Once they left his workshop, he went to pick up Abby and then met her at Charlie's for dinner. Abby was a chatty little girl, while she drew on her kid's menu, excited about being out with them. It was even pleasant to sit at a table, Clint's arm stretched across as he held her hand, Abby bounci
They spent the next hour moving things around in his workshop, setting up a photo shoot of the furniture he intended on selling, and making each piece look enticing. Aimee threw herself into the task at hand, examining the shadows cast by the lighting inside the workshop and making a small studio spot off to the side with nothing in the background, using some of his dark dropcloths as background drops. Clint helped her move things around, happy to be the manual labor to her vision for his photos.Outside, night started to fall, casting darker shadows on the ground as lamp posts popped on, offering only a slimmer of light to illuminate the world. Aimee finished taking her pictures: rocking chairs, tables, even a dresser Clint had crafted himself. They teased, laughing at each other when Aimee wasn't so focused on what she was doing. This was her passion, taking pictures, and she could get lost in the process for hours, inspecting angles and lighting, zooming in and out, carefully select