Authors: Abby Wood

That Kind of Special (15 page)

Such a celebration called for a little craziness. Her parents were more in love than ever, and that was saying a lot. Never once had she doubted that their relationship was the strongest she’d ever seen, despite their odd decision to divorce years ago. Their example helped her realize that she and Trent had that kind of special. A once-in-a-lifetime kind of special.

She stopped and planted her hands on Trent’s chest. “Go sit down, and I’ll grab us a beer.”

“Right.” He watched her carefully. “No more dancing?”

She laughed. “I promise.”

He strolled in the direction of Tim and Doreen, who stood at the side of the yard not talking, barely looking at each other. Katina rubbed her arms, wondering what was going on in Doreen’s head. Doreen had pulled back from seeing Tim, telling him she needed time and they were going too fast.

Poor Tim was half-crazy and completely stumped on how he could help Doreen and bring her back to him. It was plain for anyone watching that Tim loved Doreen. Except Doreen couldn’t see past what Colby put her through to trust again.

“Katty.” Her dad hurried toward her. “I’ve lost your mom. Have you seen her?”

She smiled and pointed to her left. “Talking to Mrs. Grennan by the patio.”

“There she is.” He chuckled. “Have you ever seen such a beautiful woman?”

She wasn’t looking at her mom, but her dad. He’d aged well, if not stubbornly, but there were definitely new lines on his face and little more sag to his shoulders and a few less hairs on his head. The love in his smile as he gazed at her mom, though, was deeper. She understood that feeling of absolute contentment, because she’d found that necessary emotion she craved and needed with Trent.

“Nope.” She put her arm around her dad’s back. “She’s also lucky to have a man like my dad. Happy un-anniversary.”

“Thanks, sweetie.” Hank kissed her forehead and hugged her tight to his side. “You’ve got yourself a lucky man too. Do you think you’re going to make your relationship legal?”

“Dad!” She nudged him in the stomach. “You’re one to talk about being unconventional.”

He grinned. “What works for your mother and me is one of a kind. I want you to find what makes you happy. A grandchild or two might help.”

“Why don’t you pick on Becky and Joe, bother them about giving you grandchildren?”

“Bah.” Hank frowned. “They should be here, supporting their mom. Instead, they’re out doing their own thing.”

Her brother, Joe, had gone to Portland with a few of his buddies for the weekend, and her sister, Becky, had met a man last week and decided to take him up on a Vegas trip. No one knew who the guy was. She only hoped Becky wouldn’t come home sporting a wedding ring and a marriage certificate signed by Elvis.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment party, Dad. Mom only made up her mind last night and called us all,” she said.

“Yeah, she likes surprises.” He sighed. “Speaking of surprises, Trent and I had a talk while you were helping your mom decorate the patio.”

“About?”

“That’s between us, but I will tell you that you’ve got a decent man. He loves you.” He waved to Chuck Haines, one of his bowling buddies. “Trent lives, breathes, and wakes up every morning for the sole purpose of spending another day with you.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She kissed him, stepping away.

“Hey, where are you going?” he asked.

“I’m going to get my man a beer, and then I think I’ll sit in his lap and tell him how much I love him.” She waved over her shoulder.

As she walked passed her mom, she stopped long enough to give her an air kiss and tell her happy un-anniversary, and pluck four bottles of beer out of the cooler of ice on the patio. Then she headed to the side yard and handed a drink to Tim, Doreen, and then Trent.

She slid onto Trent’s lap, while he popped the cap of her bottle. After a long drink, she leaned back against his chest and peered at Doreen and Tim. “Anything improving between those two?”

“No.” Trent patted her thigh. “I feel bad for Tim. He’s lost and doesn’t know what to do to help Doreen. I’ve been there, and it sucks.”

She could see that. Tim watched Doreen like an overprotective lover, while Doreen remained quiet, satisfied to look anywhere but at Tim.

Doreen’s face had healed and no longer showed any visible marks from the attack. Katrina wished she could do something, but Doreen shut down all talk of that day fast. She hated seeing two people she cared about suffering.

“Doreen?” She smiled when her friend turned toward her. “Trent and I are going to stay in the yacht tonight. Do you mind if Tim takes you home?”

Trent shook his head. “Baby, we can—”

“No, we can’t.” She widened her eyes, making her point come across. “Remember, Mom gave us that basket…chest thing in the garage. It’ll fit right in the space at the end of the bed. I’ve already measured it. It won’t fit in the trunk, so we’ll have to put it in the backseat.”

He rubbed his jaw. “Forgot,” he mumbled.

She squeezed his thigh. There was no chest, and they had no plans to go to the yacht.

“What do you say, Dor?” Tim moved closer. “Can I take you home?”

Doreen looked at her for help, but she smiled, encouraging her to go with Tim without embarrassing her friend. Finally, Doreen nodded. Tim blew out his breath. “How about we get an early start and make it over the bridge before the traffic at the stadium gets out?”

Doreen walked to her, gave her a hug, and whispered in her ear, “Thanks for inviting us.”

She stopped Doreen from pulling away. “Reach for it, honey. Dig deep and reach for that hand that wants to help you.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Doreen whispered.

“You can.” She kissed Doreen’s cheek. “Just keep reminding yourself that you’re strong and can do anything.”

Tim shook Trent’s hand, winked at Katina, and then turned and walked with Doreen toward the side of the yard. She settled back on Trent, and his mouth found her ear.

“Have I told you how much I fucking love you?” he said.

She smiled. “Not since before we danced.”

“The minute we get home, I will find out what color panties you’re wearing.” He ran his leg up her bare thigh, fingering the edge of her jean skirt. “Then I’m going to show you what else my belt can do besides hold up my pants. I want to see your arms tied, baby. I need to see what you look like knowing I can do anything and everything.”

Her nipples hardened, and she twisted on his lap. “Trent, we’re sitting in my mom’s backyard with all their friends,” she said.

He chuckled. “So?”

She glared. Then she burst out laughing. If she was going to aim for what her parents had together and end up happy for the rest of her life, she’d have to step up her game. She put her mouth on his ear and whispered, “Black.”

“Fuck me,” he muttered. “Panties?”

She inhaled a shuddering breath and on an exhale said, “Pink.”

He didn’t have to say anything. She stood and held out her hand. He grinned and clasped her fingers, letting her drag him out of the lawn chair. Ignoring the curious looks, the sly knowing smile from her mom, the thumbs-up from her dad, she continued to pull Trent through the back door of her childhood home, up the stairs, and into her old bedroom. She’d better start now if she was going to keep her man happy for a lifetime.

Loose Id Titles by Abby Wood

Didja Know…?

That Kind of Special

Throwing a Kink in the Kidnapping

Twice Her Age

Abby Wood

Top selling erotic romance author Abby Wood pens stories of love that take you into the bedroom and straight to the heart. Whether it’s the brooding cowboy who convinces the reluctant waitress to go home with him, or the older man who shows a young woman how much she can enjoy his protection, Abby’s books will keep you reading right to the happily ever after.

Writing under a pseudonym—because she blushes easily despite her wild imagination—Abby owns the small town, farm girl attitude that keeps her real.

Browse on over to
http://authorabbywood.com
for more information about the author and her latest books.

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