Dreams (Part One) (Dreams #1)(43)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

“Is there?“ She could hardly get the words out. She was ensnared in his glittering, determined gazed.

“Yes,“ Colby stated. “There is.“

The fact that he understood that, much was what made Diana keep her mouth shut as she went down the hall to get her overnight things.

“Dad blew up when I told him about meeting Grandmother today,“ Brandon said an hour later. He and Diana were sitting in two of the decrepit chairs on the porch of Aunt Jesse’s old house. Robyn was upstairs sulking, and Colby had gone back to work. “But he’s seriously angry about these stupid pranks someone’s playing on you.“

Diana sipped iced tea and regarded her companion with a skeptical expression. “Seriously angry? You think he’s more annoyed because of the pranks than he is because I introduced you to Margaret Fulbrook?“

“Definitely.“

“I think you’ve got that backward. Colby’s not happy about the pranks, but I would say that he was definitely, seriously angry about your meeting your grandmother.“

“Nah. You don’t know Dad as well as I do. When he starts yelling, he’s mad, all right. But he cools down after he’s let off steam. On the other hand, when he gets quiet, that’s when you know you’ve got a problem.“

“I’ll try to keep the distinction in mind,“ Diana said with a wry smile.

“Were you really on your way back to Portland?“

“Yes.“

“Dad must have come unglued.“

“No,“ Diana said reflectively. “He just got madder.“

“I’m glad you didn’t go. He’s really hung up on you, you know.“

“No, I don’t know. I can’t always figure your father out, Brandon.“

“Most people can’t. I know him better than anyone, and I still have problems figuring him out at times. But he’s okay when the chips are down, you know what I mean? He takes care of things.“

“I think you’re a lot like him in that respect, Brandon,“ Diana said gently. She was about to say something else but Robyn wandered out onto the porch at that moment. The young woman gave Diana a baleful glance and turned to Brandon.

“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do around here. You want to take a walk or something, Brandon? I need to talk to you.“

“Sure.“ Brandon got to his feet. “See you later, Diana. Want to come along, Specter?“ He slapped his thigh encouragingly.

Specter lumbered to his feet and cast a questioning glance at Diana.

“Go on,“ she said to the dog. “I’ll be fine.“

Specter trotted happily along after the pair, his shaggy tail waving cheerfully.

“Look at that fool dog,“ Colby said through the screen door. “Acts like he and Brandon have been best buddies for years. While I, on the other hand, get treated to bared teeth and salivating jaws.“

“I guess something about you just irritates him,“ Diana said as she poured herself more iced tea and watched Brandon and Robyn disappear into the woods. “Do you want some tea?“

“Thanks.“ He pushed open the screen door, walked out onto the porch and dropped into the chair Brandon had been using. He took the cold glass from her hand and gazed after Brandon and Robyn. “I get the feeling dear little Robyn has about had it with Fulbrook Corners.“

“I can empathize.“

“You still mad at me?“

Diana thought about it. “Yes.“

“You’ll get over it.“

“You think so?“

“Sure. I got over being mad at you, didn’t I?“ Colby pointed out with unarguable masculine logic.

“Did you?“

“Yes, damn it, I did.“ Colby set down his glass and reached over to snag her arm. He deftly removed the glass from her hand and pulled her out of her chair and across his lap. “Now stop trying to provoke me.“

“What is this? You get to be mad as long as you like, but as soon as you’re finished everyone else is supposed to go back to normal, too?“

“Works better that way.“ He cradled her close, his hand on her thigh, his lips in her hair.

“Colby, I want to talk to you.“

“Talk fast.“ His hand traveled up her jean-clad thigh and settled on her hip.

“I don’t think you’ve given this whole situation much thought.“

“What situation?“ His lips were on her throat.

Diana shivered and touched his shoulder longingly. “Me. Here in the house.“

“As long as I’m willing to tolerate that stupid mutt of yours underfoot, Where’s the problem?“

“Well, the sleeping arrangements for one thing. Do you have a fourth bedroom?“

“Nope. Only got three.“

“That’s what I thought. So where am I supposed to sleep?“

He drew back for an instant to look down at her with genuine surprise. “You sleep With me, naturally. Where did you think you were going to sleep?“

“But what about the kids? Do you think they ought to see us, uh, going off to bed together?“

“As you and my son have both taken pains to point out to me lately, Brandon is no longer a kid. He already knows I’m sleeping with you and he approves. What more do you want?“

“What about Robyn?“ Diana asked anxiously.

“If she’s old enough to sleep with Brandon, she’s old enough to handle the concept of a couple of genuine, grown-up adults sleeping together. Now stop worrying about it. The decision has already been made.“

“By you?“

“Yeah. By me.“ His hand slid up just under her breast, his thumb sliding into her cle**age. “Now, tell me what you picked up for dinner tonight.“

“I can’t seem to remember at the moment. All I can think about is dessert.“ She smiled up at him, her fingertips trailing teasingly down the front of his shirt to the waistband of his jeans.

He grinned. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?“

“It means I’m prepared to let you prove just how remorseful you really are.“

“Good idea. I’ll start proving it right now.“

Diana laughed and caught his exploring hand. “No, you will not. It’s almost time to start dinner, and Brandon and Robyn will be back soon.“

Colby muttered something under his breath and wrapped her so tightly to him that she squeaked. The sexy laughter faded from his eyes to be replaced with something more intense. “I think we can safely say we got though our first major quarrel today.“