“PARTNER?” HE arched surprised brows. I braced myself for some sort of scathing comment, but none was forthcoming. Instead, he gave me a very charming smile. “I wouldn’t have thought someone as pretty as you could do such dangerous work as my son does…. Miss Delarosa, did you say?”
I quickly gathered my startled thoughts, even as a voice somewhere in the back of my head wondered if he was flirting with me. But that couldn’t be, surely. Not unless he was buying my cover as a female.
“Yes, but please, call me Vinnie. Everyone does.”
“Vinnie it is, then,” he said pleasantly.
“And what should I call you?” I boldly continued. If I’d had a fan, I would have rapped him with it and giggled girlishly. I had to remind myself I wasn’t in Southern belle mode anymore. “Reverend Thorne?”
“You may call me Joseph,” he replied with another smile before he turned to Ethan. “Son, why haven’t you brought your lovely partner home to meet us before? I presume she is the one you are living with?”
He didn’t exactly say living in sin, but the phrase hung in the air all around us.
“Yes, this is my Vinnie,” Ethan affirmed. Well, that certainly was the truth, wasn’t it?
The father returned his attention to me. “I’m sorry it took such a catastrophic event to bring you to us, Vinnie, but I’m very happy to make your acquaintance.”
“Likewise, I’m sure,” I said.
“Father, did Mom wake up?” Sarah asked.
“No, she didn’t, and the nurse just told me they’ve given her something for the night, so she probably won’t wake again until morning. There’s nothing more we can do here tonight.”
Looked like the hospital wouldn’t have to kick us out, since the reverend was pretty well telling us we should go, if I understood him correctly. I was getting the strong impression that he liked to control those around him. No wonder Ethan found it difficult to spend much time with him. That and the homophobia, which ensured Ethan couldn’t be himself with his own father.
“I’d like to tell her good night before we go,” Ethan quickly spoke up.
His father hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding his assent. “That’s a lovely idea. I’m sure your mother would appreciate it, were she awake. Will you be staying at the house?” At first I assumed his question was directed at us, but then I realized he was speaking to Sarah.
“No, I’m staying with Mercy,” she replied. “She’s watching Alexander for me.”
“And how is my grandson? I’d like to see him.”
“He’s doing well, but I’m afraid it’s past his bedtime,” she said apologetically.
“Tomorrow, then,” he said and turned toward me, as if that ended the matter. To him, it probably did. “So, Miss Vinnie, I look forward to getting to know the woman who stole my son’s heart. I had begun to despair that he’d ever get married.”
Who said we were getting married? I tried to keep the panic from my voice, knowing damn well that Ethan had heard and was probably staring at me like I was some kind of strange three-headed monster. He’d never asked me, and I had no idea what I’d say if he did. So I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“I think we’re good with living in sin, thanks for asking.”
Did I really just say that? Oh. My. God.
An enormous silence engulfed us, the embarrassing kind where everyone wonders who’s gonna speak first and say what everyone else is thinking. I prayed I hadn’t just ruined everything for Ethan.
I started to stutter out something, I have no idea what, when Ethan’s father began to laugh in deep, rich tones. Even his laughter sounded domineering—low and controlled. “You are a breath of fresh air, Miss Vinnie. My son’s a lucky man.” His expression grew more sober as he added, “I’m sure he’ll make an honest woman of you soon.” He spun sharply on his heels, in almost military precision, and headed toward the door. He paused in the doorway long enough to add, “We’ll have lunch tomorrow.” And then he vanished into the hallway.
I stared at him in stunned silence. All I could think to say was, “Wow.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” Ethan said wryly. “C’mon, babe, let’s tell Mom good night.” He glanced at his twin. “Want to come back to the motel with us? Do you have time?”
“Sure, I have time, I’d like that.” She trailed us down the hall. We reentered the hospital room. It didn’t appear that his mother had moved since we left, but at least her sleep seemed peaceful. Could have been worse.
Ethan bent over his mother and kissed her forehead. “I’m here, Mom,” he said. “I’ll be back again tomorrow. I love you.” She never stirred, and I watched him suppress a sigh. He turned his head and forced a smile. “Ready to go, Vin?”
“Can… do you mind if I say good night too?” I asked. I couldn’t help but think of my own mother, lying in her hospital bed. I know she must have been scared, but she never let me see her fear.
“Sure, go ahead.” If he was surprised, he hid it well, taking a step back to make room for me between him and the bed. Stepping into the space he’d vacated, I smoothed down her blankets, a habit I’d acquired when I was watching my mother die, then lightly kissed her temple.
“Sleep well,” I murmured. “Ethan and I are here for you.” I didn’t expect a response, and I didn’t receive one. I straightened and reached for Ethan’s hand. He squeezed it reassuringly and led me from the room. We waited just outside the door for Sarah to join us.
Once we left the room, Ethan hugged me to him tightly, and I held on to him with all my strength, not trusting my voice. Too many memories threatened to surface, and I didn’t want that to happen. Not now.
Ethan and I, we needed each other so very much. More and more I was coming to realize he needed me just as much as I did him. There was no weak or strong here, there was only us, and nothing could pry us apart.
Not even Ethan’s oh-so-charming homophobic father.
Sarah opted to follow us back to the motel in her own car. Grateful to be out from under the almost-mesmerizing influence of Ethan’s father, I leaned back in my seat and breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“You did good, babe,” Ethan reassured me, reaching for my hand. “I’m proud of you. I think you made a good impression on my father. I don’t think he had any clue about you.”
“So far, so good,” I agreed, although I wondered how long that goodwill might last. I was used to playing a woman among men who understood who and what I really was. This was a new arena for me.
Once we arrived at the motel and parked, we waited as Sarah pulled in beside us, and then walked up to our room on the second floor. As soon as Ethan opened the door, Benny flew across the room to greet us, yipping excitedly. Ignoring Ethan and me, he sniffed at Sarah, who seemed enchanted by him.
“Oooh, who’s the precious baby?” she cooed, scooping him up and lavishing attention on him. Of course, he ate it up, since obviously he never received any affection from his fathers.
I rolled my eyes at the pup, a gesture that was utterly lost on him, of course. “I’ll remember this when you want a dog biscuit, young man,” I pretended to scold him.
Ethan just laughed, even as he answered her question with, “That’s Benny.”
“Where did you get him?” she asked.
“Long story,” Ethan said. “Do you want a soda or something?” He looked between us. “I noticed there’s a machine on the first floor.”
“That depends,” I quipped, “on what you’re going to spike it with.”
“Sorry, babe, I have nothing.” I’d known that, and I was joking. Sort of. “Want to split something with me?”
I nodded. He knew me very well.
“I’ll take some fruit juice, or water, if you’re offering,” Sarah spoke up.
“Help yourself.” I forestalled his next question, motioning to the purse I’d tossed onto the bed. He fished out some coins and slipped them into his pocket.
“I’ll be right back.” He tossed me the key card. “I’ll just knock when I get back. Our usual.”
Once he’d closed the door behind him, I motioned to Sarah to sit. “Go ahead and take the chair.”
“Thanks.” She seated herself, and Benny made himself at home on her lap. I perched on the edge of the bed and toed off my flats. I couldn’t wait to get out of these panty hose and this dress, but I’d have to postpone undressing until after Sarah was gone. I’d sort of neglected to bring any of my actual clothes, too caught up in playing my feminine counterpart, and I didn’t have a thing to wear. That was a stupid move on my part, but one I couldn’t remedy right now.
“So, Vinnie… it’s really good to finally meet you,” Sarah began. “I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances.” She gave me a sharp look. “Tell me something. Was Ethan as closemouthed about us to you as he was to me about you?”
“Pretty much,” I admitted. “I knew he had family, but he never went into any details. Not until… I mean, not until you called.”
“Yeah, most of what I know I figured out on my own. I knew there was someone in his life, and I knew he had a partner on his job. When he did show up for visits, he was happier than I’d ever seen him. And knowing he was gay, and that he had a male partner, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together. I’m glad to finally be able to put a face and name with that now.”
“This is not my usual face,” I assured her with a grimace. “Maybe someday you’ll get to see the man under the makeup.”
Sarah laughed, then turned serious again. “I know he was only trying to protect you,” she said, “and I get that, I really do. I know how our father is, how our brother is too. This is difficult for all of us, and I really hate that you have to go through this, and I admire what you’re willing to go through for my brother.”
“If it means the difference between getting to be with Ethan and not,” I said frankly, “then I’d wear a dress every day of the week.”
She gave me a warm smile. “I knew I liked you the moment I saw you,” she said. “Ethan’s a lucky man.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I said, just as a knock came at the door. I listened, and when I heard his familiar pattern, I padded to the door and opened it, admitting Ethan. I scanned the parking lot briefly before closing the door once more.
He handed his sister a bottle of something fruity, then turned to me as he popped the top on a can and offered it to me. I shook my head and returned to the bed. Propping the pillows behind my back, I stretched out my legs, sitting back against the headboard. Ethan gave me a look of surprise.
“I thought you’d have changed by now.”
I snorted in self-derision. “I would if I could, but I seem to have forgotten all my own clothes.”
“Aw, poor baby,” he cooed. “We can get you something—”
“What, and walk into a men’s shop like this?” I indicated the dress and panty hose. “I could get away with buying men’s clothes, sure, but the minute I asked to use the dressing room, I’m pretty sure my cover would be blown. Besides, where would I wear anything but this? Not like we’re here on holiday or anything.”
“I know, I know.” Ethan sat beside me on the bed. He took my hand and rubbed it gently. “I promised you a vacation, didn’t I? This isn’t quite what I had in mind.”
He looked so distraught I couldn’t stand it. I pulled him to me until our foreheads touched, gazing into his eyes. “Shh, don’t talk like that. All I want is to be with you, no matter what. Nothing else matters.”
Our mouths came together, and I tasted his need, as much as I was sure he could taste mine, and for a long moment, we simply held on to each other.
Somewhat belatedly, I remembered we weren’t alone in the room. Luckily, my memory lapse ended before we did anything more than kiss. We drew back from each other. Well, a little bit, anyway. And we both wore sheepish but unrepentant grins.
“Don’t mind me,” Sarah said. “Benny and I are just fine.”
“So.” Ethan cleared his throat, sitting back against the headboard beside me as he contemplated his sister. “Where’s Scott?”
“Atlanta,” she replied, but something in her tone told me there was more of a story there than she was willing to let on. Ethan didn’t seem to be buying it either.
“Is he coming?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “So, have you two been together ever since you were partnered?”
Nice way to change the subject.
“Not exactly,” Ethan said, at the same time I waffled, “Yeah, we’ve been working together ever since then.”
Way to skirt the issue. Somehow I knew that answer wasn’t going to fly very long. And it didn’t.
“I don’t think she means workwise,” Ethan said, and I could just hear the amusement in his voice. I knew that wasn’t what she meant, but I didn’t want to admit that I’d been the fly in the ointment of our relationship at the beginning. It was complicated.
“Oh, so it wasn’t love at first sight?” Damn, she had the same smirk he did. And the same ability to make me blush. Was this what it was like to have a sibling, or was this a twin thing?
“I fell for Vinnie like a ton of bricks,” Ethan continued. “It took him longer to warm up to me.”
Now I was ready to sink into the bed and let it swallow me. For not having mentioned how he felt about me to his sister before today, Ethan was sure making up for lost time with his version of true confession.
Well, two could play that game.
“What was Ethan like when he was little?” I countered. “Was he always so bratty?” I had a feeling he was adorable as hell, even when he was being bad.
“He was always a brat,” Sarah confirmed with a grin.
“Hey!” Ethan protested. “I was not. You were a lot worse than I was. You just got away with it because you’re a girl.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Of course I did. What kind of stories do you want to hear, Vinnie? How about how he had to have his teddy bear with him or he wouldn’t go to sleep at night?”
“Oh God,” Ethan groaned, but I was all ears. Just the kind of story I wanted to hear.
“He had a teddy bear?” How cute was that.
“He did,” Sarah affirmed. “Mr. Pookie. And if Mr. Pookie wasn’t in bed with him, he’d have a fit until Mom found him. Usually he was just underneath the bed from the night before.”
“Aw, that’s so adorable,” I cooed. Turning to Ethan, I chucked him under the chin. “Do you want me to get you a new teddy bear, sweetie?”
“I have a new teddy bear,” Ethan countered, a mischievous gleam in his eyes that told me he was about to turn the tables on me. “My teddy stands about five foot ten, has long dark hair, and beautiful blue eyes, and the sexiest ass—”
“Ethan Thorne!” I couldn’t believe he’d just said that. And in front of his sister. They both broke into gales of laughter while I only blushed all the harder. Ethan brought himself under control first.
He tried to pull me into his arms, but I resisted his attempts to placate me. “Ah, baby, don’t be like that, I meant that in a good way.” Finally I relented and let him hold me to his chest, and he kissed the top of my head.
I heard Sarah heave a sigh, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Sounded like there might be trouble in paradise. That might explain the missing spouse. Ethan and I sat up straighter, turning our attention to her.
“How’s my cute little nephew?” Ethan asked.
“Do you have any pictures of him?” I wanted to know.
Sarah brightened immediately. “Let me get my wallet out of my purse.”
“Uh-oh, give me Benny first,” I advised her. He’d been on his best behavior lately, but there was no sense in tempting fate.
She slung her bag over her shoulder, carried him over to the bed, and handed him into my waiting arms. “He has bad habits,” I explained. “We’re still working on them.”
“What kind of bad habits can that cutie have?” She unzipped her purse, rummaging in the contests.
“He steals purses,” Ethan said. “I’m afraid he’s a professional.”
“A dog that’s a professional purse thief?” She looked up from her purse. “That’s something you don’t run across every day. How’d you get him?”
“We were on a job,” Ethan said. “Vinnie was wearing a dress, trying to lure out a mugger in this park in Roanoke, but we got more than we bargained for—we ended up with Benny.”
She looked at Benny critically for a moment. “He does kind of remind me of Uncle Benny,” she commented, and wasn’t that scary?
“Have you talked to him?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah, I’ve been keeping him updated on Mom. He said he might come visit Sunday, when it’s safer.”
Safer? What did that even mean? Where did the danger lie in visiting someone in the hospital?
“Whose brother is your uncle?” I asked.
“Mom’s,” Ethan and Sarah said in unison.
“He and my dad do not get along,” Sarah added.
“And that is an understatement,” Ethan said.
That raised the unknown uncle higher in my estimation. “Is that because of his doing time?” I asked. I remembered Ethan’s comment that his uncle had been in prison for armed robbery.
“That didn’t help,” Ethan said, “but mostly because Uncle Benny’s out. And Father makes no bones about hating gay men.” His forehead puckered in a frown. I’m sure his words had brought home the hatred that would no doubt descend on his own head if he should ever be outed to his father. No one should ever have to feel like that. I was beginning to dislike Joseph Thorne more and more with everything I learned of him.
“So why is Sunday safer?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Because Father will be preaching his weekly sermon at the church,” Sarah replied.
“You mean he’d rather play preacher than be with his sick wife?” I blurted out. What kind of a man was he?
“Welcome to our world,” Ethan said sadly.
Sarah’s little boy Alexander was adorable. At the age of two, he was a future heartbreaker, with his red hair, bright blue eyes, and killer smile.
“Just like his father,” Sarah said, and she looked so sad I wanted to hug her, but I didn’t know her well enough to do that, so I focused on his picture instead. Looked like someone still had feelings for her ex, I noted. Could that be a bone of contention between her and her husband, maybe? An insecure man might not like a constant reminder of the guy who came before him, even if said guy was out of the picture. I hoped he didn’t blame Alexander for what wasn’t his fault.
I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the little boy who was the innocent center of this storm. I hoped Sarah’s husband didn’t take out his feelings on him. He should love him, right? He was his father now. Sadly, I realized life didn’t always work that way. Better to have no dad than a bad one. Ethan would be far better off too, I felt, without his. Not that I was an expert on the matter. Which is why I kept my mouth shut.
Caught up in listening to Sarah’s tales of Alexander, and in the cuteness of her many pictures of him, I lost track of time until Sarah began to openly yawn.
She glanced at her watch. “Shit, it’s almost midnight. I have to get going. Alex gets up awful early.”
“You sure you’re awake enough to drive?” Ethan asked with a worried frown. “I can drive you home and pick you up again tomorrow. I don’t want to see you have an accident, Sar.”
Sarah yawned again. She rose from the end of the bed where she’d been sitting and stretched her back. Coming around to his side, she patted his cheek. “I’m fine,” she assured him. “You and Vinnie should get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow’s gonna be a long day for all of us.”
“If you’re sure.” Ethan seemed reluctant to let his sister go, and I felt bad for him. He obviously was close to her. It must be hard on him not to see her very often, and I couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for that. If he didn’t have to hide me, maybe he could visit more. I knew that wasn’t entirely true either, but I was too tired to sort my mixed feelings out.
“I’m very sure. But hey, I tell you what. Come by Mercy’s house tomorrow morning and I’ll make us some breakfast, and you can play with Alex before we go to the hospital. I make a great omelet.”
I had to smile at that. So did Ethan.
“You sure Mercy won’t mind? I don’t want to just barge in,” Ethan said.
“I’m positive she won’t mind.” Sarah grinned, which morphed into another yawn. “She was just telling me she hoped she’d get to see you while you’re in town. She thinks you’re awfully cute, you know.”
Ethan turned incredibly red, and I began to wonder should I be jealous, when Sarah took my hand in hers and patted it. “Don’t worry. Ethan’s not really her type any more than she’s his. Doesn’t mean she can’t think he’s hot, right?”
I had to admit that was true. It was too late to think anything else.
“If you really think it’s okay, then sure. Is that okay with you, Vin?”
I mumbled my assent and felt myself relax into Ethan’s warmth. Their combined laughter brought me quickly awake. I blinked against the sleepiness that was trying to claim me.
“Bye, guys,” Sarah said. She gave us each a quick peck, ruffled Benny’s fur softly, and headed out the door. Neither of us spoke, and I found my eyelids growing heavier and heavier as I sank back into Ethan.
“Hey babe, let’s get you out of that before you end up sleeping in it.” Ethan’s voice brought me back to semiconsciousness. Right, dress. Undress. I forced myself to focus, but it was difficult.
I felt Ethan get off the bed. The next thing I knew, he was at my feet. He carefully rolled my panty hose down and off, then helped me untuck, although I was too tired to feel any relief. He helped me to my feet and turned me so I faced the bed as he pulled the zipper down on the back of my dress.
“Hands up, like it’s a stickup,” he instructed me, and I sleepily obeyed. The dress came off, followed by the bra and falsies, leaving me naked. I felt his hand slide across my ass cheek, and tired as I was, it still felt good.
I mumbled something about making love, not even sure how coherent I sounded.
“I can’t take advantage of a woman when she’s half-asleep,” Ethan teased, and I didn’t even bother to correct him. I watched him hang up my dress in the closet and then undress himself. I watched his disrobing with interest.
“You sure look good, wanna eat you up.”
“Tomorrow,” he said, pulling back the blankets. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. I set the alarm on my watch already.”
“Why?” I couldn’t think why that would be important.
“Breakfast with Sarah, remember?”
Oh yeah.
I lay down on the starchy hotel linens, then sprang up again. “Where’s Benny?”
“In the drawer, sleeping,” Ethan reassured me. “Lie down, babe.”
I did as he said, and he climbed in beside me. “Wanna make love,” I repeated stubbornly. He slid his arms around me, and whispered he loved me, and then I fell asleep.