Nick shook out his T-shirt, but it still looked like he’d been wearing it for three days straight. Couldn’t be helped. He put it on, took a quick glance in the mirror and shrugged. There was no improving that mess.
He grabbed Eva’s clothes off the floor, picked up her boots and started down the stairs. Her underwear was still warm. And fragrant. Fiona’s sudden appearance had taken care of his woody, but the silky material of her panties and the sweet scent of arousal recreated the problem.
Her bedroom door was closed. He deposited her boots beside it, stuffed her undies in one of the boots and laid her clothes on top. After running a short mental video of submerging his cock in a bowl of ice cubes, he was good to go.
He hadn’t succeeded in bringing the mirror downstairs, but guaranteed he’d get those stones dug. With the energy coursing through him, he could rip them up with his bare hands.
Funny how things worked out. Auctioning off his labor had led to sweating like a pig while working in Eva’s toasty house, thus creating an aroma that drove her wild.
If he’d taken her on a date, instead, that secret might never have revealed itself. He generally arrived for a date smelling like a rose, or more accurately, a pine tree.
Clearly that was the wrong strategy if he wanted to awaken Eva’s lust. He might not have CJ’s blond hair or his musical talent with a guitar, but he had awesome sweat.
Did it only work on Eva? What if it affected Fiona, too? That would be awkward. He’d keep his distance, just to be on the safe side.
When he walked into the living room, she stood gazing at the picture of the lady running through the field of wildflowers. Last night she’d fixed her hair so it curled around her shoulders. Today it was in a ponytail.
She turned and smiled. “I don’t have to ask what you’ve been doing.”
Damn, he was blushing. “Got all the boxes down at last. Lot of boxes. Took a while. I’m a little overheated.” Would that explain his pink cheeks?
“I’m sure.” Curiosity flickered in her eyes, but no lust. “So there was a wedding dress stored in the trunk? What’s up with that?”
“I’d better let Eva tell you about it. Can I get you something?” He asked automatically, although he had no clue what Eva had on hand. But she’d appointed him head of the hospitality committee so he’d do his best.
“Thanks, but I won’t be staying long. I just thought I’d pop over and find out if you and Eva had unearthed anything exciting in all those boxes full of who-knows-what. It would be like hunting for buried treasure.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I saw the coat tree by the front door. Were you able to bring that cheval mirror down?”
“Everything but that. It has issues.”
“So she said. Must be what she was helping you with when her pants split.”
“Exactly.” That was Eva’s story and he was sticking to it.
“Actually, part of my reason for coming over was to talk with you if I had a chance.” She took a step closer.
“Me?” He took a step back.
“It’s about my dinner date with Leo tonight.” She was on the move again.
“Oh?” He edged away from her. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem.” She took another step toward him. “I’m just really nervous.”
“Don’t worry. Leo’s a great guy. You’ll have a wonderful time.” He backed up and bumped into one of the wingbacks.
“Nick, am I making you nervous?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then why are you backing away from me? I showered and brushed my teeth, so I shouldn’t—”
“It’s not you. It’s me. I’ve been sweating like crazy and I don’t want to offend you with the way I smell.” Or accidentally get you hot.
“Oh, that.” She waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t bother me.” She stepped forward again. “The thing is, I’m a little intimidated by this date with Leo. He’s so good-looking. Of course, all of you are. I didn’t mean it like the rest of the Brotherhood is average, but—”
“Compared to Leo, we’re average. We know it and he hates being reminded of it.”
“Why? Why does he have such a problem with looking amazing? I don’t get it. Most guys would—”
“Leo’s not most guys.” Evidently his manly aroma did nothing for her. What a relief.
She studied her tan loafers for a few seconds. Then she glanced up. “I would never ask you to reveal deep, dark Brotherhood secrets, but I don’t know the first thing about Leo and when I tried asking questions last night, he dodged them. I’m flying blind.”
“Believe it or not, so are we. I can tell you he comes from Southern California. Judging from the way he frowns when he mentions the area, he didn’t care for it. He loves Montana, horses and working at the Buckskin. He also loves Henri Fox and the Babes. If you’re searching for topics of interest, those are good ones.”
She nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“My guess is he’ll be interested in learning about you. He’d much rather talk about the person he’s with than himself.”
“My story’s not all that exciting.”
He smiled. “It will be after Leo drags out all the details. He’s a natural storyteller.”
“Unless it’s his story.”
“True.” Nick had met Fiona for the first time at the event last night and hadn’t learned much about her. Leo hadn’t been talkative this morning, either.
Nick liked what he was hearing now, though. Clearly Fiona viewed Leo as a person of value aside from his handsome face and toned body. Leo should be happy about that.
“I feel a little better knowing he protects his privacy around you guys, too. I don’t need his whole life story. It’s just a date. I’ll—”
“I’m here!” Eva scampered down the stairs barefoot. She wore a different pair of jeans and a green shirt that matched her eyes. “Fiona, gathering intel for tonight?”
“You know me too well.” She laughed. “But I didn’t come over just for that. I was hoping you’d managed to unlock the trunk and sure enough, you did!”
“Not me. Nick.”
Fiona glanced at him. “You can pick locks?”
“Some. Luckily this turned out to be one of them.” So much had happened since he’d managed that feat and yet it was only early afternoon.
“It was an exciting moment.” Eva’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. She was always animated—well, except when she’d recently been wiped out by a powerful orgasm—but in this moment, she was supercharged. “The suspense was killing me.”
“The suspense is still killing me,” Fiona said. “I asked Nick about the wedding dress and he said the story was yours to tell.”
Eva flashed him a look that said he’d made the right call. He’d take all the points he could get.
She turned back to Fiona. “I’d rather show you than tell you. It’ll be much more dramatic. But it’s a two-part drama—after the trunk, you need to see what’s in the cardboard box Nick found. Beth will go nuts.”
He sucked in a breath. “And that’s my cue. Time for me to head out back and dig up some stones.”
“Okay.” Eva’s expression was innocent, like she had no idea mentioning the box would agitate him.
She had a devilish streak. That turned him on, too. “You might need to put on some shoes and come out there to show me what you want.”
“I think it’s self-explanatory. I put in stakes to indicate where I’d like to plant some tulip and daffodil bulbs once the rocks are out of there. Feel free to dig up any others you find in the rest of the yard. If you’d like to scope out a good location for the water feature, that would be awesome.”
“Got it. I’ll fetch my pick and shovel out of the truck.”
“Do you want a bowl of chili before you get started?”
“No, thanks.”
She regarded him with a gleam in those beautiful eyes. “Just wondered if you’d worked up an appetite with all you’ve been doing.”
Really? Alrighty, then. Two could play that game. “I’m okay for now.” He held her gaze. “Think I’d better go up to the attic and bring down my water jug before I start, though. I got distracted and left it there.”
“Want me to run up and get it?”
“No, thanks. I’ll do it.”
“Just don’t forget. Digging stones will be another sweaty job. Skipping lunch is one thing, but I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”
“I won’t. And water’s all I need for the time being.” He gave her a smile. “If I feel the urge for something else, I’ll come in and grab it.”
Her tongue made a quick swipe over her lower lip. “You do that.”
His breath hitched. She was better at this than he was. He’d better make tracks before she got a rise out of him. “If you two will excuse me, I’ll get started.”
“Great. Can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”
“Me, either.” He headed for the door.
“Oh, Nick?”
“Yes, ma’am?” He turned.
“I think I left a roll of tape in the attic. Would you please look for it while you’re up there?”
A jolt of heat hit him in his privates. “Yes, ma’am. Will do.” Yeah, she was way better at this game.