He turned around. “I’ll try to get away tonight, but I have plans.” With his family, but no need to tell her that. He didn’t want to come off too desperate or eager. No need for her to know how lame his social life was. It was his father’s birthday and he was going to a family dinner at his parent's house.

She smiled. “That’s okay. If you get away I’m going to be working on a book so just knock.”

“Or walk around the back,” Deana said. “She works outside near the pool most nights.”

“You have a really big mouth.”

Deana smirked. “Don’t I know it.” She winked at Scott who laughed.

“I have to get going, Edward. This race takes three hours,” she said, looking at her watch.

“Three hours in this heat?” he asked, shocked.

“Yes, the real one will last twice as long. Starting next week we kick it up a notch,” Scott explained.

He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “Be careful.”

She winked at him. “Always.”

“Care to walk me outside to the start of the race?” she asked, giving him a sensual smile.

“Of course,” Edward said, taking her hand. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Bye Uncle Edward, bye Uncle Scott, bye Mommy,” they said.

Scott fell in behind them, grinning as he watched them walk ahead. “Looks like I might have the upper hand today.”

“What?” Dana asked.

He pointed to their hands. She rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to be too distracted to kick your ass, Scott,” she said in the garage. She released his hand and walked over to the bicycle leaning against the wall. Scott opened the garage. His bike was waiting for him outside the house.

Edward took her into his arms and hugged her. “What’s this bet?” he whispered into her ear.

She laughed. “It’s really juvenile, Edward. Don’t worry about it.”

“Skinny dipping,” Scott said brightly.

She sighed. “Thanks a lot, Scott. Always helpful.”

“I wasn’t trying to help.” He stuck his tongue out at her.

Dana placed a hand on Edward’s chest. “If he wins, which will not happen, he’s challenged me to do the mini na**d triathlon. It occurs once a year. He’s hoping the embarrassment and emotional trauma will give him the upper hand to kick my ass in the real race.”

“And if you win?” he pressed.

She smiled. “Well, then next week Scott races me in this outfit.” She gestured to her clothes. Edward smiled. “Well, then I wish you luck and if you lose I would like tickets to this na**d triathlon.” He wiggled his eyebrows, earning a playful slap from Dana.

“You and me both, brother,” Scott said, trying to egg Dana on.

“You keep it up, buddy.”

“Oh, I can do that and more,” Scott said menacingly.

She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. “Just ignore him, I do.”

“You wish. We both know you’ll be staring at my ass the entire race,” he said smugly.

“Jeez Scott, tone it down,” Dana said, turning her attention back to Edward. “Wish me luck.”

Edward looked at Scott’s smug face for a minute then back at Dana. “Good luck.” He leaned in and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Dana wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. He deepened it, pulling a small moan from her lips. His tongue explored her hot mouth. She was more responsive than any woman he’d ever met. She met him stroke for stroke. It took everything he had not to press her against his car and grind against her.

Scott broke their kiss with gagging sounds.

“Real mature, Henderson.”

“I would have made a different bet if I knew you were open for business,” Scott said teasingly.

“Keep it up and I’ll tell Mary what your idea of trash talk is,” Dana said.

Scott’s jaw dropped. “You wouldn’t.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Wouldn’t I?”

“Damn,” Scott mouthed.

Dana kissed Edward’s cheek quickly. “Bye!” She giggled.

“Let’s go!” Scott said, jumping onto his bike and taking off.

Dana followed suit. “Sorry, I really gotta go he’s such a big cheater!” She raced down her long driveway onto the road, leaving Edward to watch her.

Chapter 6

Edward licked his lips, tasting her again before he got into his car and drove off. He forgot to call Amy and was reminded of that at least a hundred times when he opened his front door. His parents and Amy were sitting at his table waiting for him.

“Where have you been?” his father demanded.

“Dad, I’m a grown man. I can stay out without permission,” he said dryly.

“Cut the crap, Edward. You know damn well you’re not a normal guy. Your mother and I have been worried. It’s not like you not to answer your phone,” he snapped.

Edward closed his eyes and took a calming breath. “I was at Dana’s house. We worked all night and I fell asleep.”

“I called Deana this morning,” Amy said.

“She doesn’t live there,” Edward snapped.

“Do we need to hire a bodyguard to go everywhere with you just so we have peace of mind?” his father asked.

“No, Dad,” he answered tightly, not in the mood for this conversation or the reminder that he wasn't a normal guy.

Amy watched her brother and felt bad. He hated not having a personal life, living a normal life. The life he had left was important to him and she knew he would hate this intervention. She tried to change the subject.

“So, how did everything go with Dana’s ex?” she asked.

He shot her a murderous look. “He’s lucky I didn’t kill the son of a bitch last night.”

********

“Oh my god, those poor kids,” his mother said, wiping a tear off her cheek. His father wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.

“Damn, how is Dana taking it?” Amy asked.

“How does she take everything?” Edward asked.

She nodded. “She’s really tough, those kids are lucky to have her.”

“Tell Dana I’m coming to the set on Monday to talk to her,” his mother said firmly.

“Mom, she doesn’t need a new lawyer,” Amy said.

“Yes, she does. I want to help her make sure those kids are safe,” she said. “He sounds like the type of guy who would fight to gain custody if something happened to her so he could get his hands on her money.”

Edward didn’t like talking about Dana dying, but he didn’t like the idea of that ass**le using those kids either. “Fine.”

“Good,” his mother said, sounding satisfied.

Amy suddenly smiled. “I almost forgot. You know my friend Jonathan, right?”

“Yes.” Jonathan was her single investment banker friend. The guy was good looking and really nice. He wished there was more between his sister and Jonathan. He would take care of her.

“Well, he stopped by the set last week and he’s been bugging me ever since to set him up with Dana. So, he’s coming down Monday as well to see her,” she said giddily.

“Cancel it,” Edward said coldly.

“Why? What’s wrong with Jonathan?” Amy asked, confused. She knew Edward liked her, but he clearly was making any moves and she wanted to see Dana happy.

“Because I don’t want you setting my girlfriend up, that’s why,” Edward said before he could stop himself. He didn’t mean to blurt it out, especially since he hadn’t talked to Dana to see where they stood, but that didn’t mean he was going to stand by and watch other men approach her. It was hard enough stomaching Scott’s flirting until he found out that Scott was just messing with Dana to psych her out.

“Since when?” Amy asked, sounding more suspicious than happy.

“Just leave it alone,” Edward said. He tried to ignore his mother and father’s smiles. “I’m going to change before you two break out in a happy dance.”

*******