Flynn (The Love Family Series Book 3) (2 page)

“Love you too. Let me know if you have any problems using the money from your trust.”

“I’m not using that money,” she tsked. “I’m renting. Now get off the phone and go tackle someone.”

“Quarterbacks don’t tackle, Mia.”

“They do if your throw is intercepted and you’re the last roadblock between the goal and the other team scoring.”

“That’s assuming my pass gets picked off.”

“It could happen. Bye now. Love you,” she rushed to say before disconnecting the call.

Mia walked to the balcony once again and glanced down. The crowd full of Loves had moved on, but that wasn’t what caught her attention. A man standing on the other side of the pool, near the plotted ferns, stuck out like a sore thumb. His dark pants and dress shirt made him appear out of place on the hot sunny afternoon. Shades covered his eyes as he stood with his arms crossed and his head tilted up, looking at the balconies and ignoring the flurry of activity by the pool.  A shiver skirted down her spine as she stood frozen, staring at the man. Was it possible it was him? She’d been slowly dropping her guard. It couldn’t be the guy tormenting her. Could it?

Mia swallowed around the lump in her throat and refused to drop her gaze. If it was him, she wouldn’t show weakness. Not here. He gave a simple nod, and her stomach rolled in response. Her phone rang, making her jump. She glanced down at the caller ID to see that Luke was calling, and as she answered, she returned her gaze to where the overly dressed man stood. He was gone.

“Hey, Luke.”

“I wanted to remind you about lunch tomorrow.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” She turned, walking back into her room, and pulling the blinds closed; she blocked out the sun.

“Good. I’ll pick you up and you can ride with me.”

Chapter 3

Mia sat impatiently on the stone bench outside the hotel, tapping her foot against the concrete sidewalk, watching guests come and go. Butterflies danced in her belly as she scanned the faces of the men that came and went from the hotel. Each time, she wondered if one these strangers might be him.

“Get a grip,” she whispered to herself as another group passed.
I need to find a place away from all these people.
  House hunting the day before had been a bust. She was nowhere close to finding a place of her own, yet her search for the day was on hold, thanks to Luke. Attending an afternoon lunch with her boss, and his family, didn’t even remotely sound appealing.

The black SUV pulled up right on time. She was surprised to find Luke getting out and to see the passenger seat empty. Luke opened her door. “Skylar is meeting us there. She has a Sunday morning ritual with Olivia to shop for new items for their store.”

Mia tried to hide her reluctance behind her smile. “You know, this isn’t necessary. I don’t want to intrude on the family lunch. I can just grab a bite to eat at the diner.”

“Don’t be silly.” He shut the door, jogged around to the driver’s seat and slid behind the wheel. “I grew up at the Loves’ house. Sky’s brother, Declan, and I have been best friends since grammar school. The family is great. You’re going to love them.”

She clicked her seatbelt into place. “Do you always bring coworkers to your family functions?”

He glanced her way and grinned. “Nope, but seeing as how the Loves know Trent, they insisted. They have this habit of picking up strays and adopting them.” He glanced at her as he pulled out onto the main street. “Don’t take that the wrong way. I was a stray too.”

Just peachy. Mia turned toward the oceanfront, watching the waves hit the beach on the scenic route. “I’m eager to get back to work. I’m close to a breakthrough of the molecular structure of XRP. I’m on the verge of a potential antidote for the cure, ready for human trials when we secure approval.”

He parked behind another SUV in front of a large ranch-style home and killed the ignition. “I thought you might be getting close. Let me know when you’re done, and I’ll start the approval process.”

She gave him a genuine smile as she got out of the SUV at the same time Skylar pulled up behind them. She and another woman got out. Luke introduced the other woman as Olivia, Skylar’s business partner and Declan’s wife. Both women were stunning, and from what Mia had already heard about Skylar, she was down to earth. Her kind of people.

Music played from the backyard as white smoke billowed above the house. Skylar’s eyes lit up as she wound her arm around Mia’s, and Olivia took the other side.

“You’re in for a treat. They made barbecue.”

****

Flynn’s parents danced around the backyard to the music coming from the speakers during their Sunday ritual.  He threw the football in a perfect spiral to Declan, who caught the ball, tossed it to the ground, and crossed the yard toward his wife. Flynn’s lips thinned with irritation, and he cursed whichever brother arranged for Trent’s sister to be invited. 
There goes my sanctuary
. Flynn plastered a fake smile on his lips as he crossed the yard.

“Welcome to our home,” his mom called out with open arms, pulling Mia into her embrace. “We’re so glad you could come.”

“Thank you for having me.” Mia’s cheeks tinted in embarrassment. Her whole demeanor was quite the opposite of the vixen he’d met in the club and the sharp-tongued woman at the pool.

“Marvin, dear, this is Trent’s baby sister. I’m sure you’ve seen her at the hotel.”

“Of course. It’s lovely to finally be able to put a face with the name. Skylar and Luke have told us so much about you.”

“Have they?” Mia glanced at Luke.

“Oh yes, Luke told us you’re brilliant. Smarter than even he is, and that you’re close to a breakthrough on an extremely stubborn project.”

“You did?”

“Guilty as charged,” Luke answered before addressing the rest of the family. “She is single-handedly creating a vaccine that will save lives.”

“Hopefully.” She blushed. “And I can’t take all the credit. I have an extremely bright team that helps.”

Well, well, well, this woman was a conundrum of sorts. Attracts sleazebags, smart as a whip, a genius in the lab, and she was modest. From what he could tell, the woman needed no help, except maybe a wing woman in the clubs to reel her in from teasing strangers. She caught his stare, and he smiled and gave her a slight nod.

It was at that moment, in the gleam of her eyes that he finally understood. Mia Stewart was street smart, and he’d been outplayed. She could be anyone to anybody, if the setting and the mood fit her.

Flynn’s dad and Declan pulled the barbecue off the smoker and disappeared inside with everyone following behind. Flynn touched her arm, meeting her gaze. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Sure.” Her smile hinted toward a smirk.

“Luke, we’ll be inside in a minute.”

Luke glanced at Mia, who gave a quick nod before Luke acknowledged and disappeared into the house.

Flynn steered her farther away from the French doors to the side of the house. He inhaled a deep breath before he spoke.

“Is this a game to you?” He narrowed his eyes. “First you come on to me at the bar, knowing full well who I am, then you ignore me at the pool, and now you show up at my parents’ house.” He took a deep calming breath. “I only promised to show you around the Island and keep you out of trouble.”

“Someone finally told you who I was.” Mia’s cheeks reddened, but she cupped his cheek and patted it, never backing down from his glare. She lifted her chin and poked his chest. Hard. “I didn’t ask for a babysitter. I don’t need a babysitter, and if I did, my brother sure as hell wouldn’t have picked a playboy like you to do the job.”

Flynn’s eyes narrowed. “So what? I’m no angel. I never claimed to be, but you’re forgetting one important thing.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“You’re the one who came on to me.” With every word he spoke, he stepped forward, and she stepped back until her back was pressed against the house.

“It was a test, Flynn, in which case, you failed miserably. Unlike you, I don’t need another notch on my bedpost, and if I’d actually been attracted to you, I would have left with you that night. Don’t think I didn’t see you come after me.” She shook her head. “I know your type. Hell, I’ve dated enough of your type to be an expert. You’re no different. I didn’t ask for this; I didn’t ask for you, and I damn sure didn’t ask to be here.”

Flynn rested his hand above her head, trapping her against the building as he stepped closer to her, closing the gap between their bodies. “You’re quick to judge, darling.” His lips twisted in a smile as he leaned into her space. “What about getting all the facts for an intelligent hypothesis? That must only extend to your work.”

Mia inhaled a deep breath, glancing up at him from beneath hooded eyes.

“You were part of a deal, nothing more, nothing less,” he whispered against her lips. “Having met you… It appears I got the short end of the stick.”

The slap came quick and fast against his cheek before she shoved him away. Fire lit her eyes.

Flynn held up his hands and stepped back. He deserved it, or worse. This wasn’t the way he treated women. He expected to see hatred in her eyes, but what he found surprised him even more. Fear. “Why don’t we just start over?”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother. You just confirmed my theory.”

“So you did have a theory…about me?”

“Yeah, one that concludes you to be a self-centered, egotistical, jack—”

Her words were cut off as Skylar rounded the corner.

“Jackass. Yep, that’s my brother. He can’t seem to help himself.” Skylar shot him a glare and linked arms with Mia, pulling her away. “I’m so sorry. You’ll have to forgive him. I think he was adopted.”

Flynn followed behind them into the house where the others were already seated at the dinner table. His mother raised a disapproving brow. He knew that look, and he knew the ass-chewing coming later.

His mother rose, prepared a plate of ribs with all the fixings, and then set it down in front of Mia before retaking her seat. “So, Mia, Luke tells us you haven’t been having any luck while apartment hunting.”

“No, ma’am. With all of the new lab employees that moved to the Island, I’m afraid there’s not much available since I got a late start.” Mia reached for her glass of sweet tea.

His mother gave a small shake of her head before she took a bite of her potato salad.

“Flynn has space,” his father announced.

Mia’s eyes widened. The horror on her face was priceless. “Oh no, I couldn’t…”

Flynn’s lips twitched. He was amused by her reaction. He placed his elbows on the table and clasped his fingers together, knowing his insistence would agitate her more. He could kill two birds with one stone. Watch her like a hawk, and figure out what the hell he’d seen in her eyes. “You know, Dad, that’s a perfect idea.”

Mia whipped her gaze to him. “You must be joking.” She turned back to Flynn’s mother. “I’m sure I’ll find something. I’d hate to put Flynn out when I’d be leaving at the first vacancy available.”

Declan leaned back in his seat, his arm around Olivia’s chair. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Declan gave Flynn a shit-eating grin. “Considering he told Trent he’d show her around the Island and she doesn’t know anyone. I think it’s the hospitable thing to do.”

“I’m nothing if not hospitable.” Flynn held his arms open and winked at her.

She rolled her eyes, and he held in his chuckle.

Skylar reached for Mia’s hand and patted it. “Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it seems. What my dad means is that Flynn has an efficiency apartment over his garage. It isn’t much, and it only has a small kitchen, but it can be your own space until you find something else. I’m sure you’ll barely cross paths.”

Flynn picked up a rib and held it in front of his mouth. “I’m sure you're right, Sky. We probably won’t run into each other much after I do my duty of showing her around, as I promised. You know I’d never welch on my word.”

“How about I give you your five bucks back and we call it even?” Mia narrowed her eyes.

“You don’t have my five bucks. Your brother does.”

Mia frowned, and her face pinched. The little vixen was searching for a rebuttal in her overactive mind. He’d teased her enough. Granted, she’d played him, but he would be the better person today… well, starting now, anyway.  He held her gaze. “Mom, I’m afraid I understand her hesitancy. When we first met, I was kind of an ass.”

His mother’s eyes narrowed.

“Kind of?” Sky batted her eyes all innocently.

“Language, Flynn. There are women around the table,” his father scolded.

“These women swear worse than I do.” He grinned.

“We do not.” Skylar launched a roll across the table, hitting him in the head.

“But you did teach me better manners than Sky is showing.” He glanced at Mia. “I am truly sorry for letting your beauty cloud my actions.” He held his hand to his chest in mock sincerity. “I only hope we can move past our initial meeting and try to be friends.”

A slew of emotions crossed her face while she watched the family members, at the table, ignoring their lunches as their eyes glanced between her and Flynn.

Mia cleared her throat. “You do realize that I’ll be coming and going at all hours of the night and day. My schedule varies, depending on the advancements and progressions I make.”

Flynn held in a grin as she tried for an easy way out. “I’m not your warden or your parent, Mia. Heck, I’m hardly there myself.”

Mia glanced around the table once more to find everyone looking at her. She was stuck, and he knew it. Mia Stewart and all of her secrets were about to be his roommate.

“Fine.”

“Great, now that’s settled, let’s eat.” Declan reached across the table, snagged a roll and set it on Olivia’s plate next to the other two. He was wrapped so tightly around Olivia’s fingers that Flynn swore he’d never end up the same way.