Her Foreign Affair by Shea Mcmaster

Not to mention, his lady friends appreciated the consideration. Didn’t want a sharp nail interrupting intimate moments. Of which there had been none in far too long. Which might partly explain his almost violent need for Randi.
    “It’s beautiful. And keep your dirty thoughts to yourself,” she hissed in his ear.
    That obvious, was he? “Keep blowing in my ear, and I’d be happy to demonstrate some of my favorite fantasies,” he whispered back. Then again, Randi created the need for Randi. Her sweet scent wafted around him, and he gazed down into her glazed eyes. Wine? Or desire? Perhaps a touch of both, he decided when her nipple grazed his arm. Hard as a diamond, the little berry wanted to play. He pressed against the cabinet to discourage his own reaction and prayed his tight briefs would do their job and help hide the evidence.
    Mind back on his task, he adopted a no-nonsense tone and ordered, “Get me the last of the dishes. Stack them up, don’t keep me in suspense here. The soap is giving out.”
    “It is not.” Randi eyed him through long, luxurious lashes. Those eyes. He’d been a sucker for them from the first. Rich jade green, round and luminous, framed by mink lashes. Heart shaped face, clear ivory skin with a dusting of freckles her light coating of makeup couldn’t completely hide. A soft sheen of perspiration made her skin look dewy and soft. She used the back of her wrist to brush some hair off her forehead. “Finish up and we can go for a stroll or find the swing out back.”
    “As you command, it becomes my greatest desire.”
    “Smart Alec.”
    “Hand them over, tasty wench.”
    That earned him a snort as she set down the last of the dirty dishes in the sink.
    “Dried up old hag, is more like it.” She grimaced and wearily leaned against the counter.
    “We’ll see. You look pretty juicy to me.”
    “Hmm, yeah, we’ll see. NOT.” She spun away.
    Now what was she on about? They’d had a fine time in the loo. All they needed now was some privacy, preferably behind the closed door of her bedroom. Heat they had in plenty, the chemistry mixed properly, all they needed was time and space for combustion to occur. Granted, timing was a bit off, but they had later tonight to look forward to. Thanks be to Birdie for insisting on overnighting.
    Ah Birdie, how would she react to all this? Would she hate them? Hate him? How deeply would the revelation rock her serene and secure world?
    Nerves suddenly hit him in a way he hadn’t felt in years. This secret of Randi’s had the potential to rip huge holes in some innocent lives. Drew would probably take it in stride as he did all things, but what about Birdie? She seemed happy enough and well grounded, but what would it do to her to find out her life started with a secret? Would he and Randi get a chance to talk before the situation came to a head? Drew definitely had his eye on Birdie, hoping to get closer.
    If only they could suspend this moment and draw it out, put off the inevitable, for he had absolutely no doubt that before the night was over, Birdie would know her true heritage. If he had to tell her himself, he would. The secret ended tonight. A thought which excited and scared the hell out of him.
    Last dish washed and handed over to Drew soaking up his third drying towel, Court let the water out and rinsed the soap away. Would Randi be impressed he knew how to wipe out a sink? Just one of the many skills she’d once accused him of not having. A skill he’d learned soon after Beatrice’s departure from this earth. Might have to show off his culinary skills. Breakfast? Did she have the proper ingredients on hand?
    A dry towel landed on his shoulder, and he glanced back to see Randi eyeing him while rubbing lotion into her hands.
    He turned off the water and pulled down the towel. “We done, boss?”
    “For now. Good enough. If you’ll move aside, I’ll start the dishwasher, and then we can all go sit down with coffee, or