A Perfect Fit by Tory Richards

hat.
     
              From all appearances, it looked like the Evans brothers had hired some professionals to handle the food preparation and cooking. Smoke billowed from several smokers. Rows of picnic tables had been set up and covered with red and white gingham table clothes. Mountains of paper plates, bowls, and cups were at the end of each table. There were kegs of what she assumed was beer, if the men gathered around them was any indication.
     
              She could hear music, and when she got closer to the house she saw a country band had been set up in a gazebo. Unsure of where to park, she pulled her leased car closer to the barn, parked by the fence, and turned off the ignition. She pulled off her sunglasses and tossed them onto the dashboard.
     
              God, she couldn’t wait to see Beau. Kirk had booked her so solidly through the last few weeks that she hadn’t been able to get any real time off, except for an afternoon here and there. He had been unable to get away, too, working back-to-back jobs. So they’d made do with nightly phone calls that only accomplished one thing. Leaving her lonely, horny, and a little more in love with the man.
     
              As she walked toward the house she spotted Beau talking to a couple of men at the bottom of the steps. His back was to her. She felt her pulse race as she let her gaze travel over his taut backside. Dressed like all the other men in faded work jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat, he was a vision for sore eyes.
     
              With a big smile on her face, Marissa walked up behind him, catching a whiff of his aftershave. She reached for his hat, stepped in front of him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. The happy surprise in his eyes was all worth it.
     
              “I’m back, cowboy.” Marissa stood on tiptoe and planted a long kiss on his lips. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. That small hesitation planted a seed of doubt in her mind. Wasn’t he happy to see her? But when he didn’t open his mouth, she slowly drew back with mild concern.
     
              “Well, hello, darlin. That’s the best damn welcome I’ve had all day.”
     
              Marissa met the amusement in his eyes with a frown. Then it dawned on her that she’d mistaken one of Beau’s brothers for him. Her jaw dropped. She was too embarrassed to say anything, much less move.
     
              His eyes shifted at something over her shoulder. “Brother, I think this little beauty is yours.” He turned her around slowly.
     
              Marissa was vaguely aware of laughter surrounding them as she turned to face Beau.
     
              “I see you’ve met my brother, Chaz.”
     
              The brother whose priority in life was getting women in his bed. Still in shock, all she could do was nod.
     
              Beau stepped closer to her, amusement swimming in his eyes. “Do I get such a warm welcome, honey?”
     
              With Chaz’s hat still in her hand, she spun around and put it back on his head. When she faced Beau again she didn’t hesitate to throw herself into his arms. There was no hesitation in his crushing embrace. He lifted Marissa off her feet.
     
              “Hell, I missed you,” he said just before his mouth closed over hers.
     
              Marissa gave herself up to his smoldering kiss, happy to be back in his arms again, wondering why she’d ever left in the first place. Beau held her tightly, and this time she got the tongue action she wanted. She didn’t know how long they kissed, but when he pulled back, she was breathless and tingling all over.
     
              “I missed you, too, cowboy,” she smiled with tears in her eyes. “And I’ve got a whole week to show you how much.”
     
              “Just one week?” he teased.