Man on a Mission by Carla Cassidy

were bubbling in the oven.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with what I have on?” she asked, looking down at her worn jeans and T-shirt.
    Brian frowned at her. “You just would look better in one of those dresses you have. And maybe you could fluff up your hair or something.”
    April raked a hair through her tousled curls and stared at her son. He’s trying to matchmake, she thought in surprise. And yet, why should that surprise her?
    She knew better than anyone how desperate Brian was for a father figure in his life. He had quickly grown fond of Mark. Why wouldn’t he try to get the two of them together?
    â€œBrian,” she began patiently. “I know you like Mark, but there’s not going to be anything between me and Mark, so you can just get that idea right out of your head.”
    â€œYou don’t know that,” he protested as he removed the burgers from the skillet.
    â€œI do know that,” she replied firmly.
    Still, a few moments later as Brian went out to wait for Mark, April went into her bedroom and changed her T-shirt, opting to wear a pale pink blouse instead.
    It had nothing to do with trying to look attractive for Mark, she told herself as she finger combed herhair. She would have freshened up for anyone who was coming to dinner. She picked up a tube of lipstick, but threw it back on the dresser before she could apply any.
    â€œHey, Mom,” Brian called from the front door. “Step outside. Mark wants to show you something.”
    April left her bedroom, walked through the tiny living room and stepped out on the porch. Instantly a rope whirled over her head, fell down over her shoulders and pulled tight to capture her arms against her sides.
    â€œYou got her, Mark!” Brian squealed in delight.
    Mark stood some distance away, the other end of the lasso in his hands. He grinned lazily. “Sure looks like I’ve got her.”
    As Mark began to reel her in, tugging the rope to pull her off the porch and toward him, Brian clapped and cheered.
    â€œMark, let me go,” April said, attempting to remove herself from the lasso but finding the rope too tight to work her arms out.
    Ricky appeared nearby, motioning to Brian and talking excitedly about a new video game he’d just gotten. The two boys disappeared around the corner of the cottage.
    Closer and closer Mark pulled April toward him, his sensual smile evoking heat through her.
    â€œMark, let me go,” she said with a forced laugh. “I feel like a prize steer.”
    His grin widened. “You’re much prettier than a prize steer.” They were mere inches apart now, so close she could see the blue flecks that lightened thedark gray of his eyes. “I think before I let you go, I should kiss you again.”
    â€œI don’t think you should do that,” April replied, her breath catching in her chest.
    â€œWhy not? I like kissing you.” His eyes twinkled and his smile widened. “And I think you like kissing me.”
    â€œJust because you like something doesn’t mean you should do it,” she protested.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œMark, please let me go.”
    With his eyes still sparkling evocatively, he did as she bade. As he removed the rope, his hands lightly caressed her bare arms, shooting tendrils of heat up her shoulders and down to her fingertips.
    Whatever inadequacies he might suffer, they weren’t apparent in his utter sexiness. She stepped back from him, back far enough that she couldn’t smell his scent—the fragrance of wind and sun and a touch of spice.
    â€œThe hamburgers are ready,” she said. “Brian,” she yelled, and her son reappeared from around the side of cottage. “It’s time to eat.”
    â€œRicky got a new video game. After dinner can I go over and play?” Brian asked.
    â€œWe’ll see,” April said. Actually, that would work out perfectly. Brian could go to Ricky’s house while