Chapter 6: Mark

I didn't know what was going on between Nat and Sheila, but I planned on finding out tonight at dinner. I knew Nat had been trying to warn me away from Sheila. His body language practically screamed MINE. Luckily, I didn't give a rat's ass what Nat's body was trying to tell me. I didn't believe in poaching, but Sheila didn't act as if there was anything romantic between her and Nat. That made it an open race as far as I was concerned.

It had been a very long time since any woman had interested me the way Sheila did. She had a way of cocking her head to the side while staring into a person's eyes that made you feel as if she could see to the bottom of your soul. It also didn't hurt that she had the legs of a 40's pinup model.

Sheila was wearing a summer dress when I picked her up. I had told her to dress casually since I wanted to take her down to the marina for a walk on the boardwalk before sunset. I was never one for dinner-and-a-movie on a date. When I went out with a woman, it was because I enjoyed her company and wanted to talk to her. It's hard to talk to a woman in the middle of a feature film.

Sheila seemed a bit preoccupied when I picked her up, but quickly got into the conversation. She was warm, funny and had a sharp wit that turned me on. I was also glad to see that her ankle appeared to be good as new.

I decided to pounce while we were sitting on an old park bench watching a dog and his kid play in the surf.

"What's the connection with Nat? I don't see any family resemblance."

Sheila laughed, as I had intended. "Nat? He's a friend of the family. He's been best friends with my brother Todd since they were 10 or 11. He offered to be my - how did he put it? - oh yeah, my pack mule yesterday since none of my brothers could be there to help me move in."

I cut my eyes to Sheila at the mention of brothers again.

"I'm not sure I like the way you say that. Just how many brothers do you have? And are any of them likely to beat me up for drooling over their sister?"

Sheila slanted a frankly sensuous look from the corner of her eyes before replying.

"Depends on where you're drooling." She laughed before continuing. "I have 5 brothers. All older. All overprotective. Are you scared?"

Ah, a challenge. I could very easily fall for this woman and her teasing sensuality.

"Five?!" I faked a gulp before lowering my voice. "They're not here right now waiting to protect your honor, are they?"

Sheila played along by looking around theatrically. "God I hope not. I'd sure hate to miss having my honor besmirched."

What did I say? A sharp wit that turned me on.

"All right. Tell me about these brothers who are going to make a Hot Pocket out of my body."

Sheila grinned and started ticking names and statistics off on her fingers.

"Randy is 32 years old and a captain in the Army. He's stationed in Korea for the next 2 months. Todd is 30 years old and an engineer. Ronnie is 28 and just started with the local sheriff's office. David and Michael are twins - 26 and in their final year of medical residency. David wants to be a pediatrician and Michael likes the ER"

"Whew. That's some list. Thank goodness there's not a wrestler in the bunch. And you say that Nat is a friend of one of your brothers?" I was interested in learning about Sheila's family, but I had an agenda.