I glance down at her bare breasts and grin. Her eyes narrow as she realizes I just tricked her into giving me the view I wanted.
“You are such an ass,” she laughs and throws a pillow at me.
I easily catch it with one hand and chuckle. “You have beautiful tits, and I wanted to see them again,” I grin, throwing my shirt over my head and grabbing my shoes.
“You could have just asked.”
“And miss the way they bounced when you shot up? No thanks. My way was so much better.” I lean over her and kiss her softly on the lips. “Just so you know,” I say, pulling back and seeing her beautiful eyes flutter open to meet mine. “I would have said yes if you had asked.”
Surprise flashes across her features as I turn and walk to the door.
“Good to know,” I hear her say quietly. A smile touches my lips as I keep walking, knowing that last night changed everything, and she realizes it, too.
I quietly slip out the front door and head to Travis’s truck parked in the driveway. I borrowed it when I came over last night and had Gizmo with me.
Shit. Gizmo.
I forgot all about the dog, and there’s no way I can grab him without waking Bee. I type out a text to Olivia letting her know I’ll get him later before opening the truck door.
“Miles Thomas Montgomery!” I hear a stern voice call out from behind me.
My body stills when I hear my full name. The only time I’m called that is when I’m in trouble.
I turn around and do a double-take. Miss Beth is standing next to the driveway with her hands on her hips. She’s wearing a floppy hat and shorts with a t-shirt that says,Rum Made Me Do It.
“Hi, Miss Beth.” I give her my best killer grin, hoping to ease some of the heat I know is headed my way. I had forgotten she lived on this street. “You’re up early.”
“Don’t try to change the subject, young man. What are you doing sneaking out of Olivia and Bee’s house at six in the morning?”
“I, uh, babysat Bee last night for Olivia and fell asleep on the couch.” It’s not a complete lie.
“You were my fill-in when I had to cancel?”
“You’re the sitter who canceled?” I blink in shock. She has to be in her late eighties. Surely, there is an age limit for babysitters. How could she keep up with a four-year-old?
“Don’t look so shocked. I may be old, but I can still run circles around you. Besides, Bee is easy compared to when I used to babysit you and your brothers. You were the worst one, if I remember correctly.” She eyes me up and down, and I can only imagine what she’s thinking.
“I’m sure that’s Ryder you are thinking of,” I say, trying to get on her good side.
Sorry, Ryder, it’s every man for himself when she gives you that look.
“Regardless,” she waves her hand and dismisses the thought. “I’m not buying this falling asleep on the couch bit. I wasn’t born yesterday, and you wouldn’t be the first man on this street to sneak out of a house before the neighbors could see.”
She smiles knowingly, and I realize she’s talking about herself. I mentally block out any images before they can appear as my brain tries to catch up with what she just admitted.
“With that being said.” She goes back to being serious and looks me straight in the eye. “Olivia and Bee are like family to me. I love that little girl as if she were my own granddaughter. It’s not a secret around here that you like the ladies.”
“Lady,” I correct her, getting tired of being labeled as some kind of asshole. “I only like one lady around here. Everything else is in the past and doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I see.” Her lips quirk as she studies me. “I didn’t think I would live to see the day that someone would tame you, but if anyone can do it, it would be Olivia.”
“Yeah,” I smirk. “She’s very good and has me completely bythe balls.” Her eyes widen in surprise, causing me to realize what I just said to someone’s grandma. “I didn’t mean to say it that way. I meant…”
She cuts me off as she bursts out laughing. “It’s okay, dear. I’m not offended in the slightest. Some of the best men are the ones you grab by the balls and never let go. My late husband was one of them.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, feeling slightly uncomfortable that our conversation has gone in this direction. My brothers are never going to believe me that I’m talking about balls with Miss Beth.
“You’re a good man, Miles, and come from a good family,” she smiles warmly at me. “Olivia and Bee need someone like you in their lives to love and protect them. But,” she adds, pointing her finger at me and wiping the smile off my face. “You hurt my girl in any way, and those balls of yours are getting a swift kick. I take kickboxing on Saturday mornings down at the Y, and I’ve got a mean roundhouse. Is that understood?”
