“I don’tadoptyour feelings or emotions.I justsense them maybe… the depth… understand them.With Casey, I can feel how muchyou love her.I love her, too, but like a sister.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
I nod in understanding, and we turn to head back to thehouse.Brick pulls up then, with Sam and Brad.After filling them in, we makeour way inside.
***Casey***
Just as I’m about to start freaking out, I hear the frontdoor open.Rushing toward the sound, I breathe a sigh of relief as he stepsinside.I run to him, throwing my arms around his waist.
“I didn’t know where you were.”
The fear that gripped me when I went upstairs and didn’tfind him is inexplicable.He wraps his arms around me and my anxiety begins to slipaway.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.I wasn’t thinking.”
For some reason, I start sniffing the air like a bloodhound.What’s that smell?Movement beyond the door catches my attention, and Ipeek behind him to see Charlie stepping in with a mischievous smile.
“Are we interrupting?”he asks with a grin.
“Charlie!”
Excitedly, I transfer myself to his arms, and he hugs metightly, planting a kiss on my cheek.Someone grabs my arm, pulling me away,and I look up into Brick’s smiling face.
“My turn.”
With a giggle, I slide my arms around his waist.When he releasesme, I smack them both on their chests.
“What was that for?”Charlie asks, grabbing his chest.
“That, Mr.Rowan, is for not coming to see me this entiretime.I should be mad at the two of you.”
“We just wanted to give you some time,” Brick explains.
He steps aside, and two other men walk through the door.Mymouth falls open as I recognize Heracles.
“Her–”—I catch myself—“Hello!”I grab his hand, pulling himtoward Ethan.“Ethan, this is the guy who helped me the night I was attacked atthe bar,” I explain excitedly.
“I know.That’s Sam.”
“Sam… You disappeared that night, and I didn’t even get yourname.”
“My apologies.That’s Brad.He was the other guy from thatnight.”
“Oh, the one who ran off into the woods chasing the scumball.Too bad you didn’t catch him.”
I shake his outstretched hand and thank him belatedly forhis help.Brad’s grey eyes smile at me.Damn, Ethan has too many gorgeousfriends.After I release his hand, he runs it through his unruly chestnut hair.
“Are you guys cops, too?”
“Ex-military,” Brad answers.
“Oh.Oh!You should all stay for dinner.I made pot roast.”
Four pairs of eyes simultaneously look toward Ethan for approval.I place my hands on my hips and scowl at them.
“I extend an invitation, and you have to look to him forpermission?”
