The door chimes, and Paige’s husband, Cade, strides in with a toddler in his arms. She looks strikingly like her mom with dark curly hair framing a chubby face.
“You’ve successfully cloned yourself, I see,” I say.
“Hopefully twice.” Cade wraps an arm around Paige and plays his hand over her belly.
She backhands his chest. “It’s supposed to be a secret,” she says through gritted teeth.
I keep my voice low. “Shut up! You’re pregnant?”
She nods, a bright smile lighting up her face. “Just hit the second trimester. Don’t tell anyone.”
Probably not the best place for Cade to be opening his big mouth, but I don’t call him on it. I have little doubt that Rosie heard every word. All the same, I mime zipping my lips shut. “Is there something in the water in Oak Ridge? Asking so I can avoid the same fate.”
“Why? Planning to get some while you’re home?” Paige says with a teasing lilt to her voice.
“Nope.” I exaggerate the pop of the P. “Painfully single. Currently in a toxic relationship with this pie.”
“Can’t say I blame you. Itisgood pie.” She leans inconspiratorially. “Probably not as good as that man waiting for you back home, though.”
“Stop meddling, Sunshine.” Cade kisses her cheek and turns his attention to me. “We’re having a backyard bonfire at the cabin next week. You should come, bring Liam and Aiden… or pie.”
Rosie comes back with my takeout container and sets it on the counter. “Impeccable timing, Rosie.” I hold it up like I’m making a toast. “My date for the foreseeable future. I should get back to the house before they send out a search party.”
“Come back when you need another hit,” Rosie says with a not-so-subtle wink.
“What are you, a pie dealer now?” Cade teases her.
She shrugs. “I get my kicks where I can. See you later, Superstar.”
“It was great seeing you,” Paige says. “Please come next week! We’d love to have you.”
I nod, but I don’t confirm or deny if I’ll be there. Liam and I are in a weird place right now, and the last thing I want is to make things even more awkward by inserting myself into his friendships.
I give them a backward wave and head out onto the street, breathing in the distinctive scent of early fall. A smattering of leaves crunches underfoot as I walk to my truck, glancing around at the storefronts filled with fall decor. God, I love small towns this time of year. There’s nothing quite like it.
Dolly’s engine lets out a soothing purr as I pull out onto the street with my thoughts straying back to the sweat-soaked hottie in the gym. Is he still shirtless? Or better yet, naked in the shower with water cascading down his rippling ab muscles.
I mutter a curse under my breath as I pull away from the curb. How the hell am I going to survive living with this man?
Liam
The cold shower did nothing to ease the growing desire for the woman living upstairs—my nanny, my brother’s ex-girlfriend, and a woman so fucking off-limits she might as well be living on another planet. Even if I could set aside the fact that Connor was her first love, there are still far too many obstacles in our way. For starters, she’s a goddamn country music icon. She could have any guy she wants. Why the fuck would she settle for someone like me?
I heard her come home a bit ago, but she hasn’t reemerged from her room and didn’t stop to put any groceries away. It’s a bit odd. Maybe she needed something else from the market. Medicine maybe? Is she not feeling well? I should probably check on her.
It’s a flimsy as fuck excuse to be around her, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
My long strides eat up the distance between the kitchen and staircase, and I bound up the steps two at a time. I need to set my eyes on her to make sure she’s ok, then I’ll leave her be.
I rap softly at her bedroom door—mybedroom door. “Hey Ruby, I was just coming to see if?—”
“Oh God,” she cries, her words muffled by the closed door.
“Ruby? Are you…”
“Oh fuck. You feel so good.”
Motherfucker! Is somebody in there with her?In my goddamn bed with my woman?
