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Cole
What’s wrong with my family? They had to practically beg her to date me. How humiliating? Even worse. She didn’t bite at all, so much for Layla’s belief that Harbor would be interested in dating me.
“Come inside.” I hold the door open and try not to inhale as she passes by. But it doesn’t work. She smells like flower blossoms and musk. How am I supposed to roll around on my bed with her, touching her, and smelling her, and not want to pin her beneath me? Especially since I’ve spent so much time in that bed imagining what I’d like to do to her.
Maybe Layla will give in to a living room shoot. I glance at the brown leather sofa and recliner set and dismiss that plan. Yeah, I can imagine her straddling me on the sofa without any trouble.
The kitchen. The white countertops and oak table could produce a sufficient backdrop for a BDSM photo shoot. Except how am I supposed to eat scrambled eggs after tying her to a chair and staring into her eyes?
“So….” She snaps the door shut behind her as her eyes take in the sparse but comfortable furnishings. “I didn’t know you’d moved in next to your parents.”
I shove my hands into my pockets. “When Emilia moved back four months pregnant with Thatcher, she needed a place to stay and didn’t want to crawl back home to Mom and Dad. This place was for sale, so I bought it.”
She tips her head sideways. “So Emilia and the kids live here?”
“No.” Heat settles over my skin as I force my gaze to remain on her face. She’s wearing make-up, but it’s subtle and makes her skin glow. It’s not hard to stare at her face. Except I’m missing out on her skintight jeans and a soft pink T-shirt that clings to her chest as she moves. I’m not as successful as I hoped at keeping my eyes in place. “She lived here until about a year ago and then complained that I wasn’t going out and finding….” I lift my hands and make quotation marks. “The One.”
“Have you found ‘The One?’” Her eyes widen as big as saucers, as her cheeks turn pink. “That’s none of my business.”
“It’s fine.” I shrug. “No. I haven’t found ‘The One.’” She’s never been lost for me to find her.
She gnaws on her bottom lip as if she’s deep in thought. Her eyes drop to my chest and then jerk back up to my face. “Sorry.” She clears her throat and straightens her back and shoulders. “I lost my train of thought. Is everything going okay for Emilia now?”
“Yes, she’s fine. Her ex is a deadbeat, but other than that, she’s cool. She got the job she applied for the other day when I was watching the kids. She’s making twice as much money, so I anticipate she’ll save up and go out on her own again.”
She shifts on her feet. “What happened with Beckett? That was his name, right?”
Talk about a loser, making her stand around the living room. “Have a seat.” I motion toward the sofa. After she settles on one side, I join her sitting on the opposite end as we both turn to face each other at the same time.
“Yes, that’s his name. He was a jerk. He got her pregnant on graduation night, and his parents made him marry her even though he didn’t want to. She made it work for a few years, but when she got pregnant again, she found out he’d been cheating on her with his assistant. He took off to New York, and that was the end of that relationship.”
“That’s awful.”
“That’s not all. He accused her of trapping him with Sofia and claimed she was someone else’s child in order to get a free ride. If that wasn’t enough, he accused her of lying about being pregnant with Thatcher, so he would be forced to stay with her. In the end, he refused to pay child support until a DNA test proved he was the father of both the kids.”
“Wow. What an ass.”
“Yes.” My hands ball into fists at the thought of the cocksucker. “He’s months behind on child support and just pays enough to keep Social Services from pressing charges and sending him to jail. I’d love to see his ass in an orange jumpsuit and silver bracelets.”
“I’m so sorry she went through that. I’ve always liked your sister. Deep down, I always thought she and Connor would get together, but I guess that didn’t happen.”
She runs her fingers along the seam of her jeans, and it takes everything inside me not to haul her onto my lap and wrap those gorgeous legs around my waist.
“Yeah….” I nod. “I thought that for a while, too.”
The knock at the door startles me. I’d almost forgotten we’re together for a reason besides hanging out and catching up.
“That must be Layla.” I launch off the sofa and answer the door, finding the always peppy and happy Layla on the other side. Well, except for those few days when we thought Kameron was in the same category as Emilia’s ex.
“Hey, guys.” She beams at both of us. “Are you ready?” Her eyes dance as she lifts the black bag at her side. I’ve done enough shots with her to know she’s got her camera inside, along with enough equipment for five additional photographers.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I hold the edge of the door to let her pass, catching Harbor’s frown.
“Are you feeling better?” Harbor hugs her best friend.
“Yes, I’m good. It only hits for a few minutes at a time, and then I’m good to go.” Layla squeezes her and lets her go.
“Good. Let’s get this over with.” Harbor’s face is tight as she looks everywhere but at me. “I don’t want to inconvenience Cole any longer than I must. Especially since he’s doing this for my brother.”
