I’d never really thought about James when I was in the greenhouse. Never missed him there, probably because his infrequent visits had come loaded with unspoken resentment that I wasn’t spending the time with him. I was reminded again that the signs had been there a long time before James ever left. I just didn’t want to see them. James was a city boy, just like Thaddeus, and the irony wasn’t lost on me. Yet another reason to keep my dick in my pants. Thaddeus might walk away from a casual fling without batting an eyelid, but I wasn’t quite so convinced I could do the same.
With my seedlings put to bed, I returned to the cottage to find Thaddeus lying on the sofa with one of the laptops on his stomach, its screen black. One hand rested on the floor, the other arm lay across his forehead, and his mouth hung open as he softly snored.
I smiled and watched him for far too long before finally shaking him awake and sending him to bed. He blinked in surprise, apologised, and then trudged almost unseeing toward his bedroom with eyes half-closed and muttering something about temperature ratios and soil moisture. He crawled between his sheets without even getting undressed.
I followed, telling myself it was only to make sure he found the right room, but I couldn’t resist pulling the covers up before leaving him to sleep and closing the door. I could hear his snoring before I’d even made it back into the kitchen where I scooped Ziggy into my arms and switched off the lights.
I climbed into my own bed without thinking at all about the fascinating man sleeping just across the hall. Not about his gorgeous golden-brown eyes or that cute, somewhat defiant moustache, the big brain that sat between his shoulders, his perky arse, and that smart mouth with its eminently kissablelips. Nor did I think about the fact Ziggy loved him, or how he fit into the cottage and maybe into my arms like a hand in a glove.
Nope. Not a single one of those thoughts crossed my mind.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MONDAY
RYDER
Ziggy satat my feet wearing his best hangdog expression—the one I always caved to. I added flour to the pancake batter and tried to ignore him. A pathetic whine escaped his tiny lips and I sighed and put down my spoon. “Enough,” I grumbled. “I’m not letting you into the hall. Thaddeus worked late last night. He deserves a sleep-in. Give the poor guy a break.”
Ziggy yapped and pressed his nose to the closed door once again.
“Shhh.” I scooped him into my arms. “Bad dog. Come on, you can have a piece of bacon if you promise not to bark.” Ziggy wriggled with delight like he understood the word, which he probably did. I had the bacon in my hand when the front door closed with a bang and footsteps sounded in the hall.
“Honey, I’m home!”
“Oh, God.” I set Ziggy on the floor with his piece of bacon and braced for the awkward conversation which was surely coming.
Right on cue, the hall door opened and Tap strode into the kitchen. He took one look at the makings of yet another large breakfast and a wicked grin stole over his face. “Oh. My. God.He’sstill here, isn’t he?That’swhy you’ve been ignoring all of my texts.”
“No.” I turned my back and poured another ladle of pancake mixture into the pan. “I ignored them because you’re being a nosey arsehole. And yes, Thaddeus is still here. But only because he spent all weekend fixing the glasshouse ventilation software... stuff.”
A beat of silence was quickly followed by Tap’s unconcealed leer. “Of course he did. That’s what they’re calling it these days, is it?”
I ignored Tap’s smug smile and reached for the spatula. “More to the point, why areyouhere? I thought the plan was to meet at the Coleman property this morning?”
“I thought I’d better check in since you’d gone silent.” Tap tiptoed back toward the hall and, after a long look, gave a disappointed sigh and returned to the kitchen. “You’ve still got him stashed in the guest bedroom? After three nights?” He shoved my shoulder. “What’s wrong with you, man? Have you lost your game completely?”
“Don’t start with me.” I flipped the pancake while Tap helped himself to coffee. “I’m not a degenerate like you were. I don’t need to jump every guy who catches my attention.”
“Noteveryguy.” Tap winked and took a seat at the breakfast bar. “Besides, I’m a changed man now.”
I snorted. “Because Will would cut your dick off if you cheated on him.”
Tap grinned. “True, but I wouldn’t do that to him, regardless. I love Will, much as I can’t believe I’m actually saying those fucking words.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I know you do.”
Tap managed a blush over those deep olive cheeks, then he poked me in the ribs. “At least you admit this guy has caught your attention. It’s only taken eight years forsomeoneto.”
I tried not to roll my eyes, but it was a done deal. “Of course he caught my attention. Have you seen him? He’s hot. I’d have to be dead not to notice. I’m pathetic, not oblivious. Besides, it’s seven years, not eight.”
Tap pinned me with a look.
I got busy with my batter. “Okay, I’ll admit it’s almost eight. But Thaddeus isn’t a bloody target at some club, Tap. He’s a nice guy who’s going through something big.” I fixed my friend with a steady eye. “And I happen to know what that’s like, remember? He needs a friend, not a hook-up. And a little time to regroup.”
Tap studied me with interest. “So, that’s what you’re doing here? Giving afriendsome time to regroup?”
And it was my turn to blush. “Shut up. I—” My ears pricked at the sound of distant yapping, and I swore. “You left the damn door open.” I lightly punched Tap’s bicep as I passed on my way to retrieve Ziggy. I’d taken one step into the hall when Thaddeus’s bedroom door opened, and the man himself stepped through... in his briefs... and nothing else. Oblivious to me gaping at him, Thaddeus picked Ziggy up and retreated into his room.
