Zeke hopped up, his bare chest tan and begging to be touched. “I’ll help. You have more to carry these days.”
Griff secretly punched Zeke’s thigh as he moved by, and Zeke responded by slapping his older brother on the back of the head. Con shook his head at both of them and started talking to Grace about her morning with me.
Zeke rested his hand on my back as we walked downstairs, his smile permanent on his face. “You look beautiful, Autumn. I miss the oversized T-shirt from last night, but this is good, too.”
I looked down at my flannel bottoms and cut-off top. “This is fulfilling all of your fantasies, huh?”
Laughing, he nodded. “You’d be surprised. I’ve had more than one dream about sexy cows since that outfit of yours the other day.”
“Should I be worried?”
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “Only about how you’re going to let those other two losers down at the end of the summer.”
I shoved him away and went through to the kitchen, rolling my eyes. “You’re an idiot.”
Greta turned and looked at me with raised brows. “Excuse me?”
I stopped short and Zeke ran into me. Stumbling forward a step until he caught me and held me against his chest, I blushed and did my best to push away from him before Greta saw us. “Sorry, Greta. Not you. I was just talking to Zeke here.”
She looked from me to Zeke and then back again. “Okay, no problem.”
Zeke gently tugged at my hair and leaned into me. “You called your boss an idiot in front of Greta. You’re lucky Helen didn’t hear you. I’m her favorite.”
Greta smiled at Zeke and shook her head. “Only because you don’t have kids or, now, dogs for her to clean up after.”
He looked at the food all set out for breakfast and started rearranging things so we could have a buffet upstairs. “Oh, I’m sure she’s thrilled about the dogs.”
“Hey, I clean up after them. The kids do, too.” I snagged a piece of fruit and popped it into my mouth. “Although, Sir Fluffy Butt does shed a lot. Should I apologize to her? I could put together a little gift basket.”
Greta winced. “I wouldn’t. She’s a fickle lady and she’d probably find a gift insulting.”
“Breakfast looks amazing, Greta. We’re all eating upstairs on the balcony from here on, I guess. Just put it together however is easiest and one of us will stop by to grab it.”
Looking over at us, Greta watched us with raised brows. “What is happening in this household? Since when do the Phoenix men do buffet style anything?”
I grabbed the tray of drinks and twirled away. “I don’t want to keep anyone waiting! See you for lunch, Greta!”
Zeke followed behind me with the bigger tray of food, laughing. “She’s right. You’ve turned this place upside down.”
“I’m not sure anyone thinks it’s a good thing.” I hesitated. “Besides me. Did you see Jones hug Griff? That was amazing.”
Zeke stopped in the middle of the stairs and made an aggravated noise. “I wish I wasn’t carrying this stupid tray right now. I need my hands free.”
“Why?”
He went up a few more steps and slid the tray onto the floor before doing the same with mine. Then, he pressed me into the stair railing and kissed me. Deep and slow, it was a burn that left me panting for more. When he pulled back, he stroked his hand down my face and gave me a small smile, one that felt somehow more real and special than his larger-than-life grins.
“You’re a special woman, Autumn. You really care about the kids, don’t you?”
I nodded, confused. “Of course, I do.”
He kissed me again and then nipped my lip, pulling back with his normal cheeky grin. “Come on. If we serve Griff cold eggs, he’ll turn green and start smashing things.”
I laughed and rushed up the stairs ahead of him. Grabbing the drink tray, I wobbled a bit before Zeke was there, steadying me. Looking up at him, I had trouble catching my breath as a rush of attraction washed over me. “I hope we have a date soon.”
“Fuck breakfast, let’s have it now.” He reached for me and grumbled when I slipped out of his grip. “Fine. Feed the children and then sexy time.”
I was still laughing when I stepped out onto the balcony and started handing out drinks. In a great mood, I planted a kiss on each kid’s head as I put their milk down in front of them. Joneswiped his off, but I just added another that made him push me away, but with a small smile on his face.
