Page 3 of Never the Same

“That doesn’t sound very much like something I’d do, now, does it?” I took a moment to commit to memory this man’s glorious body, then left with Ranger before he could respond. “Maybe I’ll take a closer look at your daddy’s books and see what he likes to read, what do you think?”

In the hallway, Ranger went up on his back legs and pawed the air.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I wandered into the living room, stopping at the built-ins flanking his flat-screen TV. Each had closed-door cabinets below, the kind of neat symmetry that was very Reed.

I went to my knees, sitting back on my heels as I opened the first door. Rows of hardbacks greeted me. Mostly science fiction (no surprise there), but there was also a solid lineup of nonfiction, too. I reached for one, curious, but froze when a sheet of paper slipped loose and fluttered to the floor.

Shit. I didn’t want to look. I really didn’t. It was one thing to break into his house and poke around. It was another to read something he’d clearly hidden.

But I’d already seen the letterhead, which had my pulse stuttering. The logo at the top was one I recognized, and dread prickled the back of my neck. A low hum filled my ears, and I could practically hear Reed’s voice telling me to leave it alone.

Ranger pawed my arm like he agreed, but it was too late. The guilt was already coiling in my gut as I read the first line. I now knew something Reed wouldn’t want me to—and no way could I unknow it.

Chapter One

Hollis

Two months later

What was it with this man and doorways? He was constantly standing in the middle of one whenever we faced off. In his defense, I had broken into his house and was sitting in his kitchen uninvited.

Reed kept the door propped open with his shoulder, a faint chill sneaking around him.

He let go of the leash, and I patted my jeaned thighs twice, giving Ranger permission to prop his paws on me. He bopped his face against me. His nose was cool and wet against mine, his fur carrying the faint smell of wet dog I wasn’t a fan of, but for him, I’d ignore it.

“Hey, boy.”

“That ‘hey, boy’ for him or me?”

He truly exemplified grumpy old man without the old part, and he seemed to enjoy owning that personality quirk.

“Both,” I teased, slowly lifting my eyes to find him still hovering, allowing the doorframe to cocoon all six-two of his muscular sexiness.

I unclipped Ranger’s leash, and he ran over to his water bowl for a drink.

“And you’re here because?” The low rumble of his voice matched the storm outside.

“I did warn you over our last text I’d be in town, didn’t I? I recall you were in need of a good eye roll. I’m here to help.”

The little crinkles around his eyes tightened as he stared at me. “So glad I have that to look forward to.”

“I knew you would be.” I sat back in the chair and gestured to the bottle of bourbon and the two glasses I had ready to go. I knew he drank it neat like me, so no need for ice. “I come bearing a gift.” I added two fingers of bourbon into both, and he let the door shut behind him and walked farther inside. “Audrey’s not home, so I came here instead.”

He dragged his fingers through his damp hair, giving himself a sexy just-showered look, then wiped his palms on the sides of his jeans. “Bourbon isn’t exactly her go-to, and she’s pregnant.”

“It was for Alex.” And he totally knew that.

“For what? Putting up with you?” He jutted his chin forward. “And did you just roll your eyes at me, ma’am?”

Why did I find his ma’am’ing me sexy instead of making me feel old? Also, that flash of teeth with a quick grin sent a shiver up my back.

I hadn’t been in a good mood before he opened that door, but within a matter of seconds, he had me forgetting all my stress.

I didn’t get how he calmed me, but it was becoming an addicting feeling, since this wasn’t the first or even fifth time his mere presence gave me peace.

I’d be lying if I said I’d only dropped into town to see my best friend. I was myself around Audrey more than anyone else—well, until this man came along. Whenever I hung out with either of them, I could be Hollis, girl next door. Not Lady Celeste Hollis Avery Wyndham d’Aragon, heiress to a legacy cloaked in secrets and shadows.

“Cat got your tongue, darlin’?”