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Gracie went to him and pulled him in for a hug. “I know you’re concerned,” she whispered for his ears alone, “but it’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
He nodded and patted her on the back. “Of course it will be.”
As she pulled away he was pleased to see a smile on her face. She was going to be his sister when Wade married her. He wanted to see her happy, always. In the meantime, he intended to see that Catherine didn’t do anything to dampen that happiness.
“Anyone want a refill on the coffee?” Gracie asked.
“Did someone mention coffee?” a female voice asked from the doorway. Dean turned to see his sister, Deanna, and Jonas striding in. Dean watched as Jonas helped Deanna off with her coat. Christ, it was still weird to see the two of them together. Jonas had been friends with Wade for years, ever since their military days, but he’d only recently gotten together with Deanna. Jonas seemed to mak
e her happy though, and as long as that never changed Dean was fine with it.
“Damn, it’s cold out,” Jonas grumbled. “Spring is definitely in hiding.”
Wade turned to Catherine and said, “In early April, Ohio can be pretty cold still. It warms up, though, by the middle of the month.”
“Don’t worry, I came prepared.” She plucked at her top and said, “I brought along lots of sweaters.”
“Two cups of coffee coming right up, guys,” Gracie said, “but first I’d like you both to meet Catherine,” Gracie said, her voice all but brimming with happiness.
Catherine got out of the chair and moved forward to accept a handshake from Jonas and a hug from Deanna. Dean’s gaze unerringly went to Catherine’s ass. She wore a pair of skin-tight jeans and a loose, fuzzy black sweater. The high-heeled boots didn’t escape his notice either. She was all sexy hills and valleys. Dean had the overpowering need to reach out and grab her, to pull her against him and feel how well she fit. He tamped down on it and glanced over to see Wade watching him and frowning. Shit.
“So, who here is hungry?” Gracie said as she clapped her hands together in front of her. Jonas said he could eat a horse, and Deanna and Catherine both mentioned that they could eat a few bites. When Wade offered to cook, everyone sent up their agreements. Wade was a damn good cook.
Dean didn’t speak, because all his concentration was focused on his baffling reaction to Catherine. She turned to him and her eyebrows rose. “Aren’t you hungry?”
He thought of just how easily he could devour her and replied, “Famished.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
He let a grin slip across his face. “I was distracted.”
Her cheeks heated as if she could read his dirty thoughts as clear as day. “Oh,” she murmured.
Wade slapped a hand on the counter, effectively pulling Dean’s attention away from Catherine’s alluring green eyes. “How about chicken Parmesan.”
Dean was about to agree, but he remembered they were still missing a member of their little clan. “Shouldn’t we wait for Mom?”
“She’s on her way,” Deanna offered. “She called and said she was running late from work.”
Catherine moved back to her seat and wrapped her hands around her mug, then tapped out a little rhythm on the side. Dean had noticed her doing it before. There was something about the gesture that captured and held his attention. “I can’t wait to meet her,” Catherine said. “I’ve heard so much about her from Gracie.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much your first day here? I mean, everyone would’ve been content to wait a day or so. To give you time to adjust.”
“Gracie’s right,” Jonas said with a grin. “We can be a lot to take in all at once. We’re better in small doses.”
Catherine laughed, and Dean’s heart sped up at the sweet sound. “It’s fine, really. I love it that you all came to meet me. I’m honored.”
Deanna went to the coffeemaker and started brewing another pot, while Wade started preparing dinner. Gracie asked Catherine a question about some book that was recently released, and soon the pair was lost in a conversation about some author’s hot heroes. Dean looked over at Jonas and caught the man staring at him. He made a motion with his head before heading into the other room. Dean stood and followed.
Once alone, Jonas whispered, “You satisfied that she’s who she says she is?”
Dean tucked his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I believe she’s Catherine Michaels. I believe she was adopted and that Gracie is her sister. They look too much alike not to be related.”
Jonas quirked a brow. “Then what’s with the looks you keep sending her when you think no one is watching?”
“I just don’t trust her,” he gritted out. “I won’t rest easy until I know for certain that she wants nothing from Gracie except some sisterly bonding time.”
“What the hell else could it be?”
