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Kane nodded and looked over at Eve. “Eve, you’re coming with us as well. We have more than enough room on the ranch.”
Kane and Sarah started whispering about sleeping arrangements and where Eve would be most comfortable.
“Eve can have my house.” Luke said, stopping them all mid-sentence.
Luke could see confusion on his brothers faces. “I can bunk in my swag for a few weeks.”
Jackson smirked as he nodded. “Smooth move brother,” quickly shutting up as Luke glowered at him.
Eve put her hand on his forearm again, her touch warming the area for him. “I don’t want to put you out. I’m sure there’s a motel I can stay at.”
“No. Its settled. You’re coming with us,” Sarah said. “There’s loads of room.” She said as she drew Eve towards the cars. “The ranch is enormous, multiple houses.” Sarah glanced back at the brothers. “They all live there, so you will be safe.”
Eve stopped and looked back at Luke. “You all live together?” she asked.
Another brother laughed as he stepped forward. “Not together. Separate houses but on the same ranch.”
“Yeah, they’re not weirdos that all live in the same house. Could you imagine sharing with these mountains of men all the time,” Sarah huffed as she sent a small smile in Kane’s direction.
“Right then. Let’s get home and settled,” Kane directed as they all disbanded, leaving Luke standing still on the sidewalk, wondering why the hell he had just done that.
Luke
Lukesettledintoaroutine for the next few nights, staying out of Eve’s way as much as possible, unsure why she had such an effect on him. He was usually a take charge man, getting what he wants and not slowing down for anyone. He had never had any trouble with women before, but he had also never met anyone so contradictory like Eve either. She was all curves and curls. Sass and steam. Spice and sweetness.
How is that possible? I want to sink my hands into her while she breathes my name under me, begging me for more.
Each night he camped in his swag close by to Eve. Tonight, he moved closer to the house after Sarah had confided that Eve might need some support after the fire investigation showed it was arson. Eve’s ex-boyfriend had been arrested after he turned up at the local hospital with burns to his arms. Once the brothers heard about Eve’s ex, they banded together to support her. She was now one of them.
One of mine.
Sarah managed a family violence shelter, and three years ago Eve was her first client as she ran from her ex. He was recently released from prison where his obsession with Eve had not diminish with time. Sarah and Eve had formed a friendship, then neighbours and soon were each other’s support systems. Until Kane came along. Now the family have expanded to include all of them.
The ranch was always a place where the brothers didn’t take their women. They each had apartments in the city for that, but Sarah, and now, Eve soon changed that. Sarah and Kane had settled into living together, their wedding date getting closer and their new house nearly built. They had both decided to stay in the city for a few weeks. Luke knew the real reason was that Kane wanted Sarah all to himself, and didn’t want any interference from his brothers. It was the one downfall of the ranch. He loved that they were so close to one another, that they were always on hand, but it was also a burden when you wanted solitude. After tonight, Luke would live in Kane’s old house and do some minor repairs for Eve to eventually live in.
And stay on the ranch with me.
Luke had never felt so attracted to a woman before. He usually kept to himself and only socialised with his brothers; women when he needed the company. His social skills also weren’t great, but he had spent most of his life in combat, and there was no need for small talk then. Combat taught him not to trust anyone but his brothers and he relied on that instinct.
“And now Sarah and Eve,” he muttered, “and Fred, her ginger ninja cat.”
Although Luke was happy Eve was staying in this house, he had one rule for Eve about the house.
Don’t go into his office.
That was his own private space. His space for what he loved to do best. Reading romance novels. And the room? That was his private sanctuary and home to hundreds of romance novels. That room and the Book Nook were his spaces. His alone time to completely relax from the outside world. Especially the pressures of managing logistics at Threat Assess.
His thoughts wandered to his brothers, who relied on him to make tough decisions and lead them through the challenges of security breaches and threats. He felt the weight of their expectations pressing down on him, but he also knew that they respected and trusted him. The books, and now The Book Nook that he had recently bought, allowed him to escape the pressures of his everyday life and lose himself in the world of love and adventure.
Luke couldn't help but think about the contrast between his love for romantic fiction and the persona he maintained at work. In the cutthroat security industry, vulnerability was a weakness, and he wondered what his competitor’s might think if they discovered his secret. His brothers already knew he had a liking for the books, but not to the extent of what it actually was.
And now he had to keep it from Eve as well.
Luke
Withintheweek,Lukehad settled into Kane’s house and had begun fixing some small handyman tasks, ready for Eve. Each night, Luke had made it a habit to walk from Kane’s house to his, just to say good night to Eve, and each time Fred had taken a swipe at him. The wedding of Kane and Sarah was approaching and he wanted to ask Eve to be his date. Luke couldn’t wait to feel her in his arms as they danced. He felt himself stiffen at the thought of holding her against him.
“Settle down”, he muttered to himself, “I haven’t even asked her yet.”
