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“Ah, he thinks he’s funny.” I groan as my eyes sweep over his tall, muscular figure.
People call me to solve their crises and I call him to solve mine—not the sheriff who happens to be my cousin or my brothers who never respond on time.
Lance Miller and I have known each other since before I could walk. Rumor has it that our mothers had been best friends since they were children. I wouldn’t know, mine died shortly after I was born. He’s my brother’s best friend as well as mine. Though, sometimes, like right now, he can be a little obtuse. And if I don’t stop him, he’ll crack a few more jokes before he actually does something about the intruder.
“Hey, don’t shoot me, Lee. I’m just trying to understand the big emergency,” he says. “I take it he’s not a guest. So, who is he?”
“We have no idea who he is. Marcy came to make sure the room is ready because we have guests coming in later today. Shefoundhim like that.”
I scrunch my nose and stare at the bed. The guy is lying down on his stomach. His arms set above his dark brown hair.
Lance frowns, taking the wrench away from me. “How many times have I told you that these are tools, not weapons?”
I refuse to explain to him how the wrench could do some serious damage. Lance always manages to make me edgy. As frustration boils in my belly, I focus on his industrial boots and hold my breath, trying to avoid his intoxicating scent. It’s that woodsy aftershave he loves so much and traces of engine oil. It’s so him. I wish I weren’t so attracted to this man. Briefly squeezing my eyes shut, I gather all my strength to pretend he’s not affecting me. That my gut isn’t clenching because my ovaries are about to explode.
There’s a saying that practice makes perfect. I keep practicing and yet, it gets harder to feign that I’m not in love with Lance Miller. Eighteen years of faking that I’m immune to the wide-set jaw, strong cheekbones, dark brows, and full lips can’t go to waste.
Do I care about the way his white T-shirt stretches across his chest?
Nope. I don’t care about his taut body.
I refuse to acknowledge any emotional or physical attraction to this man. Never mind that every time his light blue eyes focus on me, my heart flutters fast inside my chest.
“Hmm,” he says, as he enters the room and I follow him with my eyes. “Bring a bucket filled with cold water and ice.”
“Why would I do that?” I sneer. “It’ll ruin the bed.”
“Wouldn’t you like to see Bishop cry like a little girl?” He pokes the guy with the wrench.
“Wake up, Harris.” Lance’s rough voice booms around the room. “Why are you here?”
“Ew, Hops?” I turn around, disgusted by the sight of my brother’s naked body.
Perfect, just great. I just saw my brother’s bare ass and if this is any indication, he must’ve been kicked out of his place.
“Five more minutes, babe,” Bishop grumbles.
“Handle your friend,” I say to Lance as I walk away. “I need this room,now. We have paying guests arriving soon.”
“You owe me, Lee,” Lance calls after me.
“I don’t owe youshit,” I mumble but I’m sure he doesn’t hear me since I’m almost at the bottom of the stairs.
“You said a bad word,” Cassie, who sits on the foyer couch, chides me.
“Clean those ears,” I say playfully. “Your hearing is faulty.”
“Ha, I heard you all right. You saidshit,” she repeats, giving me a mischievous smile so much like her father’s.
“What have we told you? That’s not a ladylike word, Cassandra,” Lance reprimands his daughter.
“I just repeated what Lee said, Daddy,” Cassie tattletales on me.
“I didn’t know you brought her along.”Or I would have watched my fucking language.
“It’s Saturday and I can’t stay at homealone.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m not old enough. He’s going to have me do homework in his office while he works on a car.”
“You can always hang out with me,” I suggest.
