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“Sounds pretty incredible.”
“I enjoyed it for sure. Well, once I figured out they did actually want me. We didn’t have a lot of new things, but we had all we could ever need.”
A humorless laugh escaped him. “You had love, beautiful. That’s more than a lot of people have.”
“I know. One of my sisters is overseas right now. She was adopted when her mother, a military woman, got tired of being a mom when she came home. Violet was used to being a possession and an object the multiple men who came to see her mother wanted to get their hands on.”
“Fuck. Did they ever?”
She shook her head. “Violet says no, but some days I wonder. All I know is she’s not a fan of military men. Respects what they do, but in her eyes, they’re just looking for the next fuck. Men or women, it’s just if they serve in the military. She’s not had any good experiences in that vein.”
“Guess we’ll have to keep her away from Hastings then.”
Her lips turned up at the edges.
Bradford claimed her mouth, wanting something more physical than verbal at the moment.
Chapter Eight
The snow had finally stopped. The skies had cleared and damn if she didn’t have a signal on her phone. Not inside the house, but hey, she was willing to stand outside in the middle of the yard.
“Oh my God, Iris. Are you okay?”
Tears burned the corners of her eyes. She’d not realized how worried her siblings would be to not hear from her. “I’m fine. Promise, Daisy. The storm finally ended and it’s fucking beautiful out here. Not sure when the roads will be passable, but it’s looking up.”
“You know you could have told us more about this place instead of springing it on us once you’d already headed out there.”
“I’m sorry.”
Her sister snorted. “No, you’re not.”
“You’re right. I’m not. How are you doing with your hottie? Legs over his shoulders yet?”
“Iris!”
She laughed and tipped her head back to the sun. “So…that’s a yes.”
“I hate you.”
She tsked. “And around Christmas. Shame on you, Daisy.” Bradford walked out on the porch, and she realized he should make a call to let people know he was okay. “I have to go, hon.”
“Love you, Iris. Oh, Vi is heading out from Papua to Djibouti.”
“Thanks for letting me know. Make sure you call Mom on Christmas. None of us will be home this year.”
“I know, but I’m just getting back from this shitstorm in NOLA and I can’t make it home.”
There was something else in her sister’s voice that awoke the protector in her. “What’s going on?”
Bradford watched her for a few moments then headed to the edge of the porch and down. Into the deep-ass snow.
Is he crazy?
He was, she realized as he continued on through the deepening snow to reach her. Moving up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. Damn it, her legs were all weak and shaky now.
“Daisy?” she pushed. Her youngest sister was well-known for keeping her emotions contained deep inside.
“I’m fine, Iris. Promise.”
“I know you’re lying but I’m going to let it go. But you call me if you need me.”
A sorrowful snort. “You’re stuck in the damn mountains, sis. I got this.”
“Never a doubt in my mind, Daisy. Love you.”
“I love you too.” She ended the call, and Iris frowned as she stared at her phone.
Turning in Bradford’s arms, she tried to scowl at him, but damn it, he didn’t make it easy. Hot as hell. Sexy. And downright adorable when he looked at her like he was doing.
She shoved her phone into his chest. “Call whomever and let them know you’re alive.”
His lip curled up, and she pushed harder on the phone. “Bradford.”
He snatched her gaze and gave her a slow, melting grin. “You know I get hard when you use that firm tone on me.”
Rolling her eyes, she refused to get distracted. “Call someone.” She whistled, and Piros bounded out from wherever he’d been. “I’m taking him on a walk.”
Even as she said it, she bent over and checked to make sure his boots were on securely and his bright orange collar wouldn’t fall off. There were a lot of things she would let slide, Piros and his safety weren’t one of them.
Bradford hooked his finger in the back of her jeans and tugged. Standing straight, she glanced over her shoulder.
“You aren’t getting out of this.”
He flashed that grin again. “Get out of what? I just wanted to come on the walk with you.”
“No. You still don’t have proper footwear. In fact, make your call quick and get back inside.”
Damn those sweatpants that did nothing to hide his erection. The man had zero shame.
Not that I blame him given what he’s packing. His smirk firmly in place, he held her phone in one hand and gripped himself with the other, highlighting all too well what she didn’t need to focus on.
