Page 19 of Trust

“Clearly,” she said, covering his hand.

He coughed and then picked up his sandwich.

Not a big deal. Even if her touch lit up a part of him, he would’ve sworn was non-existent.

Olivia slipped her hand away and lifted a book out of the basket. “I have one more chapter to read before our book club meeting tonight, so I hope you don’t mind if I do that while you fiddle with the,” she waved her finger toward the metal box, “disaster.”

“You don’t have to keep me company, Liv.”

“But I want to. Unless having me nearby will be annoying.”

“Not annoying, but certainly distracting.”

She swayed back and forth and smiled widely. “Whoop, whoop. I’m wearing you down and think that big-dick energy might soon be set free.”

Choking, he sat forward. “What did you say?”

She patted him on the back. “Not going to repeat it.”

Straightening, he took several deep breaths. “Oh, yes, you are. What in the hell is big-dick energy?”

“It’s what you’ve got.” She batted her hand around his body. “It combines alpha cool, swagga, and quiet confidence.”

“And apparently a big dick.”

“That’s just a euphemism. It’s not literal.”

He watched her eyes travel to his hands and then his boot-clad feet. He rolled his eyes when they remained there, and her cheeks flushed pink. “Size fourteen, babe.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, not a thing to lie about.”

“Oh, well, I wasn’t…”

He leaned down so they were looking into one another’s eyes. “Anything else you want to ask before I dive into this sandwich?”

“Nope.” She shook her head vigorously. “Not a thing.”

“Good.” Not able to hold back a smile, he watched her eyes travel back to his hands and decided that if she was going to be the death of him, it might not be the worst way to go.

SIX

Hearing more than Zane and Asher’s voices, Olivia looked out her kitchen window and laughed when she saw her grandmother and sister give the Hawker men broad smiles. “Pray for mercy, boys; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

She closed the oven door, set the timer on her phone, and stepped out to the porch, wondering if the years the men had spent in the military would be enough. It didn’t seem all that likely when she saw Zane run his hands over his short hair and give her Grams a pained smile. “Go easy,” she muttered as she moved toward the group.

“Good morning, family. Why didn’t you let me know you were stopping by?”

“And give you a chance to give these men a fair warning?” Grams trilled. “Not on your life.”

“I tried,” Lucy said firmly. “But she told me she wouldn’t let me borrow her jewelry anymore if I did.”

“Good to know where your priorities lay.” She kissed her grandmother and then hugged her sister. “Have you all gone through introductions?”

“Of course,” Lucy said with a smirk.

“Should I be worried that you two look like you’re about to stir the pot and make some trouble?”

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