Page 22 of Trust

Zane let out a breath. “It hasn’t even been a week.”

“Meaning?”

“Olivia has been in my life for exactly six days. On the first day of our acquaintance, she got herself invited for a full tour of the house and a two-hour conversation. By the second day, I was returning her dog and coming up with a long list of the things I’d like to do to her if…well, never mind.”

“Don’t stop, Z. You’ve got me on tenterhooks.”

“You were there on day three and saw how she weaved her magic spell and made herself irresistible. Jeez, it was so obvious with the whole soup offer. Is any man strong enough to resist something like that?”

“Certainly not one who was part of an Army Spec Ops team.”

Nodding, he felt a fraction better since his brother clearly understood what he was up against. “By day four, I was agreeing to free her damn Ferris wheel and am now single handily responsible for making her dreams come true. I mean, the woman has powers I haven’t begun to understand.”

“And what happened on day five?”

Feeling sweat trickle down his back, he shook his head. “That was by far the worst.” He glanced over. “She told me that she had a crush.”

Asher slapped his hand on his thigh and grinned wickedly. “Damn, devil woman. Doesn’t she have any shame?”

“No! And not an ounce of mercy since what man could resist Olivia Bennett’s big chocolate-brown eyes and wicked smile when words like that are flung around?”

“Not someone with any sense.”

“Damn straight.” He rested his hands on his closely shorn hair and gusted out a breath. “And on day six, she kicked me in the nuts and asked me to help with the kids.”

“You might as well grab a ring, propose, and be done with it.”

He spun his head around and let out a bark of laughter when he saw his brother’s knowing smirk. “I’m serious, man.” He waved his hand toward the park filled with rides and booths. “This is my nightmare, yet here I am, ready to walk into the damn fire.”

“Love ain’t easy, man.”

“This isn’t love; it’s insanity.”

“Same thing.”

“Yeah, I can’t argue.” He pressed his hands into the seat. “I’m on a damn seesaw and can’t predict where my mind will be from one minute to the next. One second, I’m confident I can stay away, and the next, I know it’s impossible.”

“What’s your next move?”

Zane leaned forward, caught sight of Olivia, and felt a tiny explosion in his head. Boom went his heart and every objection he’d crafted over the last few days. “Hope I freaking survive whatever happens on day seven.”

“If you don’t, rest easy and know I’ll bury your corpse with all the respect it deserves.”

“Appreciate it, brother.” He climbed out of the truck and stalked toward the woman who single-handedly was blowing up his carefully laid plans.

***

Had someone told him he’d have grubby little munchkins sitting on his lap and hanging on his back, he would’ve laughed in their faces. And yet, that’s precisely what was occurring—along with an additional three sitting on his feet. Blowing out an exasperated breath, he glanced at the little boy whose hands dug into his shoulders and shook his head. “I’m not a jungle gym, Sam. Slide down and get your butt back in line, so you can have your face painted.”

“You’re not allowed to say butt,” Kelsey announced. “Big trouble is coming your way!”

“Doubt it,” he muttered as he looked down at the girl with freckles. “And why are you still here?”

Kelsey ran her fingers over the spider decorating half her face and smiled. “Because you’re a superhero. I need you to make my brother Norman disappear when he’s done with the ring toss.”

“Why do you want to get rid of him?” he asked as he lifted the girl off his knee and set her on her feet.

“Because he tries to use his kung-fu moves on me.”

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