Lach appears in the doorway, looking like a snack. “Jake, the health inspector is here.” He hikes his thumb behind him.

“Alright, thanks.” Jake rises to his feet.

My gaze drifts to Lach. The corner of my mouth twitches into a smile. I spin around to face Jake. “Since you’re busy with the bar, Lach can help me.”

“Help with what?” Lach asks.

“Getting my stuff from Knoxville and bringing it back to Harbor Highlands.”

His eyes widen. “I don’t know.” His words hang heavy in the air. “Shouldn’t Jake help with that?”

Twisting in my chair, I face Lach. “He doesn’t want to leave his bar. And some of my stuff is heavy. So, I could really use a guy’s help.” I give him a tight nod, praying he realizes this gives us an opportunity to spend time together, alone. No prying eyes. Just an orgasmic good time.

“You know what? I like that idea,” Jake interrupts. “I’ll rearrange the schedule with Rylee to get Lach a few days off. I’ll even make it paid. That cool with you?”

I ping-pong between Jake and Lach.

“Yeah.” Lach exhales a deep breath. “I can do that.”

Jake rounds the corner of his desk and stops in front of Lach. He clasps him on the shoulder. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” Leaning in, he whispers, “I trust you’ll keep her out of trouble.” But he doesn’t say it quietly enough so I don’t hear.

I roll my eyes. The protective big brother doing what he does best. Little does he know Lach is a willing participant in my trouble. Between the sheets. On top of the sheets. Wrapped in the sheet. A lot of sheet action will be happening.

“Yeah. That’s what I do,” Lach says.

“Alright. I better get out there.” Jake strolls out of the office and down the hallway.

Lach watches until he’s out of sight, then he spins around. “What the hell was that?”

I stand and strut toward Lach. When the tips of my shoes touch his, I stop. “Now we get a few days alone while we move my stuff to Harbor Highlands. You’re welcome.” I bat my lashes and flash him a sultry smile.

He leans closer to me. “Wait. You’re staying?”

I nod. A sexy smirk, the one that makes me clench my thighs together, flirts on his lips. Yes. This is the best idea I’ve ever had.

NINETEEN

CHARLIE CUMMING

Eve

I stare out the rectangular airplane window. We’re still sitting on the tarmac of the tiny airport in Harbor Highlands while we wait for the rest of the passengers. Although it’s labeled as international, the airport still only has four gates and a security line that takes ten minutes at most. It’s been two weeks since my chat with Jake about moving back. We celebrated Beersgiving, which may be my new favorite holiday. There was so much food, laughter, and games, thanks to Nora. Jake’s lips might have twitched slightly with amusement. As much as I wanted to wrap my arms around Lach and spend the entire night with him, I couldn’t because my brother was there. Watching. He eventually rearranged everyone’s schedule so Lach and I could get a few days off together to collect my belongings. I roll my head to the side an inch, my travel pillow preventing me from turning all the way. “Hopefully, this flight goes better than the last.”

“I’m sitting next to you this time, and I have no plans on going anywhere.”

“Like to the hospital.”

“Yeah. But you have to admit, it worked out for us.”

“It did.” I reach over the armrest and wrap my hand around his, expecting him to move his hand to intertwine our fingers, but instead, he moves away. My heart plummets to the tarmac. I slide my hand to my lap. “Alright then,” I murmur, mostly to myself. Twisting away from Lach, I cross my arms and stare out the window, watching them load the luggage onto the plane.

His shoulder lightly nudges mine. “I’m sorry. I’m not big on public displays of affection.”

I peer at him from the corner of my eye. “But you made out with me at the resort bar with tons of people around. It doesn’t get more public than that.”

“That was a kiss.”

“That’s different from holding someone’s hand, how?”