Page 111 of Hot for the Jerk

“Not gloating at all.I’m definitely going to miss your hot little ass pressed against my dick.But Marco’s already asking if we’re going to get married.We don’t want him waking up looking for you and not able to find you.We risked it enough last night.”

Ugh.He was right.Why was he always right?

“I’ll give you a good ass licking tomorrow, okay?”

“Promise?”

He reached over for the bedside table lamp.“Promise.”The light went out, and I schlepped my way to the guest room, my body hungry for more Jagger, my heart so wide open and full, I couldn’t keep the smile from my face if I tried.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Jagger

MarcoandIfinishedour morning workout, and he went up to shower while I got the coffee going.Raina was still sleeping, and I had to smile to myself as I brought down two mugs.Poor little cactus was exhausted after getting her salad tossed last night.

While the coffee machine kicked to life, I leaned against the counter, still in my gym clothes, and sipped my post-workout shake.Yesterday, despite the news about Ozais still potentially being at large, had been a good day.

It ended up being easier than I thought it would be having Raina and Marco here.Even working in the dining room with Raina was really nice.

Her laptop sat open on the table as she worked more into the evening while Marco and I played video games.Her binder and papers were neatly stacked, and the computer screen was black.

Yesterday, she worked on the land proposal.Were they just working on it now?Or simply polishing?We finished our proposal ages ago, but after disaster hit and we had to cancel because Chloe was in danger, we thought we forfeited our chances.Only, the Elders took pity on us, and decided to postpone all the proposals until the spring.So of course, Bennett and Clint wanted us to polish it up a bit more—not that I think it needed it.

Curiosity burned hot inside of me as I stared at the dark computer screen.What did they want Bonn Remmen’s land for?They had more acreage on their vineyard than we did.Yes, some of the cousins could use bigger houses, but couldn’t they just build those on their existing property?If Raina wanted to get out of the basement suite, couldn’t she just build a house among the trees?Or better yet, move in with me?

Swallowing, I made a fist on the granite counter as my fingers itched to toggle the wireless mouse and justseeif the proposal was still up on the screen.

Noise on the stairs of someone coming down had me stepping abruptly to the fridge to grab the cream, just as Raina came around the corner.“Morning,” she said before yawning.

Even though I’d done nothing wrong, I still felt a bit like the cat that nearly swallowed the canary, and flashed her a smile way too big for the moment.“Morning.”

She gave me a curious look.Oh fuck.

Play it cool, McEvoy.

My gaze darted to her laptop, then her face.Her eyes did the same, then her brows narrowed.

“Did I leave this open?”she asked, going to her computer and shutting it.

“Guess so,” I said casually, pouring cream into our mugs.

Marco came down the stairs a moment later, his yawn bigger than his mothers.“Do I have to go back to school?”

“Yes,” Raina and I both said at the same time.

He grumbled, but went about grabbing his prepared lunch kit from the fridge and getting his backpack all ready.

I handed Raina her coffee, and she took it with a suspicious glint in her eyes.We sipped our brew without saying anything.At least not with our mouths.Her eyes said a whole fucking lot as they kept darting from me to the laptop and back.

“So I’m catching the bus with the McEvoy kids today?”Marco asked, returning to the kitchen and grabbing himself a bowl out of the cupboard for his Rice Krispies.I loved that he felt comfortable enough in my home to get what he needed.

Raina set her mug down on the granite island with a weary sigh.“Can you humor me and let me drive you?”

He rolled his eyes as he poured milk over his cereal.“Aw, Mom.Really?Why can’t I take the bus?They caught your brothers and they’re already back on the mainland, right?”

I glanced at Raina, unable to hide her confliction.

“How about you let your mom drive you in my trucktoschool, then you can take the bus home, hmm?Sound like a good compromise?”I offered.

---