West popped a grape into his mouth and studied me.
“You did a good job with him. I’m assuming all the good parts of him came from you, anyway. He’s a hard worker and a quick learner. Mills already told him he has a job waiting for him after vet school if he wants it. We’d go in half with Maxie’s guys to pay his salary. As you saw, having a vet this close would be an asset.”
I froze with a strawberry halfway to my mouth.
“You’re serious? That would be amazing for him!”
“I’m serious. He’s Lucky’s uncle. No matter what, he’ll always have a place here if he wants it.” Grabbing my hand and pushing it the rest of the way to my lips, West watched as I bit into the berry. “Same goes for you.”
I sat and ate a few more bites while thinking about his words. He let me.
“I’m not trying to steal your family. You guys are always going to come first with your sisters. I hope you know that.”
He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.
“Don’t worry about that right now, kitten.”
I tried to lighten the mood and smiled.
“You’re right. I have plenty of other things to worry about instead.”
West seemed contemplative for a few minutes as we ate in silence. Finally, he lifted his eyes to mine and the look he gave me was intensely curious.
“Was there anyone after us?”
My back stiffened.
“Are you doubting that Lucky is—”
“No! No, Reagan. That’s not why I’m asking.” He cleared his throat. “I told you mine so I was hoping you’d tell me yours.”
I took a huge gulp of water and faked a laugh.
“You want to exchange sex secrets now?”
“No.” He took the tray and put it on the floor so there was nothing between us. “I want to know if you were able to let another man touch you after that night with us.”
I crossed my arms and stared at the wall over his shoulder.
“That’s invasive.”
He let out a soft laugh. “You’reinvasive.”
Scoffing, I stood up and planted my hands on my hips in front of him.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you snuck into my head and spread yourself around.” He stood up so we were toe-to-toe and I was tipping my head back to look up at him. “You’re not answering my question, though. Has there been someone else since us?”
I wanted to lie. I wanted to pretend I hadn’t been at all bothered by our night together and I’d moved on to many more men after. I wasn’t a liar, though.
“No.”
He gripped my waist and let out a shuddering breath.
“The idea of touching anyone else after that night never crossed my mind, kitten. It would’ve been wrong to feel another woman under me when all I would’ve been thinking was about howyoufelt.”
I scowled at the image his words painted. It wasn’t hard to see Melanie as the woman under him. Whether it was the hormones or maybe I’d just lost my mind, I grabbed his shirt and tugged his face down so we were eye-to-eye. I didn’t even know what to say. I was angry over nothing but I wanted to shake him for the thought of him and Melanie existing in my head.