Page 128 of Denim & Diamonds

“How long can you stay?”

I laughed. “I have no plan because I wasn’t even supposed to be here. But I don’t intend to leave until after tomorrow.”

“Well, I’m so happy to have you here, even if it’s only for a couple of days.”

“I want to help you,” I insisted.

“Isn’t it enough that my son pissed in your face? I think you’ve paid your dues.”

“I didn’t mind it.”

“If you don’t mind stuff on your face…” He flashed me a mischievous grin. “I thinkIcan work with that, actually.”

I tugged at his hair. “Good to know becoming a father hasn’t taken away your perviness.”

“Actually, I might’ve gotten worse. I realized this morning that I’m hornier than ever. I thought about you in the shower earlier, never imagining that my fantasies could come true today. You’d better be ready for tonight.”

CHAPTER 33

February

“Wow.” Brock stood in the bathroom doorway and looked me up and down. “You look smokin’ hot.”

After deciding to stay for the weekend, I’d had the brilliant idea to invite his brothers over for dinner on Saturday night—something I was now regretting as I stressed about getting ready. I smoothed the black leather skirt I’d paired with an emerald green silk blouse. “Is this too much? Should I change?”

Brock hooked an arm behind my back and yanked me flush against him. “Out of your clothes? Yes.”

I smiled and rested my hands flat on his chest. “I’m serious. Am I overdressed? And do we have enough food?” My idea of hosting was generally picking items from a menu at a restaurant that did the cooking and cleaning up.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Though I hadn’t askedhowI looked; I’d asked if I was overdressed. But before I could clarify,an odd aroma wafted through the air. “Do you smell that?”

“The roast cooking?”

“No, something else.” I wiggled out of Brock’s grip and let my nose lead the way. The stench grew stronger as I moved toward the kitchen, and my eyes nearly bulged from my head when I saw the oven.Flames!“Oh my God!” I ran to the baby while screaming to Brock. “Fire,Brock!Fire!”

I wasn’t about to stop for a closer look or attempt to put it out. Instead, I scooped poor sleeping Patrick into my arms and bolted to the door. He woke with a scare, and Oak followed us in hot pursuit. From the landing outside, I watched as Brock pulled a fire extinguisher from under the kitchen sink, opened the oven door, and sprayed. Thirty seconds later, he set the extinguisher on the floor. “It’s out. It was contained to the pan. You can come back inside.” He pulled the still-smoking roast out of the oven and placed it in the sink. Fanning away the smoke, he shook his head. “I think I ruined your dinner though.”

I walked back inside with Patrick and Oak, leaving the door open behind me to clear the apartment of residual smoke. “What the heck happened?”

Brock grabbed a fork from the sink and moved the charred roast around in the pan. He lifted what looked like burned paper. “I think you might’ve forgotten to take out the pad that’s packaged under the roast to absorb juices when you put the meat in the oven.”

“Oh my God.” I closed my eyes. “I’m such a dumbass. Why, oh why, did I think I could cook a meal for eight people?”

“It’s actually nine now. Fritz asked if he could bring some woman he’s been seeing. Sorry. I forgot to tell you.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “No biggie. Nothing to feedeightor nothing to feednine—doesn’t really make a difference, does it?”

“It’s fine. We’ll order pizza.”

“But I really wanted to make a good first impression with Linda.”

Brock’s attention shifted to the baby in my arms, and his eyes went soft. “You just ran from the apartment like a bat out of hell carrying this little guy, without even thinking. Your first gut reaction was to take care of Patrick. Trust me, that’s all it’s going to take to make a good impression with Elvin’s wife. Linda’s gonna love you.”

“Did someone say my name?” A voice came from behind us.

I turned to find Brock’s brother Elvin standing in the open doorway next to a pretty brunette who was holding the hand of a little boy. She smiled warmly as she entered. “You must be February.”

---