Page 162 of Will Bark for Pizza
“We’re just friends,” I told her.
“I doubt that,” Madeline shot back, a knowing twinkle in her hazel eyes. The same color as Beckett’s. The resemblance was easier to spot, the longer she stood on the other side of the counter. “But I’m not here to lecture you or anything. You two are grown adults. What you do—or don’t do—is none of my business. So long as you aren’t taking advantage of my brother.”
“Is that a threat?”
Madeline shrugged. “Does it need to be?”
“No.”
“Then, it’s not.”
The bells chimed overhead again, and Husker sprinted to the front door.
Beckett walked in, carrying two coffees—one of them iced. “I see you two have met.”
“We were just having a little chat,” Madeline said,pushing up off the counter and taking the warm coffee from him.
“Madeline,” he said, his voice a low warning.
A little late, considering his sister already had her cards on the table, but still kind of sweet.
“She’s right,” I chimed in. I didn’t need Beckett getting in the middle of whatever this was. I could handle his sister, even if I did have something to hide. I was done being pushed around. “We were just chatting.”
“Ready to go?” Madeline asked Beckett.
Beckett set the iced coffee on the counter and gave me a wink. “I’m taking her to the Kniffen Street house.” To Madeline, he said, “You do know I’m putting you to work, right?”
“I thought of it as more of a supervisory position.”
“It’s not.”
“We’ll see.”
“Everything good here?” Beckett fished a treat out of his pocket and Husker plopped his butt down in anticipation.
“Yep.” I forced a smile, hoping he bought it.
I was not about to admit I had an issue with bookshelves in front of Madeline. I didn’t need to give her any reason to think I was taking advantage of her brother. I understood her protective nature. I felt the same way when it came to my brothers. But I didn’t care for her snap judgment.
“Just getting some work done while it’s quiet,” I said.
“If you need anything?—”
“Thanks,” I said quickly, glancing at Madeline, who was already at the door.
Beckett’s gaze lingered on mine. For a moment, I forgot we had an audience. The wicked gleam in his eyes brought me back to the cabin, where he gave me so many orgasms I lost count.
“See you at family dinner tomorrow, Red.”
FIFTY-ONE
BECKETT
Connie and Dale’shouse was filled with conversation, laughter, and as many people as they could fit around the extra-large farmhouse table. Madeline won them over with ease, offering to help Connie prepare the massive meal that produced enough food to feed an army. She was like Nana in many ways, able to fit right into whatever crowd she stumbled upon as though she’d been there the whole time.
She declined Connie’s offer to stay in the guest room I’d occupied. Too bad, because I missed having Kira in my bed these past few days.
I scanned the dining room for Red.
