Page 89 of Lorcan
But I need you to be with me. Not in the kitchen. Even though it’s ten feet away.
A knock sounded on the door.
He pressed a kiss to my lips. Then he rose and headed for the door.
I took a deep breath and followed him.
The first man in the door was Arnav. For the first time in our acquaintance, he wasn’t wearing a suit and tie. Still, he held out his hand.
I shook it. “Uh, let me take your coat.”
“Sure.” As he removed it, the next man stepped in.
A handsome Black man with very short hair and a wide smile. Just a bit taller than myself. He held out his hand. “Everett Williams. I’m also a lawyer.”
Okay. So I’m totally out of my depth.
“I’m just a PI.” The third man of the group stepped into the condo. He had dark-blond hair and the most stunning eyes I’d ever seen. A tawny-brown that reminded me of whisky. He was followed by a huge German Shepherd.
“Oh.” I eyed the dog who I could’ve sworn grinned.
“I’m Rayne Williams. And this is Champ. He’s a rescue with a heart of gold. He loves people. Um, Cody said this was okay.” He grinned with the most dazzling smile I’d ever seen.
I blinked and refocused. “It’s fine. This is Cody’s condo—”
He nudged me.
I swallowed. “You and Champ are more than welcome inourhome.”
Then Rayne’s words sank in.Williams.Ah, so the men were married. Rayne was about Everett’s height, but definitely had more muscles. His tight T-shirt showed them off nicely.
I cleared my throat. “What would you like to drink? We’ve got root beer, ginger ale, orange fizzy, cola, milk, water, and hot chocolate.”
Cody nodded at my recitation. Settling my jangling nerves was proving difficult. Until this moment, it hadn’t sunk in that we were entertaining inourhome.
“Hot chocolate?” Rayne fist pumped the air.
Everett rolled his eyes.
Arnav chuckled.
The four of us sat on the bar stools as Cody boiled the milk in a saucepan and then made five drinks—which he put in Aunt Genessa’s teacups.
Rayne raised an eyebrow. “We never go this formal.”
“As Lorcan said, this is the first time we’re entertaining inourhome. This calls for the special china.”
Everett sipped. “Oh God, Cody. This is as good as my neighbor Cameron’s.”
“Oh, you live near Dr. Johns? At least I assume you mean Cameron the dentist.” Cody sipped. “My Aunt Genessa’s recipe.”
“Cody makes her sound amazing.” I sipped my drink and let the warmth seep into me.
Cody grinned. “Well, we’re seeing her on Christmas Day, so you can tell her in person. Do you guys want to head into the living room?”
Right. So he could sit as well.
We made our way over. Cody, Rayne, and I sat on the sectional. Everett and Arnav sat in chairs opposite us.
