Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
The smile falls from his face, and Tucker walks over to me, takes the plate from me, and sets it on the counter, and then his hand comes up to my cheek, and he brushes his thumb over my skin, giving me goose bumps.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he murmurs.
“I know, but I like to bake, and Greg shouldn’t be left out. Harper told me that he has a sweet tooth.”
Tucker’s jaw flexes, and his eyes dip to my mouth.
“You’re the sweetest damn thing,” he whispers before pulling back and his hands ball into fists at his side. His words are soft and lovely, but his body language screams that something is wrong.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“Never better.” He lets out a breath, and then we hear cheering from the living room. “I have chicken and steak fajitas with all the fixings if you’re hungry, and everyone’s watching the game. Xander’s on fire tonight.”
“Oh, fun. Okay. This looks amazing.” I quickly make myself a plate and then hurry into the living room with the others. “What’s the score?”
“You’re here!” Ava jumps up and gives me a hug, and I hold my plate out to the side so she doesn’t squish it between us. “Tuck said you might come, and I’m so glad you did.”
My eyes find Tucker’s, and he winks at me.
Damn, even his wink is sexy.
“The fajitas are the bomb,” Harper says as she shoves one in her face. “The baby likes them too.”
Harper is almost ready to pop. She looks like it could happen any second, and she’s resting her plate on her belly like it’s a table. She’s completely adorable.
“Where’s Blake?” I ask her.
“Dr. Hubby is at the hospital,” she says around her bite of fajita. “But he said to tell everyone hi, and I’m going to take him a plate of food. It might even last long enough for him to eat it.”
I smirk and glance around.
Their whole family is here. Both sisters, Tucker, and their brother, Easton, who I haven’t met before, but he sends me a nod. He doesn’t give me the creeps at all. In fact, he looks nice. A lot like Tucker, with dark hair and green eyes and muscles that rival his brother’s. He also has all the tattoos in the world down one arm.
The sexy gene is prevalent in this room.
Greg is in a chair, his eyes pinned to the TV as Xander, the only sibling not here, skates over the ice, a puck on his stick, weaving through the opposing team.
We all go quiet as we watch, collectively holding our breath, and then Xander sends the puck into the net, and we all erupt into cheers. I high-five Tucker and then take a bite of my food and feel my eyes go wide.
“Okay, who catered this? These are freaking good.”
Tucker smirks and shoves his hands in his pockets.
“I made the food, Duchess.”
“Duchess?” I hear Ava whisper-yell at Harper, and it makes me grin.
“You’re a good cook, Hotshot.”
“Hotshot?” Harper doesn’t bother to try to whisper back at Ava.
Tucker chuckles, and when the TV switches to a commercial, Greg stands and crosses to me.
“I’m sorry for my manners,” he says as he holds his hand out for me to shake. After just a heartbeat, I take it, and his hand feels warm and firm, but not at all angry or mean. His energy screams welcome, and I feel my shoulders relax. “I’m the dad around here. I hope my kiddo is treating you well.”
“He’s been great, thanks.” I smile up at Tuck and find him watching me with sober eyes.
“She brought sugar-free dessert for everyone,” Tucker adds.
“You and I are going to be good friends,” Greg says with a wink. “I’m grabbing drinks. Who needs a refill?”
Harper raises her hand. “I can’t get off the couch. I’m a whale.”
“You’re beautiful,” I tell her.
“I’m a beautiful whale,” she counters with a laugh. “Seriously, just roll me around.”
“What can I get you, Darby?” Greg asks me.
“Oh, just some water would be great.”
He nods and then he’s gone, and Tucker motions for me to sit in an empty chair.
Easton’s in a Denver Flurry T-shirt. Ava and Harper are both wearing Xander’s jersey. Even Tucker’s shirt is navy blue, one of the team colors.
“I love the team spirit in here,” I tell them as I finish my fajita. Tucker has some crazy good cooking skills, which only makes him more attractive. “Do you always get together for games?”
“Not always,” Easton says. “But we try to often. Xander will FaceTime us after the game, and the big weenie likes it when we’re all together. He’s an attention whore.”
I snort at that, and Ava kicks Easton.
“Be nice,” Ava says.
“I am nice,” Easton replies.
Yeah, I like it here. The whole family calms my nerves, and that only happens when I’m around my own family.