Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
With a brute strength, I fisted my hand tighter into the T-shirt, jerking Wyatt backward several steps. The move apparently became game-on as Wyatt cackled out loud. I anchored my body in front of Wyatt, chest bumping while all in his face.
“I called him first,” I growled. “You didn’t buy the chairs to get him here. I did.”
“But he could’ve come to deliver the chairs then see me,” Wyatt challenged, returning the chest bump against mine.
“And if he did, you’re gonna talk up the benefits of your good buddy, Slade, got it?” I placed both palms on Wyatt’s chest, shoving him backward several steps.
“Shouldn’t someone get the door?” Scout asked when the bell rang again.
“Dude, okay,” Wyatt said, lifting both hands in the air between us. I maintained the aggressive, defensive stance a moment or two longer until Wyatt took a voluntary step backward.
A warm, muggy burst of air swept over me, I glanced over my shoulder to see Scout standing in the foyer, front door wide open, wiping his hands with a dish towel. Mace stood on one side of his sister. On her other side was a guy who held her hand. Most likely the baby’s daddy. All four sets of eyes were staring at me. Both Bryce’s and Gray’s heads were angled to the side, bent to better see who was at the door.
Dammit, I didn’t have to see Wyatt to know he was loving this moment.
Probably not the best first impression.
I gave a warning glare to Wyatt, resisting the urge to coldcock that giant smile off Wyatt’s face. Before turning into the host, I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease the tension Wyatt put there, and plastered my passive expression on my face.
“Come in,” I called, hoping I pulled off inviting. The adrenaline from moments ago vanished as I took a good, long stare at Mace. All the same reactions from earlier happened again. My body tensed, my nipples grew sensitively taut against my cotton T-shirt, and my cock went relentlessly hard. Nothing had changed in Mace’s appearance, except maybe the day’s heat and dust helped push those captivating pheromones from him to me.
Damn, I liked the way he looked.
As I went forward to greet my guests, those stunning, big blue/slate eyes settled on me. I was locked in his visual grip. My steps faltered as I stumbled over my own feet.
It was shocking to absorb how badly I wanted to have sex with Mace. My lip tucked between my teeth, gnawing like I wanted to do to his ass.
“We brought the chairs,” Lori said. The back of her hand patted against the unknown guy. “This is my husband, Max. Are we interruptin’ dinner?”
I was forced to move my gaze to Lori, reminding myself that this was my home. I was responsible for the welcome and greeting. When words didn’t come easily, I stuck out a hand, shaking Max’s. When I opened my mouth to suggest they come farther inside, no sound came.
Hell, my mind went completely blank.
“Come inside,” Scout said, confusion in his tone. “I figure that’s what Slade’s tryin’ to say.”
If nothing more, the cold air conditioning pouring from my home had me slinging a hand out, inviting them inside.
“It is him,” Max said, lifting a hand to push his ball cap up on his forehead. “I won’t say anything to anyone. Lori laid down the law about that, but I really thought she had gotten it wrong. Who knew Christopher Whitaker bought a house in this area? Nice to meet you.”
I shook the man’s hand as alarm bells rang louder than my over-the-top sexual need. “Call me, Slade.”
Mace pushed his hands inside his front pockets. “What’s happenin’ here?” he asked, brow furrowed.
“You’ll figure it out eventually,” Lori said, stepping aside as the door closed behind them. Thankfully, Scout was on his game, I wasn’t there with him at all.
“I’ll figure out what?” Mace tried again, this time looking at Max from over Lori’s head. Another shift happened. For the first time in all the years I’d spent my summers here, it didn’t bother me to be recognized. Especially if it helped sway Mace to my side of things.
“That show the kids love that we watch together…? He’s in that show. Lots more hair and lots less clothes,” Max added.
Mace’s blank stare said he still wasn’t getting it. “I don’t watch TV,” he said, and I stuck my hand his direction. The shake of his hand was only an excuse to touch him.
A faint blush tinted his cheeks, and he tilted his head as Max held up his cell phone, my picture as Poseidon was on the screen.
“Yeah. I’m sorry. Still don’t know you,” Mace said, sounding apologetic.
“Mace, just stop,” Lori cut in, embarrassed over her brother. “My brother doesn’t get out much. Probably never watched Netflix.”