His eyes flicker with irritation, but it barely registers because a familiar scent hits me at the same time my senses go on alert. I glance over my shoulder to find the house vacant, but I know she's near.
"I thought we worked through this shit. And here we are again. She's struggling because of my fuck-ups." He goes on, unaware we're no longer alone.
"Some things are out of your control."
"When it comes to Darby, nothing is out of my control. Not anymore. I lived through that lesson once."
"Before you turn into a maniac, stop thinking about how you feel and put yourself in her place."
"Her place is in my arms where I can protect and take care of her. I can't do that if she won't talk to me. Where did this even come from? She knows I've never gone through this before and how different my life was when Maya and Cole were born. Every experience with her and this baby is new."
"She's going through a lot and deserves her feelings. Give her some slack."
"Whose side are you on? Why do you sound like Mom?"
"You don't want the answer to that question. Darby is a damn saint and has more endearing qualities than you. Not to mention, her truffles. I'm not taking a chance on losing that." I pat my stomach to stress my point.
He glares hard for a second before shaking his head and cracking a grin. "You're an ass."
"Maybe, but I know better than to side against my sister-in-law."
He chuckles, tossing his bottle in the trash. "I can't fucking wait until these roles are reversed."
"Going to be waiting a long time," I lie.
He tilts his head to the side, and I know what's coming.
"How are things going with Ashlyn?"
"Look around, things are on track," I answer coolly.
"I didn't ask about the house. I asked about Ashlyn."
"What about her?"
"Has she tried to fire you again?"
"Rod needs to keep his mouth shut."
He crosses his arms, his eyes moving over my face and his lips curling. "Shit, you've lost your touch."
A floorboard squeaks right as Ashlyn sings out, "Hello?"
His attention goes over my shoulder as the sound of heels gets closer.
"Hell, I pity you," Pierce mutters, dropping his chin to his chest.
I don't have time to think about whatever he's mumbling because, when Ashlyn steps out to the porch, it's all I can do to hold in the growl rumbling deep in my chest.
Is that supposed to be a dress? My eyes roam over her, taking in the short hemline, her exposed legs, and the ridiculously heeled sandals.
This woman is gonna kill me.
She doesn't look my way, her eyes widening and her mouth splitting into a grin when she sees Pierce. "What a surprise to see you here. Am I interrupting?"
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd offer to help out."
"That's why my front porch is a wreck," she jokes lightheartedly.
This time I can't stop the throaty growl, knowing she walked across nothing but the studs. "You should have come around back."
Her face swings to me, her eyes still bright. "I learned how to walk a balance beam in gymnastics."
Pierce gives a quick laugh. "I'll grab the plywood and cover the frame. Meet you out front." He shoots me a knowing look when he passes behind her.
"Surprise my ass," I say when he's out of earshot.
"Excuse me?"
"You've been lurking in the other room."
"How did you know? I was silent."
"I knew."
"That's impossible. I'm an expert at sneaking around. Ask my brothers."
"Your brothers don't know you in the way I do."
Her face blushes, and she glances back through the house. "Do you think he knew I was listening?"
"No. Again, he doesn't know you like I do. Now if it was Darby tip-toeing in, he'd know in a heartbeat."
She looks back, and her expression softens. "I didn't intend to eavesdrop, but when I heard him talking, it seemed rude to interrupt. When he mentioned me, I figured it was safe."
"You didn't want to hear him ask about you? You may have been very surprised at the answer."
"No, I didn't want to hear about how you've lost your touch. There's no telling what would come out of your mouth when it comes to your experience with women." She chews on her bottom lip, shifting her eyes to the side.
Her admission stirs something inside of me, the vulnerability in her statement obvious.
"Princess, come here."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Either you come here or I come to you."
"This is close enough, Miller."
"Your choice." I close in on her, linking an arm around her waist and tugging her to me.
"What are you doing? Let me go. Your brother will see."
"Pierce already sees something going on here."
"Nothing is going on here."
"Keep blocking, baby, because it makes the reward a lot more fun."
"I'm not a reward." She pushes against me.
"I disagree."
She stops squirming.
"Baby, Pierce is having a shitty time, and if it helps him to bust my ass, I'll give him that."
"You were sweet with him," she whispers, her hands flattening on my chest.
"Not sure about sweet, but I followed advice from a smart woman."
A shy smile forms on her lips. "I'm sure that was hard for you."
"Not at all. Besides, I didn't lie about not getting on Darby's bad side. Have you ever had her truffles?"
Her head falls back, her laughter filling the air. My cock stirs as her chest jiggles against mine. The sound of her amusement surrounds us, and another glimpse of the woman I met in Chicago returns.
My brain kicks in, making a snap decision, and I strengthen my hold, sliding a hand to her scalp to tilt her face. Her laughter fades when her eyes lock with mine. "It's fucking great to see this again. I missed it."
Understanding and panic wash over her features, but before she can protest, I crash my mouth over hers. She goes stone still, tensing until my tongue slides along the seam of her lips. Her breath
