“Fancy seeing you here.” She shouldn’t have been surprised he was joining them. Truth be told, when she was asked to dinner, her hopes had risen that he would be here too. Her only problem would be keeping her hands to herself until they were alone.
* * *
He was pleased to see the color tint her skin, making the freckles stand out across her cheeks. He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, lingering to trace her top lip with his tongue.
“Get a room, you two. No, wait, leave that until after dinner. I’m hungry and need my food.” Grady disappeared into the house and returned with a cold beer for his brother.
“Thanks.” Riley gripped the top and screwed off the cap, flicking it onto the table and sat next to Sassie. He casually draped his arm across her shoulders and took a deep swig of his beer. “So, what’s happening in the big wide world?”
“Sassie was just saying she didn’t know if she wanted to put in extra bathrooms or not. Your brother suggested she ask you before she plans anything.” Lara shrugged. “Personally, I’d do it. I think it’d be more appealing for couples to have their own bathroom. I mean, nobody wants to wander the halls at night to use the bathroom and find it’s already occupied, but that’s just my opinion.”
“I think I have to agree with you, Lara. I suppose I could make up for it by charging more. What do you think, R.P Cooper? Would you be interested in giving me a quote?” She looked at him with those gorgeous smoky hazel eyes and his stomach dropped. “Um…sure. Can’t do anything before tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got a meeting with another inspector just after lunch to get approval for the townhouses I’ve just built. There’re a few things I have to finish before he gets there or I won’t get the final pass inspection. How does that suit you?”
“That suits me just fine. I might even manage to make you something for dinner, if you don’t mind roughing it.” She looked him directly in the eye. “We could even try out that really nice bed you sent around.”
Riley spat his beer across the table, ignoring his brother’s laugh. “Do you mind? There’s no need to tell everyone. Hell, it was between you and me, Sassie.”
“Before you get cranky with your new friend, you might want to know that the town grapevine is all over it after you just about seduced her on your truck after leaving Roger’s restaurant the other night. And everyone knows about the bed you sent over, so it’s a bit late to keep that one to yourself.” Grady grinned at his younger brother and winked at Sassie over his head.
“Great.” Riley wiped the beer from his chin and glanced at Sassie. “Sorry, I should have known it wouldn’t be a secret for long. I forget what this town is like sometimes. I hope you aren’t embarrassed by it all.”
“Don’t go getting all worked up about it, R.P. I told you before and I meant it. I’m a normal, healthy woman who needs sex once in a while. If anyone tells you different, they’d be lying to you. It’s only natural, for God’s sake.”
“What’s natural?” The screen door slammed and Jo walked out. She leaned into Grady, keeping an eye on their visitor.
“Being in love, honey.” He ruffled her hair.
“Is Uncle Riley in love with you?” She looked Sassie over and grinned in the way that only fifteen-year-olds could.
“Sassie, this is Jo. Jo, this is Sassie. She moved into town a little while ago and is now the proud owner of Tinker Bell,” Lara quickly stepped in and made the introductions.
Her mouth dropped open and she pouted. “I wanted to keep her, but Mom said no. My cat might not like her.” She reached over for a couple of chips and crunched them together.
“I’m glad I have her. She’s a very cuddly cat and likes to sleep in my new bed.”
Riley raised his eyebrow and looked at her. “Is that right?”
“Yes, It is right, and that’s where she’ll be staying, too, if she has a mind to.”
“Pushed out of my own—”
“Stop right there, brother. How about you help me light the barbeque and we can continue this discussion some time later?” Grady pushed Jo toward the door. “You, my dear girl, still have homework to do if I’m not mistaken. No television until it’s done—you know the rules.”
“Aw, Dad,” she whined and dropped her chin.
“Jo, do as you’re told, please. Visitors or not, those are the rules.” Lara made to stand, but Jo growled and thumped through the door into the kitchen, mumbling to herself as she headed to her room.
“Sorry, wasn’t thinking.” Riley held up his hands.
“You probably were, just not with your brain.” Grady cuffed him on the back of the head.
“All right, I get it.” He swore under his breath because his brother was right. Sitting next to Sassie was already playing havoc with his hormones. He’d love to skip dinner and take her home to try out the new bed to make sure it was as comfortable as it looked when he bought it.
“R.P, you have a lot to learn. I would have thought you’d know better, being surrounded by as much family as you have.”
“Well, to be honest, you kind of throw me into all sorts of confusion. I can’t think straight with you sitting next to me.”
“Aw, what a nice thing to say.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed his fingers before letting go.
“About time you got yourself a nice girlfriend, little brother. This one is sensible and comes with her own job. I like those odds.” Grady shared a glance with his wife that spoke volumes.
“Hold it right
