And how the hell did you fall out of love with a man like Mase Parker?
Quinn’s jaw went tight. “She has a new man now.”
“That must have hurt him.” And ah…this new guy must be something. Obviously, I didn’t know Mase, not really. But I knew he was hot and growly and protective…and amazing in bed. Finding someone to top that? Well, I didn’t think it would be so easy.
Quinn’s throat worked. “Yeah, and now I’m worried my brother’s closed himself off completely, that he won’t even try to put himself back out there again.”
Oh, he’d put himself back out there all right. He sure as hell wasn’t celibate, not anymore, anyway. I wasn’t sure what to say. Quinn had been worried about her big brother, and I had no idea what she’d think if she found out I’d slept with him, even if I hadn’t known who he was at the time.
Which was why she could never find out.
Eves squeezed Quinn’s hand. “He’s home now, and we’ll drag him out of his shell, whether he likes it or not.”
Cassy sat down by Quinn and pulled a squirming Jack onto her lap. “Maybe the guys can organize some male-bonding time, a fishing trip or something?”
“Yeah, that’s a great idea, but I think we need to welcome him home properly,” Addy said. “I say we have a ‘welcome home’ party at Quinn’s place.”
Quinn grinned. “Both excellent ideas. And a party in his honor means no excuses, he has to come. Maybe we can get Mase to cut loose a little. Plus, I’m always up for a night of fun with my girls.” Her eyes got a devious glint. “What do you all think of Deb?”
Deb Miller worked for Bull and Quinn at the bar.
“She’s great,” Cassy said.
Quinn grinned wider. “I think I’ll invite her as well.”
“Uh-oh…someone’s playing matchmaker,” Addy said.
Everything inside me seized. Nope. No, I didn’t like that idea at all.
Eves shaded her eyes, looking down the small beach. “Speaking of the man himself.”
We all followed her gaze—
My mouth went completely and utterly dry. Mase was striding toward us. He was in uniform, and somehow he made those tan pants and shirt look sexy as hell. The pants clung to his muscled thighs, and the short sleeves of his shirt strained around his tattooed biceps.
He reached us and a barely there grin curved his lips when a chorus of hellos hit him from all directions.
His chin dipped, and he looked down at his sister, well I assumed that’s where he was looking. He was wearing shades, so I couldn’t see his eyes.
“Brat,” he said to Quinn. Another lip twitch. “Everyone.” His head moved my way, just a fraction, but there was no missing his jaw clench or the way his Adam’s apple slid up and down his throat. “Trixie.”
“Landlord,” I said, imitating him, trying to pretend my heart hadn’t immediately sped up to the point I thought it was trying to burst out of my chest.
His lips did another upward tilt. “That what you’re calling me now?”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Oh, this sounds good,” Eves said. “What does she usually call you?”
Adonis.
God…I’d called him that one a few times. As in “Oh god, harder.” And, “Oh god, yes, hold me down and fuck me.” And during one particularly excellent orgasm, “You are a god.”
And going by the way his lips had thinned and he sucked in a rough breath, my thoughts were being broadcast loud and clear on my face. One of the things I hated about myself, my poker face sucked.
I snorted and lied through my teeth. “Let’s just say landlord is an improvement.”
No, I couldn’t see his eyes through his shades, but they were on me, burning a hole right into me.
“I don’t know about that,” he said, un-fucking-helpfully.
What in the hell was he doing?
Addy turned to me, Eves and Cassy as well, curiosity all over their faces. Thankfully Quinn was occupied opening the brown paper bag Mase had handed her.
“I love my husband,” she said, bringing everyone’s attention back to her and saving my bacon. She pulled out a sandwich and bit into it like a starving tigress.
“What the hell is that?” Addy asked, as the owner of the Lake’s End Cafe and a goddess in the kitchen, food was her jam, and whatever Quinn was eating right then looked downright evil.
“Peanut butter, jelly, and tuna,” Quinn said and took another bite.
Addy recoiled, and Eves made a gagging sound.
Cassy chuckled. “Mine was pickles…on everything, with everything.”
Quinn swallowed her mouthful. “I can’t get enough tuna. It’s so weird, but I’m going with it.” She glanced at Mase. “I take it the bar was busy?”
Silence.
“Mase?” Quinn said again.
He jolted and his head tilted back toward his sister, and away from me. My face flushed hot.
“Bull? Was he busy at the bar?” Quinn said again. “He asked you to bring this, yes?”
“Yeah, the place was packed. Ramblers were passing through town and stopped in.”
Quinn made like she was about to move. “I should go help—”
“Bull said to tell you that if you show up at the bar, he’s locking you in his office. You’re on maternity leave, brat. You need to take it easy.”
Quinn scowled. “Does he have enough staff? Maybe I could just…”
“He has it covered.”
Quinn did not look happy, but then took another bite of her disgusting sandwich and moaned in ecstasy.
“We were just planning your ‘welcome home’ party,” Cassy said.
Mase frowned. “I don’t need—”
“You’re having one,” Quinn said. “This weekend, my place, no arguments. You wouldn’t argue with a heavily pregnant woman, would you? A woman who is feeling emotional, and planning a party for her big brother, who is finally home, is all she has to occupy her time. You wouldn’t do that to me, would you, Mase?”
He muttered a curse.
“Mase?” she said again, and there was no missing the warning in her voice.
Mase grinned suddenly, all white teeth, and it was blindingly gorgeous. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I didn’t think so,” Quinn said
