Of all of us, I’d thought Aiden would be the hardest on Kendall, but when she appeared on Dad’s arm, it was like he’d had dreams for a long-lost sister and they’d just came true. Either that or he hoped she’d be a stabilizing force in Dad’s high-strung life.
“Is Kate here too?” Aiden’s wife was probably my favorite thing about him. Sweet and congenial, she had all the personality my brother lacked, and she would ease any awkwardness for Eva as a stranger in a family home.
“Couldn’t get off work. She’ll come down this weekend.”
I nodded, happy to let Aiden do what he did best and run Dad’s life. Now he had help. “I’ll catch up with him over lunch.” I tipped my head at Eva since my hands were full of luggage. “Want to follow me upstairs?”
She murmured, “It was nice meeting you,” to Dawson. Her silence didn’t worry me as we went up the stairs and down the hall, then around the corner to where my bedroom was. I knew her well enough by now to know that she was gawking at the place.
It was impressive. Mama and Dad had intended it to be. The home was a giant log cabin with expansive windows and skylights to let in the sun’s rays or offer a glimpse of the stars. Peaked ceilings arched over the living area. At the landing above the stairs, the entire main floor of the place was visible. The open kitchen flowed into the dining area and the living area with the big screen TV and fireplace. Those areas were functional, but for show. A small movie room with reclining chairs, a couple of offices, the guest bedroom, and the laundry and cleaning closets were under the family bedrooms. They took up more space than the main areas, which gave the family bedrooms above plenty of square footage.
The master bedroom was on the first floor, opposite the laundry area and hidden from view. Dawson had moved in there.
The four bedrooms and bathroom for the family were on the second level. We reached the door to Eva’s temporary room and I set her bag down.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked. If I hadn’t known she’d been up all night, I’d still think she was radiant, her eyes luminous.
“I’m fine. I’ll call my brother and get some sleep. Is there a space where I can work when I wake up?”
“Downstairs there are two offices. Pick the one that doesn’t have piles of paper falling off the desk.”
“You sure Dawson won’t mind?”
I chuckled. “He’s the most easygoing of all of us.”
“As long as my last name isn’t Cartwright.” She smiled, and it wasn’t the dreamy-eyed smile a lot of people got around him. Thank goodness.
“Exactly.” The urge to give her a goodnight kiss was strong, but I resisted. I didn’t know what that earlier kiss had been about, but the phone call had put a pause on finding out. “Good night, Eva.”
Chapter 11
Eva
The alarm on my phone went off obnoxiously early. I squinted at the screen. Noon.
With a groan I sat up before I fell back asleep and rubbed my eyes. I wasn’t in my bed or in my apartment. I wasn’t in my city or my state. Hello, Montana.
Adam.
I had the phone dialed before I was fully awake. Before I’d crawled into bed, I had texted him a reminder to have a protein bar or something for breakfast.
“Yo,” he answered.
“Hey. I’m in King’s Creek, safe and sound. How are you doing?”
“What’s it like?”
I thought of calling him on his evasiveness, but maybe he really was just curious. “Nice. I haven’t seen the ranch in the daylight, but the house is unreal. It’s like a log cabin and a mansion had a baby.”
“Figures. Some people are born with it all.”
We’d had it all, everything but money. Sure, we’d feel down when we couldn’t go to Disneyland like our friends, but those moments had been fleeting. But I guess in the end, so was time with my parents.
“Did you eat yet?” I asked.
He sighed. “Yes, Mother. I ate one of those bars that tastes like cocoa and chalk had a baby.”
“And a bottle of water?”
“Eva.” His exasperation was clear, which was a good sign.
“I know. But you get wrapped up in your game and forget to take care of yourself.”
“I’ll look at more jobs today.”
Are you ever going to do more than look? “Sounds good. Fair warning, I’m going to call you after supper and I want to hear all about the delicious food you ate.”
“You mean the lunch-meat sandwiches you made?”
“And what kind of chips you picked. I also left carrot and celery sticks.”
“I saw that.”
A beat of relief hit me. He’d been off the couch and actually to the fridge. Maybe being away from Adam wouldn’t eat a hole through my stomach lining after all.
“I’d better get to work,” I said. “Talk to you later.”
“Hey. Take pictures would you? I want to see what that rich bastard grew up with that made him so sanctimonious.”
I chewed my lip, afraid that would set back any progress Adam had made with his depression. But where there were cows, there was cow shit, right? I didn’t have to take pics of the most opulent parts of the ranch. “Sure.”
Hanging up, I tossed the phone on the nightstand. Daylight streamed through the window and lit up the room. What had once been Beckett’s brother’s room was now a tastefully decorated guest room. At one time, there’d probably been sports decorations, or half-nude women, or gaming posters, or whatever teen boys hung on their walls. There was no longer any sign that a Xander King had grown up here.
The paint job was a light gray, offset by trim that matched the exterior log wall. I ran my fingers over the wood, if that’s what it still could be called. It’d been treated and shellacked to within an inch of its life, but perhaps that was necessary for it to last decades as a home. The square window was bigger than any bedroom window I’d ever seen and it overlooked the barn and shops and whatever the giant metal buildings were. Beyond those, I caught a glimpse of the river. How many miles away was it?
My suitcase was on a storage bench at the foot of the bed. The pillow-top mattress had taken me a moment to get used to. Springs didn’t creak when I sat on it and if I thought too hard about how nice it was to sleep in, I might decide to answer calls and reply to emails in bed.
Tugging out my laptop case and my work phone, I set them on the bench. Once I delved into work, I might not come up for hours and I wanted to be situated where I could work and not be standing in a T-shirt and underwear to take a message. I was still new at my job and had enough pride to want to earn my money.
I couldn’t believe he’d told Dawson. At least we didn’t have to pretend to be a real couple around him, and probably not around Aiden or Xander either. It was sweet how they wanted to protect their dad. I was softening toward him too, just because he seemed to care more about his kids being happy than these supposedly awful neighbors getting money they hadn’t earned.
I gathered my shower kit and some of the clothes I’d packed last night. Regular jeans—an old thrift-store pair, but with a cable-knit sweater. Wearing my new office clothes had seemed overkill in the middle of the night while I was packing, but in this place, I would’ve blended. Would Beckett keep the same style?
I tried to picture him wearing what Dawson had on. The warmth blooming through me made me think of that kiss and how far it would’ve led.
So not the time.
At the door, I peeked down the hall. Could I make it to the bathroom without being seen? We’d kissed, but that didn’t mean I was ready for Beckett to see me in my underwear. And risking running across Dawson dressed like this seemed a little rude. They were worried about their dad and I didn’t need to be running around in my tighty-whities.
The bathroom was on the other side of the hall and two doors down. It was open. I scurried into it and clicked the door closed behind me.
I had been in here last night, but that didn’t stop me from gaping aroun
d the room again. A bathroom for four boys had a corner shower, a whirlpool tub, and a double sink with a floor-to-ceiling cabinet. This was no tidy, enclosed water closet. Natural light streamed in through the skylight in the ceiling, brightening the space enough that I didn’t need a light. The room was done in various shades of gray with only a couple of pictures hanging up. I squinted at them, recognizing the views from out the window.
Humidity hung in the air. Someone had recently been in here. Good, then I wouldn’t keep anyone waiting.
I ran through the shower, staying only long enough to wash the product out of my hair and run a washcloth over my body. After drying off and brushing my teeth, I was in my bra and underwear, dancing to get into my pants when the door swung open.
“Eva!” Beckett’s brows rose in surprise and he backed out. “I’m not used to—sorry.”
The shock was too much for my balance. I danced around on one foot and landed with an oomph on my ass, my back toward the door.
The door swung back open. “Shit, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
Strong hands wrapped around my arms and hefted me up like I weighed nothing more than a stack of towels. I was too aware of my boobs bouncing in my bra.
“I’m fine.” Without looking at him, I stuffed my other foot into the jeans and dragged them past my ass without too much wiggling. My sweater was on the edge of the counter…by the door.
“You sure? That was a hard bounce.”
My cheeks burned that he’d witnessed it. I was about to bite his head off, but when I looked over my shoulder, all I saw was his back. He had a hand on his hip and the other running over his hair.
I turned around, and not knowing what possessed me, I stepped close behind him and reached for my sweater. “My butt has enough padding. It didn’t hurt.”
He jerked and almost twisted to look at me, but caught himself. “Your butt has just the right amount of padding.”
The low rumble of his voice sent prickles over my skin. I shrugged into the sweater, taking way too much time. Why wasn’t he leaving? “You can turn around.”
My sense of self-preservation shouted turn back! But I just stared. So this is what he wore in Montana. His blue dress shirt hung open, his chest and abs just as spectacular as they’d been last night. His slacks were on, but the button undone.
“No suit today?” I croaked as my mouth went dry and my body heated up.
His gaze didn’t leave me. “No suit. Not while I’m here. I’m just wearing this to the hospital, but I’ll change into a country boy when I get home to help Dawson.”
“How’s your dad?”
“Doing well and back to himself. Aiden said he’s cracking jokes with the staff and begging Kendall to bust him out.” His jaw flexed, one of the few signs of how much his dad’s health worried him. “Mild heart attack. The rest of the day will be scheduling follow-up visits and repeating some labs to make sure his levels are going down. Sorry I rushed you here.”
“Don’t be. It’s better to rush than to be too late.”
The faint smile was back. “Now I’m stuck until we move cattle.”
I glanced at the paintings. “I wouldn’t call getting to spend your days in the great outdoors being stuck.”
He shifted closer. “You’ve made similar comments before.” He was looking down at me, but not touching me. “You like the great outdoors.”
“I’ve never been out of Denver. The idea of running off to a mountain cabin or to a ranch to rustle cattle or whatever you call it…” I looked away, wistful. “Sounds amazing.”
He caressed my cheek with the back of a finger. “It’s sweaty and dusty.” A soft smile. “And maybe a little exhilarating. And frustrating, depending on how stubborn the cows are.”
“I, for one, can’t wait to see you dressed like your brother and on a horse.” I leaned into his touch, wanting to forget about depressed brothers, engagements, revenge, and sick parents.
“I dressed like him all my life until graduation. I was raised on a horse. Her name is Black Gold. Want to ride her with me?”
My lips parted with a gasp. “Really?”
“Not while we’re working, but after we can go trail riding. Tomorrow?”
I nodded and he drifted even closer until I was pinned to the sink counter. This thing between us was spinning faster than I could’ve imagined when I’d stood outside of his office building. Had that been only a week ago? Since coming to Montana, it felt like I’d known him longer. All the reasons why and why not didn’t compare to how much I wanted him.
I licked my lips and forced myself to be responsible. “Don’t you need to get going?”
“Soon,” he murmured and lowered his mouth to mine. I arched against him and would’ve smiled at his groan if my lips hadn’t been busy.
The kiss heated up faster than last night’s. He licked into my mouth, hot and needy. I met him swipe for swipe, our tongues clashing, our kisses getting sloppy as our desire escalated. Releasing me, he laid kisses down my neck and skimmed his hands under my sweater. Why had I bothered getting dressed?
Right. Because we weren’t dating.
Except I felt like I knew him better than my exes.
His big hands caressed my back and up my ribcage, until he circled around and cupped my breasts over my bra. It wasn’t enough. I ached for his touch. Circling my hands around his neck wasn’t enough either, not when his shirt was hanging open.
How could a guy feel this good? Was I daring enough to brush my fingers over the trail of dark hair leading under his waistband? My palms were splayed over his chest, his defined pecs teasing my skin. He was so hard. Everywhere.
And he surrounded me. He was taller and wider and bent over me until I knew nothing but his taste, his touch, his smell.
Just when I thought he’d carry things farther, he pulled away. My lips were swollen, my body was flushed, and my skin ached so bad that it hurt when he took his hands off me and gripped the counter.
“I swear, Eva, I’ll never forget how you look half naked.”
My heart slammed and it was hard to catch my breath. He was inches away, his chest close enough to land a kiss on. I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him to close us into this bathroom, lock the door, and undress us both.
And if I wanted that, then I had to rethink everything I was doing here.
“I don’t want to stop,” he murmured and pressed a kiss to my temple. “But I don’t want you to feel cornered.”
He couldn’t be concerned about me. He was supposed to be a heartless jackass. I closed my eyes and nodded. “How can we pretend to be engaged if we don’t stop? Seems confusing.”
“I don’t want anyone else to be my fake or real fiancée, but I want to explore this thing between us.” He stroked my face. “I knew the moment I saw you that I couldn’t let you get away.”
Oh God, he was sweet too. I was toast. Dropping my gaze, I tried to think of something to say, some way to rewind this to the beginning, when I’d had a clear goal of what I wanted.
What did I do? I was really starting to like him and the chemistry between us was unreal.
“Eva?” He spoke so softly, I looked up. It was my undoing. I wanted him, and I didn’t want to leave. For the first time in years, I felt like I was living a little. This thing with me and Beckett could still help my brother. It wasn’t selfish.
Was it?
Was it such a smart plan to destroy one guy just so I could go back to my dingy apartment and feel smug in my invisible monkey suit while catering another minimum-wage event between low-tipping bar shifts? Or was it smarter to just help Beckett and earn good money to take care of Adam? Forgiveness went farther than revenge—for both me and Adam. I might’ve started out with revenge in mind, but I couldn’t ignore the relief washing through my veins at the thought of giving it up.
“I want to explore this between us too,” I finally said.
“But?” He could read me well enough to know there was more.
“But I wan
t to keep it between you and me.” Faking the engagement was one thing. But it was quite another to face speculation about whether people believed we were a real couple. Seeking revenge hadn’t made me feel as vulnerable as this. “We can pretend to be engaged for your dad and Grams, and when your birthday nears, we’ll figure the rest out then.”
My thumb was resting at the corner of his mouth when he smiled. My stomach fluttered. His smile was his secret weapon. “Between us then. Everything else is the same but this.” He planted another kiss on my mouth that made me wonder if I’d end up naked after all.
But he ripped himself away, leaving me sagging against the counter. “I gotta get going. I’ll show you where the office is before I leave.” His lopsided grin was reminiscent of the wild boy he must’ve been. “But first, I need to grab the lint roller I came in here for.”
There was still the matter of my brother. What would Beckett do when he learned who I was related to? And not only that, but that I’d known exactly who he was when we met? Things might not get that far, and if they did, by then, I should mean more to Beckett than his reputation. If things didn’t get that far, then I could still help out with the trust and walk away. Adam and I would be set for life and Beckett would never have to know about the connection.
Either way, if the time came, I’d be honest and deal with the consequences. No one would need to save me this time.
Chapter 12
Beckett
I waited for Eva to come out of her room. All I wanted to do was spend the day with her. I’d never had a hard time walking away, not when I had important work to get to.
I just equated Dad with work, and that’s exactly what this felt like. Show up, be a good son, make him feel better, and try to talk to the marble statue that used to be my brother. Like all of us, Mama’s death had hit him hard. It was like an emotional switch had been flipped to off and melted there by Dad’s philandering. Maybe that was why he had embraced Kendall as family. Once she’d entered the picture, we’d gotten part of our dad back.
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