by Iris Morland
Mark stood at the back, Harrison and Caleb beside him. Another Thornton brother—Abby didn't know his name—stood next to Caleb, and then the two sisters sat in front. Dave Thornton stood with his boys while Lisa sat with the girls. Dave had his hand resting on Lisa's shoulder, and although they both looked serious, the photo was a happy one. Abby noted that Mark didn't smile, though. When did that man ever smile?
As she touched the frame, though, something slipped from behind it. It was another photo. Curious, she picked it up. This photo was of a woman. She was beautiful, with dark auburn hair and a bright smile; her smile seemed to be for the photographer. The woman sat in a garden, and she had a rose in her hand.
A bite of envy tugged at Abby's heart. This wasn't a photo of a sister or a family member. Although the woman was fully clothed, the picture was almost sensual in its composition. And the woman gazed at the person behind the camera with love in her eyes.
So why had Mark hidden the photo like this? Had he been the photographer? Had he loved this woman?
"What are you doing?"
Abby yelped and in her haste to place the photo back where it belong, she hit her elbow on the corner of the dresser. She swore.
Mark raised a dark eyebrow.
She tried to find some kind of excuse, and the only one she could come up with was, "The cats were in here."
He looked around. "They're not in here now."
A blush climbed up her cheeks. Rubbing her bruised elbow, she tried to move past Mark, but he stayed her with a light touch.
"What were you doing in here?" he asked again. He didn't sound angry. If Abby didn't know better, he sounded bored. Uninterested. Only his furrowed brows gave away that he was even slightly annoyed.
It was the same voice he'd used when he'd given her his ultimatum. It was a tone that tried to hide how he really felt.
His face darkened when he saw the photo of the woman. Opening the top drawer, he tossed the picture inside and closed the drawer in a quick movement. He leaned against the dresser now, unmoving.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I shouldn't have snooped. I was curious. That photo—"
"Is none of your business." His tone brooked no argument. "I need groceries." He handed her a wad of cash. "Can you go get some?"
"What do you want? Or need?"
"Doesn't matter. Just get food. Isn’t that what you’re here for?“
She smarted at his tone. She almost opened her mouth to ask more questions, but Mark was already walking away. She followed, feeling foolish and guilty. She'd poked the hornet's nest, hadn't she?
"Wait!" She raced after Mark, following him outside. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pried. It's none of my business who that woman was."
“You had no right to look around like that. Can’t a man get some damn privacy in his own home?” he rumbled before stalking away.
Abby sighed. Feeling a feline body curl around her ankle, she reached down to pick up Darcy, who'd followed her outside.
"I guess we pissed off the beast, didn't we?" she said, wondering what the hell she'd gotten herself into.
One-click If I Can’t Have You now!
Also by Iris Morland
Love Everlasting
including
The Youngers
Then Came You
Taking a Chance on Love
All I Want Is You
My One and Only
(January 2019)
The Thorntons
The Nearness of You
The Very Thought of You
If I Can’t Have You
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Someone to Watch Over Me
Till There Was You
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Heron’s Landing
Seduce Me Sweetly
Tempt Me Tenderly
Desire Me Dearly
Adore Me Ardently
About the Author
A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland writes sexy and funny contemporary romances. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.
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