The old farmhouse is big, with the master bedroom downstairs and four room upstairs. With Wes home on leave and me here, it’s a full house. But it oddly adds to the charm of this place.
Quinn walks out of the bathroom, jumping when she sees me come up the last stairs.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I tell her.
Her hand flies to her chest, and I’m glad it’s dark. Because she’s wearing a white t-shirt and no bra. She’s very well endowed for someone her age, which is what threw me when I saw her for the first time. I knew she was Dean’s little sister, but I assumed she was seventeen. Sixteen even…that wouldn’t have been so bad.
But when I found out she was only fourteen years old, I wanted to wash my mind with bleach. Along with being really pretty, having a body every single girl on campus would kill for, Quinn is funny and really smart. Though none of that matters. No one is more off-limits than Quinn.
She’s too young. It’s wrong. I can’t and I won’t.
“It’s okay. Wes just came up and I didn’t know anyone else was down there with him.”
“What are you still doing up?” I ask her.
She brushes her hair back and yawns. “I was looking at cats.”
“Cats?”
“On the animal shelter’s website. I was one for Christmas, but my mom says the dogs would go after it. It’s not fair.”
I chuckle. “I didn’t know you were a cat person.”
“How can you not be? They’re so cute and easy to take care of in comparison to the dogs.”
“That is true. Dogs are rather involved pets.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love all animals. I just really like cats.”
We start to walk down the hall together. “I hope you get one then.”
“Thanks.”
I pause at the door leading into Dean’s room. There’s a nightlight plugged into an outlet along the wall down at this part of the hallway, and it illuminates Quinn’s pretty face. Quinn is too young for me, and even if she was of age, all four of her brothers would line up to skin me alive if I ever made a move. Yet I still care about her, and right then and there, I swear to continue to care for her—like she was my own little sister.
And who knows. Maybe someday, in the far, far, far off future, things will be different between us.
* * *
Want more Dawson in your life? Read Logan’s story, CHEAP TRICK today! :) Click here to download.
Also by Emily Goodwin
First Comes Love
Then Come Marriage
Outside the Lines
Never Say Never
One Call Away
Free Fall
Stay
All I Need
Hot Mess (Luke & Lexi Book 1)
Twice Burned (Luke & Lexi Book 2)
Bad Things (Cole & Ana Book 1)
Battle Scars (Cole & Ana Book 2)
Cheat Codes (The Dawson Family Series Book 1)
End Game (The Dawson Family Series Book 2)
Side Hustle (The Dawson Family Series Book 3)
Cheap Trick (The Dawson Family Series Book 4)
Fight Dirty (The Dawson Family Series Book 5)
Find Emily’s books on Amazon
About the Author
Emily Goodwin is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over a dozen of romantic titles. Emily writes the kind of books she likes to read, and is a sucker for a swoon-worthy bad boy and happily ever afters.
She lives in the midwest with her husband and two daughters. When she's not writing, you can find her riding her horses, hiking, reading, or drinking wine with friends.
Emily is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency.
Stalk me:
www.emilygoodwinbooks.com
[email protected]
Dawson Family Boxset: Books 1-3 with Bonus Content Page 82