Page 60 of Taming Her Temptations

“Dad, it’s not your fau-”

“But never again.” He slams his hand down on the table. “I really like you guys. From what I know of you three, you’re all aces in my books. But the second I see something I don’t like, I will be the fly all over you on a hot summer day. I’ll be the mosquito in your bedroom, biting you the second you fall asleep. I will be the glass in the sand that you cut your feet on.”

I raise my eyebrows in shock and see Ryan doing the same, but also holding back a laugh. I had no idea my dad could be so terrifying. And I’m pretty sure I hear Odette swooning next to me over it.

“Mr. Rivers,” Asher starts, and he looks at me before returning his gaze to my dad. “I’ll admit, this whole thing is new between us and unconventional. But your analogy about me was right. I came to this town feeling disillusioned with life. I hadn’t written a song in more than a year. I’m writing again now, like crazy. And there is nothing else to give credit for that except your daughter.”

I just stare at Asher in disbelief. I didn’t know all that.

“We’re figuring this all out too,” Levi nods in agreement. “But I know one thing and it’s that I will do anything not to fuck it up. We really care about Ruby. We would do anything for her.”

Odette elbows me and raises her eyebrows at me, like I’m supposed to say something. What could I possibly say?

“Hell, do you think we get matching piercings with just anyone?” Dean’s low voice fills the entire room as he unbuttons his shirt and shows the entire table his pierced nipple.

I smile to myself. Of course, Dean has managed to get his shirt off yet again.

When my dad and Ryan look at me confused and are clearly a little afraid to ask, I realize they don’t know where I got a piercing.

“Bellybutton ring!” I say quickly before anyone’s imagination goes wild.

“Hell,” Dean’s voice overtakes the room. “This isn’t a luncheon. This is a celebration. It’s a beautiful day. Why don’t we get the hell outside and have a picnic?”

“Oh, absolutely!” Odette is the first one to agree.

“Thank fucking god, if I have to hear one more thing about Ruby’s sex life I’m going to start writing my last will and testament.” My brother says as he slams his napkin on the table.

Levi pulls me up from my seat and pulls me into a kiss.

“You upset it’s not the proper luncheon you imagined?” He says, knocking my nose with his.

“No,” I laugh. “I’m learning that I kind of like your guys’ style of doing things. This feels right.”

I spot my dad out of the corner of my eye, getting up.

“I’ll meet you out there,” I say, breaking away from Levi.

“You okay, dad?” I ask, biting back my discomfort about talking to him about these things.

He takes my hand between his and pats it. “I’m great, gemstone.” He smiles. “Mostly because I haven’t seen you this happy in a very long time.”

And I know he’s right.

“But I’m serious. I’ll fill their pool with stinging jellyfish if they hurt you.” He continues.

“Deal,” I nod as we head outside. “But how about for today we just have a nice day?”

“Now, that I can do.” He winks.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Ruby

This isn’t the luncheon I imagined.

It’s better. So much better.

Dean and Levi moved their big wooden outdoor table to the lawn and laid out blankets all around it for a picnic. It’s a much more relaxed and nice atmosphere than being holed up inside on what turned out to be a truly beautiful day. It would have been a crime to have not enjoyed the weather.

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