Page 12 of Midnight Rain

Austin wanted to stroke more than Cormac’s ego. “Okay, I’ll stop freaking out, as long as I’m not labeled a—”

“Don’t say it.” Cormac gave a slight growl again.

“Labeled a naughty boy.” Austin winked. “See, you had no idea I was going to say that, did you?”

Cormac’s expression said he knew Austin was lying, but he wasn’t going to call him out on it.

“I need to know one thing.” Austin drew closer, and he could see desire filling Cormac’s eyes.

“What?” The guy’s voice had deepened with that one word.

“How in the hell did you get Lila to obey with one look when I can’t get her to listen to me half the time?”

Cormac grinned. “I can’t give away all my secrets.”

Austin twisted his lips to the side. “I like unraveling secrets.”

He poked Cormac in the ribs, shocked when Cormac yelped. It was a strange sound coming from such a big guy. Austin wanted to hear it again, but when he tried to poke Cormac a second time, the guy dodged his finger by spinning out of the way. Austin started to yell for Cormac to watch the fallen food so he didn’t slip and crack his head, but for someone so tall and muscley, Cormac was surprisingly agile.

“I’ll be right back.” Austin went to the kitchen and spotted the stack of napkins on the counter. He grabbed a handful and took them back to the living room to clean up the mess.

Cormac hunkered down and helped. “I’ll get you some more food.”

“Thanks.”

The guy piled the used napkins on the empty paper plate then stood. “I’ll be right back.”

Like he thought Austin would run for the door as soon as he was out of sight. Not a chance. Aside from his embarrassment about being busted, Ausitn was having a good time. Something he hadn’t had in a while.

He could take Cormac at his word that no one would think less of him. Austin adored his aunt and cousin, but it had been years since he’d seen them, and he cared about what they thought of him.

They were the only family he had, aside from his mom. Since his relationship with her wasn’t stellar, and Austin was considering making this move permanent, he didn’t want to cause any issues.

Lord knew he had enough of them already and wasn’t looking to add any more to his complicated-ass life.

Chapter Four

As soon as Cormac walked outside, Orion jumped up from his chair and hurried over. This couldn’t be good. But Cormac noticed that no one else was paying him any attention. Orion must not have said anything, not that Cormac gave a shit.

“Can we talk for a second?” Orion asked as he tugged on Cormac’s arm to lead him away from the table.

“If you’re about to lecture me about kissing your cousin, then—”

Orion cut him off. “It’s more than that. I know we don’t know each other all that well, and I’m the last person to give a lecture, but, well, no one really knows why Austin is here. I just don’t think starting anything with him is wise until we find out.”

Cormac just stared at him.

“Don’t give me the dad look,” Orion said. “You still intimidate me, but this is my cousin, and I’m just looking out for his best interests, Cormac. What if he’s running from something bad breakup? Do you think getting involved with anyone right now is the right thing for him?”

Cormac frowned. “What dad look?”

Orion’s eyes widened. “That’s what you’re focusing on?”

“I have a dad look?” No one had ever told him that before. He’d been called a sourpuss, uptight, and many other names by his siblings, but a dad look?

Orion groaned. “It’s a look you give when you disapprove of something. I haven’t been around you long, but I’ve seen you stare at your brothers that way.”

It seemed Cormac had been too serious for far too long if he’d perfected a dad look. Although he’d looked up to his father, a part of him had resented all the responsibility Cesar had lain on his shoulders.

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