Page 52 of Found By You

He did say we’re exclusive. We agreed not to have sex with other people. Does that mean he could date other women so long as he doesn’t have sex with them? But I’ve been with him non-stop for three weeks—he wouldn’t, would he?

I shake my head, desperate to get rid of the thought as he comes out of the office stuffing a white envelope in his coat pocket. That’s…strange.

“Hungry?” he asks, starting the engine.

I sigh. “Yes.”

“Good.” He gives me a lopsided grin and a wink, driving in the direction of the town diner. I can’t help but smile when he takes my hand once again. When he brings the back of it to his lips, kissing it softly, I nearly break down.

It’s a small gesture, one that makes keeping him at arm’s length from my heart harder and harder by the second.

Sixteen.

Maci

“Great job everyone.” I smile, standing from my yoga mat. I give a quick goodbye to the seven couples leaving the mirror-lined studio in the private gym at Winton’s Ski Resort & Mountain Spa.

Waiting for the next class to arrive, I busy myself by wiping down the mats for the final class of the day. The one where Cassidy is bringing Butch, Alison is bringing Tanner, and Stan is bringing some lady friend I can’t remember the name of.

What I don’t anticipate is Duke to be the first one walking through the door. His dark eyes drink me in from head to toe in my high-waisted, fitted black yoga pants and matching sports bra. It leaves a good portion of my midriff showing.

“Goddamn, doll,” he growls, his steps longer as he approaches with a wicked grin.

I jump back, but he’s too quick. He snatches my waist and lays a hot and heavy kiss right on my lips. His large palms squeeze my ass in a punishing grip. I smile against his lips. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to watch the show,” he jokes. “You couldn’t pay me not to be here to watch Butch do fuckin’ yoga.”

I snort. “You’re horrible.”

He chuckles deeply, smacking my ass playfully. “Why haven’t I seen you in these pants before? Fuckin’ hell, your ass in these…”

I smile so wide it hurts my cheeks. Always with the compliments, this one. Another reason why he’s now classified as one-in-a-million. “Because these are fitted for yoga. And they’re quite expensive, so don’t mess with them.”

He pouts, giving my ass one last rough fondle. “I’ll buy you a dozen more to wear around the cabin every day.”

I swat his chest playfully. “Okay, okay, stop that. Everyone should be here soon.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, kissing me sweetly.

Alison and Tanner are the first to arrive. Stan arrives next, introducing a thin blonde named Beverly. When Butch and Cassidy walk in, however, they’re not alone.

Duke bursts with laughter. “Ma. Pop. What the hell are you doing here?”

Butch scowls, gesturing to his fiancée. “She invited them.”

“Sorry, I hope that’s okay,” Cassidy adds. “I know you said the class wasn’t full, so I figured…”

I wave her off. “Absolutely.”

Duke’s mother is a petite blonde with stunning pale blue eyes—and for having six kids, she’s in amazing shape—appearing to be in her late fifties. His father is big, easily six-foot-four, broad like his sons, and clearly in his later sixties, early seventies.

But the way they’re holding hands…it’s giving me all the feels.

“You must be Maci Baker,” Duke’s mother beams, giving me a tight squeeze. “I have heard so much about you. I’m Julie. This is my husband, Clayton. We’re so happy to finally put a face to the name. And a beautiful one it is.”

I blush. “Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery.”

“No, no, dear.” She waves her finger sternly. “It’s Julie and Clayton. We’re young, hip, and happening.”

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