Page 8 of My Ex-Boyfriend's Brothers

I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I don’t shoot weddings, but my travel photography has been published in a lot of places over the years. People tell me that means I’m pretty good at my job.” He laughed when my face didn’t change. “I could shoot the wedding, Mags. It’s not like I’m going to be hanging onto every word Brad says or getting emotional about my baby brother’s wedding. I’d honestly love a reason to check out.”

I sat up. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. How about we meet later and I can show you some of my stuff? Actually, not later tonight. I told Dad I’d join him for dinner tonight. Unfortunately. Tomorrow? We can do a test photoshoot so you can tell me what you think about the idea.”

I stood up and hugged him. “Thank you so much, Ryan! You have no idea how much you’re saving me.”

He wrapped his arms around me and it only took me a second to realize that neither of us were moving away. A wave of butterflies erupted in me and I was struck with the way his body felt and the way he smelled like warm vanilla. It wasn’t just that. It was the way he hugged me, holding me with his hands nearly resting on my ass. It was also the way he turned his head just slightly and breathed in like he was smelling me the same way I was smelling him.

I forced myself to pull away but it was slow and lingering. Ryan’s face hovered next to mine for a few seconds before I cleared my throat and sank back into the rocking chair. My heart was racing and I could feel how warm my cheeks had gotten. I could tell he saw my flushed face and I panicked as the doubt entered my brain.

Had I just been clinging to him and imagining that he was doing the same to me? Had I created the entire thing in my head? Had he noticed that I was doing it? It was humiliating.

Worse even was the way I was definitely attracted to Ryan when I’d just left his brother’s bed. I wanted to get up and sprint back home to my little apartment where things were normal and I wasn’t feeling lusty over multiple of my ex’s brothers.

“Tomorrow then? We should do sunset so I can take advantage of the lighting. Since it’s around dinner, why don’t I bring food?”

I nodded, still lost in my head. “Yeah. Okay.”

He grinned his signature Ryan grin and leaned forward to push my hair behind my ears. “I’m really glad this isn’t your wedding to my shithead little brother. That would’ve made our date tomorrow pretty fucking awkward.”

I gaped at him, mouth flapping as I tried to put a stop to whatever I’d agreed to. I couldn’t go on a date with him! I’d just slept with his brother! After being in a relationship with his other brother for three years!

“You’re cute when you’re surprised.”

“Ryan!” That was all I could get out, just his name.

He stood up and backed away. “And hot when you’re shouting my name. I’ll see you tomorrow for our date, Maggie.”

I watched as he sauntered off towards the private cabins like he didn’t have a care in the world. Unlike me, who had all the cares in the world. I had so many cares that they were coming out of my ears.

I took a deep breath and looked at my schedule. I didn’t have time to crumble over my newly awakened sexual desire. I had to meet with the baker in town in less than an hour and the drive was half that.

8

***Maggie***

Iwas exhausted when I got back to the lodge that night. I’d missed lunch and dinner but I was hoping there was something in the dining room that I could munch on to hold me over til the next morning. I’d gotten so carried away with the baker and then with the dozen other things I’d scheduled myself to do while in town. All I wanted was a giant pizza and a whole chocolate cake and all I had was that craving and nothing else.

I was surprised to see Luke Heath sitting at a table at the back of the dining hall. I didn’t show him arriving until the next week but there he was, in the flesh. He was working on his laptop but he had food next to him that made me think there was still staff on site to help me feed myself.

I didn’t want to bother Luke so I tried to walk as silently as possible to the door to the kitchen but I barely made it ten feet before I felt his eyes on me.

“Maggie?”

I looked up at him and couldn’t help the sheepish grin on my face. “Guilty. I was just going to sneak in and grab something to eat. I didn’t want to bother you while you were working.”

He shut his laptop and nodded to the chair next to him. “I’m not working anymore. Sit with me. My first dinner went cold an hour ago so we can both order something.”

My shoulders sank as I inched my way over to him. “An hour ago? I bet the kitchen is closed. God, I’m starving. If I break in will you keep it a secret?”

His smile was almost embarrassed as he nodded to the kitchen door, where a giant of a man in a chef’s coat had just come out. “At the chance of sounding like an asshole, I’ll admit that I travel with Gregor. Gregor was personal security for a few years, until I found out how talented he is in the kitchen. Now he’s my chef. And friend.”

Gregor grunted happily. “Friend first most days, Mr. Luke. Gregor gives all the best advice.”

I grinned at Gregor and moved closer, somehow more comfortable with the giant of a man I’d never met before. “Are you sure you don’t mind making me something?”

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