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I liked the traveling part anyway, but now that I retired, I was ready to just relax and enjoy the rest of my life.

“Good to see you,” I told them, pushing my hands into the pockets of my pants.

“Glad you could make it. Della will be happy to see you, and Valley—”

“I’m excited to see them as well,” I interrupted him, not wanting to hear him talk about his daughter while she was still watching me closely.

Didn’t she know it wasn’t very kind to stare?

Then again…she did this to every man. Messing with their heads for her enjoyment.

My grumpiness quickly made the three men step aside to continue their conversation, and I was left with Andrew who was eyeing me closely.

“You doing okay, brother? You don’t look too happy to be here and celebrate me getting a year older,” he said with a chuckle.

“I’m fine. Had a long day unpacking and getting my shit together,” I told him. “How are things going?”

“Not too bad. Renovated my office so I can work from home instead of heading into work every day. Can’t stand those interns at the firm, and I need a quiet place to work and answer calls.”

“Still wondering how you went from being the damn mayor of this town to owning a law firm,” I said, letting out a low chuckle.

“You’re forgetting that I studied law. I invested in that firm, and I’m not ready to let anyone else run it. Not until I find the right man to handle it all.”

“Or woman. Let’s not forget how smart and powerful women can be,” Della pointed out as she walked up to us with a big smile on her face. “Riggs, I’m so happy you’re finally back. It’s time you took a few steps back from working so hard.”

I placed my hand on her waist and leaned in to kiss her cheeks to greet her. “Good to see you, Della. You look lovely,” I told her.

“Thank you. Would you like something to drink?”

“Whiskey neat,” I replied, but instead of letting her go get me the drink, I stopped one of the catering staff and told him to bring it to me.

“Right away, sir,” the guy said, and as he walked away, I looked straight into those passionate and lustful blue eyes.

She was standing by the archway leading into the dining room with an empty glass in her hand, her hair flowing down over one shoulder and almost reaching her hips.

Before I tore my gaze off her, I couldn’t help but smirk at the way she kept teasing me with those eyes.

Safe to say she was up for playing games, but there were thirty-eight years between us, and there was no way she could handle the way I played.

“Ah, there she is. Val!” Andrew called out, waving his hand to finally make her look away from me.

I watched as she tensed up, then she set her glass down on one of the round tables before she started to walk over to us in those incredible black heels.

“It’s been a while since you two saw each other, hm? You remember Riggs, don’t you?” he asked his daughter.

Of course she does.

It’s only been about a year.

My jaw clenched as her lips curled up into a sweet but devilish smile, and I fisted my hands in my pockets before pulling them out to greet her the same way I greeted her stepmother.

“Of course I remember him,” she said in a playful voice, stepping closer and placing her hand on my shoulder while I kissed her cheeks gently.

I had placed one hand on her lower back, close to the curve of her ass, pulling her closer to me.

Her tight body pressed against mine as we hugged, and I couldn’t help but move my fingertips toward her round ass, ready to squeeze it but deciding against it as we weren’t alone in this house.

Besides…I could tease just as much as she teased me.

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