Page 33 of Tucker

She did, Tucker silently agreed. He glanced at her again and found her staring up at the darkening sky.

“—then it’ll all work out, right?”

She was so pretty, vivacious, outgoing—and he’d given her a taste of lust. Would she now be content with him, only him, for the rest of her life?

God, he hoped so.

The overcast day kicked up a heavy breeze, rustling the leaves of the trees around them.

The men had sent the women off to relax, and they were quickly gathering up the remains of the grill out.

“Is a storm rolling in?” Tucker asked. The weather had been unpredictable for more than a week, a fact that concerned Kady since it was her responsibility to share the forecast.

In the middle of loading a tray, Morgan looked up. “Damn.”

Staring at the clouds, Jordan asked, “Are you avoiding the question?”

“No.” He’d already lost enough time because of avoidance. He should have pursued her from the beginning, instead of making stupid, and wrong, assumptions. “You’re right that I love her.” He didn’t have a problem admitting it. Hell, there were times when he wanted to shout it. Only consideration for Kady and the newness of their relationship kept him silent. “But it’s a little more complicated than you think.”

The men looked at each other, then barked with laughter.

Asses.

Garrett, Kady’s cousin, approached without Tucker noticing, and he slung an arm over his shoulders. “Course it’s complicated, but I figured you’re smart enough to maneuver through it.”

“And we like you,” Shohn said, joining the others so that they surrounded him.

Tucker rolled his eyes. “Am I getting your collective stamp of approval?”

Gabe stared at him, his expression oddly calm but his blue eyes almost incendiary. “Think you’d be here now otherwise?”

“Probably not.” He shrugged off Garrett’s arm. “This is between Kady and me, so my recommendation is that you all back off.”

“Got you running scared, huh?” Shohn shook his head. “You surprise me, Sheriff.”

“I love her,” Tucker said firmly. “I’m not going anywhere. But I’m handling it my way.”

Morgan’s brows went up and he looked at Gabe. “Damn, I like him.”

Gabe nodded. “I think he’ll do.”

Leaning in, Garrett added, “Just don’t blow it.”

“Don’t plan to.” With that all settled, Tucker excused himself to join Kady. She saw him approaching and gave up her scrutiny of the green-gray sky. Beside her, Lisa and Amber grinned, then moved a few steps away.

When he reached her, Tucker cupped her chin and, in front of one and all—because he knew they were watching—he kissed her softly. It was a claim. A statement. And a promise.

As he drew away, she blinked, then frowned toward the cluster of male relatives. “Did they pressure you?”

That she felt protective of him made Tucker smile. “They approved me, actually.”

Her eyes widened, but quickly narrowed with a scowl. Hands on her hips, she demanded, “How exactly did that come up?”

“They love you, that’s how.” Still holding her chin, he looked into her eyes and smiled with confidence. “I’ve got you now.”

Her lips parted. She started to speak, but her cell phone buzzed, making her jump. “Sorry.” She quickly dug it out of her skirt pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Cleets.”

“Weather issue?” He looked at the sky again as it grew darker still, and the clouds became turbulent.

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