Page 1 of Rescuing Royce

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“Amber, whatever happened to your New Year’s Eve resolution? And I quote: ‘It’s time to get real about what I want,’ end quote.” The group of women lounging by the pool that sunny afternoon were some of her closest friends, but she’d yet to share with any of them what she “wanted” in her life, or more precisely who.

So, she did what any mature twenty-seven-year-old did in that type of situation, and stuck her tongue out, ignored her friends, and went back to scrolling through Pinterest on her tablet. Jeez, with friends like hers, who needed enemies, calling her out on a resolution she’d blurted out after a glass and a half of champagne.

“Oh, I remember that declaration too.” Evie X, another friend, soon to be ex-friend if she didn’t back her up, sat up in her lounger and grinned at Amber. “You were so adamant that night. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you so serious before. We never did talk about it, because well, Sophie and Grant hooked up that night, then we went out drinking, and I kinda forgot about.”

“We did not hook up that night, Evie. We only kissed. We hooked up a week later.” Sophie chuckled as she looked, “Hey,I’m bored and tired of being fat. I need a distraction from my swollen ankles. I’ve been worried about you, Amber. I was kinda thinking you were referring to a guy when you made your resolution, but you’ve hardly dated this year.”

Amber Wyatt sipped her chilled drink and narrowed her eyes at one of her best friends, Sophie McMannis. It was Sophie’s good fortune that she was seven months pregnant; otherwise, Amber would so challenge her to a leg wrestling match. The fourth member of their group by the pool was the main reason she couldn’t talk about her declaration now, and not ever. Because Sophie was right, she had been thinking of someone when she’d vowed to get real about what she wants. It was just too bad that she happened to be the fraternal twin to another member of their group hanging out by the pool. Reese Kincaid-Connor had warned all of her single girlfriends off when her brother, Royce Kincaid, had moved back to Pineville. Not because she didn’t think her friends were good enough for him; quite the opposite.

Royce Kincaid had a hard edge to him from years as a soldier, then a police officer for the Dallas PD before he applied for a job on the Pineville, Idaho SWAT. He’d never had a serious romantic relationship and didn’t go looking for one from what Reese had shared. Rumor was Royce preferred nameless encounters with women who didn’t mind a little dirty talk with their orgasms.

Amber sighed and took another long drink of her iced mimosa.

“That was a dreamy sigh if I’ve heard one.” Reese’s laugh rang out above the splashing and jeering taking place at the deep end of the pool.

“Agreed. What or who’s on your mind, Amber? I think it’s way past time you got lucky; even if it’s a one-night thing, I guarantee it’ll improve your outlook.”

Amber snorted. “I wasn’t aware my ‘outlook’ was so noticeable. Thanks for pointing that out.”

Sophie raised her hand. “It has to be with the right guy though; otherwise, she could become even more frustrated. I know a few guys that might fit the bill. There’s this new bartender at O’Malley’s, and he has a drool-worthy ass, so if?—”

“Sophie, you’re a month away from pushing that baby out, and you’re checking out a guy’s ass? You go, girl!” Reese raised her wineglass in an air toast.

Sophie giggled. “Well, these hormones have been raging. It’s crazy, and Grant has been a very happy husband. I told him not to get too used to it because after the baby comes, the bedroom fun will be taking a hiatus.”

Evie, the only other single girl in attendance at the moment, performed a perfect spit take at her boss’ statement. “TMI. Sophie, I love you but are you sure all that…fun is good for junior?”

“No worries my friend. I double-checked with my midwife, and junior is well cushioned. But thank you for your concern. And one day, I hope all of you experience this perk of pregnancy because the morning sickness and weight gain suck.” Sophie rubbed her stomach. “And, of course, it’s all worth it to be able to have a healthy little boy.”

Amber took in it all in and was on board with some of it. Except the pregnancy part. She’d had a tough childhood thanks to a mother who resented her and who never hesitated to remind her how Amber had been a mistake. And that Amber should be thankful that her father had bribed her to prevent her from ending the pregnancy. If it hadn’t been for her father, Amber was sure she would have been put up for adoption or ended up in the system.

She’d made a vow when she was all of nine that she’d never get married or have kids. Years later she hadn’t changed hermind on either one. “I appreciate all the suggestions, but I’m just fine. My outlook is fine. When I’m ready to date, I’ll find my own guy.”

Sophie, Reese, and Evie exchanged glances.

“She’s so not fine. Her shoulders are all hunched over. I think I see some new lines on her forehead, and when was the last time any of us noticed that after awesome sex glow?” Reese stood up and walked over to Amber’s lounge chair. “We’re gonna find you a new guy, sweetie. You need to get your groove back, my friend. No, stop shaking your head. You’re too young and gorgeous to live like a nun.”

Reese stared her down, then threw up her hands, “Sophie, Evie? Back me up here.”

Amber hated being the center of attention. She felt her face warm and peeked over at the group of men who were standing around the outdoor kitchen, drinking beer and loudly arguing over what else, baseball. The one member of the group who’d held her interest, but was off-limits, had yet to look her way since he arrived.

She’d be mortified if he’d heard his sister’s declaration.

And because he was the one she wanted to get her groove on with.

Amber wasn’t purposely living like a nun. She just wanted one man in her bed, and since he’d returned to Pineville, her interest in anyone else had disappeared. Nope, she hadn’t lost her groove; she just couldn’t confess to her girlfriends why she hadn’t gone out with a guy in over a year.

Royce Kincaid fueled her fantasies, but her relationship with Reese was too important to sacrifice for a shot with her brother.

Amber had had a few short-term relationships. The men she dated tended to be of the same mind. But for some reason, her sex life never lived up to the promise her handful ofrelationships had started on; men seemed to treat her as if she would break because of her petite height.

Royce had it bad.The effort it was taking to keep his eyes off the group of women by the pool had him keyed up. His thoughts kept reverting back to a curvy dark brown-eyed female who’d been haunting his dreams since the day he’d been introduced to her at his sister’s restaurant.

The object of his current desire was connected to his sister’s friends’ group, and that meant he needed to be careful. He’d held off pursuing her the few times they were at one of the Outlaws games or a dinner party. His patience was being tested as was his sudden streak of abstinence. He didn’t connect it to his desire for Amber, but he found himself comparing any woman he thought about hooking up with to her.

“Royce, you up for another?” Connor Holt, his childhood best friend and current home run leader for the Idaho Outlaws baseball team, held up a bottle of Royce’s favorite pale ale.

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