Page 75 of Seduction in Spades

I hear the teasing in her voice and chuckle. I want her to relax. I want her back in my arms. Instead, she scoots a few inches away and rolls so her back is to me.

“Thank you for making me feel better. I promise I’ll never say anything.”

I roll to my side and stare at her back. “I was planning on telling Trey and Drake eventually. They met my family a couple times when they visited Boston. I don’t like keeping secrets from them.”

She doesn’t respond. The secret we share weighs heavy in the room. I’ve been wanting to tell Trey about us for weeks and she’s insistent we don’t. I’m not worried about our friendship being ruined over my interest in her. What can destroy our friendship is keeping it a secret like this. I’d never do anything to hurt her. In fact, I’d bet my portion of Four Aces that Trey will be relieved to find out I’m dating her. Beats the alternative of the thousands of assholes who probably pine after her on a daily basis.

Only we’re not dating.

We’re fucking, and I can’t very well tell Trey that.

At least, we were until we both got spooked over this threat. In the meantime, I’m going to soak up all the time I can get with Avery.

***

“Oh my god, Noles. Iadore her.” My sister hands me the last cup to dry and I put it away in the cupboard. “Theo hasn’t left her side since she played with him in the sandbox.”

We both stare out the window above the kitchen sink and watch Avery blow bubbles with Theo and Katie. “She’s good with him.” I had no idea what Avery would be like with kids. She’s a people person and lights up a room simply by being in it, but that could be because she’s so goddamn gorgeous.

Little kids don’t care about looks. They care about how people treat them, and Avery has been an angel to Theo.

“It’s helping Katie’s jealousy, too. You should have seen her nose scrunch when she saw you pull up with your girlfriend.”

“Katie will always be my number one girl.” My niece has had me wrapped around her finger since she was born.

And Avery has had me tangled up in knots since I met her.

Serena drains the sink and leans against the counter. “Just curious here, as your big sis. This is the first time you’ve brought a girl home since high school and to a family party, nonetheless, and you’ve never mentioned her to any of us before? What gives?”

Leave it to my sister to not beat around the bush.

“Mom and Dad tell you to ask about her?”

Serena snorts. “Please. Even Johnny asked.”

My brother-in-law is a pretty chill, low-key guy. Being a firefighter, he has to be on alert all the time at work, so when he’s off duty, he’s like a relaxed sloth, or so Serena likes to call him. As an OR nurse, Serena’s work is a constant stressful rush, but that’s what she thrives off. She’d be bored with a desk job or anything that isn’t high stress.

“We’re taking things slow.”

“How did you guys meet?”

Instead of giving her all the details, I tell her the connection. “She’s Trey’s sister and recently moved to Boston.”

“How does he feel about it? I’ve only met him once, but he’s kinda scary. Has he threatened to chop your balls off if you hurt his baby sister?”

“You kiss your kids with that mouth? And she’s the older sister. Bratty and brash just like you.” I swat her with a towel.

“No wonder we clicked so fast.”

“Don’t freak her out, Rena. We’re taking things slow. She’s not ready for anything serious right now.”

“Interesting choice of words.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’snot interested. Meaningyouare.” I don’t take the bait and roll my eyes. “So why didn’t she hook up with Ryder? Seems like he’d be more her type.”

My sister gives me a shit-eating grin and rushes out of the kitchen before I can snap her with the towel again.

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