Page 4 of Dying to Meet You

“Are you sure?” His back to me already while he closes a cupboard door, I add, “I’ll owe you one.”

“Mmm? Guess who’s helping clean out stalls tomorrow?”

“Oh, nice. Look at that. You’ve got jokes.” I grab a kitchen towel to snap him with it. “Well, I’ll shovel shit tomorrow. It’ll be worth it.”

I have no doubt about that.

Finding the main bedroom door cracked open, I know I haven’t missed out on anything. We have a firm close-and-lock rule with the kids in the house if anyone is intimate. I knock lightly on the door, peeking my head in. Keir is standing at the window, and Eden sits on the edge of the bed. Both are fully clothed and looking morose. “Jesus Christ, here I thought I’d be interrupting some fun, but instead you both look like someone died.”

Keir’s eyes narrow at me. “It took you longer than I figured it would to end up here.”

Standing while removing her heels, Eden sighs. “I don’t want to rehash things, but we were discussing Matt leaving for the federal trial in LA.” Ah. Wait…

“Why wasn’t I included in this talk?”

Once upon a time it would’ve been me and Eden who commiserate about Matt being a workaholic, now Keir has gradually slid intomyplace. In so many ways he’s spending more time with both Eden and Matt than I am.

Keir folds his arms over his chest. “Before you start in,” his knowing smirk makes me feel a little feral, “I wanted to get Eden’s opinion on having a security detail here until the trial is over. I already know Hutton is going to be against FBI agents lurking around, but I figured no one else would mind the added protection.”

Presumptuous. Maybe I don’t want them skulking around and getting into our business. I’m not terribly fond of the fact Matt and Keir are agents as it is. “Sensational. So, you want them following us around or just hanging out at the house? Or should we just have them move in? I don’t know, we already have a dozen people living here. Maybe we could build another addition. I know…I know-” I’m being a petty asshole, but Keir’s infringing. Doesn’t he see that? Hutton, Caleb, and I are all perfectly capable of picking up the slack with Matt gone. Fucking dick.

Keir cuts me off with irritation. “It’s only for a couple months and they’d be watching the perimeter of the house.”

“Why now? Did something happen?”

Eden’s gaze drops to the floor. “Matt’s concerned-”

Keir cuts in, “I am, too.”

She levels a look at him for interrupting. “Matt’s concerned there is going to be retribution against him for the arrest of the cartel members. He won’t be here, but to them family members are also fair game.”

Moving past Eden to the bed, I lounge back with my hands behind my head. “Okay? Isn’t there always a risk when you’re dealing with the bad guys?” Just one more reason I detest both Matt and Keir being in the FBI. The job is dangerous for them, but they’re putting Eden and the kids at risk, too.

My heart twinges in response to the lost look in Eden’s eyes. I know her better than she realizes; something’s up. I’ve known her since we were freshmen at Belmont College. We’ve leaned on each other through unimaginable circumstances. But for some reason she’s trying to hide what’s happening in her head. I could guess it’s about the kids or work at the wellness center, although she shares those things with me. Maybe I’m losing my place as her confidante, too?

Fucking hell.

As Eden and Keir quietly discuss logistics to this proposed detail, my blood boils. I imagine leaping off the bed and slugging Keir in the jaw, which quickly turns to pinning him against the wall. My cock is at full attention now, fucking pulsing out their names in Morse code at this point.

I pick up on, “...they know us. It’ll be easier that way.” Keir hugs Eden to his chest, closing his eyes and letting out a deep breath. “Both Harrison and Rivera won’t need to ask a bunch of questions about our family arrangement.”

Rivera? Fuck no.

That motherfucking little slimeball makes inappropriate comments about Eden all the time. Not to mention he drives Keir nuts with his “jokes”- about being polyamorous. That’s who he’s placing on the detail? Fuck that. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I sit up. “Jergen Rivera? The same fucking sleaze who suggested we ‘pencil him into the rotation’ with our wife? The one who caressed her back at a Christmas party? The same motherfucking dirtbag who wanted to know who sucks whose dick? That Rivera?” I clench my jaw, fists balled. If I was on edge prior to coming up here, now I’m ready to pounce.

Keir’s face reddens. “He won’t need to talk to anyone unless there is a problem. Besides, he’ll behave better with Harrison along.” No doubt. Steve Harrison is an old friend of Matt’s. Once the shock of our family wore off, he’s been respectful, on occasion defending the way we live our lives. An added bonus is our kids, Waverly, Weston, and Warner anyway, love him. A bachelor pushing forty, he’s dedicated his life to his career. With no family of his own, he even joins us on holidays.

“If I get arrested for assaulting an FBI agent it’s going to be your fault,” I respond with a smirk.

Both basically ignore my remark; further proof my presence isn’t needed to discuss important issues affecting our family. I’m not okay with that. Clearing my throat, I try again. “Hey.” Tugging lightly on Eden’s hand to get her attention, I say, “Since when do we make family decisions without everyone being included?”

My deep distrust of all things governmental rears its head. “Right? We should all weigh in on this. Not just Keir because he has a badge.” I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice.

Not just Keir because he can disarm her with that smile, those damn twinkling hazel eyes, AND those incredibly strong hands…fuuucck. I bend forward in an attempt to tame my raging hard-on. Between my desire to provoke him and my need to nestle deep into my incredibly alluring wife, I’m losing my fight to be well behaved.

In my movement off the bed, I brush past Keir, my erection grazing his hip. He stills when I can’t help but let my hand lightly brush his waist. Lingering a few seconds, I debate grabbing him. Eden makes eye contact with me, her mouth falling open in realization, I’ve really gotten to the point that disagreeing with Keir in any sense turns me on.

Toxic as fuck? Maybe.

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