Page 66 of Until It Was Real

I never thought I’d be serious about a woman. Not after watching my dad tell Mom he loved her before driving away to his new life with a different woman. I never thought I’d be able to trust a woman enough to be in a serious relationship. But Dakota bared her soul to me. And I can’t resist her.

“I’m certain all animals will like you more than me.”

She grins at me. “Of course, they will. I’m sweet, not sour the way you are.”

I play growl at her. “You think I’m sour.”

She shrugs. “They don’t call you Mr. High and Mighty for nothing.”

“They?” I raise a brow. “You’re the one who coined the phrase.”

“For a reason,” she sings.

“And now my brothers think it’s cute to use the nickname.”

She pats my hand. “Poor baby. Can’t handle a bit of teasing from his brothers.”

I clear my throat. “Speaking of brothers…”

“Uh oh. What did they do now? Do we need to bail them out? Is there a jail on Smuggler’s Hideaway?”

“There is a jail on the island. It’s actually quite nice.”

“How do you know?” She holds up a hand. “On second thought, don’t tell me.”

I chuckle. “It wasn’t my fault.”

“Of course not.”

“Anyway, my brothers.”

“Yes…”

“They’re joining us today.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Your brothers are joining us? If this is some kind of weird reverse harem thing, count me out. I have my hands full with one Raider. I don’t need more.”

I smirk. “You have your hands full with one Raider?”

Her cheeks darken. “You know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t. Explain.”

She slaps my shoulder. “Don’t embarrass me.”

I immediately sober. “Sorry. I would never embarrass you on purpose.”

She blows out a breath. “You’re more of a gentleman than I deserve.”

“Wrong, Havoc. You deserve everything.”

I turn into the parking lot ofBarnacles & Barnyards,the petting zoo on the island, and find a spot to park.

“Today is Kai’s birthday. Since he lost at poker, he has to go to the petting zoo for his birthday.”

Her mouth drops open and panic fills her eyes. “It’s Kai’s birthday? How do I not know this? I didn’t buy him a present.”

I squeeze her hand. “I put your name on our present.”

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