Page 5 of Tucker
Alexlaughs and squeezes my knee. “Don’t apologize. Yes, I’m married. Ian just gothere.” He waves over a dark headed guy who definitely fits right in with thisgroup. It’s like hot guys are drawn to each other or something because I swearI’m surrounded by them.
Tucker’sremark makes sense when Ian smacks Alex on the ass. “Are you over here causingtrouble?”
“Leah,this is my husband, Ian. Ian, Leah.”
Ian’seyes sweep over me and his lips tilt up in a smile. “Well, where have they beenhiding you?”
Goodgod, why do they have to be gay? These two would make any woman surrender herpanties and whatever else they asked.
“Awayat college.”
Ianslides up beside me on the log. “Educated and beautiful. Just like me. I thinkI’m in love.”
Alexlaughs, shaking his head. “Sorry, I should’ve warned you. His arrogance goesthrough the roof when he’s drinking.”
“Areyou seriously hitting on me in front of your husband?” I laugh.
“Well,we like to involve a beautiful woman every now and then, and—
Hedoesn’t get a chance to finish his statement because he’s pulled backward offthe log.
“She’sDare’s sister, asshole,” Tucker growls. “Hands off.”
Itdraws everyone’s attention, especially when Ian just continues to lie on hisback in the grass, laughing. “Told you so,” he says to Alex.
I’mnot sure what that was about, but everyone is laughing, so I just chalk it upto the alcohol. “Something tells me you and Justus would get along reallywell,” I tell Ian as Alex grabs his arm and hauls him to his feet.
Theparty dies down as most of the guests leave or crash in one of the farmhouse’sguest rooms. It’s late and I’m lying in a lounger by the fire staring up at thestars. It’s so beautiful and peaceful out here. Maybe I shouldn’t be lookingfor an apartment in the city.
“Youaren’t going to pass out, are you?” Ayda teases.
“Nah,I’m just buzzed, not drunk.”
Tucker,Justus, and Derek are deep in a conversation I’ve been ignoring up to thispoint until I hear Tucker say, “I don’t need someone to pay rent, just bewilling to keep up the place and look after the animals.”
Sittingup, I focus on him. “What are you talking about?”
Derekshakes his head. “Tucker is looking for a house sitter for the next six months.Maybe one of your school friends?”
“Me!”I jump to my feet and grab the back of the chair as the world sways beforerighting itself. “I’ll do it. It’s gorgeous here and I could use the peace andquiet to write.”
Derekfrowns. “I don’t want you out here alone, so far away.”
“Toobad you don’t get to make that decision.” The look on Tucker’s face pisses meoff. He obviously isn’t going to go against Derek. “I’m twenty-three years oldfor hell’s sake!”
Aydasqueezes my shoulder and pulls Derek and Tucker aside. They murmur back and forthfor a few moments before Derek speaks again. “Fine. I’ll make a deal with you.You can move out here to BFE as long as you promise to always set the alarm,and keep in touch with me or Ayda.”
Really?That was easy.
“Youalso have to let me put some money in your account since you won’t be getting apaycheck.”
Tuckerwatches my reaction as my cheeks heat up. I hate being treated like a child.“Fine,” I growl. “When can I move in?”
“Thesooner the better,” Tucker replies.
“Howabout tomorrow?”
Tuckershrugs. “Fine by me. You can take the spare bedroom.”
