Page 34 of Queen of Diamonds
“You’re not intimidated by them?”
“I was at first, but we’ve had a few really good talks. For all their gruff, they’re marshmallows inside.”
“Uh-huh.” There was that throaty laugh that he loved. When he brought the car to a stop in front of Nate’s house, all three brothers were standing on the porch, their arms crossed over their chest. “Remember. You promised to protect me.”
“Come on, scaredy cat. Let’s go see the big bad wolves.”
He followed her up the sidewalk, and damn did she look hot. She had on a white denim skirt, a red sleeveless blouse, and red and black cowboy boots.
“Stevens,” Nate said.
So he was Stevens again. He nodded.
“Stop staring at him with those death glares, boys.” Kinsey gave each of her brothers a hug, then took his hand. “Let’s go say hi to their wives. They’re a lot nicer.”
Nate’s gaze narrowed at their joined hands. “You can come in, Kinsey. He can’t.”
“Bro, stop being a jerk,” Alex said, using his body to push Nate away. He smiled at his sister. “He can come in if you want him to. If not, his ass is grass.” He winked at her.
“I prefer his ass the way it is now, thank you very much.”
Alex snorted. “You’re going to be good training for when his girls start bringing boys home.”
“There will be no boys coming through that gate,” Nate growled.
“Oh, jeez, your poor daughters,” Kinsey said, rolling her eyes. “Or with six of them, maybe poor you.”
Rand agreed with both scenarios but wisely kept his mouth shut.
“Everyone’s out back.” Court opened the door, then stepped back to let Kinsey enter.
“A minute, Stevens,” Nate said, putting his hand on Rand’s shoulder.
And here it was, his warning.
Kinsey squeezed his hand. “If you let him send you packing, I’ll lose all respect for you.”
He dipped his chin, grinning at her. “I’ll do my best to make sure you still respect me in the morning. Not making any promises, though. He’s scary.”
“Been nice knowing you,” Alex said a bit too cheerfully. He pulled Kinsey into the house. Court followed them in, closing the door behind him.
“She’s not for you,” Nate said, getting right down to business.
Rand jammed his hands into his pockets. “She might think differently.”
“Listen, it’s not that you’re not good enough for her.” Nate huffed out a breath. “You’re one of the best, and I wouldn’t worry that you’d treat her wrong. But your head’s not in the right place now for a relationship with any woman, especially my sister.”
“Are you ordering me away from her?” He didn’t know why he didn’t make his boss happy and just walk away from Kinsey. He’d told himself a hundred times he was going to do exactly that. But for the first time since losing his daughter, he was living again. Kinsey made him happy. Was it fair to give that up without talking to her? If she understood where he was coming from and agreed that they could enjoy each other’s company without any expectations, then what was the harm?
“As much as I want to, no. She’s still learning what it’s like to have brothers—”
“And overprotective ones at that.”
Nate cracked a rare smile. “There is that. I’m already seeing she can be stubborn—”
“Wonder where she got that from?”
“Would you shut up a minute? What I’m trying to say—”
