Page 46 of Wrecked
Jesus Christ. He didn’t want his and Piper’s relationship to be exposed like this. “Look, Reid…”
The guy shook his head. “As fun as it would be to break the news, you have my word, no one’s gonna hear it from me. Not my business.” Then he headed out the back door.
Cole let out a relieved breath. Breaking bread with his best friend, pretending nothing was going on between him and Piper—deceiving everyone—wasn’t his idea of a good night. He didn’t belong here, playing happy families, especially now. He turned, about to make his escape, maybe go back to work, say something came up, but Deke walked through the back door before he could leave.
“Reid said you were here.” He went to the fridge and pulled out a couple beers, handing him one. “You’ve been working?”
Cole twisted off the lid and took a deep pull. Looked like he was staying. “Yeah. I have quotes going out thick and fast.”
Deke smiled. “You’ve singlehandedly turned that business around. You’re a good manager, and I appreciate everything you’ve done, but make sure you get some downtime as well.”
Cole smiled back, couldn’t help it, his friend’s happiness was infectious. The man was in love, a newlywed, finally with the woman of his dreams. Cole had had a little taste of what that feels like. He got it. Only it wasn’t the same, and it never would be for him and Piper.
Shit, before the accident, he’d thought many times about the conversation he’d have with his best friend after he got his promotion, after he moved back to Miami. He’d tell him how he felt about his youngest sister, how he’d planned to make her his.
He’d imagined nights like this in his future. All of them together.
He cleared his throat. “Christ, man. Don’t go getting all girly on me.” Surprisingly, he liked his job. A lot. He liked that he’d made a success out of West Security, that he could do that for Deke. It gave him something to be proud of, something to channel his energy into.
Deke shook his head. “Fine, I’ll butt out. I’m sure as hell not complaining.” He tilted his head to the door. “Come on out. Food’s almost done.”
Guilt rushed through him, but somehow, he managed to force it down and walk out the back door behind him.
Alex, Rusty, and Reid were sitting around a table. Salads and bread in the center. Music played from speakers that had been dragged onto the small back porch. Deke headed over to take the seat by his wife, laughing at something she said.
He’d loved this once. Hanging with the Wests. When they were old enough, a beer out here on a hot summer afternoon, shooting the shit, had been his idea of heaven. That felt like a million years ago now.
The smell of meat on the grill, the sizzle, hit him, and he turned to find Piper standing behind it.
Stunning.
Shit, the woman took his breath away. Her blond hair was down around her bare shoulders. The dress she wore was pink with big red roses all over it, kind of like the ink on her hip. It was floaty and hit her just above her knees, and paired with the pink flip-flops she wore, she looked sweet and sexy, utterly irresistible.
What he wouldn’t give to be able to walk up to her, wrap his arms around her waist, and kiss her. To have her turn in his arms and welcome him home, pressing her soft body against his now achingly hard one, and show him how happy she was to see him.
As if she could hear his thoughts, she lifted her head, gaze locking on him. And then she smiled, big and open, giving him the kind of welcome he’d only ever fantasized about.
She lifted an arm, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun. “Hey. You’re here.”
He took a sip of his beer, hoping the icy liquid would help cool his blood, slow his racing pulse. Not happening. He was moving toward her before he knew what he was doing. Didn’t stop until he was nearly on top of her. “Want some help, short-stuff?”
The big welcome smile changed to his other favorite, the sweet, teasing grin, the one that made his stomach clench and his cock ache to be inside her, to make her his.
“Sure. And for future reference, I prefer vertically challenged.”
“I prefer you naked,” he murmured. Her lips parted, and he actually saw the tremor move through her body at his words. He needed to shut up, but he couldn’t help himself around her.
She licked her lips. “Do you now?” She didn’t look at him and concentrated on loading burgers onto a platter.
“I’m hard for you already, even with all your family here.” He brushed his fingers along her bare arm. “What have you done to me, sweet girl? I have no control around you.”
She turned into him, smiling innocently, tits brushing against his arm as she did. “Well, don’t blame me. I’m just standing here flipping burgers.”
He snorted. “You are so full of it. The Miss Innocent act doesn’t work with me.” He grinned and held her beautiful blue eyes. “Not anymore, not now that I know the truth.”
Her cheeks darkened prettily, and he watched her lips twitch, fighting her smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now how about you watch the grill while I take these to the table?”
He made sure she felt his erection against her thigh. “Sure.” She sucked in a breath, and he raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “What?”
