Page 61 of Vodka And Virtue

“Uh, I kinda made a mess. Can I borrow that rag?”

I peeked over his shoulder. “I thought you were kidding when you joked about jizzing on my bike.”

His laugh was precious. “I was! Sorry. Think of it as extra polish.”

* * *

I bentover the raised flower bed, ignoring the sharp twinge in my oblique muscle, and pinched the head off my basil plant, to encourage more growth. The idea of fucking Carlisle on my bike was hotter than any porn I’d ever seen, but the reality, though just as hot, had taken its toll on my pain threshold.

“Rory,” Carlisle called out, poking his head out the sliding glass door. “You have a visitor.”

He disappeared back inside before I could ask who. I straightened, rubbing my abdominal muscles as I wandered back inside. I shouldn’t have bothered to rush. It was only Graham. He was sitting at the kitchen island, enjoying a glass of sweet tea with mint as he carried on a conversation with his nephew. I lingered in the doorway, catching the tail end of their conversation.

“So that’s it, you just up and moved yourself right in? No regrets?”

“Not one regret, uncle G. I love it here.”

“Is that right?” He sipped his tea, eyeing Carlisle over the rim of his glass. “And would that be because it’s a nice house, or because of the man who lives in it with you?”

I watched Carlisle for his reaction. He gave his uncle a shy smile. “Both?” He laughed, leaning his elbows on the counter of the island. “I think you know how much I like him. Rory is—”

Graham held his hand up to stop him. “I know what Rory is, thank you. If he was a piece of shit, I wouldn’t have him for a best friend. I guess I’m still trying to wrap my head around this whole pairing.”

I walked fully into the kitchen, making my presence known, and Carlisle busied himself pouring me a glass of tea. I sat down next to Graham and accepted the glass from him.

“Thank you, baby.”

Graham studied me, shaking his head, and smirked. “You really lucked out, didn’t you, you SOB? Moving in on my nephew, half your age. You have no shame, do you?”

“Try not to sound so jealous, old man.”

“Of my nephew?”

“Jealous that I’m happy and you’re still flying solo.”

“Ha! Just how I like it.” He turned his attention back to Carlisle. “So you’re just gonna leave Gordy all alone there? While you and your brother run off and play house?”

“Gordy’s a big boy. He’s probably thrilled to have the place to himself,” I defended, speaking for Carlisle.

Graham eyed me, looking skeptical. “How’s your wound healing? Carlisle said you got your stitches out.”

“Yep. The doc gave me the all clear.”

“I guess you want to return to work now?”

“As soon as possible. I’m going stir crazy in this house. I need to get out and do something.” I lifted my shirt to show him the fresh scar. “The skin is closed, but the muscle underneath is still healing. It hurts a little from time to time when I jerk the wrong way. But I’m ready. I wouldn’t lie and say I feel well enough if I didn’t think I couldn’t do the job well.”

“All right then. I guess you’ll be at Limericks tomorrow night.”

“I’ll see you there,” I said with satisfaction.

“No, you won’t. Because you’ll be at the sports bar while I’m at the lounge.”

“What? Why?” Although I already knew the reason. He was five foot nine, with blond hair and pretty blue eyes.

“Until that man is caught, I’ll be at that lounge every single night.”

I stroked the dark scruff that covered my jaw, fighting my smile. “I see. Do they have any leads on the man?”

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