Page 84 of House of Deceit

He pulls me to standing before gently pressing me back to sit on the table. I smile at him.

“That was totally better than I imagined,” I joke and he bursts out laughing before kissing me roughly.

“Agreed,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ear.

His next kiss is gentle and my heart tugs.

“I would normally get something to clean you up with, but I need to get going before I get both of us in trouble,” he says as he pulls my robe back on me, tying a nice little bow in front.

Now more than ever, I wish we had met under other circumstances. I want nothing more than to curl up with this man under the covers until we recover and could do it all over again.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say.

The smile he gives me is like the sun breaking through the clouds after multiple rainy days.

“I can hardly wait,” he says, tucking himself away.

Leaning in, he kisses me again before resting his forehead against mine.

“See you tomorrow,” he says, pressing one last kiss to my lips before hurrying from the room.

Trying to keep myself from running to the interview room every five seconds to climb on top of Alec, my brain shifts through the events of the week. While my time in the library was amazing, I keep coming back to the fact Parker is on the chopping block. After losing Molly last week, the thought of losing Parker as well almost puts me into a tailspin. Almost. I stand at the back doors, staring out at the pool. If I was home, I would scroll on social media trying to keep my thoughts at bay, but here, there are no phones. No social media. No television. And I can only read so many books.

Considering going for a swim, I wonder idly if Courtney has taken Caleb to the pool yet this summer. As kids, we always loved diving for rings, pretending like we were dolphins or mermaids, and lived in the water.

As I’m thinking of Courtney, an idea to distract myself from thinking of Alec and the chopping block situation comes to me. One thing I love about my best friend is she is an amazing baker. It’s one of her talents. Over the years, she has taught me various decorating techniques along with her best recipes.

I think through the people who are left in the house to help me set it up and my choice is easy. Keith had three rambunctious sons and now has seven equally rambunctious grandkids he would sacrifice himself for without a moment’s hesitation. I know from stories he loved setting up fun activities for them. Turning toward the interior of the house, I go to find my soon-to-be partner in crime.

Keith is asleep on the couch in the library. As I walk in, I pause at the table for a moment, remembering Alec’s hands on me. Shaking myself from the memory before I become overwhelmed, I look at Keith.

His arms are crossed over his chest like he’s giving someone in his dream a light dressing down. Probably one of his sons or a new ranch hand. His light snores move around the room. On sneaking feet, I inch to one of the chairs and grab the pillow. I tiptoe until I’m standing over him. Winding up the pillow, I bring it down, smacking it right on Keith’s chest. He comes to life with a growl and wild eyes until he sees it’s me.

“What the fuck, Red?”

“I’m bored. Wanna have a cookie decorating contest? We need to do something for your birthday,” I tell him, pillow dangling from my hand.

“Don’t go saying the ‘b’ word! Plus, I can’t. I’m dead from the heart attack you just gave me.” He puts his hand on his chest and drapes himself on the couch, sticking his tongue out. He only does that when he wants to pretend to be extremely dead. Normally when I wake him up, he just lies like a vampire in a coffin with his hands crossed on his chest, a normal amount of dead.

“You can’t be dead. I need your help, Grandpa. Plus, I have it on good authority you’re too stubborn to have a heart attack.”

He cracks one eye open but doesn’t move out of his position. “Maybe not, but I might smack you around a little.”

“Oooooh, I’m very scared. Plus, you use the heart attack too much. It’s lost its efficacy. Up and at ‘em!”

“You’re an asshole.” He sits up and looks at me.

“Do you need help getting up so you don’t break a hip?”

He looks at me, cocking his eyebrow. His stern looks do nothing but make me laugh. He might be a hard-ass cowboy back home, but here, with me, he’s nothing but a giant softy. While I’ve always gravitated toward Molly and Parker, Keith has been a steady presence for me in the house.

“Didn’t your parents teach you to respect your elders?” He shoos me back and stands up, giving a big stretch.

“If you saw my mom talk to my grandma, you’d understand where I get it from. It’s all from a place of love.”

“I know it is, Red.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze before dropping it.

“Let’s go round everyone up,” he says, leading me out of the room.

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