Page 29 of One Hot Deal

"But you are her bodyguard."My sister still sounds way too sneaky, and I'm getting a niggling in my gut that warns me she's up to something."You'll want to stay as close to her as possible.Right?"

"Uh-huh.Do not meddle in any way, shape, or form."

"Meddling?Me?"She clucks her tongue."You should know better by now."

"Does that mean you won't meddle?"

She hums tunelessly in the way I know means she's avoiding answering my question."By the way, Pippa helped us pack some bags for Diana, and Hugh and I grabbed everything you might need along with some new clothes too."

"Fantastic.Hugh probably picked out baggy cargo pants and pastel T-shirts for me.The kind that have unicorns and kittens on them."I think about how Diana might react to this cockamamie idea, then realize my sister never answered my question."Tell me now, Avery.You are not going to meddle, right?"

She says nothing for about two seconds."Oh, look at the time.Gotta go.We'll pick you guys up at noon."

Avery hangs up on me.

I never got the chance to ask where I'm supposed to meet her or why she said that she and Lord Sticky would pick "us" up.I hope that doesn't mean Diana.She probably needs more than a few hours away from me.Our second round of quick and dirty sex seemed to make her even more anxious about our deal.

Maybe giving her time to adjust is the wrong play.Maybe I need to show her that I can be more than the guy who donates the, uh, stuff she needs.Okay, yeah, I still don't like thinking the S-word, much less speaking it.Does any guy like to talk about his little swimmers?I doubt it.

Women love to talk about "that time of the month."

I let my team know I'll be taking the week off and fiddle around with my computer for a while after that, then it's time to head downstairs and meet my sister and her hubby-to-be.I assume I should go downstairs, at any rate.If they get all lovey-dovey again in the car, I might slam my head into the door frame to knock myself out.Maybe I'm a little jealous that Avery and Hugh are so happy, and maybe that's because the woman I want insists my only role in her life is to get her pregnant.This is Avery's big week, though, and I will behave like a responsible adult.

As I walk out of the building, I see the limo with Hugh and Avery standing beside it.And I see Diana standing there too.

When she notices me, she winces.

Oh, perfect.Avery and Hugh must not have warned her I was coming along on this forced vacation in the English countryside.

My suspicions are confirmed when Avery throws her arms up and shouts, "Surprise!"

I glare at her, but she just keeps grinning.

Hugh wears a slightly pinched expression, like maybe he wasn't totally on board for this kidnapping scheme.He opens the rear door of the limo and spreads an arm."Ladies first."

Diana and Avery climb into the car.

I approach Hugh and whisper, "This was Avery's idea, wasn't it?"

"Yes.Be prepared for more meddling once we reach Sommerleigh.Guests will be arriving all week, but you and Diana are the first."

"Can't you talk Avery out of poking her nose into my life?"

Hugh gives me a wry smile."You were there when she pushed her pretty little nose into my life and turned it upside down.What makes you think I have any sway over her when it comes to helping you?She wants her brother to be happy—whether you like it or not."

I groan.Then I get into the limo.

Avery sits on the bench seat that faces the front, while Diana has taken the bench across from her that faces the rear.Diana sits on the edge of the seat with her fingers curled over its edge, seeming like she might bolt any second.

When I try to settle onto the seat beside my sister, she smacks my arm."I'm sitting with Hugh.And it's my wedding week, so you can't complain about that."

"Right.The bride is the dictator.Should I bow down at your feet?"

"That won't be necessary.Just sit with Diana."

I move onto the opposite bench but leave a good gap between me and Diana.

Hugh climbs in, snuggling up to Avery, and the limo starts rolling.

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