Page 46 of A Little Luck

“You’ll have to read your Sunday paper to find out.” Piper tugs on one of Pinky’s strawberry blonde pigtails. “Holly thinks Myrtle got knocked up by one.”

“What’s knocked up?” My niece’s nose wrinkles.

“It’s the opposite of being a virgin,” Owen yells, like he just solved a riddle.

I stand by my positionHocus Pocusshould be rated PG-13.

“Okay, that does it.” Alex swoops his daughter onto his hip and steps forward to give Piper a hug. “Barbara Walters is fine staying at the Star Parlor.”

“Who’s Barbara Walters?” Pinky is still going.

“Night, babe.” Cass gives her a hug as does Britt.

Ryan and Owen have already taken off on foot for Aiden’s house with the pets in tow, and it doesn’t take long before Piper and I are left facing each other on the sidewalk across from Gwen’s tarot studio.

She’s wearing a thick cream sweater in the cool night, and she crosses one arm over her waist, looking up at me with round, green-hazel eyes. Her red hair hangs in silky waves around her cheeks, and I’m drawn to her like the ocean to the moon.

The air is thick with electricity, and I step closer. “Sleep in my bed tonight.”

Thickness is in my voice, and heat is in my groin. Her lip goes between her teeth as her chin lifts, and she looks up at me.

Reaching out, I place my thumb on that soft lip, pulling it out of her mouth and wanting to kiss her. The undeniable attraction draws us closer, my lips grow heavier…

Say yes.

“Lovely night for a movie.” The scratchy, masculine voice breaks the spell, causing Piper to jump away from me.

“Marshall, holy shit!” She exhales a little laugh. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” He holds up his hands before slapping them down at his sides. “I was headed to my door, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

I give him anFfor that assignment. But when I look around, he does basically have to walk through us to get inside. My stomach is tight when she steps back, putting her hand on her chest and shaking her head.

“I’m your downstairs neighbor this evening.” Her hand goes into the crook of his arm, and she starts for the door with him. “’Night, Adam.”

Marshall looks back at me with a grimace, and I push him away with a wave, shaking my head as I turn to walk the short distance to my own place.

“Goodnight.” The word is lost in the cool breeze carrying her away from me.

* * *

As tired as I am,I’m lying on my back in the middle of my bed unable to sleep. All around me is her honeysuckle scent and the memories of her body. I viscerally remember her over me, under me, her hands on my cock… and I groan, lifting my phone from the nightstand again.

It’s after midnight. I’ve been lying awake for more than an hour. I wish I hadn’t showered this morning, because I crave the scent of her on my skin.

I’m about to roll over when a loud noise from the back patio causes me to sit straight up in bed. It sounds like someone knocked over a shovel or banged into the side of my house. I imagine it could be an animal, since apparently Eureka has wild pigs now.

Throwing aside the blanket, I swing my legs out of the bed when I hear the back door latch open. I’m on my feet as it closes solidly, and my mind races through my options. I have a baseball bat in the closet. My gun safe is in the kitchen…

The bedroom door opens slowly, and I step back, lifting my fists in case I have to fight. Adrenaline surges in my veins, although I’m actually more curious than scared. Despite what Piper said on the square, nothing ever happens in Eureka.

As soon as I see her, I straighten, dropping my hands and catching my breath. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t sleep.” Piper stands in my doorway in front of me, still in that cream sweater, but her jeans have been replaced with fuzzy beige pajama pants. “I’m sorry—did I wake you?”

Her eyes are so big in the yellow lights from the hall, and I don’t waste a moment going to her and pulling her to my chest.

“No.” It’s all I get out before leaning down to cover her mouth with mine.

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