Page 146 of Murder

He gives a low laugh. “My brother and his fiancé.” He rocks back on his heels a little, soft affection shining in his eyes. “I want them to meet you. They’re only passing through— Not really,” he corrects himself. “They were down in Georgia seeing Cleo’s family and the bank called. House is closing. I put Kelly as a reference. They didn’t know I was even here, so they’re surprised.”

“So they just…drove up here?”

“He said they called last night.”

I blink a few times.

Barrett laughs and cups my chin. “C’mon, Piglet… You look pretty. Come meet them. Cleo wants to see the bears.”

I groan. “So one of those.”

“One of what?” He swats my ass, shooing me out into my room.

“People either think the bears are fun, or they think bears eat people all the time.”

“So…one of the ones who thinks they’re fun.” He arches his brows and makes a faux for-shame face, then gives me a warm, teasing smile. “You don’t think bears are fun?” He puts a hand to his chest.

“I think bears are really fun.” I twine my arms around his neck. “I just…need a shower.” I press my cheek against his chest and try to calm my racing heart. “How’d they find out you were here at my place anyway,” I ask, peering up at him.

“I sent K. a picture of my bike a few weeks back. They tried the doorbell at my place. When I didn’t answer, they walked around the property to check it out and saw my bike beside your porch.”

“Why is it there?” Last time he returned home on the bike, he parked in the grass to the right of my porch, near the edge of the enclosure fence rather than in the driveway.

“Long story,” he says, arching his brows.

I give him a skeptical look.

He leans down to kiss my lips. “Mine,” he murmurs.

I can’t help it. He’s so freaking sweet and handsome. I lace my fingers through his curls and sigh, then groan and nip at his chin. “Okay. I guess…”

He grins.

“But only because you do bad things to me.”

That makes him throw his head back and chuckle. “Gwen…”

He takes my hand and kisses it, then lets it go and turns a circle, eyes scanning the floor.

“Footboard.” I nod at a shirt of his that’s draped there.

“Ah. Thank you.” His voice is soft and kind of polite. I smile, thinking how adorable he is. He grabs the hunter green shirt and pulls it over his head, and I drink in his glorious body.

I guess he can tell I was lusting after him after he surfaces, because he grins. “You’re a dirty little Piglet.”

“Told you I needed a shower,” I shrug.

He laughs. “You’re not nervous…?”

“Yes! Of course I am, you goose.”

“Don’t be nervous. They’ll love you.” His voice is soft and low as he grabs my hand. “You want to grab breakfast somewhere? I know you didn’t expect anyone.”

“Yeah, sure.” I smile for him, for once. “And mi casa, su casa. Is that right?”

“Su casa es mi casa, sus osos son mis osos. Soy tu oso. Que me ama, te amare.”

“Was that for real?” I gape.

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