Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars #4) - A.L. Jackson Page 0,60
them, not quite catching the group.
“Whoa, there. Seems like I’m late to the rodeo this mornin’.”
“That’s because you’re old,” Brendon shouted, cracking a grin.
“Wow, dude, wow. Way to bust someone’s balls before they’ve even had their first cup of coffee.”
“Like I said…old.” Brendon delivered the razzing, all kinds of smug.
Mia tsked with a smile. “Don’t make me tell your dad about that sass you’re tossing around, Brendon.”
Brendon lifted his palms with a shrug. “Uh…newsflash, my dad knows full well I’m nothin’ but a badass.”
Wow.
Right.
I giggled, and Mia arched a brow. “Well, I guess I’ll have to tell Tamar, then.”
Dark eyes going wide, Brendon shifted his hands around so his palms were held in surrender. “Hey, now, hey, now! Don’t go manipulatin’ me, Aunt Mia. That’s just cruel. You know the last thing I want to do is disappoint my Mama Blue.”
“Then watch yourself,” she teased.
“Watch myself? Pssh…have you seen me? I can’t look away.”
I tried to hide my amused smile at this kid who was so close to becoming a man. Cocky and sly. Way too handsome for his own good. Written in mischief and havoc.
Mia shook her head, all kinds of affectionate. “Good lord, you are your father’s son, aren’t you?”
Rhys chuckled low.
The sound rippled through the air and raked across my flesh.
He rubbed at his beard as he rounded the island, and he cut me a glance as he passed.
Blue eyes fierce and soft and knowing and flirty, and oh lord, my knees were knocking all over again. I had to dip my head to keep that flush hidden, the one that burned like fiery embers.
I shifted on my feet, backing away another inch as he invaded my space. As his energy sizzled and surged and made me feel like I was never going to get a full breath again.
I could almost feel time slow around us.
Like we were locked. Frozen in a second that lasted for eternity as he slowly edged by. Only when he jerked his attention away did time start moving again, jolting me free of the binds that I wasn’t sure I wanted to get loose of.
He went right for Daisy and threw her into the air.
She squealed and laughed and flailed to get her arms around his massive neck. “Uncle Rhys! Whatcha doin’? Did you get hungry? Me and my mommy and everybodies are making breakfast.”
He tossed her a little higher, his words a rough grumble of a tease, “I just so happened to have worked up quite the appetite already this fine mornin’. Hungry as all get out.”
Oh.
Um.
Okay.
Was that an innuendo? A message to me?
I blinked a thousand times, trying to process.
The ground unstable.
Shaking beneath my feet.
With it came a warning that blared from the depths of my mind.
The truth that I was getting in deep.
That my battered heart might not be able to handle it.
But I wanted it—whatever fragments of himself he might offer.
I craved his touch.
More than anything, I wanted him to look at me the same way as he had this morning.
When I peeked back that way, Rhys was tossing Daisy onto his back.
Shrieking, she curled her arms around his neck. “Giddy up, horsey!” She knocked his sides with her heels.
Without hesitation, Rhys reared up and whinnied. He launched into a gallop, scooting around the island and toward the main living room where the children had run. He clamored around the huge couch as if it were a barrel, gaining on the kids who’d decided they’d be better off if they became a team. “Faster, horsey, faster!” Daisy shouted. “We gots to get ’em.”
“Y’all better not go tearing this house down,” Violet called, laughing under her breath.
“Hecks no. Got it handled, don’t we, Daisy?” Rhys shouted.
“Yep!”
It didn’t matter if I tried to protect myself against it.
The assault of emotion.
The crash of need.
The truth of what I felt.
It was there.
Seeping into my bloodstream and sinking into every cell.
I couldn’t look away as they frolicked and played and caused a commotion.
My insides twisted up tight in the sensation that swept the atmosphere.
Joy.
Like a tangible thing I could hold in my hand.
Rhys kept galloping, whinnying and bucking and making the kids howl with laughter.
Rhys and Daisy caught up to Brendon, and Rhys gave him a little tap with his hip, knocking Brendon off to the side. “Outta our way.”
Brendon stumbled a bit as Rhys blazed passed, the kid laughing hard.
“We are the champions! Kentucky Derby, here we come. Tell me you’ve got one of those fancy hats, Miss Daisy,” Rhys shouted.