casual; it’s the truth. I can tell you that I’m pursuing your sister. She’s an amazing woman, and I enjoy her very much.”
“I don’t know how I feel about that answer,” Gabby says after a moment. “But I can see that you’re nice to her, and I don’t think you would intentionally hurt her.”
“Of course not.”
“Because if you did…well, let’s just say there are plenty of places to hide a body in the swamp.” She smiles brightly, and for the first time, I think I might be truly afraid of a woman.
“Stop bullying him,” Rhys says with a laugh and kisses her on the head. “Although, it is impressive.”
“I’m tougher than I look.”
“I believe that.”
“I have some work to do out back, why don’t you come with me?” Rhys says to me and gestures for me to follow him. “Gabby’s not subtle about being protective over her siblings. Then again, none of them are. Have you met all of the brothers yet?”
“Just Declan,” I reply.
“He’s the laid-back one,” Rhys says with a grin. “I’d like to be there when you meet Eli and Beau, but I think I’ll miss it. Maybe Kate will film it for me.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Depends.” He leads me across the field to an older barn. Inside is workout equipment. “Do you love her?”
I stop cold and watch Rhys as he sits at a machine and begins lifting weights. But I don’t really see him. I see Charly. Her smile, her laugh, the way she feels when I’m inside her.
“I’m learning her,” I reply and frown when Rhys busts up laughing. “What’s so bloody funny?”
“That’s what I said about Gabby when Beau asked me the same question.” He shakes his head and stands. “I knew the minute I saw Gabby that she was the one for me. I never believed in all that love at first sight crap, but I knew that she was mine. Being away from her was torture.”
“I don’t like being away from Charly either,” I say quietly, remembering how horrible it was when I was in London after the retreat. “But it’s still early—”
“You should know by now if it’s a sex thing, or if she’s someone you can see yourself with for the long term.”
“It’s not just a sex thing.” It was never just a sex thing, I was just too bloody stubborn to admit it.
“How much longer are you in town for?”
“Only a couple more days.” And that stabs me in the heart. I don’t want to leave.
Maybe I don’t have to.
“If you break her heart, you’ll have to worry about her family. They’re as tight as they come. Did Gabby tell you that Kate is my cousin?”
“No,” I reply, surprised.
“I met Gabby through Kate. I needed a place to disappear to so I could rehab my shoulder, and Kate suggested I come here. It was the best fucking thing I ever did.”
“You are beautiful together.”
“She’s everything, man. It’s because of her that I have my kids, and they are my life.”
“You’re a lucky man.”
“I just want you to know that Charly is an amazing woman. I don’t know much about her relationship history, but then, none of her family does. She’s pretty tight-lipped. So, if she’s bringing you around, it’s because she has feelings for you.”
This is not news to me. I can see by the way she looks at me that she has feelings for me.
“They all look out for each other,” he continues. “The girls as much as the guys, and if they think something isn’t right, they’ll tell you.”
“As they should,” I reply. “I think Charly is extraordinary. She makes me feel things that I don’t think I ever have before, and I was married, Rhys. She’s special. Do I love her?”
Fuck, I don’t want to contemplate that yet.
“I don’t know. I care about her, and I want her to be happy.”
“You’re scared,” he says and holds his hands up in surrender when I glare at him. “I’m not trying to piss you off. I get it. The Boudreaux women can be scary. Good luck to you, man, if you stick around long enough to get the talk from the brothers.”
“Isn’t she a little old for that?”
He laughs. “Didn’t you hear a word I said? It doesn’t matter how old she is. She’s their sister.”
I nod.
“Are you sure you need to leave in a couple of days?”
“I’m going to make a call,” I reply, juggling things in my head. “I’d like to stay.”
“Then I think you