Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,11

my house and life in order.”

“Oh, you.” Anna rolled her eyes at Liam and held out her hand to Spencer. “I’m the Cobalt housekeeper. It’s very nice meeting you, Spencer.”

“Same.” He returned the woman’s wide smile.

“And who’s the young one outside?”

“Wesley, my younger brother.” He gazed out at Wesley.

“I’ll put out extra sides,” Anna nodded, “you two go start the burgers.”

Liam’s hand at his back guided him out the door and he was too surprised to even think of stopping.

“We’ll put on extra meat.” Liam’s hand sat warmly on his back.

“Doesn’t she need help?” He threw a glance toward the house to hide the shiver that went down his spine.

“She’d throw a fit, trust me, I live in fear,” Liam chuckled.

He snorted. “She’s what, five feet, maybe weighs a buck five? I think you could take her.”

Liam grinned and dropped his hand. He missed the touch immediately.

“Trust me, you don’t want to mess with Anna.”

Spencer couldn’t stop his smile from stretching wider. Approaching the barbecue, Liam lifted the lid and turned on the flame. Spencer guzzled half his root beer, enjoying the acidic taste on his tongue and throat. He closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them, he found Liam watching him. Spencer wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, holding Liam’s gaze.

Something crackled between them, he felt it in the air.

“Dude, this place is lit,” Wesley called out, interrupting his fixation on Liam. “Can I go for a swim?”

“No,” he called back, not looking away.

“Yes, of course.” Liam gave him a scolding look and he immediately felt guilty.

Wesley stared at Spencer.

“You don’t have a suit,” he said, sounding lame even to his own ears.

“I have several in the guest house,” Liam said with a brow quirk and pointed to the large guest house that stood beyond the pool.

“Hell yeah! Can I?”

Wesley wasn’t going to move until he had his approval. That wasn’t normal for a teenager. Wesley should be all about defying authority but instead, he craved it.

Spencer didn’t have the heart to say no. Why not let his brother enjoy a bit of luxury?

“Go ahead,” he agreed, feeling an ache start in his chest.

“Woot!”

“Wesley, there’s soda in the fridge if you’re thirsty.” Liam chuckled at his brother’s exuberant fist pump.

“Dope, thank you!” Wesley did a pivot and jogged toward the guest house with a loud, happy laugh.

Spencer was still smiling when he turned back to Liam.

“Here.” Liam handed him the spatula. “Turn the burgers while I grab us another root beer.”

He got busy and Liam returned with their cold ones just as Wesley dived into the pool from the deep end.

“Thanks.” He handed Liam the spatula and set the unopened bottle down.

“You’re welcome.”

Wesley climbed out of the pool, drawing his attention, and did a cannonball from the side.

He picked at the label on his bottle of root beer and swallowed down what was left of the semi-cold drink.

“I’m glad you came.”

He swapped his empty bottle for the new one before turning to glance at Liam.

“How long have you lived here?”

“This was my grandparent’s home. They left it to my mom and dad. We inherited it when my parents died.”

Cobalt Industries was part of the top one percent. Spencer had heard some of the family history. It was owned by three brothers and a sister after their parents were killed in a boating accident.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, not sure of what else to say.

“Thank you, it was years ago. Elijah had already enlisted and was fending for himself by that time. Thankfully, Logan and I were old enough and took full custody of our younger sister.”

“Ashley.” He’d had the pleasure of meeting Liam’s younger sister around Christmas time. “How’s Crumpet?”

Liam snorted on a laugh. “As magical as ever. Elijah and Justin make it work. I’ve never seen a pair more committed to each other.”

“It was a whirlwind romance,” he agreed. “When are they tying the knot?”

“Probably Christmas.” Liam grinned.

Spencer chuckled. “Yeah, because why not?” Christmas was a magical time in Crumpet.

Liam opened his mouth to respond, but a sound from the side of the house drew his gaze around. Spencer turned just as two blond-haired teenagers came running through the side gate.

“Uncle Liam!” the young girl yelled, skipping up to Liam and wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Hey, you two,” Liam responded, wrapping the girl up.

“Hey, Uncle,” the blond-haired boy said.

“Hello, Adam.”

“Who’s that?” Adam gazed at him brightly.

“This is Spencer. Spencer, meet my second cousins, Adam and Jessica. They live next door.”

“Hey.” He