he saw she was already stressed out. He refused to add to it.
After picking up his sandwich, he took a bite and moaned. “This is so good.”
She smiled. “Good.”
Whatever was going on with his parents, it had to be bad. They were keeping it a secret and his father had been home a lot more over the past few weeks. He hoped nothing was wrong with his mom because he couldn’t bear for her to be suffering from any illness of any kind.
Chapter Eight
Running out of the house, Simon caught Tabby running toward him. She threw herself into his arms, and he spun her around. It had been too damn long since he held her in his arms.
Sinking his fingers into her hair, he kissed her lips, hard.
She moaned, and he slid his tongue inside, meeting her halfway. Slowly, he lowered her to her feet, still kissing her.
Someone cleared their throat.
So did someone else.
Still, he couldn’t stop.
She tasted good. Like breathing and fresh air. She was his life and he loved her. He didn’t want to let her go.
Again, another throat clear, and this time, he pulled away. His dad and Tiny were close, glaring at them.
“Hi, Devil,” Tabby said.
“Hello, Tiny,” he said, looking at her father.
“I think it would be best if we went to a motel,” Tiny said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. They’re only kids and they know the rules. They won’t break them. Will you?” Lexie said, laughing.
“Nope,” Tabby said.
He had every intention of breaking them. He crossed his fingers behind his back as he agreed to be good, while already planning to fall asleep with her in his arms.
“Hi, Tabitha,” Josh asked.
Simon watched his younger brother as he came closer. The redness of his face gave away his embarrassment.
“Hey, Josh, you’re sure growing up fast.” She ruffled his head.
His brother ran away and Simon winced.
“What did I do?” Tabby asked.
“He’s got a crush,” Elizabeth said.
“Elizabeth!” Lexie snapped her name.
“What? He does. Tabitha should know. Ugh, what is the big deal with everyone?”
“This coming from the girl who has a thing for Drew?”
This time, Elizabeth stomped away.
“She does?” Tabby asked.
“She does. Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
Tiny cleared his throat. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m sure she knows the way to the bedroom.”
“Dad, please, trust me. We’re not going to be having crazy sex or anything,” Tabby said.
“Honey, we have kids who don’t need to be repeating words,” Lexie said.
Tabby winced. “Sorry. Trust me, Dad. I won’t disappoint you.”
“It’s not you that I’m worried about,” Tiny said, looking at him.
“It will stay in my pants, sir.”
Devil clipped him around the back of the head. “No grandbabies are being made in this house, Tiny. Believe me.”
Simon laughed as he finally got to take Tabitha away from the driveway and showed her where she would be staying. What he didn’t expect was Miles to be hot on the heels.
“Go away,” Simon said.
“No can do. I’m sharing a room with Tabs,” he said.
“No,” Simon said.
“Can’t change it, I’m afraid. Dad is much happier with this arrangement. There are two beds, and don’t worry, I won’t spill the beans that she’s going to be sneaking into your bedroom like you do every sleepover,” Miles said. “Now, are there any decent chicks in this town?”
They entered Tabitha’s room, and of course there was now a second bed. Simon hadn’t even realized a second one had been put into this room. He was going to kill his dad. There was going to be murder.
She dropped her bag onto the bed.
“I figure me being all nice and everything, Tabs, you’ll unpack for me. I’ve got some hunting to do and besides, laundry is woman’s work.”
“I’m going to kick your ass,” Tabby said.
Miles was already long gone.
“Woman’s work. Remind me the next time I see him to knee him in the nuts. I’m going to stop him from ever fathering children.”
“Consider it done.” He moved over to Miles’s bag and tipped out all of his clothes. “Your brother’s a slob.”
“And you’re much better?” Tabby asked.
“Hell, yeah, I mean, look at this. At least when I pack, I fold shit neatly.”
Tabby chuckled. “You sound so posh when you say stuff like that. Especially because I know your mom packs everything for you. You’re just trying to get in my good books because of the whole woman’s work.” She moved to him, putting her hands on his chest. “Do you think this is all woman’s work?”
“No, and you’re wrong.” He put his hands at her waist.