Hammered (Blue Bay Crew #3)- Cathryn Fox Page 0,68
what it’s like for Haven to only have her brother, who isn’t around much, thanks to his training and fights. “I know you do.”
Jared goes serious for a second. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been here.”
What he’s really asking is how I’m doing, but not wanting to do it in a way that brings back hard memories. “Yeah, long time.” I smile. “Haven tried to talk me into putting in an apiary. Apparently, she’s very worried about the bee population.”
They both chuckle. “Not a bad idea,” Jared says.
“Hey, maybe you might want to make this your permanent place,” Carter says. “Christ knows I’m done sharing a bed with you when Gram opens her place up to strangers, or anyone passing by on the street.” I shrug. The thought had gone through my mind.
“I’m sure no one would mind. Maybe we could even open up the lots around the lake. It might be time I left Gram’s place too,” Carter says.
“I’m trying to move away from you, Carter,” I tease, although I think it’s a good idea and about time we did it. “Let’s talk to Sean,” I say. My big brother has a good head on his shoulders. He’ll probably want a family meeting, and I’m sure Gram would be happy to have her house back. We all invaded two years ago when Sean called us home. She’s happy to have us, but she’d like to see us all settled down, and opening lots around the lake would allow us to be close if she needs us. She’s not getting any younger. That thought sits uneasy with me. I’d love to see us all married and with kids, and my God, one of us should be able to give her a great-granddaughter, for Christ’s sake.
I take a sip of coffee and look outside as ideas on how to take this place from a cabin to a home form in my brain. Then again, if Haven leaves, leaving me with nothing but good memories of the place, it might take me another twenty years before I step foot in the place. I can’t imagine being here without her.
“I haven’t seen that look in your eyes in a long time, brother,” Jared says, as he puts his hand on my shoulder.
“What’s that supposed to mean? What look?”
“The look that tells me there’s something worth fighting for.”
17
Haven
“We could have asked Jace to help,” Tyler says, as I repeatedly read the chocolate cake recipe on my phone. Thank God for Pinterest and all their yummy recipes, because I’m sort of lost in the kitchen.
“I am not going to ask Jace to bake me a cake for Kylee’s barbecue. I’m doing it myself.” I glance at him, my chin lifted in defiance as I take in his sexy stance. My gaze rakes the long length of him as he casually leans against the counter, his feet crossed at the ankles—testosterone coming off him in waves. I swear I can’t get enough of him. Singlehandedly—or could it be singledickedly, yeah, not a word, I know—this man might have ruined me for every other.
Working to get myself together, I really want to make a great dessert, I nod toward the fridge. “Now if you could make yourself useful, get me the eggs, that would be a big help.”
“I prefer to be useful in other ways.”
“While I prefer that too,” I say with a grin. “I need those eggs.”
He laughs as he grabs the eggs and sets the full carton beside me. “I can cook, but I’m not much in the baking department.” He glances at the flour all over the counter, my clothes and my cheeks. “Doesn’t look like you are either.”
“Hey,” I say and toss some flour at his face. He coughs and blinks, and looks completely adorable as he tries to brush it away. My heart does a little dance in my chest, and a sigh I have no control over escapes my lips as everything inside me melts a little. I turn my face toward him and lift my chin, needing him close, needing his intimacy. “Kiss me, Ty.”
He steps closer, and cups my face. I love that I don’t have to ask him twice. I let go of the bowl and wooden spoon and turn into him, our bodies aligned. I will never tire of this man’s touch or kisses. His warm lips move over mine, and a little moan catches in my throat as I sag against his hard body