Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers #4) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,49

the adventure of being snowed in together for a few days. That’s all this is. We’ve been home what? Twenty-four hours? He’s still back in that cabin.

“Conrad—” I start, but when he places his hand over mine, I freeze.

“Eat, Aspen. You’ve had a long day, and you’re exhausted. Eat your dinner, let me enjoy your company, and I’ll get out of your hair so you can get some rest.” The look in his eyes is soft, and his tone gentle.

I’m starving, and it’s nice to not have to worry about dinner after the long day I’ve had. “Thank you,” I concede.

He nods, takes a bite, and I do the same. “So, how was your day?” he asks.

Holding up my index finger, asking him to give me a minute, I finish chewing. “Busy. But I missed it. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice to get some time away, but I really do love the bakery.”

“It was Aurora’s dream, though, right?” he asks before taking another bite.

“Yeah, she’s always wanted to own her own bakery. I was working at a dead-end job that I hated, and when she said she was moving to Nashville, I jumped at the chance to come with her.”

“She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m lucky to have her. Her dream saved me too. Now I’m doing something I love and could never imagine doing anything else.” I take a bite of my food, and it’s delicious. It’s definitely hitting the spot. I watch him as he does the same while his eyes dart around the tiny apartment.

“What about living above the bakery? How’s that?”

“Fine.” I shrug. “The commute to and from work is nice.” I laugh.

“That helps with the crazy early hours you keep. Are you scared about living here alone?”

“No. The neighborhood is safe, and we have a security system.”

“Well, I don’t live far from here, so if you ever need me….” He lets the offer hang between us.

“Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ve been staying here for months on my own.”

He nods. “I know, but I— Just know that you can call me for anything.” There’s something in his gaze that I can’t name.

“Got it. Call Conrad when the trash needs taking out,” I tease.

“That too.” He smiles, the heaviness of the mood-lifting. “I mean, I have to use these guns for something.” He smirks as he flexes his arms. He’s still wearing the long-sleeve dress shirt he wore to work today, but I know what’s hiding under those white sleeves of his.

“You better roll your pants up, Con. Shit’s starting to get deep in here.” I grin at him, taking a huge bite of rice.

“I could take them off, you know, to make sure I don’t get shit on them.”

“The pants must stay on.” I point at him and give him a stern look.

“Party-pooper,” he grumbles good-naturedly.

We spend the next thirty minutes eating, talking, and laughing like old friends. The tension from our time at the cabin disappears. Well, I’m hiding it, but the atmosphere is light, and it’s nice. He’s a good guy. I know he is. I just don’t think he’s good for my heart. I’ve heard him pick on his brothers and give them a hard time about the magic their family believes in when it comes to love and how he doesn’t believe in it.

Here’s the thing. I believe in it. I watched it work for my sister. I was certain she would remain single after what her dick of an ex did to her. He tore her down, ripped her spirit and her soul to shreds. I was convinced she was done with relationships. That is until Grant Riggins walked into Warm Delights, and instantly there were sparks flying between the two of them. Grant fought for them, for her.

Conrad called bullshit. So did Marshall. Sure, all the brothers claim to not have believed in it, but three out of the five have fallen hard. Conrad and Marshall both still insisted it was crazy talk.

I want the magic.

“Thank you for dinner,” I say, pushing away from the table. “I ate so much. I don’t think I can move.”

He, too, pushes back from the table, only he stands. I yelp out in surprise when he lifts me into his arms and carries me to the couch. “You sit. I’ll clean up.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him. He ignores me and walks the short distance back to the small kitchen area and begins to close containers