Thiswas the first man she had trusted in a long, long time.If…ever.Had she ever fully trusted a man before?She honestly didn’t think she had.
“I think…hell, how am I supposed to know?I’m not good at figuring men out in general.Especially men like you.”
“Like me?How?”
Oh, he was playing her.There was no denying that.“You know.Arrogant is a good place to start.”
Arrogant, most definitely.Confident, self-assured.This was a man who knew what he wanted and wouldn’t stop until he got it.But…how much could Auggie really see herself being able to give?She didn’t want to let either of them down, if this…went much further.“I am not in a good place for a man like you.I think we both know that.You are not exactly what I had planned.”
He stood.And then he was coming for her.Auggie was half-tempted to run, really.But…not like she could escape.Even if she tried.So she stood her ground.
And then his hands were on her, wrapping around her waist.He held her gingerly.It was obvious the man was hurting.And stubborn, so very, very stubborn.Well, so was she.
“You are definitely not what I had planned, either.”
There was a rueful tone in his words that Auggie definitely didn’t appreciate.“Just what does that mean?”
“I think you know.You will never be the kind of woman a man gets involved witheasily.I think we both know that—and appreciate it.I know I do.”
What exactly was that supposed to mean?She almost asked, then she looked into his eyes.And knew… “Who said anything about relationships being easy?Especially with…men like you.”
They were right back to that.No denying it.
“You think it is arrogance driving me?Making me want you?”He paused a moment, then his hands tightened.She found herself pressed against that hard chest.Her entire body tingled.Her focus shifted from her father, from the girls, fromeverything.
And narrowed.
To him.Calloway Grady.
Damn it.He was totally driving her crazy.And she didn’t even know how it had started.
But when he kissed her—damned if Auggie didn’t kiss him right back.
This was insane.She knew that.But she kept kissing him anyway.
And if the baby hadn’t chosen that moment to start wailing again—well, Auggie probably would have just stayed right where she was forever.And kissed him back for eternity.
Nothing had feltrightlike this before.And that mattered so much.
40
Cal was sittingon the couch nearest the window well after the girls had gone to bed, when he saw the lights coming down the drive.He tensed, until he was able to identify the truck more fully.
Then he pulled in a deep breath—of relief.
The cavalry had arrived.Now,he’d catch a few hours’ sleep and start fresh in the morning.Cal had argued with that woman—and her grown-up devil sisters—until he felt blue in the face.They’d wantedhimto rest, and for the three of them to take turns ‘watching’ things.That wasn’t going to happen.
He had stayed to protectthem,and that was what he was going to do.
He had suspected this would happen—as soon as Claudia had had a chance to track down their brother.
Cal opened the door quietly, not wanting to wake any of the devil creatures sleeping inside.“I figured you’d show up soon.”
“I was in Evanston, damn it.What in the hell happened?”His brother looked at him in the dim light from the kitchen.“Em and her sisters…are they okay?You look like hell.”
“Feel like it.Bastard Bruce Tyler has fists like sledgehammers.”And Cal was feeling it.No denying that.“I need you to watch over them for me.While I sleep for a couple of hours.I don’t trust that asshole not to try to come back.Guy is insane.Batshit crazy look in his eyes.He definitely wanted something from here.And we both know what could happen when a man is looking for something that desperately.”
“How are the girls?”
