I’m in the middle of a DIY project when my doorbell rings.
I lock my cell and pick everything up off the counter, shoving it into a drawer before going over to answer it. Probably some kidwanting to mow my lawn this summer. The neighbors next door to me waved last night while I was pulling into my garage. No doubt word is starting to spread, and the HOA is going to be a bitch to keep up with when it comes to what they expect my house to look like. They gave me a pamphlet of the rules that I threw into the trash.
Twisting the knob, I pull open the door and come face-to-face with a gorgeous blonde. “Fuck?—”
“Welcome to the neighborhood.” She shoves something soft and warm in my face.
EVERETT
I step back to keep the cake from dripping on me, but it’s on my hand, so I try to fling as much off as I can on his front porch before I rub my hand across the front of his shirt. I turn and give him my back, but he surprises me by grabbing my upper arm and yanking me into the house. I trip over my own feet as he slams the door shut.
“What the hell, Eve?” He pulls me into the kitchen and lets go of me to turn on the sink. “Fuck,” he hisses when he realizes there’s no running water. Reaching up, he pulls his T-shirt over his head. My eyes drop to the way his abs flex as he uses it to clean the cake off his face.
I have the urge to clean up my mess but bite my tongue instead, remembering why I’m here and pissed at him.
“‘What the hell,Eve?’” I snap.The nerve.“What in the fuck, Kashton? You bought the house across the street from me?”
“Yes.”
My teeth grind. How long has the house been for sale? How long ago did he buy it? “And you’re married?” I’m not surprised. Lords cheat all the time. It’s my fault for thinking he was different.
“No.” He slaps his cake-covered shirt onto the counter. “I am not married.”
I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “Like I believe anything you say.”
“She was a hooker that I paid to be my wife.”
I roll my eyes. “Let me guess, you paid kids to call you Daddy too?”
He walks around the kitchen island and comes to stand in front of me. “No. They were make-believe. But you can call meDaddy.”
I punch him right in the stomach, forcing him to double over with a grunt. The suggestion makes me sick.
Turning to look over the bare kitchen, living room, and formal dining room, I frown. “You really just sit here and watch me all day?” Was this what I was feeling when I couldn’t sleep? How long has he been here?
“Yeah,” he says in aduhvoice.
“That’s…pathetic.”
He steps into my back, his arms wrapping around me from behind, and I know there’s going to be cake in my hair. “Some would call it romantic.” I can hear the smile in his voice.
I turn in his arms, and he drops them to his sides. “Did you bake me a cake?” His blue eyes search mine before glancing at my lips.
“I poisoned it.” I give him an innocent smile, batting my lashes. Spending my afternoon baking him a cake just to shove it in his face was totally worth it.
Lifting his hand, he licks the icing off the ends of his tatted fingers. “Hmm. It’s delicious, angel. Poison and all.”
I can’t help but smile as I push away from him.
“So how did you know I was here?” he asks curiously.
“I woke up craving pancakes, so I went to the store and ran into Mr. Fells. He couldn’t stop talking about you and yourlovely family.” I roll my eyes. The thought of Kashton having a wife and kids irritates me, but I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I know I can’t give him that.
“Aw, is that jealousy I hear in your voice?” He smirks.
“No. It’s revulsion.”
“Yet you took the time to bake me a cake to welcome me to the neighborhood.”
