Movement stole Jayne’s attention away from Bo and Shep. Alex had returned, and behind him was—
Jayne’s heart leapt into his throat.
“Uncle Ev-rhett!” Bo cried. He darted for the tall, blond, and absolutely gorgeous man who stood in the doorway—the same one Jayne had been ogling in an unfamiliar apartment not even an hour ago.
Everett.TheEverett.
All six foot, three inches of him.
The truth struck Jayne like a baseball bat upside the face. Earlier this morning when he’d thought Everett had looked familiar, it hadn’t been because of the tattooed bands on his arm that he shared with Caleb, or how similar their mouthwatering bodies were—it was because Everett was the spitting image of TD, if TD were a little older and not a cute-as-a-button twink.
His eyes, his smile, even the shape of his nose…
Jayne swallowed. Were those butterflies in his stomach?
“Hi, kiddo,” Everett said. He ruffled Bo’s hair as Bo adhered himself to his leg, then looked across the room and spotted Jayne. Time froze, and all the fine hairs on Jayne’s arms stood on end. A frisson of excitement rattled Jayne from the inside out and left his heart racing in its aftermath.
Yeah, it was butterflies, but not run-of-the-mill papery little things in pastel colors. They weren’t even monarchs. The butterflies that filled Jayne’s stomach were trained, weaponized, industrial little fuckers, and it seemed like their modus operandi was to make Jayne feel lighter than air while at the same time detonating C-4 explosives meant to rock his world.
Later, in private, Jayne was going to demand to see their permits. Shit like that couldn’t be legal.
Penelope, who was slower and far clumsier on her feet than Bo, tried to stand, promptly fell over, then half-ran, half-crawled to Everett. She latched onto her uncle’s other leg, pressing her face against his calf to muffle her high-pitched squeal.
An explosion went off inside Jayne that burst the walls around his wary heart. In one fell swoop, Everett had gone from charming party boy to father material.
Jayne had not been prepared for such a vicious onslaught of emotion.
It’s your hormones,Jayne reminded himself. He bit the inside of his lip to try to distract himself from the man in the doorway.It’s been six months since Parker was born—you’re due for your next heat. Was nine months all it took to forget what it feels like when one’s on its way?
Bo beamed at Everett like Everett was his hero, and Jayne promptly forgot what he’d been thinking about.
“Jayne,” Alex said, “this is my cousin, Everett.”
Jayne nodded. Speaking was an impossible task.
“Everett,” Alex continued, “this is my friend, Jayne.”
For a moment, nothing else was said. Everett held Jayne’s gaze, his vibrant blue eyes simultaneously surprised and…
And what?
Hopeful? Enthralled?
Jayne couldn’t pin the exact emotion down, but whatever it was made his heart tremble like a fearful rabbit hiding mere feet away from hunting hounds. If Everett were to strike now, Jayne wouldn’t be able to escape him. Truth be told, he wouldn’t want to.
“Hi.” Everett said, his eyes still locked with Jayne’s.
“Hi,” Jayne managed to murmur in reply.
Was the air always so heavy? Had the room always been so hot? Jayne’s cheeks burned, and he was certain that no amount of ice would be able to cool them off. To distract himself, he pocketed his phone, scooped Parker into his arms, and carefully stood. Everything was normal. Totally, absolutely normal.
Until it wasn’t.
Everett squatted down and drew Bo and Penelope in for a tight hug. Both kids beamed at him like he was the center of their world. After kissing the top of Penelope’s head, Everett lifted her up and stood, then made sure she was comfortable on his hip. Once she was settled, he reached out and took Bo’s hand.
Just like that, the hounds pounced, and Jayne’s heart was pinned.
“You guys ready to get out of here?” Everett asked Bo and Penelope.
