I should’ve dragged her back the second I heard her heels clacking across the porch, but by the time I made it over there, she was already bossing the new guys around like she’d been hired as their interior designer.
Typical.
The men looked almost identical, except for the scattering of gray hairs in one’s close-cropped beard and in the inky black hair at his temples. They were both tan, tattooed and massive.
The taller one, with his broad shoulders, accent and bright smile, looked like he was actually entertained by it. That should’ve been my first warning.
People who encouraged Gran’s nonsense were dangerous. Either they didn’t know what they were getting into,or they did know and enjoyed the inevitable ensuing chaos. Both were equally bad in my books.
This dude was well over six feet and oozed an easy-going patience in the face of Gran shoving furniture around as if she were auditioning for a home makeover show.
He filled up the whole damn room just standing there, with his broad chest and those tree-trunk thighs.
I was five-three on a good day and I spent half my time at the gym, teaching guys twice my size why it was a mistake to underestimate me.
But standing in front of him, I had the distinct and irritating feeling he could pick me up and move me out of the way like one of those boxes if he wanted to.
Easily.
Probably one-handed.
Which only made me bristle harder.
So, when he introduced himself with a genuine smile like we were going to be best friends, I gave him the only answer the situation warranted.
What else was I supposed to say?
‘Nice to meet you’? Invite him over for pie?
No fucking chance. He was too big, too cheerful, too … much. I didn’t have the energy for someone like him setting up camp in my life, even temporarily.
Kai had one of those faces you tried not to look at but always ended up doing so anyway. Sharply defined cheekbones combined with an easy warmth. His featureswere striking, but his expression softened them, making him appear friendly and approachable.
While this wasn't the first time I'd seen him, I hadn't been prepared for just how massive he was up close. His uncle was right up there with him, too. They definitely looked alike with their black hair, arms adorned with traditional-looking ink, and thick physique.
Kai was dangerous for multiple reasons, and I wasn’t about to let him and his never-wavering, brilliant smile anywhere near me. I didn't trust anyone who smiled so much. It just seemed unnatural. What the hell was he so happy about?
Neighbors we might be, but I liked my neighbors how I liked my sperm donor:absent.
I managed to turn Gran back towards the house, but she kept looking over her shoulder and shouting each time she thought of something else, as if she wasn't ready to let the guys off the hook just yet.
“You were rude,” she announced the second we stepped into our house. “That boy is a gift from above. And tall! Did you see the size of him? You could climb him like a tree.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, almost choking on my own spit. “Gran.”
“What?” She batted her eyelashes innocently. “I’m old, darling, not dead. If I had working knees, I’d be over there borrowing sugar every day.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “We’ve literally just bought a ten-pound bag at Costco.”
“Details.” She waved me off like it was beside the point. Then she let out a wistful sigh, the kind of sigh usually preceding her announcement of impending doom. “Anyway, I’ll be gone soon. Dust in the wind, child. So someone in this family should make use of him before the Grim Reaper comes calling.”
“Make use of him? Seriously, Gran, that just soundswrong. Besides, you’re fine,” I grumbled. “Your doctor literally told you last week you’ll probably outlive me.”
Unsurprisingly, she ignored me. “Mark my words, Tori. The boy is special.”
“And don't even think about wandering back over there while I'm at work,” I called after her. “Seriously, Gran, I mean it. No bothering them, no ‘checking in,’ no … whatever it is you think you’re doing.”
I shook my head as I watched her disappear into the house. The last thing I needed was a man. Especially one wrapped in a tall, handsome package of sunshine and hunky muscles.
