Scott felt himself stiffen all the more. He focused on the baby, smiling at her. Her small hands went to his beard and began to tug. She chuckled and tugged harder.
“Don’t let her hurt you, Scott,” Stevie said. “She has a mean grip.”
Scott laughed, letting the little girl have all of his attention as opposed to the bigger girl now staring at him. He could feel her eyes from across the room making holes in his skin.
“She’s fine. So how are you finding Severton, Reesey? Broken any little boy hearts yet?” he said to her. She gurgled and tugged his hair.
“I’m assuming he has this effect on all women?” Stevie said.
“Unfortunately.” Scott heard Rayah’s voice. “The hair, the beard, the muscles and that bad boy look make him catnip for women.”
“Thanks, Ray,” he said. He passed Reese to her, not really having any choice as Rayah was wrestling her out of his hands.
“Come to your future teacher and learn the ways of the world,” Rayah said, eliciting a slightly worried grin from the baby. “First rule is never agree to anything a man asks without further information. We’ll have this mastered by the time you’re three.”
“Words to live by,” Stevie said. Scott noticed a shadow cross her face.
“We’ll teach her to be very wary of things men tell her too,” Keren said. “Because you never know what they’re trying to manipulate out of you.”
He looked to the ceiling.
“Let’s not teach her to get offended at the slightest thing then,” he said, looking at Keren. Her eyes were flashing darkly, jaw set and firm. She was in fight mode.
He felt his breath quicken, knowing how she was going to spark up and he remembered too well how she’d felt under his fingers a week ago. Hot curves and silken skin, her lips as demanding of him as he had been of her.
No amount of cold showers or jacking off had got her out of his system, so he was going to have to try something else.
Maybe public rowing wasn’t the best idea. Possibly too much like foreplay for his cock.
“Let’s teach her to know exactly which men to stay away from,” Keren said.
“Let’s not use a baby as an instrument for picking at each other,” Rayah said. “You’ll have to excuse these two.” She spoke to Oliver and Stevie. “They’ve been using each other as sparring partners since forever. We’ve all learned to ignore them and not feel uncomfortable. It’s rare any blood is spilt.”
“Keren doesn’t have any blood,” Scott said. “She’s actually a wailing banshee, or a bit like Moaning Myrtle. We should get you your very own toilet cubicle.”
“Maybe sort yourself out with some personal grooming products, Scott, before you start to try to help anyone else. You know what they say, charity begins at home.” Keren’s eyes flashed at him.
“And that’s enough.” Zack entered the kitchen and stared at his brother. “You either bicker with each other or you pretend the other doesn’t exist. Do the last one else I’ll have to remove one of you.”
“No,” Stevie said. “This is the most entertainment I’ve had since giving birth! Please, let them carry on.”
Keren shook her head, looking at him disapprovingly.
Scott gave her a broad grin, claiming the victory, even though it was really a stale-mate.
The cottage had been extended, creating a study for Sorrell and Zack to share, a snug and the large open plan kitchen, but the large area was overflowing with people dropping in to deliver housewarming gifts, mainly consisting of wine, house plants and, in Gran’s case, a discreetly wrapped box. Scott had his suspicions as to what it included, but he’d wait to confirm his suspicions until half the Severton Card Shark Club had buggered off to Underwood for their game, else one or two might require resuscitation.
“Scott Maynard,” Carole Letterman strode up to him, cleavage displayed like a weapon of mass destruction, and stroked his arm. “I’ve not seen you much this week. Someone mentioned you’d retreated to one of the caves to reflect, like Buddha. Maybe I could help you find enlightenment. I’ve been very successful in the past.”
Scott felt his testicles climb inside his bladder and start to quiver with fear.
“Just had a little time out, Carole. How’s Will?”
Will was Carole’s son and had been in Rayah’s year at school. He was now a drag queen at a club in Manchester and Scott was aware that his mother would help him vet boyfriends, usually using the pictures he was sent. And they weren’t exactly Pinterest worthy pictures of book cases and home décor.
“He’s turned into such a beautiful person,” she said, placing a hand on Scott’s arm. “And he takes such good care of himself. I swear he’s better at looking after his appearance than any woman.”
Scott forced a smile, completely unsure of what to say and desperate to pull his hand away. He didn’t give a hoot as to what Will’s skincare routine was like, he just wanted to not feel uncomfortable with Carole’s hand on him. She was either trying to get into his pants herself or easing the way for her son to get in there.
