"Can I get a little help in here?" Tobias’s voice carries in from the direction of the office, but Titus doesn't immediately move away.
He scowls, blowing out a sigh. "It would figure they'd deliver it to his house by accident."
"Is there somewhere else you would've preferred it to go?" Titus’s brothers might annoy him, but I know he loves them. I have to think any one of them would aggravate him equally with their appearance today.
"Good point." He leans in, kissing me again. This time his mouth lingers, teasing against mine until my toes are curled and my nipples are tight. I'm breathless as he pulls away. "Hold that thought." His lips press against my forehead and then he steps away, going straight for the office.
Hold what thought?
I look down at where Copper sits at my feet, wagging her tail. "Is he coming back?"
Since it doesn’t seem like it, I finish mixing up the dough and roll it out. I don't have any bone shaped cookie cutters, so I cut the thin slab into squares using a pizza cutter and slide them into the oven to bake. While they’re cooking, I go to check on the progress the boys are making in the office.
As I close in, Titus and his brother’s voices reach my ears.
“The house looks a hell of a lot different than it did the last time I was here." There's no judgment in Tobias's voice. "You've put a lot of work into it."
"Not me. It's all Mariah. She's busted her ass cleaning everything up. The least I could do is give her furniture to sit on."
I roll my eyes, because the least Titus could have done was paid me my salary and let me bring him food three times a day. He's gone so far above and beyond what our agreement was, it's difficult to even imagine what that would have been like. Even before he came out of his rooms, Titus was doing more for me than any man ever has in my life. He gave me the kitchen of my dreams, and piece by piece is assembling a house I love.
A house I might have to leave because of an irresponsible cowboy and his equally disappointing condom collection.
"You really fucking lucked out with her, didn't you?" I can almost swear there's a hint of envy in Tobias’s words. "Maybe I should ask Mom to hire me a live in chef."
"What for? You're never at home." Titus snorts. "She would die of boredom in two weeks."
"She would have Copper to keep her company." Tobias's grin is easy to hear. "And that dog’s a hell of a lot more entertaining than you've ever been."
She's also a tattletale, because the little poodle suddenly runs up behind me and barks, making me yelp, giving away my eavesdropping position. I step into view just as both men look toward the open French doors. I give them a smile. "Anybody want something to drink?"
Tobias turns his easy grin on me. "I would love something to drink, Miss Mariah." He pulls in a noticeable inhale. "And some of whatever it is that you’re cooking, because it smells delicious.”
"It's dog treats for Copper." I return his smile. "But you're welcome to eat as many of them as you like."
Titus snorts, but Tobias ignores him, full attention still on me. “You're making Copper homemade dog treats?" He stands from where he was kneeling on the hardwood next to Titus, swaggering my way. "That’s awfully nice of you."
I'm starting to think Titus might be the only one in the family who didn't get whatever gene results in pores oozing charm. Andthank God for that, because I probably would have spent every day suffering a tiny bit of PTSD thanks to all the charming men in my rearview mirror.
"I figured it was the least I could do since I'm the reason you're here hauling around boxes of furniture and assembling overstuffed chairs."
It seems like they've already got Titus’s office chair put together, and have moved on to the items for the seating area I thought would tuck perfectly into the front corner right next to the window. I can imagine stretching out on the chaise, reading a book as the sunshine streams in through the windows and Titus works at his desk.
Tobias swaggers up right next to me. "Awfully nice of you to make sure my brother has a comfortable office to work in."
My eyes snap to where Titus is watching us interact, his lips pressed into a flat line.Niceisn't the reason I did this, but I certainly don't want to admit my motivations to Tobias. Especially with Titus listening in. "I figured it was the least I could do, considering how much he's done for me."
This isn't about tit for tat, but it’s an easy excuse to fall back on. One that hopefully doesn't seem suspicious or lead to more questions, because I really don't want to answer anything too difficult.
Or too revealing.
But Tobias doesn’t question me at all. Instead, he gives me a very familiar look before offering an equally familiar word—“Interesting.”
20
Titus
“What are you doing in here?” I lean against the open doorway leading into my newly furnished first-floor office, watching as Mariah arranges an array of items on the built-in shelving behind the desk.
