Maybe even a fourth helping of Saint.
She pressed her thighs together and bit back a groan. At this rate, she’d need a cold shower before she could face her family.
But she couldn’t indulge again. They couldn’t, no matter how good it had been. She’d have to get that cold, hard fact through her stubborn skull.
With a sigh, she forced herself to roll over and sit up on the edge of the queen-size bed she’d had since she turned fifteen. The walls no longer held One Direction andSupernaturalposters, and the photos of her friend were replaced by tasteful artwork and framed family photos, but everyone still called it her room all these years later.
The clock read seven a.m. By now, her mom would have driven her youngest sibling to swim practice, and the older one would have driven herself to the diner where they bussed tables, following in Shell and Beth’s footsteps.
Copper should be home, though, and she owed him some face time.
After brushing her teeth, she padded out to the kitchen in her sleep shorts, tank, and the fuzzy slippers she kept here at her parents’ house. After filling her favorite coffee mug, a large one that readWorld’s Okayest Adult, she glanced out the French doors to find her dad sitting on the rocking bench he’d gifted Shell five years ago.
Beth grinned at the way his enormous form took up more than his half of the bench. Her mom loved it, claiming it meant mandatory cuddles when they sat out there taking in the mountain view, which they did often at the end of the day with a glass of whiskey.
He, too, had an oversized mug of coffee wrapped in his oversized hands. As soon as she stepped outside, he glanced her way. “Hey, kiddo.” If he was smiling, it was hidden behind the coppery beard that earned him his name.
Already, the day had warmed to where she was comfortable in her sleep clothes.
“Everyone else up and out already?”
He nodded. “You gonna come sit with the grumpy old man?”
Rolling her eyes, she sat next to him. “You’re not old.”
His grunt was so familiar and comforting that it sent her back ten years to when she was a kid, unloading her problems on her superhero father. “But I am grumpy?”
She shrugged. “There have been some rumors.”
“Smartass. Just like your mama.”
Beth lifted her mug to hide her smile. They sat in silence, absorbing the peaceful view for only a few seconds before she felt compelled to speak. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I was out of line last night. I’m so sorry I yelled at you like that, and at the clubhouse…” She shook her head. “I’m surprised you’re even talking to me this morning.”
“Since when am I one to give the silent treatment?”
She snorted a half-laugh. “Never. You’re more of a holler-and-beat-your-chest type.”
“Exactly.” He fell silent, sipped his coffee, then said, “Suppose I was a little over the top going after Gator like that.”
Raising an eyebrow, she looked up at the man who raised her as though he’d made her. “A little.”
“I don’t want you with one of my guys, Beth. That’s a hard line for me.”
Guilt twisted in her, sharp and hot. He had no idea what she’d gotten up to last night, and he never would, but it was still a betrayal. She could still feel the imprint of Saint’s mouth on her throat, could still hear the filthy words he’d growled against her skin as he made her come harder than she had in years. Her father sat inches away, oblivious to the fact that his daughter had screamed one of his men’s names into the mountain air just hours ago. Saint was right to call it off when he did, even if it dented her ego.
“I know, Dad. But Gator is nothing more than a friend. It’s like Mav kissing mom on the cheek.”
His face screwed up, making her chuckle. “Ugh, he is a little like Maverick, isn’t he?”
“A bit. Though I think he’s crazier if that’s even possible.”
Copper laughed, which made her smile. How had she not realized how much she missed her family? “I think you’re right on that one. I’ll… uh, I’ll try not to be such an asshole about you being friends with my guys. As long as you leave it at friendship.”
There was that clench of unease again. “I know. And thanks, Dad.” And that was that. It had always been that way between them, open communication and little bullshit or emotional outbursts, save for last night. They’d always been able to talk through issues and move on with ease, something she greatly appreciated about Copper.
She brought a leg up, bending her knee and resting her foot on the cushion as she leaned her head against her father’s bulky shoulder.
“So,” he said just as she’d gotten comfortable. “You ready to tell me what the fuck was going on in Texas?”
