Grace sighed. “I’m sorry,” she told Blaéz. “Farm chores and fresh air appear to have given him a personality makeover, too.”
“It’s all right,” he said, putting his hand on Darci’s lower back as they headed for the front door. A tiny black ball of fur raced toward them, missed Daniel, and bumped into Blaéz’s booted feet. An unhappy meow filled the air.
“You got a cat?” Darci blinked at Daniel in surprise as Blaéz picked up the feline. “I thought you didn’t want another pet after Mr. Tibbs died?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t. Now it’s not so bad missing him. Ms. Tibbs replaces Mr. Tibbs. Besides, she’ll be company for Liana when I’m not around.”
“Ms. Tibbs? Really?” Darci huffed out a laugh at the name, glancing at Blaéz. He had a staring match going on with the kitten, whose wide, green eyes watched him unwaveringly. Then he cradled her to his chest and stroked her back, and a happy purr rolled out of the tiny black bundle.
“After everything I’ve done for her?” Daniel sighed. “Women, such traitors.”
“Hey—” Darci mock-glared at her nephew, holding back her laughter.
“Present company excluded, of course.” He grinned unrepentantly. “C’mon, Tibby, let’s work on the adoration I know you have for me.” He took the kitten from Blaéz.
As they walked into the warm, noisy living room, Daniel’s two gangly friends jumped up.
“Guys, you know my aunt Darci, right?”
“Wassup, Dars? Still lookin’ good,” Ethan with the tousled, brown hair and eyes croaked. Daniel cuffed him upside the head. “Stop flirting, dumbass. That’s Blaéz, her man. He could probably crush you with one hand.”
“I’d be quite happy to test that theory,” Blaéz agreed pleasantly, slowly pulling off his leather jacket.
The boys’ jaws dropped open for a second, then they grinned, puffing out their scrawny chests.
“Blaéz, these are my idiot friends,” Daniel introduced them. “The big-mouth’s Ethan, blondie next to him is Jasper.”
Darci bit back her smile. Testosterone, no matter the age, would always battle for dominance. She took Blaéz’s jacket and hooked it on the coatrack near the door, along with hers. Thankfully, Daniel no longer hung out with those two untrustworthy friends of his who’d dared him into the dangerous sport of cage fighting.
“Dude, you play?” Jasper asked Blaéz, nodding to the PlayStation and the racing game they had going on the flatscreen.
“Well, now…”
Don’t even think about it,Darci warned Blaéz through their mind-link at his suddenly contemplative expression.They’re just boys, and gambling isnotencouraged.
His eyes gleaming with humor, he shook his head. “No. I don’t…er, have the patience to sit still.”
Darci snorted. He cut her a sardonic look.Except when it comes to you. I’m very, very patient once I have you at my mercy, begging for my mouth and my cock so you can find your fulfillment.
Heat burned her face. Damn. He was determined to make her suffer. Show her what she was missing. Hastily, she turned to Grace as soft laughter echoed in her mind.
“How’s my beautiful niece?” she asked, rubbing her hot cheeks.
Grace smiled. Ugh, her sharp-eyed relative didn’t miss the silent exchange between her and Blaéz. “Liana’s sleeping. She’s such an angel, so peaceful. Declan and Daniel are utterly smitten with her.”
Her brother walked into the living room from the kitchen, pushing his sweater sleeves up his forearms. He stopped in the doorway, expression cool, green eyes inscrutable.
“Hey, Dec,” Darci hurried over and hugged him, inhaling his familiar, spicy-pine aftershave along with a hint of woodsmoke. He returned her embrace, a smile softening his stern, tan features. “Darci…” He looked past her. “Blaéz.”
“Declan.”
And the meet and greet was done, like it had been the few times they’d met since Darci started living with Blaéz.
A whimper came through the baby monitor set on the small side table, and Grace excused herself.
“You need a hand with Liana?” Declan asked quietly, crossing to his wife.
“No, I’ll be fine.” Grace smiled and patted his chest before heading for the stairs.
