Before I know it, we're pulling into Ryan’s yard and my eyes automatically start scanning. I don't see her at first, but then she comes out from the back of the truck, box in her hands. Her back is to me. She didn't even turn at the sound of us pulling in. Her ponytail sways back and forth as she makes her way up the steps. She's in some tight-as-sin biker shorts and a fucking sports bra. I'm going to kick Ryan's ass for letting her walk around like that.
Her body's on display for everyone to see what's mine. My fists tighten and a growl rumbles in my chest. I want to cover her so no one can see her.
No, wait!
She's not mine. Not yet, at least. I've got a lot of work to do to make that happen and the biggest hurdle of all is Ryan. Dating his sister is forbidden. Even in our old unit, when the younger guys would see her picture, they would beg for a chance to go home with him. We knew what it was for.Her.
Even now, men will be beating down the door, but they'll have to get through me and Ryan to get to her. She disappears inside the house and the small voice from the back seat pulls me from my thoughts.
“Why are we waiting in the car, Daddy? I want to go play.”
“Okay, okay, Angel. Let me come around and get you.” Turning off the ignition, I open the door and step out onto the paved driveway. She's already unbuckled her seatbelt when I open her door and I give her a stern look.
“We was stopped, Daddy.” She throws her hands in the air and gives me that killer smile, flashing her dimples. Yep, she has me wrapped around her little finger one hundred percent. I admit sometimes I overindulge her to make up for not having a mother in her life. She's started asking questions about her, especially being in school and seeing the other kids with mothers. I keep skirting around the topic, but one day I know I'm going to have to sit down and explain it to her somehow. I never want her to feel like she was unwanted.
I've just set her down and shut the door when Amberlee steps out onto the balcony and her eyes land on me.
“She's purty, Daddy. Is that RJ's Aunt Lee Lee?”
“Yes baby, it is, and you're right, she is very purty. Let's go.”
I lead her over to the truck as Amberlee slowly walks down the stairs. I can't help but notice how she's biting on her plump bottom lip and damn if it doesn't catch the attention of my cock.
Not now, boy. We can't have a hard on now. We have work to do.
Chapter 5
Amberlee
Holy fucking hell, he'shere!
“You made it!" my brother hollers as he walks out of the house with a bottle of water. Maddy follows behind him, carrying one in her hand. "Thanks for volunteering to help us. We got a late start this morning and if we're going to get what she's not keeping to a storage unit and this truck back today, we're going to need you.”
I'm going to kill him.
Ryan makes his way over to Jeremiah, pulling him into a bro hug as my eyes drop to the little beauty holding his hand. She's even cuter awake. I quickly scan the rest of the yard, but there’s no Sylvia. Thank God for small blessings, but still, being around him and seeing him with his daughter has my hormones racing and my ovaries screaming. The way he gazes at her with pride and the inflection of his tone when he talks to her.
“Well, I'll take Angelica with me. RJ just sat down at the table for a snack, so I'll get her one. I'll leave the three of you to work.” Maddy looks at me and winks.What the fuck! Why would she do that?
“Okay, so what do we need to move first?” Jeremiah asks as he walks to the back of the moving truck.
“Her bedroom stuff. She wants it in her room and the bed set up before anything,” my brother says as he climbs into the back of it, moving some boxes to the side. The ones he knows I can carry.
“Wasn’t there already a bed?” Jeremiah asks as he quirks an eyebrow.
“She wanted hers so I already broke it down and put it in the attic. When she moves out I’ll put it back in there. Sis said she wanted something in the apartment to make it feel more like her place.”
I should be happy Jeremiah is here. It means I won’t have to struggle to pack furniture up the steps. Besides, I know I need to get used to seeing him. He lives in this town and he's Ryan's best friend. Maybe this is what I need to get over this silly childhood crush, seeing him with his wife and daughter. Ugh, even thinking the word wife leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Hey there, Amberlee.” God, his husky voice is intoxicating.
“Hey, Jeremiah. Thanks for the help today. Sorry if it's taking time away from your family.” There, see, I can be nice and keep my emotions under control. Then he smiles, showing me those dimples, and damn. Heat rushes straight to my core.
“It's no problem. Angel loves playing with RJ. Okay, let's get this bed upstairs and put it together.” I watch as he pulls himself inside the truck, the way his muscles flex. His jeans slip a little, drawing my attention to the slight expanse of tan skin between his shirt and waistband. On his knees, he leans in to help my brother, his hands gripping the side of the frame. I swallow harshly, touching my mouth to check for drool. No man should look this hot moving a piece of furniture.
I step over to the porch and pick up the bottle of water that Maddy must have left there for me before going to the back ofthe truck. Dropping it in the box sitting there open, I grab it and head up the stairs with it. This one is a must; it has my electric kettle for my coffee.
Maddy warned me that since she became pregnant, they haven’t been drinking coffee. Well, let me rephrase that. She doesn't, and they don't keep it in the house. Shit, that reminds me. I need to make sure I stop by the grocery store, too. This is going to be a long fucking day.
