That said, I have no idea what comes next.
Walker is a pain in the ass. Not that my other brothers aren’t, but Walker is a fancy professor at the college, and that makes him think he’s better than the rest of us. The fact that he’s here right now, on a Saturday, working at a distillery he’s only supposed to be a silent partner for is pissing him off. So, I can’t imagine the lecture I’m going to get for fucking the help in my office.
Not that I don’t deserve it. I do.
I sigh and stare at my little princess, a chill running up my spine as I think about how snug her tight, little entrance was.
Jesus. It’s not right that I took that for myself. Not right that I took her right here because of my own selfish needs. Not right that I let the animal inside of me win out and lose control.
I’ve made this innocent, sweet girl believe this is what counts as romance.
Fuck.
I need to make this up to her.
“Should I open the door and tell him we were practicing our circus routine? That would probably throw him off the scent, right?” She giggles and lands against my chest with a soft hug.
Another bit of affection I don’t deserve.
I kiss her head gently and breathe her in. “Walker is as serious as a judge on Sunday. He’s gonna stare us down and rattle off some fancy philosophy bullshit no one understands but him. I’ll handle it.”
She nods, and my chest tightens at how that positive glow never leaves her, even when things are about to go to shit. This experience shouldn’t have been like this. It’s my fault. I need to take this role more seriously. I want her to feel safe, loved, and cherished. In no way will I accept anything less than the best for her.
When I finally unlock the door and swing it open, Walker is staring at me with a straight-faced grimace that says more than his words ever could. He’s the second child, so he’s got whatever birth order complex that is. I can’t explain it, but he’s got it.
“Can I help you?”
He glances toward my girl, then back at me. “She’s had two calls this morning from some guy claiming to be her boyfriend.”
My stomach tightens with my fists.
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Marin crosses her arms in front of her chest as she speaks. “What was the guy’s name?”
“Didn’t say. Only said he was your boyfriend and he was looking for you.”
“That’s not true!” She glances toward me. “He’s not my boyfriend, and why would my ex ever think to look for me here? I’m not—” She pauses and glances toward me. “I need to sit down.” She brushes past me and into the distillery, where I watch her light fade as she slips into the back booth.
“What the hell are you doing?” I groan, staring toward my brother who’s asking for a punch in the fucking jaw. “You could’ve told me that privately.”
“What the hell amIdoing?” His eyes widen. “You’re locked in your office fucking some girl who looks younger than your daughter.” He crosses his arms over his chest and mumbles under his breath, “Ask me whatI’mdoing.”
“Jesus Christ, man. Get a fucking grip.” I turn back into my office to flick off the light and grab a bag from my top drawer. “I’ve been to your classroom a time or two. I’ve seen the way you look at that girl… what’s her name again? The one with the long red curls. I’ve seen her in here before.”
“You’re insane.” Walker shakes his head and walks back toward the end of the hall where an empty office sits. “I didn’t look at any girls. I do my job like a professional. Lusting after students is so beneath me.”
“Right!” I grin dryly. “Her name is Rosie. She was in here yesterday with Mrs. Robinson. Did you bring her back to town to have your way with her?”
“Classic deflection. Real mature.” He grabs a bottle of water from the fridge in the break room and turns back toward me. “I catch you with an employee and you’re trying to make me feel like I’m the one with a problem here?”
It’s true, I am deflecting. I don’t want to deal with this shit. All I want is to scoop my girl up, take her home, and have my way with her over and over again until we’re both fucking raw.
I brush my tongue over the front of my teeth and stare at my brother. He’s been teaching at the university for the past twenty years, and I’ve never heard of him having any relationships with students, nor has he ever brought anyone home. Besides that, the real issue here isn’t who either of us are sleeping with. It’s the call he got from Marin’s ex.
“Tell me more about this guy that called for Marin. What did he say? Did you tell him she was here?”
Walker shakes his head. “No, but I get the feeling the call was more confirmation of something he already suspected.”
“Jesus Christ.” I stare down at the ground and huff under my breath.
