Did I want to spend time with Piper while she was alone all weekend? Fuck yes. I wanted that. My cock definitely wanted that.
Butwas it a good idea?
I knew how hot we would be together. I’d seen more than enough evidence of that at Silver Linings tonight. Piper using me to take her pleasure, the sweet, desperate sounds she’d made. Of course I longed for a repeat of that.
But I was at a crossroads with her. If this kept going, I wouldn’t be able to help falling for her.
I’d made that stupid quip about benefits when I wanted all of her.
The smart play would be to take a step back from Piper’s life. That way, if she had to go to court to deal with Danny, he couldn’t use my past against her. I would never be the reason she got hurt.
I had to stay strong. Do the right thing.
I’m not sure about my plans.
OK. We can play it by ear then
Sweet dreams, okay? Have a good night
With that, I forced myself to drive away.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Piper
“Mom, I forgot my toothbrush!”Ollie said from the back seat.
“Nope. You didn’t. Because I grabbed it for you.” I turned the car onto Callum and Zandra’s street. “And your toothpaste.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw Ollie flop against his seat. “Thank goodness.”
My lips tugged into a fond smile. “If you forget anything, I’m sure Uncle Callum can get you a replacement this weekend in Denver.”
Ollie’s expression in the mirror said he was skeptical.
I pulled my Subaru up to the curb, right behind a fancy SUV. I knew that plate, and who else in Silver Ridge drove a shiny new Range Rover with a flower decal on the back window?
Grace was here.
Ollie hefted his travel pack on his shoulder. We walked into Callum and Zandra’s place through the unlocked door.
“Hey, we’re here!” A cacophony of voices greeted us, and then running footsteps.
“Ollie!” Maisie shouted, throwing her arms around him. “You have to come see Daisy the kitten. She’s getting so big.”
Ashford appeared in the entryway next, and I gave him atentative nod. “How’s it going?” I asked. “Is Maisie going to Denver too?”
We both got out of the way so Ollie and Maisie could search out the kitten. Zandra’s older cat, Chloe, prowled by, probably looking for a quieter place to relax.
“Callum invited her, but Emma has a music teacher conference this weekend. Maisie and I are going to drive out and join her.”
“Sounds good.”
“But Maisie really wanted to see Ollie, and we were already here having breakfast with Callum and Z this morning, so…”
“Ah. Got it.”
This wasn’t awkward. Not at all.
