I nodded. “Possible.” But I didn’t like this uncertainty. Who else would’ve broken into Piper’s garage? “Maybe Danny hired someone.”
Which was even more concerning. Some unknown person involved in this situation, someone who might be even worse than Piper’s ex.
With a groan, she put her hands over her face. “I wish I had that stupid jewelry box of my mother’s. I would hand it over to Danny if it made all this stop.”
Crossing to the couch, I lowered myself to the cushion beside her.
Immediately my mind went to last night at Silver Linings. And before that, the night I’d spent right here, well over a month ago now. When I’d barely known what to think of Piper as an adult. As a mom.
Now, I knew how incredible she was. How irresistible.
And how much she’d had to deal with, thanks to her ex.
“But if you give him what he wants this time,” I said softly, “he’ll come back wanting something else.”
“I know.” Her eyes were plaintive, and I wished so fucking much I could give her the answers to how to fix this. “Thank you for being here for me.”
“Anytime.”
“We were in the middle of a conversation before we got interrupted.”
“I remember.”
Oh, did I ever remember.
She’d been telling me about her teenage crush. And then about how she’d enjoyed what we did last night.I’ve never come that hard.
“You blew me off,” she said. “After I texted yesterday.”
“Just trying to do the right thing.”
“Why is it right for us both to spend this weekend alone? Assuming you would be alone. You don’t haveplanswith someone else?”
I smirked at her. “There’s no one else I’d rather be with than you.”
Probably shouldn’t have said that.
I saw the moment those sea-green irises caught fire. Piper’s nose brushed my beard, and she leaned into me. “Will you stay? Spend the night?”
My dick stirred, and my blood heated with longing. “All your neighbors saw us talking to a cop outside. They’ll notice if my truck stays here all night.”
“So what?”
“I almost got arrested in your driveway. There’s no need for your name to get dragged in the mud along with mine.”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t care what this town thinks of me. I’m a big girl, and I can handle a few rumors. I’ve grown up, in case you didn’t notice.”
“I’ve definitely noticed.” My gaze moved over her, drinking her in.
“I can also make my own decisions. Bonnie and Clyde, remember? If you want me, then do something about it.” She brought her lips to my ear and whispered, “Spend the night.”
“You’ve been drinking.”
“I sobered up.”
But I could tell from her tone, from her mannerisms, that she was still feeling loose and hazy. She was far from wasted, but this wasn’t Piper in her usual frame of mind.
She carded her fingers through my hair. “Kiss me?”
