Enya’s breath hitched, her chest rising and falling fast. “I don’t care.”
That was the problem. He didn’t care either.
A floorboard creaked in the kitchen. Birdie-June’s voice floated down the hall, light and warm. “Y’all coming for pie or what? It’s gettin’ cold.”
Rowan dropped his forehead against Enya’s, his pulse still hammering. “We’re gonna have a conversation about this later.”
She smirked, just a little, like she’d won something. Maybe she had. “Promise?”
He didn’t answer. Mostly because the only answer he wanted to give was to toss her over his shoulder and make a beeline for somewhere there weren’t so many people… hell, he’d even give bonus points if it came with a bed.
The kitchen was too bright, too normal after the darkness of the last forty-eight hours. Rowan sat beside Enya at the long farmhouse table, their thighs pressed together under the wood,close enough that he could feel the heat of her even through his jeans. Across from them, Camden shoveled pie into his mouth.
Looks like Nora-Mae’s pie has claimed another victim.
He’ll be addicted for life.
He winked at Birdie-June as she sipped coffee, her sharp eyes missing nothing.
Keeping her momma on my side might be a good thing.
Camden said around a mouthful of crust, “When will your folks be comin’ on home?”
Normally, it would bug the crap out of him if someone asked him for his parents’ travel plans, but he pounced on the question like the lifeline escape from the ‘what are your intentions toward my baby girl’ vibe that oozed from Camden’s pores.
“About six months.” Rowan cut into his slice of peach pie, the tines of his fork scraping the plate. “Maybe a year or so. They’re living the high life on a cruise in Monte Carlo this week.” He lifted one shoulder and gave a wry grin. “Or maybe that was last week. I don’t know for sure.” He had their trip planned within an inch of its life. Both he and Gael knew exactly where they would be. But not everyone at the table needed to know it. Enya’s foot nudged his under the table. He didn’t look at her, because she was one of the few who knew where they were.
Birdie-June set her mug down with a soft clink. “You look like you lost a fight with a freight train, sugar.”
“Feels like it, too.” Rowan took a bite, the sugar hitting his bloodstream like a jolt. He hadn’t eaten since… hell, he couldn’t remember. Somewhere over the Atlantic, maybe. Someone,Titan maybe, had shoved a protein bar at him on the jet, but he’d thrown it back, as he’d been focused on Mikey’s debrief.
“You always this charming after, ummm, work?” Enya asked, her voice laced with amusement.
Rowan shot her a look. She was leaning into him just slightly, her shoulder brushing his arm. Like she belonged there. As if she had every right to be just there in that spot, within kissing reach. “You always this mouthy after I come home?”
“That’s my girl.” Camden barked a laugh. “Mouthy and bold.”
Enya’s smile faltered for half a second before she schooled her features. Rowan felt the shift in her and the way her body tensed just a fraction. About to reach for her, he set his fork down.
Birdie-June, ever observant, slid her chair back. “Well. We best be headin’ out. Long drive back home.”
Camden wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah. Thanks for…” He trailed off, glancing at Enya, then Rowan. “Everything.”
Rowan stood when they did, because that’s what you did. His momma would box his ears and ban him from eating peach pie for a month if he forgot his manners.
Enya stayed seated, her fingers twisting in her lap. Her momma rounded the table and pulled her into a hug, murmuring something Rowan couldn’t hear. Enya nodded against her mother’s shoulder, her eyes squeezed shut.
When they parted, Birdie-June cupped Enya’s face, her thumb brushing across her cheek. “Call me anytime you need or want to, and don’t forget to eat.”
Enya smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Fuck she’s beautiful.
Stop that, her father is in the room.
This is a boner-free zone until they leave.
Camden clapped Rowan on the shoulder, hard enough to rattle his teeth. “Take care of my baby girl.”
