I roll my eyes. “Sure. You still owe me for getting you out of the last one.”
She shivers. “His two front teeth fell out during dinner. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m all for an age gap, but there’s no way the dude was younger than fifty.”
“What’s wrong with that? It’s only twelve years older than you. You’re not exactly a spring chicken yourself.” I silently laugh, knowing my sister hates any thoughts of getting old. “I’d date someone older than me.”
My sister and Shane are eleven years older than me at thirty-eight. The idea of dating him, an older man, always turns me on. Kane’s the same age as them, and he knows how to take care of a woman in the bedroom. His romantic side was non-existent, but he knew how to work his tongue and his?—
“Hello?” Fern waves her hand in front of my face.
I shake my head after being dickmatised, thinking about the last time I had a hard, hot-blooded cock between my legs.
“Older men know how to treat a woman, not like most boys my age, still trying to grow a beard.”
“Well, you’re a nurse. You’re used to taking care of old people. I’m not.” She wanders into the living room. “Harry, I’m going now. Give me a luz.”
Harry jumps from the sofa and squeezes his mum’s thighs. My sister’s not as tall as me, but she’s equally curvy, rounder in the middle after having Harry. One let down after another has knocked a lot of confidence out of her, but I’m glad she’s dating again. As long as she stays away from Shane.
“Be good for your aunt, okay?” She kisses his head, then lets him go before grabbing her bag from the worktop. “Remember to keep your phone nearby. If I text you?—”
“I’m a celebrity. Get you outta there.” I roll my eyes. “Got it.”
“Love you, sis.” She pulls the keys from her bag as she walks down the hall, then turns to face me with her finger pointing up the stairs. “Should I say bye?” she whispers.
“No, just go.” I can’t get her out fast enough.
“Bye, Fern,” Shane shouts, as if he heard us.
“Oh, yeah. See ya.” She opens the front door mouthing thank you once again.
I lean against the wall with a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted was her seeing my toy box as well. Which reminds me I need to deal with it before Harry wanders upstairs looking for something to play with. Shane’s probably had a good rummage through my stash by now.
With heated cheeks, I climb the stairs. “How’s it going?”
He lifts his head as he slots a new slat in place. “Almost done. I’ve attached a piece of wood and fixed the broken leg to it. It’s a bit of a bodge, so I’ll get Kane to make you a proper fancy leg to match the others, but this will do for now.”
“Thank you.” I search the area for my pink box.
“I put your toys back under the bed in case the little one came up. Or worse, your sister.” He chuckles. “Though maybe she could use one or two. She seemed a little uptight.”
“I think you have that effect on her.” I gaze around my room, not wanting to look him in the eye.
He stands, stepping closer. “Do I have that effect on you, too? You’ve gone quiet.”
The heat from his gaze ignites a fire in my belly. He’s so close I can smell his scent. It’s a mixture of minty aftershave, cigarettes, and something musky and manly that’s just him. The smell sends me delirious.
“Cat got your tongue?” He dips his head a little so our eyes lock. He’s not much taller than my five foot nine inches when he bends to look at me.
“Just my brother-in-law seeing my toy collection. That would render anyone speechless.”
He grins at me with his chipped front tooth. Anyone else might find it unattractive, but it makes me incredibly hot, especially as it happened during a fight at the Black Crow whenhe and Kane were defending me against a pack of bikers. The words, ‘keep your hands offourproperty’ ring in my head each time Shane smiles the reminder. I was as much his as I was Kanes. I’ve always been his to protect. Histrouble,as he calls me.
Shane’s head moves closer to my face. He whispers in my ear, “Exbrother-in-law.” His breath on my neck sends a flurry of goose bumps over my skin.
It’s a good thing Harry’s downstairs, or I may be tempted to do something I regret. Like slide my palm over his chest, around his neck, and pull his lips to mine. And I don’t mean the lips on my face. I’m so turned on my clit is tingling. My nipples pebble as every hair on my body stands to attention.
“I’ll fix the other slat, then get out of your hair.”
“Thank you.” Without thinking, I lift on my toes and peck his cheek. My face lingers next to his for a beat too long, enjoying how the scruff on his jaw scratches at my skin. His woody scent wraps around me, putting my head in a spin, and I grab a hold of his biceps before I topple.
