“Then I’ll climb. Stand on a rung.”
“And I’ll stomp on your fingers and make you fall off. I did that to Daniel once.” I move my gaze back to the garden. “Broke his arm.” He got me back. I’ve still got the scars to prove it.
“You broke your brother’s arm? That’s…”
“Brutal? It’s how we were. Still are, really.” It’s weird how I would brawl with my brothers, giving as good as I got, but the one time I needed to be fierce, I froze.
“Are you cold?”
I tuck my chin to the neck of my T-shirt and give my head a shake. I hate feeling like this. Why are these memories resurfacing today?
“Lavender?”
“You didn’t fight with your sister?” I ask, pushing away his concern.
“No.”
“Talk about a dead end.” The words are no sooner out when I physically cringe. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s fine. We didn’t grow up together.”
“That’s sad. Sometimes I can’t stand my siblings, but I can’t imagine a world without them. Who would I have to annoy? Well, there’s you now, I suppose.” I force my lips into some semblance of a smile. “Maybe the change of audience will be nice.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“I hope you’ve got a will. I wouldn’t like to think I’d annoy you into your grave.”
His lips twist with a black sort of humor.
“Come to think of it, I always said the only man I’d ever marry would be a rich one with at least one foot already in the grave.” I turn my head and allow my eyes to slide down his body. “I mean, a fall for a man your age could be fatal.”
“I’m sure you could think of more fun ways to kill me off.” His arm slides behind me, his hand molding to the curve of my hip. And I feel theeffect everywhere.
“Yeah. I suppose I could tell my brothers about the deal we’ve made.”
“You could, but then you won’t get to experience our wedding night.”
I slide him a superior look. At least, that’s what I’m aiming for, even as my stomach pleasurably flips.
“I know I’m looking forward to it.”
I fight a shiver at his low purr.
“But then again,” he adds with a deep inhale. “You might not need to tell them because they might easily guess.”
“Unlikely,” I say, turning to watch a finch hop around from branch to branch on Polly’s beloved apple tree. It’s that or stare at his lips a bit longer.Why do they have to be so lovely? Chiseled and full and far too inviting.Urgh. A mouth like that on a man is such a waste. It makes me want to get fillers.
“I don’t think so.”
“Whit’s not going to be at lunch,” I retort, “and neither is Dan. The other two have their heads stuck far too up their own bums to notice anything that’s going on in my life. Especially Brin. The man is a legend in his own mind.”
I find Raif’s forefinger at my chin. I allow him to turn my head.
“If you don’t stop… whatever this is,” he murmurs as his eyes roam over my face. “They will guess something isn’t right.”
“Oh, contraire,” I answer, equally as soft. “If I stop frowning and start smiling, they’ll know something is up. It might be hard for you to comprehend, but this,” I say, cocking a brow, “is my least pissed-off face.”
“Also not true. I’ve seen your expression in much happier states. I’ve seen your eyes sparkle with pleasure until they resemble sapphires and watched you smile a smile so wide that it took up half of your face.”
