“Thank you,” she said sweetly, swiping her hand down the front of her suit jacket.
He couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen a woman wear a suit, but he knew for a fact no one wore it like Bailey. Hers was black and fit perfectly to her petite form. The jacket was short enough to show off her cute little ass, and not for the first time, he wondered what she looked like naked.
Granted, he shoved that thought away because it was inappropriate, and while he would like nothing more than to flirt ruthlessly with this woman, to lure her away from the douchbag boyfriend of hers, Rafe had made a promise to himself that he would never do that to her. Bailey deserved better than that. Hell, Bailey deserved the world, and since he was no more equipped to give it to her than the shithead she lived with, Rafe had to settle for being her friend.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” she asked, peering over at him as he backed out of the driveway.
“I think it’s perfect,” he mumbled, not meeting her gaze.
“I just hope Rex can see past the bar waitress he knows.”
“I doubt you have anything to worry about,” he assured her, not bothering to tell her that he’d already attempted to interrogate his brother on his intentions. Rex hadn’t been forthcoming with details, but he’d ended the text conversation with a thumbs-up emoji, and Rafe decided to take that as a good sign.
“What’re your plans for after?” he asked, attempting to make small talk as he weaved through the older neighborhood and onto the road leading into town.
“Thought I’d hang out,” she said casually. “I told Violet I’d swing by the bookstore and hang out for a bit.”
“Once you’re done, maybe we can grab some lunch.”
Bailey’s smile was brilliant, something he found he looked forward to seeing daily. “I wouldn’t say no to that.”
“Good.”
A few minutes later, he was pulling into the B and B, parking in one of the empty spaces in the lot out front. From here, he could see that Rex had already started taking down the Fourth of July decorations. Pretty soon, he’d start up with his fall decor, and the wraparound porch would look like one of those craft stores, overflowing with pumpkins, hay bales, and signs announcing, “It’s fall, y’all.”
Rafe rested his wrist on the steering wheel and shifted his body toward Bailey. “Text me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up.”
Bailey’s beautiful hazel eyes skimmed his face. “I can walk across the park, you know.”
“But you don’t have to,” he clarified, gesturing toward the big farmhouse. “Now go on. Get.”
She giggled, just as he’d hoped she would. “Wish me luck.”
“Darlin’, you don’t need luck.”
“Everyone needs luck, Rafe.” She took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, then opened the truck door.
He watched her cute little ass sway until she disappeared inside the house.
There was no doubt about it. He was a glutton for punishment. That was the only way to explain his insane need to be around Bailey, day in and day out, knowing he couldn’t have her.
Then again, he figured if she was single and for the taking, Rafe would’ve already fucked it up by now.
Chapter Four
Walking into the bed-and-breakfast feltalmost like stepping into another dimension.
From its spot in downtown Coyote Ridge, the place didn’t look like it could be a soothing home away from home, but the inside was a different story. Although it was apparent it wasn’t someone’s cozy living space, thanks to the check-in desk at the bottom of the stairs, it still made one feel welcome.
Rex had somehow managed to modernize the space by opening it up but still maintained the house’s original charm. Bailey loved how bright and open it was. The way the sunlight highlighted the details and the dark beams on the ceiling—an addition Jack had talked Rex into—drew the eye up, which meant you couldn’t help but notice the fireplace.
Glancing around and realizing she was alone, Bailey stepped behind the desk and smiled toward the door, imagining a sweet couple coming in to claim their reservation and enjoy a wonderful weekend of small-town, country living.
“Welcome to the Double R Retreat. Do you have a reservation?”
“Technically, no,” a voice sounded from behind her.
Bailey spun around to see Rex walking toward her, an amused grin on his face. Unlike his brother, Rex did a lot of smiling, especially these days. Ever since he’d fallen in love and married Jack Cunningham, he had done a one-eighty. No longer was there a dark cloud hanging over his head the way it still did with Rafe.
