Mostly.
Brantley pulled back just as the knock sounded.A second later, the sliding glass door opened.
“We have company,” Brantley said, holding Reese’s glazed stare.
“Payback’s a bitch,” Reese whispered before pivoting on his heel and heading for the kitchen.
Yes, it was.And Brantley was looking forward to it.
He followed Reese, stopping at the kitchen island in an effort to conceal the evidence of what they’d been doing seconds ago.His dick was threatening to tear through his zipper, and no one needed to see that.
“And who is this?”Archer asked, his full attention on Tesha, who was alert and standing but not growling.
Brantley was silent, expecting Reese to do the greeting.Only he didn’t.
“Tesha,” Brantley told him.“She’s our … I was gonna say partner, but I’m not sure that’s the case.She’s more like the boss.We relocated her from a bad existence and put her in charge of ours.”
“Sounds like a win-win.Would it be all right to pet her?”he asked.
“Sure.”
Archer approached slowly, stopping with a few feet between them.The giant of a man squatted down and held out one big hand.“Hey, girl.Name’s Archer.I like animals, all kinds.Not so much ferrets, but that’s a story for another time.”
All eyes were on Archer and Tesha.It only took a second for Tesha to move closer.She sniffed Archer’s hand before moving again and again until she rested her chin in Archer’s palm.He moved slowly, rubbing her head with his thumb and gradually shifting his hand until he was scratching the top of her head.
Tesha, not usually so friendly with strangers, moved in until she was practically in his lap.
“You must be all right,” Brantley joked.
“Yup.You and I will be besties soon enough,” Archer told Tesha as he stood slowly, grinning from ear to ear.
“I’ll be in the barn if you need me,” Holly said, her eyes trailing over Archer Halligan like he was a lollipop and she was about to take a lick.
“We were about to make sandwiches,” Brantley told them while Reese busied himself with dishes and ingredients, likely trying to hide the blush on his face.“Want something?”
“I’m good.Thanks,” Simon said.
Archer grinned.“I won’t say no to food.”
“Sandwiches,” Brantley stated.“With ham.”
“Turkey and roast beef,” Reese corrected.
“Sorry.Turkey and roast beef on white.”
“Wheat,” Reese announced.
Brantley grinned and winked at their guests before continuing.“Turkey and roast beef on wheat with Swiss and mayo.”
“Cheddar and must—” Reese pulled his head out of the fridge.“You’re fuckin’ with me, aren’t you?”
“A little bit, yeah.”He turned back to Archer and Simon, pointing toward the stools on the other side of the island.“Have a seat.Somethin’ to drink?”
“Water works for me.”Archer nodded toward Simon.“He’ll have the same, although he’ll tell you he’s good.”
Brantley had only met Archer Halligan a few days ago, but he would admit he’d liked the guy instantly.He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was about him, but he had a feeling the beast of a man would fit in well with the team.
“I am good,” Simon countered.“Not everyone likes to raid the pantry wherever they go.”
