Page 79 of All Tied Down

EMERSON: Orgasms will do just fine

EMERSON: And maybe some champagne

GARRETT: Done and done.

The champagne is thoroughly chilled by the time Emerson and Samson pull up to the house. The guys are long gone, but I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to see Samson.

And give him the heads-up that he has one incredibly overbearing older brother sniffing around.

Mav is harmless most of the time, but Henley had been in trouble when she arrived in Ironwood. I didn’t ask for all the details and they didn’t offer. He just wanted her to be safe and that hasn’t changed.

I guess now I can assume it had something to do with a bad breakup; that makes the most sense.

Samson eyes me as I meet them at the curb. “Evening,” I greet and smile as he opens the door and I hold my hand out for Emerson.

“Curbside service? A girl could get used to this,” she announces, letting me wrap my arm around her and pull her into my side.

“You’ll get full service inside,” I whisper in her ear before looking up at Samson. “I heard you met your new neighbor.”

He freezes, his gaze tracking between us as he pushes his shoulders back. “I have. My mother introduced the girls. I guess she has a niece that comes over so they played together.”

“Why does that matter?” Emerson asks, her eyes sparkling when she looks up at me, already guessing I’m prodding for a reason.

“She’s Maverick’s sister.”

Emerson snorts and Samson frowns.

“Who’s Maverick?”

“He’s my drummer.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Samson growls under his breath, “of course he is.”

“Do you know him?”

“Him? No. Your band, sure, but…” His words trail off like he’s running the calculus to determine how much more shit this adds to his plate.

“I’m not saying don’t start something with her,” I clarify as eyes snap to mine. “I’m just letting you know she thinks you’re hot and Mav is pissed about it.”

“I’m not looking to start anything. I have enough women running my life right now.”

“No offense taken,” Emerson deadpans, and I watch as Samson goes sheet-white before she adds, “I’m kidding.”

“About being offended or not being offended,” I try because I think the poor guy could use some clarification.

“I’m not offended,” she replies cheerily and we both watch as he exhales, the relief evident by the sag of his body against the side of his car as he scrubs his palms over his face.

“Honestly, you’re the only woman in my life that doesn’t add any stress to my day,” Samson mutters.

“Hmm, I’ll have to try harder.”

He snorts out a laugh and shakes his head. “You go above and beyond to make sure I get to be at all the important things for my girls. They are little sparkly, chaos tornadoes and then there’s my mother who is incredible for helping, but if she rearranges the pantry one more time I’m going to lose it.”

“I guess that means I’m going to have to take the girls for more auntie spa days.”

“Auntie?” Samson parrots and Emerson grins.

“I miss my cousin’s kids. She’s basically my sister so they call me Aunt Emmy.”