Page 90 of Her Tempting Protector

21

“It must have been a hard decision to quit a vocation like Doctors Without Borders,” Chelle said as she arranged the lemon tarts on a plate.

“Not that hard. I really think that job has a shelf-life. Your psyche can only take so much before you either crumple or become too hard and brittle to have the compassion needed to do a good job.”

“Which do you think you would have done—the breaking, or the hard and brittle?” Baily asked.

Carys cocked her head as she looked at the youngest Lyons. She really was a blunt instrument.

“I don’t know, Baily. I didn’t stay long enough to find out.”

“Which was pretty damn smart,” A.J. said as she reached up to the top shelf for another serving plate. “Kane told me about the letters Cullen got from the family in Egypt,” A.J. continued. “It must feel really good to know you could help like that.”

“That case went well, unfortunately not every one does.”

“Here, try this.” Chelle handed Carys a napkin and a lemon tart. “Baily, stop being an ass.”

“What? I want to make sure she’s going to be good enough for Cullen. You know he’s fallen hard for her.”

Carys choked on her first bite and started coughing.

A.J. poured a glass of water and handed it to Carys as she took the dessert from her hand. She and Chelle glared at Baily.

“Let me rephrase that, little sister, don’t be an asshole.” Chelle said.

Carys’ cough turned into a laugh. “Oh my God. Baily you’re awesome. You’re as protective as Cullen is.”

“No, she’s being a wench,” Cullen said as he walked into the kitchen, put his arm around Carys’ waist, and glared at his baby sister.

“Are you kidding me?” Carys beamed up at Cullen. “I would have given my right arm to have a family like this growing up. I can just imagine the amount of crud she gives you.”

“Pardon me, but did you just say crud?” Baily asked.

“She doesn’t swear,” Cullen explained. “It’s cute.”

Baily laughed. “It is. You swear enough for two people, so it’ll even out. You never told me, how do you get along with Aries?”

“He’s a total traitor,” Cullen answered. “I swear, in one day he has turned into Carys’ dog.”

Carys shook her head. “Don’t you believe him. He’s loyal to Cullen. He comes to him in an instant when he calls. But I’ve always wanted a pet.”

The Lyons all looked at her. “You never had one?” Chelle asked. “Our house was a rescue center. Both kids and animals—that was thanks to Mom.”

“Like I said, we grew up different.”

“I’m kind of like you, Carys, no pets. I think we should compare notes,” A.J. said as she plopped a tray into her hands. “Come on, let’s get the table set up. The hoards are waiting.” A.J. gave her a quick wink. She appreciated it. The woman knew that Carys didn’t want to talk about how different her life had been from the normal household of the Lyons family.

* * *

Cullen blessed A.J. for her tact at the way she had deflected the conversation for Carys. He could have kicked his own ass. It was clear that his woman had felt uncomfortable about the difference in their upbringings. Maybe even a little melancholy. That was not what he wanted. But like normal, she’d bounced right back. Here she was in the middle of all his friends holding her own.

“I hear you and Python are now friends,” Max smirked at Kane. “How does that work exactly?”

Kane grabbed both sides of his head and dropped it between his knees while he groaned. “Max, don’t get me started. He gave us a cat.”

“Be nice,” A.J. swiped at him with the back of her hand. “You know Paul is a sweet soul,” she said, referring to the aging eighties rock star.

“Honey, he’s always going to be Old Sex Snake to me. It’s not my fault you decided to make him your business partner. What’s more, I’ve been nice. We took the damn cat.”