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The sprawling mansion looms over us, the spires reaching toward the sky. Dark stone walls surround the property, with heavy iron gates standing guard. Tall, narrow windows dot the house, some with stained glass. There are even freaking gargoyles perched on the roof.
Sterling pulls through the gates, driving right up to the front steps.
“Your home is beautiful, Sterling,” I whisper.
“It’s been in the family for generations.” He glances over at me as he kills the engine. “My great-great grandfather built it when he started the company. He wanted to make a statement.”
“He succeeded. It’s gorgeous.”
Sterling grins and then hops out and circles around the truck to help me out. We talk toward the doors hand in hand.
Halfway up the steps, a younger version of Sterling throws the front doors open, strolling out onto the massive porch. He has to be Sullivan—he looks just like Sterling, only his eyes are green and there’s a wildness about him, as if he’s completely capable of raising a little hell if the mood strikes.
He leans against a column, smirking at his brother. “Oh, so now that the work day is over, you decide to show up again, huh?”
“Sullivan, if you can’t run the company by yourself for one damn day at this point in your life, there’s absolutely no hope for you. You might as well retire to Florida with Mom and Dad,” Sterling grumbles. “I had shit to do.”
Sullivan chuckles, his gaze shifting from his brother to me. His grin widens. “Is this her?”
“Yes. You can stop smiling at her now.”
“Hi,” I whisper, my stomach in knots. I’m meeting his freaking family after one day. This is surreal.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Sullivan’s expression softens. “It’s nice to meet the woman who proved my idiot brother actually has a heart.”
“It’s nice to meet the brother who proves he’s actually human,” I retort, teasing him back. If he’s going to give Sterling crap, I’m going to dish it right back. “I was beginning to think he was perfect.”
Sullivan’s eyes light up as he throws his head back and laughs loudly. “I like her.”
“Me too,” Sterling says softly, slipping his arm around my waist. “Now, move so I can bring her inside.”
Sullivan grins again and then steps aside, allowing Sterling to pull me into the house. I barely have time to gape at the gorgeous foyer before the other brother, Sinclair, comes rushing out of the living room with a portable radio in his hands, his Sheriff badge pinned to his chest. He’s as big as Sterling with the same dark eyes, though his scowl is fierce.
“Gotta go,” he growls. “The damn McKinney boys are up to their bullshit again.” He pauses long enough to glance at me. “Sorry, I can’t stay to chat, sweetheart. Glad you’ve got this big idiot under control. We’ll chat later.”
“It was nice to meet you,” I say softly. Being the sheriff must be exhausting.
“Be careful,” Sterling murmurs, bumping his fist.
Sinclair jerks his chin in a nod before jogging out, in a hurry to go deal with the McKinney boys…whoever they are. From the sounds of it, they’re a frequent problem.
The door no more closes behind him before another man appears in the doorway to the living room. He must be the assistant, Adam, because he doesn’t look like Sterling or his brothers. He’s handsome and very fashionable. His hair is slicked back, his thick glasses match his bowtie, and his shirt is bright blue and eye-catching.
“Never leave me with Sullivan in charge again,” he says to Sterling, “or I quit.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Sullivan mutters, scratching the side of his face with his middle finger.
Adam rolls his eyes dramatically. “Uh, fuck yes, it was. You’re exhausting and I don’t get paid nearly enough to deal with you.” His gaze lands on me and he beams. “Oh, you’re an absolute doll.”
“Um, thanks?”
Sterling sighs, a long-suffering sigh that makes me giggle. “Fate, this is the other pain in my ass, Adam. Adam, this is Ginni.”
“Oh, I know.” Adam grins, strolling deeper into the foyer. “You two are all over the new couple sightings.”
“The what?”
“The Silver Spoon Single Serve,” he says.
