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And well…just the fact that I was there. Because I’d denied anything was going on with her brother over the last two weeks like I was denying committing murder, and there I stood, pretty sure I was wearing his kiss like a brand.
I shifted on my feet, uncertain of what I was supposed to say or do.
“Charleigh?” She muttered it like a question.
“Hi.” I awkwardly fluttered my fingers at her.
Could I be more obvious?
“Did you even know Miss Charleigh was goin’ to be waitin’ for us here, Auntie?” Nolan bounced, his fingers threaded together like he was issuing a prayer.
Her attention volleyed between the two of us.
“Um, no, I did not even know that Charleigh was going to be here waiting for us.”
“Well, surprises are really good. I like surprises. Do you like surprises, Miss Charleigh?” The child was a perfect whirlwind. It wasn’t so hard to force a smile to my face.
“As long as they’re the good kind,” I told him.
He giggled like mad. “Well, I think you’re a good surprise. What do you think, Daddy-O? Do you think Miss Charleigh is a good surprise?”
River’s gaze swept to me. So intense it nearly bowled me over.
Redness splashed my cheeks, and I couldn’t look away from him as he stared at me before he said, “Yeah, I think she’s a really good surprise.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
RIVER
Shit.I’d allowed myself to get carried away, which wasn’t all that shocking considering I’d had the girl propped on the counter, her sweet little body tucked up close to mine.
Woman making me insane with the greed pounding through my veins. So out of my head with my desperation to have her that I’d let it slip my mind that Raven and Nolan would be right around the corner.
Should’ve given Raven a heads-up that Charleigh was going to be here when she arrived, but I hadn’t had the fortitude to think it through.
I was too fucking wrapped in the need to hold her. Protect her. Please her.
So, there I stood with my cock straining so fucking hard I thought I might pass out while my sister stared daggers at me like I’d stolen her favorite plaything.
Considering she’d chosen Charleigh as her best friend, I was pretty sure she was worried that I had. That I was going to do something stupid and fuck it up.
No question, I would.
Made it worse that she’d asked me to leave her friend alone if I didn’t plan on actually pursuing something real with her, warning methat Charleigh had been hurt enough and she didn’t need me adding to that.
And fuck. It was the last thing I wanted. To hurt Charleigh more.
Raven cleared her throat, shucking off the surprise as she waltzed the rest of the way into the kitchen. “Well, I’m glad to find you here, Charleigh, you know, since I waited for you at the shop and then texted you to let you know I needed to leave and then I didn’t hear from you. I was getting worried.”
She sent me another cutting glance.
Yeah, I was in trouble with my baby sister.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even check my phone.” Charleigh patted her pockets while she looked around like she’d misplaced it, her attention landing on the purse that rested on the island right next to where I’d had her propped.
Redness heated her cheeks. No doubt, she was instantly picturing me having her there.
“It’s fine. I really was worried for a minute, but it looks to me like things are handled.”
