Brothers of Paradise Series

“Really?”

“Of course not.”

“This is wonderful,” she says, looking between the two of us. “I mean, unexpected. Although maybe not. You always squabbled as teenagers, didn’t you? There was definite chemistry there. Hmm. This could become something serious. Oh my God. Our kids will be cousins, Jamie.”

Both Parker and I open our mouths to protest, I’m sure, but she cuts us off.

“Oh, don’t worry, I won’t jinx it. I won’t embarrass you either. No one else needs to know while the two of you figure it out. But oh, I’m so excited!”

Parker lies back in the grass and puts a muscled arm over his face. “Lily,” he says. “Know when to be quiet.”

She makes a small sound of outrage and turns to me for backup. I don’t know what she sees in my expression-I’m still half expecting her to be upset-but she shuts her mouth. And puts her hand on my arm.

“I get it,” she says. “I won’t push.”

I release the breath I’d been holding. “Thanks, Lily.”

“But you know I’m on both of your sides, right? And I can help and listen to either side. I’ll be neutral. I’m like Switzerland!”

I laugh. It intensifies when Parker, still stretched out beside us on the grass, says in a dry voice, “I’ve never once needed your help with my dating life, Lily. Not about to start now.”

“All right, all right,” she says, holding her hands up. She’s grinning. “He’s prickly today, isn’t he?”

I don’t get a chance to answer her, because her son comes barrelling between us. He’s seen his uncle prone on the ground and takes the opportunity to attack, throwing himself over Parker’s torso.

Parker lets out a pained oof and turns in the grass, little Jamie shrieking. I watch them roughhouse with an almost painful feeling in my chest.

Emma comes up beside me and I wrap an arm around her waist. She’s watching Parker and his nephew intently.

“Want to join in?” Lily asks. She’s leaning back, resting on her hands, and gives my daughter an encouraging smile. “The big one is really ticklish, and the smaller one loves to play tag.”

Emma looks at Lily for a long moment. And then, decision made, she runs out of my arms and into the fray.

Lily leans closer and we watch them together. They’re tackling Parker to the ground, and he groans, feigning defeat.

“He’s a good man,” Lily says softly.

Yes, I think, watching him, and watching Emma. He’s the very best.

PARKER

She’s in my garage gym the next morning, being distracting as hell, and I wouldn’t have her anywhere else.

“Like this?” Jamie asks. She’s deadlifting with my weight bar. It’s got the lightest plates. Today’s goal is just to nail the form.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

“Yeah, keep your back straight… yes, like that. Knees just lightly bent. Don’t lock them out.”

She’s gotten stronger, has thrown herself against my weights like they’re another challenge to conquer. Jamie does a set of ten and sets the bar down. “That one hurts.”

“It’s great for your back,” I say and put a hand on the body part in question. Just to make my point clearer. She’s working out in a tank top today and the fabric is thin beneath my hand.

She smiles up at me. It’ll never stop warming me, seeing just how easy the expression comes to her face these days.

So I kiss her. It’s not the first time today. Won’t be the last either. Jamie turns in my arms and puts her hands on my arms. Her fingers flex, gently, and I want to feel them all over.

“You’re sweaty,” she murmurs, sliding them up to my neck. “I like it.”

“You do?”

“Mhm.”

I turn to kiss the side of her neck. She smells so good, the scent of warm skin, soap, faint sweat, and something else, something that’s only her.

“Our workouts are getting longer,” she says, “but we’re working out less.”

I chuckle. “It’s the only time of day I can get you alone.”

Her hands tighten around my neck. “Is that okay? I know I’m not as available as most women you’ve dated.”

I lift my head. “Of course it is. You’re a mom, Jamie. That comes first.”

Her eyes turn serious. “Yes, and that’s never going to change. Emma and I are a package deal. I have to put her first, and after Lee, my child’s my main focus.”

I smooth my thumb over her cheek. “Jamie,” I say. “We don’t have to see one another every day to know where we have one another.”

“No,” she says, “we don’t.”

“I want you, and I like you, and we’re seeing where things go. Right?”

A smile warms her lips. “Yes. I think you might be the best thing that’s happened to me all year.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Yes.” There’s a vulnerability in her eyes, but there’s happiness there too, and I can’t believe we’re here. At this point together, the two of us. We don’t need old arguments or banter to tie us together. We’re not hiding behind any facades.

“You coming back to Paradise is the best thing that happened to me this year, too.”

“It is?”

“Yes.” I bend to touch my lips to her ear. “You’ve been invaluable to my business.”

Jamie laughs and pushes me away, pretending to swat me. “You’re impossible.”

I catch her around the waist and kiss her, to show her just how much I’m joking. The kisses deepen, and like always, the fire of desire inside me flares. The constant make-out sessions have put me on edge. I don’t think I’ve made out this much before seven AM in… ever.

Not that I’m complaining, only it’s the most non-sex contact I’ve gotten since high school or college, probably, and my body is taking notice.

But nothing matters more than her comfort levels.