“Secret?! Like I’d hit that?”
“Whowouldn’t?” Jason challenged.
Mac’s head jerked as though he’d been slapped and turned incredulously toward Grady, who shrugged. “I haven’t seen her, I can’t say. I’m not going to judge another man’s tastes. Beauty comes in all forms.”
Mac pointed in the same direction Jason had. “You’re talking about the old woman who lives next door, right?”
Jason smiled slowly. “She is most definitely not old.”
Mac rubbed a hand across his mouth, contemplating, going over what he’d seen. Nope, he’d seen an older woman. He bargained, “Upper middle-aged?”
“Nuh-uh. Tits nice and high. About a decade younger than our old nuts.”
Mac’s eyes narrowed. Daughter? Nurse? Maid?
“Don’t you know your neighbors?” Jason asked.
Mac scratched his chin. “I know their dog.”
“Of course, you do.”
Grady suggested, “I think introductions are in order.”
“I saw her first,” Jason pointed out. “She’s mine.”
Mac snorted. “You can have her. I don’t think your vision lives there, but we can check it out. I need to talk to them about their dock anyway.”
Grady spoke up, “You realize she might take one look atmeand fall in love?”
Mac and Jason both looked at him then burst out laughing.
“Bitches,” Grady grumbled with a smile.
Chapter five
Cassidy
OLD SPICE
Cassidywassittingonher outdoor sofa, reading her book and enjoying a glass of sangria. After the winter they’d had, any hint of warmer climes was an excuse to be outside, and today was no different. Until a snowstorm reminded her it was still spring, she was going to convince herself otherwise.
Elijah had promised to build a gazebo around the furniture she lounged on now. But, again,plans. There was a large tree offering shade and a cool spring breeze. She curled up on one side of the cushioned bench, with a pillow cushion pressed to her side and a sherpa throw over her legs.
Her green romper was comfortable and warm enough. With her hair up in a clip and her sangria close by, she was content to fall into the verse of the book. She’d given herself over to it so thoroughly she hadn’t even noticed the movement down by the lake; hadn’t noticed Fred picking up his head and perking his ears from where he lay at her feet.
It wasn’t until Fred sat up with a shy, head-ducking, welcoming “woof” that she looked up, a short scream startled from her to see three men approaching. Her book dropped to the ground as she twisted on the bench, ready to flee over the back when she recognized one of them, all of whom had stopped their advance when she panicked.
It would be comical, the disbelieving expression of Mac Boyer, if her heart wasn’t still jack-hammering from the fright. The two men next to him, however, were better looking in progression. Neither outshone the dark good looks of her neighbor, but here were three gorgeous men standing on her lawn. Was she in the middle of anOld Spicecommercial?
Casually dressed, Mac was in his jeans and an olive shirt, the dark-haired man wore a pair of khakis and polo with a jacket, and an Adonis look-alike had camouflage pants shredded at the knees with a black long-sleeve T-shirt. Adonis had his hands raised, the universal sign of surrender. It took her a second before she remembered seeing him earlier in the day.
Adding to her befuddlement, Fred slinked in a half-sitting pose toward Mac Boyer, head edging outward toward the man as though he wanted to go but knew he shouldn’t. She scolded, “Fred!” The dog snapped back to her side, giving her a shit-eating grin even as his eyes rolled around to the man adoringly.
Adonis spoke, “Sorry to startle you, ma’am.” His voice was the perfect combination of supplication and seduction. His blue eyes were kind, attempting to convey she was safe with him.
Hewasn’t her concern. Her gaze flicked back to Mac, who had recovered from his astonishment. The way his perusal slid over her assured her his hands wouldn’t be far behind, the promise of inevitability he had presented at the Trading Post steaming over her. She pulled her legs up to shield herself, which drew his dark gaze to hers with a burning smile that didn’t reach his eyes but still managed to heat her from head to toe.
Dragging her eyes away from him, she scrutinized the man in the middle; he’d noted the exchange but held his tongue, shoving his hands in his pockets. She turned her attention to Adonis again, curious.