Chapter One
Liam
The compound was quiet as I reversed my truck out of the driveway and headed toward the gate. I grinned as I spied Pops out on his dock, stepping onto his boat. He loved that thing. I had no doubt he’d putter around on it until Nan would appear, demanding he come have breakfast. I wondered briefly if he’d cajole her into a little trip around the bay. She did love to sail with him.
No one else was around yet, although I knew if I were walking on the beach, I would see Bentley sitting on his deck, sipping coffee, perusing the headlines on his laptop. My dad might be jogging on the beach, intent on keeping strong. If he were, he would head up to join Bentley soon. Even after all these years, the two of them spent an inordinate amount of time together, both in and outside the office.
I passed my brother Ronan’s house, the windows dark. I wondered briefly if he was asleep or sitting in the lone chair in his living room, staring out the window over the expanse of water he loved so much, torn up and lost.
I had never seen him so despondent. I couldn’t forget the devastated look in his eyes the day I led him away from the corner as he watched the woman he loved walk away.
But hopefully, today, that would change.
“Keep your chin up, little brother,” I muttered. “Help is on the way.”
I left the compound, a small smile playing on my lips. Ronan had no idea his life was about to get a lot better.
And I, for one, could hardly wait.
I pulled up to the address Ava had given me, studying the small bungalow. Well-kept and tidy, the grass was cut, the bushes trimmed and neat. Some flowers were planted along the front of the house, just beginning to catch and bloom. I looked the yard over with a critical eye, thinking a nice dogwood would look good by the steps and a cedar tree would suit the bare corner.
Then I chuckled. I knew Beth and her roommate Paige rented the house. I was here to pick up Beth and take her to Ronan. Not landscape the place.
I turned into the driveway and cut the engine. Outside, the cool morning air was beginning to warm. I chuckled as I bent and picked up a ball on the grass. It was roughly the size of a soccer ball, but the plastic was various shades of pink. I recalled the many stories Ronan had shared of Paige’s daughter, Lucy, and determined the ball must be hers.
Climbing the steps, I admired the two baskets by the door, overflowing with petunias, verbena, geraniums, and ivy. The bright colors added a nice homey touch to the front door and made you feel welcome.
I knocked on the door, and without thinking, bent and deadheaded some petunias while I waited for Beth to answer it. Ava said she would be expecting me.
I was so intent on my task, I was startled when a woman spoke. I hadn’t even heard the door open.
“I didn’t hire a gardener, so I am going to assume you’re not on the clock.”
I looked up and froze.
The woman who opened the door was not the one I’d seen with Ronan. It wasn’t Beth, so I surmised it was her roommate, Paige.
Jesus, she was lovely.
Straightening, I stared at her openly. She had dark-brown hair that hung past her shoulders in waves and soft blue eyes. She was pretty, with a gentle expression on her face. Her mouth was full, and her smile was warm. She had dimples in her cheeks that deepened when she grinned. The mischievous sparkle in her eyes spoke of humor. I judged her to be about five foot four with pleasing curves I had the craziest impulse to touch. Her gaze was wide, frank, and the way her eyes roamed over me caused my dick to kick to attention in my pants.
I hadn’t expected that.
I hadn’t expected her.
I cleared my throat. “Hey, you must be Paige. I’m Liam, Ronan’s brother. I’m here to pick up Beth.”
She leaned on the doorframe, crossing her arms. The movement caused her breasts to lift and press together. I was transfixed by the creamy swells. “It’s a shame you’re already spoken for today. I’d let you pick me up. I bet with those arms you could, too.”
I lifted my eyes to hers, and she grinned. She knew I’d been staring at her breasts. They were rather spectacular. The long lashes framing her pretty eyes fluttered, and the slightest bit of color bloomed on her cheeks as our eyes locked.
I wanted to kiss her.
The feeling was so intense, I had to grab the doorframe to stop myself from doing just that.
“Happy to oblige,” I uttered, my voice low and raspy. “But I think I need to get Beth to my brother. Perhaps another time.”
She bit her lip and stepped back. “Come in. I’ll get Beth.”
I stepped past her, the scent of her skin hitting me. It was light with various hints of floral notes. As if I were standing in a garden on a summer day, inhaling the sweetness around me.
I wanted to inhale her.
Our gazes locked as I sidled by her, my sheer size making it impossible not to brush up against her. Her tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip, and it took all I had in me not to cage her against the wall, lower my head, and take that tongue in my mouth.
Somehow, something told me she would let me. She’d open up and allow me to have her full mouth, delve inside and discover the sweetness hiding behind those full lips.
I had to shake my head to clear my thoughts.
I had no idea where they were coming from.
For a moment, we stared. Her breathing kicked up, matching mine. I forced myself not to reach out and touch her.
“Beth?” I managed to get out.
Paige blinked. “I’ll get her.” She put a hand on my arm, her delicate fingers looking pale and small on my tanned, roughened skin. “She’s beside herself, Liam. She’s so nervous,” she whispered. “I’ve been so worried about her.”
I patted her hand, covering it with mine. “Ronan needs her. I think they need each other.”
“I think so too.”
A moment passed with me holding her hand to my skin, our eyes locked, a silent conversation flowing between us.
Then she stepped back. “I’ll go get her.”
“I’ll wait here.”
She nodded. “Good idea.”
She disappeared down the hall, and I leaned against the wall, rubbing my eyes, feeling as if I had just been hit by a Mack truck.
What the hell was that?
Directly below me, I heard voices. I tried not to laugh as I recognized Paige’s dulcet tone and heard her words.
“My God, Beth, your ride is here.”
Another voice responded. “Okay. Is it Ava or Gracie?”
“It’s his brother. The non-triplet one. Heavens, he is enormous. And incredibly sexy.” There was a pause. “I want to climb him like a tree.”
“Oh, baby, I’d let you,” I muttered, straightening my shoulders as I heard them come upstairs. I smiled at the woman I recognized from the office on that terrible day.
“Hi,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Beth.”
I enclosed it in my grip, shaking it firmly. “Hi, Beth. I’m Liam. Ronan’s other brother.” I winked, looking directly at Paige. “The non-triplet one.”
I heard her squeak, and I tried not to laugh. But my smile couldn’t be contained.
“Considering I’m a landscape architect, the tree reference was particularly pleasing.” My gaze never left Paige’s face. “Climbing can be arranged. I’ll make sure Beth has my cell number.”