It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(44)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

Only…not Saxon. She wasn’t his dream. No, the man didn’t want anything serious. That was his right. His choice.

 

Bad Murphy. Just enjoy the time he’s here.

 

But damnfinito. He just had to bring his dishes into the kitchen and put them into the dishwasher. Automatically helping as if to top off his pure awesomeness.

 

“So when is your friend coming?” she asked.

 

“Not for a bit.” After a glance at the clock, Saxon turned to her, his expression mischievous. “How do you feel about quickies?”

 

 

 

 

 

Her legs were quivering as she finished cleaning the kitchen with Saxon’s help. She’d always figured quickies were just for the guy’s satisfaction. But nooo. He’d checked out her bedside nightstand, found her toy collection, and used her favorite vibrator as he took her.

 

The combination of a big dick and a vibe? Dear god. She’d come so hard her neighbors had probably heard her scream.

 

As she started the dishwasher, Saxon looked toward the front window and pointed to a car pulling up to the curb. “Nolan’s here.”

 

A big man emerged from the car along with a slender redhead, two young boys, and a small girl about four years old.

 

She froze. So many people.

 

“Huh, I hadn’t expected the whole crew.” Saxon glanced at Murphy then slung an arm around her shoulders, taking her with him out the front door. “Relax, sweetling, they’re a good bunch. Nolan’s even quieter than you are.”

 

As they walked outside and to the car, Murphy tried not to stare, but the so-called quiet Nolan had black hair, black eyes and looked as if he belonged on the sadistic side of the dividing line. A scar sliced down his darkly tanned face. More scars covered his hands.

 

Standing by the car, he nodded. “Saxon.”

 

“Morning. Hey, dudes.” Saxon exchanged fist-bumps with the two boys.

 

The younger boy was around six with dark brown hair and eyes. “Where’s Sherlock?”

 

“Sorry, Connor. He’s at home.”

 

“I thought he was always with you.” The boy turned accusing eyes to Murphy. “Don’t you like dogs?”

 

“I…I do.” How could she feel guilty for something she hadn’t even done?

 

Saxon grinned. “She does, and Sherlock loves her. She was our flanker during the last search and rescue. We found a teenager who got lost in the forest.”

 

“Whoa, really?” The other boy was a couple of years older. He nudged his brother. “We’re gonna do that someday.”

 

“Yeah.” Connor nodded vigorously.

 

Their mother came over, holding the little girl’s hand. “I see Saxon isn’t introducing anyone.”

 

Saxon grinned. “Sorry, Beth. This is Murphy.”

 

“This is Grant.” Fair-skinned and freckled, with blue-green eyes, Beth put her hand on the older boy’s shoulder—“and Connor. Grant wanted to learn to change out locks, and we all ended up coming along. Our daughter is Aria.”

 

“It’s nice to meet you all. And thank you for changing the locks.”

 

Connor was frowning again. “Murphy is a boy’s name.”

 

She almost laughed. Someone had reached the judgy age. Holding up a hand to stop Beth from stepping in, Murphy smiled at him. “It mostly is, but I’m not the only girl using it.”

 

She went down on one knee. “I got the name because my mom’s last name was Murphy, and my grandfather insisted his first grandchild had to have his name. He didn’t care whether I was a girl or boy.”

 

Connor blinked, obviously trying to work out if breaking this rule was acceptable.

 

But Grant smiled. “That’s kinda cool. You got a last name for your first name.”

 

“I did. So did you. Like with President Grant.”

 

“Yeah, Saxon told me that.” Grant cast a hero-worshiping look at Saxon.

 

“Let me get my purse. What do I owe you for the locks?” Murphy asked Beth.

 

“No charge.” Nolan set a box down at the front door.

 

Murphy stiffened. “I can afford to pay you. I don’t take chari—”

 

Nolan’s snort cut her off. He told Beth, “Seems like you said the same thing when I did yours.” His mouth was straight and stern, but the sun lines beside his eyes crinkled slightly when he turned back to Murphy. “Happens I keep a bunch of rekey kits on hand for the shelter women.”

 

At Murphy’s puzzled look, Saxon said, “Beth took one of the local women’s shelters under her wing. Now, when a woman goes home with a restraining order to keep their abuser away, Nolan rekeys the locks. Just in case.”

 

“Oh.” Murphy shivered. Maybe her intrusive, trespassing, thieving brothers weren’t so bad. Violence against women—they’d never do that. “In that case, thank you. Can I get you something to drink? I have apple juice and coffee.”

 

“Coffee’d be good,” Nolan said.

 

“Juice!” the boys said and added, “please” at a look from Beth.

 

Grant smiled. “Can Aria have some juice too?”

 

“Sure thing. Come on in. I bet you two are good at carrying drinks.”

 

“We are,” Connor told her earnestly, falling into step beside her as she headed for the kitchen. “We help Mommy cook all the time.”

 

“Good for you.” Murphy felt the hurt deep inside—because Farran and Dugan had shown the same pride in helping when they were younger.

 

“How about the windows? Do we need to reinforce the locks?” Nolan was asking Saxon in a low voice.

 

“Probably not. This is just to keep her brothers out, and they seem to be all about some what’s yours is mine entitled bullshit rather than physical abuse.”

 

She winced at the accuracy of the description and the shame that came with it. How in the world had she raised them to be entitled?

 

“I thought Everly was Saxon’s girlfriend. Are you his girlfriend now?” Connor asked.

 

Following with Aria, Beth made a choking sound.

 

“Ah, no, no, I’m not.” Murphy felt a tug on her heart, a wayward wish that life was different. And who was Everly? From a cupboard, she pulled out the plastic glasses she kept for the neighborhood kids and handed one to Connor. “I’m too busy for boyfriends. Saxon’s being nice because my brothers were mean to me last night.”