Southern Pleasure (Southern Heart 1)

“Hmph. Nothing as usual. I offered her money for clothes and stuff and she refused. Said she didn’t need anything from me. She’s starting to show. I placed my hand on her belly when I saw her.” He climbs down the ladder. “It’s still hard for me to grasp the fact my baby’s in there, you know?”

Gah! Evan is one of the sweetest guys out there and hot as hell to boot! Misty is a damn fool. “Yeah, it really is a miracle when you think about it.”

“I was thinking, if we can get this all squared away, maybe you would want to go shopping with me? I’ve only got five months an

d I need . . . well, everything.”

“Absolutely! I’m happy to help you.” I don’t bother to hide my excitement. It’s hard not to get excited about a new baby, no matter whose it is.

“Thank you.” I can hear the relief in his voice. “I’ve read a few books and looked online, but I don’t have the first clue as to what this kid is going to need.”

“Well, we can start with the easy stuff. You’re going to need a crib, dresser, changing table,” I tick each item off one by one. “Do you have a rocking chair?”

His eyes are huge as he shakes his head no. “Add that to the list.”

He motions to my hand where I have my fingers raised. Instead, I hold my hand out. “Let me see your phone.” Evan reaches into the back pocket of those Levi’s I was just drooling over and hands it over.

“Do you have a task list?” I ask, even though I’m already searching his phone. Finding what I need, I tap the icon and make a new list. I title it “Baby Chamberlin.” This brings another question. “Have you decided? Do you want to know what you’re having?”

“I don’t have a strong feeling either way. I just want him or her to be healthy. I can’t ask for much more than that.”

His honest, heartfelt confession has me swooning. Misty’s an idiot, plain and simple, no other way to describe her.

I tap away on the app, adding a checklist of items I know he’s going to need. When I’m finished, there are at least twenty items shining bright on the screen as I hand it back to him. I watch as he reads through the list and finally his eyes meet mine. “You said you would help me, right?”

“Yes, but I need my studio ready beforehand.”

“Let’s do this. What’s next?” I instruct him on the blinds and he gets to work. I would love to say I work just as diligently right along beside him, but that would be lying. Instead, I make a halfhearted effort. I spend the rest of the time stealing glances at him. I think it’s a rite of passage that all little sisters have a crush on their brother’s best friend. Time has been good to Evan. He’s going to make some girl one hell of a husband someday. This baby is lucky to have him.

Even with my slacking, Evan and I are able to finish all of the last-minute projects in the studio. “This place looks great,” Evan says as he hangs the final blind.

“Thanks. I’m fortunate to have the space. I’m excited to get started, but I didn’t want a studio in town. I don’t want to have structured hours. I want to be able to plan shoots on location. Next week, I’m shooting an eight-year-old’s birthday party. Her parents are buying her a horse and they want me to be there to capture it all.” I stop my rambling to turn and look at Evan. He’s watching me with rapt attention, a grin lighting his face. “That’s what I love about photography, capturing life’s moments. Studio work is great and necessary for some shoots, but I don’t want that to be my main focus. I want to be able to be there to capture memories for my clients.”

Evan is still watching me and I can feel my face heat with embarrassment. I just rambled on and he let me.

He takes a few steps forward, and suddenly, he’s standing in front of me. I have to tilt my head back to look up at him. His chocolate eyes are boring into me as he lifts his hand as if he’s going to touch me, but then drops it. “Will you do that for me? Help me capture memories for my baby. I’m going to be both mom and dad, and I don’t want to forget to take pictures and videos while getting wrapped up in being both parents. I’m going to need you there to help me catch it all.”

I know he’s talking about me taking pictures, but from the intense look on his face, it feels like something more than that—something I can’t describe and don’t know if I really want to. Today has been filled with simple touches and looks. Obviously, I’m attracted to him. How could I not be?

Taking a step back, I nod. “Absolutely. I would love to take pictures for you.” Taking another step back, the distance eases the thickness of the air between us. “Thanks for your help today.” I offer him a smile.

“You’re welcome. You feel like going to the store? I don’t know that I’ll buy anything today, but I would like to at least look. I’ve never even been in the baby section. I’ve bought all my books online.”

“Sure. Let me run in and freshen up a little. Give me ten minutes?”

Evan nods, and I turn and rush down the stairs. I don’t want to keep him waiting.

McKinley sprints out the door like her ass is on fire. Why wouldn’t she? I don’t know what the hell came over me? She’s fucking gorgeous, but she’s Aaron’s little sister. Not to mention, I’m about to be a single father. She doesn’t need my drama. I’m just grateful she’s helping me out. I’m overwhelmed by all this.

I can’t fuck that up.

Surveying the small studio, I can see her here. She’s put a lot of effort into it to make it her own. After listening to her talk about photography with fire and passion in her eyes, I wanted to make sure she did that for me, captured my baby’s moments. I won’t deny there was an undertone to my request, something I have no business feeling or even wanting.

I lock up and decide to wait for her in my truck. As I hit the bottom step, I see her come bouncing out of the house. She’s always been that way, full of life, taking each day as it comes. I used to chalk it up to her being young, but she’s still that same girl. Only she’s not a girl, she’s all woman now.

“Ready?” she asks as she pulls open the passenger door. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I can’t help but smile.

“So, where should we go?” I ask her.