The Summer He Came Home (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 1)

“I may look like shit, but at least I’m not sparkling like some vampire wannabe,” Cain said drily.

Dax snorted. “Hey, the whole vampire thing works for me. The ladies dig that kind of shit, no matter what age they are.”

Cain took another sip of coffee. “I’m sure they do.”

Dax hopped up onto one of the stools and rested his elbows on the island. “Was nice seeing your mom again.”

Cain was silent. His mother had stopped by the night before. She’d tried discussing his situation with Maggie, but he’d refused to engage. How could he? He was still trying to figure things out himself.

“She’s pretty damn cute, eh? Your little bird.”

Cain wandered over to where Dax sat, a frown on his face, when he spied Hollywood Scene in front of the Brit. It lay open to the center spread.

“Christ, does everyone have a copy?”

“Dunno. Mac brought a few of ’em back last night.”

“That figures.”

Dax whistled as he glanced down at the pictures, and Cain’s face darkened as he glanced at the magazine. In the picture, Maggie’s face spoke volumes.

He grabbed it from Dax, ignoring the blast of curse words that fell from the Brit’s mouth, and studied the picture closely.

She looked sexy as hell with her hair, that long silky mess of hair, all over the place. Her breasts nearly spilled from the lacy bra she wore, and he remembered how he couldn’t wait to get her out of it.

It was a picture that any man would find erotic. Sexy. But right now? As he gazed down at it, all Cain focused on was the look in her eyes. There was softness there—a surrender in their depths that hit him in the gut.

Maggie looked like he felt. It wasn’t about sex for her. Not in that moment. It was about love.

Cain ran his hand across his jaw and let the magazine fall onto the counter. Holy Christ.

He didn’t just want to be with her. He loved her. Real, true, I’d-freaking-die-for-you love. The realization washed over him with the strength of a jackhammer, and he slid onto the stool beside Dax and set his mug onto the counter.

He sang songs about this stuff all the time, but until now he’d never experienced it. Not like this. His marriage to Natasha had been a huge mistake, one where lust had been mistaken for love. This thing with Maggie was on an entirely different level.

“Are you all right?” Dax asked.

“No.”

“Ah.” Dax closed the magazine. “So, should I be worried then?”

“No.”

“Okay, but you’re a bit peaked, mate, and sorry to say it’s not a good look for you.”

“What?”

“I said you look like shit.”

“I love her.”

“What was that? You’re mumbling into your cup.”

Cain glanced toward the Brit and grinned. “I love her.”

Dax took a sip of coffee and arched his brow, a huge grin on his face. “Well, that’s nice for you. Really nice. The question is, mate: What are you going to do about it?”

“About what?” Jake barked.