One to Love (One to Hold 4)

“And what if... what if he hurts himself?” I hated to imply something like that, but all the signs were there.

She looked back at the glass doors, her voice growing softer. “He won’t. My soul called out to his, and I felt him calling back. He needs space to sort this out.”

“I’m pretty sure that was your ovaries calling out for his babies.” My jaw tightened as conflict swirled in my chest. “Did he say he was going to stay with their uncle? That could be good...”

“He said their uncle had a place out west.” She was still dreamy.

I took a deep breath, uncertainty making my head hurt. “Make me one of those blueberry-lavender things.”

She ducked under the bar and started adding ingredients to the blender. We were quiet a few seconds then her nose wrinkled, and she laughed. “I totally want to sleep with him. Is that nuts or what?”

“No. He’s sexy as hell.” I waited as she finished my supposedly relaxing concoction. “If Stuart’s anything like Patrick in the sack...”

“Don’t be cruel.” She cut her eyes at me. “The chances I’ll see that gorgeous thing again are slim to none.”

“But I thought your souls were calling to each other or whatever.”

“Doesn’t mean he’ll listen.” Her voice was a little sad, and my eye caught the other hot guy in her life, working with an elderly client in the weight room.

“What’s wrong with Pete? He’s totally smitten with you.”

She sighed, leaning against the bar. “He just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t know why. I’m not blind—he’s a great looking guy. It’s just not there. And believe me. I’ve tried. Several times.”

“Well, I’m headed out.” Kissing her cheek, I picked up my drink. “Thanks for this. I’ll give the elder Mr. Knight a few days, but it’s against my better judgment. I think Patrick needs to know now.”

She smiled and looked down. “That was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. I’m sure I’ll see him again. Don’t worry.”

Walking out, I shook my head thinking how much I adored that nutty girl.

* * *

Stuart Knight’s unexpected visit was forgotten when I opened my door. The delicious smell of grilled steak met my nose, and I quickly moved through my apartment, dropping all my bags, to find the gorgeous man who had my heart on the patio looking out at the horizon. The small, charcoal grill at his feet apparently held our dinner.

“Hey,” I said, sliding the glass door open. The way his brow relaxed when he saw me sent a happy tingle through my middle. “Are you making me steak?”

“You’re not going to believe what I found in your freezer.” He walked to where I leaned on the doorjamb.

“Have I ever told you I could watch that sexy swagger all day long?”

“Do I swagger?” He laughed, seeming surprised.

“Yes. Now kiss me.”

He leaned down and covered my lips with his. I released the glass doors and slid my fingers into his dark hair. He lifted me like always—and I loved it like always—kissing him harder as I held him in my hands.

Pulling back, I kissed the corner of his mouth before asking. “What did you find in my freezer?”

He lowered me slowly before sliding a purple lock off my cheek. “You had six steaks in there. What’s that about?”

My brow lined as I thought. “Oh, shit. I think Patrick did that!”

“Patrick again.” His mouth made that tight line, and while I knew he had absolutely zero reason to be jealous, something wicked inside me loved that he was.

“He used to hassle me about being too thin all the time.” I rubbed my hands up Slayde’s lined arms. “Strike that. He still hassles me about being too thin all the time. But he actually used to send me meat every month. Can you believe?”

Slayde couldn’t stop the sexy grin crossing his lips, but he looked up and over my shoulder. “You are pretty thin, but I know you eat.”

“He’s such a pain. Remember when I said he was my big brother?” Slayde looked back down at me. “It was the closest thing I could get to saying