No Quick Fix (Torus Intercession 1)

“So you do need backup.”

“Are you working?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, then, take a vacation from looking for work and come visit.”

“Yeah, but you’re on a job.”

“I’ve got all kinds of time. The kids go to school. My nights’ll be free.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said, but I could hear the worry in his voice.

“There’s no pressure. If you’re not up for it, it’s okay.”

“I don’t like the idea of you all alone in a place where a guy was just killed and fed to wolves.”

“Mountain lions.”

“That’s so much better.”

I snorted. “It’s a small town. Nothing ever happens here.”

“Famous fuckin’ last words,” he growled at me. “What’d I tell you?”

“Never to tempt fate.”

“You need to listen.”

It had always been my weak spot. “Absolutely.”

“Goodbye,” he said, chuckling. “I’ve got this.”

“Never a doubt in my mind,” I said and hung up.

The girls were both staring at me. “What?”

“I think I’m gonna starve to death,” Olivia assured me.

“You had PB and J,” I reminded her, being as snarky as her sister had been to me earlier.

“Yeah, but that was a billion years ago, and I’m hungry again.”

“There’s an awesome diner that makes shakes and burgers and egg salad,” April announced, looking up at me expectantly, eyebrows lifted.

Crossing the room, I crouched down beside them.

“You heard them earlier; they have some kind of dessert Lydia thinks you guys are gonna like, so how the hell are we gettin’ outta here?”

“Watch the master,” April said, waggling her eyebrows at me.

Olivia snorted. “She’s really good.”

Following them out and over to their father, who was sitting in a circle of chairs with everyone, April tapped him on the shoulder and waited. When he turned to give her his attention, everyone got quiet.

“Dad, I need to go because I forgot, but I have to do some more reading for my vocabulary test on Monday.”

“Oh, but sweetie, we’re having baked Alaska for dessert,” Lydia said cheerfully. “You’re going to love it.”

“As much as the salmon?” Olivia choked out.

I bumped her, and she whined and turned into me, her face in my stomach.

“Kids,” April said, shrugging, making her eyes big.

Everyone chuckled over that except Emery, who met my gaze with narrowed eyes. He knew we were up to something.

“So we’ll just go and get out of your hair,” I suggested with a grin that was way over the top before flicking April on the shoulder and taking hold of Olivia’s hand to lead them back toward the front coat closet.

“Your family is leaving,” one of the men said, and Emery was up and following us as I got the girls’ coats and mine.

“You aren’t fooling me one bit,” he said as the three of us stood in front of him all bundled up.

“What?” I drawled innocently as I pulled Olivia’s beanie down and passed April hers. “Up to? Dude… vocabulary, studying. You heard her.”

“And you?” He put his hands on his hips as he scowled down at Olivia.

“Mr. Ozumi said that if Brann wanted to, he could teach crab manga and bazillion juggling at his school, so he’s gonna show me some moves.”

Emery’s gaze lifted and met mine. “Crab Manga?”

“Small child,” I said, giving him an exaggerated wink.

Reaching up, he slid his hand around the side of my neck and his thumb traced over my jaw. I had no idea if he knew how he was touching me. From the fond expression on his face, not infused with even a trace of lust that I could see, sadly, he did not. But I felt the connection of his gentle touch, regardless, and it went straight to my cock. There was no doubt about it. Emery Dodd could light me up like a Christmas tree.

My breath caught, and I chuckled to hide the cough of discomfort. And before my clothes got any tighter and my skin any hotter, and before I leaned in to give him a kiss goodbye—because I should, shouldn’t I?—I took several steps back. I was leaving and taking his kids. It seemed natural to give him a peck, but before everything got weird—weirder—I bolted for the front door. I had to put some space between us.

“Come on, people, let’s motor.”

He was still standing there when we left.

I had assumed someone would run Emery home at the end of the night, but maybe he’d sleep overnight with Lydia.

Which was fine.

Totally fine.

Utterly fine.

I had no problem with that.

Not a one.

“Brann, are you sick?” Olivia asked me as I drove us to the diner.

“What?” I snapped at her, defensive, wound-up, feeling like I couldn’t breathe.

“You look like you’re gonna barf,” April seconded from the passenger seat.

“What?” I said like she was nuts.

“How come your voice went up so high?” Olivia wanted to know.

“You almost squeaked,” April added, squinting at me.

It was just so weird. I didn’t have feelings, and I didn’t get attached, and definitely was never, ever, jealous before I even got laid!