Layer by Layer (Riggings Brothers 1)

We pull onto a long drive. “Where are we?” I ask, taking in the lush trees and the beautiful landscape that surrounds us.

“My parents’ place.”

“Wait.” My hand goes to his arm. “I thought we were going to the lake.”

“We are. They have a lake on the property.”

“Are your parents going to be there?”

“They live here.”

“I know but—” He pulls his car to a stop outside of a large building. “What is this, Royce?” I point to his hand on my knee, then to my chest, and then at him. “What’s going on?”

He leaves the car running, thankfully, because it’s a scorcher here today in Tennessee. Unbuckling his seat belt, he turns to face me. “I can’t answer that, Sawyer. Not really. I know that ever since the moment I laid eyes on you, you’ve been all I can think about. I know that I don’t like that you hung out with my brothers. I know that I like you in my car next to me, in my house, in my arms. I like it all. I know that you work for me and that complicates the hell out of things, but the way you make me feel when I’m with you….” He shakes his head, averting his gaze.

“Tell me. How do I make you feel, Royce?”

He lifts his head, and those hypnotizing eyes of his seem as though they are peering into my soul. “Alive. You make me feel alive.”

“I’ll start looking for a new job,” I blurt.

“What? No. You’re not looking for a new job. Look, let’s just… spend the day out on the lake. We’re friends and coworkers, right?”

“And this?” I ask, placing my hand over his.

“This is me not able to resist you, but I promise you, once we step foot out of this car, I’ll be on my best behavior. We’re peers, who are getting to know each other better.”

I raise my eyebrows, and he laughs. “Fine, we’re more than that, but today I’m going to be good for you. Who knows, by the end of the day we may be ready to kill each other. We’ve only ever really hung out on the plane.”

“I’ve been with you all day today.”

“Not all day. This will be good. We can test the waters, so to speak. What do you say?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“You’d really look for another job?”

I nod. “I feel it too, and I don’t know exactly what it is, but I know it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

“Come on then.” He gives me a boyish grin. “The lake is calling our name.”

“Wait.” I pull on his arm to stop him. “Who is going to be here today?”

“My brothers and us. Sometimes Mom and Dad come along, but I don’t know if they are today or not.”

I swallow hard. “So your entire family is here?”

“Yes, but you’ve met everyone but Mom and Dad.”

“Royce, I should go.”

“No. What you should do is climb your sexy ass out of this car. We’re going to have a great day. I promise you.”

“Okay. Coworkers, right? That’s our plan and our story.”

“Yeah, baby,” he says, his voice soft. “That’s our story. Now, come on, you.” He reaches for his handle, and I do the same. He pops the trunk and grabs both of our bags, and reaches his hand out for mine. I shake my head, and he frowns.

“Really, Royce?” I shake my head.

“Fine,” he grumbles. “This way.”

I follow along behind him and into the building. As soon as we walk in, I hear voices, which sounds like a lot of people cutting up and having a good time. We walk down a short hallway and through another door that leads us to an open space and a huge boat. It’s big enough for at least twenty people and nicer than anything I’ve ever been on.

“There they are,” Marshall calls out. He jumps down off the boat and walks toward us. He doesn’t stop until he has me in a hug. “Glad you could make it.”

“Let her breathe,” Royce snips.

Marshall grins.

“Sawyer!” Conrad comes walking around from the other side of the boat. “Bring it in, woman.” He holds his arms open wide, and only when he’s close enough to hug me does Marshall step back, releasing his hold on me. “You ready for some fun in the sun?” he asks.

“Come on, we’ll show you the boat.” Grant swoops in and takes my hand, guiding me to the other side of the boat. “Watch your step,” he says, climbing up behind me.

“Wow. This is incredible.”

“You spend much time on a boat?” he asks.

“No. Not really. I mean, I’ve been on one but nothing like this.”

“Dad’s pride and joy.” Grant grins.

“Other than Mom, of course,” Conrad says, joining us on board.

“It’s incredible.”

“You ever drive a boat?” Marshall asks, climbing on board with two large bags in his hands.