Full Exposure (Independence Falls 1)

“Yup,” Eric said. “I’m going to get dressed, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

Nate was out the door in a flash. Eric followed, pausing at the top of the stairs. He waited until he heard Georgia greet Nate in the kitchen before he took the steps two at a time to his room. By the time he entered the kitchen, the pancakes and bacon were on the table. Georgia stood by the coffeemaker, pouring two cups. She wore her usual jeans and T-shirt, her feet bare as she moved swiftly and efficiently around his kitchen.

“Good morning,” he said.

Georgia turned and smiled at him, holding a full mug. “Just in time. Here’s your coffee.”

“Thanks.” He took the cup, careful not to brush her fingers, and sat across from Nate. He felt as if last night had turned his world on its axis, forcing him to map out, in graphic detail, what he wanted—and then walk away. He’d chosen the correct path, but hell, seeing Georgia, it didn’t feel right.

She stood over his nephew’s chair holding the maple syrup. “You’re on syrup restriction,” Georgia said firmly as she poured a modest serving on top of Nate’s pancakes. “Your breakfast should not be swimming in a pool of sugar.”

“And you”—she turned to Eric—”are on bacon restriction.”

Eric set his coffee down on the table and glanced at the modest serving of bacon, then up at Nate. “She’s bossy today.”

The little boy didn’t look up from his plate. “Because she’s a solider. Soldiers are bossy.”

“She told you that?” Eric reached for the syrup, following Georgia’s movements out of the corner of his eye.

Nate nodded. “When I grow up, I want to be bossy too. But not a solider.”

Georgia set her mug and plate down beside Nate. “He’s going to be the boss of the trains,” she said. “Right, Nate?”

“Uh-huh. Uncle Eric,” Nate said, pushing his empty plate away, “am I still going to Grandma’s house tonight?”

“If you want to,” Eric said. His mother had asked for monthly sleepovers with her grandson, but he never pushed Nate to go. Eric knew firsthand how fickle his mother’s attentions could be, and he didn’t want that hurt to touch Nate. But he couldn’t flat out refuse to let Nate see her when she lived only an hour away. The kid didn’t have much family left. “I can drive you over there today.”

“I want to go,” Nate said. “I want to see if Grandma’s dog had puppies yet.”

Eric pulled out his phone and texted his mom to confirm the visit. Without Nate around, he could catch up on work or sleep, maybe both. His phone vibrated and Eric looked down at the screen. “You’re all set, buddy. Grandma is expecting you this afternoon.”

“I need to pack.” Nate jumped up from the table, disappearing into the front room to pick out which toy trains would make the trip to Grandma’s house.

“It’s nice of your mom and Henry to take him,” Georgia said, referencing his mother’s latest boyfriend. Although Henry had been in the picture for the past few years, Eric barely knew the guy. He kept waiting for his mother to move on. She always did.

“I guess I have the night off,” she added, collecting Nate’s plate from the table.

“You’re never required to work weekends. Not unless something comes up.” When that happened, he always paid overtime. He assumed Georgia joined them for weekend breakfast because she enjoyed their company, not obligation. But the lines between work and play, boss and friend, were blurring—had been since the day she moved in.

Georgia laughed, closing the dishwasher. “Eric, something always comes up. Or at least it has since I’ve been living here.”

“I’ve been busy.” He’d spent the past five years buried in work, knowing every hour logged brought him closer to success. “But if you ever need a night off, tell me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. You know, in case someone invites me on a hiking trip.”

His grip tightened on his fork. Hell, no.

“I have a better idea.” He wasn’t about to let her walk into the arms of a firefighter. He shouldn’t care one way or the other, but ever since she’d slipped into his bedroom, he couldn’t escape the feeling in his gut that she was his. If he was being honest, it had started years before she dropped her towel and climbed onto his bed.

“My mom’s place is halfway to the coast,” he continued. “We could get out of town. Grab a bowl of chowder at the Clam Shack. Maybe stay at my condo on the beach.”

She raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Dinner at my favorite restaurant on the planet and a sleepover?”

He nodded.

Georgia ran her tongue over her lips as her arms lifted her breasts higher. Her eyes sparkled as if she were mentally mapping out her plans for their night away.

“There are two bedrooms,” he said.