Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

“Well, I didn’t get my dose of beautiful girl, which really put a damper on my days,” he says softly…and is he closer? I glance up at him as my skin breaks out in gooseflesh.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, it sucked, but—”

“Amelia, you’re pouring wine all over the counter!”

At my mom’s voice, I feel wine splash up my legs, and I quickly stop. “Shit!”

I place the bottle down, and before I realize it, Chandler has a towel and is wiping the wine off my legs. “Oh, I can do that.”

He looks up at me, his eyes dark and mesmerizing. A slow, dangerous grin moves onto his lips as he shrugs. “It’s no problem at all.” His touch is like fire. Absolutely risky fire. I take in a sharp breath as he looks away, and I can tell he’s grinning. He wipes up the floor as I do the counter, and when he stands, I give him a thankful smile.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

He throws the towel into the sink and grabs his place setting. “Would you like me to take those to the table?”

“Please, thanks.”

“Anytime,” he says once more, and the look he gives me is way more suggestive than it needs to be. Or maybe I just think it is. Crap. When he walks away, I look up to see my mom watching me. Her brow is arched, and a wide smile is on her face.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing,” she sings as she walks toward the table. “Chandler, I’ve been following the IceCats. You’re kicking some major butt.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Justice. That means a lot.”

I close my eyes, taking in a deep breath and trying to clear my head. I am in no position to even think about trying to get something started with Chandler. I just got on good terms with my family, something I needed to do. Now I have to work on me. A guy would complicate that, especially someone like Chandler. I need to remember that. As I grab my glass, I take a long sip of it before filling it back up. I look out into the dining room, and all I see is Chandler’s wide shoulders. He’s so big, it looks as if he doesn’t fit in my chair. I want to touch him—so damn bad. But that wouldn’t be smart. I take another gulp of my wine and then empty the bottle into my glass before heading into the dining room. I sit beside my mom and across from Chandler as she serves dinner. Chandler’s eyes move along my face; I think they pause at my lips, but maybe I’m delusional.

You look really pretty tonight, he mouths, and my heart stops dead in my chest.

“Do you like it here?” My mom’s question pulls his gaze from mine.

Thankfully.

“I do, actually. It’s real nice. I like the weather.”

“I bet,” she says before taking a sip of her wine. “How are your parents?”

“They’re great. They moved here too. You knew that?”

“I did and I didn’t. They didn’t sell their house back home, did they?”

“No, they have it for when we visit.” He takes a huge bite, basically half the piece of garlic bread, swallowing before he says, “They live on the north side of town.”

Mom smiles. “That’s funny. They’re gonna follow you everywhere, huh?”

Chandler nods, not the least bit embarrassed. “I think it’s more me than them. When I first moved here, I didn’t know how to function as an adult, so my mom had to come teach me, and then they stayed. Plus, being the only child, she wants to be here and wherever I go. They own properties everywhere, so we always have a home. It’s nice.”

“Oh, I’m not teasing. That’s wonderful. I hope to have both my kids near me sooner rather than later.”

I don’t have to look up to know everyone is staring at me.

“Must be nice having Ryan and Sofia at home.”

“It is, but Ryan is gone all the time with the Assassins, and Amelia is here. So all I have in town is my niece and nephews—oh, and Sofia.”

I don’t know if she meant it as a dig, but I took it as one. I know she wants me to come home, but I feel good here. I don’t want to mess that up.

“You’re coming to the wedding, right?”

“Have to. I’m the best man.”

“Oh, I knew that!” she laughs, shaking her head. “Ryan told me he called you when we learned Amelia was here.”

I glance up, and Chandler looks a bit guilty. “Yeah, it’s actually funny. He called right after I saw her for the second time.”

I meet his gaze, my eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”

He shrugs, looking down at his plate. “He asked if you were okay, and I said I thought you were. Then he asked me to keep an eye on you.”

I perk my brow. Before I can ask what else was said, Mom says, “You know, Ryan told me the other day you were adopted. I never knew that.”