Wicked Dirty (Stark World 2)

Because I really do love him.

And for better or for worse, love makes you vulnerable.

* * *

"Faster! Faster!" Lara cries as Lyle swings her in a circle, airplane-style, then finally slows down and plunks Nikki and Damien's little girl onto the lush lawn. "Again," she calls, clapping her little hands.

"Maybe later, kiddo," he says, sprawled on the grass beside her. "You've worn me out."

From the seat beside me, Riley chuckles. "Wimp. Clearly, we're going to have to up your training regimen."

Lyle lifts his head and scowls at his friend. "I'd say something rude, but there are children present. Hey, beautiful," he adds, turning his attention to me.

"Hey, yourself."

We're in Malibu at what has to be the most amazing house--and view--I've ever seen. I tell Nikki the same when she comes over to the large stone table and offers me a mimosa.

"It really is spectacular," she agrees. "And I can say that with absolutely no ego. It was mostly finished when Damien and I got together, although I did have a hand in decorating the interior."

We've been here for a few hours now, and I'm surprised at how comfortable I am. Before Lyle, I'd never really brushed up against money, but the Starks and their friends and family are all down-to-earth, and everyone has put me completely at ease.

"My turn!" A dark-haired little girl rushes up to Lyle the moment he stands.

"Ronnie Steele, you're getting too big for that."

"Mom-my," she complains.

"You and Lara go play on the swings and let the grownups talk."

She pouts, but obeys, and I turn around to see Sylvia behind me, holding her little boy on her hip. Cass is her best friend, so I've met her a few times before at Totally Tattoo, but I hadn't met her husband Jackson until tonight. He'd been at Wyatt's opening, so I'd seen him from afar, but I hadn't asked Lyle to introduce us.

Just as well. He's a world famous architect, and when I met him today, I'd pretty much embarrassed myself by fawning all over him. Thankfully, he was incredibly gracious about my groupie behavior.

Syl tells me that Cass and Siobhan were invited but already had plans with Siobhan's parents. "And I won't be one of those annoying women who asks about your plans for a family," she says, glancing at my ring as she takes a seat, putting Jeffery on her lap. "But I will say that if you do want kids, it's worth it. Work," she adds with an exaggerated eye roll, "but worth it."

"Thanks for the tip," I say. "I think that starting out we're going to have our hands full with my cat."

"You two look cozy," Lyle says, joining us. "Should I be worried?"

"Very," Syl says. "We're talking girl stuff."

"Speaking of girls," Lyle says, "do you know where Jane went? She disappeared before I could introduce her to Laine."

"She went with Dallas and Noah into the garage," Nikki says, as she and Damien come up. "They wanted to see Damien's cars." She aims a quick grin at her husband. "I figure we'll see them again in a week or two."

"My wife is a comedian."

"My husband likes cars."

"But the garage is like the bat cave," Sylvia says. "So that makes the car collecting cooler."

"True," Nikki says. To me she adds, "It really is a pretty impressive collection. But I just stick with Coop."

I raise a brow in question.

"Her Mini-Cooper," Damien explains. "My wife is a one man and a one car woman."

She narrows her eyes at him. "Did you miss the part about how many cars you own? Should I be worried?"