Lila's Loves (Haven, Texas 1)

“But I owe you so much and I contribute so little.” At least once the money came through from her inheritance she’d be able to help out with the bills. “Once my money comes through I will pay you all back.”

“Pay us back for what?” Trace asked in a low voice. That should have warned her she was skating on thin ice, but she wasn’t paying close enough attention.

“For all the food and bills and stuff,” she told him.

“Lila Stacia Richards you will not be giving us any of your money, do you understand me?” he asked in a hard voice. She jumped, not used to hearing that tone from Trace.

She sat up and this time he let her. “Oh yes, I will. I pay my own way.”

“You will not,” he stated emphatically. “You try to give any of us money and your ass will be so red you won’t sit for a week!”

Her jaw dropped at that statement as she stared at him in shock. “That’s hardly fair,” she told him. “I wanted to do something nice and you threaten spank me!”

“Oh, it’s no threat. It’s a promise. Try to give us any money and your butt will be on fire.”

“No way,” she told him. Standing, she faced him, her hands on her hips. “I am not letting you get away with bullying me like that. You can only spank me if I risk myself or my safety, you don’t get to spank me for doing the right thing.”

He stood, scowling. “Are you trying to insult us by insinuating that we can’t take care of you?” he asked.

She gaped at him, her jaw dropping open. “Of course not, you idiot.”

“Good then that’s that. You will not be giving us any of your money and that’s final.”

Lila just shook her head in frustration as he walked off.

Men. And they said women were hard to understand?

Chapter Nine

“Got your phone, Lila?” Colin asked as he pulled up outside Dirty Delights, the name didn’t really match the rustic outside. But there was always a good band playing on a Saturday night and already it was pumping.

She’d spent the morning getting massaged, waxed and pampered at the spa with Savannah and Laken, who had hit it off straight away. It had put a dint in her credit card but it had all been worth it.

Colin had offered to pick them all up, but Max had already told Savannah he’d drop her in and he’d offered to pick up Laken as her parents place was on the way.

“Yep, and it’s fully charged, Dad,” she teased him.

“Cheeky brat. Okay, so call when you want to come home and then wait inside, I’ll come in and get you. Understand?”

This was only like the fourth time she’d heard this. And that was only on the ride in.

“You know, I can take care of myself, Colin. I lived in Phoenix all by myself. I’m a big girl.”

“But you’re our girl, now,” he told her, his gaze softening as he pushed a curl behind her ear. “And we enjoy taking care of you. We just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Her insides softened at his words.

“I know,” she replied. “And I’m so glad that you do. But I promise I will be careful. I have my phone, I have my purse, and I will call you when I want to leave. I will stay with Savannah and Laken. Scout’s honor. This is Haven, remember? It’s not like we can really get into any trouble.”

Colin chuckled. “I’m not so sure, you girls could find trouble anywhere I reckon, but come on, I’ll walk you in. Oh, by the way,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash, “this is from Gavin. Your money for all the work you’ve been doing.”

Lila shook her head. “No way, I’m not taking any money off you guys.”

Colin’s gaze narrowed. “You earned it. Either you take it or I’ll just go on in and tell Joe to add it on a tab for you and not let you pay for any drinks.”

She knew he would too. With a sigh and a shake of her head, she took the cash, tucking it carefully into her purse.

With a grin, she rolled her eyes