I laughed. “Maybe let me finish this deadline I’m on for my book, and then we can talk.”
With a wide smile, Hunter nodded.
“Listen, we won’t keep you. Just wanted to stop by and introduce ourselves,” Kyle said again.
“It was great meeting you both,” I said with a relieved smile. I stepped out onto the porch and watched them retreat down the steps. Kyle clearly had no idea his sister was here, or he would have already kicked my ass and set the police dog on me. Jack gave me a good once-over before he followed Hunter.
I turned to head inside. It was cold, and I didn’t have a shirt or shoes on.
“Oh, by the way,” Kyle said, turning to face me before he got into his cruiser. “You hurt my sister, and I’ll kill you and make it look like an accident. We clear on that?”
I felt my smile instantly fade as I stared at him. “Um…I…”
Hunter leaned against the truck, clearly hiding a smile.
I turned back to Kyle, who looked like he meant every single word he’d just said. “I have no intention of hurting her. Ever.”
Kyle gave one quick nod. “Good. She means everything to me, and although I think things are moving a bit fast, I trust her judgment. Why don’t you join us for dinner at our folks’ house today? We’ll be celebrating our birthday, and I’m sure they’d like to meet you.”
I nodded. “Yes. Of course. I’ll be there.”
“Great. Well, enjoy the rest of your day, Hudson.”
Hunter lifted his hand and gave me a wave. I did the same. “Right. Same to the both of you.”
I watched as they drove down the drive and turned onto the main road, heading up into the hills.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I turned and headed back into the cabin, only to find Greer standing there. Instead of my T-shirt, she wore one of my sweatshirts that said New York City on it. She looked adorable.
Her nose crinkled. “Did he say anything mean to you?”
I shut the door and made my way over to her. Leaning down, I kissed her on the lips and softly said, “Good morning, sweetheart.”
She practically melted in my arms. “Morning. What did my brother say?”
“Something along the lines of if I hurt you, he’ll kill me and make it look like an accident.”
Her brows lifted. “Oh, that’s not so bad. I figured it was worse.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh. “Worse than him threatening to kill me?”
“Yes! He could have said he’d cut your balls and dick off and make you eat them.”
A cold shudder moved through me. “My God.”
She leaned up onto her toes and kissed me again. “Want some breakfast?”
I watched as she headed into the kitchen like nothing was wrong.
“Wait, how did your brother know you were here?” I asked.
Reaching into a cabinet, she pulled out a frying pan. “Oh, he has some tracking thing on my phone. I pretend like I don’t know he has it, and he generally leaves me be. I’m assuming he saw I never went home last night, and, well…”
I groaned and rubbed my hands over my face.
Greer laughed. “Don’t worry. He was just acting like a big brother. And the only reason he brought Hunter with him was to show you he has backup.”
“Not the first impression I wanted to make on your family, Greer.”
She laughed. “Please. My brother once got caught by the owner doing the nasty on one of the tables in The Coffee Pot. And, he was screwing the owner’s daughter at the time. Trust me, he’s no saint, and he’d never judge me for my actions—or yours.”
I screwed up my face. “Aw, man, I really like the food there. Do we know which table?”
She cracked the eggs into the pan and looked over her shoulder at me. “Never sit at table four. The booth in the corner.”
I was positive a look of horror passed over my face when I realized I had indeed sat at that booth. More than once. Greer turned and slowly shook her head. “That’s too bad.”
Greer
I slipped on a robe and headed out of my bathroom, stopping when I saw my reflection in the mirror. I was smiling. When was the last time I’d caught myself smiling for no reason?
I shook my head and laughed. “Oh, you have a reason.”
The last twenty-four hours had been the most amazing day of my life. I spent the morning with Hudson, going for a long walk and then sitting in a chair reading a book while he wrote. Then, I finally had him bring me back home, so I could get ready for dinner at my parents’ house later. Hudson was picking me up in an hour and coming with me, thanks to my brother’s invite this morning.
Leaning toward the mirror, I ran my fingers over my lips. I swore I could still feel the tingle of Hudson’s kisses. With another shake of my head, I walked into the bedroom and to my closet. I didn’t normally get dressed up for dinner at my folks’ place, but since this was for my birthday, and Hudson would be there, I was putting in a bit more effort today.