Forever Hers by Walters, Ednah (new ebook reader .TXT) 📗

“Not before he tells us where to put the mats and punching bags,” Vince said, standing too. “Baron said the gazebo might be a better place for hanging punching bags, but I explained to him you’d asked for the free standing water ones.”

“We’re using the garage. I’ll show you.” Eddie left the house with Vince and Ken. Amy and Chase were still talking but in lowered tones though Eddie wasn’t sure whether it was because Raelynn was now asleep on her lap or something else.

“Do you want me to take her inside?” Eddie asked.

Amy flashed a glorious smile. “Would you? Thanks. She gets heavier every day.”

“I can take her inside for you,” Chase offered.

“I got her,” Eddie practically snarled. He wedged his hands between mother and daughter, accidentally grazing Amy’s breasts. She sucked her breath and her eyes flew to his. He felt her nipples harden. The kiss they’d exchanged two nights ago came back to taunt him with the force of a tsunami. Clenching his teeth, he picked up Raelynn and marched toward the door.

Irritation licked at him. Everything about Amy made him edgy. She was like an itch he couldn’t get rid of but was so pleasurable to scratch. No matter how many walls he erected and fortified, she still stormed through them with a smile, a laugh, a touch. She made him feel things he’d never felt with a woman before.

Then there was the kiss. Hot. Intoxicating. Mind-numbing. He’d meant to have a little taste of the forbidden, but he hadn’t factored in his response—the blood pounding through his veins and shooting straight to his groin, every muscle in his body clenched with need. The deep-gutted response had felt so good it had hurt.

“I’ll turn it down,” her voice interrupted his thoughts as she rushed past him to fold back the bedding. He hadn’t realized she’d followed him inside. The snug material of her white denim Capris stretched across her buttocks in such an inviting way Eddie’s eyes crossed. He started to sweat. He had to get out of here.

He placed Raelynn down on the bed and turned to leave.

“Eddie!”

“What?” he snapped and Raelynn stirred. They both reached out to calm down the child. Their hands touched, his large one covering her smaller one. His pulse shot up, the rush of sexual energy engulfing him. His eyes met hers. A man could drown in those eyes and die happy.

“Are you okay?” Amy whispered. “I asked you a question but you didn’t seem to hear me.”

“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” He took off and didn’t realize he hadn’t asked her what she wanted until he was in the living room. Eddie muttered a foul curse. Damn her for making him want her.

Ron, the only one left inside the house, looked at him and grinned.

“Not a word,” he snarled and kept going.

***

Amy wasn’t sure what to make of Eddie’s reaction. He’d looked at her with so much anger. What had she said or done to cause him to react like that? Was it because he’d accidentally grazed her breast? She crossed her arms, feeling crappy when she had no reason to.

She could handle anything he threw her way. She’d grown up being ignored by her parents and found a coping mechanism. Granted her attitude and smart-mouth had catapulted her head first into trouble, but they had also gotten her out of a lot more. She could also handle his cold and hot temperament because, to put it bluntly, she had faced that too with her ex and survived. White hot anger was a different story, especially since it made no sense.

Eddie and Ron were working on something on the coffee table, but Chase was in the kitchen, warming up the remaining soup. She wasn’t surprised. All they’d talked about the past thirty minutes was food and recipes. She’d known that he owned a popular restaurant but not that he was planning on opening another in a few months.

He scooped a spoonful, his eyes closing as he savored it. “Hmm, let me see if I can guess the ingredients. Shiitake mushrooms…dried anchovies…sesame oil…a dash of thyme.”

Amy smiled. “You have an amazing palate.”

“I know.” He grinned then leaned forward to whisper while looking into her eyes, “So when are you going to show me your recipes?”

He was such a flirt, but she wasn’t going to let him use her to piss off Eddie. The glances he kept throwing Eddie’s way said this was all a game to him. Not that she thought Eddie cared enough about her to be jealous.

Amy got up, pulled out a side drawer and retrieved three books. She placed the first one on the counter. “Soups and stews.” The second book was thicker. “Entrees and,” the third one was thinner, “side dishes.”

“Deserts?” he asked, spooning stew.

“I don’t do desserts.”

“Why?”

“If I make it then I’d have to eat it, so no sweets unless I have guests.”

Chase chuckled. He flipped through the first book as he ate, then pushed his empty bowl aside. “Have you ever thought of publishing them?”

Amy shrugged. “Not really.”

“Talk to Vince. His publisher might be interested.” He moved to the second book, pausing occasionally to read something before turning the page. “Ever thought of opening a restaurant?”

Amy made a face. “I don’t think I’d make a good restaurateur.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“I don’t have the time or the commitment.” Or the money. Banks didn’t loan money to broke women on the run.

“You never know till you try.”

“Maybe one day.” When Nolan was out of her life. Amy put the books away.

“If you ever decide you need a change of scenery, give me a call. I’ll create a position for you. In the meantime, let’s find Vince. He insists on showing you a few karate moves.” He grabbed her hand. “Although I was hoping you’d come out on the boat with me.”

Amy could feel eyes drilling holes into her as she left the kitchen. When she turned, both guys were watching