Gentle isn’t a word I would associate with Landon. Protective, yes, but only with family. Mum wouldn’t have lied though, and I could see the truth in her expression and on the frowns creasing my brothers’ foreheads—all of whom took great measures to try and talk me out of seeing him again. Wyatt even went as far as to say he’ll take leave from the company and work on the bed and breakfast.

  I want space from my brothers, not to begin a new adventure with them hovering over me.

  The kitchen goes quiet when I walk in, and everyone begins to stare. “What?” I ask, looking down at my dungarees. I wear them when I’m working in the barn, so they’re a little dirty.

  “Do you have makeup on?” Reid asks.

  Glaring, I storm over to the hotplate and grab some food. “No!”

  “Yes, you do,” Jaxon argues.

  I sit down opposite him, pouting. “It’s just a bit of mascara and blusher,” I whisper.

  “Take it off. You look weird,” Wyatt says.

  My throat tightens. I duck my head, feeling stupid.

  “No, she doesn’t,” Mum snaps. “She looks beautiful, as ever. Now say you’re sorry. Each of you.”

  “Sorry,” Wyatt mumbles, pouting like a scolded boy.

  “Soz,” Reid says, shoving more food into his mouth.

  “I just don’t get why you’re wearing it,” Jaxon states. “You’re pretty without it.”

  “Jaxon,” Mum warns, dropping her fork on her finished plate.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad by it. I was just saying she doesn’t need it.”

  I blush, refusing to explain to them that I wanted to look good for Landon. Not that he’d notice; he’s a boy. Last night I watched hours of YouTube makeup tutorials, but in the end, I decided a little mascara and blush would do. I ended up looking like a clown when I tried to go for more.

  “You excited to paint your kitchen today, sweetheart?”

  My shoulders relax at Mum’s change of conversation. “Yes. I’m still shocked at how quickly he got the kitchen fitted yesterday. I’ve still not seen it yet. He didn’t text me until late last night that it was ready to be painted.

  She pats my hand. “I’m so happy for you. Your dad would be proud of what you’ve achieved.”

  I nod, feeling tears clog my throat. “Thank you.”

  “What will you be doing next?” Jaxon asks through a mouthful of food.

  I roll my eyes at his lack of manners. “After I’ve finished painting, we’ll lay the flooring in the kitchen, then I’ll start unpacking for downstairs, get it all set up. Landon said he’ll finish the bathrooms, then start painting the rooms.”

  “Do you have your website up yet? When are you hoping to open?”

  “Hopefully in seven weeks’ time. I need to double check with Landon first,” I explain. “And I’m meeting Bailey tomorrow for lunch at her house.”

  “Want me to come with you?” Jaxon asks.

  Raising my eyebrow, I give him a pointed look. “No. Aiden has moved in with her and I’m not having you pick a fight when he has a baby to look after.”

  Snorting, he shrugs. “I still can’t believe he’s got a kid. Out of all of them, he’d be the last I expected.”

  I finish the last bite of toast before dusting my hands off. “I’d better get a start on the painting,” I tell them, before looking at Jaxon. “If you’re free later, can you help bring some stuff over for me to unpack tomorrow?”

  His eyes soften. “Of course I will. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.”

  “Yeah, we’ll all help,” Wyatt says.

  “I will if you make a Swedish chocolate cake,” Reid bargains.

  And this is why I love my brothers. They might be pains in my arse, but each one would drop whatever they’re doing to help me.

  My voice softens when I answer. “I’ll make it for you anyway. Thank you, all of you.”

  “We’d do anything for you,” Jaxon declares, and the rest nod in agreement.

  “I’ll text later,” I inform them, getting up. Reaching the kitchen door, Mum calls me back.

  “Wait, I’ve packed you and Landon a lunch and some drinks.”

  “Mum, you didn’t need to do that,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat.

  “You’ll be busy all day. It’s the least I can do. It’s in the basket by the front door.”

  “Thanks, Mum.” I walk over, bending down to kiss her cheek. “Love you.”

  *** *** ***

  My spirits drop when Landon’s car isn’t outside the bed and breakfast when I arrive. With a resigned sigh, I move towards the door, letting myself in with my key.

  Heading straight for the kitchen, butterflies begin to flutter in my stomach. I’m so excited to see it.

  I drop the picnic basket Mum made up and attentively open the door. A small gasp of surprise escapes my parted lips.

  It’s beautiful.

  Tears gather in my eyes as I stand stock-still, taking every little detail in. White, rounded cupboards with dark brown tops line the wall underneath the window, where the sink sits with its huge, curved tap. Two more rounded cupboards are above, on either side of the window, white wood framing the glass set into their doors. I can already picture the flowers I’ll put on the windowsill and the brown, beige, and pale green blind that will fit the window perfectly.

  In the centre of the room is a large island with loads of different cabinets, one side dedicated to holding bottles of wine.

  On the right side are more cupboards on either side of a huge double oven with a wall fan above it. I walk over, opening the biggest cupboard and finding the dishwasher already inside.

  I skim my fingers down the work surface towards the other window. It has a bench fitted underneath it that wasn’t in the plan before; however, I know the perfect pillows to put there.

  I turn back to the room, my eyes never leaving the worksurfaces, until I reach the American style, double fridge freezer. It is huge, bigger than I remember it being when I ordered it.

  “Do you like it?” a hoarse voice asks.

  I startled scream escapes me, and I spin to face Landon with a hand on my chest. “You scared me.”

  His lips twitch as he lazily leans against the doorframe. “What do you think?”

  I look around the room once more, feeling so at home I don’t ever want to leave. Landon’s still watching me when I turn back around.

  “Landon, I love it. I can’t… I don’t have any words right now. This is more than I could have hoped for.”

  “I just fitted it,” he says, looking around the room.

  I shake my head, walking up to him. “No. You made a bare, cold room into a warm kitchen, a place everyone will want to hang out. Thank you,” I tell him, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

  His eyes heat as I slowly pull away, feeling electric zap my lips from the small contact.

  “You’re welcome,” he replies, so softly I barely hear him. His eyebrows draw together as he takes in my face. “Are you wearing makeup?”

  I should have wiped it off when Wyatt said to.

  I shrug, trying to act aloof. “A little. Why?”

  He studies me further, his pupils dilating. “I’m trying to figure out which I prefer. But in all fairness, you’re beautiful with or without it. Although, it does make your eye colour pop. They kind of remind me of autumn.”

  My chest flutters at his words. I didn’t think he’d notice, no matter how much I hoped he would. “T-thank you?”

  He shakes his head a little before focusing. “Are you ready to paint?”

  I bite my bottom lip. “I’m kind of worried about painting in here now. I don’t want to ruin anything.”

  He chuckles, rubbing my arm. “I didn’t put the sheeting over anything last night because I wanted you to see it first. The fridge freezer might take some time to shift though. Could you get one any bigger?”

  I nod absentmindedly. “Yeah, but I thought it might be a bit much for the room.”

  A laugh passes through his lips. “I was being sarcastic, but good to know you weren’t trying to kill me.”

  Heat fills my cheeks. “Sorry. You should have said you needed help. I would have come,” I tell him, trying to hide the hurt I feel for not seeing him yesterday.

  “Jaxon helped me.”

  My eyes widen. “He did?”

  “Yep, fucker looked constipated the entire time,” he admits, making me giggle.

  “Sounds about right.” I pause, taking in the room once more. I really can’t believe this is mine. “I’m so grateful, Landon. I really do love it.”

  His expression softens, something I rarely see when it comes to Landon. “My pleasure. Now, what colour are we painting the walls? I was going to start it yesterday, but Mum called me home for Sunday dinner.”

  Remembering the conversation he had with his dad in the restaurant, I laugh. “Did you really talk her into it?”

  He frowns, not looking happy about it. “I rarely ask for anything, so when I do, I think they find it hard to say no,” he tells me, before pausing, seeming to think something over. “I think that’s why my family ask me to talk their latest victims into something. Because they know they won’t say no.”

  “Kind of genius, if you ask me.”

  “Unless you make your mum think you miss her Sunday dinners,” he mutters.

  “She a bad cook?” I ask, wincing a little. The boys can’t cook at all. The one time me and Mum were down with the flu and we ended up with food poisoning too.

  “No, she’s a great cook. But she made me eat four plates before she let me leave. I’m supposed to be gaining back muscle, not fat.”

  “There’s no fat on you. You’re hard as rock,” I blurt out, scanning his body. When I realise what just vomited out of my mouth, I blush further.

  His chuckle is deep, caressing my skin. “Been looking?”

  “U-um, n-no,” I stammer out, then when he pouts, I shake my head. “Y-yes. No.” I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Oh my God, just kill me now.”

  “I’m okay with you checking me out. Feel free to anytime,” he offers in a sexual tone.

  “W-what?”

  “I can take my top off while we paint, if you want?” he says, nodding like it’s a good idea.

  “N-no,” I rush out, my face on fire when he goes to lift his shirt. Good God, if he lifts that, I will be on the floor. “Don’t. You’re fine. I’m fine. I mean, your body’s fine. Oh God,” I groan.

  He wraps his large hands around my forearms. “Calm down. I’m playing.”

  I open my eyes, and he winks. “You’re a terrible person.”

  He chuckles, shrugging. “Are you going to tell me the colour?”

  “Egg blue,” I whisper, too afraid to speak any louder and make a bigger fool of myself.

  “Egg blue?” he asks, looking doubtful.

  “I know, weird name, but I love the colour.”

  “All right then. The paint is in the hallway, but I need to get Rex out of the car.”

  “You left him in the car?” I accuse, walking ahead of him.

  He sighs behind me. “I saw the door open and wanted to check it out first, in case someone was in here. I didn’t want him to get hurt.”

  I come to a sudden halt at the front door, slowly turning to face him. “You didn’t want him to get hurt?”

  He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Well, yeah. He’s not trained that well, even though he’s listened to everything I’ve said so far. I didn’t want him to rush up to someone breaking in and then have them lash out, thinking he was gonna bite them.”

  My mouth gapes open as I stare at him in disbelief. He truly meant what he said. My shoulders drop, and I give him a bright smile. “You really are a sweet man, Landon.”

  He winces like I’ve punched him in the balls. “I am not sweet.”

  “You totally are. You aren’t as mean as you pretend to be.”

  “I fucking am,” he yells. “I’m not sweet at all.”

  I shrug, skipping down the steps to his car. “Whatever you say, buddy. Whatever you say.”

  “Paisley, you’re wrong. You can’t say things like that. People will believe you,” he calls out, sounding close to panicking.

  I giggle louder. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

  He opens his mouth to say something, but Rex barks, gaining his attention. “It’s all right, you can come out now.”

  I grin wider at how gentle he is in getting him out of the car. Rex yelps, licking Landon’s face, his tail wagging like crazy.

  “You really are a big softie,” I murmur.

  He scans my face, sighs, and his shoulders drop. “You look too fucking beautiful to argue with.”

  With flaming cheeks, I stare at him a moment longer before saying, “We should start the painting.”

  I walk off, nearly tripping over my own feet to get away.

  Damn Landon Carter and his sexy eyes, sexy voice—sexy everything.

  His chuckle echoes behind me as I storm up the steps, embarrassment filling my cheeks.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  PAISLEY

  The rain patters against the kitchen windows by the time lunch rolls around. My stomach grumbles, reminding me to eat and take my glucose levels.

  We’ve managed to get the painting done, having finished the second coat an hour ago. I watch as Landon fits the last wooden flooring panel, sweat beading his forehead. I’m just glad he didn’t follow his words and take his shirt off. I’d never have gotten anything done. It was bad enough just being in his presence. A half-naked Landon and I’d have the intellect of a one-year-old.

  Landon brushes past me once again, and a shiver runs up my spine. I close my eyes, not sure how much more of his innocent touches I can take. I feel like I’m on fire, burning from within. Being this close to him… He’s just too much. His size, his scent, his intensity. It’s making me dizzy.

  I clear my throat, drawing his attention. “I’m just popping to the bathroom, then we should take a break and eat something.”

  A pained look crosses his expression as he glances at his phone. “Shit.”

  Does he have somewhere to be?

  My stomach sinks at the thought and starts to cramp. I hate feeling this way, but somehow, he’s wormed his way back into my heart. I’ve not forgiven him—not by a long shot—but today, he seems different. He’s been more open with me, chatting freely, like we’ve been best friends our whole lives. And the heated looks… they’ve driven me insane all day. However, that isn’t why I’ve felt closer to him. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s there, on the tip of my tongue. It could be a mixture of things really. Like the softness around his eyes when he watches me, or the darkness I usually see lurking in them now barely noticeable, no longer shining like a beacon.

  “Do you have to be somewhere else? I mean, it’s okay if you do. You don’t need permission,” I ramble.

  He fists his hair. “What? No. We can go somewhere. Do you think there’s a place that will let Rex in?”

  I forgot to tell him about the picnic Mum made up. I’m ready to mysteriously forget about it, but looking outside, it’s miserable. I like it here with Landon, where we’re alone with no interruptions.

  “U-um, Mum made us a picnic for lunch. It’s just outside the kitchen door.”

  His gaze goes to the door. “She did?”

  “She did. But if you’d rather go out, I can give it to my brothers.”

  For a minute, I think his head is gonna spin off he turns that quickly. “No! We can stay here. I don’t think there’s a place we’d be able to take Rex in with us.”

  I smile. “Okay. I just need to go to the bathroom first. I think she packed us a blanket too. Do you have anything for Rex?” I ask, knowing the dog is in the lobby, sleeping in front of the fire.

  “I do. I left it in the car. Be right back,” he says. I nod, grabbing my bag from the door and heading to the bathroom.

  It doesn’t take me long to inject my insulin and wash up. I chuckle to myself when I see specs of paint on my face. It has nothing on the amount I have on my clothes though. Even with all the work we’ve done, I still look pale. I pinch my cheeks to give them some colour before heading back to the kitchen. I pass the laundry room and step into the lobby, where I stop.

  Landon is sitting down on the blanket, gently pulling out the cartons of food. He and Rex both look up when I walk in, making me smile.

  “Your mum made a lot,” he comments.

  “I think she went by what you ate for breakfast when you came over,” I tell him, chuckling.

  He grins, patting his hard abs. “I can’t wait to dig in. I didn’t realise how hungry I was until I pulled this out. She made turkey sandwiches and everything.”

  I roll my eyes as I sit down cross-legged on the blanket. Rex stirs, shuffles over, and rests his muzzle on my leg. I smile down at him, stroking him. “I think running around the bed and breakfast has tired him out.”

  Landon chuckles. “Would you believe me if I told you he was a scared dog when I met him?”

  That’s hard to believe. “Really?”

  He nods. “Yeah, he was shaking and everything.”

  I look down at a sleeping Rex, surprised. “He must be happy with his new owner.”

  “You think?”

  I catch Landon’s gaze. “Of course. He clearly adores you already.”

  “And you, it seems.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” I tease.

  His pupils dilate. “An idiot with no brain.”

  I glance away, grabbing the tub of potato salad and the plates and forks from inside the basket. I hand a plate and some cutlery to Landon, then try to open the tub of potato salad. It doesn’t budge. “Bloody thing is glued on,” I mutter.

  “Here, let me,” Landon orders, reaching out for it.

  I pull it away. “I got it.” I take the knife from the floor and wedge it under the seal. The knife slips, slicing my thumb. I wince, sucking in a breath when blood begins to pour down my hand and into the potato salad.

  “Fuck!” Landon hisses, and before I know it, he’s gently taking my hand in his and pressing a paper towel onto the cut. “Are you okay?”