Sitting straighter, I wave my hands in a cutting motion. “Stop. That’s so unfair. Yes, we’re having great sex, but what about all the other shit just lurking in the background, waiting to come crashing down on my head?”

  “Like what?” Piper frowns.

  “Like my family? Like his family hating my family. Like my mom being completely impossible with all her premonitions and all her… shit.” The secret I’m allowing my mother to keep presses against my temples, but I can’t tell them. Not before I’ve told Aiden. “Like him kind of being my boss?”

  Cass throws out her arms. “What would Shania do?”

  “She’d say don’t try to run!” Piper jumps off the couch. “She’d getcha good!”

  We’ve all had at least two shots of tequila, and we’re in total drunk-friend, problem-solving mode. I’m off the couch as well, grabbing my phone and pulling up my favorite song. The Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen starts blasting “I’m Gonna Getcha Good,” and we all start dancing as we sing along at the top of our lungs.

  Cass has the best voice. Piper and I find the notes with varying degrees of success. We’re two bars in when Edward hops to his feet on the couch and nods his head as if he’s in distress. We don’t stop singing, and he begins howling as loud as our singing, which makes us laugh and sing more. It’s a tradition, the minute we start singing this song, he starts howling.

  “You’re going to get a fine for violating the noise ordinance.” Piper wipes her eyes and sits beside Edward, petting his head to calm his howling.

  “I’m sure Aiden will be glad to hand-deliver it!” Cass continues dancing, and I join her.

  The tension I’ve been struggling with melts away in the warmth of my friends, Shania Twain, and Edward’s howls of protest.

  My phone lights with a text, and I lift it to see a photo of three glasses of bourbon with the words, Bourbon tasting. Have fun.

  Chewing my bottom lip, my chest warms at his simple order to have fun. Cass and Piper are beside me at once.

  “Who knew grumpy Sheriff Stone could be so cute?” Piper coos.

  “I did a reading for you,” Cass says softly, threading her fingers in my hair.

  “Cass, don’t…”

  “I know, I know. You don’t believe in that stuff anymore, but I did one. I saw the two of you together, happy, with babies.”

  I’m too buzzed to argue with her. In this moment, I want to believe her sweet dreams and fairy tales. I want to think it could be true. I don’t want to think about all the reasons why magic isn’t real or it won’t work.

  I want to believe in how maybe, it just might.

  CHAPTER 17

  AIDEN

  “It’s right up there with Pappy van Winkle.” Adam holds the glass of scotch, tilting it side to side. “We’re about to blow up again.”

  “I hope so.” Alex returns the bottle of straight bourbon whiskey to the shelf. “I spent a lot of time on that flavor profile.”

  “Wheat instead of corn.” My youngest brother nods. “Makes it sweeter.”

  “Sure you don’t want to come help me?” Alex lifts his tumbler, clinking it against Adam’s. “Bartenders are essentially pastors. They’re just a lot more honest.”

  Alex pours me another finger, but my eyes are on my phone, studying the photo Britt just sent me of Edward with his head lifted. It looks like he’s howling, which makes me smile.

  “You’re very relaxed.” Adam walks over to where I’m standing, and I quickly tuck my phone in my pocket.

  “What’s that?” I lift the tumbler and take another sip.

  “You’re always right there with him on the hypocrisy behind the pulpit. Now you’re looking at your phone… Are you smiling?” His hazel eyes hold a playful challenge.

  Adam has the same square jaw and dark brow as the rest of us, but his easy nature makes him approachable. The tips of his too-long, light brown hair are gold from all the time he spends surfing, and he likes to joke around and tussle.

  Normally, I’d join Alex in pushing back on the spiritual nonsense. Adam turned God to after Dad died, and it’s caused a friendly split in our approach to things ever since. Tonight, however, I’m feeling more generous. The tight, angry-at-the-world fist in my chest has relaxed.

  “You got laid.” Adam snaps his finger, pointing at me.

  “What the fuck?” Alex sets the bottle down, and I straighten, taking a step back.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Adam starts to laugh. “Fucking liar. Who is she?”

  “You’re going to make a shit pastor if you don’t clean up that mouth.” My tone is sharp.

  I’m doing my best to put up distractions, but it’s not working. They’re closing in on me, and I’ll have to confess or leave.

  “It’s Britt.” Alex arches an eyebrow, and my jaw tightens. “Fuck me, of course! It’s Britt Bailey. That’s why you were hulking over her like a fucking ape at Mom’s house.”

  “I wasn’t hulking over her.” Anger burns in my neck.

  “Yeah, that. Right there.” He circles his finger at my face. “I felt that fury when we were talking about the tickle fights and tequila shots.”

  “Whoa, how did I miss that conversation?” Adam laughs.

  “You were ready to throw her over your shoulder and drag her back to your cave.” Alex leans back, crossing his arms. “I figured I’d better go before you punched me in the nuts.”

  “I was not doing any of that.” I actually was.

  “You can’t lie to me, bro. I’m not even giving you a hard time. Britt’s a sweet little piece of—”

  “Don’t say it.” My voice is a low warning, just above a growl, and he laughs.

  “I rest my case.”

  “Fuck off.” I lean my forearms on the bar, and he pours me another inch.

  Alex has always been the smartest of my brothers, but discussing my personal life with these two is not on tonight’s agenda.

  “So you’re sleeping with Britt. So what?” Adam steps up beside me. “You didn’t think you’d be single for the rest of your life. You’re only thirty five.”

  I lift the drink Alex poured and sip it. “I didn’t think anything. I don’t want to talk about it, because there’s nothing to say.”

  “Oh, shit.” Adam, exhales a laugh. “This is serious.”

  “Look, Aiden. Sharing is not your strong suit, but we’re your brothers.” Alex rests his elbows on the bar. “What’s the problem?”

  My brow lowers, and my chest tightens as I study them. Alex waits placidly, while Adam’s eyes dance like he’s just waiting to jump on the next thing I say. It’s not encouraging, but with an exhale, I relent.

  “Britt’s a smart girl, and she seems responsible and serious, nothing like her family.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Adam prods.

  “I’ve got Owen now. I’m not a free agent. I have to think about his feelings, and him getting attached to something that could be nothing. I haven’t known Britt for long. Maybe she is just like her family, and I haven't seen it yet.”

  “The Owen part I understand.” Alex pours himself a bit more.

  “I think you can relax.” Adam’s tone is serious, which I appreciate. “I’ve known Britt for years. In high school, she was always the responsible one. I mean, she’d let her hair down occasionally, but she always had goals. She wanted to get out of here and make a name for herself apart from Edna and Gwen.”

  His words tighten my chest in a way I don’t like—a way that makes me feel like I’m already too attached. “Exactly. She’s only here temporarily. Edna asked her to come and help us with this case, and once it’s over…”

  I don’t want to say she’ll be gone, but Alex reads my mind.

  “Who can say what she’ll do?” His tone is easy. “All Britt’s family and friends are here. If you give her a reason to stay, she might surprise you.”

  My meeting with Edna in her office comes to mind, and I think about how she asked me to help her get Britt to stay. Edna and me being on the same team is some kind of through-the-looking-glass level shit, and it increases my unease.

  “I don’t want her to change her plans for me.” It feels like the safest thing to say, but it’s a fucking lie and it twists in my gut.

  “I understand why you’d say that,” Alex straightens, corking the bottles and starting to clean up the bar. “But I wouldn’t foreclose what could be a good thing because you’re scared.”

  “I’m not scared.” The bite in my tone contradicts my words. “Britt’s young. She’s never been married. She’s got a lot of living ahead of her. If she has dreams and things she wants to accomplish, she should do them and not settle for being here…”

  I stop short of saying with me.

  “If I know Britt, she won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do.” Adam clasps my shoulder. “Who’s to say she can’t fulfill her dreams right here in Eureka?”

  Pressing my lips together, I polish off my drink wishing the alcohol would make me more comfortable with this conversation. Saying it all out loud makes all the reasons it’s a bad idea too close and too real. I prefer keeping things between Britt and me as they are. Questions lead to decisions, and we’re not there yet.

  “At least you’ve made it over the hill with Owen.” Alex collects our empty glasses and loads them in the stainless steel dishwasher. “Penelope’s so little, every day I work late or leave before she’s awake, it’s like I lost another day with her I’ll never get back.”

  “Hell, that’s no pressure.” Adam laughs.

  “I think you’ve got it backwards,” I add. “She’s so little, any time you spend with her is huge. Owen actually knows when I’m working too much, and he tells me. That’s some guilt right there.”

  “At least he’s a boy. I have no idea if I’m giving P enough of whatever girl shit she needs.” He comes out from behind the bar to where we’re standing. “I need to hire a nanny.”

  “I bet Mom could help you with that.” Adam slides his backpack onto his shoulder.

  “Mom’s got enough on her plate without having to raise more kids.”

  “I meant help you find a nanny.” He elbows Alex in the ribs. “You are too stressed out, man. You need to come ride the waves with me tomorrow. Let your mind roam free.”

  We walk up the plank-wood floors between the giant barrels towards the exit. Alex refurbished the place so it’s now a destination, complete with a tasting room and a gift shop.

  I glance at the clock over the doors, almost midnight. We started off sampling the three new blends my brother is launching, then we wound up in this conversation, which has my chest tight and my mind distracted.

  Alex makes some complaint about being too busy to take a day off, and my youngest brother grabs me around the neck. “You need to get laid like this guy.”

  He dodges my attempt to punch him in the side, laughing. “You’re getting slow, old man.”

  “I’m saving my energy for other things.” My mind is on Britt, and I wonder if she’s still awake. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”

  We climb into our vehicles, and Adam’s the first to leave followed shortly by Alex. I have my phone in my hand, and I send a quick text, How’s the party?

  Gray dots appear, and I wait on edge. I had just enough bourbon to heat my blood, and even with all my reservations still hanging in the air, I’d really like to see her.

  A dark picture appears followed by the text. Lightweights. I have to spread my fingers to make it larger so I can see Cass and Piper lying side by side in her bed with their eyes closed. So much for Sleepless in Seattle.

  Exhaling a chuckle, I text back, Want to go for a drive?

  Her answer is quick. Yes… pick me up?

  Mine is even quicker. OMW.

  Stone Cold distillery is on the outskirts of Eureka, but even on a Friday night, our small town is dead after eleven. I pull up in front of her building in less than ten minutes, and as soon as my truck stops, she steps out of the glass door. I don’t have time to take off my seatbelt before she skips across the sidewalk to climb into my truck.

  “How was your night with the guys?” She slams the door, turning to face me.

  For a minute I can’t speak. She’s so pretty and playful, and my eyes slide from her bare legs to the thin, long-sleeved T-shirt she’s wearing. Her hair is loose over her shoulders, and she looks like just what I need to release the tension in my lungs.

  “It started out good.”

  She exhales a laugh. “What does that mean?”

  I’m driving us back to my place, because I don’t know where else we can go—and I only have one thing on my mind.

  “They were asking a lot of questions I didn’t want to answer.” My voice is thick. “About you.”

  She lifts her hands, placing them on her cheeks. “They know, too?”

  Arching a brow, I give her another glance. “Did we just have the same night?”

  “Cass said she heard us in my apartment, and now I feel like the whole town’s talking about it.”

  We’re at my place, and I pull the truck into the carport, switching off the headlights. It’s completely dark except for the moon and the stars and the street lamps out at the road. I unfasten my seatbelt and reach across the console for her.

  “Come here.” I’m pleased with how quickly she unfastens her seatbelt and climbs across the seat to straddle my lap. “I’ve been in the office two days, and nobody’s said a word to me. I think we’re still okay.”

  My hands are on her waist, and I slide them higher to discover she’s not wearing a bra. My cock hardens at once, and my hunger roars to life. I cup and squeeze her tits, and she exhales a little noise as she clasps my neck, leaning forward to meet my lips.

  Our mouths open and our tongues slide together. We’re expensive whiskey and cheap tequila, two flavors I wouldn’t expect to blend, yet they’re delicious. Her hips rock against my erection, and I exhale a groan, wanting to get her out of the thin cotton shorts she’s wearing so I can get inside her.

  “We should be more careful.” Her head is down as she quickly unfastens the buttons on my shirt.

  “We should.” I sit up fast, reaching down to slide the seat back so we can have more room.

  My shirt is open, and she slides her nose along my chest, touching my skin with her tongue.

  “Fuck.” I exhale a groan, reaching down to unzip my pants to relieve the pressure on my cock. Shoving them lower on my hips, I realize I didn’t grab a condom.

  “Shit,” I groan as her mouth moves higher to my neck.

  “What’s wrong?” She sits up, meeting my eyes.

  I slide her long bangs behind her ears. “I don’t have a condom.”

  Blinking down, her lip slides between her teeth. “It’s okay with me. I’m all clear.”

  “I haven’t been with anyone since my wife, and I was fine then.”

  Her nose wrinkles, and a naughty smile curls her lips. “I’m still on the pill.”

  “Thank fuck,” I groan as she laughs. My hands are on her ass, and I scoop her closer to my chest. “Not that contraception is your responsibility.”

  “You’re very evolved.” She whips the thin shirt she’s wearing over her head, and my brow collapses at the sight of her bare breasts.

  “No, I’m not.” I bury my face in her tits, biting and sucking.

  Her head drops back, and she holds my jaw, rocking forward on my lap as I ravage her body. As always, we’re desperate and wild, and she turns in the seat, lifting her back and shoving her shorts down to her ankles. I only have a moment to register before she’s guiding my bare cock into her slippery core and leaning her head against my shoulder.

  “Fuck, that’s so good,” I groan, and my hands are on her tits as she begins to rock.

  Sliding one hand down her stomach, I find her clit, moving my fingers up and down rapidly as I kiss the side of her neck, higher into her hair behind her ear.

  “Oh!” she moans, and her pussy tightens around my dick.

  “Fuck me,” I groan, losing my bearings in the shocks of pleasure tightening my pelvis.

  She sits forward, and I slide my hands up her smooth back as she takes over massaging between her legs. Ragged little moans gasp from her throat as she rocks her hips faster, getting herself off as I watch her sweet little ass bouncing on my lap.

  “You are so fucking gorgeous,” I groan as my orgasm winds unbearably tight in my stomach.

  “Yes,” she hisses, “More.”

  “Your hot cunt is so fucking wet.”

  “Oh, God,” she whimpers. “More…”

  I’m about to explode. Leaning forward, my chest is against her back, and I thrust up with my hips as I cup her breasts and speak in her ear. “Ride me, baby girl. Make me come.”

  Her body starts to tremble, and I’m so far gone, I can’t hold back. Squeezing my eyes, my voice is a hoarse groan as I order, “Come with me.”

  “Yes…” She hisses, her pussy tightening and breaking into spasms.

  I’m right with her, wrapping my arms around her waist as we ride the waves, surrendering to the pleasure swirling around us like a hurricane. I lift my hips once more, resting my face against her back as she shudders, her clenching core drawing me deeper.

  We breathe in time, slowly making our way down from that incredible high. The tightness in my chest is gone, and new thoughts filter through my mind, trying to take root.

  What we have is different from what I had before. I can’t put this in the same category. It’s not something I can dismiss or ignore. My brother’s words echo, Who says she can’t fulfill her dreams right here in Eureka?

  It’s dangerous thinking, and I need to be stronger. I need to slow down. I have no idea how she feels or if she’s even interested in something more serious. I’m older, and I have a son. She’s here to help with this case. She’s young and terrific at her work. She could go anywhere.

  If I could just keep my hands off her. I trace my lips across the line of her hair, my arms still around her waist, holding her body next to mine. It feels so good.

  I’m a junkie on the world’s strongest drug, and even though I know what I need to do, I can’t walk away.