Free SimplyIrresistible by Evanne Lorraine Page A

irritated her was that he was right. She’d
objected to his arranging for help without thinking it through. “Fine, but I
want to pay for his time.”
    “He’s on salary.”
    “Then I’ll pay you.”
    “No.”
    “No isn’t negotiating in good faith.” She crossed her arms.
    He chuckled. “Some things are nonnegotiable. Think of no as
a Master’s safeword.”
    * * * * *
    The next morning, Liam hooked on his shades to filter the
glow from the summer sunrise and sipped his coffee while leaning against the
SUV. The morning dew still clung to the lawn. A soft breeze rustled the willow
leaves down by the creek. It was still too early even for the dragonflies.
    A rare longing to share the peaceful beauty with Tiana made
him uneasy. It was much too soon to be missing her. The rare minute of quiet
shattered with a horse’s neigh, closely followed by the roar of the brush
cutter starting.
    Cam emerged from the house. Tall and solid, his much-washed
jeans bagged around long legs while a faded black t-shirt with “Talk Nerdy to
Me” across the front in neat block letters covered his chest. Immaculate white
ear buds dangled from the neckline. His dark curls, still damp from the shower,
bounced as he ambled forward in scuffed shit-kickers. A huge duffle bag weighed
down one arm. His laptop case hung over the other shoulder.
    When he got closer, Liam lowered his chin to peer over his
sunglasses, bringing his little brother back into focus. “Sure you have
everything?”
    “Yeah, I packed last night.” Cam’s sweet smile widened. For
a heartbeat or two Liam saw him as a five-year-old, who believed his big
brother could fix anything.
    Liam narrowed his eyes, tried to imagine his baby brother as
a college man and drew a blank. He wanted to usher him back into the house,
tuck him into his bed and keep his overgrown ass safe at home for the next five
years. Hell, he was only seventeen, practically a baby. “You’re sure Berkeley
is the right school.”
    “Quit fussing. The university is the best geek lab around.
When you were my age you were raising me and Kyle. It’s my turn to grow up.”
    I think you just did . Liam swallowed a sigh and
climbed into the SUV. From long habit he checked Cam’s seat belt was fastened
before he pushed his shades back down and started the engine.
    A mile along the road, he slowed. He drove past the Bennett
place a couple times a day. No choice, unless he wanted to off-road it through
the brush and flatten one of his own fences. The property had been abandoned
for years, since Tilly died. Tiana had moved in and was making up for lost
time. He wondered if one of the workmen swarming around her house was the
stalker and took comfort from the fact his security team had her back.
    “What are they building out back?” Cam asked.
    “Maybe a stable.”
    “Doesn’t make sense, there’s nothing wrong with the barn.”
    “City folks.” Liam shrugged, not interested in discussing
their hot new neighbor with his baby brother.
    The next time he checked, Cam had his ear buds plugged in,
head bobbing to a private beat.
    Liam concentrated on keeping the SUV on the narrow mountain
road. They crossed the bridge at the outskirts of town and he slowed again.
Even this early folks were up and moving. Jenson’s Café, Salzer’s Feed and Seed
and Darrel’s Fuel Depot were all open for business. A water truck puttered
along, stopping to tend the flower baskets decorating Main Street.
    A soft snore buzzed from Cam before they’d cleared Preston.
Liam moved into the HOV lane and set the cruise control to sixty-five. His
brother slept peacefully all the way to Sea-Tac’s departure lanes where Liam
pulled to a stop.
    Cam woke with a smile. “Hey, we’re at the airport. Thanks
for the ride.”
    “You’ve got plenty of time. I could buy you a mocha.”
    “Got it covered, bro.”
    Liam watched his baby brother saunter through the automatic
doors, looking like a responsible adult with a plane to catch.