Free Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) by Nikki Lynn Barrett Page B

notches.
    “Lucas, I’m not a child,” Avery protested.
    He silenced her, with his lips. They crashed on hers, and he wrapped his free hand around her shoulder.
    Whoa.
    When he pulled away, he looked into her eyes intensely. “I know you’re not a child. I just have this feeling. And though I don’t know you, you’re right, I care about you. I’m having feelings that I don’t know if I should be having about you. So, please, let me walk with you and check him out?”
    “Damn you, Lucas,” Avery muttered. “I don’t understand you. You toy with me. Kiss me like that and then beg for a favor? You’re inhuman!”
    Lucas smiled, kissing her full on the lips. “Yeah, I am. But I got what I wanted, didn’t I?” He cupped her face. “In seriousness, I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
    Avery pulled away and wagged her finger. “I think you’ll owe me,” she warned.
    “I aim to please. What do you want?”
    “I’ll make a list,” Avery said slyly. She pointed to her watch. “Now, I really don’t want to be late. I’m nervous as it is. So stop distracting me with those sexy lips and walk with me if you’re going to.”
    Lucas snickered. “Sexy lips? Okay, I’ll take that.” He followed her down the hall until she stopped in front of Rodney’s door. She drew in a sharp breath. This was it.
    “Are you okay?” Lucas asked, touching her shoulder gently. Avery faced him.
    “No. I’m scared. I’ve wondered all my life about my birth parents, but never pursued. I didn’t want to hurt Mom and Dad. Yet, here’s a man who could be the key to my past.” She trembled.
    Lucas’s gaze darted to the door, then back at her. “You’ll be just fine. Breathe.”
    She did so. Lucas knocked on the door for her before she could do it herself. He took a step back and nudged her forward. “Coming!” Rodney’s voice was muffled through the door, then footsteps drew near. The door opened slowly, then wider as Rodney’s head poked out and saw her. A smile spread across his face as he reached out to hug her. Avery stepped into his embrace, a little unsure, but went with the flow anyway.
    “I was afraid you wouldn’t show,” Rodney whispered in her ear, cradling her head. Then the hug was over. “I don’t want to overwhelm you. I just- I needed that hug.”
    “It’s okay. You just caught me off guard. I’m overwhelmed at this whole thing right now,” Avery admitted, her voice shaky.
    “You brought someone with you?” Rodney asked, looking over at Lucas. His tone was light and kind. Warm.
    “I ran into her in the hall and when she appeared nervous, I offered to walk her,” Lucas said, eyeing Rodney.
    “Is this your boyfriend, Avery?” Rodney looked from Lucas to Avery with a smile.
    “Oh, no!” Avery protested. “He’s not. I’ve only met him recently, too.” She moved a little further away from Lucas. She wasn’t even sure why.
    “Oh? Well, the sparks between you two are very evident,” Rodney said, looking a little confused.
    Sparks? Her and Lucas? Okay, that was new. She barely knew the man.
    Then why would you kiss him the way you have?
    Avery stifled a sigh. She really was an open book.
    Rodney turned to Lucas. “Will you be joining us for dinner?”
    “No-” both Lucas and Avery said at the same time.
    “I don’t mind if he comes along if you don’t, Avery,” Rodney insisted.
    What would it hurt? That way, if things got awkward...
    Wait. They already were.
    Oh well. Whatever. It still wouldn’t hurt if Lucas came along. Avery glanced at Lucas. “You’re more than welcome to join us.”
    “Thank you. I’d love that.”
    “Well then, shall we?” Rodney asked. “What do you suggest?”
    “I know a great place within walking distance.” Avery led Rodney and Lucas to the elevator. What had she gotten herself into? She was still reeling from Lucas’s kisses, and being around her birth father... “If y’all like all-American food.”
    Lucas and Rodney nodded in