LITMIR.BIZ

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all breathless.” Paddy cupped the back of her neck and slowly walked her into his chest. And she let him.

      “I have asthma and you made me walk up stairs.”

      He laughed. “I swam with you a few days ago. You’re in excellent shape. But goddamn, I love your body.”

      She gulped. “Oh.”

      “You need to be quiet so I can kiss you now.”

      She nodded.

      He started at the corner of her mouth. Just a brush of his lips. When she smiled, he licked at the spot, making her draw a breath. That’s when he used her distraction to sneak his very talented tongue right into her mouth.

      Just a quick flick, and then he was gone again. He nipped her bottom lip, tugging until she moaned softly, digging her nails into his biceps where she’d been grasping him to stay standing because her knees had gone to jelly.

      “You taste like cinnamon.”

      He backed off, and she was sure she should have been glad, but she really liked his mouth on hers.

      “Gum. The cinnamon, I mean. And maybe two boxes of Hot Tamales.” Perhaps three, but that wasn’t something she could confirm as she tended to lose count.

      He grinned. “Come downstairs. Ezra went into town, and he’s picking Thai food up for us. He should be here shortly.”

      She followed him from the room and down the stairs. He had a great back. And a great butt, too.

      “I should have asked if you liked Thai food. If you don’t, I can make something. I went to the grocery store, but then I realized I’d rather order in and have more time with you.”

      “Thai is good. I order it all the time, but I haven’t had it in a few weeks. Tuesday got a slow cooker and she’s been making all sorts of great stuff in it. It’s pretty awesome that one of us can cook.”

      “How come you can’t?”

      She started to answer, but there was a knock on the door.

      “Hold that thought. Ezra’s here.”

      Paddy bellowed out a come in as he jogged toward the front entry. When Ezra came around the corner into the room, she totally recognized him from before. Where Paddy was gorgeous, Ezra was ruggedly handsome. Big and brawny, he looked every inch the rancher he was. She bet he looked really good doing sweaty things like baling hay or riding a horse.

      He flashed her a smile. “Hey! I remember you.”

      It was impossible not to smile back. He thrust the bags at Paddy and headed to her, taking her hands in his. “It’s good to see you after all these years.”

      “You, as well. Paddy’s been telling me about the job you do here on the ranch and also the collaborative way you put out Sweet Hollow Ranch’s music. I’m totally impressed.”

      Paddy made a sound, and they looked up at him. He had puppy-dog face, and it was very cute.

      “You can tell he was the spoiled one. He can’t deal if everyone isn’t fawning over him all the time.”

      “Shut it, buttface.”

      “Notice he didn’t dispute my statement.”

      “She’s my date. Go away.”

      “Thank you for bringing us dinner, Ezra.” Natalie patted his arm.

      He sent Paddy a face, and she burst out laughing.

      “I’d love to have dinner with you guys, thanks for asking.” Ezra turned to her and led her into the kitchen. “Gives me a chance to catch up with Natalie. I don’t suppose you have that Mustang anymore?”

      “Oh, my God, you remember that? I kept it for years, wanting to get it restored, but I never had the time or inclination and I ended up selling it.”

      Paddy turned and pulled her into a hug. “I forgot about that sexy fastback you used to have.”

      “So you both love cars, clearly. Given the one you drove the other day, I should have guessed.”

      “Paddy’s past love and working his way into obsession. But, as far as obsessions go, classic cars isn’t a bad one.” Ezra pulled out a chair at the table. “Sit.”

      She did, trying not to laugh more as Paddy frowned at his big brother.

      “Hey, we understand that you need to go home. Thanks for understanding I’m on a date and all.”

      “I headed Mom off so I think the phrase you’re looking for is, thanks, Ezra, for saving me from an evening of baby pictures and stories about the time I yarked on that Santa at the Bon Marche.”

      “I don’t know which is worse,” Paddy muttered.

      “Please. Don’t lie. Sharon Hurley nosy about her baby’s date is way worse than me eating all your crab rangoon and leaving after I know I’ve given you an eye tic for a few hours.”

      Paddy thrust plates into his brother’s arms. “At least set the table.” Paddy turned to Natalie with a far friendlier look than he gave his brother. “What can I get you to drink? I’ve got waters, juices, orange soda, beer, wine. I can do mixed drinks, too. I have champagne for later, but not until Ezra leaves.”

      “I’d love some orange soda.” The two men moved around the kitchen—and each other—with ease, saying far more about their bond to each other than their bickering had. It was clear the two spent a lot of time like this, just hanging out.

      “So—” Ezra grinned her way for a moment and continued eating “—you’re a librarian. Why Hood River?”

      “Well, there were a few places that had openings. I visited several cities in a few states. I visited here in May, so it was so pretty and warm and everyone was friendly. I liked the library here. Liked the programs. But to be totally honest with you? I was driving around, you know, just checking the area out, and I drove past a big blue Victorian with a for-sale sign out front.”

      She’d slowed, looking up at it and had wanted it with a greed she rarely allowed herself to feel. The curves of all the bay windows, the lattice work; the house was like a childhood dream come true.

      “It was the house that sold me on Hood River. Don’t tell my boss that, though.”

      Ezra laughed, but it was Paddy who spoke next. “So? The house?”

      “I went back to my hotel and contacted the listing agent. I made an offer the next day after I did a walkthrough. Moved in sixty days later. It’s a really big house, though, so I lived in half while I did a lot of remodeling on the rest. And then my best friend came to visit, and she fell in love with it, too, and she now lives in the other half.”

      She wanted to ask him why he’d chosen to run the ranch, but she didn’t know him well enough, and she didn’t want to push any buttons about his past addiction. Addiction talk often made her antsy, anyway.

      “I think I know the house you mean. It’s not blue anymore, though. It’s green and white. That’s the one. Overlooking the river, right?”

      She nodded. “Yep. It was that color originally, and when I saw the swatches, I knew I wanted it that way again.”

      Ezra stayed long enough for her to know he wanted to check her out and be sure she was okay. It spoke volumes about the closeness of this family. But it sure was nice when he finally sent a grin to Paddy as he stood, patting his belly.

      “That was awesome, kids. I’m off home.”

      She rose, and he kissed her cheek before they followed him down the hall to the door.

      “Make good choices.” Ezra winked, and Paddy rolled his eyes, opening the front door.

      “Yeah, yeah. Thanks for bringing the food. See you later.”

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