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“That gives us something in common.”

Walker’s eyes come to mine and glow in that beautiful shade of blue I can see clearly.

Travis opens the cooler and hands Walker another beer, muttering something about getting comfortable for a long night. He takes it and comes to sit next to me, kissing my cheek before settling back.

I lean over to Leslie and speak quietly, hoping only she can hear. “If you want to know more about the bikini contest, I’ll tell you when we’re alone. Walker gets kinda possessive.”

She smiles sympathetically and pats my hand. “Honey, welcome to life with a Scott man.”

Chapter 23

Walker

A car door slams loud enough to wake me, and I hear the faint jingle. There’s a familiar rustle before the scraping and clawing begins. Emi jolts, throwing her leg over my waist and clutching my chest.

“Is that a wild animal?” she whispers sleepily.

“No, babe. It’s my dad and Micky.”

As if Micky has sonic hearing, he barks at his name, causing her to jerk again.

“I take it Micky’s a dog.”

“What gave it away?” I tease, squeezing her shoulder.

“It’s way too early for you to mock me.” She nuzzles into my chest.

I grab my phone off the nightstand and check the time. “It’s nine. We slept in.”

“It feels like we just went to sleep. You kept me up late last night, or this morning.”

“What’d you expect when you finally gave me a pass to enjoy your piercings?”

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m pretty sure my entire body feels the after-effects.”

I smile to myself. “Then I did it right.”

“Wait! Did you say your dad is here?” She scrambles back and winces at the sudden movement.

“Yeah.”

“But I’m naked!”

“He’s not comin

g in until I answer the door. He knows better.”

“But I’m naked!” she repeats, this time a little more hysterically.

“He’s not going to see you.”

“Go get him.” She shoves me. “Don’t leave him outside or he’ll wonder what we’re doing.”

“We’re not doing anything. We’re lying in bed after waking up. There’s nothing even slightly sexual about that.”

“Yes, but he doesn’t know that.”

“Relax and take your time getting ready. I’ll go make some coffee and let him in.” I kiss her quickly and slide out from her hold, grabbing my jeans off the floor. When I get to the door, I turn to find her sitting up in bed with the sheets pooled around her waist, watching me. Those damn gems sparkle in the light, and my mouth waters to run my tongue over them again.