Page 37 of Forbidden Kisses

"I see," I replied. "How do you even know?"

"From Jeremy, obviously," Knox said.

"Did he tell the whole family?"

"Not sure, but he toldus, andwetold everyone." Finn wasn't even apologetic.

My brothers were something, but I couldn't be mad at them. I was pleased that they all spent so much time with my son. Jeremy probably just blabbed it, and besides, he wouldn't know to keep it a secret.

"No plans, no," I said.

"But the question is, would you tell us if you had any?" Finn asked.

I sighed heavily. "Where’s Griffin when I need him?"

Wyatt straightened in the chair, rolling his shoulders back. "What do you mean? I'm right here representing the middle group."

Growing up, there were three groups. Chase and I were the older ones, Griffin and Wyatt the middle, and Knox and Finn the younger ones.

I pointed from him to Knox and Finn. "Yeah, but you know you’re more in their group."

"I'm affronted," Wyatt exclaimed. He was more cerebral than Griffin—usually, anyway—and they had a way to balance themselves out.

"Dude, what the hell?" Knox said directly to him.

"Yeah," Finn added. "Nowwe'reaffronted thatyou'reaffronted."

I laughed as they started to bicker. It was good to be surrounded by my brothers. Pity Chase wasn’t here. I wanted to pick his brain on how he’d managed things with Hannah, hoping that might give me some ideas for my situation.

It was incredibly hard to stay professional when it came to Riley. I was constantly trying to tamp down my interest and my need for her. It was more than a physical thing. I liked talking with her. Riley wore her heart on her sleeve. She was spontaneous yet mature for her age and fun-loving. I liked that a lot—and Jeremy did too.

Riley had a fresh insight into things, and her natural sincerity appealed to me. I’d never been interested in anyone in this way. Things between Shona and I had been different. We’d had a great time together, but neither of us was in love with the other. That was why we’d never married. We’d tried to test the waters as a family, but we were honest with each other when it was clear it wouldn’t work and broke up early on before it got even more difficult to do so.

As soon as I got to the office, I checked my phone. Riley had sent me a picture of her and Jeremy at the ocean. Since their time at the amusement park, she’d taken him to various places to “broaden his horizons,” as she phrased it. Today was the beach, and I wished I was there with them.

Duncan: You look beautiful.

There went my legendary self-control.

Riley: Duncan…

Duncan: I know. I'm trying.

Riley: Really?

No, not really. I knew what was right. I knew what I had to do, and yet at the same time, I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep myself in check.

But I promised myself that tomorrow, when she sent me the picture after she’d picked up Jeremy, I wouldn’t flirt back.

But of course, that thought didn’t last. Because the next day, she sent me a picture of the two of them at the Natural History Museum. She was wearing a white dress with a boatneck. I couldn't see her cleavage or anything, but damn if I didn't want to.

Duncan: I wish I was there with you.

Riley: I think Jeremy would enjoy it too.

I took a deep breath.

Duncan: No, with YOU.