Page 50 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

I couldn’t even guess how many times I’ve driven here and parked in this spot at the edge of the driveway. But today it’s different.

Because Kendra is here.

And Joe isn’t.

After turning off my truck, I grab the two to-go containers off my passenger seat and shove open my door.

I get that I can’t take Kendra out on a date. Not anywhere nearby, at least. So we’ll have lunch here.

And if I’m lucky, she’ll let me have her for dessert.

As I slam my truck door shut behind me, the front door opens. And Kendra steps out.

She’s in jean shorts that show off every inch of her soft thighs.

Soft, delicious thighs.

Maybe after lunch, before Joe comes home, we can watch TV. Kendra can sit at one end of the couch, and I can lie across the couch with my head pillowed in her lap.

I trail my gaze up her body, taking in the silky blue tank top and the hint of a lacy white bra beneath.

I take a step toward her.

She takes a step toward me.

The breeze blows her loose hair around her shoulders.

I slide my tongue out to wet my lips.

And we both stop when we hear tires on gravel.

Shit.

Turning away from my beauty queen, I watch as Joe’s truck appears in the driveway.

So much for lap pillows.

Fucker.

I force my shoulders to relax as I remind myself that Joe’s my friend. Even if he does feel like a cockblocking enemy at the moment.

Kendra and I both stay where we are, waiting, while Joe pulls his truck into the garage—signaling that he plans to be home for the rest of the day.

Which is bullshit because I specifically remember him telling me that he had meetings all day with suppliers.

Meetings at the shop, not at fucking home.

“Hey.” He lifts a hand as he steps out into the driveway, stopping between Kendra and me. “What’s going on? Did I forget about something?”

He’s smiling. Head nowhere near the gutter.

I work to keep a normal smile on my face. “Just dropping off some lunch.” I lift the containers holding the pair of burgers I brought from the Inn.

“Oh, nice.” He eyes my hands. “You didn’t bring one for yourself?” Joe asks, sounding surprised.

Yeah, I’m surprised too, motherfucker. One of these was supposed to be mine.

“Nah, I had one earlier.” I lie, stomach on the verge of growling. “Just a thank-you for feeding me last weekend.”

Joe closes the distance between us, taking the food from my hands.

He presses his nose to the boxes and inhales. “Smells damn good. Compliments to Diego.” Joe shimmies his shoulders. “My lucky day. You must’ve forgotten, but I was supposed to be stuck in meetings all damn day.”

I furrow my brows, pretending to think. “Oh, right.”

“Rescheduled for tomorrow.” Joe shrugs, like he hasn’t ruined my life.

Glancing over, I see Kendra fighting a smile.

She thinks this is funny.

I really need to figure out a punishment for her.

“I can split mine if you’d like,” Kendra offers, letting me hear her voice for the first time today.

“I’m not going to take your food. I’m trying to feed you. Guys.” I awkwardly tack on the last word.

“No, she’s right.” Joe gestures toward the house. “You can have a third of each of ours. Then it’ll be even.”

“How are you gonna cut a burger into thirds?” I ask to be annoying. Because no matter what I just said, I’d do just about anything to stay. Especially since everyone is forgetting that I claimed to have already eaten.

Joe tips his head as he walks to the front steps. “Just gotta measure a hundred-and-twenty-degree angle from the center of the bun.”

“You bustin’ out a carpenter’s square for this?” I joke.

Joe pauses. “That’s not a bad idea. I have one in the garage.” He starts to turn around.

“You’re not putting some dusty-ass tool on my burger.” Kendra stops him. “We’ll eyeball it.”

“Fine, fine,” Joe sighs as he climbs the front steps. “But don’t come crying to me when you end up with the smallest two-thirds.”