Page 18
Chapter Seventeen
CAMILA
D inner was interesting.
My family isn’t this big or close. I feel like the odd man out. Red keeps one hand on me at all times. Whether he thinks I’m going to run or one of his younger brothers is going to snatch me, I have no idea. Until I saw his father do the exact same thing with his mom.
I listen to the banter as we eat the best meal I’ve had since arriving in Texas. Who knew that a well-grilled steak and baked potatoes with corn on the cob could be so damn good?
I’m antsy as the clock ticks down to Evelyn’s plane arriving.
I’ve missed her so damn much. Red kept watching me eye my phone, and he smirked without comment. It’s scary how in tune we are with each other. I need my best friend to figure out the feelings I have no business feeling for this cowboy.
“Plane still on time?” he whispers in my ear, making sure his lips graze my neck in a sensual tease.
“Mmhmm.” I try not to moan or close my eyes at the sensations he causes in my body.
“Dessert, anyone?” Elizabeth calls out as yeses and chairs scraping the floor follow when some of the boys get up to help clear the table.
“Let her breathe, bro,” Clayton says as he passes us.
“No. Fuck off,” Red snarls at the other man.
“Easy Red, we just want a chance to get to know Cami.” I’ve been trying to remember who’s who, but these identical twins are impossible.
“Which one is Ramsey and Bradley again?” I whisper at Red.
“Ramsey’s the one in uniform.” I nod and then sit forward a little.
“What do you want to know?” I answer Bradley, who asked.
“Shit,” Red says, leaning back in his chair.
“Never give free access to that one. He’ll question you to death.” Kit plops down with a slice of pecan pie and a look of amusement.
“You don’t know if you don’t ask.” Before Bradley can finish, his brothers all join in to help him out.
“Wow,” I chuckle.
“Twenty questions.” Red’s brother raises an eyebrow in challenge, and I nod.
“Fucking hell. There’s no shame in backing down, Darlin’.” I snap my glaring eyes in his direction.
“The fuck there isn’t. Go ahead, Bradley, ask away.” He grins from ear to ear.
“Call me BJ, you’re family now.” That brings me up short.
Red rubs my back in small circles, calming me instantly.
He’s not playing fair.
“Where were you born?”
“New Jersey.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“Full name?”
“Camila Victoria Greystone.”
“Any siblings?”
“Nope.”
“Occupation?”
I stutter.
“Um, unemployed.”
Red throws his napkin at BJ.
“Good job, asshole.” I roll my eyes.
“It’s fine. Go on,” I wave at him to continue.
“Favorite color?”
“Blue.”
“Any allergies?”
“No.”
“What kind of music do you like?”
I chuckle before answering.
“That would depend on my mood. But I gotta say, Country is at the bottom of that list. Sorry.” I shrug.
“We won’t hold it against you. Can you cook?” I smile at that one.
“Yes, I love baking, though.” Red’s hand is still on my lower back.
“Have you ever ridden a horse?” My cheeks flame red.
“He doesn’t mean Red,” Kit says, and then I hear a grunt.
I don’t even need to look to know Red just punched him.
“No?” BJ leans in for the kill.
“You asking or telling?” I sigh and lean back into Red more.
“Does a pony at the school fair count?” The room grows quiet.
“You can’t be serious.” That comment comes from the silent brother, Stephan, I think was his name.
“She’s only been here a week,” Red says as the room groans.
“Red, you have to get her in the saddle.” His father raps his knuckles on the table as if that is the final word in this discussion.
“Yes, Sir. Tomorrow, once her friend is here. And the weather will be a bit warmer.” I turn to look over my shoulder at him, and he taps his watch.
I glance at my phone and suppress a squeak.
We’d been talking for so long that the hour flew by. I stand and grab our plates, but Kit stops me before I go to the kitchen with them.
“I got those. Go pick up your friend.” I nod in thanks.
“Are you sure it’s alright that Evelyn stays here?” I ask yet again.
“Sugar, she’ll be in the guest room you stayed in for as long as she wants.” Red opens my coat for me to step into.
“And where will I be?” I must not hide my smirk as well as I thought because when I turn to slip my arms into the sleeves, I catch Elizabeth’s eye watching us from the kitchen.
She winks at me.
“Oh, you’ll be sleeping in my room from now on.” His tone is so final and warm that I don’t even feel the need to argue with him.
“Let’s go pick up Evelyn. How long have you two known each other?” I smile as I think back over the years.
“Since kindergarten. She’s my ride-or-die. Have I warned you about her yet?” Red lifts me up onto the passenger seat and leans into the door while shaking his head.
“She’s a little reckless.” It’s the most diplomatic way of describing Evelyn Tucker.
“How reckless?” I snort.
“She’s a female version of you and Kit.” That draws up his eyebrows.
“Fuck, can’t wait to meet her.” I laugh as he closes my door.
“You’re gonna regret that,” I whisper before he gets into the truck.
“Bitch I hate fucking flying. You’re lucky I love your ass. Is this him?” Evelyn crushes me into a hug which means my face is in her tits.
I’m only a few inches over five feet, but Eve is damn near six feet tall. Her dark brown skin blocks out my vision as her arms tighten around my shoulder and head.
“Can’t. Breathe.” I tap on her arm so she lets go.
“Oh, shut up. You love my cleavage. Well, introduce us.” She pushes me into Red, who, thank God, catches me.
“Evelyn Tucker met Fredrick Justice. Red for short.” She crosses her arms, pushing up the breasts that almost suffocated me a moment ago.
“Mmm, nothing short about this hunk of meat.” Red arches an eyebrow at me before extending his hand to Eve.
“People call me Big Red. A pleasure to meet you, Evelyn.” She looks at his hands, and then his feet before her eyes slide to his groin.
“Eve!” I hiss, and she shrugs.
“How big?” I roll my eyes and grab her arm.
Red picks up her suitcase and points toward his truck.
“Watch how she walks if you really want to know.” I choke on the air.
“Damn, I like him!” Evelyn laughs as I try to hide myself from all the people around us who stop to stare at that comment.
“Well, come on,” Eve says, pushing me in front of her to do exactly what he said.
“I hate you both!” I basically run to the truck as they both laugh at me.
Once we’re on the road, I turn to look at her in the back seat.
“So, how bad is it?” I bite my lip as she picks imaginary lint off her clothes.
“Well, he’s been put on administrative leave. Paid,” she sneers the word before she looks up at me.
“He’s trying to pass the blame at you for orchestrating the deal.” I scoff in disbelief.
“This was his merger. I only came to finish the deal. No one will believe him.” I see Red’s arms flex, and his veins pop as we talk.
“Ryan is willing to do anything to make sure he doesn’t see prison time. Which means if you don’t have a lawyer yet, you need one.” I open my mouth, but it’s Red who answers for me.
“She has one, and it’ll be taken care of.” Eve raises a brow.
“My man. Meantime, I’ve done a little digging in the security files and have found a crap load of videos of the scum bag and his assistant.
I really doubt he wants the company knowing they were paying him to fuck more than work, and I’m not above blackmail.
” I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief.
“Go ahead. Let me hear it.” I smile to myself.
“I love you, and you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Red snorts, and we both look at him.
“Second.” Oh no.
“Bitch, I’ll always be first. Learn your place now.” Eve growls at him.
“You can’t give her what I can. Second.” Here we go.
“What orgasms? I can and will if she needs them.” I chuckle at the way Red almost drives off the road at her comment.
“She’s joking.” I pat his knee.
“No, the fuck I’m not. I’ll never leave her wanting, unlike so many men.” God, I missed her.
“Cami?” I shrug at him.
“I tried to warn you,” I say around my giggles.
“Anyway, the only person replacing me as number one will be her husband. And I don’t see no ring, Cowboy.” I glare at her, and all she does is wink at me.
NO! ABORT!
I plead with my eyes, but Eve looks away as if to say she’s not listening.
“I think we need some drinks.” Red pulls into The Courthouse where it all began.
“Oh, is this it?” I nod as her smile grows.
“I’m riding the bull!”