Page 33 of Undeniably Unexpected (Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires #6)

“You drive a hard bargain, Dr. Fritz,” he murmurs, eyes still locked on mine.

“What can I say? I’m very persuasive.”

His head dips in. “I’ve noticed.” He grins. “We’ve mucked this rooster gangster thing all up.”

My chin tilts up, and I inch in to kiss him. “I don’t care.”

Fen barks out, “Dada. Oh no,” as his float spins in a slow circle, a rare scowl on his face, clearly offended that this is happening in his presence.

The rooster under the bush lets out a crow. A short, sharp noise as if he’s signaling the others or, more likely, telling us that kissing in front of an infant is inappropriate.

“Think we’ve got time to sneak this in before the coup?”

“Barely,” Loomis husks, fingers tightening around my wrist. “Better make it count.”

I lean in just enough to make our lips brush and for him to swallow hard. I do it a second time, wondering how this is suddenly our new norm, when Fen slaps the water again, completely killing the mood.

Loomis groans under his breath, his forehead tipping against mine. “He’s a natural-born cockblock.”

I laugh against his mouth. “Pun intended?”

“If only.”

“I think we’ll have to keep pool time PG-rated.”

“Not if I get you naked in it after he’s gone to bed.”

“True. Then we can rate that triple-X. But for now…” I trail off and nod toward the kid splashing in his floaty.

Fen forms a spit bubble. The roosters watch from the bushes. Loomis’s eyes darken like he’s already planning how to get me alone later. A girl could get used to this. Which is why maybe a bit of distance right now is the prudent thing.

I need to go get some work done anyway. I haven’t written a word all day, and given what happened this afternoon, I want to go write it. Like now. Loomis may not know it, but he’s turning into perfect vampire material for me.

I pull the noodle out—which sounds awesomely indecent—and climb out of the pool, earning a frown from Loomis.

“Where are you off to?”

“I’m going to get that margarita and get some work in.”

“And what work is that, love?”

He’s smiling, but it’s not touching his eyes. He knows I’m keeping something from him.

A jolt of uneasiness hits me. Other than a very select few, no one knows about what I do as a side gig.

If I tell him and he ridicules me… I’ll be pissed and hurt and feel self-conscious, which I’m in no mood to be over something I love as much as I do.

I don’t like having to explain myself or my choices, which is why I rarely tell anyone.

Do I want to tell him? Do I want to trust him with that piece of me after the last time I trusted it with someone I cared about?

Loomis isn’t even my real boyfriend. He’s my… friends with benefits? I don’t know.

Before I can respond, my phone rings. Saved by the bell.

I pick it up as I awkwardly wrap a towel around myself. Stupid brace.

“It’s my mom,” I tell Loomis, and he gives me a tight nod, not happy I’m blatantly keeping something from him. For now, I let it go.

“Hi, Mom,” I answer.

“Ha. Gotcha,” my father chirps. “Why haven’t you been picking up my calls?”

Busted. I head back toward the house, needing shade and air conditioning. And that margarita, now that I’m talking to my overprotective father, who has been Team Alden.

“I’ve just missed them.”

“Keegan, you are the worst liar. Like worse than your mother.”

I sigh as I enter the house and then sigh against the blast of cold on my hot skin. “I wasn’t in the mood for the fifty questions.”

“What if I limit it to ten?”

I laugh at his playful tone. “I can’t believe you called me from Mom’s phone.”

“I can’t believe you pick up for her and not me.”

Touché.

“I’m not getting back together with Alden,” I tell him emphatically.

“I know that, Keegs, and that’s okay. That’s why I was calling, and I think why you’ve been ignoring me.

I’m sorry. I never should have inserted my opinion or hopes into your life and choices like that.

I’ll admit, I was excited when you and Alden got back together.

You know we’re close with his parents, and it just felt like a great fit.

It’s not easy finding real love when you’re a Fritz, and I wanted something safe for you.

But I’ve had time to think about it, especially after your mom, Layla, and Kenna ripped me a new asshole over it. ”

I gasp. “They did not.”

“Oh, they did. But that’s okay. They were right to. I just want you to be happy, and I want you to be loved the way you deserve to be. That’s all any dad wants for his little girl.”

And now I’m getting choked up. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot. It’s all I want too, and I’m done settling for less.”

“Good. I’m proud of you. How’s the book going? How’s the wrist? How’s living on a secluded island with a movie star who has as many problems as he has tattoos?”

I laugh. He’s not wrong with that.

“Great, okay, and fine. In that order.”

“Is he behaving and keeping his hands to himself?”

“Dad!” I exclaim as I fill a glass with ice and hold it to my flaming cheek.

Before my dad can challenge me, I hear my mother call out in the background. “Oliver, have you seen my phone?”

“Yes, I stole it, and I’m talking to Keegan.”

My mother curses under her breath. “Put it on speaker. I was going to call her later. Does she know the Red Sox made a big trade?”

“What? For whom?” I squawk, grateful for the topic change. I get my love of all things Boston sports, especially baseball, from my mom. It was something she did with her dad before he died, and she imparted that love onto me and my sister, though Kenna isn’t nearly as into it as I am.

“I’ll tell you all about it after you tell me about Child and Family Services,” she demands, and I launch into an account of everything that happened this morning, omitting the part about what happened after the two social workers left, and after my mom tells me all about the big trade and the hope we have for a good season.

My dad doesn’t bring up Loomis or his hands again.

By the time I hang up with them, my chest feels lighter. I hate not talking to my dad, and him calling to apologize and tell me he’s good with me not getting back together with Alden is everything.

That is until I spot Loomis through the window walking toward the house talking to Fen, who is on his hip. It hasn’t even been a week here, and we’ve already broken our no-sex rule. And if I don’t safeguard myself now, I’m risking breaking a whole lot more than some bones and rules.