Page 56 of Your Last First Kiss

Mental list four thousand: have a word with Ashton.

“What kind of opportunity?” I ask. “There’s not a lot of need for security here. There are more cows than people. I’m confused.”

Dillon’s body relaxes a little more as he leans against my stove. “I think Ashton likes to be a sneaky helping hand, especially if he thinks it’s in the best interest of someone he cares about. I also think he’s trying to play matchmaker. Possibly has been for a long time.”

My heart rate picks up at his admission.

I know Nova likes the idea of Dillon and me, but I didn’t realize that extended to Ashton. Nova is also aware of all the reasons it’s a bad idea.

“He made a deal with Remy.”

I blink at that information. “For the TAC?”

Dillon nods and watches me carefully. “But I think it all hinges on a missing piece.”

My stomach flips. Sweat gathers in my hair at the base of my neck.

“What missing piece?” I whisper.

His eyes search mine. It’s like he’s pulling secret after secret from each of my irises, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t close myself off from him. Not when he’s opening himself up so completely.

It’s terrifying and exhilarating and everything I can’t have.

“Me. I think they want me here. Permanently.”

CHAPTER17

DILLON

Iwatch her closely for a reaction, and she doesn’t disappoint. Penny’s cheeks flush, and the pulse in the side of her neck throbs an uneven beat. When she licks those swollen lips, my entire body feels it.

“Here?” she squeaks. “As in here, here?” Her hands gesture around the small kitchen, and I struggle to keep my grin contained. But when her eyes go comically round, I let the smile out.

She’s so damned sexy.

I glance through the open doorway to check on the kids. Gage, Lia, and Izzy sit with Mari in some sort of baby chair between them. Their eyes are glassy as they stare at the screen, and the tiny but annoying gnome that sits in my chest telling me families are for other people gives a rough kick against my rib cage.

I ignore the angry little chest-goblin and turn my attention back to Penny.

“Are we friends, Penny?” Maintaining this calm façade by keeping my voice smooth and even takes work. My heart is jackhammering against my chest, and my stomach twists like a tie-dyed T-shirt.

She nods three times, and I watch as her throat works to swallow. “Yes, of course we are.”

“Friends tell each other the truth, right?” Never releasing her gaze from mine, I move a step closer. I can’t help it. She hooked me years ago, and now she’s reeling me in.

“Always,” she says firmly. “Honesty is paramount, Dillon. I won’t accept anything less from anyone in my life. Not anymore.”

There’s my sexy, strong woman, but the subtle reminder of her ex darkens my mood. What the hell did he do to her? But that’s a conversation for another day.

I move forward again, happy as fucking sunshine when she inhales a shaky breath.

“Are we friends here, in your kitchen? Or are we still coworkers?” My voice dips lower, and she blinks. Her eyelashes flutter on her cheekbones like butterfly kisses I want to plant myself.

“We’re not really coworkers, Dillon. You and Lochlan, yes. I’m an assistant, not—”

“Don’t do that,” I growl. That domineering tone flows through me, unexpected and focused on caring for the woman who cares for everyone else. “Don’t diminish your role at the Bryer-Blaine. If you ask anyone in that hotel, they’ll tell you who keeps the day-to-day running. Lochlan may make the decisions on paper, but everyone knows you’re the one who executes. So do not downplay your importance at work, in life, or with me.”

She gulps in that oddly endearing way she has, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I can’t help it. Now that we’re out of the office, it’s like her presence alone makes my lips curl into a smile every single time she’s near.