Page 37 of Harmless Secrets

“Mummy,” she said running toward them.

The two of them sprang apart as if they had been committing a crime.

Devon stepped back, drew in a deep breath and had to get his body back under control. Jesus, his blood was still humming with need. He shoved both his hands through his hair.

“Did you wash your hands?” Ali asked.

Bridget held her hands up as she nodded.

When Devon felt as if he wouldn’t embarrass himself, he turned to face them.

“I think Bridget would like a bath, wouldn’t you, poppet?”

Bridget smiled up at her mother, then at him and nodded.

“Of course. There are a couple of rooms up here with a Jack and Jill bathroom that I thought would work.”

He grabbed their suitcase and Ali grabbed another bag that had their toiletries. They follow him up the stairs.

“Did you build this house?” Ali asked.

“No. It had been on the market for a few months when I found it. I wasn’t really looking at buying a house here, but after Dee had Alana, I wanted to be close by. We’re the only blood family that each of us trusts.”

“But you didn’t want to stay with them?”

“I did a few times, but I like my privacy.”

“I can understand that.”

“Yeah?”

“I was an only child who spent a huge part of her childhood in foreign countries. With my training, large crowds irritate me.”

“You can never be too sure with lots of people around,” Bridget said in a tone most kids would use to repeat grammar rules.

Ali said nothing as they walked down the corridor to the room. He decided to fill the gap.

“Being in a house with Dee…there is no privacy. She’s been like that since we were kids. She’d just barge into my room without knocking. Still does.”

When he reached the first room, he turned and found her smiling at him.

“What?”

She shrugged. “I think it’s nice you have someone like that. I would have killed for a sibling when I was growing up. My parents were surprised by me, so there were no others.”

He heard the wistfulness in her voice. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t have that right. Bridget ran into the room.

“It looks like a princess room!”

He nodded and smiled. “The house came with all the furnishings.”

Ali smiled. “And you kept it because Alana would like it.”

Admiration filled her tone, and he suddenly felt his cheeks heat up. He was fucking blushing. Good lord.

Before he could embarrass himself further, his phone went off. He knew the number.

“I have to take this. Let me know if you need anything.”