Page 76 of A Little Luck
“You love your friend.”
“And tomorrow night’s the bachelorette.” She leans against the counter. “Are you getting together with the guys? Are y’all planning something crazy?”
“If by crazy you mean sitting around the distillery listening to music and shooting the shit while we drink my brother’s expensive bourbon.”
“We’re meeting at the Star Parlor since Gwen rented Britt’s old apartment.” Her lips twist. “It’ll be our first girls’ night with no watermelon margaritas.”
“Does this mean we’re growing up?” I catch the end of her long ponytail, sliding the soft hair back and forth between my fingers.
“Heaven forbid,” she scoffs, and I exhale a laugh. “We still know how to party and have fun—it’s just all these babies.” Her eyes land on the clock, and she does a little jump. “Shit, and I’ve got to finish this story.”
“I’ll pick up the little man.” Catching her cheeks gently in my fingers, I lean down to trace a ghost of a kiss across her pink lips.
Her breath catches, and she blinks up at me. Lust is in her eyes, and my dick twitches.
Stepping forward, I put my hands on each side of her on the countertop. “Just think if you hadn’t hired that assistant what we might do right now.”
She touches my waist, moving closer, and my muscles tense. “If I hadn’t hired her, we might not have christened your kitchen bar last night.”
A naughty smile is on her lips, and my dick is fully hard. “This office needs some updating. Blackout shades for your office, or curtains at the very least.”
“Are you offering to help me with that?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nip the side of her jaw before pushing away and heading to the door. “I’ll take care of all your needs.”
CHAPTER17
PIPER
Ahuge smile is on my lips, and I need a fresh pair of underwear. I don’t know how I’m supposed to finish this feature on the new pastor with nothing but dirty thoughts of Adam Stone in my head.
Glancing to the smaller office, I see Jemima sitting in her short skirt with her legs crossed in Raif’s direction. He’s leaned back in the chair watching her, and I’ve never seen the town bad boy look completely helpless.
I shake my head and start for my office when the door opens. “Excuse me, I wonder if you might help me.”
“Grand Central today,” I mutter under my breath, turning to see an older man on the other side of the counter.
He’s dressed in pressed jeans and a charcoal blazer over a white shirt. His dark hair is touched with gray, and he’s got a scruffy beard on his chin. He could be a wealthy tourist up from one of the beach resorts, possibly searching for the distillery, but when our eyes meet, my skin bristles.
“I can try.” My tone is neutral.
“I’m looking for someone.” His gaze reminds me of a predatory bird, and I think of a T-Rex chicken—and I hope Adam has Ryan and they’re on the way to the house.
“If you’d like to file a missing person’s report, the sheriff’s office is at the courthouse.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his cold eyes, which are fixed on me. “I’d rather not involve the authorities. It’s a delicate matter.”
I don’t go to the counter. Instead, I keep a distance between us. “Who are you looking for?”
“Rosie McClure.” As he says the name, he studies me, almost like he’s looking for any reaction I might have.
I don’t recognize the name. “Is it your child? Grandchild?”
“My wife.” Again, the flatness in his tone doesn’t feel like he’s worried.
It feels like he’s hunting.
“Did you say Rosie McClure?” Raif walks up to the counter beside me, and I have to do a double-take.