Lumberjack Weekend(Divine Creek Ranch 21)(10)

Violet picked up the storyline at that point. “And when she wakes up, she tries to escape, not realizing she’s in outer space. One of the heroes chases her around the ship. He finally backs her into a corner in the cargo hold, and she kicks him—”

“Right in the balls,” the customer said with a giggle as she blushed and nodded while Lucas cupped his balls through a wave of nauseated sympathy pain.

“I know exactly which book you’re talking about. It’s one of my favorite capture fantasy stories.”

Capture fantasy? That’s a thing? He edged closer so he could hear her better as she continued speaking.

“I loved the way the heroes were take-charge alphas, but they weren’t assholes incapable of love. They wooed her, even as they seduced her, and got her past the shock of both of them wanting her. All the choices were hers, but in the end, she chose them. And the sex was hot enough to melt my Kindle.”

“But you have a copy in paperback, right? I like the way a real book feels in my hands, not that there’s anything wrong with e-books. I just prefer paper.”

“You bet. I know right where it is. You’re putting me in the mood to reread it.” Violet led her away as they chattered on and located the exact book for her before they journeyed to the front of the store to ring up the purchase.

Lucas pondered that conversation and the one they’d overheard as they’d walked up. It sounded like Violet had a vivid fantasy life, and it was just one more thing to love about her, even if she swore up and down ménages weren’t for her.

There was no point in asking her now, though, because the music was too loud to have a decent conversation. Plus, she might bolt if he questioned what she’d meant about never taking another chance with a ménage. Their beautiful girl was full of surprises. And her “wicked, woodsy, and well-hung” fantasy? He didn’t think he was deficient in the “well-hung” category, and he had a whole damned closet full of flannel.

Now he just had to be a little patient to find out if he’d be packing any of it in a suitcase soon.



* * * *



Violet thanked Josh when he slid the bottle of honey over to her as they sat in a booth at Rudy’s, the only eatery still open at ten o’clock in Divine on a Friday night. She watched the golden liquid drizzle onto her spoon, and heat filled her cheeks when she glanced up and caught him watching her with an enigmatic smile on his face.

“So you thought I’d sock you in the jaw for offering a fuck?” she asked after making sure no one was within earshot as she swirled the loaded spoon into her coffee. Josh was always so self-possessed, and it did her heart good when he squirmed a little. Lucas, on the other hand, looked nothing but amused.

“Offending you was the last thing I wanted,” Josh replied as he lifted his mug to his lips. She wondered what it’d feel like to kiss his sensual mouth.

She was willing to bet he was an expert in the art of kissing. He and his charming brother probably both were. Delivering the perfect amount of pressure, enough to make her tilt her head back. Warm, as his lips brushed across hers, testing before going deeper, just a flick of velvety tongue, cajoling her into stroking back with hers. Hands resting gently on her hips before sliding up to pull her closer or risking the move downward to palm her ass cheeks. A hint of a husky groan as their aroused bodies pressed closer together. Her pussy quivered, and she squirmed, very aware of the welling warmth blooming between her thighs.

“You okay?” Lucas asked. His tone was soft, drawing her gaze, and the knowing smile on his lips made her wonder if he wasn’t reading her mind.

Something made her go with honesty. “It was nice seeing you working around the shop today, Josh. The shop isn’t the same without you two around all the time, hammering and sawing. I’ve missed that.”

“All our noise and sawdust?” Lucas asked.

Violet shrugged and then nodded. “You guys were neater than some contractors I’ve known. I didn’t mind it much.”

Josh slid his hand across the white Formica tabletop and brushed her manicured fingertips with his thumb. “I liked being back there for a day, too.”

Lucas sipped from his coffee mug. “Everything going okay at the Emporium?”

“Yes. My customers love the work you and your brothers did.” She hated small talk but couldn’t think with the two of them gazing at her.

She was about to comment on the weather when Josh sat forward and said, “Did that guy call you again today?”

Her eyebrows nearly hit her hairline. It was his way to get to the point. He probably hated small talk as much as she did. “How do you know it was a man calling me?”