The woman behind the counter let out a short chortle, lowering her gaze to her desk. Reed’s well-defined jaw pulled taut as his eyes glazed over, blatantly pondering the vision.
JC bit her lip and mouthed the word goddess with a smirk.
“Oh hell,” he muttered. “You were so mad that night at the bar, I didn’t think you caught that.”
“Oh yeah. I caught it.”
He moseyed to the counter. “We’ll take it.”
The chaise, as well as a long narrow table made from a large reclaimed beam, would be delivered in two days. Both glanced at each other with utter disappointment when the clerk informed them her earliest delivery date was two days away. JC drummed her fingers on the counter with a big long sigh, causing Reed to bow his head and laugh out loud. She was still mumbling under her breath when they walked out the door. No way in hell could she wait two damn days.
The afternoon sun started its downward slope toward the ocean as Reed drove along the coast heading for home. As he pulled into her driveway, JC didn’t want him to leave.
“Would you like to stay for—“
“Yes,” he answered before she could finish her sentence.
As they approached the house, JC turned to face him and leaned her back against the door. “We’ll have to order dinner in. I don’t have anything great to make you tonight, but I’ll make it up to you another night.”
Reed braced his hands on the door, anchoring her to the hard surface. Dipping his head, he pressed his lips to her temple. “I don’t care what we eat. Right now I only want to kiss—”
The front door flew open, sending JC tumbling backwards, nearly knocking her on her ass. Thankfully, John caught her in his arms before she hit the floor. However, she almost knocked her brother off his feet during the fall. Most of Reed’s weight had been pressed against JC. He lunged forward, stumbled inside, catching his footing before falling flat on his face.
“It’s about time you show up. Where the hell have you been?” John questioned with concern, glaring down at his sister squirming in his arms. He helped her to her feet, drawing JC into his bare chest for a hug. “I’ve been trying to call you.”
JC squealed with delight. “What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were coming!” Taking one glance at Reed, who stood with clenched fists, stiff lips and his face turning redder by the second, JC released her brother and reached for Reed’s hand. “I’ve been shopping. Sorry, I must’ve left my phone at home.”
Apprehension clung to her brother like the morning mist of California’s June-gloom. His fingers worked at the buttons of his open navy blue dress shirt as he sized up the large agitated male at his sister’s side.
“Reed, this is my brother, John. John, this is my…my…” A demure grin played across her lips. “What am I supposed to call you?”
Reed shook John’s hand. “I’m workin’ on boyfriend. I’m Reed Rider.”
“Boyfriend?” John grumbled. His stance and voice thick with intimidation. Turning his attention to JC, John’s hard stare softened, a little, firmly grasping Reed’s hand. “You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
JC’s mouth gaped open. “Hey!” she complained, jabbing her brother sharply in the stomach.
“I should’ve realized you were her brother from the pictures. You have the same green eyes,” Reed admitted as his rigid stance slackened.
Shayla peeked around the corner, followed by Richard and Thomas.
“Aunt JC!” the boys screeched simultaneously, running toward her.
JC dropped to her knees, clutching hold of her nephews. “Hi, guys! Holy cowboy! Look at how big you’re getting.”
Richard pulled back from her hug. “Where have you been, Aunt JC?” he demanded with a tremendous amount of authority for a four-year-old.
“Daddy thought he was gonna have to send out a search party,” Thomas chimed in.
She ruffled their hair. “Your daddy is a worry wart.” JC stood, introducing Reed to Shayla and the boys.
“Is that a ‘69 Camaro?” John asked, catching sight of Reed’s car. His reserved tone started to resolve a little. “What do you have in it?”
Both men headed for the car, instantly talking car lingo. Richard and Thomas trotted along between the men. Her brother was a big guy, athletic and fit, but Reed looked huge and rangy compared to John. He was taller by three inches, with wider shoulders and longer arms.
“Where did you find him at?” Shayla asked, nudging JC back into reality.
JC turned, blushing as her smile widened further across her face. “Reed lives next door. The crazy old lady was his aunt.”