I watch her leave and figure Sean is spending the day with us. I have no problem with this. But as Paris leaves, I hear her welcome someone else into the house. I don’t recognise the voice of who she is speaking to.
A moment later, a short, dark-haired woman joins us, her eyes firmly fixed on me. Those eyes are hard and a little unnerving. “You must be Callie,” she says, her voice as hard as her eyes.
“Yes. Hi,” I say, trying to put some warmth into my voice.
Before Luke can introduce us, she says, “I’m Glenda—Luke’s sister-in-law. Jolene’s sister.” She adds the last two words with emphasis as if she’s trying to remind me that Luke is married.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say.
It’s not.
How the hell is Luke surrounded by women I take an instant disliking to?
Luke finally gets a word in. “Thanks for today, Glenda. Sean’s looking forward to it.”
“Oh, he’s not coming with us?” I ask. I’d much rather that than leaving him here with her. Something about this woman rubs me the wrong way, and I’m not sure I’d trust her with my son if I had one.
Luke shakes his head. “No, he’s hanging out with Auntie Glenda.” Leaning close, he murmurs, “I’m not ready to share you yet.”
I’m not ready to share him either, but I’ll always share him with his son.
Luke stands and clears the orange party plate away. “You hungry, Glenda? I’m about to make bacon and eggs.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t touch her eyes. “I’d love some breakfast.”
Oh, goodie.
Yay.
Not.
When she sits opposite me, I push my chair back so I can go help Luke.
“You don’t need to help,” he says as he fries the bacon.
I place my hand on his ass and smile up at him. “Can I pretend I’m helping? Just so I can stand near you?” I speak quietly enough so that Glenda and Sean can’t hear. Besides, Sean has already engaged his aunt in conversation. And as much as she appears to be straining to hear what I’m saying, there’s no way she’s escaping her nephew.
“Baby, any time you wanna put that hand on my ass, you go right ahead,” he says, his voice quiet, but deep.
“I think you’re going to become my drug of choice,” I say as my tummy does somersaults. Being this close to him is one thing, but when he uses that voice on me, I’m done for.
His arm slides around my waist, and he dips his mouth to mine for a kiss. When he pulls away, he says, “You’re already mine, Callie.”
He lets me go so he can direct his energy to cooking, and I just stand by helpless to think straight.
Please, God, never let this change.
I need Luke to always look at me that way.
And speak to me like that.
I’m not na?ve to believe we’ll never have problems, but so long as my man feels enough for me to give me those things, we can get past anything.
* * *
“How did you two meet?” Glenda asks as she and I are packing the dishwasher. Luke is getting Sean ready for his day out.
Breakfast was a chore. She spent the whole meal sucking up Luke’s ass and pandering to Sean. He was fussy during breakfast again, and she tried to argue on his behalf to Luke. I wanted to gag. Luke didn’t back down, and all she achieved was to inspire more tears from Sean.
“We met at his bar about a year ago. My best friend works full-time with him,” I answer her question begrudgingly. I don’t want to give her any information.
“Oh…” She doesn’t end that sentence, and it pisses me off. Her tone is bitchy as fuck.
“Oh, what?” I demand, my body tensing.
She stops what she’s doing and turns to face me completely. “Oh, so you’re a bit of fun for him that he found at his bar.”
The bitch.
Jesus, they’re flying at me thick and fast around here.
“I wouldn’t say that.” I restrain myself, mindful that this woman is related to Luke.
“What would you say? Luke’s hardly interested in anyone at the moment.”
“What does that mean?”
“Do you know his history, honey?”
I place my hand on my hip. “Yes, I know his history,” I snap, unable to control myself.
“Do you really think someone who’s been through what he’s been through is ready to find a long-term woman? If it were me, I’d only want some quick fun for a while.”
My chest tightens with anger. That and the urge to scratch her eyes out. “You know nothing about our relationship, Glenda, and I don’t appreciate your bitchy comments.”