Can't Touch This (Can't Touch This #1)

I lowered my jaw, deliberately giving her a heated look. “Many you have yet to discover. One night, we’ll have to have a cooking lesson to pay you back for that biology class you’ll be teaching later.”

“I said geography not biology.”

“I think I need biology more. I still don’t understand the mechanics of sex very well. I need a few more pointers.”

“Okay, and that’s the cue to change the subject.” Rupert clinked his glass with Polly’s bottle. “Here’s to an awesome afternoon with friends.”

Holding up my beer, I said, “Cheers. To a relaxing day with sunshine, booze, good food, and better company.”

Everyone crowded together and clinked. “Cheers.”

Rupe smiled at Polly. “To making new friends.” His eyes flittered to Vesper. “And sussing our potential sister-in-laws.”

Vesper’s cheeks went pink; my gut did a weird pretzel move. “Goddammit, Rupe. You’re here to be nice, not make the damn woman run away like a gerbil.”

“You hear that, Vesper?” Rupert coughed on a mouthful of beer. “He just called you a gerbil. You gonna let him get away with that?”

Vesper fought a smile, hiding her mirth behind another sip of liquor. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll come up with a way to punish him.” The heat in her gaze when she looked my way made my heart stop and my dick inflate in that order.

Now I really needed to get her alone.

By unspoken agreement, we all headed outside and chose respective perches on the deck in the sun.

Rupert placed his beer on the side table of the BBQ and clapped his hands. “Right, the rules for this afternoon are as follows: drinking is a must. Tipsy is key. Fun and stress free are the goal. Eating copious amounts until we feel sick is also the plan and anyone not abiding these strict rules will be evicted.” He looked at all of us. “Got it?”

Vesper nodded.

Polly took a gulp of alcohol, holding up a thumb in agreement.

And I took my woman’s hand while chugging back a mouthful. “Got it.”

Rupert was famous for hosting parties that went from boring events to superstar I-wish-I’d-been-invited-extravaganzas.

I had a feeling this would be no exception.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

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Vesper

I COULDN’T KEEP IT TO myself anymore.

I loved him.

Unequivocally loved him.

I loved the way he understood my close-knit relationship with Polly.

I loved the way he ribbed his brother and doted on all of us as if we each meant the world to him.

I loved the way he fed us with flair and compassion and even cooked a stack of extra sausages for the dogs all lined up on the lawn.

I loved the way he made me welcome on his lap once we’d eaten our fill and done serious damage to the cooler full of alcohol.

I could go on and on but my point was clear. My heart was made up. My future set in stone.

I loved him.