Split(34)

I blink up and realize that I’d completely zoned out for the last thirty minutes of the trip. I’d like to say it was the come-down from the adrenaline that did it, but that’d be a lie.

My zoning out was more like a daydream. A fantasy playing on a loop, over and over, and it starred the insanely sexy and frustratingly complex man at my side.

I imagined what he’d look like shirtless, but what I saw today put my imagination to shame. He’s built, I noticed, like a swimmer. Broad, powerful shoulders that taper into narrow hips, dips and valleys created by long firm muscle, and his ass . . . Let’s just say watching Lucas crawl out of the water was even better than watching him jump in.

But that’s not his most impressive body part. As much as it made me feel like a dirty old woman, I couldn’t help but check out his crotch, and the sight was as sexy as it was terrifying.

Oh, who am I kidding? The man is packing and as much as he tried to hide it, there was no way he could. His white boxer briefs clung to every part of his body and even after being in cold water it was impossible not to notice.

“. . . you can have it.”

I choke, then cough to clear my throat. “What?”

He stares at me through narrowed eyes. “The taco. You got three, right? I was saying if you want to keep it for dinner with your family, you can have it.” He pulls the truck up to the work site, backing it into a spot close to the two-story board and batten home with a wraparound porch.

My face is on fire, but luckily he’s too busy parking to notice. “Oh, right. No, it’s okay, I got it for you.”

My brother looks up from a table saw and pulls off his safety glasses before heading toward us.

We hop out and meet him at the flatbed.

“Nice job.” Cody inspects the stack of pallets. “It’s all here?”

I open my mouth to speak.

“It is.” Lucas hands over the paper that I swore was in my possession. Or did I give it to him? “Checked it against the purchase order.”

It’s possible that being around his near nakedness may have screwed with my short-term memory.

“Great.” Cody shoves it into his pocket. “We’re finishing up here. You’re welcome to head in and see what you can do.”

“Oh, I need a ride back to the office. My truck—”

“Dad took your truck in.” Cody grins like he lit the fuse to a firework and he’s sitting back to enjoy the show.

“He did what?”

“Yeah, said it needed some work done.”

“He didn’t even ask me!” Controlling, pushy mountain man! I groan and let go of the fight that has me fisting my hands. The adrenaline rush and subsequent fall from the jump at Dead Man’s still simmers in my veins and cools my temper. “Whatever.”

“I can take her home.”

All eyes go to Lucas, who’s fidgeting with the bill of his baseball hat. “I need to work on my carving anyway. I’ll drop her off at Nash’s on my way.”

Cody slaps Lucas on the shoulder. “Sounds good. Thanks, man.”

“Um . . . hello?” I wave my hands between my brother and Lucas. “Believe it or not, I’ve managed to get myself through the last five years with zero help from y’all. I’m sure I can handle the decision on how I get home.” I cross my arms over my chest.

Lucas stays silent, but Cody matches my stance in a direct challenge. “Oh yeah? Go ahead.”

I take a moment to peruse the job site and see every available man engrossed in something. I clear my throat and throw back my shoulders. “I’ve decided to have Lucas take me home.”

My brother shakes his head and flicks my shoulder with his dirty hand. “Good idea, smart-ass.” Then walks away.

“Smart-ass? Guess I’ll just keep the fry bread tacos I brought you from—”

“Whoa . . .” He holds up a hand and whirls back toward me. “Did you say what I think you just said?”

“Oh I said it, and I’ll eat it if you don’t tell me I’m the best big sister in the world and that your universe would cease to spin without me in it.” I tap my foot, waiting.

“You are the best big sister ever.” He wraps me in a hug and groans. “Oh my God, I can smell it on you! Green chili?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I love you, I love you, I love you!” His eyes narrow on my head, then dart to Lucas’s, which is hidden mostly under his hat. “Shy, why are you wet?”

It’s a simple question with an easy answer. We stopped at Dead Man’s Drop, but for some reason it feels scandalous. I clear my throat and play it off casually. “Hot as hell out. Lucas hasn’t been, so we stopped at Dead Man’s.” I play off the weirdness I’m feeling with a grin.

Cody’s eyes grow tighter. Lucas shuffles his feet beside me as we agonize through the few seconds of pregnant silence.

“Cool.” Cody shrugs, all evidence of accusation erased from his face. “Don’t forget to leave me that taco, favorite sister of mine.”

I exhale, relaxing a bit, and turn to Lucas. His full, soft-looking lips pull into a smile. Something I’ve decided I really like seeing on him. He notices me staring and drops his gaze, but I don’t miss the upward turn of his lips intensifying. I celebrate a small victory at being the person who put it there.