The Perfect Stroke (Lucas Brothers #1)(40)

“Men. Who can keep up with them?” Ida Sue says just as the back door opens up. I tense, half-hoping and half-dreading to see Gray walk through the door. It’s not, however. There’s an older man in a black cowboy hat, jeans, and a faded button-up shirt with sandy-blonde hair that has some gray mixed in. Following him is a tall man dressed much the same, but he has shaggy hair, no hat, a faded blue shirt that’s more unbuttoned than buttoned, and he looks like walking sex. He has this rumpled look about him that says he just crawled out of bed, or maybe it’s just the way those smoky brown eyes look that makes you wish he just crawled out of your bed.

“Damn, Mom, something sure smells good in here,” the man says, going to the stove where Ida Sue is standing. He grabs one of the rolls she’s putting in a bowl and takes a bite. My eyes are glued to him because he might be the prettiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Jesus, if all of Ida Sue’s kids look like Gray and this guy, then the woman should have never stopped. In fact, the country should pay her to continue to reproduce because good golly, Miss Molly, I had no idea they even made men like this. I sure haven’t seen them in Kentucky before.

“White Hall, I told you if you didn’t stop your cursing I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap. Show some respect. Grayson’s lady friend is here visiting us.”

White Hall. Definitely a brother, though Grayson left out his middle name. I’m almost scared to ask where the Hall comes from, but considering the story about Magnolia, I have a pretty good idea. White turns around to look at me and those smoky eyes travel up and down my body, and in a way I just know he’s not missing anything. Heck, I’m hung up on his brother and still I can feel myself getting warm and tingly. This guy must break women’s hearts far and wide.

“I definitely like this one better than the last one. What’s your name, sweet thing?” he asks, and I almost want to roll my eyes. Did all the boys learn how to pick up a woman the same way? Gray’s “sweet lips” were more interesting.

“I’m CC,” I answer, laughing.

“I’m in love,” White answers, sliding in beside me and sitting so close I have to move over to make room between us. I shouldn’t have bothered because he just crowds up against me again.

“Behave, White Hall. This here is Gray’s Claudia.”

Gray’s Claudia? What does that mean? I’d clear my throat to object, but I don’t get the chance.

“Me-maw! Me-maw!” A little white-blonde tornado comes in yelling wearing nothing but a smile. He’s running straight for Ida Sue who stops what she’s doing, bends down to meet him, and the biggest smile comes on her face. I’m struck again with how beautiful Grayson’s mom is. I’m starting to feel frumpy around these people. All those old body issues are coming back to haunt me.

“What did I tell you about wearing clothes, River?” she asks, and the name jars me so much that the knife slips and I cut myself.

“Shit!” I growl, holding my thumb out to inspect the damage.

“What did you do, sweet thing? Here, let old White have a look at it,” White says, taking the knife from me. He looks up and winks at me. “Experience has taught me to watch women with sharp objects. We’ll just put this down.”

“Experience has taught you that women learn your bullshit fast and you have to be careful,” a man says, coming through the front door. He’s got blonde hair much like the child and he’s also freaking sexy and he’s wearing a uniform; sheriff, to be exact. Yeah, I’m definitely feeling frumpy around here.

“Bite me, Luca,” White says.

“No, thanks. Haven’t had enough shots to protect me from all the diseases you’ve probably contracted over the years.”

“You staying for dinner, Luca?” Ida Sue asks, but she seems a little cold towards the new guy. I definitely detect a chill there.

“Here, sweet thing, you’re bleeding,” White says, then kisses my hand against the wound, which might be bleeding, but if it is, it’s not much. His mouth is warm and the female in me can appreciate the soft feel of his lips, but the guy himself, as cute as he is, is starting to annoy me. I try to pull my hand away but he’s not letting go easily.

“No, Ida Sue. Just bringing River and dropping him off. Petal said she was coming here for dinner to meet Grayson’s girlfriend,” I hear the other guy answer.

This place is chaos because I hear doors open in the background coming from the living room. A couple more people come in through the kitchen door at the same time while White still kisses my hand. The naked kid is asking Ida where Terry is.

But I’m frozen because I heard the sheriff’s words. I’ve been feeling out of my depth and not talking a lot, but before I can stop myself, my mouth picks now to finally work.

“Cammie’s coming here?” I squeak because I really can’t handle that.

“Who is Cammie?” the sheriff asks.

“I hope to f*ck not,” the older man joins in.

Then, I hear the voice I’d been wanting to hear ever since I first stepped foot in this crazy house. “White, what the f*ck are you doing with CC? Drop her hand right now!”

Gray’s voice rings louder than anyone else’s, and the room goes quiet. My eyes automatically go to him. How is it that the man is better looking now than he was just six days ago? That doesn’t seem fair.