Tied With Me (With Me In Seattle)(64)

“He should have kids,” I whisper softly. “You and I both know I can’t give him that.”

“You are so ridiculous.” Bailey groans. “You don’t know that.”

“I’m pretty sure. I can’t fall in love with him. I’m not the girl for him.”

“Right, so, he has an amazing family, a good job…” She’s ticking his attributes off on her fingers. “He’s not a freeloader or a loser, he’s loyal and good with kids, and he’s f*cking amazing in the bedroom. That bastard!”

“Ha ha.”

“So, you went from not wanting him because he’s a Dom to not wanting him because he might want kids one day?”

“You make it sound so dumb.” I laugh. “I’m trying to guard my own heart here, Bailey. I’m not trying to hurt him. Or me.”

“You’re such a worrier. Just keep doing what you were doing in the beginning. Enjoy him and cross the kids issue if and when he proposes.”

I choke on my drink at the mention of proposing, my eyes watering as I cough and sputter.

“Okay, so the idea of marriage scares you,” she mumbles. “I was kind of joking, Nic.”

“Don’t even say that!”

“Honey, I just witnessed you two together. That was a smitten man.”

I start to reply, but she holds her hand up, stopping me. “And you were just as smitten. I know it’s early days, but Matt isn’t going anywhere. Just enjoy him.”

“He is amazing in bed,” I concede.

“Oh sure, rub it in. You’re cruel. I stuck up for you back there and threatened a man of the law, and all you can do to pay me back is remind me that you’re getting laid and I’m not?”

I giggle and pop a chip in my mouth. “It’s really, really good sex.”

“I hate you.”

***

“You made it!” Brynna exclaims as she opens the door to me.

“I almost didn’t find you,” I admit with a rueful smile. “You’re kind of tucked away here.”

That’s an understatement. Caleb and Brynna live in a beautiful house in the Alki Beach neighborhood of Seattle. This is one of my favorite parts of the city, especially in summer. There are shops to browse, excellent restaurants, including my favorite pub, The Celtic Swell, and miles of paths to walk and admire the Seattle skyline.

“Well, I’m glad you did find us.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I have to stand on my toes to reach her.

Brynna is tall, with long dark hair and gorgeous dark eyes.

“The guys are out back with the girls, who are currently trying to talk us into a later bedtime.”

“It’s summer.” I shrug like this is a normal thing. “How are the girls?”

“Great. Let’s go see them.”

She leads me through the house and out back, where a one-eyed dog is barking happily and Caleb and Matt are both doing pull-ups on a metal bar.

“Holy crap,” I mutter and stop in my tracks, watching as both men steadily raise and lower themselves on the bar. They’ve both taken off their shirts, and their backs and arms are riots of pure muscle. Caleb has a tattoo on his shoulder, but I can’t read it from here. They’re both covered with a light sheen of sweat, and they’re calling out taunts to each other.

“Uncle Matt is at twenty!” Josie calls out.

“Daddy has nineteen!” Maddie adds.

“I’m going to beat you, little brother.”

“Bullshit,” Caleb replies.

“Daddy has to put money in the Swear Jar!” Josie announces.

“Seems they distracted the men with pull-ups to get out of going up for bed,” Brynna says and crosses her arms over her chest, watching her man. “They make quite the pair, don’t they?”

“Good God, it should be illegal to look like that,” I agree. “How do you keep your composure at family events, Bryn? Seriously, I thought I was going to have a heart attack yesterday.”

She laughs and drapes her arm around my shoulders, hugging me to her side. “It is a bit intimidating in the beginning, but they’re all just normal people, Nic. Will farts like crazy and blames it on Meg. Jules’ hormones are so crazy right now, she snips at everyone and then cries and begs for forgiveness. It’s the usual sibling stuff.”

“Huh.” I tilt my head and watch the men both drop to the ground.