Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(39)

The brothers looked up when Lily entered the kitchen with Seth right behind her. She offered both Dillon and Michael a tentative smile, and Michael reached his hand out to her.

When she took it, he pulled her onto the barstool next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. He nuzzled against her temple, inhaling her sweet scent.

“I missed you today,” he whispered.

She turned and gifted him with a broad smile and then leaned her forehead to his. “I missed you too. I met your family. They’re all so great. You’re lucky to have them.”

“They’ll be your family too,” he pointed out.

Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t considered that aspect. There were equal parts fear and longing in her eyes. And then she smiled again. “I guess that makes me lucky too, then.”

“Break it up, you two,” Dillon grumbled as he plunked plates down in front of them. “Time to eat up.”

Seth pulled out the barstool on the other side of Lily and took his seat while Dillon finished fixing the plates. He took a seat on the end next to Seth.

“Dig in, guys. Hope it’s good.”

Lily took a bite and then let out a sound of pleasure. “It’s wonderful, Dillon. I think I could make myself sick on it.”

“It’s damn good,” Seth agreed. “It’s obvious you didn’t inherit Mom’s cooking ability.”

Michael snorted with laughter while Dillon grinned.

“I used to cook,” Lily said in a wistful tone. “I loved it.”

“My kitchen is your kitchen,” Dillon said. “And whatever’s in my pantry is yours anytime you want to fool around in here.”

Seth cleared his throat and everyone looked in his direction. “Speaking of kitchens and places. We need to talk about our arrangements. I spoke to Lacey today. I’ll be taking over her job in a couple of weeks as soon as all the paperwork is finalized.”

“Hey, that’s great,” Michael exclaimed.

Lily shot Seth a puzzled look. “You’re not going back to Denver?”

Seth smiled in her direction. “No. I’m taking the sheriff’s position here in Clyde. If we’re going to make this work, I can’t be in Denver. Michael and Dillon are both established here. It only makes sense that I make the move.”

“Which begs the question of where you’re going to stay,” Michael said. “For that matter, where we’re going to stay. Together.”

“Here,” Dillon said.

Lily looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Michael put his hand over hers and squeezed reassuringly.

“It makes the most sense,” Dillon continued when no one responded. “It’s bigger than your place, Michael, and Seth doesn’t have a place here. There’s room for expansion, and most importantly, it’s private.”

“What about Michael’s house?” Seth asked.

“He could turn it into his practice instead of that tiny-ass office he has in town.”

Dillon’s idea was solid. Michael did need more office space, and Dillon’s place was ideal for the four of them.

“What do you think, Lily?” Seth asked. “Are you up for staying here?”

Michael laced his fingers with hers and glanced over to see so much longing in Lily’s gaze that it hurt him. He lifted her hand and turned it over to press a kiss into her palm.

“Stay with us, Lily. You won’t regret it.”

Lily in turn looked at each of the brothers, warmth shining in her eyes. “Do you really all want…me? Do you really want to do this?”

Both Dillon and Seth nodded.

“Absolutely,” Michael said.

“Okay then,” she said softly. “I’ll stay here with you—all of you.”

Michael hadn’t realized his grip was so tight on her hand until he felt her flinch. He released her immediately and then rubbed his fingers apologetically over hers.

Then he glanced over at his brothers, silently asking for their commitment. There was determination in their faces, and their focus was entirely on Lily. But when they looked up at Michael, he knew they were every bit as committed to making this work as he was.

Chapter Eighteen

Dinner was fun. For Lily it was glimpse into the days ahead, something that filled her with hope and excitement. The brothers joked and ribbed each other mercilessly, but there was also a solid thread of loyalty and love. The same feeling she’d had when she first walked into their parents’ house.

She longed to be a part of that. Something solid. To be a part of a family unit again. To know there were people she could count on.

Dillon refused to allow her to help with the dishes, and instead he corralled Seth into helping with the chore while Michael returned to the living room with her.

As soon as they were away from the kitchen, Michael halted and pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers in a hungry, urgent kiss. Warm and so smooth. He nibbled at her lips and then slid his tongue between them, stroking sensually along her tongue until all she could taste and feel was him.

“It made me crazy today,” he murmured. “Knowing you were with them and I couldn’t be with you. It was the longest damn day of my life.”

“You’re with me now,” she said as she feathered her fingers over his temple and then through his hair. “It’s fascinating. I would have imagined Dillon with his rebel image to have the long hair and you with the staid image of a country vet to have short, very neat hair.” She pulled her fingers to the ends of his hair.