Kiss and Don't Tell(19)

“Uh-huh,” Hornsby says, taking off for his room, down the hallway on the opposite side of the house from where Holmes, Winnie, and I are rooming.

“So, are you going to let her stay?” I ask, exhausted over this conversation.

“Is that what you want Daddy to do?” Taters grins.

“Do not call yourself that.”

Stephan laughs from across the island as he whips something in a bowl. “I kind of like the sound of it. I mean, he’s my sugar daddy, giving me the money I need.”

“Daddy pays you well,” Taters says with a wink.

“That he does.”

“This is so fucking disturbing.”

Taters puts his hand on my shoulder and says, “If you want your girlfriend to stay, then Daddy says it’s okay.” He leans in and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Daddy will do anything for his precious baby.”

I push at his chest. “Fuck off.”

Taters laughs as he takes off toward his room, as well.

“Assholes,” I mutter under my breath.

“Want something to drink?” Stephan asks.

“I can grab some water,” I say, starting to get up.

“I got it, man. When I said Daddy pays me well, he pays me very well.”

I chuckle. “God, he must love that you called him that.”

“I think he was tickled, for sure.” Stephan hands me a glass with ice and water. Then he leans forward and asks, “So . . . do you like her?” He wiggles his brows and I shake my head.

“Jesus, not you too, man.”

“It’ll be just our secret.”

“I haven’t spent enough time with her to even make that kind of assessment. I’m just being a nice guy.” To a hot-as-fuck girl, but I won’t mention that. And I wasn’t kidding when I said I can be shy around girls. I’ve always been protective of my sister, but around her friends, I’ve been . . . standoffish. Besides, Winnie’s probably out of my league.

Just then, Stephan lifts up and looks over my shoulder. “I didn’t catch your name. Seems as though the boys are lacking in manners.”

From behind me, I hear Winnie say, “Ah, what they’re lacking in manners, they make up for in chivalry.” She comes up to the island and takes a seat next to me. The aroma of fresh soap and lavender hits me as I turn to look at her.

And . . . fuck.

She’s wearing a low-cut tank top that leaves little to the imagination. She’s fresh-faced, all dewy from her shower, and her wet hair is pulled up into a tight bun on the top of her head, showing off the stunning angles of her face.

Yup, hot-as-fuck was right.

“My name’s Winnie, and you’re Stephan, from what I’ve heard. The man with the food.”

“That’s right.” Stephan offers his hand and they shake. “Can you believe these idiots traveled up here with no food?”

“Seems pretty unintelligent to me.”

I turn to her. “As unintelligent as driving a Mini Cooper up a dirt road in the Rocky Mountains?”

“That’s just living life. At least I packed food.” She chuckles.

Stephan lifts away from the island and says, “I hope you like pancakes. I made some vegan blueberry pancakes. That okay?”

“Are you serious?” Winnie asks in surprise. “I told you, you didn’t have to make me anything.”

“I’m a chef. It’s my responsibility to make sure everyone is fed.” He places a plate in front of Winnie, and hell, those look good.

“Why the hell did I get scrambled eggs and she gets pancakes?” I ask in a teasing tone.

“Because you little bitches complain about packing on the carbs, even when on vacation.”

Winnie laughs next to me, but it’s true. We do complain about the carbs.

“But we never bitch about the dessert.”

“Which is why you get eggs in the morning, so you can enjoy those desserts later.”

“Oh my gosh, these are delicious,” Winnie moans in appreciation. “Thank you so much, Stephan.”

“You’re welcome.” He winks and then makes the rest of his batch. “I’ll put these in the fridge so you can pull them out and toast some when you want more.”

“Oh, thank you, but I won’t be staying.”

“Not what I hear,” Stephan says in a sing-song voice before going back into the pantry.

Winnie turns toward me. “What did he mean by that?”

I shovel the rest of my skillet in my mouth and then wash it down with some water before addressing Winnie. “The guys and I were talking, and we don’t think you have any other option but to stay with us. Hornsby—”

“Eli?”

“Yes, Eli—was looking at lodgings this morning and everything so far has been booked. And as far as your car, we know the tow man, and he won’t come up here unless the ground is dry. It’s supposed to rain the next couple of days.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders slump. “Well, that doesn’t seem promising for me.”

“Yeah, not so much. But we spoke to Tat—uh, Potato.”

She grins.

“And he said that you’re more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”