The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play, #1) (128)

“About Bee…” he started as I settled in his arms once again, “are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Okay with it? Hell no.” I sighed and snuggled deeper into the crook of his arm. “But if I can put up with Jamie, I can deal with Barbie.” After she told me what her father planned to do…I gave her back the ring. She didn’t ask questions, and I didn’t explain myself. In a few months, Barbie would be eighteen and could get away from her father. Until then, we would have to pull the wool over his eyes. “Just so you know—I have rules.”

I swung my leg over his body.

“Oh?”

“No kissing.” I pecked his lips. “These belong to me.”

He grunted his agreement.

I trailed a finger down his chest. “And I don’t want her hands on you.” I wrapped my hand around his length, and he hardened instantly. “And because I’m not completely unreasonable, you may hug her only when in the company of her father.” A thought occurred to me as I stroked him. “Do you suppose we should tell Jamie?”

I was flipped on my back, and then he was hovering over me.

“Let’s not talk about Jamie when your hand is on my dick.”

I snorted and laughed. “Sorry.”

He looked completely in awe as he said, “What to do with you, little troublemaker?”

“I can think of a few things.”

His hands dipped between my legs, and I gasped.

“Can you now?”

I was about to respond when his eyes bucked, and he jumped from the bed.

“Ever? What’s wrong?”

He wore an alarmingly uncomfortable expression.

Before he could answer, I heard a gurgling noise come from his stomach, and then he was backing away toward the bathroom door.

“What—” And then it dawned on me. “Oh, my God.” I cackled. “You really shouldn’t have eaten the grilled cheese!”

It was clear now why Ever didn’t like cheese as his stomach made more noises. Most guys would have saved themselves the embarrassment, but when Ever looked back at me and shrugged, I knew, for me, he would always do whatever it took.





“BE SURE TO GET THOSE bolts tight but not too tight, boy. You don’t want to strip ’em.”

Ever nodded and, with hawk-like focus, carefully cranked the wrench. I was trying to keep my drool to a minimum watching him get his hands dirty in oil-stained coveralls. He didn’t seem to mind, and with an eager mind, he asked questions that Gruff had been all too happy to answer.

Even though I agreed to be Ever’s girlfriend in secret, I still needed to know that I’d made the right call. In no way would it be easy to watch Ever dote on Barbie even if it was just for show. I needed to know that the months of jealousy and doubt to come would be worth it. That he was worth it.

Who better to offer me that assurance than the man who’d been a father to me? He was also the one person I could count on to give it to me straight, no chaser.

When I called Gruff to arrange the visit, I only told him that I was homesick and missed him, which was true, but he didn’t know my other reason for coming or why I’d brought Ever and Jamie. Jamie merely served as an alibi. My trip home on the McNamara’s private jet would have seemed suspicious if it had only been Ever and me.

The initial meeting had gone better than expected considering how hospitable Gruff had been to me when we first met.

It became clear who Gruff favored since he tasked Ever with helping him replace the brake pads and rotors on a client’s bike while Jamie was tasked with separating the hundreds of nuts and screws Gruff had accumulated over three decades.

I was sitting with my legs crossed on one of the cluttered worktables when Gruff ambled over, forcing me to focus on something other than Ever.

“Now,” Gruff started as he wiped oil from his hands on a rag. “Which of these boys are you sweet on, and please tell me it ain’t that punk.”

I snickered when Gruff jabbed his thumb in Jamie’s direction.

“Don’t be silly, old man. Boys are icky.”

Behind Gruff, Ever’s lips lifted into a cocky smirk, making it clear he was ear hustling.

“I’d die a happy man if I actually believed you,” Gruff retorted.

I felt myself flush crimson as I stuck my tongue out at my mentor.

“See that,” he said while pointing at my face. “You never used to do that.” He suddenly looked stern as he eyed me carefully. “Which one?” His tone made it clear he wouldn’t let it go until I had an answer.

Even though I came for this very reason, I still hadn’t figured out how to tell Gruff that I was finally into a boy.

A very intense, dominating, vengeful, arrogant, manipulative yet loving, and incredibly loyal boy.

Not to mention hot as hell.

And he was all mine.

“I—” The words got stuck in my throat, so I decided this wasn’t going to happen right now.

But then Ever stepped forward and crushed my decision right under his size eleven shoe.

“It’s me, sir.”

Gruff spun around, and I quickly jumped to my feet just in case he decided to hit my boyfriend.

Boyfriend…

Yeah, I wasn’t getting used to that anytime soon.