Forever Hers Walters, Ednah (best novels for teenagers .TXT) 📖

padding on the floor by the end of the day. I’m expecting a delivery of floor mats.”

“Good, because I don’t know how long my butt can take the beating.”

He grinned. “You have natural padding.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you saying I’m fat?”

“No, Amy. You have a beautiful…”

She looked at him expectantly. “Beautiful what?”

“Never mind.” He pulled her up. Maybe he underestimated his strength or he was too agitated he forgot she wasn’t his size, but he yanked too hard and she lost her balance.

His hand came to her waist and anchored her against him. They both froze. The heat from their bodies mingled and the musky scent of clean sweat rose and teased her senses. Her breathing stalled as his eyes raked her face then rested on her lips. Amy sucked in a breath, her lips parting, inviting. His eyes locked with hers. They burned with need.

“This is wrong,” he snapped.

Hurt slammed into her.

“I agree,” she shot back.

Scowling, his hand dropped away and he stepped back. “We’ll train again in the evening.”

“You already said that.”

“Just making sure you got it.” He disappeared inside the house, the door slamming behind him.

She stuck out her tongue. “Big baby. Just because you’re so scared to feel, you’re taking it out on me and the poor door.”

She grabbed the towel she’d brought with her and the laptop she’d used to monitor Raelynn while she played with Jimmy in the sand box and followed Eddie, but at a slower pace. She didn’t get him. How could he look at her with so much heat in his eyes then walk away? The saddest part was, had he touched her after that annoying statement, she would have fallen into his arms.

An hour later, Amy had lunch ready. Sam and Jimmy already disappeared back to their respective homes for lunch, so she served the stew into three bowls, got the crackers out and set the table.

“This is really good,” Eddie said after a spoonful.

Dang, she couldn’t even get revenge right. She’d cooked tofu stew and camouflaged the soft pieces with a handful of clams and oysters. Not only that, she’d made a pot of it and planned to freeze and serve it in the next few days. It was her way of getting back at him for thinking it was wrong to want her.

A seaplane came into view just as they were finishing lunch. Eddie got up and started toward the dock, his gaze on the plane. By the time Amy stepped outside with their drinks, it had landed and was gliding toward their private dock.

A man stepped on the dock just as Amy reached Eddie’s side. Dressed in all black, jeans and shirt, scruffy boots and leather jacket, he was huge. He looked toward them and touched his forehead in solute. Eddie cursed and crossed his arms.

“Who is he?” Amy asked.

“That’s my cousin Jade’s husband,” Eddie said just as a second man joined the first. He had longer hair, high cheekbones and slightly slanted eyes. He was tall too but leaner and dressed in hip-hugging jeans and shirt. He waved and flashed a mocking grin.

“Faith’s husband and if I’m right, Ashley’s will be next,” Eddie finished, not bothering to hide his irritation.

The third hadn’t left the plane yet, but he and another man wearing a cowboy hat pushed two huge boxes and several smaller ones to the two men on the dock.

“Did you know they were coming?” Amy asked.

“No. They were supposed to mail the stuff, not deliver it in person. I bet the girls put them up to this.”

Amy had never met the Fitzgerald women, but she’d seen their pictures. According to Kara, the three girls were raised together by Baron’s mother. A third guy appeared with a leather bag slung over his shoulder. He was dressed casually in tan pants and a light-blue shirt. He must be Ashley’s husband. He said something to the pilot then the three men started toward the house.

Raelynn, who’d gone back to the sand pit to play with Jimmy, stopped playing and stared at them in awe. Amy didn’t blame them. The Fitzgerald women had nice taste in men.

A fourth man stepped out, but all Amy saw was a broad back in a cowboy shirt and hat, though there was something familiar about him.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Eddie murmured.

The guy didn’t follow the other three. He was busy talking to the pilot and female laugher drifted to Amy’s ears. Before she could ask who he was, Raelynn caught her attention. Her daughter stumbled as she tried to walk backward while keeping her eyes on the men. Then she broke into run, heading straight for Eddie, who scooped her up.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he reassured her gently. “They are good guys…most of the time,” he added softly. From his clenched jaw, he was being polite. “Guys, this is an unexpected surprise.”

 “We decided to bring the things you ordered instead of mailing them,” the guy in tan pants said then focused his attention on Amy. He had beautiful cobalt-blue eyes and dimples.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Fitzgerald?” he asked with an appreciative, masculine gleam in his eyes.

“She knows who you are,” Eddie said rudely, his gaze shifting to the fourth man, who was still flirting with the pilot. “I hope you’re not planning on staying long.”

Amy elbowed him. “Don’t be rude.”

“This is me being nice,” he said through his teeth.

“You can do better than that.” Then she turned and found the men studying her with such broad grins she flushed. “I’m Amy Kincaid and this is my daughter, Raelynn.”

As if possible, her daughter clung tighter to Eddie, her thumb in her mouth.

Mr. Cobalt-blue Eyes took Amy’s hand and planted a kiss on her knuckles. “Ron Noble. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Amy.”

He was charming.

“Quit drooling all over her, Noble.” The second guy elbowed him out of the way flashing a cocky half smile as though he was enjoying a private joke. His slanted, gorgeous green eyes combined with the