Never Say Never (Haven Harbor #3)

Chapter 2

TWO

I LIKE FUCKING WITH HER

T ucker

I take a long pull from my water bottle as my gaze travels over the curves of the feisty brunette with her back to me. I know I should put some distance between us. In fact, I should stay as far the fuck away from her as possible. Instead, I’m standing here watching her like a creep.

I’m such an asshole for ogling my god-sister. But it’s so difficult to back off when all I want to do is get my hands on her. Let’s face it, I’ve never been any good at staying away from Daisy. Especially when she’s dressed like that.

My eyes wander over Daisy as she talks with her friend Briar at the net. Her heart-shaped ass is barely covered by a pair of athletic shorts while her midriff is bare thanks to a hot as fuck black sports bra. Her long, golden-brown hair is pulled off her face in a ponytail. The exposed skin above her breasts glistens with sweat.

I grip my water bottle with enough force to pop a blood vessel. What was she doing with a guy like Scott Dickens? He’s at least five or six years older than her and as dry as the Mojave dessert. I’m sure he’s a nice enough guy, but he isn’t even close to being Daisy’s type. How do I know? Because I know everything about Daisy Carter. I know her drink order at Dream Bean, how she likes her eggs. I know what makes her laugh, and what scares her. If I had to guess, she was bored out of her mind before Dr. Dickhead pulled out her chair at the restaurant. Because Daisy likes adventure. She likes a thrill.

“Daisy doesn’t seem very happy to see you,” Holden says from the bench beside me as he swipes a towel over his face. “What did you do to her?”

With a snort, I tear my attention from her. “You know me and Daisy. It is what it is.”

Holden shakes his head. He has had a front row seat to my relationship with Daisy for decades. He knows how it works. He also knows she is off-limits. I made that clear in fifth grade when she paid him a little attention.

“You two are like oil and water,” Holden says. “Always have been.”

I shrug. I get what Holden is saying, but he has it wrong. Daisy and I are more like moths to a flame. We may not always get along, but we are irresistibly drawn to each other even though we know the heat could kill us.

My gaze casually slides back to Daisy and our eyes catch. Lust crackles through my body. “I like fucking with her. It’s fun.”

“You’d like to fuck her,” Holden says with a grin. “There’s a difference.”

I try to rearrange my expression to look like that couldn’t be further from the truth. Holden may have his suspicions about me and Daisy, but I’m not about to confirm them. The last thing I need is my best friend knowing I have a thing for the girl who was practically raised as my sister. He would never let me live it down.

“I wonder what your mom and dad would think about that?” he continues, clearly enjoying pushing my buttons. “I bet family dinners would get pretty entertaining. Do they know you’re picturing Daisy naked when you’re asking her to pass the potatoes?”

“Lucky for me you’re full of shit, because if I was into Daisy, they’d blow a gasket. I don’t have a death wish.”

My parents would flip their lids. Daisy can say we’re not family all she wants, but deep down she doesn’t believe it. Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people you choose to go through life with.

Holden lifts a brow as he studies my expression. “Maybe it’s time I shoot my shot then.”

It takes a every bit of my willpower not to snap his arms off his body. “What the fuck did you just say?”

The dude laughs. Doubles over and fucking laughs. “Relax, Tuck. If you’re trying to convince me that you’re not into her, you’re doing a pretty shit job.”

He’s enjoying this way too much.

“I’ve known Daisy my entire life. We grew up together,” I remind him. “That doesn’t mean I want to fuck her.”

A smug grin tips the corners of his mouth as he picks up his racket and stands up. “Sure, man. Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

Holden laughs again as he strides toward the girls at the net, leaving me where I’m standing at the edge of the pickleball court.

“Can we get you a snack to go with your water, Tucker, or can we get back to the game?” Briar deadpans.

You bet I’d like a snack. Her name is Daisy.

With a swagger, I stride onto the court, racket in hand, ready to get back to the game. Unfortunately, my game has gone to shit.

And I know exactly why.

Daisy.

I’ve been this fucked up over her since before I can remember. In all these years, it’s never changed.