One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

28. Essex

28

ESSEX

Mom gives me a look as I enter the kitchen, so I raise an eyebrow in question. "What have I done now?"

"Since when do we have an overnight guest without leaving a note for me to find in the morning?

"Ah! That... Ed got into a little trouble at the hotel last night. I thought he'd be safer here." I shrug.

I brew a cup of coffee while Mom flips the bacon.

"I can do that. What about the cooking class?"

She pushes me away. "I told Daisy I'd skip this morning. Besides, it's more interesting at home today." She wiggles her brows, plates two breakfasts and hands me one.

I narrow my eyes as she grins before carrying the other plate through the house. What is she up to? I follow with my breakfast and coffee. My eyes widen as she pats Ed on the shoulder, placing the breakfast in front of him.

"Morning," I greet Ed with one eye on Mom. "Are you doing okay, Ed?”

"Much better, thanks to your mom being here." Ed grins that ends on a wince. "Maggie gave me some stronger pain pills that are helping."

I grunt and shovel food into my mouth. I glance at Mom, wondering if she knows what happened last night. Ed eats as he listens to Mom talk. He likes her. She likes him. This is bad.

In the four years since Dad died, Mom hasn't been interested in anyone. Not only does she smile and keep touching his hand, but she is well put together for a morning.

I drop my head into my hands and groan. I hope like hell I'm wrong, even though I know I'm not. I'll tell Atilio. As the oldest brother, he can handle it.

"Essex, did I hear you moving around last night? I'm sure I heard you and Ridge."

"You heard us." I flinch briefly and glance at Ed. "It's all good."

Mom knows there's more to it, but I drink my coffee quickly.

"Where is everyone?" I change direction.

"Atilio, Boone Ed's probably waiting for us downstairs."

She laughs as she disappears into the bathroom.

I fall backwards onto the bed, a hand going to my chest where I rub. I'm obsessed with this girl. There are no other words for it. I'm in love and obsessed with my girlfriend. I never thought I'd be lost over a woman at age nineteen.

Coming out of the bathroom, I watch her pick up her panties from the floor, shake them out, and then keeping her eyes on mine as she steps into them. Mine flicker to her movements as more and more of her legs appear until I catch a brief glimpse of naked pussy before the panties are in place. I moan and close my eyes for a moment.

“Come on lover boy,” Bea says.

I open my eyes and find her holding a handout to me. She pulls me from the bed. I brush my lips over hers. “I want to keep you, Bea.” I drop my forehead to hers.

“It won’t be long until you can.” A quick kiss and I open the bedroom door.

Stepping out of the room, we come face to face with Ridge. My asshole brother smirks before clearing his throat. "Can I have a word, Essex?"

Bea rolls her eyes. "I'm going to go find Maggie and Ed." I watch her leave, trying not to focus on the sway of her hips.

"You're so fucking gone," Ridge comments.

"I know I am." I run a hand through my hair and ask. "What's wrong?"

"I screwed up last night. Big time." I stride into my room, waiting for him to follow. "I knew Violet had climbed into my bed. I panicked and wanted her to leave, so I called her Dolly." He winces as I stare at him in horror.

"Oh man! That’s bad."

"I know. I feel like shit. Violet admitted that she lied about using Galen's name, but I kept quiet about using Dolly's. I'm an asshole."

I laugh.

"That's not funny!"

"It is." I grin. "Look, if you really like Violet, tell her. Admit that you knowingly screwed up. She's almost eighteen. Legal. I may be all in with Bea, but I have eyes, and Violet is a gorgeous girl. She won't be single for long... Galen likes her too, even though he pretends not to." I laugh. "Just like you, though Galen is more convincing than you."

"What the hell is wrong with me taking advice from my younger brother?" He turns and disappears from the room—downstairs, it seems.