Page 9 of Protect My Heart

chapter eight

Daphne

I don’t exactly know what is happening right now, but I do know that I’ve never been more comfortable in my entire life. It’s like Fletcher Bates is one of those mold-to-your-body perfect mattresses or something. He’s the best chair I’ve ever sat on.

Y’all, I’m a Texas girl to my core and I don’t think anything smells better than brisket smoking in the pit. But this man’s scent has my libido working overtime. It’s like a subtle cologne mixed with the natural masculinity of him and a clean, fresh smell like he’s just freshly showered.

Yep, my nipples are pebbled and I’m pretty sure my panties are damp. It could also be a residual effect from seeing him interact with Hayes and Rory Crawford’s son. Seriously, it wasn’t so much like it made my ovaries explode as it was like the alarm on my biological clock went off.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

He’s the one.

His sperm is magic.

Make babies with HIM.

Seriously, who am I right now? I try to lift myself up off of his lap because clearly his pheromones are melting my brain. But the heavy weight of his arm around me stays locked in place.

“Let me take you out tonight,” he murmurs.

That spurs me on enough and I jump up from his lap. “Oh, I can’t. It’s Friday night.” When I stand, I realize that Trip didn’t go far as he’s sitting at the table behind us. Clearly, this is the reason Fletch is asking me out.

“She calls BINGO every Friday at the retirement center in town,” Jade says.

“Oh, well, I can do that,” he says.

I roll my eyes. And that’s when my brother walks up. Garrett’s eyes narrow on Fletch.

“What the hell, man?” Garrett grumbles.

Oh, here we go. Garrett’s big brother speech where he talks down any guy who tries to ask me out. I mean I think it’s only legitimately happened once or twice, but several of the guys at the firehouse always joke about dating me just to get a rise out of my brother.

“He asked her out,” Jade says. She’s always so helpful.

“He didn’t really ask me out,” I murmur to my brother. “He just did it to get rid of Trip.”

But Garrett ignores my comment and turns back to Fletch and gives a small grin. “About damn time. I was wondering when you were going to grow a pair and ask her.”

Wait, what?

It’s like I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone.

“I cannot even with you crazy people. I gotta go.” I point at my cousin. “I will text you later so we can finish that very enlightening conversation about Cain.”

Jade winces.

“Later, Garrett. And I suppose I’ll see you in the ice cream aisle at HEB, Mr. Cookie Explosion,” I smile, then walk off.

“No, I’ll see you tonight, Firecracker,” Fletch calls.

I briefly pause my steps but refuse to turn around.

My phone buzzes in my hand and I look down to a text from Jade.

JADE: Firecracker?

JADE: HOT!