A VERY UN-SHAKESPEARE ROMANCE: ‘A Fake Dad Grumpy Sunshine Romantic Comedy’

They had their in.

Sheila hadn’t stopped humming a spicy salsa beat since they’d beaten the O’Connor brothers hands down. Besting cocky FBI guys in sports usually had Lily singing herself, but this win had affected her differently. It was the grim expressions on Robbie’s and Reagan’s faces, she decided. They’d taken the loss to heart in different ways. She hadn’t expected that.

“Quit your brooding,” Sheila said, adding ice to the blender. “We have a lot to celebrate. Your strategy worked. God, sometimes guys are so predictable.”

The appliance being switched on stopped Lily’s reply. She searched the cabinet for something to bring the little girls’ drink in, her hands still smelling strongly of the fresh limes she’d helped squeeze for the margaritas.

The blazing sound died. “We kicked butt and have progressed to a closer inspection of our subjects. Maybe we’ll even find a phone. Sunshine, do I need to give you a pep talk before we go over?”

“I know the whole avoid making out with your person of interest rule.” Despite how much she might want to caress and explore that firm, sexy mouth of Robbie O’Connor’s.

“His kiddie protector side is getting under your skin.” Sheila spooned a taste of the margaritas and smacked her lips. “De-li-cious. I wish I could drink more of these babies tonight but duty first.”

Indeed. She needed to tattoo it on her hand right now to keep focused. Because the way Robbie looked at her was stealing her breath and making her mind go blank. “At least you don’t think Robbie’s dirty anymore.”

“I mostly think that, but I’ve seen plenty of low-life criminals who are good with kids.” Her partner cut her a knowing look. “So have you.”

She’d done plenty of work on the trauma of her childhood, so the reference didn’t ping her the way it used to. Sighting a container for the girls’ drink, she snatched it out of the cabinet. “Aha! This is going to have to work.”

“A cocktail shaker?” Sheila dumped the frozen margaritas into a large glass pitcher. “What are you giving those girls to drink again?”

“Coconut water shaken with ice will make them feel special.” She knew from all her work with kids how important that sentiment was. “Besides, it’s good for them. Cassidy’s tummy has to be really upset, judging by the way she…expresses so much magic.”

Sheila chortled, practically falling back against the counter. “I wanted to yell Duck, we’re under attack, but I didn’t want to blow our cover. I’ve got to admit, it’s a brilliant way to talk about farting. My brother could fart on command as a kid. His big moment to this day was when he farted to ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at a baseball game with his friends. They were seven. I’ve never seen boys laugh that hard.”

Having been a teacher, Summer had experienced her share of such antics. “I had one kindergarten boy who would fart every time he said thank you. His older brother, clearly a bad influence, told him it made his point stronger. I had to convince him otherwise. The girls in the class couldn’t steer clear of him enough.”

“I don’t blame them.” Sheila dumped the salt and extra limes in their beach bag with some plastic glasses as Lily made up her own concoction and closed the top of the shaker. “You should put on some of that berry lip gloss. Just because you can’t kiss Robbie O’Connor doesn’t mean you don’t want him checking out your lips along with the rest of you.”

She reached for her purse with an eye roll and smoothed the raspberry color over her lips. “You’re the one who’s going to have trouble keeping Billie’s mouth and hands away.”

She made a shooing motion. “I’ve got a plan. Plus, I have you to start yawning and falling asleep if needed so we can bounce. As your best friend, I can say you’ve had too many margaritas—being the lightweight you are—and that I have to take you home. Works every time.”

They had used that strategy with success before. “Good to know the playbook.”

Sheila opened the door, balancing the margaritas in the blender on her hip. “You look nice, by the way. If I were a guy, I’d have trouble keeping my eyes off you. I can’t pull off those beach dresses. My curves always stick out in them.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself as usual.” She grabbed a towel for the shaker and locked the door behind them. “You look great, and the expression on Billie’s face the moment he sees you will only confirm it.”

Sure enough, when they went next door, Billie was the first to reach them, taking the beach bag and the pitcher from Sheila with a delighted once-over glance at the short sleeveless red dress that hugged her body.

“You look totally scrumptious,” he said, leaning down and kissing Sheila’s cheek before turning to Lily. “Both of you. Make yourselves at home.”

Sheila wiggled her fingers at Lily to precede her inside. Good idea. That way she could be alone with Billie. Letting herself in after a soft knock, she welcomed the air conditioner on her bare skin. The humidity was suffocating outside even as the sun descended in the sky, its glow less intense.

She scanned the house, with its homey décor and inspirational signs on the walls, ones Lily couldn’t imagine impressed the O’Connor boys. Definitely a Tara pick, then. That was a good thing. If she’d secured the house, that meant she knew where Robbie was with the girls. Having confirmation on that point would be good news for them. Buck certainly would like some hard evidence that Tara might show up here. She did a quick perusal but didn’t spy a phone lying around. Damn.

Cassidy’s giggles erupted with Reagan’s laughter in another part of the house, making her smile as she walked into the kitchen. Robbie swung around from the back counter immediately, dropping the raw hamburger patty he’d been putting on a plate with a thunk. Every muscle was poised for action, and she winced.

“Billie let me in,” she said quietly. “Sorry I scared you.”

“Few people come up on me unawares,” was all he said.

Then he cleared his throat. His blue eyes narrowed with heat as he swept his gaze over her white, nearly transparent sleeveless dress. While it was full-length, it floated like clouds. Lily had loved it on sight on their shopping spree. She’d freeze to death most of the year in such a dress in Boston, but it was perfect for the moist heat of the Outer Banks. She’d thought Robbie would find it more captivating than a short sundress, and as he continued staring, she struggled with the feeling of being pleased he liked it. Like he might be speechless because of it.

Her heart rate was spiking, which was so not how she was supposed to be feeling undercover.

Another beat passed between them, attraction flaring, her heart knocking against her ribs. She saw him swallow thickly, and she fought the urge to shift on her feet. Usually she was not off-balance, but she was floundering here.

“I thought our company was here!” Tim said as he walked in, carrying Cassidy. Reagan jogged after him, still giggling. “Welcome to the nuthouse. Make yourself at home.”

She let out a shallow breath, telling herself to relax. “Thanks. We appreciate the invite.”

Tim bit his lip to keep from smiling as he set Cassidy down on the counter. “You two more than earned it.”

“That’s all…in the past.” Best not to poke at Robbie’s smarting male pride. “Hey, girls, I have a little surprise for you. Clarice might have brought margaritas for the adults, but I brought something special for you two.”

“You did?” Reagan asked, running over to her side.

“I wanna see too,” Cassidy said, starting to crawl across the kitchen island.

Robbie was next to her in a flash, catching her deftly. “None of that. We don’t want you falling off, do we?”

He kissed her wild, curly head, and she gave him a drooling smile before laying her cheek against his chest. Without the blazing sexual energy from earlier, she could take in what he was wearing. His navy T-shirt was nicely worn, making her think one of his brothers must have packed him a bag before they’d left. She had seen three duffel bags in the back of their Suburban parked out front. They’d already run the plates, and the vehicle belonged to a Garret Kilkenny, an eighty-year-old man who lived in Southie. No relation. They still didn’t know how the O’Connors knew Kilkenny or how they’d ended up with his vehicle, but they imagined it was likely related to Billie’s mechanic shop.

So far, the O’Connors had done things smart. For their sakes, and the kids’, she hoped that continued. As she looked down at Reagan’s delicate china-doll face, she thought of the danger they could be in with the Kellys. She knew it wasn’t below them to threaten a child to get what they wanted. Well, that sure as hell was not going to happen on her watch. She reached out and ran her hand down Reagan’s ponytail, secured by a silver glittery bow, and they shared a smile.

“I love your dress,” she said, touching the fabric. “You look like a princess.”

“Thank you.” She gestured to the little girl’s purple cotton dress that said Future President on it in silver glitter. “I like a woman who has high aspirations.”

“Mom always says we can be anything we want,” she said shyly. “Even president of your own company. Like she is.” Then she cast a look at Robbie, as if wondering if she’d said too much.

“Your mom is a boss, and we all know it,” Robbie said, sending her an assuring smile. “Who else would come up with calling gas magic?”

Reagan’s mouth twitched as Cassidy lurched off Robbie’s chest and shot her hand in the air. “I do magic!”

“You sure do!” Robbie held her out. “Too much for me.”

That had the little girl laughing as he brought her close and kissed her on the top of the head again. Lily felt a strange pull to keep watching him with Cassidy. God, they looked so sweet together, and right before her eyes, Robbie seemed to become taller and more handsome than ever. Like he was suddenly the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

Shit.

She had to force herself to turn back to Reagan. “Do you have any special glasses we could use?” She shook the shaker, making the ice clank against the metal. “Why don’t we serve it up? You can try it and see what you think.”

“Let’s do it outside,” Robbie suggested, setting Cassidy on his hip. “That way we don’t have to worry about the Drool Baby spilling anything since she won’t be using her sippy cup.”

God, Lily had a very hard time not smiling just then. Hardened police officer Robbie O’Connor was talking about spills and sippy cups?

“Good idea, bro.” Tim grabbed a bottle of insect spray from the counter. “How is your fellow victor this eve, Summer? Still wearing a crown of laurels after laying my brothers so low?”

Lily wasn’t sure how to respond, but she couldn’t keep her lips from twitching. Tim clearly wanted to poke at his brothers.

“Ignore Shakespeare over there, Summer.” Robbie jerked his chin toward his younger brother. “Someone dropped him on the head or something, and the madness is finally coming out.”

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” Tim lifted Cassidy from his brother’s arms and set her on the counter. “Close your eyes, sweetheart. We don’t want you getting all bit up outside.”

He shielded her eyes, then turned to Reagan who did the same so she could get sprayed. Finished, he turned swiftly and sprayed Robbie before his brother could stop him.

“Hey!” Robbie shot out. “I’m going to toss you into the ocean for the jellyfish to eat for dinner if you don’t cut that out.”

The younger man danced out of reach. “Girls, let us pour you this drink the lovely Summer made for you this eve. Hark! I wonder what it might be.”

Robbie’s mouth was a flat line. Obviously, he hated the Shakespeare stuff, and Tim knew it. Which was why Tim was doing it, his dramatic theater accent only making it more amusing. The girls started giggling, and Lily couldn’t help but join in. “You obviously have a gift for making people laugh.”

“There’s just something about iambic pentameter and a dramatic British accent,” Tim said to her. “I use it at the retirement home with my patients all the time and it makes them laugh. Seems it works on pretty little princesses too.”

“That’s me!” Cassidy yelled, wobbling on the counter, prompting Robbie to grab her and set her on stable ground. “I’m a princess!”

“Me too!” Reagan cried out. “So is Summer!”

She inclined her head at being included, and they shared a smile.

Tim thrust his hands on his hips as he looked down at the girls. “Then where is thy crown?”

“We don’t have crowns here.” Reagan made a face. “They’re at home.”

“What injustice is this?” Tim thrust his hand into the air and headed to the cabinet under the sink, pulling out aluminum foil. “We must remedy this travesty immediately. Come!”

Reagan ran after him with Cassidy trotting along behind them as fast as her glittering pink sandals could carry her. Adorable!

“He found out the Shakespeare thing drives me and Billie nuts,” Robbie explained with an aggrieved sigh.

She strove for a straight face but mostly failed. “I kinda got that.”

“Sure, you’re laughing now. Just wait. It gets old. Like mold on Chinese takeout old. Never, ever show a weakness to a sibling. I must be having a slow week since I allowed it.” He paused, looking at her, then added, “I was out of line when I shot my mouth off about how we were going to best you and Clarice today. Beating me and Billie senseless today was just deserts.”

She couldn’t contain her surprise. “Is that an apology?”

“Yes.” He lifted a shoulder, his awkwardness obvious. “Can you tell your friend? She seems to be tied up with my brother.”

She nodded, glancing out the window with the view of the patio to see what Sheila and Billie were doing. Sure enough, they huddled together at the patio table, knees touching. He was already sipping a taste of the margaritas from a spoon they’d brought over, her partner batting her eyelashes at him. Sheila had him well occupied.

“Let’s forget all about that.” She picked up part of her dress and waved it. “That’s a white flag reference in case it’s not obvious.”

His mouth tipped up to the right in a deliciously sexy smirk. He practically smoldered male sexuality now that he’d dropped some of his guard. She was going to have to fan herself when he wasn’t looking to keep from inhaling all of his potent pheromones.

“It wasn’t.” His eyes slid down her in a longer appraising fashion this time. “Reagan was right. That is a nice dress.”

She curtsied, thinking about Shakespeare. God, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease him a little. “Thank you, kind sir.”

He shot her a narrow-eyed look before giving a reluctant laugh. “Don’t you start or that white flag won’t last. Besides, why does that Shakespeare stuff appeal to women anyway? I’d think you would hate it. Didn’t most of the gushy stories end with the lovers dying or something? That’s hardly what I’d call romantic.”

Okay, her mouth was twitching now. Flirting with him was as easy as gliding over the ocean’s waves. “What about eternal love between two people? Love strong enough to die over?”

“Maybe it’s the cop in me, but there’s nothing romantic about two people dying.” He sighed heavily, his mouth working. “Excuse me. I shouldn’t have mentioned my work. I’m on…vacation. It’s better if I don’t…for the girls.”

Nice cover, she admired, but his anger at the slip was obvious. “No worries. I totally understand not wanting to talk about work on vacation. But I’ll only say I really admire what you do. We all need to know there’s someone out there doing a job that keeps us all safe at night.”

She meant it, but he only looked uncomfortable before saying, “So what did you bring the girls to drink?”

The towel had absorbed the shaker’s condensation when she picked it up. “Grab a glass and see. Then we’ll put it in the fridge because the ice is melting.”

“Evidently, crowns trump girly drinks.” He grabbed a juice glass and thrust it out. “Fine, I’ll try it. Consider me that poison taster guy.”

She shook the shaker and poured him a finger. “Poison taster? Someone has imagination.”

He eyed the drink suspiciously. “This had better not be a Cosmo.”

“I work with kids.” She started chuckling. “Would I give a child an alcoholic beverage?”

Another nonanswer. He lifted the glass and sniffed, his face scrunching up before he took a dainty sip. “Coconut? What is this stuff?”

“That’s coconut water with ice cubes. It’s very hydrating and good for you, especially upset tummies.” She poked him in his hard abs when he made another face.

“Last I looked, coconuts were white on the inside.” He set the glass aside with a frown. “You have access to some pink coconuts or something?”

Oh, Robbie O’Connor, I really like you.

“How did you know? They’re back at my house with my crown.”

He studied her, his gaze roving over her features. She felt like he was assessing her, practically asking for permission to see her soul. She almost gave it to him. On some level, she knew he would take care of what he learned. From the very beginning, when he’d first shown up at the gym to pick up the girls, she’d thought he was a man to trust. No wonder Tara had given her two little girls to him when she was in trouble.

“Look!” Cassidy ran back into the kitchen, her little feet stomping from her speed. “I’ve got a crown.”

Robbie grabbed her before she ran into his leg. Scooping her up, he held her out and examined her. Tim’s impromptu crown was more like a simple diadem, but from Cassidy’s beaming grin, the little girl thought she’d won the ultimate prize.

“See!” She touched it lightly, grinning as drool came out of her mouth. “I’m pretty.”

“You are.” Robbie used the edge of his T-shirt to wipe her mouth. “Princess Drool Baby. Go! Find your kingdom.”

Okay, that had Lily practically melting against the counter.

He set Cassidy down gently, and she touched her crown with careful little fingers. “Gonna show Miss Rosie.”

They watched as she toddled out again. “Who’s Miss Rosie?” she asked.

“That’s what she’s named her teddy bear.” He walked to the doorway as if to check her progress. “Tim! Cassidy is coming your way.”

“I hear you, fine sir!” his brother shouted back. “Miss Pixie and I are still working on her crown.”

“Oh, for the love of God…” Robbie gave a short smile. “I know we owe you dinner, but if it’s too much of a zoo over here, I can drop it by when it’s cooked. We’re not having anything fancy. Only hamburgers and hot dogs with bag salad and some veggie sticks for the kids. Okay, and some chips. Because you have to have something to crunch on.”

He scratched his ear then, suddenly looking like a fish out of water. Usually he seemed so capable, but taking care of two little girls wasn’t his usual, as she knew. Clearly not when it involved having a woman he found attractive over for dinner.

“Burgers and dogs are one of my faves,” she answered truthfully. “I might drink coconut water, but I love the classics.”

“Great.” He nodded crisply, picking up the shaker and putting it in the fridge. “Consider yourself forewarned, though. I know you brought adult drinks, so do you want a margarita? Ah…if they aren’t melted already. Billie and your friend seem to be enjoying them on the patio.” Another glare. “He’d better have turned on the BBQ like I asked.”

She turned and looked over. Sheila was laughing at something as Billie gestured with his hands. A margarita with a salt-lined rim was in her hand. “I’m good for now,” she answered, not wanting to interrupt them.

Obviously, Robbie was annoyed with his brother by the way he huffed as he looked out the patio window. “Tim suggested we buy some wine as well. We have red or white. Or beer. We weren’t sure what you liked.”

It was kinda sweet that they’d gone on a special trip for wine. “I’m not much of a drinker, honestly. Lightweight here. But I’ll have a glass of white if it’s no trouble.”

“It’s not.” He started opening the drawers, clearly looking for a wine opener. “I’m missing my little helper. I usually tell Reagan to look through the cabinets like a treasure hunt since we don’t know where anything is.”

“Rental house problems,” she joked. “I’m doing the same at our place.”

He made a satisfied sound finally and held up the corkscrew. “Whew! I didn’t check to make sure we had one before we went to the liquor store.”

“It wouldn’t have been a thing,” she told him, watching him meticulously open the wine. “And if you break the cork, I won’t care.”

He pulled the cork out perfectly after biting his lip in a very sexy way that made her zoom in on that area more than she should. “You’re awfully easy to please.”

“Was that a compliment or an accusation?” She crossed her arms as he glanced over sharply. “I figure there are plenty of bigger items to get worked up about. Personally, I try and have few of those on my list.”

She’d made that decision when she was a senior about to graduate from high school, and it had helped change her life. Before, she’d fallen into anger and worry easily—depression too. Growing up in a foster home had been stressful and often lonely. But when she’d finally been able to strike out on her own, she’d wrapped herself in the freedom like it was a warm blanket.

She was finally calling the shots of her life, and she was going to make them count. No secrets or abuse in her personal life. From anyone. Working through her triggers and hurts had helped. She had put the past behind her, and by God, she was proud to have the nickname Sunshine at the Bureau most days.

“Only an observation,” he mused, grabbing a wineglass and pouring her half a glass before handing it to her. “So how are you liking the Outer Banks?”

They weren’t tourists, so she went with some of her personal impressions. “The beach is great, and our house is open and comfortable. That’s all I really need. I’m only missing a hammock. I love curling up in one with a good book as the hammock sways in the ocean breeze.”

“Read anything good lately?” he asked, selecting a beer from the fridge and using the countertop edge to pop the top.

“A really great romance fantasy by Kathia called The Lies of Gods.” She took a sip of her wine, wondering if he was going to relax. “It’s a little King Arthur and Game of Thrones with a happy ending.”

“No wonder you like Shakespeare.” His mouth turned up in amusement. “Hang on a sec. It’s too quiet. I want to make sure Tim has the girls and Cassidy’s not off doing God knows what with Miss Purrfect.”

She choked on her wine. Surely that wasn’t the cat they’d put the tracker on… “Who?”

“The cat. It’s my current nemesis. Be right back.”

He jogged out of the room, leaving his beer on the counter. She took a moment to take a cleansing breath. God, he was a good caretaker of the girls and a good listener. Connected. Intense. Tantalizing.

Get your head in the game, Lily. She forced her mind back to the kitchen, looking for a phone, but there was nothing. Not that she was terribly surprised. Obviously, no one was posting on social media right now. Billie usually posted updates about cars he was working on—a business and personal hobby he was clearly successful at—while Tim liked to share nature scenes from his favorite parks but little else, suggesting he might be into photography.

Robbie wasn’t present on social media in his name, which wasn’t unusual in law enforcement. Neither was she. Social media was a new challenge for undercover work so she had a few accounts she could use, depending on the situation. Her name wasn’t mentioned, of course. Accounts with names like Lady of the Night or lover387 kept her somewhat protected, although it was also possible to change the name on a Facebook account once every thirty days.

Neither Robbie nor Billie seemed like the type to ask to be “friends” on social media, and she was honestly glad. When had people stopped wanting to pick up the phone and call? But she and Sheila were prepared all the same. While she didn’t think Robbie was going to check them out online—why would he suspect anything?—it paid to be ready for every eventuality, and they were. She’d bet he was as well.

So where was he keeping a phone?

“I found our little princess,” Robbie said, walking back into the kitchen with Cassidy in his arms. She was holding the cutest gingham-clad bear with a matching bow between her ears. Tim and Reagan followed, strutting in impromptu capes made out of beach towels. Both wore aluminum foil crowns with the same detailed whimsy displayed in the sandcastle on the beach.

“What ho!” Tim called out.

“Language,” Robbie corrected with an edge in his voice.

“It’s a greeting,” Tim explained, throwing his towel covered in tropical fish over his shoulder. “Not the word you’re thinking of.”

Oh my God! Robbie had thought Tim had meant ho, as in a promiscuous woman? Lily bit her lip to stop her laughter.

Robbie let out a frustrated sound. “Better not be, man. There are women present.”

“Not only women—I see a fair maiden without a crown in this room,” Tim bellowed, making Reagan sputter with laughter. “Princess Sunshine. Would thou wish for a crown? Being in disguise does not suit thee. You are the sun itself in that gown.”

“The sun is yellow,” Robbie ground out. “Her dress is white.”

“The moon then!” Tim said without missing a beat as Lily chuckled at their exchange.

Oh, this was fun! “I would love a crown, kind sir.”

Robbie sidled up closer to her, Cassidy thrusting out her bear for Lily to see. “Egging him on will only extend the show,” he said for only her ears.

She set her wineglass down so she could shake hands with the bear. “I know, and I find myself much entertained. Cassidy, is this the incredible Miss Rosie I’ve heard about?”

The little girl grinned and nodded. “Mine.”

“Why, she’s absolutely beautiful,” Lily declared, punching up her own theatrics. “The perfect companion for a princess like you. But you seem to be missing your magic wand?”

Her eyes went huge in her little face, and Reagan stopped playing with her crown, clearly fascinated with this development. “Magic wand?”

Lily spied the utensils crock by the stove. She pranced over to them, making her dress billow around her, and plucked up the crock. Carrying it over to her new friends, she handed a plastic spatula to Cassidy first, still cradled in Robbie’s arms. The little girl squealed and thrust it in the air, nearly knocking him in the eye. Oops.

Turning, she presented the crock to Reagan. “You should pick your own wand like a proper princess.”

The young girl shyly pointed to the knife sharpener. “I want that one.”

Robbie looked a little worried, but before he could say anything, Lily said, “Interesting choice, Princess, and one filled with great magic, I’m sure. So you’d best be careful with it.”

“I will,” Reagan answered with awe.

“I’ve got magic,” Cassidy said, scrunching up her little face and tensing her arms like she was trying to…

Robbie glared at Lily. “If she lets out some magic now and I have to change a diaper, your white flag is going into the BBQ to feed the fire.”

Spinning around, knowing he was joking, she bowed at the waist to Tim, offering him the utensils. “And you, kind sir?”

He selected a whisk and spun it in his hand. “Thank you. You are a kind and beautiful maiden.”

She curtsied again before turning back to Robbie. “Would you want to be selecting your wand, Sir Robbie?”

A wicked look entered his eyes before he replied, “I already have one, Princess Sunshine.”

Tim snickered while Lily’s mouth moved in amusement. “Ah, to be a man. Always with a wand.”

His smile was downright flirty, so she turned away for a distraction. “Now, Princess Cassidy, what wish will you make with your wand?”

The little girl’s face immediately lit up. “Mommy coming!” she cried out.

It felt like a crystal vase had shattered on the floor. Robbie and Tim both went stiff. Reagan’s face crumbled, and then the little girl was running out of the room, her impromptu cape falling in her haste.

Lily gestured with the utensils. “I’m so sorry. I…”

“It’s okay,” Robbie assured her with a tight jaw. “She’s just missing her mother. I’ll go after her. Tim, can you take Cassidy?”

His brother grabbed the baby easily. Her lip was curling up, and she pointed in the direction where Robbie left to go after Reagan. “She’s sad.”

Tim kissed her cheek. “Yeah, a little. But you… Let me see that wand of yours.”

Cassidy thrust it out at him, which he evaded easily.

“Is there anything I can do?” Lily asked.

“Nah.” Tim took the crock from her and set it on the counter. “It’s nothing to be concerned about. Robbie’s got her.”

Sure enough, Robbie came back in with Reagan a few moments later. The young girl’s eyes were still wet, but she gave Cassidy a brave smile when her sister called her name and thrust her wand out. Tim put the little girl on the floor, and she immediately toddled over to Reagan and put her arms around her, patting her on the back with little hands. Their sweet hug was heartfelt and endearing, the comfort in the embrace making Lily’s heart turn over.

“They really are the sweetest kids,” Tim said, coming up to stand beside her. “The wand idea was a great one, Summer. Thanks. I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of that if it rains tomorrow and we’re stuck inside. I might even see if my seniors enjoy it.”

He was trying to comfort her in his own way, and that was also sweet. She kissed his cheek softly. “Thank you, Tim. That made me feel a little better.”

“Good.” Tim was about to put a hand on her shoulder in camaraderie, but he stopped, and she was surprised to see Robbie was cutting him a hard look. “Aha. The green-eyed monster doth appear. I’ll just go and check on my other brother. Girls, come on, let’s show our other fair companions this eve our crowns and wands.”

Breaking apart, Cassidy rushed over to grab Miss Rosie while Reagan shot Lily a sad smile before following them out onto the patio. Billie didn’t seem to notice them until Tim dropped Cassidy gently in his lap, breaking the intense conversation he and Sheila were having over their nearly drunk margaritas.

“You have nothing to feel bad about,” Robbie said, pulling her gaze back to him. “It was an innocent comment. I wouldn’t have guessed Reagan would react like that. She’s been happy to be on this adventure since it started, but she’s clearly missing her mom more than she’s let on. That’s all to say that Tim doesn’t need to be comforting you. I’ve got a perfectly good shoulder here.”

So he was jealous? Interesting. “I hate knowing I did or said something to make a child cry. I didn’t know my question would lead to her mom. Is she going to be coming here—like Cassidy hoped?”

Finally, she could ask a question that related directly to their case, although she hated to admit she was tempted to make use of his shoulder. For completely different reasons…

His gaze shuttered. “Like I said, you didn’t do anything wrong, so let’s drop the whole thing. Don’t make me grab Tim again so he can spout off some more Shakespeare crap to get you to smile.”

She wasn’t pleased by his evasion, but she couldn’t push on whether Tara was coming to join them. “Your brother is a very nice man.”

“Everyone says he’s the nicest of the O’Connor boys for sure. But no one’s perfect, as the Shakespeare thing proves.”

Did he think she was suddenly into Tim? “When I say he’s nice, it’s a compliment. I imagine he’d be fun to hang out with.”

He crossed his arms, his muscles flexing with tension. “He’s seeing someone.”

She closed her mouth, trying not to laugh. “I’m not interested in Tim, Robbie. You don’t need to wave me off. There aren’t many truly nice men in the world, and he’s one of them. I bet he’d make a good friend. That’s all I meant. I’m sorry if that ticked you off.”

Picking up her wine, she heard him exhale like an angry beast. “I must be losing my—I’m glad you clarified that, because I was getting pissed thinking you’d started liking my baby brother.”

His mouth moved like he was clearly fighting with himself and that green-eyed monster inside. My, how that gave her a warm little buzz.

“Over me,” he added in a husky voice, giving her a slow once-over.

She felt the punch of his honesty. Her pulse turned thready in response to the shot of hot awareness between them. “We’re on the same page,” she rasped out, letting her gaze drift and linger over his strong, hard jaw down to his wide, broad chest.

Checking him out is part of my cover. There’s no reason not to make it look believable.

God, she was lying to herself. Her personal feelings had woven their way into this assignment since the first day she’d seen him.

He was staring at her when she looked up, his blue eyes smoldering. “I hate to say this, but we aren’t on the same page. I’m on vacation with two young girls who are in my care. I’m not here for any complications. I mean this as a compliment, to use your phrase, but you, Summer, are one giant complication.”

Her chest grew tight and she fought for breath. This was her response to him as a woman—nothing undercover about it. “I didn’t come here looking for anything either. You surprised me.”

That was honest at least.

He crossed the kitchen until he was standing inches away from her. “I’m old enough to know better. So even though I want to kiss you right now, I’m not going to. We have an audience for one, and second, I have a feeling I’m not going to want to stop.”

That arrested all the oxygen in her lungs. His hungry gaze ran over her face again. His hands fisted at his sides, as if he was fighting the pull to touch her. She could feel the heat from his skin and wished she could lift her hand and touch him. But she couldn’t cross that line either. “Then we’re agreed. This would be stupid.”

“The stupidest.” His voice dipped to a sexy whisper, and from the way his eyes hovered on her mouth, she knew he was imagining all of the stupid things he wanted to do to her. She could suddenly see him lifting her onto the kitchen counter and stepping between her legs, all hard man and muscle.

She took a step back. “I should go and…see how…” She stopped herself from saying Sheila’s name. Wanting to slap herself for her near mistake, she walked swiftly to the patio door and let herself out.

The warm humid air only made her more aware of her hot cheeks. God, she was flushed. Sheila looked up immediately from canoodling with Billie, who was holding Cassidy on his lap.

Her friend’s smiling face changed to a look of concern, making Billie glance over his shoulder. “Everything okay in there? My brother didn’t growl at you, did he? I told him to be nice tonight.”

She had to think about how to respond so she wouldn’t cause a problem. “Of course not. I just wanted to come out and try one of Clarice’s famous margaritas.”

“Well, they’re mostly melted.” Sheila stood and walked over to her, taking her by the elbow. “Oops.”

“That’s okay,” she made herself say. “Better for me since I’m a lightweight.”

Sheila jiggled her arm as if to bring her back to herself. “Come on, Sunshine, we’ll grab you some more ice from our place.”

“We have some inside, ladies.” Billie stood and put Cassidy over his shoulders, making her squeal and hang on to his bald head. “I’ll go with you. In case someone is still huffing and puffing.”

Robbie had his head buried in the fridge when they came back in. He swung around with the hamburger platter in his hands. “Billie, grab the dogs and the buns. You’re just in time to help me BBQ.”

He walked past Lily swiftly, every muscle locked. His T-shirt and shorts might as well be made of armor. Her partner had warned her that first day about thinking of him as a knight. But there was one thing she hadn’t realized.

Knights could repel people with their armor too.