Protected Read Online Free Page B

without
even realizing it. She’s off on Vashon Island right now, doing a mural for a
couple that was finally able to get the adoption they’ve been working on for
years. They’re marvelous, and so that’s her gift to them and to the girl that
they’re bringing into their home.”
    “Wow. Well, good on her,” James
said with a grin. “I’m sure it will be amazing, especially if it’s for a little
girl. Your sister definitely has some impressive talent. Be interesting to see
what all she comes up with.”
    “I’m sure it’s going to rock,”
Viv agreed. “That’s Fia for you, though. She seems to find what everyone needs
and puts it in a painting.” She was going to say something else but stopped
because she had just met these men and didn’t want to tell too many of her
sister’s secrets. “But that’s enough of that. So, the two of you work
together?”
    “For a good number of years,”
James answered. He was grinning again as he took one of the zucchini sticks and
dipped it into the sauce. “Feels like forever some days,” he teased before biting
into the vegetable coated in breadcrumbs.
    “More truth in that than I’m
willing to argue with,” Jason muttered. He waved her toward the appetizers
first. The waitress had left them all in the middle of the table, and
apparently, the men weren’t opposed to her digging in.
    Viv grabbed some of the
zucchini, as well as potato skins and cheese quesadilla. “Thank you,” she said
to Jason and found herself reaching out to put her hand on his again. When she
realized what she’d done, she pulled back and whispered, “Sorry. I don’t mean
to keep invading your personal space.”
    This time his hand moved out to touch hers. “Don’t apologize, Vivian. I don’t
mind. In fact, I may just have to insist you keep doing it as much as you
want.” He tapped a finger to her knuckles before drawing away and filling up a
little plate with the snack foods they’d ordered.
    Vivian smiled and began to eat.
She watched the way the men would from time to time share a look and frowned.
“Okay, what am I missing? I feel like there are some unspoken words going on
between the two of you.”
    “Nothing of any major
importance,” Jason said quietly.
    James snorted at that and shook
his head. “He’s attracted to you but is trying not to appear too eager so he
doesn’t scare you off. He’s playing things cool, as I believe the saying goes.”
He gave a huge grin.
    Vivian turned to Jason and
smiled. “Is that true?” She hoped that it was, because she was certainly
attracted to him. “Maybe we should have this discussion in a little while?
Maybe after dinner, you can go for a walk with me?” Yes, I’m being bloody forward, but I know what I want, and that’s
Jason.
    He looked a little flustered as
he nodded. “It’s true,” he admitted. “And I’d like to go for a walk with you
after dinner. When we no longer have the annoying company. We’ll leave him to
go to bed. He looks tired, don’t you think?”
    Viv laughed. “That sounds like a
plan. Hopefully, your business doesn’t take you guys away before you can meet
Fia. She’s a shining light. I think you’ll both enjoy her company. Just no
hitting on her. She wouldn’t know what to do with someone like you, James.” She
wasn’t teasing. Poor Fi had been sheltered, and Viv was more than happy for
that to continue.
    “Little ol’ me?” James asked. He
batted his lashes at her and smirked. “If I promise to behave, do you think you
could get her to show us some more of her work? ’Cause, I have to say, if you
can, I’ll act better than I ever did in church.”
    “That’s not saying a lot,” Jason
muttered under his breath.
    “Don’t listen to him,” James
said, with a pointed glare at Jason. “I swear on my mama’s soul, God rest her,
I’ll behave myself with your sister.” He cracked a grin then that quickly
turned sensual as he wiggled his eyebrows. “Unless she doesn’t want me