Riptide Love ( Read Online Free Page A

moves fast in never-never.”
    “That’s the bloody truth of it. Mate, I need to get some rest. Let me know when to have Travis handy.”
    “Thanks. And M?”
    “Eh?”
    “Take it easy.”
    Miller grunted before hanging up.
    Closing his cell, he let his head fall back so the breeze caressed his face. I’d like some bloody good news for once. “Oh, bugger me.”Christ. Miller had had one rough patch after another. A father who never let up on him. De’s splitting. The bloody drought that was taking a toll on the station. And now this…
    He just couldn’t wait to bring more joy into his brother’s life.
    Throat constricted, Ethan could barely see by the time he got to his truck. Inside the cab, he laid his head upon the steering wheel. When De hadn’t shown up to marry Miller he’d not been able to say a word to his brother about her. He’d wanted to. Had wanted to clear his conscience. But hadn’t been able to tell his brother he’d gotten naked with De. He’d not said a bloody word. Only let what he’d done to De—to Miller—eat away at him.
    And now he had a son. It was a time for celebrating. But the one mate he wanted to toast a pint with him the most was the one mate he couldn’t tell yet. The heat behind his eyes grew hotter.
    Bugger me.
    Christ, he had so much to make right.
     
     
    Ethan stood quietly nearby while Doctor Jenkins released De from his care. “You need anything, remember we’re open round the clock.”
    “Thanks, for everything. I can’t wait to get home.” The smile she offered the doctor sent him into a tailspin. His blood rushed south causing his prick to thicken. Christ. He’d liked her smile. Even after what she’d gone through the previous evening she was a looker. Again, his gaze drifted down her slender neck to her breasts hidden beneath the gown. His prick hardened. Damn if she hadn’t gone and gotten a boob job. How heavy those breasts would be in his palms now. Where he remembered very small breasts now rested more than a mouthful. They surprised him. He hadn’t taken her for the type.
    As he watched, her nipples extended beneath the material. What a temptation they made as they poked out against the thin gown.
    With effort, he forced his gaze away. Her breasts weren’t something he should be ogling.
    “I completely understand.” The older man patted De’s knee and faced him with his hand extended. “And you, Thorn, watch yourself in the pond.”
    “Always.” He nodded and released the doc’s hand. Jenkins was a good mate. One of the most dedicated doctors he knew. He’d lost count of how many times he’d been met by Jenkins after a rescue. “G’day to you.”
    “And to you.” Jenkins clasped Ethan’s shoulder on the way out of the room. “Take good care of her.”
    “Well…” Nervously, De smoothed the cover. “You know, you don’t have to…”
    “I do, De.” Tired, he cleared his throat. He’d spent the night in the chair in her room once Paige had left with Nathan. “Listen, like I told Jack, I’m taking you home.” While De had been sleeping, the doctor had released Jack. Ethan had run the bloke home and arrived back to a still-sleeping De.
    “I’ve got to get Nate.”
    “That’s fine.” He’d expected as much. “Listen, I want to spend all the time with Nathan I can.” There, he’d made his position clear. He hadn’t wanted to argue any more last night so he had kept silent. But now that she’d had a night of rest, he couldn’t. “I have a world to catch up on with the boy.”
    Before his gaze, she paled. “I know. I know you do.”
    He folded his arms and rocked back on his heels. Christ. When would he get used to the situation? He had a son. They shared a son. And beyond the wild time they’d shared some three years ago, they knew very little about one another.
    This had to be handled with care. He was the one who had to take the extra step. Nothing had prepared him for this day…and he could only imagine the fear