“Does one of us need to pick up the rugrat?” he asked. He’d taken to calling the kids that again, but now he said it with affection rather than scorn.

“No, Coach Diaz is dropping him off.”

She knew Jason was disappointed that she and Seth hadn’t made it to his Little League game today. Miranda usually managed to show up halfway into the game, sometimes earlier if she broke a few traffic laws, but her afternoon ballet class had run late today. And Seth had gone to the beach to work out with a few other SEALs, so he’d been MIA too.

“Oh, and I forgot to tell you. I’m going to be scarce for the next few days.” Seth’s expression displayed a hint of regret.

“How come?”

“We’re going to the desert again. Doing some mock extractions, I think.” He set the beer on the counter. “We go wheels-up at oh-dark-hundred hours, so I don’t think I should crash here tonight.”

“Yeah, probably not,” she agreed. “Tomorrow is the one day we all get to sleep in.”

Ironically, that day was Monday, which most of the world dreaded. But the twins’ school didn’t open until noon on Mondays, and she didn’t teach any classes at the studio, so that meant none of them had to get up early. Still, she’d miss waking up in Seth’s arms.

“You know, we could easily solve all our problems with one easy move.”

She raised her eyebrows. “We have problems? Plural?”

“Well, just one.” He yanked her into his arms and rested his hands on her lower back, seductively stroking the strip of exposed skin where her tank top had ridden up. “I want you around all the time.”

Miranda was momentarily distracted by the delicious way his rough-skinned fingers traveled over her flesh. “You’re saying that’s a problem? Wanting me around?”

“The problem is that you’re not around. And the solution is simple.” He met her eyes. “Maybe we should all get a place together.”

Shock slammed into her. “Are you serious?”

He nodded. “I’d suggest that I move in here with you guys, but this place is too tiny, and I’d need enough space for all my workout equipment and my gear.”

She was still trying to absorb it all. “What about Dylan? You’re just going to abandon him?”

“Our lease is up in November, so we just wouldn’t renew it. Or he could renew and find a new roommate. Or Dylan could move out and you guys could move in. There’re a lot of options.”

Wow. Living together. The notion was scary as hell, but it also sent a thrill soaring through her.

“I…would have to give it some thought,” she finally said. “A lot of thought.”

Seth grinned. “That’s exactly what I knew you would say. But I figured I’d bring it up anyway.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers, the prickly stubble on his jaw scratching her chin. “You’ve got until November to mull it over, Miranda. No rush. Just know that the option is there.”

Chapter Twenty

September

Claire McKinley was infuriatingly attractive. Gorgeous, even, which only pissed Dylan off further as he took the overnight bag she handed him and lugged it to the spare bedroom of his and Seth’s townhouse. She’d only been in his presence for five minutes, and he already wanted her to leave.

Though in the woman’s defense, his brother was being a bit of a dick.

“I don’t have a choice. He had a last-minute emergency so the meeting was cancelled.” Chris’s soothing voice drifted out of the living room. “And the senior partner invited me to join him at the country club for a round of golf. Was I just supposed to say no?”

“Yes,” Claire shot back. “It’s one thing to dump me off on your brother while you have a legitimate business meeting to attend, but you’re blowing me off for golf? Can’t you see how that might be a tad annoying, Chris?”

His brother didn’t have the decency to sound remorseful. “When the senior partner invites you to his club, you say yes, end of story.”

After taking a calming breath, Dylan pasted on a happy face and strode back into the living room. “Your bags are in your room.” AKA f**k you, big brother, for turning me into your damn bellhop.

“Thanks,” Chris said absently.

Claire didn’t say anything.

Dylan studied her discreetly, wondering what his brother saw in the woman yet at the same time knowing exactly what Chris saw in her. The woman was sex on stilettos. She had reddish-brown hair that cascaded down her back in long waves, enormous amber-colored eyes, a cupid’s-bow mouth that was made to be wrapped around a man’s cock. And she was packing a lotta sweet, sweet curves beneath that sleek black business suit of hers.

“Did I hear something about your meeting being cancelled?” Dylan said casually.

Chris nodded. “The partner I was supposed to meet bailed. So I’m playing golf instead.”

“Should we go out for dinner later?” He made sure to include Claire in the offer by sparing her a pithy glance.

“I’m having dinner at the club with the senior partner, and then he mentioned something about a cigar lounge. I’m not sure when I’ll be back tonight.”

As much as he hated feeling even an ounce of sympathy for the Ice Queen, Dylan understood why she looked so pissed off. Chris really was abandoning her.

“So you’ll be spending the entire day and night hanging out at a country club?” Dylan eyed his brother warily.