Page 9 of Brazilian Fantasy
“The kind of name my mother gave me,” I say, refusing to cause a scene in front of Maddie as she watches us from the backseat of the car, her eyes wide. She might be a quiet little thing, but she takes everything in. And suddenly, oddly, all I want to do is go mama bear and protect her.
Gabriela moves closer to Lucas, a shark swarming its prey. She puts her hand on his chest and splays her fingers. “You know if you need anything, anything at all, I’m right next door.”
“Thank you, Gabriela. But I think Piper has everything I need. I mean…” His gaze flickers to mine, and I see a flash of heat before he quickly blinks it away. “We’re just fine.”
Gabriela glares at me for a moment longer. I stare back, holding my ground, but turn when I hear more voices calling out to Lucas. Hurrying along the sidewalk with their equally small dogs, two more women in heels and low-cut tops rush toward us.
You can’t be serious.
“Lucas,” the pretty blonde says, laying her hand on his chest in much the same manner as Gabriela had. Her friend blinks bedroom eyes at Lucas and coils her hair around her finger.
Blatant much?
They begin shooting questions at him then move on to offering their services. Jeez, poor guy can’t get a word in edgewise. If these were the neighborhood women he talked about asking to help, it’s no wonder he was reluctant.
Thank God I agreed to the job. These two need me more than I ever knew.
After a quick exchange, and a few glares cast my way, Lucas excuses himself, cups my elbow in a protective gesture like he’s afraid I’m about to be swarmed, and walks me to the other side of the SUV. His gaze is apologetic as he opens my door for me. I shake my head as I slide into the seat. Who the heck wears heels to take their dog for a walk, anyway?
“Um, what was that all about?” I ask quietly when he slips into the driver’s seat.
“That was Gabriela, Mariana, and Larissa, just a few of the women in the neighborhood wanting to help me out.”
“More like wanting to drag you down the aisle and be your next baby mama.”
“You think?”
“I know, and you’re not ready for any of that,” I say matter-of-factly, and his head jerks back. “What?” I ask. Did I say something wrong?
“Noting. It’s just…no one really gets that.” He starts the vehicle and backs out of the driveway.
“I’ve had loss in my life, Lucas. I understand. Believe me, I do.” Needing to lighten things, I shake my head slowly and add, “I’m glad Alyssa sent me here when she did.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, otherwise you would have been eaten alive in Sharknado-land.”
Lucas lets out a loud laugh, and I chuckle along with him. “What is it with you Americans and Sharknado, anyway?”
I feign shock. “Are you telling me you don’t watch it?”
“Can’t say as I have.”
“I’m going to have to rectify that.”
“Please don’t.” He casts me another glance. “Listen, I really am sorry you had to be a part of that.”
“It’s a good thing you got me out of there when you did.”
“Yeah,” he says, “they looked like they were about to start pulling your hair.”
I laugh. “It’s not me you needed to worry about.”
“Oh?” He laughs with me.
I flex. “Look at these guns. They come around again, and I’ll protect you and Maddie.” I lower my voice and lean into him. “Maddie might need maternal influence, but no way will I allow any Hooker Barbie near her.”
“Hooker Barbie? Please tell me they don’t really have those in America.” Laughing, he grabs the stick shift, and his hand brushes my leg. I suck in a quick breath, and he stiffens. His glance goes to mine, and when heat moves into his eye again, need sizzles through my body. He might not be ready for marriage or love again, but from the lust swimming in that sea of rich, dark chocolate, it’s clear he’s ready for one thing—and dammit, so am I.
