Home > Yours to Keep (The Baker's Creek Billionaire Brothers #6)(9)

Yours to Keep (The Baker's Creek Billionaire Brothers #6)(9)
Author: Claudia Y. Burgoa

Henry said that during the tour. “I thought that was a joke.”

“Nope, it’s real. You should go this weekend and check it out.”

“I should be leaving in a couple of days,” I say. “Maybe I could schedule something for the weekend.”

“What about me?” Beacon protests. “When am I going home?”

“Not today.” I laugh. “I might send you a few pictures of the festival, but only if you follow the doctor’s instructions.”

Beacon glances at me. “Why are you going there?”

“We could use another doctor. The hospital needs a neurosurgeon,” Hayes responds.

“I could use my home and my bed. Take me with you, doc. I promise to behave.”

“If you didn’t have a cute girlfriend, I might take you with me.”

He grins. “Has he met Vance?”

Hayes shakes his head. “Don’t get any ideas, Beacon. Now, shut up. We need to work.”

I wonder why Beacon asked that question, but I focus on my work instead of continuing the conversation. I’m interested in visiting the town. Who knows, maybe that’s exactly what I need in my life.

 

 

Chapter Six

 

 

Darren

 

 

I don’t wait for the weekend. Once I’m ready to leave San Diego, I buy a plane ticket to Portland. Hayes makes a reservation at The Lodge. He assures me that one of his brothers will be picking me up at the airport.

During the two-hour flight, I wonder if whoever picks me up is as hot or hotter than Beacon. I always thought Hayes was handsome. Not that I liked him in any other way than a colleague and friend.

The four brothers I’ve met so far are just as attractive as he is. Okay, I didn’t meet Mills, but I am a fan of the Vancouver Orcas. The five share the same penetrating gaze that makes any man or woman around him shiver slightly.

Am I developing a crush on them? No, but it’d be a lie if I didn’t say I’m attracted. It’s like saying I don’t find Jason Momoa attractive. I do. Would I want to go out with him? No. I’d let him fuck me, though. After all, he’s Jason fucking Momoa. Who wouldn’t want to sleep with him?

When I walk out of the gate, my jaw drops, almost hitting the floor. There’s a tall man only a few steps away from me. He’s the entire package—broad shoulders, corded arms, broody attitude. And fuck, he shares those striking green eyes with his brothers. His eyes are slightly greener like the dark forest.

His face.

High cheekbones, chiseled jaw, and his sensual mouth.

That mouth.

My mind is already wondering how it’d be to run a hand through his thick, dark hair. My lips want to touch his and learn how he tastes. His expression, though, he’s so sure of himself. I bet he’s demanding in bed. He commands respect. My face heats as I imagine him fucking me and…

That’s not why you’re here, Darren Joseph Russell. I even middle-named myself to see if that stops the growing thickness pushing my zipper.

“Darren Russell?” he asks with a husky voice that sends heat down my spine.

“Dare,” I correct him. “My friends call me Dare.”

“I’m Vance Aldridge. This way, Dr. Russell.” The way he emphasizes the last two words, as if saying you-are-not-a-friend, is so fucking hot. It makes me want to say, “Challenge accepted. We’ll be friends.”

I don’t say a word, and instead, I follow him. I want to ask him how he could be at the gate picking me up. No one can go through security unless they have a ticket, no? I’ll ask later since he’s in a hurry. Someone is either chasing us, or he’s trying to tire me so I won’t talk during the drive.

As we’re about to reach baggage claim, he comes to a complete stop and asks, “Do you have more than that bag?”

I tilt my head to my carry-on and say, “No. This is all.”

When I was called to San Diego, I didn’t think I’d be staying more than a day. During my stay, I bought the luggage and clothes. It was easier than asking my sisters to send me some of my clothes. They’d ask questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Everyone at home thinks that I’m doing training in Maryland. They’ve yet to call me. I’m praying that neither one remembers I exist until I’m ready to decide on the job offer.

Vance gives me a sharp nod and speeds up. I look around, worried that someone might be chasing us. Hayes said he was in the Army. What if the man has a few enemies, or he’s a wanted man? I smirk because it’s kind of hot.

I should make a joke. This might be the perfect time to lighten up the situation. When I walk out of the gate, my jaw drops. Nah, I bet he wouldn’t respond to it. Not even with a nostril flare. What if I told him I don’t bite unless he asks nicely? I grin when I find a better one—“I don’t bite. I lick.”

That might fluster the fuck out of him. It can be a good icebreaker, but I don’t say a word, though.

Maybe if I move to Baker’s Creek, I could try to tear down his walls. He seems like a lonely guy, not because he likes it but because he doesn’t trust anyone. On second thought, I wouldn’t do anything. I’m moving to a small town. Isn’t that the kind of place where everyone knows your name? Everyone takes care of everyone. I’ll have plenty of friends.

I can’t wait to be a part of a community that supports each other. It’s not like I don’t have a support system in San Francisco. It’s that other than a few friends and my family, no one else cares. It’s different in small towns, right?

When we arrive at the parking lot, he takes my carry-on and places it in the trunk of a metallic blue Audi e-tron SUV. He opens the passenger door. “Let’s go. I hate to fly during dusk.”

I don’t understand his statement, but I don’t ask what he means by flying.

Is he going to drive so fast that it’ll feel like we’re flying?

I decide to wait until we’re on the highway before I take out my wireless headphones and resume listening to my audiobook. Stories I Only Tell My Friends narrated by Rob Lowe. Mom was a big Rob Lowe fan. I’m pretty sure if given a chance to leave Dad for him, she would do it in a heartbeat. The man is fucking hot, even at his age. She watched all his movies and the series.

When they canceled The West Wing, she organized a protest to get the show back. Mom is a force. Not even a television producer wants to mess with her. Fortunately, the guy always finds another acting gig. Years later, streaming television became a thing, and now, she watches Rob every single day.

The actor is interesting and attractive. Still, I wouldn’t want him to be my stepfather. I choose my father over any other man. He might not have taught me how to play catch, but we spent hours playing sports with video games. That counts, right?

Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at a private hangar. I give Vance a questioning look.

“The helicopter’s ready. Let’s go.”

My stomach lurches. “I thought we were driving,” I say, trying not to sound the way I’m feeling. A helicopter? Those things aren’t safe, are they? They are fragile, tiny, and what if the wind blows us away?

“No. Hurry up,” he orders, getting down and taking my luggage from the trunk. “Make sure to buckle up and put on a headset.”

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