Yawning my head off, Michael grins like the cat that ate the canary, and then I grin when he yawns.

“You tried so hard to keep that inside,” I tease as he pulls up outside of our home.

It’s a large cape cod style with amazing views over the lake, sorry reservoir, from the back porch. The rooms are light and Michael has decorated it similar to his parents’ home, in whites, and pale colors. It suits the house and Michael…and me.

“I love watching you smile,” Michael turns the engine off and traces my lips with a finger.

“You love my lips, and what they look like wrapped around your…” I wiggle my little finger with laughter in my gaze.

“Hey, now. I’m much bigger than that little finger.” He smirks. “I can show you if you like.” He makes to unfasten his pants as a man moving around the side of the house comes into view.

Michael follows my gaze and then sighs dramatically. “I guess I can wait.” He laughs. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Ryan.”

He rushes around and opens my door, slinging his arm around my neck. “He’s my cousin, and Aunt Rosie and Uncle Ruben’s oldest. He has a brother and sister, Jaxon and Sophia.” Turning to his cousin, he says, “Good to see you.”

They exchange manly hugs and then Ryan watches me. “So,” he steps forward, “you must be Brooke.” Grinning he wraps me up in his arms for an extra long hug. “It’s nice to meet you Brooke.” He still doesn’t let me go.

“That’s enough,” Michael snaps. “It was nice to see you,” he grumbles, pulling me away from Ryan. “I forgot to add that he loves the ladies.”

“Hey, I’m young, free and single, and there’s lots of pu…” he pauses, “um, women out there looking for a good time.”

I grin. “Nice save.” Rolling my eyes, I suggest, “Let’s go inside, we’re being watched.”

They both look at me. “The woman across the street. She’s always there watching everyone coming and going. At least if we ever get robbed, she’ll have the cops here within seconds.”

Ryan winces. “Maybe not seconds because she’s probably watched me casing your joint.” He laughs. “I’m kinda joking, but would love a cup of coffee.”

I know Ryan’s type. I also know that one of these days he’s going to be sent to his ass by a woman and he won’t have a clue what to do with her.

“Wanna tell me why you’re laughing?” he asks, watching me warily.

Michael laughs. “That look on her face is dangerous.”

“Really Michael,” I flutter my lashes, “that look is only for you, tsk, you should know that.” I focus on Ryan. “I was just thinking how funny it will be to watch you fall over yourself when you meet the one.”

He frowns. “The one what?”

Michael hits him on the back. “You seriously have no clue what she means?”

His eyes pop wide. “Hell no!” Ryan gasps. “That is not happening to me...at least, not while I’m in my twenties.” He shudders. “You’re creepy.”

“Grow up,” Michael suggests and shoves a cup of coffee in front of him. “I don’t want my girl having bad impressions of my family.”

Moving over to Ryan, I rest a hand on his shoulder and lean over him. “Don’t worry Michael, I like your cousin.” I wink at Michael, and get closer to Ryan. “So, I have a sister who would love you.”

He watches me carefully. “That a fact?”

“Hmm, she’s looking to get married and have ten kids.” I quickly move away and wrap myself into Michael’s waiting arms.

His face pales and then Ryan laughs, “Haha, not funny.”

“It was a little bit funny.”

“Nope.” He smirks. “So, when’s the wedding?”

Michael chokes on the sip of coffee he’d just taken and I glare at Ryan. Before I can say anything to get rid of the awkwardness, Michael covers my mouth with a hot, but all too brief, kiss.

“There will be a wedding once I’ve asked Brooke to marry me, which will never happen in front of you.” Michael takes another drink of his coffee and when he meets my eyes, I know he’s serious and my heart flutters madly in my chest.

“Oh no,” Ryan groans. “I actually called round to ask you to Kenza this weekend, but I’m out of here before things get, um, heated.”

Shoving back the chair, he runs his hands through his over long dark hair before he rubs his flat stomach and heads for the door. “Bring Brooke with you. The others will be there. Saturday,” he shouts from over his shoulder.

“I like your cousin.”

He groans. “You do realize after that show you put on about your sister, he won’t leave you alone. He’s going to think that you’re his new best friend.”

I roll my eyes and pat Michael on the stomach. “He isn’t a dog.”

“That’s exactly what he is,” Michael leans on the island in the kitchen, and continues, “he’s a hound dog. No one is safe from him at Kenza.”

“He seems harmless.” I place the cups in the sink and, taking Michael’s hand, lead him into the living room.

“He is harmless unless there is a particular woman who takes his fancy.”

“Stop grumbling or I’ll think you’re jealous.” I glance back at Michael and come to a stop. “Are you jealous?”

“Hell no!” He grins. “But in the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that Alex and I have spent many a night at Kenza watching Ryan at work, or should I say play. We’d even bet as to whether or not he’d score.”

“Something tells me that you and Alex had your choice in the ladies.” I raise a brow and laugh at the look on his face as he blushes. “Why Michael McKenzie, do tell?” I tease and tug him to the sofa.

“I don’t mind anything that you got up to before me, Michael, so please don’t be embarrassed. Before you found the love of your life,” I smile, “you were a single guy not looking for commitment, just like your cousin.”

He drops his head against the chair so I lean over him, caressing his face. “What’s wrong?”

Sighing, he asks, “You saw the kiss between Alex and Rachel, right? It was heated, and even me, being a guy, felt how much they were both hurting. They worry me, Brooke.” He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers. “I love them both. I grew up with them.”

“But?”

“I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong for them to be happy together.” When he turns his head to the side, and I meet his gaze, all I see is anguish for his cousins.

“I wish I knew what to say, but I don’t, other than to remind you that there is no blood between them. Remember that okay, and maybe talk to Alex. Let him know that you know and maybe it will give him someone to talk to because he’s got to be hurting, Michael. No matter how you feel about them together, you can be there for him.”

He brings my hand up to his lips and hovers over them. “How did I get so lucky finding you?”

“We found each other.”

“I’m so glad we did…now tell me about your sister.”

Hearing Michael ask that, I actually want to refuse and ask him to tell me about our wedding.