The Perfect Storm (The Blake Boys Book 6) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online

to find bottled water, Gatorade and an assortment of fruits and vegetables. He started shoveling bottled war, energy bars and an apple into a fancy insulated lunch bag he’d found in one of the cupboards. He was still a little hungry himself so he continued to eat the pasta. Fifteen minutes later she emerged dressed in jeans, a black shirt and a pair of running shoes. It looked more like she was going jogging, not to a work assignment. J.J. must have been staring laser beams through her because she started fiddling with her clothes.
    “I need to be comfortable in case I’m running around in the dark all night looking for her.”
    “Take a few bites before you leave.” J.J. held up the pasta.
    “I don’t have—”
    J.J. took the opportunity to slip a forkful of food into her mouth. She looked mad at first but then chewed the food. He did it again and she accepted but she held up her hand when he tried a third time.
    “I really do have to go.”
    “I packed you a few things. You need something to sustain you while skulking around in the middle of the night.”
    “That was very thoughtful.” She accepted the bag.
    “Will you have back up?”
    “Of course.”
    “That’s good. Be careful.”
    “Thanks, I will.” She smiled. “Listen, about what just happened in my kitchen. We had a pretty lively night and I’m sure from being an athlete you’re familiar with bursts of adrenaline. So no apologies necessary. It was an accident and it shouldn’t have happened.”
    “I’ve never apologized in my life for kissing a woman and I’m not about to start tonight.” He folded his arms over his chest.
    “So that’s how you’re going to be about it?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    She looked like she wanted to smack him, but she didn’t have the time. Sam stalked off to her SUV and pulled away without so much as a wave goodbye. J.J. smiled. That kiss had been totally worth whatever hell she would give him later.
     
    * * *
     
     
    By the time he made it home, he knew he’d be in no shape to go to work the next morning. When he awoke, he sent a text to Anna Beth letting her know he wouldn’t be in the office.
    Afraid his momma would burst into his room if he didn’t show his face for breakfast, he slipped on a shirt and a pair of jeans and went downstairs. The animated sounds coming from the kitchen meant one thing: Momma and Daddy had his nephews. He loved it when Jake, Connor and Colby were in the house.
    “Good morning. Uncle J.J.” Jake smiled. His baby brothers tried to emulate his greeting.
    “Good morning, family. How are my handsome nephews today?” J.J. rubbed Jake on the head. Teri-Lyn handed him Colby so she could pour him a glass of orange juice.
    “You’re in a good mood.” Teri-Lyn said as she sat down to the kitchen table.
    “I had a very interesting night.” J.J. took a seat and put seven-month-old Colby on his lap.
    “I noticed you got home pretty late.” Teri-Lyn set the juice down on the table.
    “How did you trick Morgan and Seth into letting you have the boys again?” J.J. balanced Colby as he clumsily tried to stand up by grabbing his shirt.
    “Please, they were happy to get some quality time. I’ll take him.” Teri-Lyn smiled.
    “No worries. Colby and I are fine.” He began spoon-feeding his nephew pureed bananas and peaches while taking bites off his own plate. J.J. got Jake and Connor into the fun as he made faces and played with them. He started singing one of those songs from Jake’s favorite children’s show, Doodles the Bear, and they’d gotten into a good groove when he looked up to see his parents staring at him.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    “Nothing.” John Jacob forked some eggs into his mouth.
    “You should stay out late more often.” Teri-Lyn chewed on a piece of bacon.
    He took a sip of his juice. “I intend to.”
    “I rode past the house yesterday,” John Jacob said. “Construction is coming along. I think they’ll be finished ahead of