The Bluff (Love Stories in Sheet Cake, Texas, #2)

by Emma St. Clair

This book is dedicated to all the readers who read these dedications. I SEE YOU. And I really like you.

And yet, the sense of needing to be in charge, of needing to hold things together never left me altogether, like that period of time altered my DNA permanently.

“I beg your pardon. I am a picture-perfect employee. Didn’t you see how I organized help in cleaning out the warehouse today?” “Help James didn’t seem to want. Which is exactly what I’m talking about.” “I was just doing my job. Very well, thank you.” “You were doing that thing where you push and prod. It’s something you do with people you care about. Something you didn’t ever do with Dale.” I have no argument for this, so I take a long sip of my drink and wonder why I thought sibling bonding was a necessary thing.

What is it with these brothers being giants but having the ability to sneak up like ninjas? They all need collars with bells.

“I’m sure she could handle you on her own. But that doesn’t mean she should have to. Leave.” If I liked the way James stepped in to physically protect me, I love his verbal defense even more. I have a theory. It’s that every woman has two fantasies—one where she’s rescued by a dashing hero, and one where she doesn’t need a hero at all and rescues herself.

I’m pretty sure you can’t have a relationship without hurting someone. Or being hurt. I think that’s what happens when two imperfect people are in a relationship.”