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“Need to talk?” Herme”
“Sorry?”
“Lieutenant, you’re save you credit for How is it that you’re so inept when it co my sister?”
“No one handles your sister”
She shrugged “I’ll concede that”
The sound of heels clicking on wood grabbed their attention seconds before Ginger came into view at the top of the stairs Derek’s ht of her In jean shorts and cowboy boots, Ginger never looked less than stunning, but godda completely different today Her hair had been pulled back away from her face and piled on top of her head in a loose bun She wore a e and dropped past her knees
How then did she look the sexiest he’d ever seen her? He wanted to meet her halfway down the hall and kiss the breath out of her Carry her into his apartment Remind her hoell he knew her body
Derek heard Willa snicker at him behind his back “Va va voom, sis Who are you so dressed up for?”
Which had been his next fking question
When she spotted Willa standing behind hi with each step “Willa, thank God Is everything okay? I just saw your missed call”
She passed Derek to get to her sister, shooting hilance Her wildflower scent washed over him In that moment, he wanted very badly to be the first and last person each day to breathe it in
“I’m fine, G”
He watched Ginger’s own tired eyes widen as she examined her sister’s appearance Willa tried to convey her usual belligerent expression, but didn’t quite pull it off Her lower lip quivered a little
“Is it the boy?” Ginger asked softly
Willa burst into tears and launched herself into her sister’s ar stunned by her sister’s show of e herself and tightening her arms around Willa
A boy He hadn’t seen that one co
Gingerwith fear and uncertainty He sed around the knot in his throat at seeing her so unsure Deserted of her usual confidence Nodding so would be all right For now, it would have to be enough
Another set of footsteps pounded up the staircase He frohen a boy the size of a linebacker appeared, looking panicked and out of breath The kid’s eyes widened on the girls e farther down the hallway, and with a choked noise, he tried to rush toward them past Derek He stopped the newcomer cold with a firm hand to the chest
“I’d explain myself rather quickly, if I were you”
He didn’t even spare Derek a glance “Willa, talk to me”
Derek looked back over his shoulder to see Ginger standing protectively in front of Willa, fury radiating fro her all day She turned slightly and whispered so to a stop near Derek
Derek watched the kid’s eyebrows shoot skyward upon seeing Ginger up close I know that feeling too well To his credit, the kid kept his eyes froer’s neck
“You er”