Too Dangerous: The Lewis Cousins, Book 5

Jasmine I was absolutely exhausted. Tired. Fed up. I’d been burning the candle at both ends for over a year. Luckily, it looked like things would be settling down soon. Which was good, because otherwise I’d be facing a serious case of burnout. My brother, Dillon, and I had successfully managed to expand Lewis Sporting Goods, our family business, to three major cities. Yes, there was still going to be tons to do in terms of getting the stores built, staffed, and opened, but my part in it was basically done. I’d be spending my time back in the home office in Cherry Springs, my hometown, and I never thought I’d be so excited to be done traveling and ready to settle in the small town I’d grown up in. I flopped onto my accent chair, glancing around the space I’d been calling home since I’d moved back from college ages ago. It was a loft over the local coffee shop, Strange Brew, on Main Street, and looked basically the same as it had since I moved in. Same sofa and accent chair, same bedframe with mattress covered in the black-and-white comforter. Same mis-matched dishes. Same frayed towels. Same ugly scuffed coffee table. “It’s time to grow up,” I muttered, suddenly disgusted with myself. Everyone else was living grown-up lives. My brother and my best friend, Laurel, were married, having a baby, and living happily in the house we’d grown up in. My cousin Gabe and friend, Zoey, were married with a baby, and shared custody of his son with Zoey’s sister, Chloe … long story … who was married to my cousin, Reardon, and had a newborn son. Finally, my cousin Serena and her sexy man, Jed, had just bought some land and were moving in together. That left me. The last single Lewis cousin, living alone in her sad little loft with not even a prospect in sight. I pushed up off the chair and wandered into the kitchen. “What are you waiting for?” I muttered to myself. This was what I resorted to now, having conversations with myself out loud. So sad. “You’re a successful business woman with money in the bank. You can afford to buy a house you’ll love, decorate, and live the rest of your life in.” I’d gotten complacent. Used to living in this loft where it was safe and there was no risk involved. “That’s not the only reason…” It was even worse when I argued aloud with myself. But, it wasn’t a lie … When I’d decided to rent the loft, I’d always viewed it as a temporary arrangement. Figuring I’d live here until I found the man of my dreams, fell in love, and got married. That hadn’t happened. I had a couple failed relationships in my past, but had found out early on that most men, and women, wanted to use me for things they thought I could give them. Whether it was a place in the family business, access to my ex NFL player cousin, Gabe, or my hot twin brother. Because of this, I was pretty guarded and wary of relationships, and kept my circle tight. So, it was time for me to grow up and get started with my life, rather than living on pause, waiting for Mr. Right to show up and press play. “I’m gonna do it.” I grinned and did a little jig. Tomorrow I’d find a realtor and start looking for a house of my own. Feeling lighter than I had in months, I opened my refrigerator, and shut it again. It was empty. Travel and late nights at the office meant I hadn’t been grocery shopping in who knew how long. My stomach growled as I crossed to the front door to put on my shoes. Living on Main Street meant, although I didn’t have access to twenty-four-seven restaurants as I would in a big city, I was within walking distance to Lewis Bar & Grill, my Aunt Annabeth’s place. I’d eaten many a meal and drunk many a cocktail there over the years, and I knew I’d probably miss the convenience of it when I moved. But, the thought of having a nice big kitchen, and possibly a basement with a stocked bar of my own, had me smiling happily as I let myself inside. The bar had low lights and deep, rich wood surfaces. Half sports bar, half biker bar, it was a place where you could sit down and watch the game, or be social and play pool. It was one of my favorite spots in the world. I surveyed the area, checking to see if any of my family members happened to be around. It wasn’t unheard of for me to pop in and find Gabe, Reardon, Dillon, and Shane enjoying beer at the bar, or Laurel and Dillon eating quietly in the corner booth. Unfortunately, lately, it seemed more often than not the bar was void of Lewis cousins. They were all at their own homes, happily living their lives. I was suddenly overcome with loneliness, and I longed for the days when Laurel, Selena, and I would come here for dinner together. Just then, a tall, handsome man with dirty-blond hair and striking blue eyes walked in from the backroom, intent on the bar. Shane had been working here for over a year. A friend of Gabe’s from college, the man was a walking billboard for s*x and he knew it. As if his looks weren’t enough, he came packing an Australian accent that made women all over Cherry Springs, and beyond, lose their panties with one word. He spelled trouble with a capital T, and although there was no denying I was very, very attracted to him, I avoided him like the plague. I’d seen too many women fall over themselves to try and earn a word or smoldering grin. I’d vowed pretty early on not to be one of them. Who needs a sexy Aussie, who makes a mean drink, smolders in his sleep, and can make a woman come at twenty paces? Not me.