Read Online Finally Home (Home Series) by Ann Vaughn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Ann Vaughn
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there in our reception area, working on upgrading our already elaborate security system."
"My...what makes you think Mike Casiano is my type? He's stubborn and authoritative and set in his ways and broody and..."
"Gorgeous, strong, dominant and wounded. You may think you don't like someone who is controlling, but the truth is, that is exactly who you want. Kevin let you do your own thing and he did his own thing and while you had fun with him, you never really respected him because you could walk all over him. Mike, on the other hand, may make allowances for you, but you're never going to control him. He's used to being in command and deep down, you like that. Admit it."
"I don't..." Lainey began but felt heat rising in her cheeks. Kacee was right; she did already love the fact that she was never going to be able to push Mike around. He would push right back and she was pretty sure that if he ever asserted his dominance, he would win.
Kacee smiled and winked at her. "That, my dear, sweet, Lainey, is why I never introduced you to him. You weren't ready. He's not going to fall at your feet. You're going to have to work if you want him. You already know what he went through in his service. He is carrying some serious demons within him. You want him, you help him through all of that and hold on as tight as you can to him. Ride it out. But hold on. Mike is a really, really good guy. There is no one else who I think is deserving of you. My idiot brother included." She glanced at the clock. "I gotta get ready for my first appointment. But you remember what I've said, especially when he pisses you off, which will be often, I assure you. I love him like one of my brothers and after all he has been through, he has earned you, Lainey."
Lainey watched Kacee leave, standing in stunned silence. She always thought Kacee wanted her to be with Kevin. It absolutely floored her that all this time, her best friend had someone else in mind for her. She thought about Riley. Mike had been his best friend for years, yet he'd never introduced her to Mike, either. Was it for the same reasons? She couldn't wait for Riley to get home so she could find out.
Chapter Five
Mike forced thoughts of his morning with Lainey from his mind and concentrated on helping Colt get the security system for the offices up and running. He could tell that Colt was chomping at the bit to say something to him about her but was wisely staying quiet. Mike was grateful for that because he honestly didn't think he'd be able to keep himself in check if Colt were to rag on him. Fortunately, Colt was focused on his work and most likely picked up on the fact that it wouldn't be wise to provoke him.
The endless stream of children coming in for counseling astounded him. The girls had their schedules down to an art -form. They would escort the one they'd just ended with out to the reception area to reunite with their parent and then escort the next one back to their offices. There were very few times that an incoming patient had to wait more than five minutes for Lainey or Kacee to come get them.
"Hey, Mike," Cam Blackwell, Riley's step-son, greeted him when he walked in. "What are you doing here?"
"Working on the security system. How are you?"
"Good. Mom and Riley are coming home early. She said they'd be here on Friday."
Mike met Colt's gaze briefly, then looked back down at Cam. "Excited to have them back?"
"Yeah. Riley's going to teach me to shoot. I can't wait." Cam's eyes shifted to Colt and Mike saw them widen just slightly. "I know you from one of Riley's pictures."
Colt smiled and held his hand out to the kid. "Colt Harris."
"Cam Blackwell. You're the one who sent a card to Riley addressed to Malibu Ken."
Colt laughed and even Mike had to chuckle at that one.
"Yeah, I did. He kinda looks like Malibu Ken. I give him a hard time about that."
Cam snickered.
"My...what makes you think Mike Casiano is my type? He's stubborn and authoritative and set in his ways and broody and..."
"Gorgeous, strong, dominant and wounded. You may think you don't like someone who is controlling, but the truth is, that is exactly who you want. Kevin let you do your own thing and he did his own thing and while you had fun with him, you never really respected him because you could walk all over him. Mike, on the other hand, may make allowances for you, but you're never going to control him. He's used to being in command and deep down, you like that. Admit it."
"I don't..." Lainey began but felt heat rising in her cheeks. Kacee was right; she did already love the fact that she was never going to be able to push Mike around. He would push right back and she was pretty sure that if he ever asserted his dominance, he would win.
Kacee smiled and winked at her. "That, my dear, sweet, Lainey, is why I never introduced you to him. You weren't ready. He's not going to fall at your feet. You're going to have to work if you want him. You already know what he went through in his service. He is carrying some serious demons within him. You want him, you help him through all of that and hold on as tight as you can to him. Ride it out. But hold on. Mike is a really, really good guy. There is no one else who I think is deserving of you. My idiot brother included." She glanced at the clock. "I gotta get ready for my first appointment. But you remember what I've said, especially when he pisses you off, which will be often, I assure you. I love him like one of my brothers and after all he has been through, he has earned you, Lainey."
Lainey watched Kacee leave, standing in stunned silence. She always thought Kacee wanted her to be with Kevin. It absolutely floored her that all this time, her best friend had someone else in mind for her. She thought about Riley. Mike had been his best friend for years, yet he'd never introduced her to Mike, either. Was it for the same reasons? She couldn't wait for Riley to get home so she could find out.
Chapter Five
Mike forced thoughts of his morning with Lainey from his mind and concentrated on helping Colt get the security system for the offices up and running. He could tell that Colt was chomping at the bit to say something to him about her but was wisely staying quiet. Mike was grateful for that because he honestly didn't think he'd be able to keep himself in check if Colt were to rag on him. Fortunately, Colt was focused on his work and most likely picked up on the fact that it wouldn't be wise to provoke him.
The endless stream of children coming in for counseling astounded him. The girls had their schedules down to an art -form. They would escort the one they'd just ended with out to the reception area to reunite with their parent and then escort the next one back to their offices. There were very few times that an incoming patient had to wait more than five minutes for Lainey or Kacee to come get them.
"Hey, Mike," Cam Blackwell, Riley's step-son, greeted him when he walked in. "What are you doing here?"
"Working on the security system. How are you?"
"Good. Mom and Riley are coming home early. She said they'd be here on Friday."
Mike met Colt's gaze briefly, then looked back down at Cam. "Excited to have them back?"
"Yeah. Riley's going to teach me to shoot. I can't wait." Cam's eyes shifted to Colt and Mike saw them widen just slightly. "I know you from one of Riley's pictures."
Colt smiled and held his hand out to the kid. "Colt Harris."
"Cam Blackwell. You're the one who sent a card to Riley addressed to Malibu Ken."
Colt laughed and even Mike had to chuckle at that one.
"Yeah, I did. He kinda looks like Malibu Ken. I give him a hard time about that."
Cam snickered.
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