Read Online Thirteen (Love by Numbers Book 4) by E.S. Carter - Free Book Online

I push down the handle and enter the massive utility room that leads into their opulent kitchen and no sooner than my feet hit the threshold, Jake hollers out from a few feet away but just out of sight. “H, is that you?”
    I call back, “Who else would be using the servant’s entrance seeing as you don’t actually have servants?”
    I try and tug Lilah forward but she’s glued to the spot, so I turn around and, lower my voice and whisper, “Hey, it’s cool. I’ve told you; they’ll love you.”
    She mutters under her breath, “I don’t even know who they are.”
    “Well, Bunny Girl, you’re just about to find out.”
    “Grab a bottle of wine on your way through and bring it out to the patio,” Jake calls again, this time from a bit further away.
    I manage to get Lilah moving again, even if it is only short, tentative steps. That is until we hit the kitchen. The massive, you could fit a small house inside, kitchen.
    I let go of her hand to walk over to the impressively sized wine fridge, grabbing the first bottle my hand comes into contact with, and not bothering to read the label. When I turn back to Lilah, she’s gawking. Full, open-mouthed, goggle-eyed, gaping.
    I can’t help but chuckle; I’m sure that was my reaction the first time I came here too.
    I walk towards her and gently use my index finger to close her jaw. Her eyes flick to mine, and she shakes herself out of it, and I can’t help but grin. “You ain’t seen nothing yet. Puts your scary bikers to shame, hey?”
    Then I chuckle and lead her through the kitchen, out into the central hallway and towards the open French doors.
    Jake has his back towards us and is cooking on the biggest effing barbeque I’ve ever seen, and Emma is playing with CJ on a large plaid blanket that’s been spread out in the shade. She spots us immediately, her eyes flicking from me to Lilah and back again before a welcoming smile hits her face and a twinkle lights her eyes.
    She scoops up CJ in her arms, calling out, “Hey, you made it,” then making CJ wave when she tells him, “Come and see your Uncle H.”
    She promptly deposits CJ in my arms, then leans up to kiss my cheek, quickly turning to Lilah and embracing her in a hug.
    “Hi, I’m Emma, it’s lovely to meet you…?”
    “Lilah.” Bunny Girl speaks shyly.
    “Lilah, such a beautiful name. Short for Delilah, right?”
    Lilah smiles, her nerves easing a little. “Yes, my Dad is a Tom Jones fan, so I got lumbered with this name while my sister Nicola was named by my mum.”
    “It’s a cool name. Your Dad has good taste.”
    Emma’s smile is warm and genuine, and I can feel Lilah’s rigid stance loosen a little. That is until Jake realises we’ve arrived and turns away from the grill.
    “H, Bro. Did you get that…” His question trails off when he notices I’m not alone.
    “Oh, Hi. I’m sorry,” he looks over at me and raises his eyebrows subtly, “H didn’t tell us he was bringing anyone.”
    He wipes his hands on the frilly pink apron that’s tied around his waist and walks towards us, extending a hand out towards Lilah.
    “I’m Jake; it’s nice to meet you.”
    He gives her his trademark, knicker melting smile that has graced more magazine covers than I’ve had hot dinners.
    I roll my eyes and whisper into CJ’s ear, “Once a manwhore, always a manwhore.” To which Jake grumbles, “Hey, I heard that. Don’t tell my son shit like that.”
    I laugh and look over at Lilah.
    She’s completely mute, the same goggle-eyed look on her face as she had in the kitchen but multiplied by a thousand.
    Jake’s hand hovers in the air between them, and he looks over at me, unsure about what the hell is going on.
    I catch Emma’s face in my periphery as she shakes her head at me.
    “You didn’t tell her, did you?”
    All I do is grin back.
    Yes, this payback date is a roaring success.
    Lilah 1 – Harry – 1
    Bring on round three.

 
    J ake effing Fox.
    Jake ‘Cole Creed’ Fox.
    Jake