One Kind Tree (The One Kind Deed Series, #15) by Christine DePetrillo

Author:Christine DePetrillo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fake relationship, forced proximity, small town, Vermont, good deeds, contemporary romance
Publisher: Christine DePetrillo
Published: 2023-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Brooke studied Ryder’s sleeping form beside her. Not the first time she’d used slumber to get a good look at him, but now she saw so much more. After last night—oh, that Jacuzzi tub had been fun—she knew layers of this man that had been unlocked by lovemaking. Even though he was injured, he didn’t let that stop him from meeting her every freaking need. Who knew slow and gentle could be so damn sexy? Most of her hookups to date had been wild rides, but they were short lived, often dying out the moment the deed was done.

What she and Ryder had done last night was still burning inside her. The flame had not gone out. She desperately wanted to feed and fan that fire more. If the way Ryder had held her basically all night was any indication, he still felt the blaze too.

She ran her fingertip over the scar slicing through his right eyebrow, and he stirred in his sleep. A moment later, he blinked up at her, sunlight glinting in his amber eyes.

“How did you get this?” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the scar, noting that the scrapes and bruises on his face were still colorful.

“Climbing a tree.” He ran his finger over the scar. “My foot slipped and it was a long way down.”

Brooke cringed. “And you landed on your face?”

“No. I landed on my wrist, which I broke.” He tapped the scar on his eyebrow. “I got this when I stood and passed out. Crashed my head on a rock. Tons of blood.”

“Yikes.” Brooke squirmed beside him.

“Yeah. Ethan bought me boots specifically for climbing trees after that because, and I quote, ‘That much blood shouldn’t pour from a dude’s head.’”

“Were you afraid to climb trees after that?”

Ryder shook his head. “No. I knew what I’d done wrong so I could avoid making the same mistake.” He burrowed his fingers into her hair and combed through it. “Besides, the boots were a big help.” He heaved in a breath and blew it out slowly. “Everything Ethan did was a big help.”

Brooke rubbed his arm, careful not to touch the new bandage he’d put on after their tub shenanigans.

“I have to see my friend Cooper about his tree problem.” Ryder threaded his fingers with hers and rested their hands on his stomach. “Then I have to get back to D.C. to handle Ethan’s funeral.”

Brooke cuddled closer to him as he closed his eyes. It had been so hard to plan and attend Summer’s funeral and she’d had her other sisters and brother for support.

Who did Ryder have?

From what she’d gathered so far, it had been Ryder and Ethan facing the world. Two brothers as a team. He’d said his parents and grandparents were already gone. No other siblings. He hadn’t mentioned any aunts, uncles, or cousins.

“Is there someone to help you back home?”

Ryder turned his head to look at her. “No family, no. It will be a small service, per Ethan’s request. As much as Ethan and I never wanted to check out of this life early, we do have wills.

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