Harlequin Desire January 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Maisey Yates (free biff chip and kipper ebooks .txt) 📕

passing judgment on what you weren’t able to give him. The money is meaningless to him unless he can enjoy it with you. When you don’t accept his gifts, it makes him feel like he’s not a part of this family.”

Marilyn stared at Divya and she shifted in her seat.

“You and Ethan really only met a few days ago?”

Divya nodded.

“Then, how is it that you know my son so well?”

Divya shrugged. “Maybe because we met each other at a vulnerable time, or maybe because we’re going to be together for such a short time, we don’t feel the need for any pretenses between us.”

Marilyn sipped her coffee. “Maybe we’ve been hard on Ethan. But the money seemed to change him overnight. He was never into private jets and luxury condos.”

“I have never had pot roast, but after dinner tonight, I’m going to want to learn how to make it.” Divya warmed her hands on the coffee mug. “I’ve been around spoiled rich men all my life. Ethan is not one of them. He’d give away all his money if that’s what it would take for things to be right with you.”

They sat in companionable silence, drinking their coffees, then Marilyn reached out her hand and patted Divya’s. “You’re a good girl, Divya. I hope you’re not just around for a short time.”

Divya dropped her gaze to the coffee cup. She tried to imagine Marilyn with her well-worn sweater and jeans sitting next to her own mother, who was always in designer clothes. She couldn’t. Nor could she imagine Ethan sitting with her father in his study, dressed in a kurta pajama, with a crystal tumbler of whiskey.

Ethan’s parents retired to their bedroom and Divya joined Ethan on the couch in the family room. He turned off the TV. “Are you tired?”

“It’s only nine o’clock. This is usually when we eat dinner at my house,” Divya said.

He shrugged. “My mom is usually up early to get to the diner before breakfast is served, so we’ve always been an early-to-bed household.” He put his arm around her and she snuggled into him, enjoying the warmth of his body. “Thanks for breaking the tension with my brother. You don’t have to babysit tomorrow. I can take care of it.”

She touched his arm. “They seem like nice kids. I’d like to get to know them.” And she meant it.

“I don’t know why my brother has such a chip on his shoulder about me getting them expensive presents. Heather has some serious medical-school loans to pay off, and she’s still in training, so she doesn’t make that much money. With Matt not working, I know he can’t afford that stuff. I’m only trying to help,” Ethan said wearily.

She sighed. “My college friend has a five-year-old who I love to spoil. She asked me to stop buying him expensive presents because it undermines what she and her husband can provide for him. It’s hard for them that he has a rich auntie. Think of how your brother must feel about the fact that his kids are more excited about what you give them with your spare change than what he sacrifices every day to provide for them. It’s hard being the parent who has to buy clothes and books, while you get to swoop in and be the hero giving them cool toys. If you want to help, ask your brother what he needs for the kids. Give them the things they need every day.”

Ethan rolled his head back and closed his eyes. She reached over and rubbed her thumbs over his forehead.

“Hmm. Is that a head massage?”

“Kind of. My mom does it when I’m stressed and angry. It calms me down.”

He smiled. “It’s working.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers. “You know, there’s something else that would be really de-stressing right now.”

She pulled her hands back. “Oh no, you’re not tempting me into doing that in your parents’ house.”

He pulled her close to him. “They sleep really soundly.” He turned her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, then began working his way up her arm. Delicious tingles worked their way from his mouth all the way to her core.

She pulled her arm back. “How about we watch a movie?”

He let out a sigh of frustration but grabbed the remote. She placed her head on his chest, enjoying the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart. She was asleep before the movie even started.

She woke when she felt him carrying her up the stairs to the bedroom. He set her gently on the bed, gave her a kiss on the forehead, placed the blankets on her and left the room. After he’d left, she sat up and turned on the light. There was little furniture in the room, just a bed, nightstand and a bookshelf that held a picture of two young boys with their arms around each other, grinning widely. She picked it up. It reminded her of a photo at home of her and her three sisters, all with the same pigtails and school uniforms. Her heart clenched painfully. What am I doing here? She was in Minnesota, a state she hadn’t even known existed a few days ago, with a family that wasn’t hers and a man who made her body sing in ways it never had before and had wormed his way into her heart when she’d least expected it.

Seeing Ethan with his family just made her miss hers even more. She clicked on the phone Ethan had given her. She opened her email. There were several messages from him, her sisters and one from Sameer. Her pulse quickened as she clicked on his message.

Yo sis! Cool move. I’m pretty sure this trumps all the idiot things I’ve ever done. Passing my bad boy trophy to you. I’m doing well. Stay away as long as you need. You deserve a break. I’m good. Really.

PS—Vivek is a maha bore. Why did you ever want to