But he would definitely wash his hands. He pressed through the kitchen, forcing himself not to look into the dining room where Lisa was sitting with his sister. He hoped she was passing a good time in there, but the image was too sweet for him. If he stared too long, he would find himself trying to sit down with them, to run his hand over hers, and he didn’t have the right. But that in there—it was everything he wanted—Lisa taking her place with his family.

No, it was better he got back to work. It was hard to sleep next to her and not roll her over and take her. He thought she would welcome him, but he knew it wasn’t forever, and suddenly sex wasn’t enough for him. He needed to make love to her, needed to know she wanted him for more than an orgasm. Every night he worked later than he needed to, trying to ensure she was asleep before he came to bed and got in beside her.

He wasn’t sure how long he was going to be able to hold out. And he knew every time he slept with her would make it exponentially harder to leave her.

He stopped at the sight of his momma holding a cigarette and stirring a pot of gumbo. God, he needed Lisa to take control of his damn family. He had forgotten exactly how crazy they were. Beyond crazy.

He washed his hands in the sink while trying to get a leash on his temper. “Momma, you can’t smoke in here.”

She simply smiled his way. “I’m just holding it for Michel. Apparently he heard that Otis was out there and that someone had called the sheriff. Michel’s papers aren’t exactly up to date. Now I tried to tell him ICE wouldn’t come out for an Otis sighting, but he ran anyway. He’ll be back soon. I suspect he’s hiding in the bushes by the mechanic shop.”

And now he needed a lawyer for his chef. And maybe a shrink, definitely someone who could help him stop smoking. He’d inherited a big old mess. Inherited? No. It was way worse. He’d paid for this sucker. Paid handsomely, and with maybe more than mere money since Lisa didn’t seem to be coming around.

He might have come home only to lose the one woman who could have made it all worthwhile, because he was rapidly coming to the conclusion that she was the only woman in the world for him. How had he ever thought Josette could make him happy? He hadn’t been thinking at all. He’d been certain it was time to settle down and she’d been pretty and willing.

Now he knew that wasn’t nearly enough.