Piper stood there, her face a bit pale and her blonde hair still a little wet from what had to be a shower of absolute record speed for her. She wore jeans that hugged her like a second skin and a loose, green sweater that skimmed to her thighs. She stared straight at him, and Eric could have sworn there was pain in her eyes. Her lips parted—

“Ben is my family.” Her voice was flat. “Just because he’s not blood, that doesn’t mean I don’t love him like family.”

“Damn straight.” Ben jumped from the bar stool and headed for her. He pulled Piper in his arms, squeezing her tight in a bear hug. “I’ll always be here for you.”

She loved Ben like family.

How does she love me?

Fuck, who was he kidding? Piper didn’t love him at all, but she’d still given him her body the night before. She’d come beneath him. On top of him. Her orgasms had made her scream his name.

And he’d have her screaming again when they were alone.

Ben eased back and peered down at Piper. “How’d you sleep? Were you able to get any rest?”

Her gaze jumped to Eric. He just lifted a brow.

“Or did you toss and turn all night?”

Her cheeks flushed. “It was a long night.”

“Sure as hell was,” Eric murmured.

Frowning, Ben shot him a questioning glare.

Eric turned away, shrugging, as he got the coffee ready. Behind him, he heard Piper’s soft steps approach, then the faint screech as she pulled out one of the bar stools. He thought about the last time he’d had her at the bar.

And he got a sudden craving for ice cream.

“I told him about Grady,” Ben announced in a rush. “I know you liked to think the guy was all sunshine and roses, but he had a temper, Piper. And a streak of jealousy in him that ran a mile wide.”

Eric knew he had that same damn jealousy. He had to get that shit under control. He eased out a low breath then turned to face Piper. She was at the bar, as he’d figured, and Ben was right behind her. “When was the last time you heard from Grady?”

She bit her lower lip. “It was right after…um, after Ben decked him. What was that? A few years ago?” She shot a quick glance at Ben.

He nodded.

“Grady texted me. Told me that he was sorry for being an ass. Said he wouldn’t be bothering me again.” A shrug. “And that was it. I haven’t heard from him since then.”

“He’s at the top of the suspect list. You should have told me that he’d gotten violent with you.”

“He didn’t—”

Eric cut in, saying, “He attacked Ben. Fucking counts as violent.”