The X-List: Larsson Siblings, #3

By Evie Mitchell

Rune
What kind of crazy person doesn't read?
Apparently my new neighbour. She's loud, sassy, flirty and infuriatingly, annoyingly cheerful.
And a non-reader. The worst kind of human.
So why is that when I dare her to enter the charity read-a-thon, I suddenly find myself carefully curating her list?
And those books… they're definitely not your momma's romance.

Gabby
I'm used to people underestimating me. Normally I can brush it off with a laugh.
But Rune? He gets under my skin.
So when he makes an off-handed comment that a non-reader like me shouldn't bother with the town's charity event, I can't help but accept the challenge.
Only these books are not what I remember from the school book list.
Not.
Even.
Close.
And Rune? Well I'm beginning to see him in a new light.
Or, should I say, hear him?

Warning: This sexy little number is inspired by hot books, men who read, and a slight exhibitionist tease. Get thee a man who knows how to handle you between the covers, and settle in — this steamy read will have you begging for more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evie Mitchell
• Release date: Jan 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215379639

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Gabby

W e're here, I whispered to myself as I pulled up behind the moving van, parking my car in front of the gorgeous duplex bungalow. A thrill of excitement ratcheted down my spine, sending the butterflies in my stomach fluttering with nervous anticipation.

Gunnar, my boss, came from around the front of the truck, giving me a smile. I exited my car, coming to meet him halfway.

Welcome to Cape Hardgrave, he gestured at the bungalow. Not much to look at on the outside, but she'll do for the next six months.

The bungalow was a single level brick and weatherboard home. It looked as if it were an original build, but had been divided up and updated at some point over the last fifty years. Whoever owned it was obviously a fan of yellow since the entire structure was painted the same shade as a sunflower. Only the roof, doors, and trim were different – a striking black.

The garden isn't pretty right now. But once spring starts in full, you'll find the house gets a little more palatable.

I threw a smile at my boss. You mean the greenery tones down the loudness of the yellow?

He chuckled, more like the riot of flowers distract the eye. Come on, he began walking up to the house. Let's see how you like the place.

I'd applied as a carpenter with Thor's Shipbuilding back in Capricorn Cove. Gunnar, the owner, had put me through my paces and liked what he'd seen. He'd offered me a job, asking if I was willing to apprentice as a shipwright. Considering the woodshop where I'd worked for the last two years had gone bust thanks to shitty financial management, I was more than happy to go back to school and get some new skills. The best part was he was still paying me at full wage while I did the bridging course.

I'd left school early, apprenticing in order to set myself up for when the state would throw me out on my ear.

I was a foster kid, bouncing around homes until I'd wound up in Capricorn Cove with the McKenney's. They'd been a nice bunch. Generous with their time and love, sharing their little town with me and the other kids in the home. When I'd said I wanted to become a carpenter, they'd helped me out, ensuring I still got my high school diploma even while I got trade certified. When I'd aged out of the system, they'd helped me out, setting me up with a little apartment, making sure I had food, telling me that I'd always had a place at their table if I ever needed anything.

So, I'd stayed. Finding work with a local carpenter, designing custom pieces, working on houses, building cheap tables – in a small town like Capricorn Cove you had to be a jack of all trades. I'd enjoyed the work but loved the paycheck more. I'd been saving for a deposit on a home, still living in that first shitty apartment with its flaking walls and damp smell. It'd been cheap and a place to sleep. Nothing special but it worked for me.

Or at least it had until the workshop had gone bust and I'd been forced to dip into my savings to continue covering rent.

When Thor's Shipbuilding had bought the marina, the town had been a flutter of excitement. I hadn't expected to land the job, but Gunnar had liked my work and I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Most people took one look at me and made judgments about my ability to perform. I didn't blame them, but it still pissed me off.

Cape Hardgrave was the headquarters of the century old business. I'd done my research, looking into the Larsson's financial situation, what their employees said about them, client lists – the works. Thor's Shipbuilding were world-renowned, highly distinguished but small and boutique. The people who came to them paid top dollar for quality and name.

When Gunnar had said he wanted me to apprentice I'd agreed, willing to suck up the cost of living and moving for the apprenticeship period at the established headquarters. And when he'd said that it would be all-inclusive? Well, I'd practically thrown myself at the opportunity. It was like all my Christmases had come at once.

We walked up to the house; a ramp had been installed on one side of the stairs. I lifted an eyebrow in question.

Our grandmother lived here before she moved in with my parents. She used a stick for a few years before graduating to a walker last year, though she mostly uses a wheelchair in public these days. The ramp was easier for her to navigate than the stairs.

I nodded, tucking that info away for later. While Gunnar sprang up the stairs, I navigated the ramp, following him up to the entry.

The entry consisted of a wide porch with sweetheart swings on either corner, little picture windows, and two black doors.

You're in the first apartment. Gunnar turned the key in the lock, opening the door and leading me inside.

Beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, and white blank walls. The place felt empty but warm.

It's your place, he said, leading me through the space. Feel free to pop up art or pictures or move stuff around. We don't mind.

Those butterflies morphed into bats as I walked through the hall, grinning as Gunnar began the tour.

Master bedroom with ensuite to your left. There's a small guest bedroom to your right. Linen closet in the hall, he opened the doors showing me a well-stocked closet. If you need anything else linen-wise just buy it and hand the receipt to Ma. She'll reimburse you.

He gestured to a door on our right. Main bathroom and another closet. He opened a door on the left. Office space, Gunnar threw me a grin. You'll need it. Erik is rigorous in his testing.

I chuckled, following him into a small living room, complete with comfortable furniture, a tiny dining room with round table, and a small but completely functional kitchen.

You can open this up, Gunnar said, showing me how to open the large bifold doors onto the back deck. Gets a great breeze year-round.

Now I could see why the house had been built backward – with the bedrooms on the road. The backyard opened onto a sloping yard with a magnificent view out to the ocean. The back porch was completely covered and I could see there were sliding screens to keep the bugs out. The yard itself was flourishing, beautiful greenery, and budding flowers ready to bloom in the coming weeks. A slight breeze tickled the hairs on my cheek; salt and pollen heavy in the air.

This is beautiful, I told Gunnar, spreading my arms and sucking in a deep, satisfying breath. 'You're sure I'm living here rent-free?

He chuckled, oh, it's not rent-free. Erik's gonna work you hard. Don't have any doubts about that.

I laughed, following him back inside. I look forward to it.

Laundry's through here, all your utility access is in there too. Gunnar gestured at a door off the side of the kitchen. Out the side of the house there's a single carport but it's got a small workshop at the rear. Feel free to use that however you want.

I nodded, taking in the gloriously retro kitchen.

If you need anything else just call. Ma's put together a welcome pack, it should be around here somewhere. There are groceries in the fridge, and I have no doubt she'll be around later to visit. He knocked on the wall dividing my apartment from the one next door. And my brother Rune should be done with work later. He's a little quiet, comes across as testy but he's a good kid.

Kid?

Gunnar laughed, I mean, I guess not but—

Hello? A voice called from the entry, interrupting Gunnar.

Hey, come on down. We're in the kitchen.

What sounded like a stampede of people thundered down the hall. A woman, her dark brown hair streaked liberally with grey, a man who had to be Gunnar's father the resemblance was so strong, a woman who looked vaguely familiar held one baby, while a man who I assumed was Gunnar's brother Erik held another. They entered the kitchen in a jumble of limbs, smiles, and chatter.

Gabby, meet the family. Well, some of them.

The older woman came in, dropping a basket on the kitchen counter and opening her arms. Hi Gabby, I'm Jemma. Sorry, I'm a hugger! she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close.

I sent a deer-in-the-headlights look over her shoulder at the older man. He chuckled.

Jemma, let the poor girl breathe.

She let me go, stepping back and slapping a hand on the older man's chest. "Ignore him, Gabby. Sune has