Page 9 of Our Sweet Destiny
“Fine.”Cough, cough. I can’t even look at her without getting aroused.
“I brought you brownies.”
His body was still in gawking mode.
“To thank you? For yesterday?” She smiled, holding up the plate of brownies.
She’s off-limits.“Brownies? No need. Really. Anyone would have helped you.”
She licked her lips, and he stifled another groan.Time for another trip out of town.He had to get her to leave before he said or did something he’d regret, or rather, he should regret.
“I don’t think they would have.” She pushed the plate toward him. “I know I can’t stick around, with our families feuding and all, but no matter what their issues are, I didn’t want to seem inconsiderate. Here.” She shoved the plate toward him again, and this time, he took it.
“Thank you. That’s mighty kind of you, but really, you should be going.” He opened her car door for her and hoped she’d just jump in and leave.
“Look, I know our families don’t get along, but do we have to be so mean to each other?”
“I’m a Braden; you’re a Johnson. We shouldn’t even be talking.”And I shouldn’t be fantasizing about taking you right here against your car.
Her smile faded to a disappointed frown. She narrowed her eyes. “Are you really as cold as you appear, Rex Braden?”
He couldn’t slow his racing pulse.I’ll show you just how hot I can be.He took a step forward, one hand fisting and opening repeatedly just to keep them from touching her. He’d dreamed about that body of hers, that luscious mouth, those legs wrapped around his waist, and since seeing her at the ravine, he’d taken three cold showers. He barely made it from breakfast to lunch without his body getting so overheated he was sure Treat could smell the testosterone coming off him in waves.
“I think you’d better go,” he said, eyeing the open car door.
She spun on her heels, but before closing her door, she said, “And here I thought there was something more to you than an arrogant, self-centered Braden. Enjoy the brownies.”
He watched her pull out of the driveway and cursed under his breath. Why was he even in this position? Things were fine before he helped her. He should have turned and ridden off the minute he’d seen who it was down at the ravine. He should have never given any Johnson the time of day, much less the beautiful one that made his heart sing.
“Who was that?” Treat called from the front door.
Rex looked down at the plate of brownies and had a complete brain freeze. Treat met him on the front porch and took the plate from his hands.
“Brownies, yum.” He took one off the top and bit into it. “Aw, these are incredible. Who made them?”
Rex went to the sink and ran the water until it was freezing. Then he splashed it on his face. Treat leaned against the counter next to him and laughed.
“What’s her name?”
They’d confided in each other about women their whole lives. Rex knew he couldn’t pull the wool over Treat’s eyes, and besides, he’d watched Treat change over the last few months, and he knew that if any of his siblings would be sympathetic, it would be him. Treat had gone from building a resort empire to building a life, his own family. Once he’d committed to Max, he’d become completely focused on her needs, putting her feelings first, spending time with her, loving her whether she was happy or sad. When they were together, they were always touching, nuzzling against each other, and sharing secret laughs. Rex couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
He looked at his oldest brother now, and he wanted to share his feelings and his concerns.
“You can’t tell Dad,” Rex said as he dried his face with a towel.
“What are we, twelve?” Treat teased. He ran a hand through his thick dark hair. Treat had taken to forgoing shaving for a day or two each week, and today he sported a thick five-o’clock shadow, giving him a rugged look. At six-foot-six, he reminded Rex of the Marlboro man from the old commercials. “First of all, why would I tell Dad anything about your sex life, and second of all, why would Dad care?”
Rex sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “About yay high.” He held his hand up to his neck. “Long dark hair, gorgeous. Just came back to town a few months ago.”
He watched the lifting of Treat’s eyebrows and the coy smile that crept along his lips as understanding dawned on him.
“No.” Treat shook his head. “No way.”
Rex shrugged. “It’s not like I’m chasing her.”
“Jade Johnson, Rex? What are you thinking?”
“That’s just it. I’mnotthinking. Other than every time I see her I can’t stop fantasizing about what it would be like to…”
Treat was still shaking his head. He laughed a hearty, deep laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Rex asked.
“You’re so screwed.” Treat’s phone vibrated and, still laughing, he read the text and responded.
“Don’t you feel like you have a leash around your neck carrying that idiotic thing around all the time?”
“Are you kidding? I love to hear from Max.” His phone vibrated and he read the text, then said to Rex, “The best I can do is help you to get your mind off of her. I’m meeting Max tonight for a few drinks. Come along.”
