Page 4 of Protected By my Brothers Best Friend

“You’re not sick,” I say, clearly overstepping. “You’re upset.”

Bryan’s eyes narrow and stay on Iris. “What are you upset about?”

Iris shakes her head, storms past us both, and slams the bedroom door. Obviously, this wasn’t the right thing to say, but I’ve never been happier. All I want is for her to stay.

“Okay then…” Bryan drags in a deep breath. “I guess I forgot what it’s like to be twenty something.”

“She’s stressed,” I say, conjuring up a story of what I think might be going on. “I bet it’s the store thing. She had those plans with the bear and all that. I think maybe it’s getting to her.”

“Why so suddenly, though?” We walk down the stairs as we talk.

“I’m not sure. When we were talking, she shut down, said I hadn’t spent enough time with her lately, and that I didn’t have the right to know.”

Bryan's eyes narrow. “What?”

“Yeah. I’ll try again later on tonight.” I swallow hard as I lie to my best friend. Sure, I’m going to check on his sister tonight. That part is true, but the reason I’m checking is purely selfish.

I need to see her again. Her short little frame, her curves, her soft pink lips. I need to be next to her.

Fuck!

It’s so God damn wrong, and I know that. I watched her grow up. I spent years treating her like a kid sister, and now, she’s all I think about, all I want, all I need.

No one else compares to Iris, and I’ve tried. I’ve tried moving on. I’ve tried dating. I’ve tried imagining my life with other people, but the only girl I ever come back to is Iris.

Bryan shows me to the kitchen where the woman he’s brought is waiting for me. I have no idea how to handle this. I don’t do small talk, I hate fakeness, and I’m not into women that aren’t Iris. All of that said, maybe I can find some civility while I count the moments until I see Iris again.

“Cooper, this is Alaina. Alaina... Cooper.” Shanna introduces us with a smirk, as though she’s made the perfect match.

The woman in fringe cut-off jeans holds out her hand with a bright grin. “Howdy. Great to meet you.” Her teeth are neon white, and her breasts look artificially pumped to the brim. It’s hard to tell through all her adjustments, but I’d wager to say she’s at least a little more age appropriate. “You want to maybe… grab a walk? We could get to know each other better.”

I roll my head to the side and drag in a deep breath. I don’t want to go for a walk. I especially don’t want to go on a walk when the woman I love and care about is upstairs sulking. I want to go back up and see if she’s okay. I want to find out why she’s so bothered by me pulling away. I want to listen to her, hold her, be there for her.

Though in this moment, I know that’s not an option. If I storm off to be by her side right now, there will be no denying how I feel about her, and Lord knows what that will do to everyone here. I can check on her later, when it makes more sense, after I’ve fulfilled this obligation.

I nod toward Alaina. “Sure. I just have to grab a jacket. You need anything upstairs?” Everything I’ve just convinced myself of goes flying out the window the second I open my mouth.

Alaina shakes her head and grins, oblivious to the fact that this isn’t going anywhere. I should tell her now, but I know I’m doing this for Bryan and Shanna. They think I’m lonely and they want to help.

I turn away from the group and jog toward the stairs, hopping steps two at a time until I’m knocking on the door where Iris is staying.

“What?” Her tone is still frustrated.

I open the door and let myself in. “Still pissy, I see.”

She rolls her eyes. “I can hear everything through the vent. You’re supposed to be getting a jacket.”

I laugh. “That was a lie. I don’t need a jacket. I needed to talk to you again.”

Her eyes lower. “About what?”

This. You and me. About how hard it is to have self-control when I’m near you. That’s why I’ve stayed away. How I fantasize about my hands on your skin, my teeth scraping against your neck, my arms around you, holding you close. I don’t say any of that. Instead, I grin and say, “I want to help. I’m sorry I’ve been distant. I didn’t think you needed me this bad.”

She bites back a smile. “I don’t need you this bad.”

“You do.” I poke her side and even the slightest touch has my cock thumping for attention. “Clearly, you do. So… speak. Tell me what’s going on.”

Her tongue slides against her bottom lip and her eyes roll. “You really want to know what’s bothering me?”

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