Page 7 of Never Say Never

I crack my neck from side to side in an effort to relax. “So, did you break up with Doctor Dud?” My vision practically blurs red when I think about the two of them together.

“Why do you do that?”

Daisy crosses her arms over her chest and my eyes drop, admiring her tits. I’ve seen her in a bathing suit, and I know they’re each a perfect handful.

“Do what?”

“You always have something snarky to say about the guys I date.”

She’s right, I do. And that isn’t going to change. I feel completely out of control at just the thought of her with some guy who doesn’t deserve her. It kills me. But I’m not stupid enough to tell her that.

“What are you talking about? I couldn’t care less who you date, Daisy.”

Her gaze is locked on mine. Her head tilts to the right like it always does when she’s pissed off at me for something. It’s cute as hell but I hate being the guy to upset her. She just makes me crazy and trading jabs with her is the only way I’ve been able to keep her at an arm’s length.

“You realize that you are full of shit, right? You’ve been this way since high school and I’m sick of it. You’re not my brother, Tuck, so stop acting like it.”

The tension between us kicks up, the air in the room growing thicker by the second. Daisy keeps her eyes pinned on mine for another beat before she huffs out a breath, grabs her keys from the counter and turns to walk away. I slip my fingers around her wrist before she’s able to get far. “Where are you going? We aren’t finished talking.”

My fingertips press into the warm, soft skin at her wrist and my breath catches in response to the feel of her. Daisy’s cheeks are flushed pink; I notice the sharp rise and fall of her chest. My fingers stay firmly around her wrist, in no rush to let go.

I know it’s careless. I shouldn’t be this close to her. The attraction I feel for Daisy has always been a problem. When I’m around her, I can’t think straight.

I let go of her wrist and she blinks, then glowers at me. “You aren’t the boss of me, Tucker, so explain to me why you seem to think you are? Scott is a nice guy. It’s not like I have a track record of dating dog killers.”

“Setting aside the fact that he’s about as interesting as a rock, you work with the guy,” I growl. “I thought you were smarter than that, Daisy.”

Anger flashes in Daisy’s eyes as she lifts her chin to hold my gaze. “How many times do I have to say this, Tucker? It is none of your business who I date. And frankly, dating advice from you—the king of meaningless sex with dumbbells— is laughable. I’ll date whoever I want, and you don’t get a say in it. I mean it,Tucker. You aren’t my dad, you aren’t my brother, and you do not get a say in who I choose to be with.”

Rage flows through my veins like boiling water, just like it always does when I think about her with another guy. There was a time I thoughtI’dbe that guy, but that dream got shut down pretty quick. I shove that thought from my mind, knowing it’s pointless to think about the past. I can’t stop the jealousy that flares up in me when I think about the fact that some other guy is going to get to take that place in Daisy’s life. I’m not naïve enough to think that she will be single forever. It’s only a matter of time before someone wins her heart. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet.

I take a step closer to her, erasing some of the distance she’s put between us. “I am the closest thing you’ll ever have to a brother, and that’s not changing, so you might as well get used to it.”

A look of irritation crosses her face. “Why are you even here, Tucker? It’s not like you to turn down one of your groupies. What’s going on with you?”

Good question. Since when do I turn down a date? Sincenever. I am always in the mood for sex. I love women, and if I’m being honest, women love me. So why am I standing here arguing with Daisy in my parents’ kitchen on a Saturday night instead of hooking up with the girl I met at the bar? I could have taken that girl home and fucked her for three hours straight without a care in the world. No strings, no complaints. She would have left with a smile, and I’d have fallen asleep in my empty bed. A perfect fucking Saturday night.

Except…

Daisy Carter is in my head.

I’ve been lusting over her all day, like a starved animal with a ribeye steak in its sights.

I have learnt to push my feelings for her as deep down as I can, but lately that’s been harder to do. Every time I see her, the urge to touch her, kiss her, feel her lips on mine again is getting harder to control. It feels like I need every ounce of willpower I have not to put my hands on her.

“I came over to swim some laps. Cool down.” I clear my throat. “And I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But it figures my parents would have you doing their favors.”

I see some of the fight leave Daisy as her expression softens. My parents have always treated Daisy as if she’s their own kid. In their eyes, she can do no wrong whereas I can’t seem to do anything right. I’ve gotten used to it. Daisy can be their precious “bonus” daughter for all I care. I’m over it.

That’s what I keep telling myself, anyways.

“It’s not a big deal, Tucker. It’s Saturday. I’m sure they just thought you were busy. They probably thought you were coaching a game.”

Silence settles in the air between us.

“Tuck?”

“Yeah?”

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