Page 18 of His Lovebug

I grinned and toyed with Matt’s watch on his wrist. “Probably at the time.”

“So, it got me thinking, was it a movie about cars or a planet that had been populated by sentient insects? Like, from the cars’ point of view.”

I set down my cup and covered my mouth, hiding my laughter because every time I was amused Matt squeezed my thigh, and I could tell it was driving him bonkers. “That’s ridiculous. You clearly thought about it way too much.”

He shrugged. “That’s me, putting a lot of thought and effort into everything I do.” He leaned his elbows on the table and waggled his eyebrows—flirting.

Matt grunted and tugged his vibrating phone out of his pants pocket. He sighed and stood up, walking a few feet away before he answered. “Hello, Derek. I’m out with Quin. What’s up?”

Jackson watched with interest.

I began to feel uncomfortable because if Derek needed help, there was no way it would be legal, and despite me wanting to try to do something to repair Matt and Jackson’s relationship, the brothers would need more time to get over the crap between them.

“So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?” I asked, trying to keep my tone bright. “I should probably do some studying, but I’ll make dinner this evening. You’re free to do anything you want in the house, um, except it seems like Matt wants you to stay out of his den.”

“Does Matt boss you around a lot?” he asked softly, smile a touch too intimate for my comfort. “I would never do such a thing.”

Before I could fire back a response, Matt came over and leaned down to kiss me. He cupped the back of my neck with his big hand and let his mouth linger over mine before he straightened with regret written on his face. “Work.” He glanced at Jackson, and I assumed if he wasn’t sitting with us that Matt would tell me what was going on in more detail, but I just nodded.

“Of course.”

“I don’t have time to drive you home, but Royal is going to come and get you. And he’s going to stick around,” Matt said, already walking away as he texted on his phone.

I was both relieved and irritated. What was Royal going to do? Matt said that he didn’t trust his brother—and I could see why. It wasn’t difficult to imagine this man talking his way into panties if he put his mind to it, but that also felt like Matt stilldidn’t trustme. I glared at his back, but then took a deep breath and tried to get myself together.

“Does he leave you alone for work a lot?” Sympathy was heavy in Jackson’s voice, and he drained his small mug, clearly someone used to such things. Used to thegoodlife.

“You’re interesting,” I said.

He perked up and flashed me an earnest smile. “Yeah?”

I nodded. “You knew my mother, and I suppose you were kindred spirits.”

He chuckled and ducked his head, smile fading to a sweet grin. “I’m not sure how I should take that.”

“Not well,” I said softly.

His expression faltered until it was a frown.

There would only be minutes before Royal arrived, and I needed to put an end to this so that Matt could have his brother, and things could be fine in his family again. I leaned forward, and Jackson smirked, shifting closer and glancing toward the collar of my dress. Heat traveled up to my face. He was attractive, but he wasn’t Matt.

“This isn’t yours,” I said, running my finger along my neckline and up my throat. I toyed with my earring. “Matt is mine, and I’m his. We’re a real couple.”

He tilted his head. “For now.”

“What do you think you’re accomplishing?” I asked. Now that we were alone, I expected the act might break the way things usually did with Mom, but he was very good. There was a flicker of confusion on his face, but then his smile was back.

“I’m protecting my brother. If I can tumble you into bed, he knows that the apple is spoiled, right? He can toss you in the trash, let me move in, and my issues are solved for now.”

I rolled my eyes.

We had a stare off.

“It drives you crazy that he’s doing better than you. He has more attractive people in his bed than you. You’re a little boy throwing rocks at his sandcastle out of spite.” I sat back and continued to hold his gaze.

He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair.

“What are your goals? Every con has a goal.”

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