Page 15 of His Secret Obsession

Anymore.

This is just a normal reaction to being touched by an attractive man—he is attractive, objectively speaking, of course. Any woman would get flustered at his touch.

“I’m not usually this clumsy,” I mutter.

He manages to pull off one heel, his fingers brushing over my ankle as he sets it back down on the ground. My skin prickles with goosebumps, and I suppress a shiver. He looks up at me from under his lashes, and his soft expression makes me want to melt. I study the precise way his fingers move as he unclasps the next buckle.

“You look tired. Long day?”

Did his thumb just trace a circle over my ankle bone? I hold my breath for a moment, wondering if he’ll do it again. He sets my ankle down, pulls himself into a standing position, and wordlessly hands me my high heels.

Speak, Maddison! Don’t just stare at him like a fool.

“You were right about Irene. She’s like the cuntiest cunt I’ve ever met.”

“That’s not a word.” His lips quirk to the side, and he releases a breathless chuckle.

The sight of those lips threatening to tug into a full grin has my eyes dipping down to his mouth. For a brief moment, I wonder if kissing him really felt as good as my memories make it outto be. The thought, of course, is accompanied by guilt. Because I shouldn’t be thinking of kissing anybody but Luke. I quickly shake my head and look away. I must imagine the way his eyes linger on me. It’s been a long day, and I haven’t seen Luke much since we arrived in Cedarwood Valley. I miss my boyfriend, that’s all.

“Anything can be a word,” I protest, keeping my tone light and teasing. “Webster’s Dictionary does not have a monopoly on word creation.”

My entire body freezes then and a cold chill washes over me.

Why would I say something like that? Now we’re both thinking about that night.

“Mansel? Is that a play on damsel?”

“Don’t tell Webster’s Dictionary, but I just made it up on the spot.”

“Just because you say it doesn’t make it a real word.” He says it like it’s a joke, but his body is tense and his smile looks forced. Goddammit, will it ever not feel awkward between us? The conversation flowed so easily the night we met—before everything went to shit. Not for the first time, I feel a weird sense of longing to connect with Jax.

Not romantically. Just friendship.

But it’s been clear to me ever since Luke first introduced Jax to me as his brother that Jax just wants to avoid me. Does he think I tried to deceive him that night? I never lied about my age. I knew he was older than me, but I didn’t think it would be a problem. At the time, I wanted him anyway. Maybe I was naive to think he could overlook the age gap between us.

“Where’s Luke?” he asks.

“I’m not sure.” I shrug, averting my eyes so he doesn’t see the way Luke’s continued absence bothers me. It’s nothing new, but I foolishly thought coming to Cedarwood Valley would makehim be more…present. We used to be incredibly close, but these days, I barely see him.

And another part of me—a part I don’t want to admit to—no longer misses his presence. Sometimes the distance is a relief, but we’ve been together for four years now, so isn’t it normal to want some time away from your significant other?

“He’s supposed to be here for dinner tonight,” I add, biting my bottom lip. “He promised me.”

“Maddie,” Jax begins, pausing to sigh as he cups the back of his neck. “What’s gotten into him lately? Is everything okay with him?”

I wouldn’t know because I’m probably a crappy girlfriend who doesn’t know how to be there for him. Because I think I’m falling out of love with him, and moving here was a last-ditch effort to save our relationship, but it’s not working and I don’t want to think about that yet.

“It’s—I think if he wanted you to know, he would tell you.” Immediately, I realize I’ve said the wrong thing. A flash of anger crosses his face, his eyes darkening as he scowls at me. He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Luke is my brother,” he says, his tone turning harsh. “Why wouldn’t he want to tell me what’s going on in his life?”

Something about his question rubs me the wrong way. I feel a surge of protectiveness towards Luke. Just because they are brothers doesn’t mean he owes Jax anything. Maybe if I hadn’t had such a colossally long day, I could push the irritation aside. But my response tumbles out of my mouth before I’ve even thought it through.

“Do you even realize that Luke is your brother, not your son?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” His voice is quiet, low. Just a hint of warning threading through his tone. What I have to say is going to be a hard pill to swallow, but he needs to hear it.

“He doesn’t need you to tell him what to do all the time. He needs a brother.”

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