Page 35 of My Ex's Brothers

Oh.

That’s not what Dane seemed to think. I’m half worried I should say something, but I also don’t want to kill the guy’s plan…a plan I need to help with, apparently.

I lean against her car as she opens her door.

“Well, if you need a…” I stop, trying to think of the right word, becausefrienddoesn’t sound right, and I’m certainly not herboyfriendor anything.

The last thought makes me frown.

Do I want to be her boyfriend? The fact that I can’t say no should be a red flag on so many levels, because of all the reasons she’s stated. But regardless of the list of reasons why I shouldn’t pursue her, my list of reasons to do so is getting longer every time I talk to her or see her.

“If you needsomeoneto go with you, I’m free that night.” I shrug.

Amelia’s eyes light up as she shakes her head. “You really are a trip, Tripp.”

I lean down as she settles in her driver’s seat, grabbing her seat belt. The motion jostles her with surprise as I pull it across her chest. The movement puts my face right in front of her, and I don’t think, I just act.

I kiss her.

Her lips move against mine, slow and even, a sweet surrender. Click goes the seat belt, but Amelia’s hand holds my neck still as she kisses me back. I caress her tongue with mine and let out a groan of satisfaction.

Fuck, I could kiss this woman forever.

She breaks away barely a second later as I smile.

“That doesn’t sound like a bad idea…” she says with a blush as I shut her door.

“That’s not a yes…” I tell her with a laugh.

Amelia casts me a look of annoyance. “It’s not anoeither, Tripp. I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it all you want, Mamma Mia,” I tell her with a wink. “Think long andhardabout it.”

The way her cheeks heat has me laughing and shaking my head. She turns the key in the ignition, and I step back to give her room to leave, and…

It doesn’t kick over.

She tries again. And again.

“Fuck!” she says, all excitement and flirtatious sweetness gone.

Oh, shit.

“Don’t do this to me now,” she curses silently as she tries to turn the car on again.

Nothing.

Amelia hits her head against the steering wheel. “This can’t be happening.”

I don’t know shit about cars, but I know one person who does.

“It’s okay, we can fix this, we can?—”

“I can’t afford to get this shit fixed right now…” she whines, and my heart drops.

“Fuck…” I hear a choked sob, and I don’t think twice about opening her door. She looks at me with worried eyes and undoes her seat belt. I kneel before her, my fingers hastily typing out a text.

“I think I know someone who can help,” I tell her, swallowing nervously.

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