Page 39 of Thinking It Over

“Of course there are.” Frankie grinned as he stood. “Always prepared, right?” While he winked, an undercurrent of frustration appeared to lace his words. I raised my brows, wondering what I’d done to piss him off. Now wasn’t the time to challenge him, though.

“Help yourself to whatever you need. There’s a contractor due in about thirty minutes to look at a few jobs on the house. You still sleep like the dead?” I asked, a bit of sass in my voice.

“Yep.”

“Then he won’t bother you.”

Frankie grinned and picked up his bag. “Thanks for breakfast and the bed.” Affection this time lit his words. “I’ll catch you in a while.” He waved over his shoulder as he left the room.

I watched him go, a little unnerved about my brother’s presence and his strange behavior.

“You okay?” Jasper moved from my side to stand in front of me, his hands going to my waist. “That all seemed a bit intense.” Concern shone in his eyes.

I expelled a heavy breath, reaching out and gripping his ass, pulling him close. “I’m okay. A bit wired and not quite sure what’s going on with him.”

“So he’s not usually like that?”

I shook my head. “Not usually so defensive, no. And I’ve never really known him to make a dig. Don’t get me wrong, growing up, we argued like everyone else, but Frankie’s always been laid-back and easygoing. Something’s different or has happened.”

“I’m sure he’ll open up when he’s ready.”

I nodded, grateful for Jasper’s support. “I would have liked to have woken up very differently this morning.” I squeezed his backside, my mind immediately traveling to all the things I would have liked to do to the man before me.

A flare of heat came to life in his eyes, and he moved his hips slightly, crotch rubbing against mine. “We can catch up a little later.” His mouth touched my own far too briefly. “Right now, we need to get dressed and ready for this contractor.”

I groaned, knowing he was right. “Shower?” I wiggled my brows, and he snorted.

“If you’d have offered without the eyebrow thing you just did, then maybe. But there’s no chance now.” He laughed, pinching my ass for good measure and pulling away from me.

“I can show self-control, you know.”

“Ha. Even I know you don’t believe a single word.”

“Maybe not,” I grumbled. He totally called it. “Fine. Let’s finish up with the contractor, and then we can take a long shower.”

Jasper climbed the stairs, my eyes fixed to his ass. He didn’t look behind him as he said, “I’m sure if you put Alexa in the bathroom and turn her up loud, that is totally doable.”

My cock twitched. “You’re totally doable.”

Jasper laughed as a loud “I’m trying to sleep here. You’re making me gag. Keep it in your pants already” was hollered from the spare room.

The two of us snickered as we headed to my room and got ourselves undressed.

Somehow, I managed to keep my hands almost to myself as we dressed. I did get to steal a few kisses,though. I was just emptying the dishwasher when I heard a car pulling up into the driveway and Penny barked.

“Good girl,” I praised, rubbing her head. She leaned into my touch and stopped barking, appearing thoroughly happy with herself.

“Is he here?” Jasper asked from the kitchen doorway.

“I think so, yeah.”

“You want me out of your hair?”

I glanced over at him as I reached the front door. My eyes on his, I shook my head. “Nope. You’re good here.”

Heat made its way through me at his sweet smile. I offered him a small wink and opened the door. Looking out, my eyes landed on the truck, its doors opening, and a guy around my age stepping out. He cast a glance over the facade, and I wondered what he saw.

I loved my house. As soon as the realtor had shown me the details, I’d known it was the property for me. It needed TLC and a bit of cash thrown at it, but it was worth it all.

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