Page 9 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

The three of us laugh.

“Chevelle—movie?” Derek says in a stern voice.

Noah glances at Mandi.

“I said in a minute,” I snipe.

Noah leaves Mandi’s side and sits on the chair adjacent to the couch. “So, you’re seeing Chevelle, huh?”

Derek barely glances in his direction. “Yeah.”

“Are you from Sunrise Bay?”

“No, I’m just passing through.”

Noah’s eyes narrow. “I’m sorry?”

“I’m working on one of the fishing boats.”

Noah nods, probably wondering what I see in Derek. I’m starting to have the same thought.

“Cool. Well, I guess I’ll see you at the wedding.” Noah gets up off the chair.

“Oh, you’re the poor son of a bitch getting hitched, huh?” Derek laughs.

Mandi hits me with a death glare. Hey, marriage isn’t for everyone.

Derek laughs some more. “Totally joking. Congrats, man, that’s awesome.”

Noah looks at Mandi. “Let’s go, Mandi.”

They go upstairs and I head into the kitchen for the cookies and popcorn. Derek follows me.

“I’m only hungry for one thing,” Derek says, putting his fingers in the waistband of my shorts and pulling me toward him.

“They’re still here,” I whisper. I stand between his legs and his hands venture under my shorts and onto my ass cheeks.

“Get them out so I can get inside you,” he whispers, kissing my navel that’s showing with the crop top I’m wearing.

I guess now is as good of a time as any to tell him I won’t be sleeping with him tonight. I open my mouth to speak, but Mandi and Noah come downstairs. Mandi eyes me and Noah acts as though we’re not even here. He’s got both their bags.

“I’ll be in the car. Have a good night, you two.” Noah stops at the door after it’s open. “Just so you’re aware, Chevelle’s dad lives in the house on the hill across the street. And her brother is the sheriff.”

“Noah…” I shake my head.

“Hey, no one else is here to be the protective brother for you. I’m about to be your brother-in-law, so it counts.”

“Technically, stepbrother-in-law.”

Mandi walks over to him, stuffing the gift certificate in her purse. “You know we don’t act like step anything. I’d be more fearful of my mom than Hank though.” She widens her eyes at Derek.

He says nothing and I kind of wish they were staying.

“Bye.” I give them a small wave.

They both stare at us for a beat, then open the door and walk through it, shutting it behind them. I hear Noah’s truck start up, then the engine noise dims as they pull out of the driveway.

My heart rate picks up.

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