Page 43 of Bossy Ex's Brother

“What about Lorenzo?” she suddenly asked as she started pulling pots and pans out of the cupboard. “What was he like?”

“Why do you ask?” I wondered, leaning against the counter. I didn’t like remembering she was with my brother, and jealousy was beginning to bubble up every time she mentioned him.

She shrugged. “Well, we were on the topic of siblings, and I was just curious.”

I tried to remember what Lorenzo was like when he was a kid. It was hard because, at this point, I’d been mad at him for so long that it was like second nature, but now the memories started coming back.

“He was a cute kid,” I admitted. “Not so much as a baby. I was ten when my mother got pregnant, and I remember I was very excited to have a brother. And then, when he got here, I remembered thinking, ‘What’s that ugly thing?’” I smiled at her snort. “I thought babies were supposed to be cute, you see. And he was a tiny squalling creature. But he grew into his looks.”

“I know what you mean,” she said with a laugh. “I thought the same thing when I saw Emmett too. Angel was an adorable little doll when she was a baby, but Emmett looked like he was angry to be here.”

“Those are the two youngest, right?”

“Yeah. And before those two is Bethany, who you have already met. She’s in high school right now. And then there’s Felix.” She sighed deeply. “They all drive me up the wall sometimes, but I love them all the same, you know.”

“Yeah.” I used to think the same about Lorenzo. But now I was verifiably certain I would strangle him if given a chance. “Did you ever hear from Lorenzo after he left?”

She frowned and shook her head. “No, actually. He kinda just disappeared with a vague note saying he was sorry.” She cocked her head. “But then he showed up out of the blue today.”

She admitted it.Which means she likely has nothing to hide. I was relieved by it, even though I tried not to look too excited when I asked, “Really? What did he want?”

“No clue,” she said. “He gave me a number to call him later so we can talk.” She gave me a sidelong look. “He also seemed upset that I was working for you. Why would that be?”

I shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

She eyed me suspiciously for a little then decided to let it go. “On second thought, I think I’ll just heat some of the salmon I made yesterday. Want some?”

“Sure.”

Which was how I found myself eating salmon with her that evening while we sent each other heated looks that we both pretended not to notice.

“How was it?” she asked in a quiet voice after I was done with my meal.

“Good,” I responded, even though I barely tasted it, my entire thought and concentration focused on her. She ate regally, like a queen, but a hungry one. She chewed each morsel thoroughly and even licked the fork slightly with each bite.

God, I’d never in my life wished to be a fork more than at this moment. By the time she was done eating, I was fully throbbing.

After the meal, we migrated to the couch, where she started flipping through channels. It was odd. She wasn’t telling me to leave, and I wasn’t acting like I was supposed to. It was like we were both just sitting around, pretending. Waiting.

Eventually, she landed on a channel featuring a basketball game, probably for my benefit. I smiled, electing not to tell her that I didn’t watch sports. I watched her instead, studying the curve of her neck, her cute little elf ears, and those eyes. She seemed uncomfortable under my scrutiny at first, but she didn’t say anything, likely not wanting to add to the throbbing silence between us.

She eventually relaxed, and I noticed the exact moment she started to doze off. She must have been tired from work because, within a few minutes, her head was resting back against the couch, and she was snoring lightly. Without thinking, I went over and picked her up in my arms, enjoying her slight weight against my body as I carried her up to what I assumed was her room. It was the largest room and the only room with the door open. I walked in and laid her on the bed, admiring the way the moonlight beamed through the large windows and fell across her face, making her look like a princess in a tower.

Her eyes slowly opened as I set her down, snaring mine. We both froze in action. My heart began to pound in my chest, my cock aching. God, she was so beautiful that it was unreal.

She reached out and caressed my cheek, making my body riot with my mind.Don’t do it,I thought.She’s half asleep. She probably has no idea what she’s doing.

“Stop,” I muttered as regret fought to hold the words back. But it would be selfish of me to take advantage of her like that. I was a bastard, but not to that level.

Not for the first time, I wished we’d met under different circumstances and that I wasn’t who I was. I wished I was a better man for her.

“Lorenzo was right to warn you off,” I told her. “I’m not a good man. You have no clue how not-good I am. And I shouldn’t be here with you right now. But I can’t fucking help myself. Youshould tell me to leave right now because it’s the only way I can do the right thing and walk the fuck out of here.”

But no, she didn’t tell me to leave. Instead, she reached up and pressed her lips against mine.

SEVENTEEN

JANE

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