Page 11 of Entwined with My Best Friend's Brother

Unfortunately, either Charles isn't efficient at reading sarcasm, or he selectively mutes it. It annoys me more when Charles grins and says, "Isn't she a beauty?"

I sigh, getting to work, strapping a pouty Cale into the passenger seat. "Yes, very."

Going around the car, I hand my car keys to Charles and snatch his, ignoring his confused look.

"Take my car. I'll take yours. The tank's full. It may be better for you to travel around the city for a while. And make sure no one's following you before driving straight to my house. If they still are, keep the car for a few days."

Charles holds his hands up. "Hold up, Hart. What?"

I sigh, telling him, "Someone has been following me. I can't tell you everything, but please help me this one time. I will take your night shift on Wednesday, okay?"

Charles bobs his head, smiling. "Deal."

Grateful, I smile back. "Thanks, Charles."

Exchanging goodbyes, I strap into the driver's seat when my son speaks up, holding his nose, "Mom, I hate Uncle Charles' car. It smells in here."

"You can't say that about anyone's car, Cale. Or people will get sad." Answering as I almost always do, I put the car in gear, and the air conditioner opens automatically. Still, instead of cool conditioning air, a hot fishy smell diffuses into the air – making both of us almost choke – so I wind down the windows, still coughing. I immediately turn off the air conditioner.

"The weather's cool enough that we no longer need the air conditioner. Right, Cale?"

I feel as if Cale throws me a judgmental look but turns away to zone out as he looks through the window.

Waiting for Charles to drive out first, I wait for a while before following. Noticing there is no black car anymore, I drive the vehicle at a speed I'm comfortable driving this beaten car in and cautiously look around for anyone sneakily following me.

Reaching my house, I almost sigh in relief. What in the world is he doing here?

It has been a while since I last saw him, and I remember what I had been just about to do last Sunday morning when I thought of him. Accidentally, I made the mistake of taking complete note of him.

As I gaze at him helplessly, he wears a delicious black jacket that covers him entirely, yet he still looks ripped. His proper form is evident as I take him in. A simple black T-shirt clings to his whole ripped body, leaving little to be imagined. Thick, veiny muscles bulge underneath his sleeves, and his six-pack is noticeable through his thin shirt. His loose military pants hang sexily off his waist, accentuating his physique. He stands out in my plain green yard, and his sleek black BMW is parked near my house.

Parking in my garage, I leave my son in the Jeep and ask him to wait for me.

He nods, "Mom, hurry up. It stinks in here."

Nodding, I suggest, "How about I leave the door open? But don't leave the car, okay, sweetie?"

Cale almost bobs his head off, "Yes, please."

I pat his head and leave to greet Ryan.

Leaving the garage, I see him standing near his car as his dark eyes run down my body, making me uncomfortably hot and unable to say his name, "What are you doing here?"

Ryan smiles, "Guarding your house, Ma'am."

Confused, I dismiss his words as sarcastically as possible, "And why exactly are you 'guarding my house'?"

Ryan also seems to become confused, "Because Gwen called me."

Realizing Gwen called her brother regardless of my refusal angers me. This pair of siblings didn't respect my choices, "You can leave. I can take care of myself. As of now, I'm not talking to either of you."

I turn to leave when Ryan apologizes, "I'm sorry."

I pause, doubting my ears, but he repeats the apology, "I'm sorry about what happened at the charity event. I realized my input didn't matter. Your bravery mattered more than the way you handled a difficult situation. It's just… I was worried."

Feeling my ears heat up from his words, I can't help turning around, wanting to get my ears away from his hot voice.

Oh, how wrong I was. My eyes meet Ryan's intense hot gaze, making me confused, "What?"

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