Page 24 of Forbidden Love

“You know it,” I said, leaning against the wooden slats and crossing one leg over the other. There was no way I was telling him about what happened. That secret wouldn’t come from me. “Xander asked me to watch out for her.”

Mac chuckled and rested his head in his hands. “Xander asked the man who likes his sister to protect her from men like you.”

“That’s about right.” I didn’t mind admitting it to Mac. He’d always been the brother we came to when we had relationship questions.

Mac shook his head. “That’s kind of funny.”

“You think it’s funny because it’s not your life.”

“So, you’re going to work with her and manage to keep your hands off her?”

I blew out a breath. “That’s the plan.”

“It won’t work,” Mac said grimly.

“Why do you say that?” I asked.

“I went to Sam when I first realized I was attracted to Natalie. We concluded it was a bad idea. She was a client. If our relationship went south, it wouldn’t be good.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” Dad always said not to get involved with our customers.

“I thought I could resist her, but I couldn’t. Then I thought I could have a fling with her, and I wouldn’t feel anything.”

“But you did because you’re you. But I’m not like you. I don’t believe in love and relationships. I don’t want to settle down.”

Mac’s brow furrowed. “Do you know what she wants?”

“I don’t get the impression she’s looking for anything. She said she just got out of a bad relationship.”

“I predict that you won’t be able to stay away from each other, and you’re going to fall for her.”

My jaw tightened. “I won’t.”

Mac raised a brow. “You might not want it, but sometimes, you don’t have a choice. Someone comes into your world, and you can’t deny it any longer. I’m not saying you’re not going to screw it up, because you will. It’s inevitable.”

I shook my head. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t repeat any of this.”

Mac slapped my knee. “I have no interest in getting on the Wilde brothers’ radar. I’ll leave them to you.”

“Thanks, asshole.”

“There’s no reason not to pursue her if you’re on the same page. You’re both adults. Her brothers don’t factor into it anymore. But if it’s serious, I’d talk to them.”

Was it that simple? The light of the fire danced over Kylie’s face, and she’d never looked more beautiful to me. We had a connection, and time had done nothing to make it go away.

I needed to talk to her. She might not even give me a chance once she heard my lame excuse, that I didn’t want to piss off her brothers. She was tired of her brothers interfering in her life, and she deserved a man who would stand up to them, not be cowed by them.

“I’m here if you need to talk. I want you to be happy.”

“Not everyone will get what you and Sam have with Natalie and Alice.” My voice was petulant, which didn’t make any sense. Why did I want what they had?

“I don’t believe that.”

I glanced over at him to find his expression solemn. “Ever the romantic.”

He leaned forward, letting his hands dangle between his legs. “I’m not going to lie. Finding love for myself makes me think it’s possible for everyone, but that’s only the case if you’re open to it.”

I gripped the neck of the now-warm beer bottle in my hand. Was that the issue? Was I blocking any possibility of having someone in my life by keeping things casual? Had some part of me always pined for Kylie Wilde?

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