Page 43 of Texas Scandal

His grip tightened on the steering wheel at the reminder. He’d heard Melody’s side of the conversation and had wanted to shake her mother. The woman had an amazing daughter but only seemed concerned about her son. He was proud of Melody for calling her mother out on it even though it didn’t seem to come easy for her.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

She reached over and touched his forearm as he parked at the house across the street from her brother’s. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m not sorry someone else didn’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated,” he said with sincerity. “Your mother is lucky to have a daughter as kind and considerate as you are. Not to mention the fact you already hold the world on your shoulders. What does your brother do that’s so special?”

“He’s Coop,” she said with a shrug. “He’s always been the golden boy of the family.”

“Idiots,” Tiernan said before adding, “I shouldn’t insult your parents like that, but hell...”

“Believe me, you’re not hurting my feelings,” she said. “My only ties come out of a sense of obligation.” She issued a sharp sigh. “Honestly, they were a lot nicer to me before I ditched my trust fund. I think that was the ultimate slap in the face. Like I wasn’t part of them any longer. I didn’t blindly accept my father’s behavior, and money wasn’t the be-all and end-all in my life. I highly doubt they understand me.”

Tiernan leaned across the divider and pressed a kiss to her lips. “You’re a very special person and you should know it.”

The red blush that crawled up her neck and settled on her cheeks was sexier than lacy lingerie. Not that he would mind that, either. When she showed her emotions—which he’d noticed was rare—her vulnerability made her darn near irresistible.

“I have a feeling arguing with you would be the equivalent of trying to negotiate with a bull,” she said with a smile. “So, I won’t even try. I will say thank you, though, and leave it at that.”

“Fair enough.”

Tiernan exited his side of the truck and rounded the front to open her door for her. She took the hand he offered and kept hold as they made their way toward the house after closing the door. He took a detour to touch the hood of the Lincoln. It was warm. By the time they reached the oversize wooden front door, she had a death grip. Before moving any farther, he stopped her at a point where the Navigator would block them from view.

He rounded on her and brought his free hand up to run his thumb along her jawline. The pull toward kissing her was the force of a tornado moments after touchdown. When his thumb grazed her bottom lip, the urge doubled down.

“I can take the lead with him if you’re not feeling it,” he said to her, locking on to those incredible golden-brown eyes.

For a minute, the world shrank to the two of them. She slicked her tongue across her lip, leaving a silky trail, and nearly obliterating his willpower in the process.

“He’s my brother,” she said. “I can handle him.” She paused for a few beats. “I’m just afraid of what I’m about to see in his eyes.”

She didn’t say the wordmurderer, but he knew exactly what she meant.

Tiernan tilted his chin toward the house. “I hope you get the answers you want.”

“So do I,” she said, then took in a deep breath like people did when they were about to jump off a cliff. “Let’s do this.”

He stepped aside to let her lead the way. She immediately reached back for his hand and then linked their fingers. Ready or not, they were about to face her brother.

MELODYRANGTHEdoorbell and waited. She had half a mind to call her brother to make certain he answered, figuring no one actually came to the door anymore. Except Coop did after another round of church bell sounds.

“Hey,” he said, his gaze bouncing from her to Tiernan and back. “Everything okay?”

The top two buttons of her brother’s crisp white shirt were unbuttoned. His tie was loose around his neck.

She tightened her grip on Tiernan’s hand. “I just wanted to stop by and ask a few questions. This is my friend Tiernan.”

“Nice to meet you,” Coop said, after sizing up her companion. Her brother wasn’t exactly being subtle. The way his face muscles tensed gave away his disdain for her companion.

Tiernan, on the other hand, offered a polite smile and a handshake.

“Can we come inside?” she asked.

Coop’s gaze skimmed the area like he half expected law enforcement to jump out of the bushes. She could think of plenty of reasons her brother might be jumpy and none of them had to do with being overcaffeinated.

“Sure,” Coop conceded after checking his Rolex. “I have a couple of minutes before I need to head out for work.”

“We won’t be long,” Melody said. “We have an important package to pick up soon.”

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