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“Translation, you’re snooping on my personal life so you can give my nosy brother all the dirt.”
“That doesn’t stop me from worrying about you myself. I care about you.”
Like a brother.
I scoff. “I already have two older brothers looking out for me. I certainly do not need a third.”
“That’s not my intention.”
“But you and my brother are going to consider everyone I socialize with a potential threat?”
“Not necessarily.”
“So what you’re saying is that Vance is the only one on your radar. Heaven forbid another man I’m not related to comes within a few feet of me.” I roll my eyes.
“Being cautious isn’t bad,” Jake argues. “How well do you know him?”
“Well enough for me to tell you to take a long walk off a short pier.”
“Now you have me curious.” Despite my efforts, he doesn’t seem deterred.
“Jake,” I warn. “You are this close?—.”
“To you, I hope.” Suddenly, he’s disturbingly near. His warm breath drifts across my skin. His body nearly touches mine. We’re almost embracing. And other than my heart thudding between my ears, the whole world around us has gone silent.
The absolute audacity of this man. I shake my head. “I’m going to bed.”
He tightens his hold on my arm so I can’t escape. “I ask because I want to make sure he isn’t playing you. If you’re serious about this relationship, he should be, too.”
When is my brother going to wake up and realize I’m not as fragile as he thinks?
I yank from Jake’s grasp. “I’m done with you and my brother thinking I’m a porcelain doll. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you’re more than capable. But that doesn’t mean you’re the Hulk.”
“I’m not, but I’m also not so fragile that I’ll break at any second. I never should have trusted you to keep your word.”
“So I’m not allowed to worry about you?”
“There’s a fine line between worrying about me and treating me like a child.”
“You were at a club. Anything could have happened.”
“I know the dos and don’ts of a place like that.”
He scowls. “Do you? The number of men staring at you was concerning.”
“So what if I get a little male attention?”
“It’s more than that, and you know it.”
I know where he’s going with this. I get it, but he shouldn’t care this much. “I was with other people. I was covering my drinks with my hand, and I never let my glass out of my sight. I assure you, no one was going to drug me.”
“Do you know—and trust—Vance enough to not take advantage of you?”
“Yes.” Jake talks about Vance like he’s the enemy. “What do you have against him? You barely know the guy.”
“Then enlighten me. Who is he to you? How long have you known him? How serious is your relationship?”