Page 11 of Falling for Cocky Cole (Shared by the Carter Brothers #2)

CALEB

I stumble out of the barn, the image of Cole and Ivy burned into my retinas.

The cool night air hits my face, but it does nothing to calm the heat rising inside me.

What the hell did I just see? Cole, with Ivy on his lap, both of them naked and flushed.

Damn it. I should've knocked. I should've called out before entering.

Better yet, I should never have come here at all.

I pace before the barn, gravel crunching beneath my boots.

What was I thinking, coming here tonight?

I told myself I was checking on Cole's business proposal, that I wanted to speak with Ivy's parents about the partnership.

But that's a lie, and I know it. I came because I knew Cole was here, and I wanted to see what he was up to with Ivy.

Well, now I know. And I wish I didn't.

My hands clench into fists at my sides. I'm jealous. So damn jealous I want to put my fist through something—preferably Cole's face. How dare he take Ivy? The one girl I've actually cared about for years.

I've never had a problem with Cole's lifestyle.

He flirts, he charms, he sleeps around, he never settles down.

It's his life. But not with Ivy. Ivy will get hurt, and I can't let that happen.

I promised Ben I'd look out for his little sister.

It was over ten years ago, when he left for college and asked me to keep an eye on her in high school, but still. I feel responsible for her well-being.

At least, that's what I tell myself. But if I'm honest—and it's hard to be honest when you've just seen your brother having sex with the girl you've fantasized about for years—my protectiveness has nothing to do with promises to Ben.

God, the sight of her. Her hair tumbling around her shoulders, her perfect breasts, the flush across her skin.

I'll never be able to unsee it. I've known Ivy was beautiful for years, dreamed about her, wondered what it would be like to touch her.

But I've always held back, always kept my distance.

Because she was too young, then she was away at college, then she was building a career.

Always some reason to keep my feelings in check.

And now Cole has her. Of course he does. Cole always gets the girl.

I hear the barn door open behind me and turn to see Cole and Ivy emerging. They've both straightened their clothes, but Ivy's hair is still tousled, her lips swollen from kissing. Cole has his hand on the small of her back, casual, possessive. The sight makes my stomach twist.

"What are you doing here, Caleb?" Cole asks, his tone lighter than it has any right to be given the situation.

I struggle to keep my face neutral. "I came to talk to Ivy's parents about the business deal. They told me you two were at the barn."

Cole raises an eyebrow. "You could've called me first."

"Yeah, well, I wish I had," I mutter, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

Ivy looks between us, clearly sensing the tension. Her cheeks are still flushed, and she can't quite meet my eyes. "Why don't we go into the house? You can talk to my parents about the supply questions."

I shake my head. "Next time." The last thing I want is to sit across from Maggie Walker at her kitchen table, pretending I didn't just see her daughter naked with my brother.

Ivy hesitates, then nods. "In that case, I'll leave you two alone." She takes a step toward the house, pausing only when Cole calls after her.

"I'll call you later," he says, and she nods before disappearing down the path.

As soon as she's out of earshot, I turn on Cole. "Is that what all this business talk is about? Getting into Ivy's pants?"

Cole's face hardens. "No. I told you, I'm serious about her."

"Bullshit," I spit. "You're never serious about women. You flirt, you fuck, you leave. That's your pattern."

"Not this time."

"Right." I start to turn away, but Cole grabs my arm, pulling me back to face him.

"What's your problem, Caleb? Why are you sticking your nose in my business?"

"Because I promised Ben I'd look out for Ivy," I say, the lie coming easily.

Cole laughs, a sharp, humorless sound. "That's crap, and you know it. The real reason is that you want her, but you're too much of a coward to admit it."

Something snaps inside me. My fist connects with his jaw before I even realize I've swung. Cole staggers back, cursing, then lunges forward to return the blow. His knuckles catch my cheekbone, sending a flash of pain through my skull.

"It's time you were honest with yourself," Cole says, shaking out his hand.

"What are you talking about?"

"Can you honestly tell me that Ivy is like a little sister to you? That you've never thought about her as anything more?"

I fall silent, my chest heaving. Cole has hit a nerve, and he knows it.

I've always liked Ivy—as a kid sister at first, sure.

But those feelings changed after she came back home, all grown up and beautiful in a way that made my throat tight whenever I saw her.

I've been denying it, pushing it down, telling myself she was off-limits.

But now, after what I just saw—after the punch Cole gave me—I can't deny it anymore.

Instead of answering his question, I curse and kick a pebble across the gravel, watching it bounce away into the darkness.

"It's not too late to let her know how you feel," Cole says, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

I turn to stare at him. "What are you doing? You just said you were serious about her. Now it sounds like you're trying to pawn her off on me."

Cole shakes his head. "I am serious about her. And I'll never let her go." He pauses, meeting my eyes. "But that doesn't mean you can't have her too."

My mouth falls open. "Are you... are you suggesting we share Ivy?"

"Why not?" Cole shrugs. "She likes you. Has since she was a teenager."

"Maybe. But that was before. She's different now."

Cole shakes his head. "Her feelings for you haven't changed.

At least, not a week ago when we met at the Antler.

" Cole steps closer, lowering his voice even though there's no one around to hear.

"She told me—after a couple of drinks—that she likes two men.

One is her boss, the other is like her brother. "

I feel like I've been punched again. "She likes Grant too?"

Cole nods, a rueful smile on his face. "Grant and you. You lucky bastards."

"But you're the only one who's slept with her," I point out, still trying to process what he's telling me.

"Yeah, but she doesn't love me," Cole says with a sigh. "We're just friends with benefits, at least for now. That's all she wants."

I put a hand on my brother's arm, not sure what to say. For all his cockiness, for all his charm, Cole actually sounds... hurt. Like he wants more from Ivy than she's willing to give.

"You're still the luckiest of the three of us," I tell him, meaning it.

We walk toward our vehicles, parked side by side on the gravel lot. Before we part, Cole turns to me. "Again, it's not too late to tell her how you feel."

I nod slowly. "I'll try." I pause, then add, "But what about Grant?"

Cole shrugs. "That's up to her. But my guess? She'll choose you if you actually make a move. Grant's too stuck in his head to do anything about his feelings."

I climb into my SUV, my mind racing. Ivy likes me. Has liked me for years, apparently. And now Cole is practically giving me his blessing to pursue her. This night has taken a turn I never could have predicted.