Page 92 of Jase

“Over a bet.”

“And he thought that was bad. I’m trying here, but what the hell.”

“It’s not like it looks. He knows better. He’s probably just curious. You have been different lately. It intrigues him. How’s it going with the commitment? I’m a little surprised you wanted us over so soon. Especially after the last time I talked to you.”

At my look, he nodded. “Right. It wasn’t you.”

“No. Kody wanted to see Tiffany. I was content to keep her in bed another week, but she.” I stopped. “She’s already discovered how to get her way.”

“That good, huh?”

“That’s not what I mean.Although…” My mouth clamped shut. I wasn’t one to do bedroom talk or gossip over private things, but damn if I could get ahold of myself. It had to be the combination of the new intimacy with unknown threats. I leveled up my feelings for her. The fear that came from loving her had me holding on inhumanly tight. So much so, even in sleep, I never let her go. She’d wiggle, turn—nope. There was no escaping me. Even now, I wanted her on my lap. Or at my feet. It was all so contradicting that it was driving me crazy.

“Jase, what is it? I can’t get you to stay on topic to save my life. One minute you’re focused, the next you have tunnel vision and you’re quiet. You’re all over the place right now.”

“Tell me about it. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I thought if we could get to the bottom of this, if we could catch them first, I’d save myself this headache. If I could put a stop to this.” I got quiet, my eyes going back to Kody as she laughed with Tiffany. She was happy. Happier than she’d been in days. Outside of me, she needed this, and I was okay with that. What I was not okay with was Rush eying her up.

“Jase?”

“It’s me. Her, but me. That doesn’t make sense.” I groaned. “She’s messing with my head. I feel a lot for her. Maybe too much. I see that, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to do anything to change it.”

“That’s what you’re afraid of? Smothering her?”

‘Yes. Amongst other things.” I slouched back in my office chair, noticing the way her eyes lit up as she whispered something in Tiffany’s ear.

“You love her. Like…reallylove her.”

I didn’t look at Rian. I continued to take in the sway of her hair. The way her eyes creased when she laughed really hard. I soaked in the adoration she had for her friend, comparing it with all the ways she’d ever looked at me.

“Fuck, man. You got it bad. What are you going to do?”

“Aside from drop kick your brother’s ass over the side of my balcony? He better be lucky I’m not packing like I used to. He tests me, and he does it on purpose.” I gritted my teeth as his eyes scanned her once again. This time his gaze jumped to me. My hand shot up as I pointed right at him, calling him over with my finger. He already knew I wasn’t happy. Rush cursed, his face turning hard as he walked from the living area over to my desk.

For being Rian’s twin and sharing the same face and height, they didn’t look anything alike. Where Rian was lean, Rush was powerfully built and thick. Where Rian’s hair was on the longer side at the top, Rush’s was still short in military style. No tattoo’s from Rian, but Rush was covered almost every inch under his clothes.

One second. Two. His pause did little to calm me.

“Would you like to explain what keeps catching your eye?”

Rush smiled, not at all happy. He crossed his arms over his large chest as he peered down at me.

“A bit snappy, aren’t we?”

“What. Are. You. Looking at?”

Rian threw his brother a glance, no doubt warning him now wasn’t the time to mess with me. Rush wasn’t one to follow the rules.

“I’m just trying to figure out why we’re here. Aren’t you committed now? Isn’t this supposed to be your honeymoon period?”

“Don’t be smart with me. I’m not falling into your bullshit jabs. Go back to the part you started with:committed.Don’t even fucking think about crossing me like that.”

“Maybe I already have. Maybe that’s what I was trying to figure out.”

“Rush.”

We both ignored Rian. I stood from the chair, tightrope-walking murder and vengeance.

“Explain.”