Page 18 of The Wrong Husband (The Davenports #6)

"Hey, I didn’t mean for you to get upset.

And if you felt like your privacy was infringed upon, I take responsibility for that.

" He goes down on his haunches in front of me.

"Either way, it brought you to my restaurant, so it was worth it.

Again, I'm sorry, Sis, if I overstepped, but you!” He rises to his full height and rounds on Connor.

"Is this what you meant when you said you were going to reveal yourself?

Because this doesn't look like the end of a mission, it looks like a date. With my little sister. What the hell?"

“Wait, what? You messaged him?” I turn on Connor.

“When I realized I was planning to ask you out for dinner, I reached out to James and told him I was going to tell you everything.” He says this without taking his gaze off of James’ face. "Why don’t you take a seat, James. I think there’s something we need to tell you."

Ooh, here it comes. This is going to be good. I lean back and prepare to watch how Connor’s going to handle this one.

James’ nostrils flare.

"We?" He looks from Connor to me, then back to Connor. “What do you mean we?” Not sure what he sees on our faces, but his jaw tightens.

My brother was always perceptive. It’s what saved his life in the Marines, and he hasn’t lost any of that ability to read the room.

A nerve pops at his temple. "No fucking way," he growls.

"Why don’t you sit down?" Connor’s voice is unperturbed. He kicks out a chair.

James ignores it. "What the fuck are you up to, Davenport?"

"I just asked your sister to marry me."

For the second time in the last half an hour, I’m struck speechless. This man… Will he never cease to amaze me? Also, it’s stupid of him to tell James that. I count back from ten, nine, eight, seven—my brother reaches forward and grabs Connor by his collar.

"I told you to keep an eye on her, arsehole. You took advantage of my trust."

"Actually, I didn’t. Nothing’s happened between us. In fact, take this as my way of asking you for permission to court your sister."

"Court?" James blinks.

Permission? What the hell? Who is this guy?

"It’s like going on a date, but with the intention of finding a life partner?" Connor drawls.

"You’re looking to marry my sister?" James snaps.

"That’s what I said." Connor’s voice is patient, in an exaggerated fashion.

“Hey!” I jump up, shove my chair back. “I’m still here.” I look between them. “You know—the woman you’re talking about like I’m some item on the auction block?”

James looks stunned.

Connor’s lips curve into the kind of smirk that should not be sexy but absolutely is. And I hate that I notice.

Enough.

I wave a hand. “Let’s get one thing straight—I don’t need anyone’s permission to date, let alone marry. Especially not my brother’s.”

I swing toward Connor. “And you—what kind of caveman asks for permission to ‘court’ a woman in the twenty-first century? Are you planning to exchange goats while you’re at it?”

He doesn’t flinch. If anything, his smirk deepens.

“And who said I’d even consider marrying you?” I add, stabbing a finger in his direction. “I barely know you.”

"I’m going to change that." Connor nods. "We’re going to get to know each other in a respectful, structured way. And I’m going to win your attentions. To show you…" His eyes flash. "That I’m the man for you."

A treacherous warmth tugs on my insides.

My thighs clench. Despite the fact that my brother is standing over us, I can’t stop my nipples from growing hard.

The possessiveness in Connor’s tone, the intent in his eyes…

All of it is so hot. I have no doubt, he means what he's saying.

And it makes me feel cherished. Wanted. Seen.

The way he’s focused on me makes me feel special in a way that Drew never did. Thinking of my ex-boyfriend dampens my spirits at once.

I glance away. "I’m not interested."

James stiffens. "You heard her." He folds his arms across his chest.

"I don’t need you to speak on my behalf." I lower my chin.

"But—"

"But nothing. I’m a grown woman. And yes, I’m aware I ignored my family, so you felt duty-bound to look me up. You can let everyone know I'm fine, but from here on out, you have no reason to be involved in this."

"So, there is a 'this?’" Connor quips.

I throw him a dirty look, but he’s unperturbed. He leans back, his ridiculously big frame overshadowing the chair and making it look like a toy.

"Somehow, I feel responsible." My brother glares at Connor.

"You should feel that way, considering you asked him to look out for me, which I still can’t believe you did."

"And which I’m glad you did," Connor murmurs.

James looks even more pissed off at that.

"Will you stop riling him up," I admonish Connor. "And you—" I turn to my brother. "It’s time you back off."

James shifts his weight from foot to foot. "I didn’t mean to upset you," he finally offers. "I was merely looking out for you."

Some of the tension slides from my shoulders. A warm sensation squeezes my chest. My big brother has always been overprotective. As have my other four brothers. It’s James, however, who has never stopped himself from getting involved in things where he doesn’t need to.

"I’m aware." I blow out a breath. "But this is my life, and I have the right to live it how I see fit."

His brow furrows. He looks like he’s about to protest but then nods. "You’re right, Phe. I was out of line with you. As for this bastard—" He nods in Connor’s direction. "I’m watching you. If you hurt her, you’ll have me to contend with."

Before I can say anything else, he turns and stalks off. We watch him head to the back of the restaurant and through the door that leads to the kitchen.

"Well, then…" Connor turns to me. "Where were we?"

"We weren’t anywhere.” I jut out my chin. “I’m going to leave and you? Are going to be too busy looking for a change of clothes."

"A change of clothes?" Connor looks askance. "Why is that?"

How dare he look so relaxed, when he's upended my whole life? Not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle in his shirt… Hot anger flashes though my veins.

"Because of this ." I jump up, grab the jug of water on the table, and pour the contents over his head.