Part 11 (2/2)

I stood and walked to the kitchen, where Finnley was pouring a gla.s.s of water.

”What is your problem?” I asked, leaning on the door.

Finnley took two steps toward me, completely erasing the s.p.a.ce between us. He looked down at me, not saying a word, and that was more powerful than anything he could have said.

”My problem is that I don't like to share.”

I swallowed and sucked in a deep breath. ”You don't have to,” I said. ”But Luke is your brother. Your only brother.”

”I don't care who he is. I will not share you with anyone. He should have never done that. Ever. It's disrespectful in every sense. It's almost unforgiveable.” Finnley's tone was harsh, full of anger, and he didn't try to hold back how he felt. His walls were down.

”I-I-I don't expect you to.”

He grabbed my chin between his fingers and forced me to look up at him.

My arms fell beside my body, and I gasped.

”I won't,” he said, then leaned down, kissed my neck, and trailed kisses up to my ear. ”So don't expect me to. I will always react this way when it comes to you.”

A chill swept over my body. Hearing him say those words made me melt from the inside out. He leaned his body against mine until my back rested against the doorframe. All I could smell was his clean body and soap that reminded me of fresh mountain air. His palms rested on the side of my neck. He pulled me closer to him, then dipped his head down and connected his lips with mine, but with more behind the kiss than before. Protection, hurt, and anger mixed together and created a combination of strong emotions that he poured into his touch.

”What will you do when our love isn't new anymore? When we fall into a routine of just being with each other? When it doesn't feel like this?” I asked.

”I will never stop trying. Every day I want to win your love. Every day I want to fall in love with you all over again. Just because I will be married to you, doesn't mean I won't date you, court you, or go the extra mile to impress you for the rest of our lives. Isn't that one of the most beautiful thoughts in the world? To be able to win your love every single day. I know that today I lost control. I know that I should have handled myself better, but when it comes to you, I lose myself.”

I had no words. I swallowed and looked into his green eyes as love swirled within me.

”Every day that you're with me, I fall in love. I never want to be without you, Finn. I can't. I wouldn't be whole. This is my life now, and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I've accepted Abbot. I've accepted Luke and the fact that I have a sister. I won't lie; it's a lot to take in all at once. Most of all, I've accepted your love and you. You're mine forever.”

”I love you, babe,” Finnley whispered over my mouth.

”I love you more.”

As Finnley dipped his head down to kiss me, the doorbell rang. We stared at each other, and it rang again. Finnley went to the front door and opened it. Charlie stood there with buckets of chicken, and pints of sides. Behind him stood the ghost of my mother. My nerves teetered on edge as Finnley instantly transformed into the perfect gentleman.

”Thank you, Charlie. Caitlyn, welcome.” Finnley stepped to the side and allowed them both to come in. Abbot drifted down the stairs and helped Charlie with the plastic bags full of food.

”Hi Cait!” I gave her a hug because Texans were huggers. Charlie set the food on the table, and I grabbed plates and silverware from the drawer. Finnley helped me place them around.

”Charlie, you'll stay for dinner, won't you?” Finnley asked.

”No, sir. I appreciate the offer,” Charlie said, shooting a wink in my direction.

The smells of mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and corn filled the room. We pa.s.sed around buckets and pints of sides, with spoons stuck inside them. We all acted as if nothing had happened just an hour earlier. I hated it, but understood it was an act. What kind of impression would that make for my sister?

”I'm terribly rude, Caitlyn. This is Abbot, one of my best friends, and of course, you've met us,” Finnley said, giving her that cute little side smirk that drove me crazy.

”Hi Abbot, it's a pleasure to meet you,” Caitlyn said. She even sounded like my mother.

A few more bites of chicken and potatoes later, and a loud bang rang out on the front door. Finnley looked at all of us, then excused himself and went to the front door.

I heard him chatting with someone, his voice m.u.f.fled. The front door clicked shut. We all looked around the table at each other. Caitlyn was clueless, Abbot was on full alert, and I was curious to know what was going on. I wiped my mouth with my napkin and excused myself.

I heard Finnley outside, yelling at the top of his lungs, and then I heard Luke yelling back, apologizing. He'd said he wasn't coming back, but he had. He cared and that made me happy. I continued to listen to the heated words they were throwing back and forth. As long as it wasn't their fists, I was okay with that.

”I can't help the way I feel, Finnley. f.u.c.king give me a break. It will never happen again. I promise,” Luke said.

”Do you have any idea what you do to me when you act like this? Do you have any idea what you do to her? You're selfish and you weren't thinking about anyone but yourself when you f.u.c.king kissed her. The consequences of your actions didn't even cross your mind. She is my fiance. Next time you feel so compelled to do something, f.u.c.king think first. Think about what it will do to other people. Do you understand what you've done? Can I even trust you?”

”It was stupid. I understand that. I drove around for twenty minutes and knew I had to come back. I don't want you upset with me. I don't want Jennifer to be upset with me. It was a lapse in judgment.”

Silence. I heard nothing else.

The door swung open, and I was busted.

Finnley tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and then tucked the edge of his bottom lip into his mouth. I gave a small smile, then looked over at Luke, and back at Finnley.

”Join us for dinner, won't you?” Finnley asked Luke.

Luke nodded and walked past me with his eyes glued to mine. I mouthed, ”I'm sorry,” and Luke shook his head then followed Finnley into the kitchen.

Caitlyn and Abbot were cutting up. Tears streamed down her face from laughing so hard. I smiled and glanced over at Finnley, who was watching me. Luke looked like total s.h.i.+t, with two swollen eyes and a bruise on his upper cheek. When Caitlyn looked at him, both her eyebrows lifted.

”Hi. I'm Luketon Brand. You can call me Luke. Finnley's little brother,” Luke said, stretching his hand across the table to shake hers. She wiped her hand on a napkin then met his. She searched his face, then smiled at him, and he smiled back.

”Don't mind my face. I got in a little fight, but I'm fine,” Luke said. He placed a piece of chicken and some potatoes on his plate, and then sat across the table from Caitlyn.

Abbot's phone rang, and he picked it up and waited. Whatever was said on the other line must have been serious, because he hung up then checked his watch.

”I've got to go. I hope you'll excuse me. It was a pleasure, Cait,” Abbot said, kissing her hand.

A pink hue met her cheeks, and she smiled at him.

Blus.h.i.+ng? Oh h.e.l.ls no. Abbot was a cold-hearted killer who was openly flirting with my sister.

This couldn't happen.

JENNIFER.

Twenty-two.

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