“Hi, babe.” He tugged her against his chest and brushed a casual kiss on the side of her head while exchanging a greeting with Emily.
“Don’t paw my sister,” Matthew gritted out before Kiera had a chance to do introductions.
Joe’s bigger body tensed and his hands lowered to grasp her hips. He nudged her aside, clearing the space between them and Matthew.
“This is Joe Mitchell,” Kiera said hurriedly. An altercation was exactly what she wanted to avoid and this situation would degenerate fast if she didn’t do something. “Matthew, Joe and I are dating.” Oh yeah. Feeble. They were living together.
“How long? You haven’t mentioned him.”
“Why is it any business of yours?” Joe asked in a quiet voice.
The urge to kick Joe in the shins didn’t take her by surprise. It was one she experienced often in her brothers’ company. Still, she sucked in a rapid breath, mustering control. “Matthew is my brother. Remember I told you my brothers were arriving today.” Save her from overprotective males. “Come and meet my other brothers.”
Matthew leaned closer, his nostrils flaring. He stilled, his expression of fury putting Kiera on alert. She tried to push between Joe and Matthew but Saber grasped her upper arm and shifted her aside.
“Let them sort it out between themselves,” Saber murmured in her ear.
“But this is Emily’s café. It’s not the time or place.” And it was embarrassing. The other customers were starting to stare.
“You’re doing more than dating,” Matthew growled.
Kiera gasped, mortified because the shifter customers would hear every word. “Joe and I live together. And this isn’t the time for this discussion. People are watching. Listening.” She didn’t need her other brothers to stick their noses into the conflict. This friction couldn’t end well.
“Outside. Now.” Matthew propelled her out the door onto the street. Once they reached a private spot, he released her. “I can’t believe you’d embarrass your family like this. I’ve made arrangements for you to marry William. I signed the documents last month.”
Kiera’s stomach dropped at the revelation. “What documents?”
“The formal betrothal documents of course.”
“You have no right.” Now she was sorry she’d asked.
The door opened and William strutted outside, his confident bearing making her want to scream. Joe followed a few seconds later, his jaw tight, eyes watchful. He didn’t intend to do anything unless she was in trouble and she appreciated his restraint.
Kiera turned back to Matthew. “You can’t do this to me.” They had no right to organize her life for her. This wasn’t the Middle Ages.
He made a dismissive gesture. “I’m head of the family.”
“Which doesn’t make you the boss of me,” Kiera snapped. “I’m pleased to see you, but you can’t take over my life and order me around. I’m an adult and I’ve been running my life successfully since I left university.”
William’s nostrils flared in distaste as he surveyed the quiet street. He turned his attention back on her. “It’s time for you to come home and take your place in society. You can’t be happy working at a menial job. I mean, look at you.” He flicked his hand at her overalls, his lip curling in distaste. “You’re in dire need of a manicure. And your hair.”
“What about my hair?” Kiera fought to remain impassive, to let her brother’s insults bounce off her. Indignation won. There was nothing wrong with her hair. Deep breaths. Calm and collected was the perfect attitude with which to deal with her brothers and their latest scheme. “Middlemarch is my home now. I’m happy here.” She had no intention of returning to England.
“Your home is in England with your family and William.”
Ugh. “Our coffee must be ready by now.” Kiera turned away, intending to return to the café. Her retreat came to a jarring halt when her brother grasped her arm in a steel-hard grip. A pained cry escaped, but Matthew didn’t relent on the pressure.
“You will—”
“You’re hurting her,” Joe snapped.
“This is none of your business,” Matthew snarled.
“Kiera?” Joe’s gaze offered help. While she didn’t want to depend on any male, she was smart enough to appreciate in this instance she needed Joe’s assistance.
She wrenched free and took two steps back. “I’m going to work.”
“I’ll walk you back.” Joe brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “You okay?”
A snarl erupted from her brother. “Of course she’s okay.”
Joe swiveled to face Matthew. Kiera caught the watchfulness in him, the determination to hold to his promise to her. Yearning caught her then, the wish for something more than temporary with Joe. Aghast at her wayward mind she forced herself to smile at Matthew.
“We’ll talk later.”
“Take your hands off my sister.” Matthew shoved Joe.
“Go and stand by Saber,” Joe said without taking his gaze off her brother.
“But—”
“Kiera.” The clear inflection in Joe’s voice told her this was one instance he expected her to follow his order. She found herself halfway to Saber before she realized she’d obeyed him.
Saber placed his arm around her and gave her a quick squeeze. “Don’t worry.”
“Of course I’m worried. They’re not gonna have a quiet chat.”
“Sometimes a physical fight is the best way to settle an argument.”
Kiera’s eyes widened before she glared at Saber. “You have got to be kiddin’ me. Adults don’t need to brawl and especially over me.”
“You haven’t factored in feline nature.”
“But they can’t fight in public.” Kiera scowled at her brother and Joe. The two shifters hadn’t taken their eyes off each other. Maybe it would end at posturing and one of them would step away.
“They won’t attempt to shift if we stage the fight here,” Saber said calmly.
Joe eyed Kiera’s brother, not making any assumptions about him being a sissy city boy. He was a shifter. That’s all Joe needed to know. He’d possess strength and intelligence—both feline traits.
What he didn’t understand was why Matthew was intent on Kiera returning to England. Why hadn’t he come out to New Zealand when Kiera first mentioned purchasing a business? And what was up with the betrothal agreement? Surely formalities like that had gone out with the ark? His mind mulled over the possibilities and he came up with a stench. A distinctly fishy one.
Joe studied Matthew. The man’s jaw tightened, and he exploded into action. Joe ducked to the side, but Matthew’s fist clipped his jaw. It bloody hurt. Joe pulled clear and then sprang, his fists flying in attack. He struck Matthew’s shoulder, the ricochet of fist and flesh reverberating up his arm.
He shrugged off the discomfort. Pulling back, he crouched, eyes watchful.
Sex and a good fight. Nothing better.
Joe leaped at the other man, dodging some blows but not all. He grunted, shrugging off the jarring strikes. Another punch slipped through, an uppercut that struck his jaw, and snapped back his head. Joe hit out blindly, connected. A return blow thumped the air from his lungs. He wheezed and fell back.
“Can’t hack the pace, farm boy?” Matthew taunted in his smug, English accent.
Suck it up and thump him back, Joe.
“Get out of my fuckin’ head.”
Matthew’s lips drew up in a feral grin. “Pansy.”
Goaded by Matthew, pissed at Sly, Joe gritted his teeth and let rip with a series of jabs. Chest. Arm. Chin. Nose.
A crowd gathered. Some voiced encouragement.
Matthew dodged, attacked with an uppercut. Joe fell back a step. Matthew’s smirk said he’d won. Joe paused. When he saw a gap, he struck hard and fast. Bone cracked. Blood spurted and Matthew jerked back with a curse.
“Bastard.” Matthew cradled his nose. Blood trickled between his fingers.
Joe stood, poised on the balls
of his feet, keeping an eye on both Matthew and the other new arrivals.
The sharp burst of a police siren rent the air. The crowd circling them broke up and Laura, one of the Middlemarch cops, strode over to them. “Okay, boys. Break it up.” Surprise darted across her features when she spotted Saber.
Joe wanted to laugh but remained silent. He didn’t want to cause more trouble and land in jail.
Laura’s gaze narrowed on him before sliding to Saber. “What’s going on?” She scowled at Matthew. “Who are you?”
“Matthew Pascoe.” Matthew took a pristine white handkerchief out of his pocket and held it to his nose. “I want to press charges.”
Joe’s brows rose. He was the pansy. His nose didn’t look bad. The bleeding had slowed, and with his feline nature, he’d heal quickly. “He hit me first.”
“You promised me you wouldn’t fight again,” Laura snapped.
“I didn’t throw the first punch.”
“Saber?” Laura asked.
Matthew’s top lip turned up in a snarl. “I should’ve guessed. I won’t get any justice in this town.”
Kiera waded in. “Matthew, you hit Joe first. Everyone saw you.”
“It’s a private matter,” Saber said, his demeanor one of calm.
“You countenanced a fight?” Laura demanded.
“Whoa, big word,” Joe said.
“That’s enough from you,” Laura snapped. “Shut up or I’ll charge you for public fighting and disturbing the peace.”
“My brother and Joe had a difference of opinion,” Kiera said, glaring at her brother.
Joe bit back a grin. She liked him, felt protective of him. Warmth dispersed through him and some of his residual loneliness shifted. “I’m sorry, Laura. We shouldn’t have fought in public.”
“It won’t happen again, Laura. We’re sorry someone called you out,” Saber said.
“I expected better from you.” Laura glowered at them. “This is the second time I’ve caught Joe fighting.”
“That was last year.” Joe curved his arm around Kiera’s shoulders when she crept up beside him. At the same time he kept a wary eye on her brother.
“Laura, let me buy you a coffee,” Saber said.
“It will take more than a coffee.”
“Is that it?” William demanded in a snooty voice. “Why aren’t you charging him?”
Saber bared his teeth and growled low in his throat, directing the main thrust of his reprimand to the visitors. A warning for the shifters to behave. The harsh admonishment sliced through the tension in the group. The visitors took stock and backed up. Satisfied, Saber smiled at Laura. “A sandwich and a muffin if you’re hungry.”
Some of the strain left Laura’s shoulders. “Charlie is expecting me to take back lunch for him.”
“I can run to something for Charlie too,” Saber said smoothly. “I believe your coffee is ready,” he added, directing his words to Matthew. “My wife has a first-aid kit inside.”
“Matthew, I’m going back to work,” Kiera said. “I’ll see you later.”
Matthew glowered at her. “This discussion isn’t finished.”
“Yes, it is.” Kiera tugged from Joe’s touch, lifted her nose and strode toward the garage.
Joe turned to Saber. “I’ll go with her. Can you ask Emily if she could make me a couple of sandwiches? I’ll pay her later.”
Joe hurried to catch up with Kiera, more curious about her family than before. He intended to ask a few questions, maybe do some online research and learn exactly who he was dealing with.
“Why do your brothers expect you to go back to England with them? If they’re desperate to get you to return, why haven’t they visited before? You’ve been here awhile now.” Joe started on questions to appease his curiosity the instant he caught up to Kiera.
“I’m a bit out of touch. They don’t tell me much.” Kiera glanced at him and winced. “Are you okay?”
Joe grinned and found the action almost natural again. “I’m fine. Did your brother hurt you?”
“Mainly he took me by surprise. He’s never tried to manhandle me before.”
“What about this William? Have you met him before?”
“He’s been friendly with my brother for years. They do business together.”
He was becoming familiar with her expressions and the things she didn’t mention interested Joe more. “And?”
She sighed. “William was persistent with his attentions while I lived at home in England. I rebuffed him several times.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s a carbon copy of my brothers. He thinks he’s better than most people and possesses the wealth to back up the attitude. He turns up his nose at my little hobby. If I did agree to marriage, he’d expect me to reenter society and do nothing more than produce children and volunteer for suitable charities. Charities vetted by him of course.” A shudder worked through her. “That’s not the life I want for myself.”
Joe stilled, focusing on part of her speech. “You don’t want children?”
“Of course I’d consider children, but with the right man, one who would compromise because I don’t plan on radically changing my lifestyle in order to have children. I have work to do before I go to my appointment with Gavin. I don’t want to talk about this now.”
Joe wanted to learn more and especially about the children part. He almost wished he hadn’t suggested the visit to Gavin for a birth control shot. He’d like to have a baby or two with Kiera. The idea didn’t scare him or make him want to run in the opposite direction. In fact, what he’d like to do was drag her off to bed right now and fuck her until they both panted with exhaustion. If they made a baby, he wouldn’t be averse. He snuck a glance at her tight shoulders and puckered brow and decided now wasn’t the time to suggest a bedroom interlude.
They arrived back at the garage and Reg was out in front, pumping diesel for a local truckie. Joe waved hello to the elderly man. Kiera opened the side door and immediately lifted the roller doors to dispel the gloom.
Joe waited patiently until she’d finished. “Are you gonna be okay on your own?”
“I’m not going back to England if that’s what you mean.” She sighed and wiped her hands over her face. “Hell, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I need to find some way to make Matthew accept my decision because I don’t intend to run again. It hasn’t worked well in the past. It’s time for me to make a stand. My brothers can’t boss me around any longer.”
“Good girl.” He hadn’t spoken to the younger brothers yet and couldn’t judge them, but they hadn’t come to their older brother’s aid. An interesting point because he’d stand up for any of his brothers, no questions asked.
“I’m not a girl,” she snapped. “Everyone seems to forget.”
“Figure of speech. I didn’t mean to imply you’re childish because I don’t think of you in that way. You’re an adult. An extremely sexy woman.”
The rigidity fell away from her and an imp of humor appeared. “Tell me more,” she purred.
“When we get home tonight, I’ll show you.”
After a peek outside she eased closer until she settled flush against his body. “Don’t I get a hint or a sneak preview of what’s to come?”
A jolt of lust struck his balls seconds before she whispered against his lips.
Joe wrapped his arms around her, one hand slipping down to cup her butt and hold her close to his aching cock. “One kiss isn’t enough. That’s the trouble.”
“You have willpower. You could stop at one.”
Desire flourished and, unbidden, he guided his mouth toward hers. On a collision course, their lips met and clung. She wrapped her arms around him while his hands ran over her body, exploring every dip and curve beneath her unisex overalls. It was intense. It was satisfying and the more they kissed and caressed, the more his body hummed.
Rapid footsteps parted their lips, but they still pressed together when Saber rounded the corner and s
trode into her workshop.
“Am I interrupting?”
“No,” Kiera said.
“Yes,” Joe said at the same time.
Saber chuckled. “I’m enjoying payback. You guys gave me a hard time when I was dating Emily.”
“We’re—” Kiera broke off abruptly. Joe understood the direction her mind took. They weren’t dating, except she couldn’t admit that when they’d agreed to pretend otherwise.
Saber put down the coffee and plastic box of sandwiches he was carrying. “Emily packed lunch for you. I’m not sure what she’s given you.”
“I’m sure the food is fine.” Joe had difficulty releasing Kiera when she fit in his arms perfectly. He forced himself to take his hands off her butt and step back. Joe sensed rather than witnessed his brother’s amusement. “I’d better get back to mowing your paddock for you. Are you going to give me a lift?”
“Yeah. Emily wanted to know if dinner tomorrow night would work or do you want to leave it?”
“I’m sure my brothers can act civilly,” Kiera said with a bite to her tone. “I’ll tell them. What time?” Her scowl held a silent lay down the law vibe.
“Seven is good.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll see you later, babe.” Despite Saber’s presence, Joe leaned closer to snatch a kiss and he walked away with a sense of satisfaction.
“She seems nice,” Saber said.
“Fishing for info?”
“It’s only fair.”
“It’s a younger brother’s job to give his older brother a hard time,” Joe countered.
“Sly would like her.”
“Yes, he would.” If Sly were here, they’d probably be sharing her. A surge of possessiveness took root and he frowned at the burst of agitation from his feline. His scowl deepened. “When are you going to visit Sly again?”
“He’s not allowed visitors until next week. That’s when he’s out of solitary.”
Just like that Joe’s scowl cleared. He was the lucky twin since Sly was the one in jail. Yeah, he had no right to resent his brother because he had his freedom and was going home to Kiera.
My Twin Trouble Page 9
