by Niles, Abby
If she said it again, he feared he was going to show her just exactly how much of a brother to her he wasn’t.
…
Staring at the ceiling, Julie lay in bed as she absently stroked Lucy, who’d started scratching at her door the moment she’d slammed it shut. When she had opened it back up, the dog immediately sprang forward and jumped on the bed. She welcomed the company.
She hadn’t lied to Tommy. The date with Brody had been nice, and they did have a lot in common. But there hadn’t been any kind of spark.
And that sucked, because Brody was perfect. They liked the same shows—sans Real Housewives, to which he’d had the same reaction as Tommy, which of course she’d immediately thought of as soon as Brody had scowled. He loved animals and did volunteer work at a local no-kill shelter. Even though he did on occasion go out to the local country bar, The Boot Scoot, after training with the guys, he wasn’t into the club scene like Tommy was, and he never stayed long.
The man was completely opposite of Tommy.
And yet Tommy refused to leave her mind.
The walkie-talkie screeched to life. “Julie?”
Turning her head on the pillow, she stared at the yellow-and-black device. Why had she left it on? Ignore it. Pretend you’re asleep. But she reached for it anyway, cursing her weakness for this man. Pressing the side button, she said grumpily, “What?”
“Do you remember the day we met?”
Her heart caught. She stilled for a moment, her annoyance notching down a fraction. “Of course. Could never forget it. What brought that up?”
“I was thinking about it earlier today.”
He was thinking about it? That was so…sweet. Though it didn’t make up for him being such a butthead today. “Wishing we hadn’t met? That why you’ve been so obnoxious lately?”
“Very funny. No, I’m serious. Remember?”
She couldn’t stop a small smile as she recalled the ten-year-old boy with shaggy blond hair and green eyes, a wooden sword hanging from his belt, who hadn’t even introduced himself to her, he’d just put his arm around her and placed a kiss on top of her head—just as he still did. “You were so gallant that day.”
“A fair maiden weeping for her lost puppy. What was a young knight to do?”
She chuckled. “You were so into knights and dragons back then.”
“I found your puppy, though. Do you remember me bringing him to you?”
“Posey was trying so hard to get free.”
She’d been sitting on her front steps, sniffling over losing Posey. She’d only had the pup a week—a present from her parents because they’d had to move to a different state due to her dad’s job transfer. Tommy had come walking up the path, carrying a wiggling, excited puppy in his arms. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he bowed, held out the dog, and said, “For you, m’lady.” And she’d fallen head over heels in love at that very moment.
Unfortunately, she’d never fallen out again.
Tears burned the backs of her eyes.
“Sometimes I wish we could go back to being kids,” he said wistfully. “It was so much easier then. So straightforward. Why do things have to change?”
She had to take a moment to speak. “Adulthood sucks.”
“Yeah. Messes everything up.” There was a sigh, then, “Good night, Lady J.”
She had to swallow the lump in her throat. “Good night, Green Knight.”
As she placed the walkie-talkie back on her nightstand, she brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. It had been a long time since she’d cried over Tommy. When she was in her teens, crying had been a constant as Tommy had started dating, never once looking at her the same way he had other girls. She’d been desperately hurt when he asked other girls to the prom or homecoming. Then she’d gone off to college and he’d gotten started in fighting.
The separation had done her good. She’d dated and come into her own as a person, separate from him. They still talked and hung out together when she was in town, but she’d realized her life wasn’t over just because he didn’t return her feelings.
When she moved back to Atlanta four years ago and opened her clinic, she had hoped enough time had passed that any childhood feelings she’d had for her best friend had only been a childhood crush. They hadn’t been.
If anything, those feelings had blossomed into an adult yearning that left her feeling overwhelmed at times, angry at others. But she’d kept her mouth shut about how she felt, believing that somewhere she would find the actual man who was meant for her alone. Because it wasn’t Tommy. It couldn’t be Tommy.
They were too different. She was wine and a quiet night home. He was shots of tequila and thumping music in a club. She was planning. He was chaos. She wanted a future. He was firmly planted in the right-here-right-now.
But he was also the boy who’d found her puppy. The teenager who’d bloodied Bruce Coleman’s nose for refusing to respect her “no” and taking a kiss anyway. The man who’d held her after her dad had died from a heart attack. Who’d dropped everything every time her car broke down. Worked tirelessly to help her demo the clinic and renovate it. Then helped her move in and paint her new house. He had always been there. No matter what.
He had always been her hero.
And that was the man her heart firmly refused to let go.
Chapter 5
When Tommy walked into the kitchen the next morning, Julie was standing in front of the counter. A gray long-sleeve workout shirt clung to her breasts while a pair of black Capri running pants hugged her thighs and butt. When she shifted to scoop a spoonful of protein powder from the container, one toned ass cheek bounced up.
He fisted his hands to keep from going up behind her and taking both cheeks in his palms, while he buried his head in her neck. The desire to do it was so strong he barely kept himself in check, that devilish side of him wanting desperately to know what she would do if he brushed up against her. He’d done it so many times in the past and never thought a thing about it, but now…
Damn it, he had to know.
He stepped forward. As he slid behind her, he put one hand around her hip, a little farther than was appropriate for just a friend. When she stiffened, a smug smile tried to emerge. He brushed the front of his pajama bottoms across her ass and bit back a groan, having to quickly move away as his cock immediately started to stiffen. But he didn’t miss her quick inhale.
A part of him scolded himself for his dirty tricks, but the other parts egged him on to do more. And right now he wanted to do so much more.
He leaned in close, pressing his chest into her shoulders. “Whatchya making?”
As she glanced up at him, brows raised, she leaned away. “What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’re attempting to make a protein shake, but you’re doing it wrong.” He closed his hand over hers, shaking the protein mix back into the container. Her gaze shot to their hands, then up to his eyes. “Let me show you,” he offered.
Brushing behind her again to go to the fridge, he watched her for any sign of awareness. Her fingers closing into fists was a dead giveaway. When he came back, he casually asked, “Peanut butter?”
She pointed to the cabinet on her other side. When she started to move to get it, he again latched his hand on her hip, staying her. Leaning across her, he pressed his chest into the length of her back as he reached to open the door and grab the jar. He felt a quiver run through her body.
He pulled away, staring down at the back of her head. The urge to yank her around and do some very non-friendly things to his best friend ripped through him. From the way she was responding, he had a feeling she might not object, and that made the desire even harder to ignore.
He was playing with fucking fire. He knew that.
And this fire had the potential to destroy more than just mementos from his past. It could destroy the one person who meant more to him than anyone on the planet. And destroy a friendship he didn’t think he could live without
.
That thought knocked him back to his senses.
“You know,” he said, then stopped to clear the huskiness from his throat. “It’s getting late. Why don’t I finish this while you go shower?”
“Great idea!” She was out of the kitchen in an instant, without a backward glance.
A few moments later, he heard the shower start. A picture of her pulling the tie out of her hair so her long brunette strands flowed free over naked shoulders formed indelibly in his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head as he adjusted his pajama bottoms.
Damn, he need a shower himself. A long cold one. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to help. It had been a while since he’d had a little him-time. And he needed it right now. Maybe using some of the images that were torturing him—like Julie bent over with him rocking behind her… His cock immediately sprang to full attention. Hissing between clenched teeth, he leaned his elbows on the counter.
This was fucking insane. He was a grown man. He should have better control of himself. But he’d never actually denied himself a woman before. Was that the problem? Was that why he was wound so tightly? Because he was refusing to act on such a natural impulse?
Considering the way he loved women, it made sense…and it made him want to be sick.
The idea of any part of his player ways being directed at Julie was unforgivable—the titillating seduction, the sweaty night in bed, then him leaving in the morning before she was even awake. Hell, he’d kill another man for even thinking it about Julie.
“What are you doing?”
He glanced over at Julie, who stood in the kitchen doorway, wearing only her red silk robe that hit her mid-thigh. His gaze slipped to the deep V that displayed the enticing shadow of her cleavage. The wet strands of her hair fell around her shoulders.
“Nothing.” He straightened, realizing he hadn’t done shit with her shake since she’d left. “Head started hurting.”
Which was the truth. Just not the one on his shoulders.
“Want me to get you some Tylenol?”
“Already took some, but thanks.” He quickly added skim milk, a tablespoon of PB, and some protein powder, then cut on the blender. After it was mixed, he poured it into two cups, shoved a straw in one, and handed it to her.
As she took a sip, her eyes closed and she moaned around the straw. His gaze fell to her mouth sucking on that thin tube, and his grip tightened around his own cup. God, this woman was going to be the death of him. “Mmm. Tommy, you really do make a yummy shake.” She opened her eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”
Nanoseconds from pouncing on her, he quickly turned his back. “Don’t mention it.”
“I just have to blow-dry my hair and get dressed, then I’m off to work. I won’t be home tonight, so you’re on your own for dinner.”
Frowning, he spun around. “You won’t? Where are you going?”
“I’ve got plans,” she said, and left him standing in the room alone. “See you later.”
His stomach sank. One guess as to who those plans were with.
And he was stunned at how much it pissed him off.
…
Julie locked the back door of the clinic. Before she’d left for work, she’d brought her jeans and red blouse with her, not wanting to go back to the house to change. Sad to admit, but it was the truth.
She wanted to avoid Tommy. At all costs.
If she was really smart, she’d start eating take-out and buying pre-made protein shakes for the duration that Tommy was in her house. Because every time they were in that tiny kitchen together it became too hot for her to handle. Especially today. Holy Mother of God. The touching, the brushing…he’d had her nipples puckered into tight peaks, her clit pulsing in need. All she’d wanted him to do was press behind her, take both her breasts in his hands, and tweak those stiff tips, then slide one palm between her legs and rub away the ache there.
She’d had to play that fantasy out in the shower. Why? Because, as always, Tommy was completely oblivious to the raging lust he was igniting in her.
As she turned around, she tossed her keys in her purse and wrapped her green peacoat tighter. Brody leaned against the side of his navy Mercedes, wearing a leather jacket, his arms folded across his chest, his jean-clad legs crossed at the ankles. She didn’t feel so much as a flutter, much less anything remotely like what she’d felt in the kitchen this morning.
How unfair was that? Brody was a good-looking man. She had tons in common with him. She laughed and felt comfortable around him. And yet it was Tommy, who was completely wrong for her, who lit up her damn body like she was drunk on a binge, with the freaking aftereffects to match.
No. Not fair. She had to give Brody a chance. Just because he hadn’t made her melt on the first date didn’t mean he wouldn’t. She needed to give it a little more time.
He pushed off the side of his car and walked toward her. “Gorgeous as always.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling.
After he opened the passenger door, she slipped inside. “So, am I going to have you all to myself today, or is Tommy going to make an appearance?”
“I’m sorry about last night. He keeps a very different schedule than I do, so when I was home by ten, he thought the date had gone badly.”
Brody gave her an odd look she couldn’t decipher before he closed the door and rounded the front of the car. After he buckled in and started the car, he glanced over at her. “How long have you two known each other?”
It surprised her that anyone who was familiar with Tommy didn’t already know the answer to that. “How well do you know him?”
“Not that well. I joined Greg’s gym right before he moved to Mike’s. I’ve watched him fight, seen him at a couple of fighter functions, even talked a few times. But that’s about it.”
“I don’t remember seeing you at any fighter functions.”
“Ouch, that hurts, because I sure remember seeing you. I knew who you were the moment you walked into the room at the vet clinic. I’ve seen you on Tommy’s arm on more than a few occasions. At first, I assumed he was your boyfriend, but then he’d show up with another girl while you were there.”
Thanks for that reminder. One of the many things about Tommy’s after-party lifestyle that had hurt. “Yeah. We go way back. Tommy is like my…brother.”
Why did she have a hard time saying that to Brody? It’d come out pretty easily to Tommy last night. Maybe because he had no issue calling her his sister.
“That’s good to know.” The charming smile Brody sent her should have melted her insides. Unfortunately, no puddling was happening. Damn it.
“So where are we going this afternoon?” she asked.
“I was thinking simple. It’s warm for the end of February, so how does grabbing some food and eating at the park sound? We still have about an hour of sunlight left.”
“Sounds wonderful.”
After they stopped at a greasy diner for burgers and fries, they made their way to the park.
It was packed full of people taking advantage of the warm day. This winter had been mild in comparison to last year. Today was relatively warm at sixty, but the breeze kept a slight chill in the air, making it clear that winter hadn’t fully left yet. As she waited for Brody to get a blanket out of the car, she scanned the grass for a sunny spot, seeing that everyone else had the same idea. Luckily, there was an area in the center of the field where they could settle in.
After Brody spread out the blanket, he motioned for her to sit, which she did, then he situated himself beside her as he dug into the bags and handed her the food. Silence descended between them. She watched the runners, the mothers pushing their babies around the walking path, the toddlers squealing as they ran through the fields. No words were needed between her and Brody. They could just sit by each other and enjoy their surroundings.
She liked that.
What she didn’t like? That she wasn’t completely aware of him. When Tommy sat beside her, she was in tun
e to every shift he made. If he moved closer to her, her heart would stutter. If he shifted away, she’d anticipate the next time he would come near her again.
Why couldn’t she be more aware of Brody?
Did she need to try harder?
Maybe that was it. She scooted a little closer to him. When he followed her lead and slid next to her, bracing his arm behind her so his body cocooned her, she waited to feel something. Anything.
There was nothing.
She blew out a frustrated breath.
Then Brody motioned with his cup to the other side of the park. “Well. Look who we have here. Seems Tommy pops up wherever we are.”
“What?” Julie whipped her gaze toward the area where he was pointing.
There was a guy with a ball cap on over there with Mac Hannon, about half a football field away, in the middle of lowering his body into a plank position. When the guy launched his body off the ground to land on his feet and then jump up in the air, she gasped.
Tommy—and he was wearing the hat she’d bought him.
Sweat sleeked his skin. When he dropped back into plank, his arms flexed, displaying the always impressive muscles in his biceps and shoulders. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
God, he was the sexiest man on earth.
“My God, what’s he doing?” she whispered.
“Burpees.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know that.”
Brody chuckled. “Figured you might, but wasn’t sure how to answer the question.”
“I meant why is he with Mac?” As far as she knew, he hadn’t really talked to anyone from the training facility except Dante since Mike had told him to get out.
“Looks like they’re doing a conditioning session,” Brody said.
And Mac didn’t seem like he was close to letting up, either, with his stopwatch out. Even though she couldn’t make out the words, she could hear Mac yelling at Tommy. Not like that was anything new. Fighters all seemed to yell at each other when they trained, especially the coaches.
