“I don’t. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I shove my phone back into my purse as we stop in front of a large, two-story log cabin mansion. I don’t know how else to describe it except huge. Lights shine from the massive front windows. The front door opens as three men step onto the wraparound porch.
After taking a deep breath, I push the car door open, whispering, “I’ve got this. Whatever happens, it will be okay.”
One man makes his way down the steps of the porch and stops, waiting as I step out of the car. When he sees me, his eyes widen as if he’s seen a ghost. I wonder whether my hair is standing up or something. I didn’t even think to look in the mirror I have in my purse. Oh well.
After dragging my tongue across my lips, I hold out my hand. “Hello, Mr. Gallant. I’m Jaclyn Tanner.”
After a brief hesitation on his part, he takes my hand. And fuck me, if sparks don’t fly between us like I’m in one of Cheri’s books. As our gazes connect, my heart threatens to beat out of my chest. Shit. I’m in so much trouble.
three
Andrew
What the fuck just happened?
I drop Jaclyn’s hand like it’s burned me, and I instantly miss her touch. Her pupils dilate as her pale eyes meet mine. It’s too dark out here to see more than that, but it seems, from the way she’s rubbing her palm against her thigh, that she felt the same thing. Is this how Asher felt with Emma? Aaric with Hannah? It wasn’t this way with Adam and Rebekah; they’d known each other for years.
“Is everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Her voice is soft. It slides over my skin like silk, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
Shit. I’ve been staring at her like some kind of demented asshole. “I’m sorry. Just taken by surprise. I’d been prepared to welcome a male, and you are decidedly not. I’m Andrew Gallant, but I think you already know that, don’t you?”
Jaclyn giggles and nods. It’s the most precious sound I’ve ever heard. What the hell is going on? I’ve never reacted with anyone this way, and definitely never a woman.
She dips her head, then lifts her face back up. “Well, thank goodness. I’d hate to think I’ve been wrong all these years. Whew. I’m happy we avoided that mess.” Her snark is subtle. Considering her legs are shaking, she’s either scared or worried; she’s brave, too.
“I’m definitely not disappointed.”
“Are you going to invite the girl in, or are we going to stand out here all night?” Adrian’s voice cuts me off before I can say more. He’s right, I need to get her inside so we can talk, but I’m still going to beat him later. With a slight shake of my head, I force a smile. Instant attraction or not, I don’t know if this woman is trying to hurt my family. My guard needs to stay firmly in place until I figure out her motivation—and whether JNG is in jeopardy.
“Yeah, let’s get inside before you get eaten alive.”
Her eyebrows rise, but she just nods and reaches for her suitcase, which the driver set beside her before taking off. We keep him on retainer for times like this, when we need someone brought to us without an easy way to leave on their own. Ubers rarely come up the mountain.
“I’ll take that for you.” Grabbing the handle of her bag, I direct her toward the porch. When she hesitates, her gaze bouncing between my brothers and me, I add, “Don’t worry, we don’t bite.”
Adrian, the smart ass, adds with a chuckle, “Unless you ask.”
Asshole. He’s just begging for me to pound on him right now.
“You’re safe. I know we’re big guys, but?—”
Jaclyn blows out a breath, and her shoulders sag. “You’re not what I imagined.”
“I can’t wait to hear more when we get inside.”
I’m not sure I’ll get her to tell me what she thought she’d find here, but I am dying to know, and not just that—but everything about Jaclyn Tanner.
As she makes her way toward the porch stairs, I can’t pull my eyes away from her. She moves with grace, and the subtle sway of her ass already has my cock standing at attention. While she’s in front of me, I reach into my dress slacks and adjust my cock to keep it from pushing against the zipper. Aaron’s smirk tells me it didn’t go unnoticed.
Fuck. My brothers are going to be the death of me.
When we step over the threshold and into the foyer, Aaron faces Jaclyn. It’s the first time she’s in bright enough light to see her clearly. His surprised gaze wanders over her and it makes me want to growl. Clearly, I’m losing my mind. How the hell can I be possessive of a woman I don’t even know?
“Welcome to Gallant Mountain, Ms. Tanner.” At least he sounds like the gentleman our mother raised us to be—unlike Adrian and me, but we’ll fix that shortly.
