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“Look, I know she could do a hell of a lot better than me, but—”
“Whoa.” Rhett holds his hands up. “It’s not because she could do better than you. You’re one of the best men I know. She’d be damn lucky to be with you.”
“Then what?”
“I told you at the bar; it’s because she’s one of my best friends, and you’re my brother. I will choose you, always, but if you break her heart, I’ll have to kick your ass, and I’ll risk losing her in the process, and I don’t want it to come to that.”
“And I told you I would never intentionally hurt her.”
Rhett takes a deep breath in, and when he blows it out he says, “I know you wouldn’t. But love is unpredictable and messy.” He sighs. “Just be good to her, okay? Don’t make me hunt you down.” He gives me a pointed look before he turns away.
“Rhett?”
“Yeah?” He stops and looks over his shoulder.
“Do me a favor and don’t mention this to Mo. It’s all still new, and nothing is official, and—”
“Your secret is safe with me. But fair warning, those two tell each other everything. And I mean everything.”
Maybe not everything. Because if Mo knew half of what’s gone on between me and Claire, she’d be all up in my business. “Thanks for the heads up.”
I’m the last thing a girl like Claire needs. She’s all sweet and good, and I’m tainted—tainted by my past and by the profession I’ve chosen, which is way outside what she typically seems prepared to handle. But despite all of my efforts, I can’t stay away from her.
Now I need to know if she can forgive me for the mistake my twelve-year-old self made so we can sort this out together.
There’s only one way to find out.
26
Trevor
Taking a deep breath, I knock on Claire’s front door. It’s late, but I know she’s up because the light in her living room is on. She’s probably waiting on me, and now I feel like an ass for not getting here sooner. The porch light flips on, and a second later she opens the door. Milo darts out, stumbling between my feet, and I pick her up.
“You lost something.” I hand Claire her dog.
“Thank you.”
She smiles as she holds the door open, and all I can think of is that damn fantasy of coming home to her after a long day on the ranch.
“Come in.”
I step over the threshold and hear her shut the door and lock it behind me.
“How was your day?” she asks, quietly.
“Rough.”
Turning around, I take Claire in. Her back is against the door, Milo squirming in her arms. She’s wearing a pair of silky shorts and a matching purple tank top that leaves very little to the imagination. Her nipples are puckered, threatening to break through the thin material, and I want to lift her top up and suck a tight peak into my mouth.
She takes a step forward, drawing my eyes up. “What happened?” she asks, setting the pup down. Milo scurries off, leaving me alone with her owner.
I grab Claire’s hand. “Couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Oh,” she says. “That must’ve been awful.”
I tug her forward until her body falls against mine. “Wasn’t sure I was going to make it through the day.”
“Maybe I can make it up to you.” Pushing up on her toes, Claire presses her lips to my mouth, and I let her because I need this connection. I need to ensure I get one final kiss before I say what I’ve come to say.
