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“Darlin’.” His fingers touched my face, then drifted around my neck into my hair, his mouth less than an inch from mine. “Whatever you need to do to keep them with you, I’ll support you one hundred percent. I promise.” He leaned in again, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he whispered, “Let me tell ya, not gonna lie, you’realwayspretty, but right now, you are too fucking gorgeous for words.” The kiss he left on my jaw made me shudder from head to toe. And, gods, I loved the way he made me feel.
Pretty. Gorgeous. Sexy.
I hadn’t realized I’d grabbed his forearm until he moved away and knelt to finish helping Arteisma with her remaining snow boot.
“Your dad’s here,” he said quietly. “And Deck.”
The front door opened, and my dad strolled in with my brother right behind him.
“You almost ready?” my dad asked as he crossed the room to pluck at the fluffy yarn pompom at the tip of Arteisma’s hat. His back stiffened for just a second as his nostrils flared ever so slightly. His questioning gaze traveled from me to Seff and then back again. He grinned so big, I knew he understood Seff and I had a thing going on. A connection. A bond...maybe.
The vibe in the room changed suddenly to something not so nice, and I knew where it came from.
“What the hell is all over your face?” Deck demanded.
Seff stood and took a step closer to me as my dad stepped up to my brother.
“Why do you gotta act like someone crapped in your cornflakes, son?”
“I don’t like you, Decker.” Arteisma stood up, her sweet face in a scowl. “You’re so mean.”
Decker’s eyes flicked from me to our dad, then he waved a hand in my direction. “Look at her. She’s made up like a—”
Seff’s deep growl filled the room before he spoke low and clear, “Deck, you need to stop and think before you finish that sentence.”
“Why? You gonna slug me?”
My first reaction was to stop the fight before it began. I even grabbed Seff’s hand.
My second reaction was to let Seff do what he wanted. If he felt the need to defend me, he should go for it. Besides, my brother could take any beating Seff might give him and love every second.
So I smiled, leaned in, and pulled Seff down for a quick kiss. Right on his lips. And yes, my berry-red lipstick looked good on him. By the grin on Seff’s face and the rush of heat I felt through our touch, my kiss—our first real kiss—was a pleasant surprise.
“Go on, champ,” I whispered. “Do what you need to.” Then, I let him go.
“Wh...what?” Decker stuttered in shock. “I’m yourbrother!”
For the first time in months, I looked my brother in the eye. “Make up your mind. Your flip-flopping rules of engagement are too confusing. Either I’m dead to you or I’m your sister.”
“Oh, come on! Is that why you’re giving me the silent treatment? Because I said you were dead to me?”
“You damn well don’t treat her like she’s your sister.” Seff prowled across the room with his fists clenched tight, heading straight for Decker.
“Dude, really?” Decker said as he stepped back. Seff didn’t break his stride. Decker backed out the door onto the wooden bridge and glanced at me. “Des...come on.”
The rush of heat Seff had created turned to ice when I looked at my brother.
Seff pointed at Deck. “You don’t say nothin’ to her unless you’re beggin’ for forgiveness.”
And then they were out of sight, but not earshot.
“How many times did you fuck her last night? And don’t say you didn’t because I smell her all over you.”
There was a thud. Scuffling noise on the bridge. A few grunts. With the crack and snap of wood, the handrail broke and gave way. Next came another thud as the two males fell to the snowy ground.
A little hand slipped into mine.
Arteisma gasped. “Did you hear what Decker said?” I nodded as her brown eyes grew wide with worry. “Is Seff going to be okay?”
