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Then I heard the bell on the front door ring and my fiancé Drew’s voice.
“Laoise? Laoise? Where are you?”
Chapter Four
Isqueaked as I shoved against Torin, registering with a flush that there was a hard thick length pressed against my belly as I wriggled out of his arms. He let me go, but reluctantly, and he followed only a few steps behind me.
The sense of déjà vu grew stronger.
But I didn’t remember that prickling sensation on the back of my neck from before. Or the feeling like my skin was hot and tight.
I beckoned Drew over to the kitchen, stepping back so hastily to make room for my fiancé that I tripped over Torin’s boots. He caught me easily under the elbows, preventing me from falling, his hand on my belly, pulling me back against his chest.
I tried to pretend like this was normal as I introduced my brother to Drew, hoping my fiancé didn’t notice my missing extremely expensive engagement ring.
Andrew looked startled to see Torin. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet some of Laoise’s family,” he said, making a quick recovery. “What’s all this about Jerald getting hit here?” he added.
In his three-piece suit and mauve pocket square, Jerald looked the perfect urbane and sophisticated therapist. While I knew my brother looked like the kind of man who’d tie you up with duct tape and throw you in the back of his truck.
But he wouldn’t fucking dare, would he?
“Yes, he got hit,” I said, to cover the awkward silence.
“Why. . .did you hit Jerald?” Drew asked.
“He insulted Laoise,” Torin said.
Drew looked expectant, like he was waiting for something else. But there wasn’t anything else. There had never needed to be anything else for Torin.
“What did Jerald say, Laoise?” Drew asked, looking at me.
“Oh, it was just his general douchebag ways,” I said. “Bitching and moaning about the coffee. I wish he’d go to the shop down the street instead of here.”
“I’ll make sure he does,” Torin said.
I looked at Drew, feeling my heart flutter and pound.
Surely Drew couldn’t miss the way my brother’s hand curved possessively around my waist to rest on my belly. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
“Well, of course if Jerald is bothering you, I am happy to talk to him,” Drew said. “He came back to the office building saying someone had smashed his head into the counter.”
If he expected Torin to deny this, he was mistaken. I felt my brother’s other hand on my neck, the calloused tips just skimming the skin on the outside of my collar. His hands were so hot they seemed to burn me.
“That’s not all I’ll do if I see him around her again,” Torin said.
“Let me see what I can do,” Drew interposed. “Maybe there’s a healthier way to resolve this.”
There was a beat of silence for a moment.
“I’m sick of Jerald,” I said suddenly. “I’d rather not see him at all.”
My brother moved his thumb up my neck, up under my hairline, and I felt a little shiver go down my spine.
Drew eyed him, then me, clearly not sure how to react, and seemed anxious to change the subject.
“I’m sure Laoise has enjoyed seeing you,” he ventured, “But if you’ll excuse us, we need to prepare for the benefit tonight at the bakery. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to keep your sister from her job.”
I knew perfectly well that Torin didn’t give a shit, but I was digging in my pants for the schedule of his requirements as a parolee.
