AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brick’s eyes narrowed, then shifted toward Bradley for a brief second.
“He’s been a gentleman. No need to worry,” she said, brushing a hand across his rough cheek. In a way to soothe his rattled emotions and to steer his direction back toward her.
She would chalk up the handholding incident as an error in judgment. Not to mention, that conversation wasn’t suitable for public either. She could bring it up with Brick later. The last thing she wanted was secrets between them.
But he had a secret.
Like where he went today and with whom he spoke to.
Yeah, they would be having a talk behind closed doors later. To clear the air. To dispel the secrets hanging between them.
If she was going to be honest, she expected the same from him.
His lips brushed hers again. Softly, tenderly.
“I’m not worried. You’re mine, and he just has to deal with it.”
With the venom laced in his tone, Jezebelle couldn’t be sure whether Brick was talking about Bradley or someone else. While it bothered her Bradley held her hand and showed more than a token of friendship, she didn’t think Bradley would do anything to ruin her relationship with Brick. But by the fury in his voice, Brick thought so.
* * *
Brick wantedto retract his words by the way Jezebelle frowned at him. Dealing with his brother was never pleasant. At least, not in the last three years it hadn’t been. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t sweep his raging emotions under the rug and keep them there.
He shouldn’t take his frustrations out on her or speak to her so rudely. Because his words came out more passionately than he had intended.
While he wanted her in his life—forever sounded great—he couldn’t claim her as his.
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
His stomach churned at the apology. He didn’t mean it. It came out exactly how he wanted to say it, except laying his cards all out on the line so soon wasn’t wise.
She grabbed his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, yet didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure what to think after that. Should he have apologized or not? Well, she wasn’t pushing him away.
She guided him back toward Bradley, something he didn’t want but knew they had no choice.
“Nice to see you again, Brick.”
“Likewise, Bradley.”
Although they both sounded friendly enough, he knew they were only putting on a show for Jezebelle. How could she not see this douche wanted more from her? Everything about him made him want to puke. From his stylish hair that had no strand out of place to his clean-cut clothes that looked like they cost a fortune to his nauseatingly prim and proper voice.
The guy thought he was better than him. Brick could see it in his eyes every time he glanced his way.
He could outwit, outman, and outclass this guy any day of the week. Just because he had tattoos, owned a bar, and didn’t dress as fancy didn’t mean anything.
“You were saying, Bradley, before I interrupted you. So sorry about that.”
Brick kept his grip loose, even though he wanted to squeeze when she smiled a little too brightly at Bradley.
“Oh, yes, I was going to ask if you wanted to help me look at a few apartments this afternoon. Your mother told me she is getting together with some friends, so it would only be the two of us.”
“Three of us,” Brick added. Like hell this asshole was venturing around the city with Jezebelle and he wasn’t with. Give him time to weasel his way into her heart. Nope. Not going to happen.
Bradley smiled, although Brick saw the annoyance behind his gaze. “Yes, of course, the three of us.”
“You said while we were touring the office that you’ll be starting in two weeks. That might be hard to find a place that quickly, but we don’t mind helping. With the three of us, I’m sure we’ll find something wonderful for you.”
Bradley switched his gaze to Jezebelle, the desire as clear as a sunny blue sky. Brick wanted to slap the look right off him. “I let my fingers do some of the talking already. I have three appointments with the ones I like. It’ll be a simple signature and it’ll be mine.”
