No. No, it wasn’t. But he wasn’t turning back now.
Bran could keep the relationship in hand. Control it the way he had every other encounter with a woman over the last several years. But in the back of his mind, he recognized the lie for what it was.
Somehow, he was more invested when it came to Ireland. And a hell of a lot more attracted to her than he’d been to any other woman, and that was a problem. Easy to keep things in check when your cock wasn’t involved. But when the big man started piping up, all hell broke loose.
Bran paused on Jaeg’s front porch. Not too late to back out.
And then Jaeg opened the front door. “Well, well, well… What do we have here?”
Ireland’s beautiful face peeked around Jaeg’s biceps. “He’s here for me.” She tried to scoot around him, but Jaeg didn’t budge.
Great. Bran knew where this was headed. “How’s it going, man?”
“I hear you’re taking Ireland out,” Jaeg said. “Where are you taking her, and when can I expect her home?” His gaze was intense, but a smile tugged the corner of his mouth.
And then Jaeg was being dragged from behind by tiny arms wrapped around his waist. One hand dug into Jaeg’s side, presumably hitting a sensitive spot, as the big guy jerked and gave a hearty laugh.
“Stop cockblocking!” Cali said, and pulled Jaeg the rest of the way to the side as she simultaneously pushed Ireland out the door. “Sorry, Bran. Here she is. You two have a good time, and I mean arealgood time.” She winked, and Bran glanced at Ireland, who’d turned bright red.
Ireland stepped onto the front porch and quickly closed the door. “I love my cousin, but I gotta get my own place.”
Bran chuckled. “Never seen Jaeg play the protective older brother before. Even if he was giving me a hard time, feels strange, given he’s my friend.”
“Cali’s mycousin. He’s looking out for her family.”
Bran laughed. “True. Just never thought I’d be on the receiving end.”
“Because you don’t date?”
“Because I don’t date cousins of my friends’ fiancées.”
She smiled. “Ah, yes, the cousin of the friend’s fiancée should most definitely beoff-limits.”
Bran glanced at her as they walked down the steps. “She should be. You can still back out.”
He’d considered it. Why not give her the option?
Though if she tried, he’d make every attempt to convince her otherwise.
He liked Ireland too much, and he was afraid that if he kept this up, his selfishness knew no bounds. Bran didn’t know what caused the software issues, and if you asked James, he’d say Ireland had made things worse. Not that Bran believed James. But it put Bran in a bit of a touchy situation. Given he was officially dating her. And she worked for him.
However…selfish it would be. At least for tonight, because he was taking Ireland out whether or not he should.
Ireland looked insanely beautiful in a white summer dress and navy cardigan, pretty red-painted toenails peeking out of strappy sandals. He opened the passenger-side door, and Ireland slid onto the seat.
“Back out?” she said. “Are you kidding? We’re having dinner, and you won’t tell me the location, but it’s not in a restaurant. I have to see where this excursion leads.”
Bran walked around the front of the truck to the driver’s side, his heart pounding. That was exactly what he was afraid of. Because whenever he was with Ireland, he longed to take things places he’d never been before.
Chapter 17
Bran pulled off Pioneer Trail and down a private road. The road was two-way, which narrowed to a one-way with a few houses separated by large lots against conservatory land. He took a right before a small two-bedroom house and drove toward the back of the lot, which was fairly long, since the house sat on two acres.
He stopped at his favorite spot on the property and killed the engine, the back of the truck facing the forest.
Ireland glanced around. “This is beautiful, but won’t the owner object to us parking here?”
“Nah.” Bran could have taken her anywhere. Plenty of beautiful spots in Lake Tahoe for an evening picnic. “I have it on good authority that the owner won’t mind.”
