“Do you know what’s wrong with your car?” I asked, moving back towards the hood because if he kept looking at me the way he was…I would pull him into my arms and taste those gorgeous lips.
Kian moved, and then he was beside me. It took everything I had not to react. “No idea. I just bought it. Not brand-new, though, but they said it was all good, and it doesn’t even have that many miles on it.” Kian sighed. “Do you think they cheated me? The lady was really sweet.”
I smiled at that because, of course, my mate thought a car saleswoman was sweet. I just met him, and I could already tell he saw the best in people, and there and then I promised he would never lose that. I would protect him always.
“I’m sure she was, but I bet it’s just because you did the long drive down.” I allowed myself to look at him and saw him nibbling on his lips. FUCK! This was why I’d stayed away. Being close to him and not being able to touch him, claim him, was torture.
“Oh, that’s a good point. It was a really long drive. At least it got me here before dying, right?”
I shuddered at the thought of him stranded somewhere and said a thank you to Urs for looking out for my mate. Getting him to me in one piece.
I faced Kian. “How about I take you on your errands and call someone to get the car?”
“What?” He shook his head. “You don’t have to, really. I can walk back home, and if you give me the number, I’ll arrange for them to pick it up.”
I should have taken him up on his offer, but I found I didn’t want to… I couldn’t stay away now that I’d actually met him. Not that me or my bear actually wanted to.
“Nonsense.” I shut the hood and turned so I was facing him. “I insist. You’re a guest here.”
Kian’s head tilted to the side, and he studied me. “Aren’t you Rhys’s brother that’s refused to meet me?”
My mouth fell open at his words, I hadn’t expected him to say that, but then my lips twitched. I couldn’t help it. I laughed. Until I saw that Kian’s hands were on his hips, and he definitely didn’t seem amused.
I loved the fact that my mate had just called me out. He was strong and would definitely not let me get away with much. I was looking forward to it.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I put my hands up. “I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just—I didn’t expect that.”
He raised those arched brows. The left one had a little scar, and I wanted to trace it and ask him how he got it.
“You didn’t expect me to call you out on being a jerk?” he asked.
I clamped my lips together, trying not to laugh. I refused to hurt my mate’s feelings.
“I guess I didn’t,” I agreed.
Those blue eyes sparkled, and the corners of his lips actually lifted. “At least you admit you were being a jerk. I’m really good at my job, you know.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I acknowledged. “I was being a stubborn, set-in-his-ways jerk.”
That warranted a full-blown smile, and fuck, it made him even more stunning, if that was even possible.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
He looked taken aback by the apology.
“Why does it surprise you that I would apologize?” I asked. “I was wrong not to at least welcome you to the ranch and the company.”
Kian’s shoulders lifted and dropped. “I guess because you don’t have to. It’s your company…your land…” His voice trailed off.
“Yeah, but my brother showed me your work, and you are very good. I should have at least given you the chance to prove yourself.”
Even though it wasn’t the reason I’d been avoiding him, I didn’t want my mate to think I was the kind of man that didn’t apologize when he was wrong. Besides, thinking about it, I couldn’t imagine how worried he’d been.
“I assure you, it wasn’t because of you.” I felt the need to reassure him of that… Okay, so maybe it was because of him, but just not the way he thought.
Before Kian could reply, though, his phone rang. He looked at the screen. “It’s Rhys,” he said.
I nodded, not surprised that my brother called. I knew, like Kian, he thought I was being a difficult ass. His words. He was probably calling to check up on my treatment of his friend.
