Something deep in my brain pings. It’s a familiar story. Where have I heard it before?
But I don’t have to wonder for long, because a moment later, she finally takes a bite of her lunch and says, “That’s actually why I’m here. To visit my big brother.”
And that’s when the alarm bells start full-on ringing.
CHAPTER THREE
Mia
Everything about this man is gorgeous in a very rough around the edges kind of way that is completely opposite from the slick and polished city boys I’m used to seeing.
It’s hard not to look at him. Which is why the exact moment his face changes, I see it.
His mouth falls open, he drops his spoonful of chili, and his eyes harden as he stares at me.
“Mia?” His voice is low and controlled. “What’s your brother’s name?”
He did say he knew everyone in Rock Creek. I’m not sure how I feel about that considering, of course, I came here to see Jamie, but I don’t want that knowledge swaying this sex god of a man’s opinion of me. Because right now, he’s my very best option for taking care of the other, very important reason I came to town.
My whole body shivers. My clit is throbbing just thinking about having Briggs take my virginity, and I have to rub mythighs together in an effort to relieve some of the ache. I swallow hard and lick my lips as the thought settles over me.
Yes.
He’s perfect.
Briggs is aman. He’ll know exactly what to do. He’ll be?—
“Mia?”
My name on his lips for the second time pulls my attention back to him and the unanswered question.
“What is your brother’s name?” he asks again, and in a way that tells me he already knows the answer.
I open my mouth to lie, but what am I going to say?
“Jamie Webb.”
“Fuck.” He slams his palms flat on the table and pushes back against the padded booth. “Figures.”
What does that mean? Does he feel it too? The attraction between us?
I wait and watch while he pinches the bridge of his nose between two fingers. As sweetly as I can, I ask, “Do you know him?”
He doesn’t answer right away, but when he does, he leans forward and exhales slowly. “Yes,” he says. “I know him, Mia. I told you, I know everyone in Rock Creek.”
Right.
“He’s my best friend.”
It’s my turn to look surprised. “Your best friend?”
Briggs nods and picks up his spoon again. “We work together.”
“At the mill?” That’s why Jamie moved to Rock Creek. And apparently why there were more men than women. The sawmill provides a lot of good-paying jobs in the area. It was hard labor, but Jamie says it’s good money.
“No,” Briggs says. “I should say, we volunteer together with the local search and rescue. I work with the family business.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what the family business was, but judging by the look of him, I don’t think he means that he works here at the Den. It probably has something to do with physical labor, too. Even though he’s fully clothed, his powerful muscles are impossible to miss.
