Chapter 13
Audrey Tripp
The woman ignoringthe plethora of signals Brennan broadcasts with his body language sinks her claws into his sleeve and rubs her breasts against his arm.
A red haze settles over my vision.
I tell myself I’d react the same if it were anyone else, but deep inside, I know my emotions are far greater than if I saw Carlos, Liam, or even my best friend, Brook, in the same situation.
Brennan’s disgusted sneer and obvious disdain of her nearness broadcast his revulsion.
She’s gorgeous.Full, luscious locks.Long, beautiful legs.Hourglass figure.Delicate features.By her composure and exaggerated eyelash batting, she expects to be the center of attention everywhere she goes at all times, and she’s pretty enough I don’t blame her.
Her beauty doesn’t matter.My big brother is not interested.
I scold myself for trying to distance myself from him by calling him my big brother as I pass behind her, wedge my hand between their bodies, and tuck myself against his other side as though she doesn’t exist.
“What are you doing?”
The woman’s haughty tone assures me I’ve already struck a nerve.
I lean forward and fake a gasp.
“Oh!I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.Are you lost?”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you lost?”I repeat.
Her lips purse, but her makeup hides her angry flush.
“No, I’m not lost.I’m a regular here,” she sneers.
“Oh, well, it’s my first time.”I swing overly wide, innocent eyes up at Brennan’s face, not noticing his suit or tie through my rage over the woman’s audacity, and blink in faux concern as I study his expression before turning to the saleswoman.“But I wouldn’t have come here if I’d known they’d let someone else fondle my boyfriend.”
The saleswoman blanches as the stranger sputters and presses herself tighter against Brennan, smushing my fingers between them.
“He’s not your boyfriend.Get off him.He’s mine,” she hisses.
Pinpricks of pain travel up my arm as she grabs my wrist and digs her manicured nails into my flesh.
“You’re right, I’m not her boyfriend,” Brennan says.
I bite back an angry huff.The pompous asshole doesn’t have to be grateful, but he should at least not embarrass me when I’m trying to help him.
He nods to the clerk and takes the black velvet jewelry box she offers him.
“Not for much longer anyway.”
He shoves the clinging woman away, steps back from the counter, and drops to a knee.
“Audrey Tripp, will you marry me?”
Holy fuck.
He opens the box to reveal the rings I like most.Time stops.
Even though I know it’s all for show, my heart yearns for him.My stomach does a slow churn.
