“It may be different but she needs someone. The girls and I haven’t pushed her but something tells me a storm is brewing and you can be the one to save her.” She used her pointer finger and poked my chest a couple of times. “You dear brother, I believe you are the one.”
Gemma sounded like the guys and I didn’t think everyone was wrong about there being something headed Capri’s way or that she would need help. Would the semi-closed off woman allow me to?
“Me and the girls will be there for her too when she needs us and I think the time is coming soon.”
I went to say something in response but my Spidey-Senses heightened and I knew in an instant that Capri had come back. My head whipped toward the back door where she stood looking out, her gaze on mine.
“Like I said, big brother, I think she’s yours to save.”
After her remark, Gemma’s footsteps retreated but I didn’t take my eyes from the beauty that was watching me, nervously biting her luscious lip.
It would probably scare her to death if she knew I wanted to suck that plump lip into my mouth and soothe it. I hoped one day there would be a time for that.
I had some rescuing to do first.
ChapterThree
CAPRI
I couldn’t believeI went back.
I’d told myself to keep going and just head home, but my conscience wouldn’t let me leave without saying goodbye to everyone, especially Gemma since the party was for her.
So there I was standing in the backyard, trying to keep my eyes off Paxton and my heart rate under control as my mind replayed the kiss like a broken record. It had been years since I’d been kissed and even then it had never felt like it had when Paxton’s mouth had taken mine.
Laughter split the air breaking up my thoughts and I turned to see Gemma heading toward the car, Bodie hot on her heels. He yelled out something about it being his cue and for someone to watch their girls. He meant the twins, I knew, but I didn’t know what he was talking about when he said‘his cue’because I’d missed part of the exchange due to a certain man taking up space in my head—again.
This was bad.
What was it about Paxton that after years had me taking notice of a man again? Done with them and relationships, I planned to live my life in quiet solitude.
I’d been doing a damn good job of it until he walked into Braxton and Jurnee’s house on Christmas day. Since then I had to keep reminding myself that I couldn’t trust a man ever again.
Not with my heart…or my life.
“Hey, are you okay?” Brinley asked as she laid her hand gently on my arm.
I adored every one of the ladies but Brinley and I had become a bit closer than I had allowed myself with anyone else. She’d been new to town and her life was thrown for a curve when she arrived, along with some crazy events, and I could relate to her. That and our businesses were right next door to one another.
Her concern meant a lot but the last thing I needed was to get emotional again and cause more questions.
“Yeah, I’m just happy for the two of them.” I hooked a finger over my shoulder in the direction that Gemma and Bodie had run in.
It may not have been what I was thinking right then but it wasn’t a lie.
“Me too, it's wonderful. Just wait, your time is coming.”
When her eyes quickly cast a glance across the yard, I couldn’t help but look too. And once again I found myself staring into Paxton’s gaze.
Holy smokes.
I needed to seriously avoid looking at the devastatingly handsome man.
I spun back toward Brinley, and not knowing what to say, I made excuses to leave. I rushed around saying my goodbyes. With Gemma’s exit I never got to say bye to her but I didn’t think she was thinking about that at that moment. She was preoccupied for sure.
A few minutes later I found myself once again heading into the house but there was no pit stop along the way that time.
Nope, that time I headed straight out the front door toward my car and got in before anyone could stop me.
