“For helping me set everything up. Moving all the boxes. And then you even stayed later to help me build furniture,” I remind him, trying not to feel a little hurt by the fact he doesn’t seem to remember. Does that mean he has a whole slew of women he randomly helps?
“Oh.” Is that disappointment I hear? “That was no big deal.” He shrugs, and my shoulders slump over.
“Oh. It wasn’t a big deal?” I repeat, mostly to myself.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way.”
“No, I get it.” I shake my head and put on the best smile I can manage. “I’m just Reed’s little baby sister. You were just pitching in.” I ignore my heart that’s currently breaking.
“Eden—"
“And now you came to pick me up because my brother asked you to, right?” He was here out of obligation, not because he had some kind of secret crush like I have for him.
“Ede—"
“You should head on over to their place.” My smile widens, but I know he doesn’t believe it.
“Angel—" I step back and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I had a headache earlier, probably from an early appointment. You know how it goes, not enough sleep. Or coffee.” I’m rambling, trying to sound convincing. The best bet here would be to try to get out of going to Reed’s place. He and his wife are hosting a pre-Christmas get-together.
“Honey—"
“Apologize for me, will you?”
“Fucking hell,” Jacob curses then pulls me toward him faster than I knew was humanly possible. “Eden.” The scratchy tone in his voice makes my nipples tighten harder, and it has nothing to do with the cold chill in the air from the upcoming snow we’re going to get. “You’re Reed’s little sister. Don’t you know what that means?”
“That I have a pain-in-the-ass older brother. Well, I have three of those, but you know that, don’t you?” He chuckles and shakes his head.
“No. It means, you’re off limits, beautiful.”Beautiful.Wait? What is he saying? I’m off limits? Does that mean he wants me like I want him?
“Because I’m related to Reed?”
“And because you’re way too young for me,” he rasps. I watch, fully captivated by the way his Adam’s apple rises and drops heavily. Like he hates having to say the words as much as I hate hearing them. But then again, it’s probably wishful thinking on my side.
“Right. I mean…” I look down at the ground. His boots are worn and scuffed, and for some reason, I find that sexy as hell. “I’m probably not your type anyhow, right?” I make a face. “Don’t answer that.” I don’t need to know he probably dates women who look incredible in a bikini. Not that I can’t rock one as a size eighteen. I do. But the women he dates are probably a lot smaller.
“I should go inside and, umm?—"
“Go to dinner with me.” His hand squeezes against my hip and I blink. Did Jacob actually ask me out?
“What?”
“Your brother’s place.”
“Dinner?”
“He really wants you to be there.”
“Oh.” Of course, that’s what he’s talking about. Disappointment is a bitch, but I have learned how to live with it. Sometimes it’s just part of life. “Fine.” I shrug, putting my best foot forward. “Let me just grab a Tylenol for this head?—.”
“Do you mind if I try something?” he asks, cutting me off mid-sentence.
“Try something?” I question quietly, trying not to let my sex-deprived mind take one too many wrong turns. Why does everything he says sound dirty?Hopeful wishing.
“To help your head.”
“Oh! Uh, sure.” I ignore the feeling of my pale skin turning a shade of red. My body braces, unsure of what to expect as his hands cup my face. His touch is firm but gentle, and I can’t help but let my eyes close as he rubs my temples.
