“No—yes—no—I don’t know,” she admitted. “I enjoyed it until—”
“Until what?”
“Until he put his tongue in my mouth.”
“Ahhh, one of those type kisses,” Case said, battling a smile.
“It reminded me of Lucas.” She looked down at her hands. “I pushed him away and now I am sure he thinks I hated it.”
“Why did it remind you of Lucas?” Case asked gently.
“I don’t know!” Jillian wailed. “Justin is nothing like Lucas. I know that, I think, but a part of me, on the inside, doesn’t seem to know that.”
“How do you feel about Justin?”
She looked at him in puzzlement. “I don’t know. I feel funny when he is around.”
Case bit back a chuckle. “How do you feel about him kissing you then? Did you want him to?
“Yes, yes, I did,” she said honestly. “Case, is Lucas destined to ruin my future as well as my past?”
Case smiled tenderly at her. “If I know my brother, he will find a way around Lucas. The question is, is that what you want?”
Jillian gave him a troubled look. “I don’t know what I want, that’s the problem.”
“Seems to me there is no hurry. Perhaps you should start listening here,” he said tapping her chest, “instead of here.” He touched a finger to her forehead.
###
Justin stared broodingly out the window of his study at the two figures below. He gripped the glass of brandy in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white. Jealousy, hot and smothering, snaked through his chest and down into his abdomen, twisting his entrails painfully, as he watched their bent heads, close in conversation. It had taken great effort to maintain an air of nonchalance when Jillian threw herself into Case’s arms in greeting. He wanted her to light up that way forhim, only him.
He pulled himself away from the window and paced back and forth. As glad as he was to see his brother, he cursed the timing. He felt as if he had made strides with Jillian, but now she was focused solely on Case.
What was it about her that he was so drawn to anyway? She had made a mockery of everything he placed importance on, yet when he looked at her, he didn’t see a scandalous hoyden. He saw a beautiful young woman, vibrant and refreshing. Her courage was something he admired, even when he was so disapproving of it.
Whatever his reasons, he wanted more than a casual existence with her. He wanted her in his bed. Perhaps then he could stop obsessing over her.
###
That evening, the three gathered in the sitting room. The mood was relaxed as they sat in front of the fire. Justin and Case took turns relating stories from their childhood for Jillian. Case observed Justin for most of the evening, taking in his preoccupation with Jillian. He smiled to himself as he realized he was witnessing a remarkable phenomenon. His brother wasjealous. He noted a darkening in Justin’s countenance every time Jillian favored Case with a smile.
He toyed with the idea of egging it on, but he wasn’t entirely sure Justin wouldn’t punch him. He could sense an interesting conversation forthcoming between him and his older brother.
They talked late into the night, until the fire died and all that remained were the bright glowing embers. The clock chimed midnight, alerting the three to the lateness of the hour.
“Merry Christmas,” Jillian said as the last melodic chime died.
“Merry Christmas,” Case and Justin responded simultaneously.
Jillian yawned broadly. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I am going to retire for the night.”
“Good night, Jillian,” Justin said, rising from his seat. “And Merry Christmas,” he added softly.
“Night, Jilly,” Case said kissing her cheek. “Merry Christmas.”
The two men watched as she exited the room then sat back down. Case didn’t waste any time once he was sure Jillian was out of earshot.
“I’ve uncovered some interesting information about our friend from the Fishhead.”
