That was more than hatred he detected in Keegan’s tone. It was lethal. Definitely a warning and not a request.
Confused, he stared at Keegan, saw the pain his brother was so desperate to disguise.
“It’s done,” Keegan stated firmly.
The hell it was. Not if he had anything to say about it, but Kaden knew when to leave well enough alone. They were all still shaken by what had happened, the intensity of last night. That encounter had been more than merely sex. It had been … different. Amazing, sure, but there’d also been a connection he’d never felt before.
They’d never been with a woman who was with both of them at the same time. And he wasn’t talking in the literal sense because they’d physically shared every single woman they’d ever been with. Yes, even fucked a woman in that very same manner plenty of times over the course of their lives. But they’d never had a woman as completely committed to both of them the way Bristol had been. Throughout the encounter, she’d maintained a connection with them both, never singling one out and leaving the other behind.
Like he said, it had been different.
And he wasn’t willing to let that go. However, leaving it alone for a few days would give them time to cool off.
Kaden settled back into his chair, took a deep drink of his beer.
While he listened to CJ ramble on about shit going down at the firehouse, Kaden kept an eye on Bristol. That outfit she was wearing was enough to turn every cowboy’s head in the county. From the chocolate-brown dress to the boots on her feet, she looked like a dessert every straight man wanted to indulge in. It both turned him on to see her dressed like that and pissed him off because he knew she hadn’t dressed up for them.
“Hey, cowboy, why don’t you go ask her to dance?”
Kaden took a swig of his beer, glanced at Rafe Sharpe, then realized he hadn’t been talking to him but rather to his twin.
“I will as soon as you ask the waitress to dance,” Keegan countered.
“Is that a dare, Walker?” Rafe smirked, though his eyes had hardened.
“No,” Kaden interrupted. “It’s not a dare. And you two idiots are gonna sit right there and drink your beers. No makin’ fools outta yourselves tonight.”
“Too late for that,” Jaxson said with a laugh.
“You either, Briggs,” Kaden snapped.
A round of laughter erupted. Never failed with this bunch. Kaden was always trying to keep Keegan in line. Add in a few other knuckleheads and it became infinitely more difficult.
“Rumor has it you boys are gonna be up on the auction block with me and Jaxson tomorrow,” CJ noted, evidently feeling the tension.
“That does seem to be the rumor,” Kaden confirmed, forcing himself not to look over at Bristol.
“Scared of the competition?” Jaxson joked. “We could wager. Which one of us’ll bring in the most money.”
“You’re on,” Keegan said. “Most money and the hottest chick.”
“You’re a pig,” someone said.
Keegan snorted and Kaden knew this was a lost cause. His brother was going to act out in an attempt to move past what was going on. He didn’t necessarily blame him, but he damn sure wasn’t looking forward to the ride. God only knew where it would land them.
His thoughts drifted to one of his recent conversations with Keegan. More specifically, when he’d admitted to Keegan he was still looking for something more than a horizontal romp with a sexy female. As usual, Keegan had shrugged him off. He knew his brother was still hung up on the fact their history with women and serious relationships sucked balls. The two women they’d thought would be love everlasting had turned out to be a waste of time and energy. Didn’t mean they were doomed forever, did it?
After all, he considered himself a fairly reasonable man with a good head on his shoulders. He could read people relatively well and he knew when to cut and run. With Bristol, he couldn’t help but believe that day hadn’t come yet. There was still a chance with her.
Maybe that was wishful thinking, but whatever. Kaden wasn’t the sort to let the past dictate his future, no matter what Keegan believed.
Truth was, Kaden had never considered Bristol a one-nighter. How could he? She was too damn sweet for that shit. He’d honestly believed she was looking for something more. Last night’s quick escape had told him otherwise, but it wasn’t something they couldn’t work through.
While Kaden definitely saw potential with Bristol, it wasn’t only about him. Never in his life had he thought about settling down without his brother in tow. Most people wouldn’t understand, but Kaden had never felt the need to explain it. He had no desire to do so now, either. Not even with Bristol.
More than once since he’d met her, Kaden had fantasized about settling down here in this small town. Every time he did, his thoughts included images of Bristol with them. The three of them. Together. And now he had a serious dilemma. The woman he was falling in love with and the brother he would never turn his back on were at odds with each other.
When the conversation at the table shifted to upcoming events at Alluring Indulgence Resort, Kaden found himself tuning out, his attention drifting over to Bristol.
It was then he realized she was no longer there.
