“That leaves me with Kady’s big bro. I’ve always found him to be the sweet, strong, silent type.”
No. Just…no. “I don’t think he’s sweet at all,” Christine blurted out.
Crap.
“In that case, I’m definitely going with Tyler,” Regan said, her eyes on Christine. “I think he’s got a certain je ne sais quoi. Sophie? You getting in on this?”
Sophie’s reply was lost on Christine. As was the rest of the conversation.
Regan was going after Tyler, and Christine had no doubt in her mind she could succeed without a whole lot of effort. She’d bet her last dollar that with Regan, Tyler wouldn’t apologize afterward. He wouldn’t regret a darn thing. But would Regan actually go after him? She had always been uncannily adept at reading between the lines, and right now Christine was screaming to stay away from him…
Between the lines, of course.
She shoved her chair back from the table with shaking hands. She wobbled on her feet, trying to keep her balance. The last thing she needed right now was to fall face-first onto the floor. “I-I need some air. I can’t breathe in here.”
Regan reached out and grabbed her elbow. “How much did you drink?”
“Apparently not enough.” Christine offered her a smile. “But I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“You know I was just messing—”
“I know,” Christine said, stumbling away and beelining for the door. Wait. Was Regan saying she knew about Christine and Tyler? But she couldn’t. “W-We’ll talk later.”
Regan let her go, but she watched her with a furrowed brow. Even though Christine knew she was worried, she couldn’t take the time to reassure her right now. She needed to get out, escape Tyler’s overwhelming presence, and start using her spicy romance novel tricks—such as going down on a guy in public—on someone who didn’t make her heart involuntarily stop and her toes curl.
Chapter Three
Tyler ran a hand through his hair and rocked back on his heels, trying his damned best to ignore Christine. The fact that he could feel her eyes on him was not a good sign of how this week was going to go. Not that it came as much of a surprise. He’d spent the last eight years trying to drown himself in his work and in saving the world, one bloody surgery at a time.
It was kind of his thing, taking care of people. He was good at it, too.
But seeing her was hauling his ass back to the time he went down to Mexico with his sister and her friends. Back to the time when he’d taken advantage of the shy but fiery redhead, then ran from her afterward. That? Not so fucking good of him.
She’d been gorgeous, lonely, and grief-stricken. He’d wanted to help her. Heal her. If he’d known she was untouched, he never would have touched her. He shouldn’t have in the first place, but the whole virgin thing had just been the icing on top of the huge portion of guilt cake he’d been served.
The girls had been eighteen, and in their first year of college. That in and of itself was asking for trouble. He’d been fresh out of med school about to embark on a crazy adventure with Doctors Without Borders. The vacation had been a great chance to get some downtime before his departure, keep an eye on the girls, and spend some time with his sister before he left.
But when Christine had slipped away from the group on the last night, he’d followed her to make sure she was okay. He’d found her alone, sobbing and struggling to open her hotel door, and he hadn’t hesitated. Hadn’t thought. He’d just pulled her into his arms to comfort her. Though his intention had been to offer her a shoulder and dry her tears—maybe say something witty to bring out the smile he’d come to treasure so damn much—she’d looked up at him with those wide blue eyes and he’d…just fucking broken.
He didn’t have another word for it, even if that one didn’t make any sense.
The second he’d wrapped his arms around her, something inside him shifted. As if he needed to kiss her to make her feel better. As if kissing her would make him feel better. It had been obvious and frightening. The second their mouths met, her soft lips trembling under his, everything felt right. Perfect.
And now, here they were. Should he say something to her? Break the silence? But what was he supposed to say? Sorry for popping your cherry and not talking to you for eight years. But, hey, can I buy you a drink? Somehow, that didn’t seem sufficient for the hatred she must feel for him by now.
Unable to resist, he looked her way again. Her deep-red hair shone in the dim candlelight, making her stand out among the roomful of blondes and brunettes. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he knew they would be as blue as the sky on a summer day.
When she smiled…ah, when she smiled, an adorable dimple popped out to play. She only had one—not two. He knew she hated it. He’d once told her he thought it was adorable. Still did.
An elbow slammed into his ribs, and Kady hugged him tight. “You’re here!”
“Of course I’m here,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Did you think I wouldn’t be?”
“I don’t know,” she said, her voice muffled by his chest. “Maybe a little bit. You’re always in some crazy country or another.”
He sighed and let go of her. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world and you know it.”
“Yeah, well, you are a hotshot chief now.”
Kady, of course, referred to his promotion at work in Portland, Oregon. He’d been named the newest chief of Emergency Medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital. He’d come back to the States just a month or so ago, and would be staying for at least a year before he’d take a leave of absence to return overseas.
He knew that sooner rather than later, he would get that itch to travel again. He was like an adrenaline junkie, and his rush of choice was helping people who couldn’t otherwise get help in dangerous places. It would only be a matter of time before that was his life again.
“Hey. Pay attention to me.” She poked him in the ribs. “You look like you’re miles away…again.”
He smiled down at his little sister. Her brown hair was smooth and shiny, and she looked so damn happy. It was a little crazy that it was his childhood friend who’d made her feel that way, but whatever. “Sorry, it didn’t tell me I should pay attention to you on my itinerary. It just said ‘bridesmaids to gather for drinks in the Osprey Lounge.’”
“Oh, stop teasing. I know how you like to be in control all the time—admit it. You love it,” Kady said, hugging him tightly and laughing. “Julie went above and beyond.”
“I noticed,” he said drily. “Is there really a scavenger hunt?”
“Yep! This is going to be the most epic wedding ever, and I expect you to show up at every single event, no matter how big of a title you have in front of your name now.” She beamed at Colt, who’d been standing by her side silently throughout the whole conversation. “I’m so happy we’re all here together.”
“Congrats on the job, by the way,” Colt said, nodding his head. “That’s a big jump.”
“Thank you.” He shook Colt’s hand, trying not to glower at him. Because he was happy for them. He really was. But he was still wrapping his head around the fact that his old buddy was about to become his future brother-in-law…and seeing his little sister naked on a daily basis. It was fucking weird. “But the real congrats go to you for marrying my sister.”
“Of course,” Colt agreed, his warm eyes on Kady. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Kady and Colt shared one of those wordless exchanges that couples could do. He’d like to think he would
find the same kind of happiness, one day. If he ever got to the point where his career didn’t own him body and soul.
As if on their own accord, his eyes strayed to where Christine sat. She shoved back from the table and stood up unsteadily. When she wobbled, looking as if she might tumble, he stepped forward—which was a stupid move. He was too far away to catch her, anyway. What had he expected to do? Grow extend-o-arms to save the girl? He’d already tried to be her savior in Mexico, and look how lovely that turned out.
When she righted herself and headed for the door, everything inside him shouted to follow her. But their last encounter had been a huge failure. He’d rehearsed a whole fucking speech in his head when he’d walked down the hall to get ice, and she had run away. Hell, he deserved it. Once upon a time he’d run from her, too. Karma was a bitch.
He forced his attention back to his sister. Kady wobbled on her feet. This time, he was close enough to catch the girl. He steadied his sister, holding her in his arms, and shot her a disproving glance. “Jesus. How much did you girls drink before we got here?”
She snorted. “Enough to laugh at the look you’re giving me.”
“Don’t worry, Tyler. She’s not your responsibility anymore.” Colt held his arms open. “I’ll take her off your hands.”
She wasn’t his to protect anymore, and that was something he’d have to get used to. Kady was right when she said he liked being in control. He liked knowing all was well with those he cared about. But he would have to back off. He released her, and she moved into Colt’s arms. Colt hugged her close, his whole body relaxing the second she touched him.
That was what love looked like.
Tyler met the future groom’s eyes. “Are you going to make sure she doesn’t get this wasted on your honeymoon?”
Colt rolled his eyes. “Please. If anything, I’ll be helping her get wasted. She’ll be my wife, not my little sister.”
Tyler cocked his brow, unable to resist a little bit of teasing. “Maybe I should come along, just in case, and make sure she doesn’t get into any trouble. You know, like in Mexico.”