in one swift move.
I rush to Brendan, leaning over him protectively, and look over my shoulder at Michael. “Go away!”
Michael’s lip curls. “You want him because he’s royal? You’re just like your sister, climbing above your station. You’re no better than me, a penniless orphan nobody wanted.”
I blink, speechless. That’s what he thinks of me? I always had Sara. And she wasn’t reaching above her station. She and Adrian were friends since they were kids. I told Michael that before. He’s just trying to hurt me.
Brendan stands, and I join him. He wraps an arm protectively around my shoulders. “She told you to go.”
I glare at Michael and speak in a low tone, fury in every syllable. “My sister is the best, most loving, most selfless person I know. I hope one day I’m just like her, and that has nothing to do with who she married. Don’t ever talk about my sister like that again, or I’ll be sure her husband hears about it. You’ll be out on your ass so fast your head will spin.”
“You’re incapable of love,” he snaps before stalking away.
I swallow hard, the words stinging because they have a ring of truth to them. I’ve always feared I couldn’t truly love. I love my sister and my nephew, but that’s different. Maybe I’m not capable of giving Brendan the love he deserves, which means I’m not the right person for him. No, I can’t let Michael decide that for me. He’s angry and lashing out. My gut churns, doubt lingering in my mind.
“You defended me,” Brendan says, shifting to face me. “You put your petite little body between manly me and a trained assassin.”
I check him over, suddenly worried. “He threw you to the concrete. Are you hurt anywhere? Do we need the first-aid kit?”
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re not heartless, Chloe.”
“I know.” I’m broken. The awful truth stays with me.
He cups my cheek. “And I know you feel something for me.”
I swallow hard, my stomach fluttering, nerves racing through me. I want to agree, but what comes out is, “We’re friends.”
His eyes are kind, his tone gentle. “I think it’s time we stop denying what’s between us.”
“I’m not denying.”
“Then kiss me.”
My heart pounds, and my hands actually shake. I don’t want him to know how much taking that step terrifies me, so I bluff my way through. “What will that prove? Are you trying to get me to hook up with you?”
“Sure. Let’s hook up.”
He’s way too casual about what is a huge deal for us!
I’m furious and scared and shaken from Michael’s unexpected visit and his harsh words. I lift my chin, closing my hands into fists to stop their trembling. “Fine. We’ll hook up, and then you’ll see it’ll ruin everything—” my voice hitches “—and you’ll be sprinting out the door.”
“Wanna bet?”
We stare at each other for a tense moment.
I don’t know who moves first, but we slam together, kissing wildly right there on the sidewalk. Brendan’s strong arms wrap around me, the only thing keeping me anchored in the storm of feelings raging through me. All my lust, all my bottled-up emotion pour into the kiss. I’m out of control.
He breaks the kiss long moments later and hugs me tight. My entire body relaxes. I feel safe in his arms, and I’m not trembling anymore. His voice is husky, rumbling through his chest. “Upstairs.”
It’s not a question.
It was always going to come to this. I knew it the first time we got close.
He holds his hand out to me, and I take it, following him back into the building and upstairs.
14
Chloe
He unlocks the door to his apartment, grabbing my hand again and taking me to his bedroom. No pretty words, no seduction. He’s straight and to the point. This is a man I understand.
He stops next to the bed and pulls me close. His big hand cradles my jaw, his gaze smoldering. “Chloe, I’ve waited so long for this.”
I still. “Did you ever want to be my friend? Or was that just a way to get us to this moment?”
His eyes widen. He recovers himself and frames my face with his hands. “I wanted to be close to you in any way I could. I ignored the attraction, even though it was torture. I just need to be with you.”
My breath catches. He needs to be with me. Not want, need. No one’s ever needed me for anything. “Why?”
“Because you’re unique. I’ll never meet another woman