Beauty And The Brooding Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 2)

It was a hell of a time for her to realize she’d broken the ground rules. She’d gone ahead and fallen in love with him. But she wouldn’t say it. Not and ruin what they had, when it was so fleeting to begin with.

* * *

Bran tried not to think about that kiss as he strolled along the beach with Jess. She stopped now and then to pick up shells, and took off her shoes to dip her toes in the cool water, the light breakers ruffling over her feet before creeping up on the sand and then retreating again. Her hair had come out of its bun and whipped around in the stiff breeze, and her laugh carried to him, making his heart hurt and yearn for things he couldn’t have.

He’d seen her feelings on her face even if she hadn’t said the words. She had turned away and laughed, running for the beach, but the distraction didn’t quite work. He’d seen it, the way her lips fell open the slightest bit with words unsaid and the soft vulnerability and surprise in her eyes. He didn’t want to say goodbye to her, not yet. The summer was just coming into its own. There was a good six weeks they could have together if they didn’t let emotions get in the way. So thank God she hadn’t said what had been written all over her face.

A gull cried overhead, circling above them. He could just pretend it had never happened, that’s all. No declarations of love. That was the rule. And despite his suspicions, she hadn’t broken it.

Cole, Jeremy and Tori joined them briefly, then as a group they left the beach and made their

way back to the golf cart for the return trip to the dock. Bran remained quiet as Cole admitted that he was putting in an offer, and talked excitedly about his plans.

Back on the mainland, Jeremy offered Jess a drive home since they were going to the same place anyway, and that meant Cole and Bran drove back to his house together. Bran was quiet on the way back, until they were nearly at his house. Cole broke from his monologue about the island property and frowned at Bran.

“You know, I wasn’t expecting you to have fallen in love this summer.”

Bran’s head swiveled so fast he nearly put the car in the ditch. “What? I’m not in love. Don’t be ridiculous.” He chuckled tightly, as if to show how ludicrous of an idea it was, and focused on the road.

But Cole’s expression was grim as he continued to stare at Bran. Bran kept glancing over, until Cole finally said, “Dude, it was written all over your face today. You light up when she’s around.”

“Lighting up is not love, dumbass. It’s enjoying someone’s company.”

“You know, I’d be tempted to say, ‘if you say so,’ but I’m not, because this is serious, Bran. I want to be happy for you. But I’m not sure you’re ready, and she seems like a great person. She doesn’t deserve to be hurt.”

Bran’s temper flared. “If you think Jess and I haven’t talked about it, you’re wrong. Both of us have our eyes wide open.”

And then he thought of the way she’d looked at him today, and his heart stuttered.

They turned onto his lane and made their way into the garage. The doors echoed in the silence, and Bran opened the door from the garage to the house.

Maybe Cole would let the matter drop.

“Hey, listen. Jeremy and I have been talking about it, too. We’re both concerned for you. He said your car has been there overnight. And that you guys went to the city and spent the night earlier this month.”

Heat rushed through Bran’s chest as irritation flared again. “That is no one’s business but ours.”

“You’re right.”

“And it’s just sex.”

Cole started laughing, putting his hand on the island in the kitchen to brace himself. “Oh,” he said, catching his breath. “Bran, you’re a horrible liar. I’ve known you for most of your life. You don’t do casual sex. You don’t get with a woman without your heart being involved. Brother, you are lying to yourself.”

Bran opened his mouth to speak, but Cole held up a hand. “Hey, don’t get me wrong. Losing Jennie and Owen was such a horrible, horrible thing, and you deserve to move on and be happy again. I just... I find myself feeling protective of you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Those last words took the heat out of Bran’s anger. Cole was a workaholic and he played hard—when he made time for it. But of the three of them, he was the most protective. Like the big brother of the group. As much as no one wanted to admit it, Cole was the glue that bound them together.

And Cole was always there for them...even when he wasn’t taking care of himself.

Bran let out a breath. “I can’t love her, Cole. There’s no danger of that. But I care about her a lot. She’s fun and full of life, and she doesn’t let me get away with anything. I’m actually writing again, which is a total surprise and a massive relief. But she lives in Chicago. I live here and in New York. We both agreed that this is a temporary thing where we just enjoy each other for the time we have. Because life is short.”

Cole went to the fridge and took out two cans of soda. He handed one to Bran and then snapped the top on his own and leaned against the counter. “Okay,” he said quietly, “okay. Maybe that’s true. But Bran, it’s okay if you fall in love with her. You know that, right? I’m worried about you, but it’s not wrong.”

A pit opened up in Bran’s stomach as he looked at his friend. How could he make Cole understand when he was finding it hard to understand himself? He wasn’t even sure he was capable of being in love. And the look on Jess’s face today scared him to death. Not so much because she loved him but because he couldn’t feel that way in return.

“I can’t, Cole.” His voice was low and rough. “My heart won’t let me. Maybe it would be easier if I could. Right now I’m trying to look at all the positives. I’m not hurting so much. I’m getting out, I’m writing again. Anything more is a lot to ask for.”

“Yet up until she showed up in your life, you weren’t doing any of those things. Doesn’t that say something to you?”