“It’s Ruby.”
“What about her?”
“Melanie says she’s been through a lot.”
“I know that. I mean, I assume that, considering who her father is.”
“So tread lightly there, okay? This wedding means everything to Melanie and Jade. I wouldn’t want anything to…”
“Fuck it up? What do you take me for, bro? You really think I’d screw up your wedding?”
“I know how you get when you want—” He patted me on the back. “Sorry. Of course not. I’m sorry, Ry. Really.”
“Okay…” Something wasn’t jelling here. Jonah wasn’t a bad guy, but he had a temper, and he didn’t normally back off so quickly when he got his mind on something.
“Sure you don’t want to join us for a drink?”
“No. I’m good. Thanks.”
Jonah smiled and left my room, shutting the door behind him.
Something was definitely off.
Maybe pre-wedding jitters.
No.
Even I didn’t buy that.
* * *
Music blasted into my ears. Five thirty a.m. Really three thirty a.m. Colorado time. I hadn’t drunk a lot last night, but damn, morning had come early. I rolled out of bed and headed toward my shower. Each room in this house had a private bath. Pretty cool. Marjorie had spared no expense.
Nothing was too good for my brothers and their brides. They deserved all the happiness in the world.
I thought again about my brief conversation with Joe last night.
He’d told me not to start something with Ruby, that she’d been through a lot, and not to screw up the wedding. Big brother crap. Classic Joe. What wasn’t classic Joe was how he’d backed off suddenly, as if he’d thought of something else.
I’d have to talk to him about that later.
For now, I had a date for yoga and a workout.
I toweled myself dry and put on some athletic shorts and a muscle shirt. I figured it wasn’t naked yoga, but on this resort, who knew? I’d strip if I had to. I wouldn’t mind a look under Ruby’s clothes. I ran my fingers through my wet hair. It would do.
I turned when someone knocked on my door.
I opened it, and there stood Ruby. Her hair was pulled back in that funky schoolmarm style, but it probably worked well for yoga. Her pretty face wasn’t made up, but she didn’t need it. Her lips were a dark pink. And that body… Workout clothes showed every curve, every muscle, every magnificent part of her shape.
Last night, I’d barely touched her, barely kissed her, but my groin had responded as if we’d been involved in some damned heavy petting.
And right now, it was tightening already, just from me looking at her.
Crazy shit.
I wanted to grab her and kiss her and then lead her to my bed and make gentle love to her.
Scratch that. I wanted to fuck her senseless, but I couldn’t do that. She’d need a gentle touch first, as an introduction. Because if she hadn’t ever been kissed—