Lifting her head, she continued, “I was making a lot of noise, laughing, maybe a shriek even.”
“Oh.” Jamie nodded, already understanding what might have occurred. “Robert?”
“Robert.”
“Our lives happened,” he repeated with a sympathetic grin.
“Right. So, Robert burst in, and Tristan wasn’t very happy about that.”
“Were you”—he cleared his throat—“naked?”
“Not naked per se,” she mumbled as a picture of her in her bra and panties flashed. She would have been completely indisposed if Tristan hadn’t decided to take things slow. She bit her lip, totally embarrassed to be having this conversation with her brother, of all people. “Tristan, bless him, was quick. He pulled the blanket over me. Robert didn’t see anything. But after I assured him I was okay, Tristan might have told him to leave the room.”
Jamie snickered. “Showdown among the alphas.”
“It’s not funny at all,” Ele said, indignant.
“It’s bloody classic. I might have paid.”
“I was half-naked.”
“I take it back. There’s not enough money in the world.”
“Right.”
“Let me pick up from there,” Jamie said. “You explained to Tristan what Robert’s job entailed, and he was not pleased with the explanation.”
“The explanation”—her face scrunched up—“and maybe the tone.” Shrugging, she said, “Perhaps.”
“Perhaps indeed.”
“He left shortly after.”
Jamie was quiet, contemplative. “I’m sure that’s all true, but let me offer some more perspective.”
“What?”
“You were naked, in bed, and another man walked in.”
“Not all the way naked,” she clarified, her cheeks heating. It didn’t matter how many times she went over it; she got embarrassed every time.
“It might have been more proprietary than anything.”
“How’s that?”
“Some men are possessive, love. They don’t want any other man to see the woman they’ve been with while she’s naked—or almost naked. Maybe he was angry on your behalf. Inner caveman and all.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve spoken to your footballer.”
“Yes, so he informed me. What were you about with that?”
“Eleanor, if there were ever anyone who had spun me on my head like he’s obviously done to you, wouldn’t you have a go at that person?”
She would have enjoyed being able to say no. But it would be a lie. “Probably,” she answered with as much dignity as possible.
Jamie smiled knowingly. “I wanted to get a feel for him. Our lives withstanding.”