Mouth to Mouth (Beach Kingdom 1)

Rory spent the walk back to the Castle Gate trying to decipher what Leanne meant, but as soon as he walked through the entrance and the promise of Olive’s presence beckoned, it fled to the back of his mind. Later. He’d definitely figure it out later.

CHAPTER NINE

While Olive tried not to stare at the door and wait for Rory to return with Leanne, she remained still and let Jamie swab some Neosporin onto her cut and place a small Band-Aid over the abrasion. He never touched her skin directly, and Olive got the feeling he made the effort out of respect for Rory. Right or wrong, he was possessive of her, even though he’d cut and run weeks ago. Then again…in truth, he hadn’t completely bailed, had he?

Thank God her tingling flesh wasn’t visible because she couldn’t seem to make it stop. She should be righteously pissed that Rory had followed her bus to Stony Brook, but no matter how deep she dug down, trying to find her indignation, she couldn’t locate it. Yes, that kind of behavior was unusual and…intrusive. But if Olive acknowledged the truth? Rory could have had her any time he wanted. Any time he chose to step out of the shadows, she would have become starved for his body heat, same as she’d done tonight in exactly three point eight seconds. He’d truly followed her to class because he was worried. After all, she’d almost walked in front of a bus, come close to drowning…and tonight she’d solidified her standing as World’s Most Accident-Prone Individual. It wasn’t a stretch for Rory to worry, was it?

One thing Olive knew for sure. Knowing Rory had been caring for her from a distance shouldn’t be turning her on so much. Even now, when he wasn’t in the room, she had to concentrate to keep her breathing even. The way he’d carried her into the office, the way he’d looked at her, like all he needed was one word of encouragement and she’d be his next meal.

I should probably stop thinking filthy thoughts with his brother literally two feet away.

Olive watched as Jamie swept the Band-Aid wrappers into his palm and tossed them into the trash. There was no denying she was curious about Rory. She’d had weak moments over the last fourteen days where she’d tried to find him on social media and failed miserably. In the world of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, he didn’t even exist. She had a few minutes alone with Rory’s brother now. Would it be so bad to satisfy some of her curiosity while she had the chance?

“What’s on your mind?” Jamie asked, before she could say a word. He lifted his head and gave her a half-smile, before posting up against the far wall. Until he struck a casual pose and crossed his arms, Olive hadn’t seen a resemblance. But there it was. That head-tilting smirk Rory had employed on more than one occasion. Same green eyes, too, although Jamie’s held more of a knowing twinkle, as opposed to the raw intensity of Rory’s. All three of the Prince brothers were unique, yet each of them was insanely attractive. It really wasn’t even fair.

Again, Jamie spoke before she got the chance. “He’s probably on the way back. Get those questions in while you can.”

Olive narrowed her eyes at Jamie, taking his measure. He did the same to her. Should she give him the satisfaction? Oh right, like she could help it.

But first. To lull him into a false sense of security. “Do you guys own this place?”

“Rory didn’t tell you?” She shook her head. “Yeah. The three of us own the Castle Gate.” Something flickered in his expression. “Took it over from my father about four years back.”

She absorbed that. “And the fight that sent Rory to prison…what was it about?”

“Sorry, can’t answer that one.” He winked. “Has to be his choice. Nice try, though.”

“Damn.”

Jamie’s mouth twitched, but his eyes were serious. “Believe me, I’d love to tell you, because it would help you understand him better.”

“Tell me something else that will help me understand him.”

He inclined his head. “He’s been helping manage the bar for the last two weeks. Running payroll, scheduling deliveries, stocking the bar, even dabbling in online advertising. Took over for Andrew so he could focus on the beach.” His expression was one of pure pride. “He’s good at it, too.”

Two weeks, exactly? The change couldn’t have something to do with her, could it?

Jamie pointed at the office door. “I’ve never seen my brother back away from a fight like that. I didn’t think he was physically capable of it.” He raised an eyebrow. “What have you done to him?”

“I haven’t been around to do anything. He made sure I wouldn’t.” She picked a piece of lint off her skirt. “I didn’t even know he worked here. We’re only talking right now out of pure coincidence.”