“Why?”
“So you can get even with me for hurting your feelings.”
“Shouldn’t I refuse to go for a walk with you? Wouldn’t that hurt your feelings?”
“I bet you can do a whole lot better than that given the extra time.”
Tucker held her jacket for her, and she followed when he walked out the front door.
She studied him from behind. He had strong shoulders and a tight little butt, powerful thighs, and those arms. How much time did he spend at the gym? She hoped not too much; she couldn’t stand guys who talked about working out all the time.
When he got to the bottom of the porch steps, he stopped, turned around, and circled her waist with the arms she’d just been drooling over. He startled her, but having him that close—wow. His green eyes were piercing, and she wanted to run her fingers through his long, sandy-blond hair. The scar on the left side of Tucker’s face made it easy to tell the two brothers apart. That and their hair. Jace kept his cropped short; Tucker’s was long.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered as his hand came up and cupped the back of her neck. “Forgive me?”
“What are you doing?” she laughed. She put her hands on his chest as if to push him away, but got lost in the feel of his rock-hard pecs.
His arm tightened around her waist, and he pulled her into him. “Apologizing,” he answered.
“This is an apology? You’re a little gropy with your ‘I’m sorries,’ aren’t you?”
“Can’t help myself.”
At first she thought he’d kiss her, but instead, he rested his cheek against hers. “You’re magnificent,” he murmured.
“What’s goin’ on out here?” Jace asked, coming out the front door.
Blythe tried to wriggle free from Tucker’s hold, but he tightened it instead.
“I’m apologizing,” Tucker answered.
“Looks like you’ve got my girl in a death grip,” smirked Jace.
Blythe pushed at Tucker harder. “Are your arms made of steel?”
“No, that’s his will.” Jace laughed.
Tucker didn’t answer. He didn’t let go of her either. And when she looked back at him, his eyes were focused on her mouth.
“Go away,” he growled at his brother.
Jace turned toward the front door. “This isn’t over,” Blythe heard him say before he went inside.
“What was that all about? I’m not going to be a—”
Before she could finish, Tucker kissed her. And it wasn’t a chaste kiss. It was exactly the kind of kiss she’d expected from him. His hand moved from the back of her neck up to cup her head, and he plundered her mouth with his.
When his other hand came up to cup her breast, she swatted at it. “Stop that.”
He did, and then she was sorry she’d told him to. He let go of her and walked away.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
“For a
walk.”
Just as she was about to go back in the house, he turned around. “Are you coming or not?”