Your Irresistible Love (The Bennett Family 1)

“That’s my business.”

Logan surveys me, flashing a shit-eating grin. “You’ve got it bad for her, brother. I don’t remember seeing you like this in a long time. You took last weekend off, you—”

“You don’t look like you have a stick up your ass anymore,” a female voice supplies from our right. Logan’s grin widens. I groan again. Summer joins us. “Mom’s been interrogating Ava, and I was around, of course, so I overheard them.”

“Of course,” I say.

“She’s lovely,” Summer says. “And she’s got it just as bad for you.”

“Summer, I was under the impression you were mad at me and ignoring me. I’d prefer it that way.”

She flaps her hand impatiently. “Yeah, I was. But you brought a woman with you today, so you’re totally forgiven.”

“Why am I being cornered by my own family? I—”

“You can’t boss us around in our free time,” Logan says. “You cease to be CEO when you get out of the building.”

“Which means we can try to beat some sense into you,” Pippa says, appearing out of nowhere. They’re taking this cornering thing to an entirely new level.

“This is getting out of hand. I’m going to have a drink and return later, when you’re normal again.”

As I stride away from the group, my eyes search the crowded garden for Ava. I find her near the entrance to the house. I remember her wide eyes as she said I’d be easy to fall in love with. Well, that makes two of us, because she’s damn easy to love. She’s not like other women I’ve dated, all fancy. She likes the life I grew up with, not the one my money can buy now. Women usually show thinly disguised disdain for my family. Some have outright told me that someone with my status should have a more sophisticated family. Ava’s embracing them. Family is important to her, just like it is to me.

I start toward her, but before I blink twice, a guy starts chatting with her. A vein pulses in my neck. I get close enough to hear the conversation.

“Do you have time for dinner this week?” he asks.

What the fuck? I leave her alone for a bit and someone’s already hitting on her? I’m about to interrupt their conversation and put him in his place, but her answer stops me cold in my tracks.

“Not a good idea. I’ve been in a relationship for a year.”

She lied to me? Well, that seals it. I have many defects, but I’d never touch another man’s woman. It’s a matter of principle. The guy takes the cue, nodding curtly and blending in to a nearby group.

I step in front of her, raising an eyebrow. To my surprise, she grins.

“Have you been eavesdropping?” she asks.

“Why did you lie to me when I asked if you were seeing someone?”

“Relax, Sebastian.” She rolls her eyes. That usually annoys me, but it looks cute on her. Damn it, I’m supposed to be mad at her right now. “I didn’t lie to you. I told him that to get rid of him.”

I eye her closely, not wanting to admit how much relief her confession brings me.

“Are you jealous?”

“Yes. Does that amuse you?”

“Very much. You have this expression between brooding and moody. It’s very sexy.”

I let out a low sound in my throat.

“That’s even sexier,” she whispers.

“Do you want to take a walk?” I say in her ear. “I need to take a break from my siblings. They’re driving me mad already, and it’s only afternoon.”

She grins. “Sure. I love, love, love your family. They’re so. . .” She holds her hands together. “I can’t explain it, but I wish I had a family like yours.”

“You’re on the right track to become an adopted Bennett.”