“Sure.” We get inside, and I drive off toward the tree houses. “Why did you drive down?”
“I was actually in town and picked up Grace there,” I reply. “I didn’t know Max was back in town.”
We pull up next to my brother’s SUV and climb out. It’s snowing like crazy, and the wind has started to pick up.
“Hey,” I say and hug Max. “Let’s go in, the weather is getting nuts.”
“I thought you said they’re rented?” he asks, eyeing Christian.
“They are, but this is Christian. He’s renting the Tamarack. I’ve been staying with him.”
I ignore Max’s scowl and walk into the tree house. Christian sheds his ski gear in the entryway while Max follows me into the kitchen.
“Are you guys in here?” I hear Brad ask from the doorway. “Oh, hey, Christian.”
“Hi, Brad. Jenna and Max are inside.”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Max demands, shooting daggers at me from his position on the other side of the kitchen island.
“A pipe burst at my house,” I reply and set to work making myself a cup of decaf. “Want some coffee?”
“No, I don’t want any fucking coffee. I want to know what in the hell is going on.”
I turn to my brother and prop my hands on my hips. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“Why are you staying with a guest? My house is empty. Hell, Brad has an extra bedroom.”
Christian walks into the room and smiles at Max. “We haven’t met. I’m Christian Wolfe. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Max looks at Christian’s outstretched hand and then glares at me without accepting it.
“You’re fucking around with a guest?”
“Oh, Jesus, Max. Calm the hell down.”
“I’m gone for a week, and all hell breaks loose.”
I can’t help the snort-laugh that comes out of me. “You’re being really dramatic. All hell has not broken loose unless you count the fact that my house got flooded. Then, yes, that was hell.”
“And you’re screwing around—”
“So, here’s the thing,” Christian says calmly, but his voice, and his eyes are hard. “I get that you don’t know me from Adam and that it’s a surprise to you that she’s staying here with me, but Jenna isn’t a child.”
“She’s my sister,” Max replies, then pins Brad with a stare. “Did you know about this?”
“She is a grown woman, man. And I like him.” Brad shrugs, and Max’s jaw drops.
“Why are you so weird about this?” I demand as I put sugar and cream into my coffee. “I hate to break the news to you, but I wasn’t a virgin when I met Christian.”
All three men scowl, and I can’t help but let out another laugh.
“It seems unethical to sleep with a client,” Max says, his jaw firm.
“Or you just want to meddle in my life, the way you always do. But I have news for you, Max, I’m fine. I don’t need you to meddle in my life any more than you want that from me. Because, trust me when I say, I know who you should marry, should’ve married years ago. I saw her just the other day, and she’s everything you need in your life. But you’re a pain in the ass.”
“This isn’t about me and Willa,” Max says.
“See? You even know who I’m talking about!”
“Jenna—” Christian begins, but Brad interrupts him.
“Leave them be,” Brad says, “they do this all the time, and they’ll be back to being friends in about ten minutes.”
“I don’t need you to always protect me,” I continue. “I know you think you need to, but you don’t, Max. I’m a smart woman, I have my shit together, and if I want to fuck every guest who walks in here, I will.”
“No,” Christian says, his eyes full of lust and anger, “you won’t.”
“Oh, Lord.” I hang my head and scratch my cheek. “I’m surrounded by alpha men.”
“Jenna,” Max begins, his voice calmer now, “I left town a week ago. He wasn’t here, and you weren’t sleeping with anyone. And now he’s here, you’re shacked up with him, and I had no idea.”
“I don’t need to ask your permission,” I remind him. “And we’re not shacked up. I’m staying here until my place is fixed and dry, which should be in another day or so.”
“Still could have stayed at my place,” he says but then glances over at Christian. “I know who you are. And believe me when I say, I don’t care. If you fuck up with her, I’ll bust that pretty face of yours.”
“I do not have a pretty face,” Christian says, looking about in exasperation. “Why do you and your sister keep saying that?”
“I’m not kidding,” Max replies. “If you hurt her, I’ll hurt you.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter and turn to Brad. “Why did you guys come, and can you please get him out of here?”