The Wager (The Bet 2)

“I’m sorry.”

“Not enough.”

“Damn it.” Travis grabbed her from behind and flipped her body around so he was pinning her against the wall. “I said I was sorry.”

“What exactly are you sorry for? Being an ass to your brother? Telling him to stay away from the one girl he actually likes? Or constantly degrading him in front of your parents and even Jace. Hmm? Take your pick.” She tried to fight against him but Travis was too damn big. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he leaned closer. Why did he have to be so attractive? It would be so much easier to fight with him if he was ugly, or if his stutter from childhood decided to make a sudden appearance.

“Listen.” He tilted her chin up and grinned. “I can’t help it.”

“Worst apology ever.”

“I’m not finished.” Travis’s eyes brightened as he kissed her softly against the mouth and pulled back. “I still have issues with him. Clearly, you can see that, Kace. I mean, he slept with you and abandoned you in college. Just last year he was actually contemplating marrying you and keeping a mistress on the side. As in, he thought it was an intelligent idea! He used you to get ahead in his job, and now, a few months later, you want me to suddenly jump on the Jake bandwagon? He hasn’t proven anything to us. You have to earn trust, and he’s learned nothing. He’s never had to.”

Kacey sighed and bit down on her bottom lip before answering. “I get what you’re saying, but you have to trust me. I know that look on his face. I know him. He’s your brother, yes, but he was my best friend growing up. I think he’s tired of being the black sheep, but he won’t get better if he feels like he’s never being given the chance. Maybe we should let them play it out?”

Travis cursed. “So, what? You want me to go give him a damn hug or something? And I’m sorry, but letting them play it out means that not only are we taking a risk on Jake, but if we lose—and there’s a ninety percent chance of that happening, by the way—Grandma’s going to sing at our wedding for an entire hour while people drink themselves to death.”

Ah, Travis, so rough around the edges and protective. That was why she was marrying him. He was the most attractive man she’d ever met, and he was going to be all hers. With a sultry grin, she leaned in and nipped at his lips. “I want you to try. Please? For me?”

“Try?” His voice was hoarse. “Try what?”

“Try not being an ass and give him a chance.”

He groaned against her mouth and pushed her against the wall harder, his body aligning with hers as he lifted her into his arms and gripped her body against his. “Fine. I’ll try, but if I try with him that means you have to try with Grandma.”

“Huh?” His lips left hers as they burned a hot trail down her neck. “Grandma.

Try to get by her tonight.”

“Why?” Was that new? His tongue felt so good as it licked down the base of her throat that she clenched his shirt in her fists and moaned.

“Because I want you.” Using his teeth he tugged on the front of her dress and moved his assault lower. “And I may die if I can’t have you.”

“Don’t be such a guy.” She panted.

“Ahem.” A voice said from the hall.

Cursing, Travis slowly let Kacey slip back to her feet and pushed her in front of him. Coward. Grandma stood there, arms crossed, staring lasers into both of them. “Rules, both of you, like children.”

“Wouldn’t want

my children acting that way…” Travis said behind Kacey. He just had to say something.

Grandma’s eyes narrowed as she stomped the rest of the way toward them. Being the dutiful fiancée that she was, when Grandma stopped in front of Kacey, Kacey moved out of the way so Grandma could grab a hold of Travis’s ear and drag him down the hall.

“Thanks a lot, Kace!” he called as Grandma led him out the front door.

Chapter Thirty-five

The cool night breeze blew across the Columbia River as Jake took a sip of beer. The view from the tree house had always been a family favorite. The tree house had been built with the river in mind. It was high enough to be able to see the view beyond the trees, but not too high, so that when Jake, Travis, and Kacey were little, they wouldn’t fall out and kill themselves.

Char had been there once, maybe twice.

He’d been eight when he met her for the first time. She walked right up to him and punched him in the nose. When the bleeding stopped two hours later, he asked why she did it.

Her answer?

He’d been staring at her funny.