She’d gotten that way because of me, because of how I make her feel.
And all I’d wanted to do was pull her in close again and devour her mouth, slide my tongue into the warm, sweet recesses between her lips, and make her see that she was only mine. I didn’t want her with anyone else, even if being with her wasn’t something that I could ever have. I was a selfish bastard, and could see myself beating some asshole to the ground for even looking in her direction.
I exhaled and stopped in the middle of my room, breathing out roughly again as I lifted my hand and ran it over the back of my head. Shit, I’d have to jerk off in the shower, relieve this massive hard-on I was sporting because the fucker just wouldn’t go down. Then again, it was as if it had a mind of its own, as if he knew the ultimate pleasure was just in the next room and that’s the only thing that could sate the bastard.
“Fuck,” I said harshly, but kept my voice low. Not only was Stephan going through his own shit and needed me to be strong for everyone, but I’d just gone and kissed his daughter. I’d just gone and staked my claim on her. And as much as I knew that being with her was not something I could possibly fucking do, every single part of my being was roaring out for me to keep her, no matter what.
I was at war with myself, even as every single part of me was saying that there was no fucking way I’d give her up.
7
Matthew
“You’ll be gone for two weeks?”
I glanced over at Ivy, hearing the concern in her voice. It was just her and her dad, had been since her mom passed away.
He’d never been away from her this long, and I could see that she was nervous about it.
“As of right now, although I could be home sooner, or it might be a little later.” He gave her a sad smile. “But I need this, sweetheart. Without a stable job the bills are going to start stacking up.”
“I can get a part time job and help,” she said instantly.
“No,” Stephan said.
“Absolutely not,” I said right after he spoke. They both looked at me but I kept my composure. “Focus on school. I’m here and will help your dad out. Everything will be fine.” She stared at me for a long moment. I swallowed, my throat so fucking tight at the very thought that we’d be here alone.
That was dangerous. Really fucking dangerous.
I needed to keep my damn distance. I needed to be a good brother, a good man. And being with Ivy, going after her and making her mine, would have me crossing so many fucking lines there would be no going back.
It’s already too late.
Those words slammed into my head repeatedly, refusing to back the hell down. I pushed away from the doorframe and walked farther into the kitchen. Stephan was sitting at the table, this sympathetic look on his face as he stared at Ivy.
“Honey, this is the first real job I’ve had since everything happened. It might only be temporary, but right now it’s all I have.” He smiled at her and it broke my fucking heart seeing my big brother like this.
He’d always been so strong, so in control of everything. Even after his wife had passed away, I’d never seen a man have his shit as much together as he did. But right now, he looked lost, and I knew that was because of his job, but also because of the conflict he felt was going on between his personal life and his home life.
I knew he wanted Ivy to meet the woman he was seeing. I knew he wanted everything to be good between them. Maybe he thought she saw him differently because of it all. But that’s not what I saw.
I saw it in her face, saw the way she looked at him. She loved him no matter what, unconditionally. And that was one of the reasons I’d fallen in love with her.
That was one of the reasons I fell so hard for her.
“It just seems like such a long time, and you’ll be so far away.”
“It’s just a couple states away. It’ll be done and over with before you know it.” He looked up at me then and smiled. “I’m just glad Matthew is here to handle things and take care of you. I don’t think I could have left you alone.” A moment of silence passed. “I know you’re an adult and all, but I would’ve been too worried.” He stood up and pulled Ivy off the chair to give her a hug. “I have to pack, though. I’ve got to head out soon so I can drive through the night and get there in the morning.”