Lucas
My leg bounces with anxiety as Cole parks his truck in the underground carpark. When she gets out the car, I take her in, my heart hammering hard against my chest. She’s here, she’s finally here. My fingers twitch to touch her, to reach out and feel her silky hair between my fingers, to breathe in her scent.
Coconuts, that’s what she’ll smell like.
Cole’s hand entwines with hers. He tugs her lovingly into his arms and gazes down at her with a wide smile playing on his lips. A pang of jealousy strikes me hard in the chest, but I’m not sure what I’m more jealous of: her soft smile of admiration back at him or the smile he gifts her with so much love in his eyes, it’s obvious.
Obvious that they’re meant to be.
I close the laptop lid with a slam and take it to my office. Placing it on the desk, my body stills as my eyes latch on to the drawer containing the files.
The elevator pings, snapping me out of my daze.
Time to meet our houseguest.
The giggling fills the apartment, a strange noise when it’s normally so silent, so subdued.
She’s smaller than I thought she would be, tucked perfectly under his arm with her arm tightly braced comfortingly and lovingly around his waist.
Both are completely unaware of my presence, and it annoys the hell out of me. The vein in my temple pulsates.
Did he not tell her about me at all?
I clear my throat and stare at them. My pulse races with annoyance, and my jaw twitches in aggravation.
Tia’s head turns in my direction, and the air is sucked from my lungs. I grip the dining chair in front of me to stop myself from reaching her, from ripping her from his arms.
If only I was capable of that.
Tia wears ripped jeans that fit her like a glove, showcasing her curves. Her white T-shirt is tight across her chest, and I swear I can see her darkened nipples through her white bra.
Cole scrubs an awkward hand over his head. “Hey, man.” He clears his throat. “This is Tia. Tia, this is my brother, Lucas.”
“Hi. Nice to meet you, Lucas.” She steps toward me and holds her hand out for me to take. I glare at it, willing myself to take it in mine.
Just fucking take it.
Cole chuckles. Breaking the tension mounting between us, he steps forward and takes Tia by the wrist. “Beauty. Lucas isn’t into that kind of greeting.” Her confused expression softens, as though she understands, and I hate it.
I hate that she might think I’m weird. Weak.
My airway feels like it’s closing, and heat rises up my neck. The room feels like it’s closing in on me. I move my hand inside my pocket to the security of my knife. My fingers stroke over the soft oak handle.
“I’m going out. Some of us have fucking work to do,” I snap in Cole’s direction, not willing to acknowledge the dejection in his eyes.
Cole can go to hell right now, for all I care.
He left me here for weeks to be with her. I stride toward the apartment door; I need to get out of here. I need to get away from him.
From both of them.
