He went quiet, and I could see the muscle in his jaw clenching as he turned to look out the window again. I held my silence, waiting for whatever he had to say next. Because I knew he had more to say.
Turning back, he leveled me with another hard look. “Do not fucking hurt my sister.”
Lucas, never one to be particularly chatty—a quality I appreciated because I shared it—walked out after that. He called over his shoulder a second later, “Catch you at lunch. We can knock this floor out this afternoon.”
Later that evening, I parked my truck in front of Jade’s house. I’d seen her briefly when I stopped by to check on Everett before I left for work. She was checking on him on her way back from a lunch shift at the bar.
Although we hadn’t had much of a chance to talk, she’d nodded when I asked her if it was okay to stop by tonight. As I sat in my truck with the quiet settling around me, I became uncomfortably aware of the steady beat of my heart and anxiety twisting in my gut. I didn’t consider myself an anxious man.
In fact, my nerves were usually so steady that the sensation inside was completely unfamiliar to me. Here I thought I’d never fall for anyone, and I’d tripped and stumbled right into love with Jade. I was pretty sure she didn’t want to be in love.
The only thing that was certain was that I had to talk to her. Before Lucas said something. I’d never been one to delay, so I figured I would barrel through this just like I did anything else. I wasn’t a first responder for nothing. I was solid in a crisis. I hoped those nerves would help me through this.
I stepped out of my truck and closed the door, pausing for a moment to look ahead. Although I’d been offered the option to live in one of those cute studio cabins I was building at the lodge, I passed it over. I liked my privacy, and I’d lucked into a house my grandmother left to me. Like my place, Jade’s house offered a clear view of Stolen Hearts Valley. The mountain ridge on the far side of the valley was a dark silhouette with the moon rising behind it. The sound of crickets chirping filled the air.
I took a breath and walked to the door. Whether I liked it or not, Lucas asking me about Jade forced my hand. A moment passed after I knocked before she opened the door. She’d changed out of her jeans and T-shirt into a pair of fitted shorts and a black V-neck T-shirt. The sight of Jade with her hair pulled up in a ponytail and her skin fresh and rosy as if she’d just showered slammed into me. She seemed almost sweet. Jade was sweet and I knew it, but I knew she’d argue that point.
“Hey,” she said, holding the door open and gesturing me through.
I stepped past her, stuffing my hands in my pockets, solely for the purpose of containing the urge to grab her and kiss her senseless.
Whether she sensed the tension coiled tightly inside of me, she didn’t let it show. She walked past me. “I’m having a glass of wine. Do you want something to drink?”
I followed her through the living room and into her kitchen.
“I’m not much of a wine guy,” I replied, sitting down on the stool she pointed toward as she walked to the counter to pick up her glass of wine and take a sip.
Lowering it, her lips quirked in a smile. “Walker, I’m a bartender. I have more than wine. I’ve got vodka and scotch. I’m all out of beer, though.”
“I’ll take a scotch if you have it.”
“It’s the good kind,” she said with the sly smile. “On the rocks?” She pulled out a clear glass tumbler and a bottle from a cabinet.
“Nope. Just plain scotch.”
In another moment, she slid the glass across the counter to me. Lifting it, I took a swallow. The rich, nutty flavor slid across my tongue, smooth and satisfying. “Damn, that’s good.”
Jade grinned and sat down across from me. We were seated only a few feet apart, and somehow the distance felt like too much. I took another healthy swallow of my drink. Although a sense of calm was buoying me, I was about to try to talk about my feelings. Something I had very little experience with and never expected to worry about.
Jade saved me by commenting, “So, Jackson says Everett probably won’t be able to be released back into the wild.” Her mouth twisted as disappointment flashed across her face.
“Oh? I didn’t have a chance to talk to him about it today. That’s too bad. What happens when that’s the case?”
“I was about to ask Jackson the same thing when his next appointment showed up. I’m assuming he just stays at the rescue.”
I nodded, taking another sip of my scotch. “We’ll find out.”
Jade took a swallow of her wine, and I watched as she leaned her head back slightly. Only Jade had this effect on me. Every small thing she did set a low hum of electricity vibrating through my body, tapping into this bone-deep need for her. I decided I needed to just get this over with.
“Lucas asked me today what was going on with us.”
Jade narrowed her eyes, her lips tightening in a line before she spoke. “Are you serious?”
“Why would I make that up?”
She took a gulp of her wine. She sighed as she lowered the glass. “I love my brother, but sometimes he’s overprotective.”
I shrugged. “He’s your brother. Can’t say I blame him. If I had a sister, I’d probably be the same way.”
“Probably?” A smile teased at the corners of her mouth.
I felt a grin tugging at mine as I nodded. “Okay, definitely.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I figured I was in a no-win situation. No matter what I did or didn’t say, unless I lied, I was in a bind.”
“And, you’re not a liar.”
She was right, but I didn’t know what to think of how good it made me feel that she had faith I would be honest.
“I asked him for a rain check.”
Jade found that hysterical, her shoulders shaking with laughter. “Seriously?” she asked when she finally finished laughing. “How did Lucas handle that?”
“He accepted my answer, but told me I’d better not hurt you. I didn’t wanna say anything else until you and I talked.”
“I do appreciate that.”
“I guess you might need to be ready for him to ask you about it.”
“Oh, I’m sure he will. I suppose we should talk.” Jade looked uncertain. Her eyes bounced from me down to her wine glass. She traced along the edge of the counter with her fingertip.
After another sip of scotch, I laid it out there. “I didn’t expect this. Not at all. Oh, I knew I was attracted to you, but I thought I could keep it in hand. Even after the wedding, I thought things would fade. Can I be really blunt with you?”
Jade lifted her head, her eyes catching mine. She looked surprised. After a nod, she waited quietly while my heart kicked against my ribs.
“I think I’m falling in love with you. I know you planned never to date anyone, so I’m not sure how you feel about that,” I finally said.
As nervous as I was, the words came out normal. A strange sense of relief washed through me. Saying aloud how I felt was a relief if only because it was honest.
Jade’s eyes widened slightly. I could see the rapid flutter of her pulse along the side of her neck. Her cheeks flushed, and she took a quick breath as she stared at me.