Page 80 of My Fiancé's Brother
“What are you the domestic police now? Why don’t you mind your own business?"
Jackson moved forward with incredible speed. Matt staggered back. A stool almost took him down, but he recovered. Jackson backed Matt up against the counter. He towered over Matt.
“Jackson,” Matt sounded breathless. “It’s me, Mattie.”
A long pause. And then Jackson spoke in a voice that was so low that it was a growl. “I'll rip you apart until there is nothing left of you if you ever get violent with her again.”
“Jackson,” Matt said, sounding like he was about to argue.
Jackson grabbed Matt by the throat. Matt grabbed Jackson’s handwith both of his own. Jackson lifted him up so that Matt was on his tippy toes. “This isn’t up for debate, Matt. I'll fuck you up.”
Matt nodded wildly. And Jackson dropped him. Matt put his hands around his neck. Jackson spoke in a normal voice. “Get some sleep. You smell like a brewery.”
“Oh fuck,” Matt croaked, bending over, holding his neck.
Jackson turned around and looked up towards me. Our eyes held for a long moment and then I stepped back into my room and shut the door.
I put my head against the door. Desire, lust, and awe washed over me. I looked at the ceiling trying to catch my breath. I could feel my heart in my stomach.
“This is crazy,” I whispered.
Chloe raised a sleepy head and looked at me. I rushed to the bed and wrapped my arms around her neck. She smelled sweet and fresh, like a puppy.
“It’s okay,” I soothed her, my mouth against her fur. “Everything is going to be fine. Trust me. It’s all going to work out.”
CHAPTER 27
The next morning,Jackson came in from his run while Chloe and I ate breakfast. Chloe walked over to him, wagging her tail so hard her whole bum wagged back and forth.
“I think she likes you,” I said, trying not to look at his corded stomach that I could see through his wet t-shirt.
Jackson walked into the kitchen, filled a glass up with water from the tap and chugged it. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “How are you doing?”
I nodded, embarrassed on so many levels. Confessing to Jackson that Matt had cheated on me. Jackson devastating me with yet another kiss. Matt coming home and demanding we get rid of Chloe. Our fight. Jackson stepping in to protect me. I was confused on a multitude of levels. Whatever weird thing we had going on here, it had to stop. “I'm fine.”
He studied me for a long moment. “Okay.”
I took a deep breath. “What are you doing today?”
“I have an appointment at the hospital for an hour at 11, but after that I'm free.”
I looked his body over. “Is everything okay?” Trying to figure outwhy he was an outpatient. He visited the hospital three times a week, but physically he seemed perfect.
Green eyes stared back at me. “Fine.”
What kind of treatment could he possibly be doing at the hospital? Physically, he was as close to perfection that anyone could get. Did he have an internal injury? What if he had some disease, like cancer? Would he be able to work out like he did if he was getting treated for cancer?
He spoke again. “Your car isn’t quite ready. What do you need to do?”
“Just some more wedding stuff.”
He turned his head and looked out over the loft. He looked unimpressed.
Of course, he would be unimpressed. I was dragging a navy SEAL around the city to plan a wedding. Any red-blooded male would be unimpressed.
“This stuff I can do myself,” I said quickly. “When my car is fixed.”
His eyes narrowed on my face. “My appointment is only an hour. I'll come pick you up when I'm done.”
