I nearly choked on my tongue. Instead, I let out a spluttering cough.
Jensen’s eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at the stars. “I need to get laid.”
Words I definitely did not need to hear from Jensen.Little J, I reminded myself. Someone I should be looking at as a little sister, not as a grown woman with curves for days and eyes I could lose myself in as I took her hard and fast.
I shook my head.Get ahold of yourself, man.“Let’s get you home.”
Jensen nodded. “That sounds good.”
I pulled open the truck door and helped Jensen in. Leaning over her to buckle her seat belt, I caught that scent of jasmine. The one that always undid me. My jeans got tighter. I snapped the belt in place and got the hell out of there.
Rounding the vehicle, I took a moment to inhale deeply, using the cold night air to clear away the remnants of jasmine.Just get her home, get her in bed, and get out.I could do this.
The drive back to the Cole Ranch was quiet, Jensen dozing in the seat next to mine. I reminded myself over and over that she wasn’t for me. There were so many reasons I should stay away. It would be a betrayal of my friendship, no… my brotherhood with Walker. Not to mention that I wasn’t sure I was equipped to be the man Jensen and Noah needed. But, most of all, if I fucked things up with Jensen, I’d lose the only family I had left.
I pulled to a stop outside the guest house. The best thing I could do for her—and for myself—was to be her friend. And when the right guy came along, I’d step aside and let her be happy. It would kill something inside of me, but it was the right thing to do.
I got out and rounded the truck, pulling open the passenger-side door. I held my breath, reaching over to unbuckle Jensen’s seat belt. I slipped an arm under her legs and another behind her back, lifting her from the seat. I leaned against the door to close it. “J, where’s your key?”
“Let me sleep,” she grumbled into my neck.
I chuckled. “I need your key before you can sleep.”
“Back pocket,” she mumbled, aggravation clear in her tone.
I carried her up to the door, then set her feet on the ground as I held her up with one arm. I slipped my free hand into her back pocket. Jensen had always been in incredible shape. From the day that she could walk, she had tried to run. She’d chased Walker and me around from the moment she got her sea legs. She played every sport possible from the minute they were offered to her. Now, she hauled hay and feed to her horses. She mucked stalls and chased her son around. Her body was strong and muscled, which created curves that would make any man drool.
I squeezed my eyes closed as my hand rounded her tight ass, searching for that damn key in the pocket of jeans so tight, I thought my hand might actually get stuck there. My fingertips touched metal. I clasped the edge of the key with two fingers and slowly pulled it out. I unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Come on, champ. Let’s go.”
Jensen muttered something unintelligible and tried to get through the door on her own steam. Instead, she ran smack into the entryway table, sending it toppling and her teetering. Thankfully, Noah was at his weekly slumber party with his grandparents, so at least we weren’t going to wake anyone up.
I grasped her arm. “Whoa there. Why don’t I just help you get upstairs?”
Her head bobbed. “’Kay.”
I closed the door, locking it behind me as I swung Jensen up into my arms once again. I headed up the stairs, being careful not to let her head bang into a wall or something.
When we reached the second floor, Jensen’s eyes flew open. “I’m gonna puke.”
“Oh, shit.” I jogged to the bathroom, set her down on the floor, and opened the lid of the toilet just in time for her to empty the contents of her stomach. I pulled her hair away from her face and rubbed a hand up and down her back as she retched. It took some time, but finally, her body quieted. “You think you’re done?”
She nodded slowly, and I lifted her up, setting her on the counter. I wet a washcloth and carefully cleaned her face, including the makeup she rarely wore. I liked her better without it, as if I could see the truth in her face better or something. I ran her toothbrush under the water and placed some toothpaste on it.
I wrapped her fingers around the brush. “Here, this will make you feel better.”
Jensen nodded again and began to brush her teeth. The movements were awkward and jerky at first, but she got there. She spit into the sink, and I handed her a cup of water to rinse.
When she was done, I lifted her down from the counter. “Think you can walk?”
“Yup.”
I kept an arm around her waist just in case.
We made our way inside her bedroom. I hadn’t been in here in years. Maybe since Walker, Andrew, and I had painted it when Jensen moved in. The space was totally her. Earthy, jewel-toned colors. A cozy comforter and a worn quilt covered the bed, along with so many pillows I couldn’t count them all.
Jensen plopped down on the bed and started pulling off her shirt.
I spun around to face the wall. “What are you doing?”
