Page 35 of Never and Always
He sensed me and looked up.
Straightening, he turned off the saw and set it down. He shoved the glasses on top of his head and the earmuffs around his neck. Neither of those things should look hot, but weirdly they did.
He did a top-to-toe scan of me, his gaze lingering on my ankle boots before he met my gaze. “Big city, didn’t expect to see you back here.”
I stiffened my spine. “Did you speak to my brother?”
“Yes.”
Anger spurted inside me. “And you didn’t tell me? He’smybrother. Did it not cross your mind that I would need to speak with him? This is my family business, and I told you to stay out of it.”
Slowly, Everett grabbed a bottle of water, tipped his head back, and drank.
My gaze locked on his strong throat. I tried desperately not to pay attention to the way it worked as he drank.
He screwed the cap back on the bottle. “And I told you I was going to keep you safe.”
I felt like my eyes were going to bulge out of my head. I strode forward and stabbed a finger into his chest. His rock-hard chest.
“He’smybrother. I’ve been trying to contact him, and he’s been dodging my messages and calls. I will deal with this.”
With a sudden move, Everett gripped my hips, spun me, and pinned me to the workbench. I gasped. I glanced around, but saw the other few members of the maintenance team had disappeared.
“Big city, your brother is a deadbeat who needs to grow up. I warned you that I was wading in to ensure you didn’t get hurt. Or more hurt than you’ve already been.” He gently grabbed my hands and lifted them. Callused fingers carefully moved over my grazes.
For some reason, my chest was tight and it was hard to breathe.
“The good news,” Everett said, “is that your brother looked upset that someone attacked you. He promised he’d take care of things, and ensure you were kept out of whatever fucked-up business he’s gotten himself involved in.”
I drew in a shaky breath. “Is he in any danger?”
Everett’s head did a little jerk. “Oh no, do not go big sister and wade into this for him. He needs to sort it out himself, and you need to stay safe.”
He didn’t understand. I had to ensure there was no blowback for my mom and Gram. And for all his mess and dysfunction, I had no desire for my brother to get hurt.
Everett studied my neck.
“It’s fine,” I murmured.
He looked at my palms again, then, shocking me into immobility, he gently brushed his lips over my grazes.
That small touch arrowed through me and ignited heat in places that had been lifeless for a long time. My pulse went haywire.
“Stop it,” I whispered.
His gaze met mine. The gold flecks looked like they were glowing.
“Whatever…this is, it has to stop,” I said.
“This meaning that we’re attracted to each other.”
I pulled in a breath. “We are total opposites with nothing in common.”
He smiled, and it was sexy as hell. “I bet we could find a few things.”
“We don’t like each other.”
He lowered his head, and the air caught in my lungs. “Don’t we?”
