Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 22

WILLOW

I stared at him like he had grown another head.

“No,” I replied after a few seconds. “Like I told you, I have somewhere to be.”

“There you are!”

I turned around, relief washing over me so quickly.

It was Rocco.

Finished

“You were taking a long time, so I was going to look for you,” he said, slightly out of breath.

“Rocco,” I exhaled, as though he had just rescued me from a burning building. “Let’s go.”

Tristan’s hand once again loosely wrapped around my wrist.

He didn’t let go even as I tugged. Instead, he looked between us with mild curiosity.

“Rocco,” he greeted. “Long time, no see.”

“You two are close?” he asked casually.

“Yes, Sir,” Rocco answered immediately. “Miss Willow Fl-”

My eyes widened so fast I was certain they would pop out.

“-Florence’s secretary,” I cut in smoothly, flashing him a tight smile. “Naturally. We’re both working for Miss Florence.”

“Right,” Rocco nodded quickly, recovering from the near mishap.

“Well,” Tristan said lightly, “where are you heading?”

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Chapter 22 in His Car

“Work,” I said at the exact same time Rocco said, “Coffee.”

I turned my head toward Rocco slowly.

He looked confused while Tristan smirked.

“Coffee?” Tristan echoed, his tone amused. “That sounds far more interesting than work.”

I glared at Rocco subtly.

He looked confused for a second before realization dawned on him. Then, like the traitor he was, he smiled.

“Mind if I join?” Tristan asked. “I haven’t gotten my daily fix.”

I opened my mouth.

“Sure,” Rocco answered before I could.

I closed it slowly.

This old man was setting me up!

“Rocco,” I said sweetly, which was always dangerous. “You said you’ll go with me.”

Rocco clasped his hands behind his back. “Ah. About that. The car needs to be cleaned for Miss Florence, you see.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

Liar! The car was spotless. He maintained it every morning, I suppose.

“She’s a bit of a germaphobe,” he added solemnly.

“I then leave Willow in your care,” he said, turning to Tristan with surprising sincerity. “Take care of her.”

“Don’t worry,” Tristan replied smoothly. “I will. I’ll return her here before her break is over.”

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Finished

Chapter 22 in His Car

“Take your time,” Rocco said cheerfully.

I shot Rocco another glare that promised consequences.

He simply gave me a grandfatherly wink.

Before I could protest further, Tristan’s fingers gently tightened around my wrist again.

“Shall we?” he asked.

This was how some kidnappings probably started!

He led me toward his car.

“Let go,” I muttered under my breath.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he opened the passenger door for me.

“You’re not going to bolt, are you?” he asked mildly.

“I might.”

He smiled.

“Get in, Willow.”

I sighed dramatically, mostly for my own sanity, and finally slid into the passenger

seat.

Whatever. I needed my caffeine.

“I need to be back in,” I said immediately, lifting my wrist to check my watch. “Fifteen minutes.”

He rounded the front of the car and slipped into the driver’s seat.

“Fifteen minutes?” he repeated, glancing at the time on his dashboard. “That’s not enough.”

“It is if you don’t talk too much.”

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Chapter 22 in His Car

B26

Finished

He gave me a look.

“Drive–thru,” I added with a tight smile.

He sighed and shook his head, but he didn’t protest further. Instead, he pressed the ignition button.

I reached for my seatbelt.

And then-

He leaned closer.

My breath stalled. His shoulder brushed near mine as he moved into my space, his hand coming toward my side. My eyes widened instantly.

He was not going to do something cliché, right?

“Don’t,” I blurted.

He paused mid–motion and frowned slightly. “Don’t what?”

I swallowed, realizing how that sounded.

“I’m just pushing the seat back,” he said evenly. “People don’t usually sit here, so I can’t see the side mirror.”

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