Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 8

WILLOW

There was no use hiding anymore.

Finished

Slowly, I slid out from under the bed, my movements stiff, my cheeks burning. I could feel his eyes on me, so I looked away, unable to take his gaze.

“You look good wearing my clothes,” Tristan said, his voice edged with something that made my skin prickle. “You picked my favorite one, too.”

That finally made me look up.

He was leaning against the edge of the bed now, far too relaxed for someone who had just nearly been exposed to be sleeping with his brother’s ex–wife. His gaze dragged over me unapologetically, taking in the oversized shirt, the way the fabric slipped off one shoulder and the loose sweatpants that were definitely not made for my body.

“I’ll bring it back,” I said quickly, crossing my arms over my chest. “It’s your fault anyway. You ripped my clothes.”

A corner of his mouth curved.

“I’ll buy you new ones.”

“No, thank you.”

“This is the last time this will happen.”

The words sounded firm. I wished my body agreed with them.

“I mean it,” I added. “Let’s forget this. I would much rather not get involved with your family again.”

For a split second, something flickered across his face. A faint tightening around his eyes. A crease between his brows. Then he pushed himself off the bed and started walking toward me.

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Chapter 8 Unlucky Willow

My pulse kicked up instantly.

Finished

Every instinct in me screamed to step back, but my feet felt rooted to the floor. Each step he took closed the distance, and with every inch he covered, the air between us grew hotter.

“Forget this?” he repeated softly.

I swallowed.

“That’s the plan,” I said, even though my voice betrayed me by coming out weaker.

He stopped right in front of me.

I could smell him. He still smelled good after everything that had happened last night.

“You’re saying this,” he murmured, lifting a hand slowly, “with my marks on you?”

My breath hitched. His fingers didn’t touch me yet. They hovered above my skin, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him.

“You were screaming my name last night,” he added quietly. “Hmm?”

My throat went dry. I lifted my chin, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

It turned out to be a mistake.

His gaze was intense and hypnotizing. It was the kind of look that made it hard to think, hard to remember why I had promised myself I would never let another Hale close again.

“That doesn’t mean anything,” I said, but even I could hear how unconvincing it sounded.

His fingers finally made contact. He brushed his knuckles against the exposed skin at my collarbone, where the oversized shirt dipped just enough to reveal too

much.

It was disguised as an innocent touch, but my body reacted instantly. A shiver raced down my spine. His eyes darkened just a fraction more.

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Finished

“Your body doesn’t agree with you,” he said softly.

“Don’t,” I whispered.

He didn’t stop. His fingers traced the line of my collarbone slowly. The loose fabric shifted slightly under his touch. My breath came out uneven.

“You’re shaking,” he murmured.

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

His thumb brushed closer to my neck, to the sensitive skin just beneath my jaw.

J

“You really think this was just a mistake?” he asked quietly. “Just one night?”

I stared at him, my chest rising and falling too fast.

Why did he have to look at me like that?

Why did his voice sound like that?

“Why would we want it to only be once?” he continued, his voice dropping lower. “When we both know it was the best night of our lives?

For one dangerous second, I felt myself leaning in. It felt like I was getting sucked

1. in.

No.

I couldn’t.

I wouldn’t.

With a sudden burst of will, I shoved my hands against his chest and pushed him back.

He stumbled a step, then straightened, a slow smirk spreading across his face like he’d been expecting it.

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Finished

“That’s it?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” I said, even though my heart was still pounding. “This ends here.”

His smirk deepened, but there was something else in his eyes. “We’ll see.”

I lifted my chin.

“On second thought,” I added, forcing confidence into my voice, “I won’t be giving these clothes back.”

His brow lifted slightly.

“Bye, Tristan.”

J

I turned toward the door before I could change my mind.

“And don’t look for me,” I said over my shoulder. “And don’t tell Marcus where I

am.”

Then I ran out of that place so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet.

My heart was still pounding by the time I reached the hallway. What just happened back there? Was Tristan always that… flirty? At family dinners, he’d always been proper. I pressed the elevator button harder than necessary and let out a shaky breath.

Yeah. It’s better not to get involved.

That was supposed to be the end of my thoughts; however, it wasn’t. No matter how hard I tried to shove it down, last night kept replaying in my head in fragments. I had been a virgin, terrified and curious and overwhelmed all at once, but somehow… it had felt safe. It had felt good.

Too good.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second.

No. No, no, no. I was getting way too caught up in this. This was how I had ended up tangled in a Hale in the first place.

12:29 pm

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