Forbidden Lovers by Kimberley Troutte

Author:Kimberley Troutte
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-05-09T15:16:33+00:00

Fourteen

“Rematch!” Jeff called out the second after Matt sank the winning ball.

“You always were a competitive little squirt.” Matt socked Jeff in the shoulder while winking at Julia. That man was clearly proud of his pool skills.

She blew him a kiss.

“And you need glasses, old man.” Jeff returned the punch to Matt’s biceps, only harder. “I haven’t been a little squirt for years.”

“Old man? I’m only fifteen months older than you. But I agree, I am way wiser.”

Jeff snorted. “Really? Who got in trouble for breaking Mom’s Ming vase?”

Matt crossed his arms. “You broke that thing? I thought Chloe did it.”

Jeff leaned against the pool table. “We both did. I was teaching her how to throw a curveball down the hallway and bam!” He smashed his fist into his palm. “Sorry you got busted for it.”

Matt played with the black ball, ricocheting it across the table. “No biggie.”

Suddenly, Jeff’s voice seemed to thicken. “You said that all the time, Matt. But you’re wrong.”

Matt cocked his head. “About?”

“It was big stuff. I deserved far more than I got. Unless they caught me red-handed, you took it on yourself to protect me. You stepped into the fire for Chloe, too. Especially when Mom was on the warpath. You were—are—a great big brother. I never told you...oh, screw it.” Jeff pulled Matt into a bear hug and muttered against Matt’s shoulder, “Thank you, man.”

Julia could see Matt’s expression shift from cocky pool winner to being touched by his brother’s words. Patting Jeff’s back in that way men did, he mumbled, “Yeah, no problem.” But she could see the emotion in his eyes. “You’re a good brother, too. Don’t beat yourself up over the past. It’s not worth it.”

All these years they’d never told each other how they felt? Tears welled in her eyes. She was witnessing an intensely private moment between brothers and was honored they’d let her see it.

She stole around the counter, snagged Matt’s cell phone and snapped a picture of the two brothers hugging. Memories. She wanted Matt to keep this one forever.

“What do you say? Another game?” Jeff asked. His voice cracked with emotion.

“Depends on Julia. Do we have other plans?”

Like taking him in the back room? That would be her choice, especially after seeing the way he responded to his brother’s words. The vulnerable side of such a strong man was one of the sexiest things she’d ever seen. Matt was a good brother and had been a protector. Wouldn’t he do the same thing for his own son?

If she told him.

But the two brothers were having a moment and she didn’t want to ruin this opportunity for bonding between them. “One more game. I don’t know how to play, but I like watching.”

Matt racked the balls, giving her plenty to watch. His behind was perfection in those board shorts.

“I bet no one taught you the correct way to play.” Jeff pointed his comment toward his brother. “I call Julia on my team.”

“What?” Matt growled. “No one calls my girl.

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