Chapter 27
brODAN
Dating Monroe Sinclair was exquisite torture.
We’d only technically been dating for a week, and my self-control had been pushed to its limits.
Yet, I was determined I would not be the one who broke.
There was too much at stake. Plus, it stung a little that Roe really thought I’d jeopardize our future for a kiss.
Did she think I was some prepubescent hound who couldn’t control his hormones, for fuck’s sake?
However, trying to tempt her into breaking first was a form of self-torment.
Whispering dirty things in her ear made me long to be inside her, but outwardly, I tried to appear as calm as possible.
Mostly because it pissed her off that she was so flustered, and I was cool and collected.
And Roe pissed off was a glorious sight.
She was like the physical embodiment of fire.
It made it difficult for me to believe that any man had manipulated her the way Shaw had, and knowing that he’d crushed her for a moment in time made me want to kill him.
However, I’d have to be satisfied with warning the bastard off.
Walker’s contacts had paid him a visit last week, and Walk said the bully almost wet himself at the threat and promised to leave Monroe alone.
Our guys were assured Steven Shaw would not be sending anymore threatening postcards.
One job ticked off the “Make Monroe Sinclair’s Life Better” list.
Now I just had to convince her that giving me a real shot would make her life better too. I’d see to it.
“You’ve got a look on your face,” Walker said as he accompanied me into the primary school.
After another rehearsal yesterday and one today, tonight was finally the night the kids performed the musical. I was looking forward to it for them. They’d worked really hard, and it had come together nicely.
“What kind of look?” I asked, avoiding parents’ gazes, hoping we could stroll right past them toward backstage.
“The same look you always get when you want something.”
“Oh, that look. Aye, I’m wearing that look.”
Walker grunted. “Good luck.”
“Do you know what I want?” I grinned.
“Everyone paying attention knows what you want.”
“Good.” I spotted the dad who’d flirted with Roe at the bake sale. “Then they’ll back the fuck off what’s mine.”
“You sound like a prick,” Walker said blandly. His expression, however, was fierce enough to cut a path through the parents.
I laughed. “Wait until you find a woman you can’t stop thinking about. You’ll turn into a prick too.”
“Never going to happen.” Suddenly, his eyes narrowed ahead of us near the doors to backstage. “Sloane.” His voice boomed, drawing even more stares our way.
The blond in question startled at his voice, and she turned toward us. Sloane offered a small smile, though her eyes darted away from Walker. “Hey.”
“Do you want in there to be with Callie?” Walk asked, reaching for the door to backstage.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m allowed inside.” She looked edgy. “But Callie was really nervous, and I feel bad I’m not with her.”
“Come on,” Walker urged. “We’ll take you in.”
“Are you certain?”
“Aye.”
She looked at me.
“If you being there will calm Callie, then you should be there.” I gestured for her to go ahead of us, and she smiled gratefully.
Backstage was a clamber of noise as the kids milled around in costume, laughing, shouting, and chasing one another.
Adults moved around them, trying to get organized, while David practiced on the piano in the corner.
Monroe told me they were starting with the upper school (our musical) and ending with the lower school who were performing The Nutcracker.
Red hair glinted under harsh lights, and I spotted Monroe talking with Callie. My heart beat faster upon seeing Monroe in her element, and I wondered if that would ever go away. Would there come a day when I could look at this woman without feeling my whole body vibrate with life?
Sloane hurried ahead of us to get to Callie, and Monroe seemed glad to see her. Then, as if sensing me, she tensed and turned slowly to look in my direction.
Our eyes held, and she gave me a slow, gorgeous smile.
Everything else stopped around us.
It was just Monroe. Smiling at me like I was all she wanted to see too.
My pulse thundered as my fingers itched, and a panic set in at the thought of her walking away from me one day.
Fuck, I was terrifyingly in love with this woman.
MONROE
I should’ve been in a great mood.
The musical had gone great. There were only a few lines flubbed, and the audience seemed to find it adorable, so we were good.
The kids got a long-lasting standing ovation from the parents and were full of energy as we tried to hustle them as quickly as possible to the seats at the front of the audience, now vacated by the lower school.
Attempting to keep jazzed-up kids quiet through the nativity wasn’t easy, but everyone was in high spirits and feeling very Christmassy. It was a natural mood booster.
However, the plays ended, and the parents were offered teas and coffees with baked treats before they left. During this reception, mums (and several dads) accosted Brodan.
They touched his arm provocatively and smiled and batted their eyelashes up at him. I was irritated.
Now and then, he’d find my gaze and give me an apologetic smile, but he never removed himself from the situations, so clearly, he got off on all the flirting and attention. Or … or he was deliberately trying to make me jealous to force me to lose the bet.
Well, wasn’t that an awful thought?
Was I right to guard myself against this man? Or was I blowing the whole thing out of proportion? Why did he have the ability to twist me up inside like this?
I whirled around so I didn’t have to see it anymore and almost collided with Haydyn Barr. “Oh, apologies.”
He smiled down at me. “No need. I quite enjoy beautiful women running into me.”
Flushing at the compliment, I laughed nervously and glanced around. “Where’s Michael?”
“Backstage with some of the other kids. I think they need to blow off steam after the big night. You did an amazing job. Michael actually enjoyed himself.” Haydyn chuckled. “I thought the only thing that boy enjoyed was Nintendo. Wonders never cease.”
A genuine smile teased my lips. “I’m glad.”
He reached out suddenly and touched my hair, tucking it behind my ear. I stiffened as he gazed into my eyes. “Stray hair,” he explained.
I patted the place he’d touched, feeling uncomfortable.
Deciding it wasn’t fair to lead him on or allow him to think he could touch his son’s teacher without permission, I opened my mouth to tell him it wasn’t appropriate (especially in front of other parents) when I jolted at the feel of a large hand on my waist. Heat spread up my side as familiar aftershave filled my senses.
Brodan slid his hand possessively down my hip, leaning into me as he stared stonily at Haydyn. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” There was more than a hint of menace in his tone, and I stiffened against him.
Haydyn blinked rapidly. “Uh … no. Right. Brodan Adair. Pleasure to meet you.” He raised his hand to shake Brodan’s. “I love your movies.”
Brodan stared at Haydyn’s appendage like it was a bug. “That’s nice.” He looked back up at Haydyn, who suddenly registered how Brodan was holding on to me.
“Oh.” He took an unconscious step back. “You two …”
“Aye, we’re together.”
“I didn’t realize.” Haydyn gave a thin-lipped smile. “Sorry.”
“Now you know.” Brodan turned us away from my pupil’s father and muttered under his breath, “Prick.”
Seething at his side, I choked out, “Excuse me.” Then I pulled out of his hold and tried my best not to storm out of the cafeteria because I didn’t want to get tongues wagging.
Giving parents a pained smile, I hurried as quickly from the room as possible, up the stairs, and along the corridor to the quiet of my classroom.
I hadn’t yet made it to the room when I heard footsteps behind me.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Brodan following. I glowered and then marched into my classroom, whirling to face him.
He appeared a few seconds later, expression wary.
“How dare you?” I blurted out angrily.
He scowled. “You want that arsehole flirting with you?”
Gut churning with indignation, I tried to fry him with a look alone. “I was just about to tell Mr. Barr it was inappropriate for him to touch me without my permission. It was up to me to do that. I didn’t need you to come and pee all around me like I’m some possession to be fought over.”
Brodan exhaled slowly and then squeezed the bridge of his nose.
I trembled as I waited for him to annoy me by trying to justify his actions.
Instead, he shocked me.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” He gave me a pleading look. “I’m sorry, Sunset.”
Stunned, I deflated. “You’re sorry?”
“Aye, I’m sorry.” He took a step toward me. “I have never been territorial over women … just you. And I’m not proud of it and promise to do better to curb the possessive arsehole within. I’m just … I’m afraid you’ll change your mind about me. That you’ll walk away. Maybe even find someone else.”
I wanted to be angry with him, but as I thought about my own jealous reaction to the parents flirting with him earlier, I’d be a hypocrite.
Still, it was a good reminder. “I haven’t decided about us, Brodan.
And watching your fans”—I gestured toward the door, indicating the legion waiting for him in the cafeteria—“fawn all over you isn’t exactly making me want to give us a shot. ”
Brodan frowned, taking another step toward me. “They have nothing to do with me. I can’t help what other people do, Roe.”
“You didn’t exactly extract yourself from the situation.”
“I directed the musical their kids were in.” His voice rose with exasperation.
“They wanted to thank me, to talk about it. I can’t help if they flirt while they do that, but I wasn’t flirting back, and you know that.
Other people’s actions are not my responsibility, Roe, and you holding them against me isn’t fucking fair.
” He looked devastated all of a sudden. “And I can’t live my life in fear that you’ll walk away from me because of it. ”
So instead, he walked away from me.
Panic seized my chest with an unexpectedness that made my knees wobble. How had this discussion turned into something so devastatingly final?
I’d let my jealousy get the better of me.
Just as he had.
Damn it.
The entire time we’d become friends again, not once had he held that night with Arran against me. He’d shown me compassion and understanding for my lost night, despite it being the catalyst that ruined us.
I still didn’t know if I could fully trust my heart to him, but I knew I wanted to try, and our relationship wouldn’t survive if we held things against each other.
Hurrying out of the room, I slammed the classroom door shut behind me and locked it. I could see Brodan marching down the corridor, almost out of sight.
“Brodan!” I yelled, hurrying after him.
He kept walking.
“Brodan!”
To my relief, he halted and turned around. As I neared, I saw the muscle flexing in his jaw, his expression wary.
I didn’t stop until we were almost touching, tilting my chin to hold his gaze as I laid my hands gently on his chest. His heart beat fast beneath my palm. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
As he remained guarded, I continued, “Brodan, I’m sorry. We were both jealous. We’re both on edge as we work this thing out. I promise to do better.”
His entire body sagged with relief, and he reached for me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he bent to rest his forehead against mine. “I promise to do better too.”