Chapter 18 #2
“It’s better she didn’t come if she’s sick.
She doesn’t want to be patient zero. She’d never live it down when everyone in Kroydon Hills would inevitably end up sick too.
Remember that New Year’s Eve party a few years ago?
” I ask, smiling as I think back to the way half the town ended up with the flu after one particularly randy Kingston kissed a few too many people at midnight.
Killian chuckles but still doesn’t take Logan’s hand.
“Stop being a dick, Killer.” I look around to make sure no one is close enough to overhear us. “Logan didn’t take my virtue or force me into anything I didn’t want. So how about you get this whole overprotective big brother act out of your system and just say it’s nice to meet you?”
My brother growls, and I roll my eyes. “You wouldn’t be this much of an ass if Lilah were here.”
“Probably would.” His jaw clenches, and I swear when my brother is trying to tough guy someone, he looks so much like Dad, it’s almost scary. “Whatever. Seriously, man, you know what you’re getting into with her? She’s a fucking handful.”
“I’ve got big hands.” Logan grins.
“Yeah, you do,” I add, and Killian’s face goes from joking to disgusted in a flash.
Serves him right.
“Listen.” Logan slides his hand to my hip, and for a split second, I wish it was under the silk instead of over it. “I get it. I have a sister, and I’d be pissed if she brought home some guy we didn’t know. Hell, we’d be pissed if she brought anyone home. So I really get it.”
“I don’t know you, man. And I don’t trust people I don’t know,” Killian argues, and that idea about kicking his shin rears its ugly head again.
“Then it’s a good thing I trust him,” I snap, already over this.
“Listen. I love you, big brother, but I still have to deal with Mom and Dad and the uncles and probably an aunt or ten. And in case you didn’t notice, I was basically about to jump my husband before you came over here and interrupted us.
So get over this pissing contest you’re currently taking part in and realize you’ve lost. You don’t own me.
” I look over my shoulder at a smiling Logan. “And neither do you.”
“Never said I did, Olive.” He winks, and his dimple pops, and I really, really want to run my lips over that dimple. “I know better.”
“Go make the rounds, Killian. See your friends. Do your thing and get the hell out of my hair so I can do the same. Okay?” I might be the little sister, but I will never be made to feel small or protected.
I didn’t like it when I was a teenager, and I certainly don’t like it now that I’m a grown woman.
“You can’t even let me scare him a little?” Killer whines, actually fucking whines, and not for the first time, I wonder how grown men who train to beat people for a living are petrified of my brother.
“For fuck sake, Kill, he’s not scared. He skates on a piece of steel an eighth of an inch thick that’s as sharp as a damn knife.
He’s as big as you and as strong as you and as loyal as you.
He hasn’t moved an inch, and the only reason he’s standing behind me is because his dick is hard. Now. Back. Off.”
“What the fuck. Olivia . . . I don’t need to know that shit.
Seriously.” Killian’s previously red face takes on a green tint.
“Good luck, man. If you make it to Thanksgiving, I owe you a drink.” He pounds Logan’s shoulder as he walks off, and I contemplate the consequences of leaving now.
Avoiding the headache that’s still to come and jumping right to the point where I try to seduce my husband again and hope this dress might have done its job and weakened his resistance.
Logan lowers his head, his warm breath skimming the shell of my ear. “You like the shock factor, don’t you, Olive?”
“My family has always tried to place me in a box. Little sister. Youngest daughter. They think I need to be protected. That it’s their job.
But I don’t. One day, they’ll realize I’m capable of protecting myself.
And if reminding them I’m a grown woman—with a brain and a career and a home and now a family of her own—every once in a while, in a way they might not want to think of me, gets them to back the hell off, then so be it. ”
“Such a vicious little thing.” He kisses my temple and I’m pretty sure sniffs my hair. “Now introduce me to your uncles.”
“Why? Feel like going through that exact same conversation again? They’re going to pull the same shit as Killian just did.
There’ll just be more of them ganging up on you.
And knowing my mom and her siblings’ strangely codependent relationships, they probably already know we’re married, even though we asked her not to say anything.
It’s like they just can’t help themselves. ”
“No, Liv. I don’t particularly feel like being threatened again, but it’s a small price to pay.” He offers me his arm.
“To pay for what?” I ask as I link my arm through his, bracing for the inevitable impact of the Kingston siblings.
“To dance with my wife. Let’s go get this over with.”
“So . . .” I ask after dinner when Logan finally pulls me against him on the dance floor much, much later that night. “You decide I’m not worth the hassle yet?”
“Why?” He spins us around so my back is to my family and my focus is finally on only him. “You’ve known me for over a decade, Olivia. Have I ever given you the impression I give up easily?”