Any Way You Want It (Brand Clan #2)(24)

“Not tonight,” she said, wedging herself in the doorway so he couldn’t see inside the apartment. “We can talk tomorrow.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why not tonight?”

“Because I—”

“Zandra, I’m going to get some more wine.”

At the sound of Colin’s voice behind her, Remy’s expression darkened. “Who the hell is that?”

Bristling at his possessive tone, she snapped, “None of your damn business.”

As she moved to close the door, his arm shot out, quick as lightning. She gasped as he put his hand to the door and shoved it open, forcing her backward as he barged inside.

His eyes swept over the living room, homing in on the two wineglasses sitting on the coffee table. “You have company?”

She hated that his accusatory tone made her feel guilty, as if she’d been caught cheating.

She scowled. “As a matter of fact—”

She broke off as Colin returned from the kitchen holding the bottle of wine.

He pulled up short at the sight of Remy looming in the foyer. The look that came over his face reminded Zandra of someone who just realized that he’d wandered into the path of a grizzly bear.

Not only did Remy look capable of tearing Colin apart with his bare hands, Zandra knew he was.

Closing the door, she deliberately cleared her throat. “Remy, this is my new neighbor, Colin. He stopped by to introduce himself. Colin, I’d like you to meet Remy.”

The two men nodded tightly to each other, making no move to shake hands.

“Remy and I are old friends,” Zandra added to cover the tense silence.

Colin divided a speculative glance between them. “How old?”

Zandra met Remy’s simmering gaze. “I’ve known him since I was seven and he was ten.”

“Really?” Colin shot an incredulous look at Remy. “And you haven’t put a ring on her finger yet? What’s wrong with you, man?”

When Remy made a growling sound in his throat, Zandra put a hand to his rigid chest and smiled sweetly at Colin. “Would you excuse us for a minute?”

“Sure,” he agreed, green eyes glinting with amusement. “I’ll top off your glass while you’re gone.”

“Great. Thanks.”

Clenching a fistful of Remy’s shirt, Zandra led him from the room. As soon as they reached the kitchen, she jabbed a finger into his chest and hissed, “What the hell is your problem?”

He scowled. “I told you I needed to talk to you.”

“And I told you this wasn’t a good time for me.”

“Because of that guy?” he growled, jerking a thumb toward the living room. “He’s not even your type.”

“How the hell do you know what my type is? Besides, it’s none of your damn business!”

Remy’s nostrils flared. “So are you gonna sleep with him?”

Heat rushed to her face. “Like I said—”

“Because if not, you’d better hope he’s not out there slipping something into your damn drink.”

“Are you serious?” Zandra sputtered incredulously. “Do you realize you said practically the same thing to me the night I was leaving for my prom? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not seventeen anymore.”

“I know that,” he snapped.

“Coulda fooled me. Anyway, Colin doesn’t need to drug me to get me into bed.” She smirked. “You didn’t.”

Remy flinched, clenching his jaw so hard she thought his teeth would break.

“Now if you don’t mind,” she said levelly, “I’d like to get back to my guest. Feel free to see yourself out.”

As she turned and marched from the kitchen, Remy growled, “I’m staying.”

She whirled around. “No, you’re—”

“We need to talk.”

“Like I said before,” Zandra bit out, “we can talk tomorrow. I have company.”

“Then I’ll just wait until he leaves.” He shot her a dark look. “I’m not giving you another chance to blow me off like you did earlier.”

Zandra glared at him. He wanted to be a third wheel? Fine, she’d treat him like one.

As she returned to the living room, Colin glanced up from perusing the glossy pages of a coffee table book. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine,” she said brightly, rejoining him on the sofa.

He looked unconvinced. “Maybe I should just go. I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“You’re not causing any trouble,” she assured him. “Remy’s just being his usual overprotective self. Old habits die hard. Anyway, I want you to stay. I was enjoying your company.”

Colin smiled, looking pleased. “And I was enjoying yours.”

“Good.” She picked up her glass. “Now where were we?”

“I believe we were setting up our date for—” He broke off with a frown, watching as Remy sauntered into the living room swigging from a bottle of beer.

When he plopped down in a nearby chair and grabbed the remote control, Colin looked at Zandra and mouthed, Is he staying?

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, she mouthed back, Just ignore him.