Entwined with You(81)

“I’m trying to settle her down, but I need you to promise me that she’s not going to get in between us.”


“I won’t let her. And you’re not going to worry about Brett.”


It took him a few seconds, but he finally said, “I’ll worry, but I’ll handle it.”


I could tell it wasn’t an easy concession for him to make.


His lips thinned. “I have to go deal with Christopher. Are we okay?”


Nodding, I said, “I’m good. You?”


“As long as Kline doesn’t kiss you.” The warning was clear in his voice.


“Same goes.”


“If he kisses me, he’s getting decked.”


I laughed. “You know what I meant.”


He caught my hand and rubbed his thumb over my ring. “Crossfire.”


My heart hurt in the best way. “Love you, too, ace.”


BRETT disengaged from his fans and headed over to the tent, looking grim.


“Having fun yet?” I asked him, hoping to keep him feeling positive.


“He wants you back,” he said bluntly.


I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”


“If you’re going to give him a second chance, I should get one, too.”


“Brett—”


“I know it’s tough with me being on the road—”


“And based in San Diego,” I pointed out.


“—but I can make it out here often enough and you can always meet up with me, see some new places. Plus, the tour ends in November. I can come stay out here for the holidays.” He looked at me with those green eyes of his, and the attraction hummed between us. “Your dad’s still in SoCal, so you’ve got more than one reason to come out.”


“You’d be reason enough. But, Brett … I don’t know what to say. I’m in love with him.”


He crossed his arms and looked exactly like the wickedly delicious bad boy he was. “I don’t care. It’s not going to work out for you with him, and I’ll be around, Eva.”


Staring at him, I realized nothing would convince him but time.


Brett stepped closer, then reached out to run his hand down my arm. He stood over me, his body curved into mine. I remembered other times we’d stood like this, the moments right before he pressed me back against something and f*cked me hard.


“It’s only going to take once,” he murmured in my ear, his voice sinful as always. “One time inside you and you’ll remember how it is between us.”


I swallowed past a dry throat. “That’s not going to happen, Brett.”


His mouth curved in a slow smile, revealing that decadent dimple. “We’ll see about that.”


“I can’t believe they’re so much hotter in person,” Ireland said, looking over at where the guys were doing their prelaunch interview with the TV show host. “You, too, Cary.”


He smiled, his teeth dazzlingly white. “Well, thank you, darlin’.”


“So …” She looked at me with those blue eyes that were so like Gideon’s. “You used to date Brett Kline?”


“Not really. Honestly, we just used to mess around.”


“Did you love him?”


I thought about that for a minute. “I think I was close, maybe. I could have fallen in love with him under different circumstances. He’s a great guy.”


Her lips pursed.


“What about you?” I asked. “Are you seeing anyone?”


“Yes.” Her lips twisted ruefully. “I really like him—a lot—but it’s weird, because he can’t let his parents know he’s dating me.”


“Why not?”


“His grandparents lost most of their money to that scheme Gideon’s dad ran.”


My gaze went to Cary, whose brows were lifted above the line of his shades.


“That’s not your fault,” I said, angry on her behalf.


“Rick says his parents think it’s ‘convenient’ that Gideon is so rich now,” she muttered.


“Convenient? They think it’s convenient?”


“Angel.”


I turned around at the sound of Gideon’s voice, not having realized he’d come up behind me. “What?”


He just stared at me. I was irritated enough that it took me a minute to note the hint of a smile on his face.


“Don’t start,” I told him, narrowing my gaze in warning. I turned back to Ireland. “Tell Rick’s parents to look up the Crossroads Foundation.”


“If you’re done being offended for my sake,” Gideon said, coming up so close behind me that he brushed up against me, “they’re about five minutes from starting the video.”


My gaze searched out Brett, who’d rejoined the crowd, and found him waving me over.


I looked at Cary.


“Go on,” he said with a jerk of his chin. “I’ll hang here with Ireland and Cross.”