He nodded. “After being grilled by Chris about his sister, I thought it wise to disappear for a while.”
Evan’s demeanor changed in a flash. The easygoing smile dissolved into a frown and he narrowed his eyes. Crossing his arms over his chest, he asked, “You hit on Jocelyn?”
Kai should have realized that Evan would see Jocelyn as a little sister. And now he had to contend with another inquisition. “Back off, bra. I was only admiring.”
Evan studied him for a moment and then nodded. “Okay. Well, just be careful there.”
Irritated, he took another swig of beer. “Christ, Chambers, let it go.”
Something passed in Evan’s eyes and then an understanding bloomed there. “Sorry. I thought you might be ready to start dating again.”
Jesus, he would never be able to live his relationship with Keisha down. Taking May’s worried pampering was bad enough, but having one of the guys act like that was beyond embarrassing. His tough-guy status had been demolished by one little messed-up woman.
Thankfully, his sister had good timing for once. “What the hell is going on in here? I thought you were getting the salad, but you seem to have taken up residence in the kitchen. And you,” she said pointing at Evan. “You’re late.”
Evan’s demeanor softened as he looked at May. If Kai had ever had any kind of reservations about their relationship, they would be blown out to sea by just that look. It said only one thing to him. Complete and utter devotion.
“Ah, but you love me,” Evan said as he walked toward her.
“Not that much,” she said, but there was little heat in her words.
Evan pulled her into his arms and gave her a loud smacking kiss on the lips. “Forgive me, darlin’.”
She sighed. “I guess I have to because I’m stuck with you. At least you arrived clean.”
He smiled. “As promised. What do you need me to do?”
“Go watch Grandpa. He’s already had too many beers and I have a feeling Micah might beat him over the head if he hits on Dee any more.”
He gave her another kiss, then slipped out the door.
“You having any problems with Chris?”
Kai shook his head as he opened the drawer and retrieved a spoon for the salad. “Just a jackass brother trying to warn me off his sister.” He smiled at her. “Been in his shoes before.”
She frowned at him and he could almost hear her brain working it through. “Who?”
He sighed. “Tommy Dixon.”
She made a face. “He was your best friend.”
“Was being the operative word. You don’t try and sleep with your best friend’s sister.”
She sighed. “He didn’t get anywhere.”
“Doesn’t matter. There is a code.”
She rolled her eyes. “Brothers are stupid.”
“You can say that again.” Jocelyn’s amused voice, laced with that thick New Orleans’ accent, filtered into the kitchen.
He looked over at her. A small smile played over her full, sensual lips and he found himself mesmerized by her unpainted mouth.
“I swear, I’m lucky I’m so smart or their stupidity would have rubbed off on me,” May said with a smile. “Having issues with the boss?”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Always. I was wondering if you need any help.”
May shook her head and walked toward her and slipped her arm over Jocelyn’s shoulders. It was funny looking because May was so much shorter than Jocelyn.
“One thing about brothers, since they’re so stupid, they tend to do what I tell them. Kai’s getting the rainbow salad. I want to get you in a corner and learn embarrassing things about Chris from his childhood. That way, I’ll have some leverage at work.”
Jocelyn laughed and the sound of it wrapped around him. Not a tinkle, but full bodied, seductive and downright arousing. He watched them walk out of the kitchen and his gaze roamed down Jocelyn’s back, to the fine ass. She was wearing jeans today and it did little to hide her curvy backside.
“Kai?” May asked.
He shook his head and pulled his attention away from Jocelyn’s ass.
“Coming.”
He just needed to remind himself she was off-limits. She didn’t need a man bothering her and he definitely didn’t need another heartbreak. The last one was enough to last him a lifetime.
Chapter Three
“I’m glad you liked the cookies.”
Kai smiled as he turned to face Jocelyn. “Not surprising since you graduated at the top of your class.”
She rolled her eyes. “How did you know that?”
He chuckled. “Chris. He brags a lot about you.”
Her smile faded and something he couldn’t discern moved over her face. “Yeah, well, I just wanted to be sure that you didn’t think I was rude the other night.”