Going back to leaning on the railing, he clenched his jaw shut so tightly that his teeth ached. Who was that tool talking to her, coaxing her off the bench? Robby? Bobby? Some dickhead name like that?
Whoever he was, he reached up, placed his hands on her hips, and lifted her down onto the floor. Her soft laugh travelled across the deck, and every muscle in Chase’s body locked up.
“What crawled up your ass, bro?” Chandler demanded.
Chase ignored him, unable to look away from the situation unfolding before him.
His oldest brother followed his gaze and chuckled. “What is little Maddie up to over there?”
“Nothing but trouble,” Chase muttered.
Chandler laughed. “She’s just having fun. There’s nothing wrong with her dancing with some guy.”
He so did not agree.
“She ain’t a kid anymore,” Chandler added, like Chase needed help realizing that.
Anger pricked at him. “She doesn’t even know that guy.”
“So?” And then he seemed to understand. “Aw, man, you’ve got to be shitting me.”
Chase’s head whipped toward his brother. Any other man would’ve cowered away from the dangerous look on his face, but not his brother. Nothing scared Chandler. “What?”
“Don’t even try to pretend.” Chandler shook his head and then laughed. “You’ve got it bad for Maddie.”
He scowled. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit.” Chandler propped his hip against the railing and glanced over his shoulder. “Mitch will probably beat the shit out of you.”
Like I don’t know that already, but thanks for pointing it out. Chase’s gaze swung back to Maddie. There was still some space between her and the tool, but she was smiling at the guy—the kind of smile that was innocent and sexy as hell all at the same time, and Chase’s gut clenched.
Chandler clasped his shoulder. “But I think after he knocked the crap out of you, he’d probably thank you.”
Doubtful. “For what?”
His brother stared back at him like Chase was an idiot. “Maddie could end up with someone worse.”
“Wow. Thanks.” A wry grin tugged at his lips.
“You know what I mean. Once he gets over the idea of you and her, he’d be more than happy about it. He knows you. Trusts you.”
Yeah, and that was the bitch of it. Mitch trusted Chase, so doing anything with Maddie was spitting in Mitch’s face, ’cause there was no doubt in Chase’s mind things would end badly. “Yeah, it’s not going to happen,” he said finally.
Chandler was quiet for a long moment as his gaze fixed on the swaying grape trees. “You want to tell me why?”
“Do I need to?”
There was another pause and then, “I just don’t get it. Maddie has always loved you—don’t give me that look. Everyone knows it.” His brother flashed a rare grin. “You two would be good together—she would be good for you.”
He refused to even think about that.
“And you’re good enough for her,” his brother added quietly.
Chase thrust a hand through his hair. “Why are we having this conversation? Hell, if anything, her brother should be taking her little ass back to her cabin before she gets into trouble with what’s-his-dick.”
Chandler chuckled. “Looks like Mitch is taking his fiancée out behind the bushes.”
And hell if Mitch wasn’t, not that he could blame him. Chase blew out a long breath, considered heading back to the cabin…or sleeping in the car for the night. It was getting late and standing here, watching her—
Maddie’s laughter rang out like wind chimes as she was lifted into the air, wineglass long forgotten. The guy had his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
And that was it.
Chase stopped thinking. Pushing off the railing, he barely registered his brother said something taunting to his retreating back as Chase prowled across the deck and came up behind the guy, ignoring his brother’s distant laughter.
For a moment, the two before Chase didn’t seem to notice him, but then Maddie’s glossed over gaze drifted beyond the guy’s shoulder. The tool stiffened and then turned around. One look at Chase’s face struck the idiot speechless. Good.
“Maddie,” Chase said, voice surprisingly calm. “It’s time to go back.”
She stared at him, her cheeks flushed prettily. “Why?”
His look should have said he really didn’t need to explain but it was obvious she just wasn’t seeing things clearly. “I seriously think it’s time to call it a night.”