“If Brandon doesn’t murder you for that outfit, your brother is going to,” MJ whispers to me as we take the food out back to the long picnic table.
“Ty, I can handle,” I say, looking nervously around me. I’ve lost sight of Brandon, and I don’t want him to hear me. “Baby-daddy, on the other hand, he’s an unknown quantity.” He seems more worked up than I thought he would get, but maybe the other night sent him over the edge.
“He’s liable to pop out an eyeball with the way he’s looking at you tonight. I hope you know what you’re doing, Dolly,” MJ says and winks at me. If anyone knows what a jealous man is like, it’s MJ. It took a while before Ty even let his men near their house. I know I have that streak in me, too. I just didn't think feeling all kinds of territorial was something Brandon would have done, but it looks like I might be wrong, and something about his jealousy is doing all kinds of wonderful things to me.
My skirt is loose at my hips, and it shows off an inch or so of my belly as I reach around the table to set plates. I have to bend over a lot to reach the other side, and my boobs are all over the place. I’m starting to think the top was a mistake when I turn, catching sight of Brandon. He’s standing in the shadows off to the side. His cheeks are flushed red, and he looks to be breathing hard, but otherwise he’s a statue, his eyes never leaving me.
Soon the crew shows up, and a few of them come and say hello. Most of them I know by name, having been around them for years now. One of the older guys comes up to give me a hug, but suddenly Brandon is in front of me, asking him a question about some sort of grain seed he thinks they should start using. He’s clearly making sure the man doesn’t get anywhere near me.
After that, Brandon isn’t more than an inch or two away from me. Every move I make, he’s stuck to my side, but never touching me. Everyone else seems to know to stay away from me. None of the men will meet my eyes anymore. Brandon might as well pee a circle around me, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. A part of me loves his jealousy and that he doesn’t want anyone near me, because hell, I don’t want any women near him either, but another part of me is getting mad. He doesn’t want to be with me, but he isn’t going to let me be with anyone? Not that I even want to be with someone. The thought of another man does nothing for me. In fact, it makes my heart ache just thinking it, but he doesn’t get to pull that crap.
Ty brings me out a beer, and he shares a look with Brandon. I take a drink and look between them, not understanding what’s happening. I know something is going on between them and it has something to do with me. I can feel it. I’m about to ask, when MJ comes out and announces it’s time to eat.
I go to take a seat at the other side of the table, wanting to get away from Brandon for a moment, but he grabs my elbow and steers me to the opposite end, away from the crew and next to MJ and Ty.
“Sit,” he says, and there’s an edge to his voice. Like if I don’t, there are going to be consequences.
“I think you’ve mistaken me for your horse,” I say, jerking my arm out of his grip and eyeing him. I walk to the other side of the table, but he’s by my side instantly, giving me no space.
It was a mistake to push him. His expression is full of fury. I can almost taste the anger rolling off him as he takes a step closer to me. I decide to try another tactic.
Softening my voice, I lean towards him so when I speak, only he can hear it. “You know, with all this attitude you’re giving me tonight, I’d say you’re either really hungry or really horny.”
He leans down so our noses are only an inch apart, and I know everyone is watching us. His breath hits my lips, and God help me and my hormones, because I want to grab a hold of him. My plan is definitely not working. Brandon is way more intense than I thought he would be. Gone is the mellow facade he once had, and the real him is bleeding through.
“Oh, it’s both, little lamb. And as soon as you’re fed, you’re going to get what you’ve been begging for.”
He grabs my elbow again and takes me back to my original spot and tells me to sit. This time I do what he says, feeling the throb between my legs agree with him.
Holy shit, did he mean what he said? My stomach quivers, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to eat now. Suddenly I want this whole dinner to be over so I can find out exactly what he means. I had no idea him bossing me around like that would turn me on. I should be pissed, telling him I’m going to shove my boot up his ass, but all I feel is need. Need so thick and overwhelming I don’t know what to do with it, so I just sit there trying to get myself back in control.