Truly Madly Deeply Boxed Set(128)

“Mike...”

“I know you’re my brother and she’s your ex, but I’d appreciate it if you’d take your hands off her.” The cool control in Mike’s voice startled her.

Peter obeyed his command, releasing her immediately. No doubt it was the shock of Mike’s sudden appearance that had him responding so quickly. Taking advantage, she took a few steps backward.

Peter’s gaze ping-ponged from Carly to his brother. Mike stood, arms crossed over his bare chest. Fresh from a shower, his hair was damp and his jeans were zipped but unbuttoned. He looked settled and comfortable, a man who had a rightful place in her home.

The intimacy of the situation couldn’t have escaped Peter. “Well,” he said, “I see I’m not the only one who was fooled.” The hurt in his voice was unmistakable. “While I was working, giving you free rein over my fiancée, you took advantage.” He glared at his brother.

“It wasn’t like that,” Carly said, hoping to prevent irreparable harm between Mike and Peter.

“Are you telling me looks are deceiving?” He pinned her in place with a narrow stare.

“Yes.” Carly glanced down at her bare legs. “I mean no.” She threw up her hands in despair. “Nothing happened until after I got up here.”

Peter laughed aloud. “I’m not that big a fool. At least you could have been honest about why you broke up with me.” He turned toward Mike. “And you...”

Mike stepped toward his brother. “She’s telling the truth.”

“And why should I believe you?”

Mike groaned.

“Because he’s your brother,” Carly said. “And the only real family you have.”

“Which is why he should have kept his damn hands to himself.”

Carly drew a controlling breath. Until Mike, she had thought the devastating results of her father’s affair spoiled the possibility of her enjoying a passionate, emotional relationship. He’d begun to make her believe otherwise, but she saw now that she had been right all along.

She had succumbed to her feelings for Mike. They had crossed the line, and if he had jeopardized his fraternal relationship as a result she would never forgive herself.

“Talk,” she pleaded, attempting to reach both brothers. “You’re family. Nothing is more important than that. Especially not me.” She gave Mike a lingering glance before walking out the door.


* * *

Mike watched Carly’s retreating form. He was glad she had the sense to leave before that shirt lifted any higher. With one hand, he gave his brother a shove between the shoulder blades and pointed toward the kitchen table and chairs. “Sit.”

Peter glared before answering. “I’m going. Relax,” he muttered.

Mike settled himself in a chair and waited for Peter to join him, using the time to pull himself together. His brother had every right to feel angry, hurt and betrayed.

Mike’s irrational jealousy the moment he’d seen Peter’s hand on Carly’s shoulder had only made a bad situation worse. He glanced at his brother. “She’s right, you know.”

“About what?”

“We’re brothers,” Mike said.

“That sure as hell didn’t stop you from making a move,” Peter said.

Mike slammed his hand on the table. “It sure as hell did!”

Stunned silence followed Mike’s statement. He cursed his lack of tact, knowing he’d given his brother more information than he was probably ready to handle. Having an affair with another woman or not, ego was involved here as well as trust.

“You said you came up here on assignment.” Peter waited.

Mike assumed his brother expected him to dispute that fact. “I am on assignment. Finished this morning.” But Mike wasn’t about to admit he’d handpicked the location of the assignment or the reason for his choice. “Look, Pete...”

“Forget it. From where I sit, things are pretty damn obvious. I’m just amazed I didn’t see it sooner.” Pete leaned back in his seat, not defeated but accepting.

“See what?”

“You really care for her.” He shook his head, his expression one of pure amazement. “And all this time I thought you were doing me a favor by hanging around her and helping her out.”

“Of course I care about her, Pete.” But he wasn’t surprised that his brother hadn’t known it. “You have tunnel vision. What’s important to you and nothing else.”

Pete had the grace to look ashamed. “I need to work on that.”

Mike burst out laughing. He was surprised that his brother had bothered to drive up here, or to look deeper than his ego now. “Don’t worry. There’s hope for you.”