He hadn’t realized how much he’d come to rely on that smile of hers until it was gone. Until it all but vanished because of something he’d done. On Wednesday Emily’s sister Hope came out for lunch. Brand left the two women alone to hash out plans for their youngest sister Penny’s birthday party, sensing as always Hope’s underlying hostility toward him. Or was it simply mistrust? Toned, tanned and tattooed, Hope gave off a tough aura that Emily assured him hid a sweet-natured person. If Hope Irving had a sweet nature, she’d certainly never revealed it to Brand. Not that he deserved sweet, after what he’d done. He’d let Jet kiss him, had responded to it, had taken control of it and taken it further than it ever should have gone. He hadn’t seen the man in four years, yet just as he’d told Emily, it was like no time had passed. The feelings had returned in a rush, and the taste of Jet’s lips had intoxicated him, as it always had.
