Read Online Rough and Ready [Men for Hire 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Jane Jamison - Free Book Online Page A

see action this time.”
    He did hug her then, scooping her into his arms before she could resist him. “Thanks, sis. I knew you’d believe in me.”
    I want to. Oh, how I want to believe.
    She tried to bite back the question pushing to get out of her mouth…and failed. “Avery, are you in trouble again?”
    He hesitated a moment too long. “Naw, sis.”
    Yet her gut told her something altogether different. “Avery, now’s the time to tell me.”
    “Am I interrupting something?”
    Kane’s sudden appearance behind her brother had her shoving Avery away.
     
    * * * *
     
    Who the hell is this guy?
    The jealousy tearing a hole in Kane’s gut was an unfamiliar sensation. He’d had his fair share of girlfriends in the past, but he’d never really cared about them. Not enough to get upset when he saw them with another guy.
    “Kane, you’re here.”
    He didn’t like the man’s smile. It was big and bright, just like Jeff’s. Yet, unlike Jeff’s, this guy’s smile held an edge to it. He kept his gaze on him even as he answered Alex. “Yeah. We have a date, remember?”
    He didn’t like the surly tone to his words, but he couldn’t help it. Wasn’t it bad enough that he had to compete with Jeff for Alex? He didn’t like the idea of having another man join the mix. And an outsider at that.
    “Sure I remember.” She moved closer then turned back toward the other guy. “Kane, this is—”
    “We’re late.” Kane snagged her arm and tugged her along with him, out the front door and toward his pickup.
    They were halfway there when she yanked her arm out of his hold. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
    He growled, which was better than what he really wanted to do. If he’d had his way, he would’ve ripped the man’s head off.
    When had a woman ever elicited such an extreme reaction from him? He wasn’t sure he liked it. But he wasn’t sure he didn’t, either.
    “Like I said, we’re late.”
    “To a town-wide barbecue? I didn’t know that kind of thing had a strict arrival time.”
    The dark-haired man had followed them out the doorway, but had stayed on the porch.
    At least he has enough smarts not to get in between me and my woman.
    My woman?
    When had he ever thought that about anyone before? And yet, it felt right. If he had his way, she’d be his woman.
    “I just want to get going. Is that okay?” He slid his gaze to the man as he strode toward them.
    “No. Maybe it’s not.” Alex took a step farther away from him.
    Crap. Don’t blow it now. “I’m sorry, Alex. But can we leave? Now?”
    “Alex, can we finish up before you take off?”
    Kane tapped down the urge to tell the man to get lost. Among other things.
    Alex turned toward the guy then pulled him into an embrace. The affectionate gesture almost tore Kane’s heart out. Had he already missed his chance with her?
    “Sure. Why don’t you go back inside and ask Daisy to give you a key to my room. Either that or you could come with us.”
    Kane couldn’t believe his ears. Had she just invited another man along on their date? After giving him permission to go into her room?
    “Uh, no thanks. I don’t think your friend wants me tagging along.”
    Again the man showed that he was intelligent.
    “Kane, you don’t mind, do you?”
    Hell, yes, I mind . Instead, he said the expected thing. “Course not. The more the merrier.”
    Alex cast him a look, noting that she’d heard the growl in his tone.
    The man’s smile was back, brighter than ever as he stuck out his hand. “I think maybe you’ve got the wrong idea about me. I’m Avery Martin. I’m Alex’s brother.”
    The relief that swamped Kane almost brought him to his knees. “Her brother.” He’d said the words not so much as a question, but to have them resonate in his mind.
    “That’s right.” She tilted her head at him. “Who did you think he was?”
    “Your brother. Sure, of course.” Kane took in the physical similarities that he’d missed