Chapter 3 - The Mysterious Brother

Avery

Today was finally the weekend, the day I was supposed to be meeting Chase’s dad with Chase.

My suitcase stood beside me while I waited at Dallas airport, and for some reason, I couldn't stop feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. I had actually chosen to go to Dallas with Chase instead of following my mother to another wedding, which still sounded ridiculous whenever I thought about it. But after everything that had happened, I wanted to see where this was going.

I was still thinking about it when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and opened his message, expecting something sweet, but my expression immediately fell.

I’m sorry I won’t be picking you up at the airport. I sent someone. Piper and I made up, and I have to show her around Dallas. Let’s go out later.

I stared at the message, reading it twice just to make sure I hadn't misunderstood.

Piper.

Of course.

I rolled my eyes and let my head fall back against the chair. Piper was Chase's first love, the girl who had broken his heart when they were thirteen. I still remembered him coming to me in tears back then, and I had stayed beside him, comforting him while secretly wishing he would look at me the way I looked at him.

Then, at sixteen, they got back together, only for Chase to discover she had been talking to someone else. That was when something in him changed. After that, he stopped taking relationships seriously and became the Chase everyone knew now—the charming hockey player who never seemed to run out of girls.

And now, after all these years, Piper was back in his life again. I stared at my suitcase and sighed. “Seriously?” I muttered. “I came all the way here for this?” Suddenly, the bags I'd been so excited to carry felt heavier, and I couldn't help wondering why I'd been stupid enough to expect him to put me first for once.

A low engine suddenly caught my attention. I looked up and saw a motorcycle approaching, its deep rumble cutting through the noise around the airport. The bike stopped a short distance from me, and the man riding it climbed off before removing his helmet.

My eyes immediately went to his face, and I froze for half a second. His eyes were striking, one a deep blue and the other a warm brown, the unusual combination making his stare almost impossible to ignore. He was dressed in black leather, his broad chest stretching beneath his jacket, his gloved hands gripping the helmet at his side. His gaze travelled over me before settling on my face.

“Are you Avery?”

I didn't answer immediately. I was too busy wondering who the hell this man was.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me for another second before nodding to himself. “You must be her.”

“Who are you?” I finally asked.

“Get on.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Excuse me?”

He gestured toward the motorcycle as though his instruction had been perfectly clear. “Get on.”

I looked around the airport, then back at him. “Mr. Man, who are you, and why are you suddenly asking me to get on your motorcycle?”

Amusement flickered across his face. He pulled out his phone and played a short recording of Chase's voice confirming that this man had been sent to pick me up.

The biker slipped his phone back into his pocket. “He sent me to pick you up. Now get on. Let's leave.”

I immediately called Chase to confirm everything before even considering getting on that motorcycle. Chase answered, laughed when I explained what had happened, and finally told me the man was his brother.

His brother? I stared at the biker again after ending the call, noticing the slight resemblance between them now that I knew. I had known Chase for seven years, and somehow I hadn't even known he had a brother.

“Why a motorcycle?” I asked, glancing at my luggage.

“It's the best for a ride,” he replied simply.

I frowned. “And my boxes?”

“They'll be delivered to your doorstep.”

Before I could protest again, he stepped forward, wrapped an arm around my waist, and lifted me onto the motorcycle.

“Hey! I can get on myself!”

“I don't have all day, darling.” he said simply.

I glared at him, completely annoyed.

He only smirked before climbing onto the bike behind me and reached for my hand, guiding it around his waist. The sudden contact made me stiffen. I tried to pull back, but he caught my hand and placed it against his waist again.

“You'll fall if you don't hold on.”

I swallowed, suddenly very aware of how close he was. His scent filled my senses. This scent... I knew it, but where?

I quickly looked away, annoyed by my own reaction.

I had expected the ride to be uncomfortable, but the moment we pulled away, the wind rushed against my face and the city seemed to blur around us. Despite myself, I found the experience strangely thrilling.

When we finally stopped, I climbed off and looked around, confused.

“Where's this?”

“You worry too much,” he said as he removed his gloves. My stupid eyes immediately caught the veins on his hands. “I didn't kidnap you. I'm just here for business.”

He walked toward the entrance without waiting for me, leaving me with no choice but to follow. I stepped inside and immediately stopped.

My eyes widened.

The store was filled with all kinds of adult toys and products, displayed openly across the shelves. Heat rushed into my face as I looked around, suddenly wondering why on earth Chase's brother had brought me here.

He glanced back at me and caught my expression.

A slow, amused smile appeared on his face.

“Never used these?”

Before I could answer, he reached toward one of the items, a faux-fur body duster, from the rack and picked it up, turning it over in his hand while watching me from the corner of his eye.

I stared at him, my face growing warmer by the second.

Then he stepped closer, holding the item near me with an expression that told me he was enjoying every second of my embarrassment.

He brushed it lightly against my thigh.

I immediately looked up at him, stunned.

His mismatched eyes held mine, and that faint smirk returned.

“Huh?” he asked.

I opened my mouth, but for once, I couldn't think of a single thing to say.