He wrapped her in an enormous bear hug that Pepper returned wholeheartedly. She squeezed him tight, her head barely poking up high enough to be seen. Yet the minx still had the audacity to make an “oh my God, ouch” face at Jack over her brother’s shoulder.
Since the whole point of her staying at his place had been to avoid causing bloodshed, Jack let the moment go. But he added her current mischief to the list he was making. The one for which he was going to extract revenge for every single moment of suffering.
He intended to get payment in full.
“Welcome home,” Jack offered, rising to his feet.
She had to have a death wish. The exasperating woman let go of Parker and danced across the room, damn near diving at Jack so he was forced to catch her. Her body slammed into his, leaving no opportunity to hide the instantaneous response she pulled from him every single time.
“So good to see you again, Jack.” She clung on tight like a monkey, and he debated which of his two first responses would get him in less trouble. Peel her off immediately and make Parker wonder why he was acting like she had cooties. Or he could let her remain Velcro’d against him and let her discover that the longer she wiggled, the harder his cock got.
The thick length was no longer a subtle thing between them.
Surprisingly, it was Pepper who gave the solution to his dilemma, dropping her feet to the ground and easing her body away. And strangely, there was a hint of something in her eyes that was more than just the mischief he’d become accustomed to seeing far too often.
“I’m glad you made it home safe. Mom and Dad sent word that we’re having a family barbecue next weekend to celebrate.” Parker returned to his chair, his grin still wide.
Pepper twisted in his direction but stayed close by Jack’s side. Close enough he caught a whiff of the scent of the body wash she’d used in the shower that morning, and he shifted to a different position and willed his cock to ease the hell off.
“I told them I thought it was a great idea. Not just as a welcome home, but because I still need to meet Lynn.”
Parker’s grin got even wider. “You’re going to love her.”
“You love her, big bro, and that’s good enough for me.” Pepper hauled a chair over and swung it around, throwing her leg over to straddle the seat. She rested her arms on the chair back, the long black strands of her hair hanging over one shoulder. “So, what’s the news? I’ve got a ton of things to do, and I only have wheels for a short while.”
“I can help you find a—”
She waved a hand. “Talk, talk, talk. We’ll discuss that at the barbecue, or is that why you called me over?” Pepper tilted her chin down, suddenly serious. “You didn’t buy me a car already, did you?”
“Of course not.” Parker looked indignant. He slid some papers across the desk. “Here’s what we need your help with for the next month.”
Her relaxed body language vanished, and she sat up straighter, as if a pole had sprouted through her spine. “What do you mean, ‘need my help with’? Is this like, ‘hey, sis, good to have you home and can you help with some things around the house?’ Or are we talking something a little more formal?”
She stood up and grabbed the papers, a crease deepening on her forehead as she shuffled through them.
“It’s for DreamMakers.” Parker didn’t seem to be aware of the warning signs Pepper was giving off. Or maybe after a week of living with her, Jack had clued in to spotting when her pressure points began to build up steam. “Those are your first assignments.”
Pepper didn’t say anything, and that was scarier than anything that had happened to this point.
Parker carried on, unaware he was adding fuel to the fire. “The most immediate priorities are the promotional materials, then we will definitely need your expertise when it comes to the end-of-summer gala. We’ve never organized anything of that magnitude before, so having you on board is perfect timing.”
“Isn’t it just?” Pepper purred, her voice going sickly sweet.
Jack backed up slightly, wondering if it would be too obvious if he crossed his arms over his groin and covered his balls.
But even as the imminent shit-storm gathered power, there was another emotion itching up his spine. The fighting between these two—that part Jack had not missed. Not one fucking bit.
In the land of the clueless, Parker was living high and mighty. Jack’s best friend frowned. “Isn’t it?”
“I’m busy.” Pepper threw the papers back on the desk.
Parker opened and closed his mouth a few times before tossing her a glare of doom. “You don’t want to start right away? I thought you wasted enough time on your road trip that by now you’d be happy to have some money coming in, or were you planning on sponging off Mom and Dad for the next—”
“Fuck you, too, brother.” Pepper folded her arms over her chest and glared laser beams at him.