She leaned closer. “Any ideas?”
Amusement lit his eyes as he laughed softly. “Give me a little time, but I’m sure I can come up with something before he gets back.”
Julie nodded. Nervous energy gripped her. While part of her was ready to go for broke, she wasn’t sure what would happen when she came face-to-face with Tommy. A part of her was worried she’d chicken out in fear of him storming off again. She didn’t know if she could handle him winding her up so tight, and then just leaving. As secure as she was with herself and her body, having a man jump off her and bolt from the room in horror was a blow to the self-confidence.
“I’m getting thirsty. You mind if I grab a drink?” Brody asked.
“Oh my God. I’m being a terrible hostess. What would you like?”
When she started to rise, he shook his head and stood. “No. I’ll get it. Want anything while I’m up?”
“Water would be nice. Thank you.”
He smiled and went into the kitchen.
She sat back against the cushions. If she wanted to push Tommy, what would be the best way to go about it? He seemed freaked out about touching her, or even being near her at this point. How would she be able to start anything if he refused to get close? She’d just have to play it by ear. Not her usual method of doing things, and definitely outside her comfort zone, but she did need to learn to relax and go with the flow.
Brody returned, carrying two glasses of Merlot. As he handed her one, he said, “For some liquid courage.”
Chuckling, she smiled. “Good idea.”
As Julie took a long swallow of the drink, Brody sat next to her on the couch and placed his glass on the coffee table. “How’s the back feeling?”
“Much better. A little sore, but I can feel like this from raking leaves.”
“So you’re moving okay now? No catches or anything?”
“Nope.”
“Absolutely sure?”
“Yeah. Why—”
A key jingled in the door.
Brody met her gaze with a wink. “Okay, now don’t get pissed.”
She frowned. “What are you—”
As the door opened, Brody lunged on top of her, pushing her back against the cushions, his chest pressed against hers, lips latched onto hers. She was so stunned she froze, hands on his shoulder, vaguely aware of the roar that came from the background. One moment Brody was laying on top of her, the next Tommy had hurled him across the room by the back of the shirt. He advanced on the man, all raged out, hands clenched at his sides.
“I told you if you laid another fucking hand on her, I’d make sure you’d never enter the cage again.”
Brody pushed to his feet. “And I said you’d better claim her quick, then, didn’t I? Since you called me, I figured that was you telling me she was free for the taking.”
Julie gaped. When had this conversation happened? Really, she should get up and stop this nonsense, but she was completely captivated by what was unfolding in front of her. No man had ever been this furious over another man touching her—especially not Tommy—and it was…okay, it was absolutely thrilling to watch.
“Julie is not an object you can just take, asshole.”
A smug smile came to Brody’s face. “No. But she’s a woman I can take—over and over again, and she’ll enjoy every fucking second of it.”
The punch snapped Brody’s head to the side. So much for thrilling. Julie shot to her feet, clapping her hands over her mouth. “Tommy! No!”
Brody slowly brought his head back around, used his thumb to wipe away the blood on his bottom lip as he regarded Tommy, who was so enraged the cords in his throat strained against the tension encasing his entire body. She’d seen him like this once before. The night he punched Ethan’s son. That had been over her, too—she just hadn’t known it at the time.
“Get the fuck out of this house.”
Brody glanced over at her. “Jules?”
When Tommy shifted forward like he was going to attack again, Julie quickly said, “I think you’d better go, Brody.”
Scowling, he glared between her and Tommy. “Fine.”
All tense, he spun toward the door, but before he stalked forward, he sent her a conspiratorial wink, and then left. Crazy man.
“Tom—”
Before she had time to get out his entire name, he was across the room with his mouth crushed to hers.
Fire swept through her instantly, pooling low in her gut. Any lingering worries about them, the consequences, him bolting, vanished. Only one thing was clear.
She had to have him.
His tongue sailed into her mouth, his fingers biting into her hips as he forced her to walk backward.