Raw Desire by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

Jackson managed to smile. “Thanks.”
    Rob waved him away. “Don’t thank me yet. My little sister is a hard nut to crack.”
    â€œDon’t I know it. Appeal to her mercenary side. Tell her that everyone in town will be by to take a look at Ally, and that will increase her business.”
    â€œYeah, that might just do it.”
    Â 
    Jackson retreated, leaving Rob staring at the wall. He deserved Jackson’s wrath. He was behaving like an asshole. But he’d never been able to be cool around Ally; the fire between them, the closeness, the sense that they were meant to be together made that impossible. And it seemed that heat was still there.
    And Jackson’s reaction to his admission that he wouldn’t object if they both got to fuck Ally hadn’t been quite as enthusiastic as he’d hoped either. But then Jackson always kept his emotions to himself, and he hadn’t exactly said no.
    If Rob wanted to clear up the mysteries of the past, he had to stop leading with his dick and start using his supposedly firstclass brain. The least he could do was try and help Ally get a job. Then she might stick around until they sorted everything out.
    He put on his jacket and checked to make sure his radio was on. Midmorning, before the lunch rush, was a good time to call on Lauren at the diner. He shied away from the thought of what Lauren would make of his asking for a favor—for Ally of all people.
    When Rob came into the hallway, Jackson’s door was closed and he went past without knocking. He’d tell the front desk where he was going on his way out. It occurred to him that Jackson had spoken more this morning than he had in the last six months, and all on Ally’s behalf. Shit. Had Jackson realized that Ally was the woman he wanted? Was that why he’d been less than enthusiastic about Rob’s confession?
    Rob paused to consider. After he’d punched Jackson in the face, they’d ended up apologizing to each other and eventually had resumed their old relationship. But what if Jackson now wanted Ally all for himself?
    Rob found himself retracing his steps and knocking on Jackson’s door.
    â€œYeah?”
    He went in and shut the door. Jackson looked up from the report he was reading.
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œWhen I talked about us both having Ally”—Rob paused and Jackson groaned—“I should’ve asked you if you wanted her just for yourself.”
    â€œJeez, Rob. You’re making it sound like a done deal. She’s her own person. You’re not fucking God. Don’t you have to talk to Ally about this first?”
    Rob set his jaw. “I’m just trying to make sure we’re clear with each other.” He hesitated. “Do you want me to butt out?”
    â€œLike Ally would agree to that?”
    â€œHell, you’re the person she turned to when I let her down.” God, it was hard to say that, and impossible to look at Jackson.
    â€œRob.” Jackson sounded incredibly gentle. “If Ally wants us both, I’m more than okay with it. After the way I fucked up, it’s more than I ever imagined having a shot at. But it’s her decision, buddy, and let’s get real here—she’s unlikely to want to shack up with anyone in this town, especially you and me.”
    Rob nodded and turned to leave. For some reason, speaking at that point was not an option. With a sense that his life was getting way too complicated, Rob walked the short distance across town to Lauren’s diner and went in the back to the kitchen.
    Lauren was leaning against a countertop, eating an egg sandwich, her face flushed, her blond hair escaping the confines of her regulation hat. She was about a foot shorter than Rob and a lot curvier than Ally. He loved her to bits and she knew it.
    Her gorgeous smile flashed out. “Rob? What’s up?”
    He removed his sunglasses. “Can’t I just stop in to