Tempting the Best Man (A Gamble Brothers Novel) (Entangled Brazen) by J. Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

he’d be more than happy about it. He knows you. Trusts you.”
    Yeah, and that was the bitch of it. Mitch trusted Chase, so doing anything with Maddie was spitting in Mitch’s face, ’cause there was no doubt in Chase’s mind things would end badly. “Yeah, it’s not going to happen,” he said finally.
    Chandler was quiet for a long moment as his gaze fixed on the swaying grape trees. “You want to tell me why?”
    “Do I need to?”
    There was another pause and then, “I just don’t get it. Maddie has always loved you—don’t give me that look. Everyone knows it.” His brother flashed a rare grin. “You two would be good together—she would be good for you.”
    He refused to even think about that.
    “And you’re good enough for her,” his brother added quietly.
    Chase thrust a hand through his hair. “Why are we having this conversation? Hell, if anything, her brother should be taking her little ass back to her cabin before she gets into trouble with what’s-his-dick.”
    Chandler chuckled. “Looks like Mitch is taking his fiancée out behind the bushes.”
    And hell if Mitch wasn’t, not that he could blame him. Chase blew out a long breath, considered heading back to the cabin…or sleeping in the car for the night. It was getting late and standing here, watching her—
    Maddie’s laughter rang out like wind chimes as she was lifted into the air, wineglass long forgotten. The guy had his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
    And that was it.
    Chase stopped thinking. Pushing off the railing, he barely registered his brother said something taunting to his retreating back as Chase prowled across the deck and came up behind the guy, ignoring his brother’s distant laughter.
    For a moment, the two before Chase didn’t seem to notice him, but then Maddie’s glossed-over gaze drifted beyond the guy’s shoulder. The tool stiffened and then turned around. One look at Chase’s face struck the idiot speechless. Good.
    “Maddie,” Chase said, voice surprisingly calm. “It’s time to go back.”
    She stared at him, her cheeks flushed prettily. “Why?”
    His look should have said he really didn’t need to explain but it was obvious she just wasn’t seeing things clearly. “I seriously think it’s time to call it a night.”
    Maddie pouted and then turned, searching for her glass. “It’s still early. And I’m not ready to go back. Bobby, did you see where I put my glass? It’s around here, I swear.”
    Her refusal must’ve given the little twerp courage because he planted himself in front of Maddie and Chase. “I’ll make sure she gets back to her room safely tonight.”
    “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
    Bobby-Dipshit held his ground while Maddie peered into the shadowy corners, searching for her lost glass. “She’s cool, man.”
    “She’s nothing to you.” Chase brushed past the guy, leaving him standing there with his ruined plans for the evening. No way in hell if he was alive and breathing was some guy like that going to end up making Maddie a one-night stand.
    Chase gently wrapped his fingers around Maddie’s arm and pulled her away from where a bottle of wine was chilling in ice. “Come on, let’s go back to our room.”
    He gave Bobby a pointed look, satisfaction settling in Chase’s belly as his words sunk in and Bobby’s eyebrows shot up, his hands raised in surrender as he backed away. Yeah, game over, asshole.
    She started to protest, but then she swayed way to the left, pressing her hand to her mouth and giggling. “I may be a little tipsy. Not too much, but I think I might be well on my way.”
    Chase arched a brow.
    Maddie giggled again as she peered up at him through thick lashes. “You look like you’ve sucked on something sour. What’s your problem? I was just dancing and…”
    “And what?” he growled lowly.
    She scrunched her nose. “Well, I was…huh, I don’t know.”
    He rolled his eyes. “Come on, let’s get you to