And he couldn’t say he minded.

He had to think seriously about her question, too. Because there was definitely something to the fact that the men around here didn’t understand how damned beautiful Jamie Dodge was.

But he did.

Of course, there was also something to be the envy of every man in the bar. And Gabe had never minded that.

“Not upset. Just as long as they look and don’t touch.”

“That’s kind of possessive,” she said.

“I’m feeling a little possessive.”

She clicked her tongue, her eyes darting every which way, before settling at his throat. “Well, I might be in the mood to be possessed.”

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to expect a kiss.”

“I want to,” she said.

“We should maybe talk to Wyatt before we go making out in front of him, don’t you think?”

“He can handle it,” she said.

And without another word she stretched up and pressed a kiss to his neck. He groaned, fire moving through his veins.

Just then, Laz walked up to the bar, and Gabe fired off a rapid order, making sure that he chose damn expensive whiskey, because Jamie had just announced to her big brother that Gabe was sleeping with her, so Gabe figured getting Wyatt buzzed on some of the good stuff couldn’t hurt.

As they headed back to the table, the drinks on their way, it occurred to Gabe that it was probably also helpful that Wyatt’s wife, Lindy, was sitting right next to him, her hand on his forearm.

Wyatt probably wouldn’t get in a brawl with Lindy there.

Wyatt’s gaze lingered on his sister for a moment before traveling back to Gabe. He cleared his throat. “I’d like a word with you,” he said to Gabe.

Jamie went stiff behind Gabe.

“It’s fine,” Gabe said, patting Jamie’s hand. He stood, and Wyatt followed suit, gesturing toward the door. Gabe followed him outside onto the sidewalk, unbearably conscious of the fact that it was right around the corner that he had first kissed the other man’s sister.

“Look, it’s obvious that you have something going on with Jamie, and I don’t need to have the details. Any more than she needs to have the details about my life. I had a talk with her a little bit ago, and I realized some things. I’ve babied her when it made me feel like I was protecting her. But I’m not sure that I ever really took care of her. I let her pretend that she was fine when I know that she wasn’t. I took care of her like she was a brother. Until I wanted to get overprotective on her like she was a little sister. That wasn’t right. And yeah, I was up in her face about you, and all of that. But I can’t... I left. I went into the rodeo, and I didn’t look back. I was so mired in my own shit that I didn’t care that I left her behind. I can’t be overprotective now. So look, whatever’s happening between you two, you don’t have to hide it. I mean, you’re not doing a good job of it if that was your goal.”