Touched by Corrine Jackson Page B

My own car is a manual transmission, and I’d be glad to come to the aid of a damsel in distress.”
    Who said things like that? He smiled, turning the full force of his charm on me, and I bet his technique had worked in the past, if the string of his Sorori-toys were anything to judge by. I thought, Shark! I grinned up at Gabe showing all my teeth in my best impression of the carnivorous animal he channeled. He frowned as if I’d frustrated him.
    “Thanks for the offer, Gabe, but—”
    “But Remy already asked me.” Asher gave his brother a warning look.
    Gabe’s shrugged. “Didn’t hurt to try, bro.” He winked at me before leaving, and his rich voice threatened, “See you later, Remy.”
    I watched him stride away—really, he was a lovely shark—until Asher’s tapping fingers threatened to bore a hole in the tabletop. Twisting about, I observed how close we sat. My face was inches from his, and his breath fanned my cheek. I scooted my chair back so I could think without the spicy scent of him filling my head. I wondered what he was so upset about. It’s not like we’re dating.
    Asher’s smile turned grim. “Go ahead and shrug, Remy.”
    I’d been about to do just that, but the dare implicit in his voice had me rolling my shoulders as if my intent had been to ease tight muscles in my back.
    “So, when’s my first lesson, Teach?” I asked.
    The tension in Asher’s body lessened as he blew out a breath, ruffling the hair on his forehead. I fought the urge to run my fingers through it. “Sorry about that. Gabe wanted to get under my skin, and it worked.”
    “No! Really? And here I thought two of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen were going to throw down over me.” There was no missing the sarcasm in my voice.
    “You think I’m hot?” he said, with a laugh.
    He looked pleased by the idea, and I rolled my eyes. “Like you don’t know you’re good looking.”
    “I don’t care about that kind of thing, but I’m absurdly glad you think so.”
    This fact seemed to annoy him. He stared into the distance, frowning, and I decided to change the subject. “Do you and your brother not get along?”
    “We do, actually. From time to time, we happen to disagree on some things.”
    Curious, I asked, “Like what?”
    “Like you.”
    My voice reached a high-pitched squeak. “Me? Your brother never even noticed me before today.”
    Asher stole my soda and took a long sip. “Remind me to show you those pictures from the beach.” Before I could process that he’d developed the photos and kept them, he added, “Gabe noticed you about five minutes after I noticed you. He’s biding his time.”
    “For what?” Asher didn’t respond, and a second later the answer occurred to me. My nose wrinkled. “Did you call dibs on me?”
    “I wouldn’t put it quite like that, but yes. I told him to stay away from you.”
    I wasn’t angry in the least. I should have been, but I felt a warm glow of pleasure instead. “Why would you do that?”
    One strong hand slid close to mine where it rested on the table until I could feel the heat from the tips of his fingers. A scarred brow arched as he eyed me with cool arrogance.
    “Oh.” My traitorous hand tingled, and I sat on it to stop the sensation.
    A knowing smile curved his mouth. “Yeah. Oh.”
    “So, what was today about? Have you decided to make your move?”
    Green flames burned from his eyes. “Is that what you want?”
    Every nerve screamed, Yes! and I shifted in my seat. My heart galloped around the track in my chest, but I hesitated, remembering how he’d tested my defenses. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
    He sighed. “I’m not sure of anything. Except that I could hurt you.”
    “Back at you,” I answered without hesitation.
    Asher looked frustrated. “Remy, don’t be foolish. You have no idea what you’re dealing with. Who you’re dealing with.”
    I snorted. “And you know everything there is to know about me?”
    He bowed his