Gage was sitting in the kitchen when Reid and his companion came inside, dragging their suitcases behind them. The woman – Reid had called her Addison, he was pretty sure – was offering to get Reid ice, but was being brushed off.

He listened as Reid climbed up the stairs and straight toward his old room. So maybe punching his brother hadn’t been the most adult course of action. But damned if it didn’t feel good. Just showing up at Gage’s doorstep like he did? The nerve of the guy.

Gage would have sent his brother back from where he came without a second thought if it hadn’t been for the woman. Addison. He let the name float through his mind, his bear instantly letting out a growl.

The moment their eyes had met, Gage had known something odd was going on. She was beautiful, sure, with her high cheekbones and full lips, but the instant pull he had felt toward her went beyond that.

And in that moment, he knew there was more than a good chance this was his mate.

It sounded insane. What were the chances of the brother he hadn’t talked to in nearly ten years showing up with his mate in tow? But that was fate for you – unpredictable.

As always, Reid had been too occupied with his own pride to pay attention to anyone else, leaving Addison alone at the foot of the stairs. Gage could hear her shuffle on her feet, hesitating. Reid had called her his associate. But he wouldn’t have brought just anyone along.

Were she and Reid friends? And if so, would she even want to see the stranger who had just punched her companion in the face?

Either way, Gage couldn’t just sit there, hiding away in the kitchen. He should show her to a room, it was the polite thing to do, after all. And a chance to know more about the woman who had the potential to turn his life upside down…

So he got to his feet, making his steps loud so he wouldn’t startle her. She was already looking his way when he appeared near the foot of the stairs. The scent of her perfume would have been subtle for anyone else, but to Gage, it was too overpowering. It masked her personal smell, which he found far more enticing.

“Oh, hi,” she said, eyeing him with some uncertainty. “I don’t think we were properly introduced,” she added, stepping closer and reaching out her hand. “Addison.”

Taking her hand in his, Gage let his eyes quickly wander over her. Dressed in smart slacks and a blazer, with simple silver earrings and perfectly applied make-up, she looked put-together and professional, if a little out of place in his old farmhouse.

Her skin was soft and smooth as he shook her hand, and he had to tell himself to let go. Touching her was even better than looking at her, though he would have gladly stared at her all day if that weren’t massively creepy.

“Gage,” he replied. “Welcome to the Atherton Ranch. Sorry about my lack of manners earlier. My brother tends to bring out the worst in me.”

“No need to apologize,” she said with an elegant shrug of her shoulder. “You were taken by surprise. I didn’t know we weren’t expected, just for the record. I didn’t even know Reid had a brother, actually.”

Gage could feel his jaw tense. It made sense that Reid would want to act like Black Oak and everyone in it didn’t exist. But at that moment, with Addison standing right in front of him, the last thing he wanted to think about was his jerk of a brother.

“And you are his…” Gage trailed off.

The worst case scenario was Addison was somehow romantically involved with Reid. It was a possibility he didn’t even want to consider. Reid had called her his associate, but that was vague enough to not really confirm or deny anything. And Gage was well aware of how his brother liked to talk in circles.

“Colleague,” Addison quickly offered. “I work at his law office. Second chair.”

“So he’s your boss,” Gage commented. “My condolences.”

She arched a brow at him.

“You two really don’t like each other,” she said.

“Did the punch give it away?” Gage chuckled.

“I would call it damning evidence, yes,” Addison replied, a small smile tugging at her delicious lips. “Anyway, I would hate to be an inconvenience, so if I could get a ride back to town I’m sure I can find a hotel or…”

“No need,” Gage cut her off. “You’re already here, and I have plenty of space. Besides, I’m thinking there’s a reason Reid dragged you along?”

“He did want to tie up any loose ends with our old cases,” Addison admitted with a slight shrug, looking a little perplexed herself.

“Then it’s settled,” Gage said, grabbing her suitcase. “Come on, you can pick your room.”

Gage climbed the stairs with the suitcase in hand, while Addison trailed behind. Upstairs, he could hear Reid moving around, rustling with something or another. A hallway stretched out in front of him, with doors on either side.

Gage opened them one by one, only leaving the ones to his and Reid’s bedrooms closed.

“We had a wedding here not too long ago, so all the rooms have been made up,” he said. “All in all, not the worst timing for an unexpected visit.”

He could see Addison’s attention be drawn to a cozy bedroom near the stairs, with sunlight pouring through the window. It was decorated in light colors, with a knitted quilt thrown on the bed.

“I’ll stay in that one, if that’s all right,” she said.

“Of course,” Gage replied, setting her suitcase down inside the room. “I usually have dinner downstairs at around seven, if you want to join me. Or you can take my truck into town and grab a bite there.”

“I’ll be happy to join you,” she smiled.

“All right, I’ll let you get settled in then,” Gage replied.

Addison hesitated for a second, her green eyes meeting his. For a moment, it felt like she might say something – about Reid, about why they came here, maybe ask a question about their family. But then she seemed to change her mind.

“Thanks,” she said, before going into the room and pulling the door closed behind her.

Gage made his way back downstairs, his mind racing. As much as he didn’t want Reid under his roof, the pull he felt toward Addison was irresistible. He needed to know more about her, to make her see him outside of this feud between him and Reid.

But with his brother skulking around, that might prove to be even more difficult than he could have expected…