“I’m sorry, boss.”

I swear to Christ, if that comes out of his mouth one more time I’m going to lay his ass out. I’ve had about enough of his shit. I should have fired him months ago but he’s my baby brother and he’s a fuckup, someone has to look out for him.

“I honestly don’t know what to do with you anymore. You’re constantly late. You take naps when you are here.”

“But my work gets done.”

Clenching my jaw, I give him a hard look. “That may be true, but I have to set an example for the other employees. I can’t show you special treatment just because you’re my brother. You’re one of the best, Chase, you know that, but I have about a dozen resumes in my desk drawer of skilled mechanics who would kill to work here, who would show up on time, and not give me a fucking ulcer.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”

That’s what he always says and for a while, he does do better, but then he falls back to his bad habits and we end up right back where we started. It’s so damn frustrating but he’s my little brother and it’s my job as his older brother to keep his ass in line.

That’s why I moved back home after my father died, to look after him and my mother. It was time anyway. I’d grown restless. After traveling to some of the most beautiful places in the world, and climbing some of the highest mountains on each continent, I was looking for something more than just the thrill of an adrenaline rush. I thought I found it when I started this business. Then again when I purchased my home and put down roots of my own, but something is still missing. Only, I can’t figure out what that something is.

You know exactly what it is you’re just too damn scared to admit it.

“What’s going on with you?” I ask him.

“I don’t know. I just get really lonely sometimes.”

“Then go out and meet someone. Fuck, all you do is hang out with Junior all the time and trust me, man, that motherfucker is getting no pussy.”

He drops his head. “I’m not really good with girls. You know that. I never have been.”

He’s right; it’s a struggle for him. I don’t know why but he’s never had it easy when it comes to girls. Part of me wonders if he’s still a virgin.

Surely not.

Closing the door to my office, I take a seat next to my brother. “I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be completely honest with me.”

His eyes meet mine. “Okay.”

“You ever had sex before?”

He laughs nervously, shifting in his seat. “Of course, man, plenty of times.”

I can tell he’s lying. Christ, how did I not ever see this before? He’s twenty-two and never felt the sweet velvety heat of a woman.

“You don’t have to lie to me. I’m your brother. You can tell me anything.”

Shame colors his cheeks before he nods his head.

I knew it.

How could I have missed it?

“That’s your problem right there. You need to get laid, buddy. It’ll give you a whole different perspective on life.”

“Well, I’ve tried a few times but I just don’t know what the hell I’m doing. The girls want me to take over, but fuck, I don’t know what they like so I end up making a damn fool out of myself.”

I place my hand on his shoulder. “Relax, it’s all right. Listen, I have someone I can hook you up with that will help you out with your little problem.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

His entire face lights up as he leans over to give me a hug. “I fucking love you.”

“You’re going to be a new man.” I clap his back twice before releasing him. “Now get your ass back to work.”

When he leaves, I pick up my cell phone and text my friend Courtney. We hooked up a few times but she was always trying to top from the bottom, and I’m not about to give up my control for anyone. But she’s perfect for this. She will take the lead and blow his mind, and I know she would love nothing more than to take a man’s virginity.

Courtney is on board as I predicted and my day suddenly looks up.

That is until I get a phone call from Tim. My heart lodges in my throat every time he fucking calls now. Ever since that kiss Kaylee and I shared last year. Not that I think she would tell him but the guilt has eaten away at me ever since. Mainly because I enjoyed it so damn much and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.

Tim wastes no time, getting straight to the point.

“Listen, I need a favor.”

“Anything, man. What’s up?”

“Evelyn and I are going out of town next week. It’s kind of a spur of the moment thing. We’ve been, uh, having some problems in the bedroom and I can’t let that fire go out, you know what I mean, buddy? We need to get away and reconnect.”

“Shit, man, no I get it, do what you have to do. Want me to keep an eye on the place while you’re gone?”

“If you don’t mind. We trust Kaylee to stay home alone but you know how I am about my princess. I want to make sure she’s safe and I can’t think of anyone I trust more to do that than you.”

Fuck me.

This is not my life right now.

That niggling guilt tightens in my gut. The same guilt that has been hovering since we shared that kiss last year on her birthday. A kiss I still haven’t stopped thinking about since. I dream about those lips being in other places too, which is why I’ve tried like hell to keep my distance ever since, because I’m terrified of letting my self-control slip like I did that night. And the fact that she looks at me like she wants me to own her doesn’t help matters either. She is constantly taunting me with those skimpy little outfits she wears. Let’s not forget about the window incident last week, too. When I caught her touching herself I nearly came in my shorts like a fucking teenager.

And let’s not forget the incident at the pool the other day.

The girl is a fucking menace to my dick and my morals, and she damn well knows it.

“Come on, you know Kaylee, she’s a good girl.”

Yeah, she is a good girl. Always has been. So sweet and innocent. I would love nothing more than to corrupt the fuck out of her.

But I can never let that happen.

I can never do that to Tim and Evelyn. Not after all they’ve done for me.

“She’s not allowed to have anyone over except Jayla.”

Jayla. The filthy minx. I must have jacked off at least a dozen times thinking about Kaylee’s sweet moans while her friend ate her out, wishing it was my mouth on her instead.

I’m one sick bastard.

“One more thing, and this is most important, there’s this boy who has been harassing Kaylee. She had to put a restraining order on his ass because the fucker would not leave her alone.”

His words have my blood boiling and I cuss at myself for not being around more to know this already.

“Anyway, she’s been seeing him hanging around again and she’s had to change her number a few times too because the prick just will not quit. So if you see him anywhere near her, you immediately call the police then you call me. Understand?”

Possessive rage burns in my chest at the thought of this fucker thinking he can do this shit to her. I’ll kill the motherfucker if he even thinks about going near her again.

“I’ll take care of it, Tim. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I knew I could count on you. Protect her like she’s your own.”

If he only knew how much I wanted her for my own he might not be asking me for my help right now. He’d be burying my ass with this prick who’s stalking her.

“She’ll be safe with me.”

“Thanks, Colter. I really appreciate you.”

I end the call and fall into my chair, wondering what the fuck I’m going to do and how the hell I’m going to control myself around her when no one else is around.