Dash & Dane (18+)

Chapter 3

DANE

I was holding the door frame in place as Dash knelt down and nailed the wood into place. But then I saw the front door open as my eyes followed the movement, freezing when I saw a gorgeous, nearly naked brunette step into the front lobby.

"Damn it, Dane! Hold still!" Dash barked from underneath me as I jumped and held the frame back in its place, but not taking my eyes from the brunette I had the pleasure of meeting the night before. I had this huge urge to know who she was; where she came from; what her desires were; what her dreams are; everything. But I couldn't help but notice how freaked out she looked when she stood there staring at us.

"We'll only be a minute longer and then you can get by," I said to her, who couldn't stop looking between me and Dash like we were ghosts.

Dash stopped what he was doing and turned to see who I was talking to and nearly shot a nail into my leg. What the hell?!

"Jesus!" I barked out, jumping out of the way as Dash stood to his feet.

"Adrena, w-what are you doing here? Did I forget something?" Dash asked her, looking all nervous, which wasn't like him at all. And I couldn't help but feel a ping of jealousy that my brother knew who the woman was and not him. How did he know Adrena and how come I didn't meet her first?

Adrena clearly looked dumbfounded and cleared her throat. "I live here," she finally replied, still looking between the both of us. "Brothers?"

Dash nodded but I answered her question, "Fraternal, not identical, although, some people try to argue that fact." I stuck my hand out to her. "I'm Dane and you obviously already know Dash. How is that again?" My eyebrow lifted as I cocked my head at Dash, who was still staring at the brunette beauty in front of us.

"I-I did his tattoo," she stuttered before shaking my hand but kept her eyes on Dash. "What are you doing here?" She was now speaking to Dash.

"We're working on the building for Macy," I replied, still answering her questions and not my brother. "We own McCarthy Home Remodeling and do a lot of work for her."

Adrena nodded, still staring at Dash but finally looked over at me, a look of confusion and bewilderment on her face. "That's nice."

"How's that window in your apartment?" Deep down I wanted Dash to know I had been in her apartment when he clearly hadn't been. I loved poking at my brother, even if it completely irked him.

"It was fine last night but this morning..." she trailed off, looking between the two of us again like she just couldn't believe what her eyes were seeing, "...it got stuck again."

"Hmm, that's a bummer in this heat. I think I have an old window air conditioner lying around at the shop. I can bring it over to you later on if you'd like. The heat is only going to get worse, I'm afraid." I was trying to pull her attention away from Dash but it wasn't working like I wanted it to. "Are you okay with that?"

She slowly nodded, pulling her gaze from Dash and finally brought her eyes to meet mine. "That would be great, but you don't have to do that."

I shrugged. "It's no big deal."

"I can take a look at your window now if you'd like?" This came from Dash and I glared at him. Is he seriously trying to play this game right now? He knows who wins; so, why does he even try? "Dane's good with his hands, but not as good as I am."

I looked over and saw Adrena swallow before a blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Was she turned on by that? That's super sexy. But now it was obvious that Dash had already sunken his hooks into her and I was about to be out of the game. However, that didn't mean I wasn't still going to try and get her attention. Who knows, maybe she'll want both of us. Now that was a game I loved playing.