I wrap an arm around her middle and pull her to me, loving the way she said it. “You enjoy doing that?”
“Maybe.” A playful glint sparks in her eyes as she spins in my arms, her hands wrapping around my neck. “Does it bother you?”
“Fuck no, baby.” My thumb brushes the curve of her spine, and I feel her shiver even through her sweater. “Kinda makes me wish I’d been there to see it.” I lean in closer, letting the space between us shrink until I have her caged with her back against the counter. “You have no idea what it does to me when you stand up for me like that.”
She inhales a sharp breath, and her voice comes out breathier than I’m sure she planned. “What does it do?” I reach for her hand behind my neck, bringing it gently to settle over my throbbing erection.
“Reminds me you’re mine. Even if you’re still pretending, because I’m not, baby. Never was.” The sexual tension brewing between us is undeniable. My skin feels too tight, buzzing witha nervous energy that makes my breath hitch. I can feel the heat rising in my chest as my desire for her grows.
Monroe’s smile grows, slow and dangerous, and it does a whole lot of crazy things to me. “Maybe I’m not either.”
I don’t kiss her. Not with half the house in earshot, because I know I won’t be able to stop if I do. But fuck I want to because hearing her say she’s not pretending is exactly what I’ve wanted for so long.
I lean close enough for her to feel the promise in my voice. “Careful, Moonshine. I might hold you to that.”
From the couch, Nash clears his throat, a warning, or maybe just a reminder that her brothers are still in the room. “Everything okay over there?”
“Perfect,” Monroe answers quickly, spinning and slipping her arm through mine.
Brynn and Bailey exchange a knowing look, both of them clearly enjoying the show and way too smug about it.
“So,” Billie says, asking what everyone in the room has been wondering for some time.
“This thing between you two, is it serious?”
Monroe goes slack in my arms, not expecting to have this conversation right now, but my girl surprises me yet again when her lips curve into a wide grin. “As serious as it gets.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Monroe
By the evening, the living room looks like a furniture showroom. Half my things are still in boxes, a couple of Jase's things are pushed awkwardly against the wall, and the new items he purchased for the living room are perfectly arranged thanks to my design expertise and my brothers’ strong, athletic abilities. The same brothers who have spent the last four hours hovering over us like they’re staging an intervention instead of helping me redecorate.
Monty leans against the back of the couch, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “This is temporary, right?”
“You mean my living here, or being with him?” I kick my feet up on the new ottoman, tossing my slippers off as I stretch my aching feet.
“Both,” he answers honestly as he comes around to join me on the new plush couch. It’s a warm beige color, not the best choice for a house that’s about to have a child running around, but the beautiful fabric seems to be easy to clean.
Beau has his back to us, assembling the new entertainment system with Jase, while Nash has disappeared upstairs withBailey with the excuse of putting together the baby’s dresser. It’s been almost an hour, but I really don’t want to know what they’re really doing up there.
Brynn and Billie left after helping me move all of my things into Jase’s room. When they asked why I still had my stuff in the guest room, I pretended I was only using it as a closet but sleeping in Jase’s bed.
Monty huffs out a breath, bringing his bottle of beer to his lips for a long swig. “Or until you realize this is a terrible idea.”
I sigh resigned that this will never get easier. Not only did I assume my brothers would always have a problem with whatever man I was in a relationship with, like they always have, but the way things came about with Jase made them more reluctant to accept it.
“You guys are supposed to be helping, not making things more difficult.”
Monty grunts, his preferred choice of communication. “It’s not our intention to make things difficult, Monroe. But it's our job, my job, to make sure you're protected and taken care of. You sprung this on us so suddenly and out of nowhere. I just want to make sure it’s what you really want.”
“I know what I’m doing, Monty, and if I’m making a mistake, then it's my mistake to make.”
He’s not convinced, and I don't blame him. I talk a big game, but not even I believe half of the things I say sometimes. “This won’t just affect you anymore, Monroe. Being a parent, you have to think of more than just yourself.” I know he regrets saying it as soon as he does, but I know it’s not meant maliciously. “That’s not?—”
“I appreciate your worrying about me, Monty. You were the parent I never had, and I will forever be grateful for that. But now it’s time you trusted my judgement and let me figure this out on my own. I’ll always have you to protect me, but I have totry to be the best version of myself for this baby, and right now, that means giving this thing with Jase a chance.”
“You are more capable than you give yourself credit for, Monroe.”
