“He sure knows how to work a crowd,” Brenner remarked.
“A master.”
The cheering stopped, and Preston cast loving eyes on Paige and Emily. “None of this would be possible without the support of my family. Paige has brought life into my heart. I didn’t know what having the support of a loving wife meant until she showed me with her tireless campaigning. And my baby girl is the best thing to ever happen to me. I thank God every day for giving me the blessing of this child. She is the light of my life, and everything I do is to make the world a better place for her and all the children.”
“Shut it off.” Without waiting to hear what Brenner would have to say, I jumped up from the couch, headed for my bedroom, and slammed the door behind me. I’d had enough soul baring for the evening and had no desire to hear his pitying words.
I sat on the edge of my bed, hands clenched into fists, trembling down to my toes. My eyes stung with unshed tears. That bastard had wiped away his whole life with us.
A knock sounded, and I brushed at my face. “Not now.” The door opened, and Brenner made his way into the room. I hadn’t turned on the lights, but the drapes were half-open, enough to illuminate Brenner’s grave expression. I scowled. “I thought you were smart, Fleming. Those were two little words.”
“And you should be smart enough to know I can see right through your bullshit.” Using only one crutch now, he set it by the night table and joined me on the bed. “I’m sorry, West. That had to be hard to hear.”
Unwilling to trust my voice, I lifted a shoulder. I wanted him to leave. I wanted him to stay.
I want him.
He sat silent. Waiting.
“It’s like the first part of his life didn’t exist. He doesn’t care about me, fine, I don’t give a damn. But to not even acknowledge my mom…she supported and helped him before she got sick. But it doesn’t matter because she’s gone.” Bitterness rose in my chest.
“You matter too.”
I shook my head and tried to stand, but Brenner put a hand on my arm, holding me still, his eyes wide and silently questioning.
“What?” I asked, my heart thundering.
Our eyes locked and I shivered but leaned in, and he met me halfway. Our lips brushed, hesitant, but after the first touch, the second and third bloomed with growing need. A switch flipped inside me, and everything I thought I knew about myself fadedaway as our breaths mingled. Brenner’s lashes fluttered against my face, and I cupped his cheek, hungry for more.
“Don’t leave.”
He covered my hand with his. “I’m not.”
When his tongue touched my lips, I opened and licked it with my own. Like a backdraft, fire exploded inside me, sending me spinning out of control. “Fuck,” I groaned, and Brenner’s hand curved around my nape, tangling in my hair, yanking me closer, pain mingling with pleasure. So much damn pleasure, I thought I might die from it.
“West—”
“Don’t stop.” I covered his mouth with mine, the kiss frantic and desperate. I reveled in the rasp of his late-night scruff. I wanted to drown in his sweat and heat. Our tongues slid together, rubbing softly, then hard, in a dance I’d never planned to learn but instinctively knew the steps to. Brenner increased the pressure of his mouth on mine, and our teeth clashed. I bit at his lips.
“More,” he moaned. “West, please.”
Mindful of his injuries, I laid him down, my attention focused on the thick bulge in his sweats. I rubbed him through the thin fabric, and he quivered violently. I did it again and again, until he lay gasping, his hips bucking up.
“You like it?”
“Feels so good, fuck, don’t stop.”
I bent closer, smelling his desire, which only fueled my own. We’d traveled this road already, and I needed to keep walking the path to see where it took me. I pulled off his pants and briefs, my gaze latched on his dick, rising stiff and red, the tip gleaming. His eyes met mine, and without thinking, I swiped my tongueover the wide head. It tasted bitter and salty, not unpleasant, and I wanted more.
“Oh Jesus, oh God, do it again,” Brenner panted, and knowing I was giving him pleasure was the biggest fucking turn-on of my life.
Giving in to what we both wanted, I licked him, and recalling how I liked my dick sucked, I put my lips over the crown and slid down as far as I could. Velvety soft against my mouth, yet hard as stone when I pressed on it. Brenner’s groans and sighs rose in the room, and his hands slapped the mattress.
“Gonna come, can’t…stop…” He stiffened, and I tried to pull off, but I still caught some come in my mouth before it hit my lips, chin, and cheek. In wonder, I watched him shake and gasp through his orgasm.
Brenner opened his eyes. “I should’ve been makingyoufeel better.”
I pulled off my T-shirt and wiped my face. “The night is young.”
