“Aren’t you going to let me in?”
But Brenner didn’t move, and my hope faded that we could recapture what had happened between us. I didn’t know how or why being with him turned me on, and it didn’t matter. I’d had a fucking week, and all I wanted was to be with the one person I could be real with.
“I don’t know. Why are you here?”
Bullshit didn’t work with Brenner, so I needed to lay it on the line. “I’m sorry I was a colossal jerk. Stuff happened that I don’t know how to handle, and instead of dealing with it, I took it out on you and pushed you away.”
God, being honest hurt like hell. Maybe that was why people hid the truth. Unless you had someone to put your trust in, how did you know you wouldn’t get hurt? I’d taken that first step when I’d told Brenner about my father.
He remained silent, staring at me with confusion and hurt in those big blue eyes.
“I need to talk to someone I can trust, and you’re the only one.”
Being with Brenner opened me up to such scrutiny, and though it made me squirm, I was willing to let him take the lead. All I wanted was to babble my way out of the situation, but I shut my damn mouth and waited. And thank fuck he didn’t slam the door in my face but instead opened it wider. I didn’t stride right in, staying by the tiny entrance, which still allowed me a glimpse of the spectacular views of the skyline and the river through floor-to-ceiling windows. It hit me—the scenery might be incredible, but my concentration remained solely on Brenner.
“Do you still want to tell me about it?” Brenner asked, his lips tugging up in a smile I could see he was trying but failingto suppress. “Or did you really come all the way to Brooklyn for cheese?”
I grinned, and the tightness in my chest unraveled. Suddenly I could breathe. “Maybe I want a taste of both? Cheese and…” I left the second part unspoken, but the flush painting Brenner’s cheeks left little doubt he knew where the second part of the sentence led.
Why and how had it come to this point where I needed to share the most personal part of my life with Brenner Fleming? Grady had been after me all week to talk about my shitty mood, but as close as we’d become, and despite knowing he cared, the words stuck and I couldn’t speak. But here, with Brenner, the pain easily flowed from heart to mouth.
“Come.” He led me through the tiny space of his one room to the couch, where he sat by my side and didn’t let go of me. “You can have it all—the cheese and me. But you need to get something off your chest first, so let it go.”
His hand burned in mine, and like the other night, his mouth called to me. I didn’t understand it, didn’t try to explain or justify it, but instead cupped his cheek and guided our lips together. The moment his touched mine, that switch flipped on, flooding my darkness with light, and all I could think about was tasting Brenner’s tongue in my mouth.
“Bren, I need you. Please.” Words I never thought would pass my lips escaped, and I pulled him close, sucking his tongue, swallowing his gasps. Brenner’s hands rested heavy on my shoulders and pushed me off. Panting, I gazed into his stern face.
“Talk to me.”
Pleasure drained from me. “It’s my father.”
Concern replaced annoyance in his eyes. “I kind of guessed that. What happened?”
I didn’t know what to do with my hands, my heart pounded, and a knot formed in my stomach. Not since my mother went into the hospital had I felt so lost and sick to my stomach.
“After the primary results and my no-show, I received a formal letter that he’s removed me from his will. He’s cut me out.”
“West, I’m so sorry.” Brenner pulled me close, lips resting in my hair.
“I should’ve expected something like this. He’s always been a vindictive bastard.”
Brenner massaged my shoulders. “You have every right to be upset.”
“I shouldn’t be, right?” Unwanted tears burned my eyes, and I grew angry with myself.
“Who says so?”
“I mean…we haven’t spoken in years. I defied him, and he’s made these threats countless times. I don’t need his money. I guess I just never thought he’d follow through, but he’s got his new family now. By getting rid of me, he can completely erase the past. Meaning me.”
Brenner tipped my chin and met my eyes. “I can’t imagine anyone who knows you ever forgetting you.”
I didn’t answer…couldn’t. I trembled and couldn’t trust my voice not to crack. When I leaned in close, I still wasn’t sure he’d meet me, but the touch of his lips on mine stole my soul. Soft kisses grew lingering, our tongues tasting, then chasing, until we couldn’t hold back.
“Bren,” I gasped and held his face between my palms, anchoring him to me. “I need you. So damn much.”
“God, West,” he moaned, and I’d never wanted anything more than to hear him say my name.
Brenner pulled my shirt up and over my head, our lips disconnecting for only a second before he took my mouth again, and damned if I didn’t like his bossy, demanding side. My dick stiffened and ached to the point of pain.
