The following morning could have been awkward, but he was determined not to let that happen. Bristowe simply deserved better than that.
“Morning,” he said when the alarm went off. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and got up, heading to the bathroom. It was easiest to follow a routine, so he headed to the kitchen to make coffee as she got ready for the day.
It wasn't hard to see how it could be. They could do this every day for a while, if not for the brothers who needed his help. Lock needed a place to crash soon, and Flynn had to be there for him. He hoped Bristowe would understand. His loyalties were always with his brothers before anyone else, which he’d told her upfront.
“A girl could get used to this.” Entering the kitchen fully dressed, Bristowe crossed the scuffed linoleum to give him a kiss and steal his mug of coffee.
“Hey, I made plenty!” He tried to grab it back, but she dodged out of the way.
“Yours tastes better.”
“Yeah, it does. Wanna give it a go?”
As he wagged his eyebrows, she laughed at him and backed up. “I have to be at the office soon, and I know you have to go, too.”
“Damn.”
“Have, um, have you given any thought to what I suggested?”
He had, although it was a brief thought. “Yeah. I’ll look into it on my lunch break.”
“You know I’ll help in any way I can.”
Unable to help himself, he pulled her in for a hug. “I know.” Since she was in his arms, he kissed her thoroughly. The mug nearly slipped from her hand, but he nipped it in time, setting it on the counter. Hands on her hips, he guided her closer and really sank into her. Her mouth was warm, tasting of mint and coffee. Tugging on her lower lip with his teeth, Flynn heard the moan building in her chest. Almost desperately, she fisted the collar of his shirt and held on.
How the fuck had he gotten so lucky? The idea that Bristowe was there for him one hundred percent almost frightened him. If he relied on her so much that he couldn't live without her, would it fuck everything up? Or had he found himself the perfect woman?
“Can I see you again tonight?” she asked finally, a little out of breath.
“I promised Lock he could come over for dinner. He’s got to get his stuff moved soon.”
“I almost forgot he’s going to live with you.”
Her tone of voice didn't change, and neither did her expression. He hoped that meant she was on board with all that rested on his shoulders. “Very soon, yeah.”
“Do you need anything? Spare sheets?”
“He has his own stuff, but he’s getting the couch. I’m not so nice that I’ll give up my bed.”
Bristowe grabbed her purse and keys, and Flynn followed her to the door. “Well, good. He needs motivation to find his place in life.”
“I couldn't agree more. But if you want”—he said while she locked up—“you can come over, too. I don't cook anything fancy, but he asked for spaghetti.”
“Spaghetti with you and your brother sounds pretty perfect to me.”
The wordsI love youwere on the tip of his tongue. He bit it and smiled down at her. “See you later, then.”
Something moved in her eyes, and her parting smile grew wider. “See you later.”
