Brielle turns back to me, stepping out of my arms. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing happened tonight… between me and Giana,” I spit out. The fact that it isn’t her first question or even a concern to her pisses me off.
“I didn’t ask if anything happened between the two of you,” she says slowly.
A flood of frustration pumps through me.
“I know. I know you didn’t ask. You didn’t even seem to care that I was taking another woman out for the night,” I grouch.
A wide grin spreads over her face. Apparently, she finds my misery amusing. “Were you upset that I wasn’t jealous?”
“No. Not upset. But if you were going out for the night with another guy, it’d be the last time that man was seen alive.”
“Damian.” She lifts to her toes and places a soft kiss to my jaw. “There was nothing for me to be jealous of. I trust you, wholeheartedly. If I saw some woman trying to make a move while I was with you, yeah, I might not react well.Fucking Alessandra,” she mutters under her breath. “But you are the most principled, honest, trustworthy person I have ever met.”
“You weren’t concerned that I’d take her home with me?”
“You bought me my favorite shampoo and conditioner to stay in your shower the other day. My toothbrush is in your bathroom. My underwear is in your laundry,” she says. Her hand slides against my shirt, up and down my chest. My body reacts to it instantly, nerve endings lighting up in a dance for more of her. “Damian, I’m not going to monitor your every move. Because if I felt like I had to, then I wouldn’t be doing this with you.”
“We’ve never talked about being exclusive.”
“Tell me something. Would you have hooked up with her if we weren’t together?”
This feels like a trap if I ever heard one. I proceed with caution, choosing to answer her honestly. “Probably.”
“And did you?” She wraps her arms around my neck, looking up at me with those sapphire eyes.
I grab the bottom of her ass and scoop her up. Her legs circle my waist as she clings to me. “I already told you that I didn’t. I wouldn’t.All I wanted to do was get home to you.” I press my forehead to hers, breathing her in.
“There isn’t anyone else for me either, just so you know. For however long we do this, it’s just us. No one else.”
“I know. You’re too nice to set someone up to be decimated like that.”
She throws her head back laughing. My ribs crack a little more, the beating in my chest tied directly to this woman. If I didn’t have Brielle, I’m not sure it would be beating at all.
Chapter 31
Brielle
Sunlightfiltersthroughthecrack in the curtains, bird calls twittering outside the window. I stretch my arms overhead and roll to my side. Through the smallest crack in my lids, I watch Damian’s toned chest rise and fall in a slow, steady rhythm.
The cloudlike bed steals any motivation to get up and moving, and luckily, today is Saturday, so I don’t have to.
I let my hand roam Damian’s chest. Every divot and crease, every carved muscle. Every inch of his skin from his long fingers to his slim hips. He groans in his sleep, the first glimmer of wakefulness starting to take hold. I run my hand over his pecs again, settling it against his heart. He covers my hand with his, holding me tightly to him.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he croaks, his voice low and rough.
“Good morning. It’s supposed to be a nice day today. Do you want to do something?”
“What did you have in mind?” He other arm wraps around me, cupping my ass in his strong grip.
“I don’t know. Something fun.”
“I can get us tickets to the New England Hawks game, if you want.”
“Seriously?” I lift up to look at him better. “I’ve never been to a baseball game. You would take me?”
“I’d find a way to take you to the moon if that’s what you wanted.”
