Hard, the fabric of his slacks cupping the rigid length of his erection, making me feel jealous.
Iwant to be the one doing the cupping.
He groans softly and my eyes shoot back to his, the sexy smile he’s wearing stroking me between my legs. “Don’t look at me like that, baby.”
I want to do so much more than just cupping. “Why?”
Another groan. But this time, he snags my hand. “Come on, Trouble.”
And as the impact of that—of another time, another life…or maybe,maybeit could bethislife—he drags me out into the hall.
TWENTY-THREE
BROOKS
She hasa pastry in her hand and another big mug of hot chocolate.
And she’s smiling at something Chrissy’s friend, Rory, is saying.
Rory showed up about ten minutes after we came out of the bedroom to knowing looks and smug smiles.
Thank God I paid all that money for soundproofing.
They still knew what we were doing down the hall.
They just couldn’t hear it.
Worth it, even if they could.
I can still feel the slick evidence of her desire on my fingers, the clench of her muscles, can still taste her on my tongue and hear her moans and?—
“She’s not going to disappear, man.”
I blink and turn toward Jace, mind shifting from the bedroom to the threat against her. “You sure about that?”
He winces. “Right. That was a shitty joke.”
“Not on you,” I say quietly.
“We’ll figure it out,” Jean-Michel says as he leans back against the counter, and I’d bristle at the way his eyes are locked onto Briar…if it wasn’t the same exact way he looks at Chrissy.
And Marie.
And Rory, who showed up with her hockey-playing husband, his arms laden with bags.
All of which turned out to be filled with clothes and toiletries and shoes.
“Thanks for arranging for the clothes.”
Briar’s still wearing the uniform from the fundraiser, and even though I’d love to take her on aPretty Woman-esque shopping spree, that wouldn’t be smart.
Not until we know more.
Not until the threat against her is gone.
So though part of me fucking hates that someone else took care of her before I could, the rest of me is glad.
“I’ll reimburse you.”
