But then he stops, his mouth inches from mine as his breath ghosts across my lips. A disgruntled noise of protest leaps up my throat, and his massive hand squeezes the back of my neck, applying the lightest bit of pressure to nudge me closer to him.
I comply easily, eagerly, reaching up to him until my lips meet his.
It’s gentle, so different from how Vee and I kiss. He’salmost reverent as his lips explore, his tongue swiping out to taste my lower lip, then tangling with mine in a sultry dance.
I groan into his mouth and he seals his lips to mine, swallowing the sound as he rolls on top of me. He’s broad and heavy, a god bestowing his presence on me and I sink into the mattress as desire swells through my veins. His beard is a soft, bristled texture against my skin, and I imagine what it might feel like on other parts of my body.
One muscled arm is propped by my head, holding his weight off me, while the other slides from the back of my neck around my shoulder and then down my ribs. It settles on my hip bone and I nearly buck up into him, desperate for more.
Then he pulls away, kiss-swollen lips parted as he leans his forehead against mine.
“Riley,” he says, haltingly. “I’m not used to this. I don’t have sex often, and I’m rarely sexually attracted to others. But you and Sage, even Vee. You’re all settled in my heart, and my cock has definitely gotten the memo.”
I grin, delighted with that information, and he lightly slaps my hip.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ri,” he says. “I want to take my time with each of you. Get to know you before we jump into bed together.”
“Okay,” I readily agree. “I want to get to know you, too. But I also want you to know that I’m ready to jump into bed anytime.”
Brooks groans with a huffed laugh, shaking his head as he rolls off me. I stick my lip out in an exaggerated pout, and he leans back in to nip it, then pulls me up with him to sit against the headboard.
“About some of your other worries,” he says, glancing at me. “I’m still working all my same jobs as before, so I’m in her brother’s neighborhood nearly every day. I’ve been driving by the house, chatting up the neighbors when I can, that kind ofthing. Trying to keep an eye and ear out to see what they’re up to, if anything.”
“Oh,” I say, surprised but incredibly relieved by that news. “Have you heard anything?”
He shakes his head with a sigh. “Unfortunately, no. It seems they’ve always kept to themselves, and no one knows anything. I don’t think they even know Sage is “missing”. I do think we should have a pack meeting though. Discuss the missing person’s poster.”
“Probably a good idea. She didn’t deserve how they treated her,” I say, anger and hurt on her behalf rising inside me.
“No,” Brooks says, his voice icy quiet. “No, she really didn’t.”
We chat for a bit longer, then Brooks snags his book off the nightstand and opens it, holding it so we can both read quietly together. Thankfully, it’s not a sexy scene, so I manage to keep my hands and dick to myself.
I wake up to the sun streaming into the room and a massive body curled around mine. I scrunch my eyes closed with an unhappy mumble, and the chest behind me vibrates with a chuckle. Soft chest hair tickles my back, and Brooks nuzzles his nose into my hair.
“Good morning, sleepy beta,” Brooks croons in my ear.
My cock is at attention, and I desperately hope he hasn’t noticed. He said he wants to take things slow, and I’m determined to respect that.
“How did you sleep?” he asks.
“Like the dead,” I mumble, pressing back into him, only for my eyes to pop open in surprise when I feel an equally hard cock nestled into my ass.
“Ignore it,” he murmurs, tucking me more snuggly into his arms.
“Are you sure?”
He nods, scent marking my hair.
“Okay, but only if you ignore mine, then.”
Brooks stiffens behind me, then groans as he exhales.
“Goddamn it Ri, I knew that first day that you’d be the death of me.”
I grin, then shuffle and twist in his arms until I’m facing him.
“Thank you for last night,” he says. “I’m so glad you came in to talk with me.”
