“It wasn’t a request,” Atticus stated firmly. He wasn’t about to play this game with the two of them. If they couldn’t be in the same room and talk like rational adults, there was no way Atticus would be able to see Carson anymore. He worked with Slade, and if his seeing Carson caused tension, it would never work.
“I should not find that hot,” Slade muttered as he put the truck in gear.
“What was that?”
“Nothin’.”
Heat bloomed in Atticus’s veins. He did not want to be attracted to Slade. Not even a little.
Unfortunately, he feared it was too late for that.
Now he had to figure out what the fuck he was going to do about it.
Chapter Twelve
Every single muscle in Brantley’s body waspulled taut. He should’ve felt relief now that JJ was out of danger, but instead, he was consumed with … fuck. He didn’t even know how to explain it.
“You okay?”
He didn’t look at Reese in the passenger seat. He didn’t want the man to know that he was still riled. Maybe even more so since the fuckers responsible were still out there.
“She’s safe,” Reese said, reaching for Brantley’s hand.
The man’s touch soothed even as it stirred the chaos inside him. “I know.”
“Your adrenaline’s still pumpin’,” Reese said. “That’s all this is.”
He was probably right, but that didn’t ease his mind. Thankfully, they were pulling into their driveway. He needed to get out of the truck. He needed to walk around. Or maybe he should go for a run. That would burn off some of this residual energy that made him feel like he was about to burst at the seams.
It was the lack of closure. The fact that Molly and Sonny were still out there, that JJ wasn’t completely safe until they were caught. No one knew what those two were capable of. He seriously doubted Baz would’ve ever expected the woman he thought he was having a baby with could’ve possibly kidnapped the woman hewashaving a baby with. Brantley still didn’t know how it went down. He’d been so eager to see if they could find Molly and Sonny that he hadn’t stuck around to hear JJ tell her side of things.
“Come on,” Reese stated when Brantley stopped the truck.
Brantley got out and followed Reese and Tesha into the house. He headed for the kitchen, figuring a beer might help him to lighten up some. It was early, but who fucking cared?
Before he reached the kitchen, Reese grabbed his hand and pulled him up short. He turned to find Reese studying him closely, his brown eyes filled with concern.
“Let me get Tesha some food and water, and we’ll talk about it.”
He didn’t want to talk, but Brantley nodded anyway, staring out the back windows but not seeing anything.
He was aware of Reese moving around the kitchen, of Tesha slurping water. His mind was still racing, and he should’ve started to calm down, but he couldn’t.
“Why don’t we sit,” Reese suggested, coming to stand beside him.
No. Brantley didn’t want to sit. That would be the worst possible thing he could do.
“I need a minute,” Brantley told him, hating the rough grind of his voice.
“I know.” Reese stepped forward. “I also know whatelseyou need.”
Sex was the first thing that came to mind. That was always a surefire way for Brantley to burn off residual emotion, whatever it may be. It was usually the perfect outlet, but he wasn’t so sure this time.
Brantley shook his head. “You know I’ll take you up on the offer anytime, anywhere, but not like this.”
Reese’s eyes flashed with heat. “Yes. Just like this.”
As much as Brantley wanted to fuck Reese—the desire consumed him twenty-four/seven—he wasn’t sure now was the right time. He didn’t want to hurt the man, and the rigid coiling of his muscles told him there was a damn good chance that would happen.
