Page 70 of Smitty

“Yeah, I know.”

“This is his place right?”

“Yes… I mean, I pay rent and help with bills, but it’s still his.”

“And he left?”

“I’m sure he was thinking of Anslee.” She shrugged. “Or maybe, he couldn’t stomach seeing us together. Either way, he’s giving me the time I need.”

“Sounds like a good guy.”

“He is.” She slipped the note back in the drawer. “He’s trying to be supportive, just like he always has... He deserves better.”

“You’ve always been upfront with him. Right?”

She nodded, but I could tell she was still bothered by it. I had no idea how to make that better for her. She would have to sort that out with him, but I would do my best to be supportive. “Then, give it time. It will work itself out, and I’m here for you until it does.”

“I know.”

“I mean it, Brooke. I’m not the same guy I was back then.” Her eyes remained trained on mine as I told her, “I’ve grown up. I’ve faced my demons, and I’ve learned to fight for what I want.”

“And what do you want?”

“You.”

“Brayden.”

“I’m not afraid to fight for you… I’ll do whatever it takes, whatever you need.”

Our eyes met again, and this time, neither of us looked away. The room stilled, and the only noise in the house came from Anslee’s sound machine down the hall.

Brooke’s hand was resting on the cushion between us, only inches from me, and slowly, very slowly, she turned it over, offering it to me. I looked at her, and neither of us said a word as I slid my hand into hers.

Her fingers laced through mine like they’d done a hundred times before, and somehow, after all those years apart, that simple touch felt more intimate than anything I’d ever known. I hadn’t lost her. She was sitting right next to me as she closed her eyes and replied, “All I need is you.”

That did me in.

Not the wanting. Not the years of missing her. Not even the ache of having her close after so long without her. It was the way she saw me, the real me, and loved me anyway. “You say that like you mean it.”

“Because I do.”

Unable to resist the temptation any longer, I closed the distance between us and gently pressed my mouth against hers, feeling my world rock beneath me. I wasn’t prepared for the simple touch of her lips to set me on fire, and if the little whimper that escaped her lips was any indication, she wasn’t expecting it either.

She raised her hand, raked her fingers through my hair, and pulled me closer as she returned my kiss with fervor. I’d suspected that the chemistry we had back then was still there. I’d felt it lingering under the surface since that day on the lake, and if this kiss was any indication, it was stronger than ever.

Damn. I couldn’t believe how incredible she felt in my arms. We were both becoming lost in the moment when I broke free from our embrace. I looked down at her, and when our eyes met, I said, “Tell me you want this… Tell me it’s not too soon.”

“It’s not too soon.” She looked at me with lust-filled eyes, making me want her even more as she whispered, “I want you… I always have.”

And just like that, the last of my restraint vanished. I pulled her back to my mouth, and she let out a needful moan when the once tender kiss quickly changed, becoming more intense and heated. She opened wider, inviting me to claim her with my mouth.

Brooke felt so fucking good in my arms. She always had. My hands drifted to her hips, pulling her closer, and when I felt her press against me, I started thinking about all the wicked things I wanted to do to her. Holy hell. I needed to get a fucking grip. But she wasn’t making it easy.

I could feel the need radiating off her as she whimpered against my lips. As much as I wanted to take her right then and there, I wasn’t going to push. I couldn’t do that to her.

She was the one with the complicated life.

She had someone else to consider.