Page 80 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

She lay down, the dark circles under her eyes even more obvious.

"You said you wouldn't leave." When I didn't move, her breathing turned urgent.

I took off my jacket and lay down on the outside of the bed, like when we were kids. Brinny turned on her side, head resting on my shoulder.

"I really miss the time when we were together." As she spoke, her fingers traced along my chest, sliding down toward my abs.

I moved to stop her, but she was already pushing herself up, swinging one leg over to straddle my waist. Her skirt bunched at the top of her thighs, long hair sliding off her shoulders and brushing across my chest.

Damn it. I knew exactly what she wanted.

"Get off." I immediately gripped her waist, stopping her.

Brinny didn't listen. Of course she wouldn't. Her palm continued down my abdomen, covering my cock through my pants.

"You're hard." She gasped, blue eyes going wide.

Yes, I was hard. But not because of her. Because of Briony in a swimsuit in my head.

Brinny clearly took my silence as confirmation.

"I knew it." Her mouth curved up. "Your body remembers me."

Her hand tried to move further. I caught her wrist.

"Stop." I'd never used such a harsh tone with her before.

"Why stop? You obviously want me." She looked at me, confused.

I didn't answer. If I said Briony's name, the peace in this room would shatter. Brinny couldn't handle that kind of blow.

I moved her off me, settled her back in place, then pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

"Don't use my body's reaction to prove something about us. Your heart's not strong." I thought of the time we'd spent together. "I told you I'd always protect you. I will. You don't need to be afraid or insecure."

She grabbed the edge of the blanket, knuckles white. After a few seconds, she turned her back to me. She pulled the blanket over her head, burying herself completely.

"Sometimes I really hate how considerate you are." Her muffled voice came from under the covers.

"Sleep." That was all I could give her.

After Brinny fell asleep, I drove back to the company.

The moment I walked into my office, I saw that desk—finally not empty anymore. Briony's things were arranged neatly on the surface. Computer on, half-finished coffee beside it, a faint lipstick print on the cup's rim.

That trace of color hit my eyes. The empty space in my chest felt filled again.

A few minutes later the door opened. Briony walked in carrying a stack of files. When she saw me sitting there, she clearly froze.

Today she wore a cream-colored knit dress, soft fabric hugging her chest and waistline. Like she'd noticed my stare, she unconsciously pressed her arms tighter to her sides, which only pushed that fullness higher. My gaze caught there for a few seconds, out of my control.

"There's a yacht party this weekend." I leaned back in my chair, eyes still fixed on her. "You're coming with me."

I pulled two black boxes from the cabinet and set them in front of her.

"What's this?" Briony looked at the boxes, then at me.

"Open them."