Chapter 11
Brody
“Muffins today, huh?” Miles cocks a brow as Georgia slams them down on the table in front of us.
“Prepackaged, premade muffins, actually,” she corrects him, shooting a glare at me and then Emmett.
Well, this is awkward.
And clearly, Miles picks up on that, his eyes bouncing between the three of us like we’re about to take the witness stand.
“Um, yeah… You know… I think I need to get back to work on that case. I’ll take my breakfast to go.
” He reaches out and plucks one of the blueberry muffins up, and then pushes back from the table.
“You don’t have to go,” Georgia says to him, leaning away from the table and placing her hands on her hips. “We’re all adults, and if you have thoughts to share about the breakfast, then by all means, please tell us.”
“Well, Brody is the one who said you weren’t cooking today,” Miles gives me a raised brow. “So, I think I’d have to take it up with him…”
“Oh, right, because he’s the boss,” she hits back, not even bothering to glare at me. She doesn’t have to. Her annoyance is radiating off her like the sun at the equator right now.
And I have no idea what happened.
I mean, honestly, the conversation with Emmett last night went absolutely nowhere, but he was right… Georgia is a grown woman, and the decision of who she sleeps with is up to her.
Well, and maybe I was kind of a dick.
I purse my lips, the scene of my temper tantrum playing in my head. I brush it aside and reach for a muffin. Emmett does the same, but he keeps his eyes trained on Georgia, nodding to the seat.
“Why don’t you enjoy the fact that you don’t have to cook this morning?”
“I actually want to do my job,” Georgia hits back, and Miles, who’s still lingering near the table, shakes his head.
“Yeah, I’ll see you guys later.” He ducks out of the room, but not before casting a solemn look of disapproval at the three of us. “Have a good breakfast.”
“You, too,” Georgia calls out before Emmett and I can.
A flame of irritation kicks off in my chest, and I grit my teeth to stop it from growing into full-blown anger. I peel the bottom paper off my breakfast and drop it on the tabletop.
“I’m not cleaning up, by the way,” Georgia meets my gaze, her pretty blue eyes alight with a sass that makes my dick hard and my head angry. “If I’m not cooking, I’m not cleaning up everyone’s messes either.”
“That’s fair,” Emmett speaks up, his eyes lingering on her. “What do you want to do today, hon?”
Hon. My jaw goes so tight it hurts. No matter how much Emmett defends his position, I don’t like this. I don’t like it at all.
“I think I’ll spend some time on my own, not really interested in spending time with anyone on this ship at the moment.”
I glance at Emmett, who’s now looking at me with the same expression. I have no idea what she’s talking about, but we’re on the shit list right now.
Emmett plucks up a muffin, leaning back in his chair. “You sound like something is on your mind.”
I roll my eyes at the cool tone. “Probably something about last night.”
She pulls out a chair adjacent to me and then plops down, letting out a sigh. My mouth grows dry at the curvature of her hips in the black, thin shorts over her bikini. Her tits sit perky and pretty, a white, loose-fitted tank covering them.
But it’s still sheer enough to see her black bathing suit top beneath.
My dick grows hard at the sight. Fuck, stop being a perv. It’s not like she’s going to want anything to do with me after the fit I had. Even if Emmett thinks otherwise.
‘Women can get over anything,’ he’d said last night.
It’s bullshit. Women forget nothing. He clearly hasn’t had enough serious relationships to understand that.
“So… what’s on your mind?” Emmett’s voice comes back in real time. “You look like something’s bothering you. I’ll keep pushing until you answer.” He flashes her one of his famous grins.
And she relaxes a little.
How the fuck does his smile always fix everything?
I take a bite of my breakfast, forcing myself not to choke at the dry, crumbling muffin.
“They were freezer-burned when I got them out,” Georgia says, her tone icy and unbothered. Her eyes dance across my face, and I swear, there’s a hint of amusement there, as if she’s tempting me to go off on her again.
Not gonna happen.
“I think they’re great,” Emmett chimes, taking his usual good boy stance. The man always just agrees and goes with the flow. But I guess that’s how he gets people to talk to him for his interviews.
“I think they’re what was there and needed to be eaten. It won’t be long, and we’ll be at the Outer Banks. Isn’t that right, Captain?” Georgia turns to me.
I swallow some of the dry muffin, trying not to choke. “Yep. That’s what the plan is.” I open my mouth to say more, but then clamp it shut. I don’t want to set her off.
“You’re avoiding my question,” Emmett jumps right back in. His tone takes on a slight edge, and I raise my brows at him—but his eyes are on Georgia.
“I’m not avoiding your question. I just don’t have to answer anything I don’t want to.” She folds her arms across her chest, her bottom lip pooching out just a little.
I hate how sexy she looks when she’s pouting.
“You’re right,” Emmett keeps talking, “But the way you’re acting isn’t good for anyone on this boat. Clearly,” he looks at me, “we have some things that we need to work out.”
“We do,” I agree, turning to Georgia. “And it would be helpful to know where you’re at with everything. I’m not going to make your job harder if Emmett is the guy you want to be involved with.”
Her plump lips press into a flatline. “I don’t know.”
I nod my head slowly, trying to ignore the pang of hope in my chest. “Can we talk? You and me?”
She turns her head to me, glaring. “No. I don’t want to talk to just you, but you can apologize for throwing such a fit last night—oh, and all the other times you were cold toward me.”
Fuck, I love the way she takes charge. My cock is now full-blown straining against my jeans, and I need desperately to rearrange it. However, now everyone is looking at me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, gritting the words out. “I’m sorry for being a dick to you, Georgia.” But I’m not sorry I stuck my dick in you.
“That doesn’t sound very sincere,” Emmett says through a mouthful. “That sounds like you’re just trying to avoid accountability.”
My face heats up. “And since when do you give a shit about that? Because based on last night—”
‘That’s enough,” Georgia cuts me off. “We’re not going to sit here and act like fucking children.”
“Well, that’s how you’ve been acting all morning,” I shoot back at her. “With your little passive-aggressive muffin thing.”
“I couldn’t care less about the muffin situation,” she says, rolling her eyes at me.
Goddamnit.
She drives me absolutely insane.
“Okay, okay.” Emmett gestures with his hand, his black polo hugging his shoulders. “Let’s just… let’s just figure this out like adults, like she said. Together. I think it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room.”
“And what is that?” I turn to him. “The fact that Georgia has slept with us both? The fact that there’s—”
“I want both of you.”
I blink a couple of times and then shift my gaze back to her. “What?”
She shrugs her shoulders, but her cheeks are tainted crimson. “I want you both. I don’t want to have to choose. I like you, Emmett,” she turns to my best friend. “I think we have a really good time together, and you always make me laugh. Our sex is incredible.”
Emmett looks like he’s about to burst with pride.
I sink lower into my chair.
“Brody,” she shifts to me, and I tense. “I had an amazing night with you as well. I really thought we had chemistry. But I don’t understand or appreciate you acting like you hate me afterwards. I don’t know what I did.” Her entire expression softens, and my chest aches.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe out, really meaning it this time. “I was pretty overwhelmed with the situation. You’re…”
“Robert’s daughter,” Emmett finishes for me. “That’s why he was so closed off. Everyone handles things differently, and I think maybe he closed off because he does like you.”
“He’s right,” I say, grateful for my friend stepping in and finding the words. I guess that’s the perks of being a writer. “I don’t deny our chemistry. It’s not that at all. It’s just the situation… I’m also your boss.”
“But this is hardly some super professional setting. Not to mention, it's temporary,” Georgia retorts, her voice wavering. “And you really came after me. That’s not fair.”
I nod. “I’ll keep a hold of my emotions better, but…” My voice trails off. No matter how hard my dick gets, and no matter how much I want Georgia Blake…
I don’t think I can share.
“Are you wanting to sleep with us both?” I finally ask the question. “Because I can’t tell if you’re just saying you like us both, or if you want to sleep with us both.”
Georgia exhales, her top teeth biting into her lip as her gaze bounces between us. “Both statements are correct.”
“Great,” Emmett grins. “I’m down to share. It doesn’t bother me. I made that pretty clear last night. I don’t mind sharing. Not with Brody.”
She nods her head, her shoulders dropping. “So, you’re fine if I see where things go with Brody?”
See where things go.
“You don’t get to just have your cake and eat it, too,” I snap, shaking my head at the two of them. “You two sound ludicrous.”
“I think she should have her cake and eat it, too,” Emmett snaps right back. “Besides, we’re all grown adults, and people date multiple people all the time. You’re just jealous.” He smirks, and I swear I could punch him right in the fucking face for it.
“I’m not the kind of woman who dates like that,” Georgia interjects. “In fact, I don’t really understand why I can’t get either one of you out of my head.” She angles her body toward me. “But I guess that’s your decision to make, so if you need to take time to think about it, then that’s okay.”
“Fine.” I shove myself back from the table, painfully aware that I’m the one now acting out. But still, I stand to my feet and grab the remainder of my muffin.
“Don’t forget the trash,” Emmett says, his tone almost sweet. “Georgia shouldn’t have to clean up after us.”
I glare at him, ignoring the giggle that comes from Georgia. “I thought I was the captain.” I fist the paper, and then head for the trash can, tossing it inside. I make a break for the bow of the boat, desperate for some fresh air.
I can’t believe they think it’s a good idea.
I can’t believe she wants Emmett just as much as me.
And I can’t believe I’m actually considering it.
“Fuck,” I say the word for the hundredth time, tossing the rest of my muffin out into the ocean. I’m sure the fish will appreciate it much more than I do.
Both of us sleeping with the same woman… what a stupid idea.
Except the longer I stand there, the ocean spraying my face, the more my brain reminds me over and over about how good she felt.
But what would Robert think about it? He’d kill both of us.
The guilt momentarily takes front and center, but Georgia is right. We are all consenting adults, and maybe I’m beating myself up for nothing. I’m apparently the only one who’s struggling with the dynamic. Emmett doesn’t seem to have any problem at all with it.
But he’s also a playboy and rarely thinks twice about who he fucks.
I purse my lips, shaking my head at the war I’ve started with myself. Maybe I’m just overreacting about it all. Georgia is a sweet, sexy woman and seems to be into me.
Just because Catherine destroyed my faith in relationships doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy something good while it lasts. It’s bound to end eventually… right?
My eyes linger on the muffin remnants, floating in the deep blue water. It won’t be long, and we’ll be docked at the Outer Banks for a while, giving us all some space from each other.
And plenty of alone time with Georgia if I want it.
I take a deep inhale, spin on my heel, and head right back into the main lounge and kitchen area. As walk through the door, I catch sight of Emmett and Georgia, still sitting at the kitchen table, lost in conversation.
I clear my throat, and Georgia’s head turns, her eyes meeting mine.
“That didn’t take you very long,” she chimes, her expression filled with curiosity. “But if you’re coming to lecture me, please save it. You can just say no.”
I nod. “I’m aware that you’re a grown adult, and that you’ve had experiences with both me and Emmett.” I force the words out, ignoring the jealousy twisting in my chest. “I understand that I was an asshole.”
“Glad you’re willing to admit it,” Emmett smirks.
I ignore him. “And so, I’m open to this dynamic—whatever that means, and wherever it goes. I have no idea how to navigate something like this, and so you might have to have a little patience with me.”
Georgia’s entire face lights up. “It’s new for me, too. I’ve never experienced anything like this.” She then turns to look at Emmett. “Have you?”
His gaze bounces between us, and for some reason, I expect him to say he has, since he was so damn willing to do it. “Nope.” He surprises me. “I haven’t ever delved into the world of sharing a woman with one of my friends—not knowingly, anyway.”
I force a chuckle, tempted to point out that unknowingly is exactly how all this started for me. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to see where this goes, won’t we?”
“Oh yes, we shall.” Emmett eyes me and then turns to Georgia. “But I do know one thing. It’s gonna be fucking fun.”
I sure as hell hope so.