Chapter Twelve
Well, this is awkward.
Roxanne had every intention, or rather hoped, she’d be spending the night with Jonah. However, she wasn’t expecting a slumber party. When Holden showed up, she thought for sure she’d be going home for the night. I guess not.
Holden had finished cleaning up in record time and followed them through the living room.
When they reached the stairs, Jonah waved her ahead of him.
She stepped on the stairs and noticed Holden quickly advance, but Jonah rested his hand on his brother's chest and stepped behind her. It was a strategic move. She may have been wearing panties, but she’d still be giving Holden a show had he been directly behind her.
She reached the landing, heading to Jonah’s room at the end of the hall. She waved to Holden, who stared back at her.
“Night, Holden.”
“Hey, do you like pancakes or waffles?”
She turned to catch Jonah rolling his eyes. Clearly, she was missing something.
“What?”
Holden smiled. “For breakfast. It’s my turn to cook tomorrow. So? What do you like better?”
So sweet.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be leaving early, anyway. I have a meeting.”
Holden shrugged and immediately blurted. “I don’t mind waking up early.”
Jonah furrowed his brows, jerking his head to his brother. “Since when? It takes three alarms and two threats to get your ass out of bed most mornings.”
Holden scowled, and she sensed Jonah’s dig had hit a sensitive spot. It wasn’t lost on Roxanne that Holden was trying to impress her. She’d grown up with four brothers and remembered their teen years vividly. They may have been a rough and wild bunch, but their pride was delicate.
“I have to leave by eight.”
Both brothers glanced over.
“I can get up at seven,” Holden offered.
“Okay.” She shrugged with a soft smile. “Then I’m looking forward to waffles.”
Holden grinned, and Jonah started toward her, shaking his head. She slipped inside his bedroom, and he followed, closing the door behind him. She covered her mouth, concealing her chuckle. His features softened, and he gripped her jaw.
“His ass is not gonna be up at seven.”
She wove her arms around his waist and popped up on her toes, brushing her lips against Jonah’s. “I was promised waffles, so at least we know your ass will be up at seven.”
Jonah smirked, dropping his lips to hers and taking her in for a deep kiss. God, this man can kiss. Jonah lifted her off her feet and walked her to the bed. He carefully dropped her onto the mattress, moving over her.
Roxanne was more than ready for round two.
His hand skimmed over her thigh, sending a warm heat prickling over her skin.
She wiggled her hips, spreading her legs, making room for him.
Even through two layers of clothing, she could feel his length.
Foreplay was unnecessary. Roxanne arched her back, hooking her legs over his thighs, forcing him closer.
“We can’t.” His gruff whisper was followed by his mouth over her neck. His bearded scruff scratched over her skin, and her nipples hardened. Rugged and strong had always been appealing, but on Jonah it was downright irresistible.
“I’ll be quiet,” she muttered in a heavy breath.
“Roxanne …”
She swiveled her hips, and he dropped his face into her neck, letting out a muffled groan. Jonah's words and actions were hypocritical. The friction of the hard denim rubbing against her cotton panties was too much.
“I promise I’ll be quiet.” She pleaded.
His chest rumbled, and he lifted his head. His gaze was all heat, but she didn’t miss the amusement. He jerked his chin toward the headboard.
“Holden and I share a wall. And I’ve got no doubt his ear is pressed against it.”
Her mouth fell open, and she looked at the wall in question. Do kids still do that?
Jonah smirked. “Eighteen, Rox.”
“Well, fuck.” She pouted, which got a chuckle from him.
“Not tonight, sweetheart.” Jonah kissed her and rolled off her body, lying next to her and staring at the spinning ceiling fan.
This was an absolute buzzkill. But there was a bright side.
In a few hours, she’d be waking up with him.
The thought had her mood shifting, and she rolled on her side, propping up on her elbow and resting her head in her palm.
Even this man’s profile was perfection. Roxanne had dated handsome guys, but there was something special about him.
An instant attraction. How had she never seen him hanging out with her brothers in the past? She would’ve harbored a major crush.
Jonah glanced over, arching his brow. “What?”
“When did you meet my brothers? I don’t remember seeing you around the house growing up.” She rested her hand on his abs. “I’d remember.”
Jonah scoffed. “Last thing I want to be thinking about right now is your brothers.”
“Does it make you uncomfortable to talk about them knowing you just banged their little sister?” she teased.
Jonah snorted, dragging his hand over his face, covering his yawn. “Met them years ago, not sure when.”
It was vague. Roxanne didn’t remember every moment of her life but could recall meeting most people. Especially friends.
“Who’d you meet first?”
“Ethan, I think.”
“Through work?” It was an innocent question that was met with silence.
It was a strange reaction. However, he’d initially resisted her advances, citing Ethan as an excuse.
Aside from the business aspect, he had a friendship with all her brothers.
She might’ve thought Jonah’s concerns were valid had she not heard the opposite from her siblings.
They didn’t seem to take any issue with her interest in Jonah.
“They’d approve, you know.”
Jonah glanced over.
“My brothers?” She waved her finger between them. “They’d approve of this. Probably wouldn’t want to know the details, but they wouldn’t object. If you’re worried about that.”
“Not worried.”
She leaned closer and whispered. “Good.”
He cupped her jaw, pulling her in for a kiss. It ended too soon. “Let’s get to sleep. On the off-chance Holden does make breakfast, our asses are only getting a few hours of sleep.”
There was something off in his tone. She couldn’t shake the thought that he wasn’t being one hundred percent honest with her. About what? Roxanne wasn’t sure.
This was only their first date, and she shouldn’t have put too much thought into it. They had plenty of time to get to know each other better. But still …
Secrets and lies had doomed every relationship in her past. Not that she’d had many. Roxanne may have dated a lot, but she’d only been in a handful of committed relationships. She was careful, cautious and, above all, selective.
****
Jonah woke up with the sheets tangled between his legs and a heat on his chest. It had been forever since he’d shared a bed with a woman—especially his own.
Roxanne was passed out with her hair sprawled over his arm and her cheek on his chest. She looked angelic and peaceful.
He had only a short time left with her, and he planned to keep her in bed.
Of course, someone else had other plans.
Jonah turned toward the door when he heard the soft knock. His brothers’ only setting was rough and loud. He pulled off the covers, careful not to wake Roxanne. He walked to the door, opening it slightly, blocking any view into his room.
What the fuck?
Holden was standing a foot away, wide-eyed. “Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes.”
Holy shit. Even his brother was under her spell. Jonah arched his back and lifted his chin. Roxanne was still asleep, but his brother had made an effort and he knew she’d appreciate it.
“We’ll be down in a few.” Jonah yawned and turned toward the room but glanced back when he heard his brother call his name.
Holden was walking down the stairs, staring up at him through the banister with a smile playing on his lips. “Just a heads up. Cord came home late last night.”
Fuck!
That was the last thing he needed. Jonah walked to the edge of the bed, sliding his hand over her hip. She’d slept in only her panties and his T-shirt, which had risen and was wrapped over her stomach. God, she was beautiful.
“Rox,” he whispered, squeezing her hip.
It took two tries, and she rolled onto her back, the shirt sliding up an inch more and showing a sliver of her stomach. He clenched his jaw and ignored the immediate reaction the image had on his cock.
“Morning.” Her soft voice was soft, groggy and welcoming. She brushed her hand over his knuckles as if calling him back to bed.
“So, hell fucking froze over, and Holden got up and made breakfast.” He raised his brows, and she squinted. “Ten minutes.”
She chuckled and threw the covers off. They got dressed in silence.
She wore the same clothes as yesterday, and they headed to the kitchen.
He was thankful Cord was nowhere in sight.
Since he’d gotten in late, there was a good chance he’d sleep in, or at least Jonah hoped so.
Dealing with Holden was a task in itself.
Adding Cord to the mix would be challenging.
As if fate decided to bitch slap him, the door swung open and Cord walked in bare-chested with his sweats hanging low. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned with his eyes closed.
“Since when do we eat breakfast at seven in the morning on a Saturday?” Cord’s voice was groggy. His question was aimed at Holden, but when he turned toward the stove, his gaze jerked across the room, landing on Roxanne.
“Morning.” Roxanne’s voice was overly chipper, which Jonah figured was for Cord’s benefit.
“What the fuck is …”
“Hey,” Jonah snapped. “Your mouth!”
Cord wasn’t fazed by the reprimand. He was too focused and, if Jonah had to guess, confused by Roxanne’s presence.
“She stayed over last night.” Holden’s voice hitched. “With Jonah. In. His. Room.”