14. Frankie
14
FRANKIE
I didn’t want to wake up.
I knew I’d have to deal with reality once I was fully awake. Better to drift in that half-asleep, half-awake daze.
Then my bed shifted beneath me and my eyes popped open.
Reath .
I was sprawled on Reath. Held in his arms, lying on the couch together.
I bit my lip. He was still asleep. That handsome face was more relaxed, and while not boyish, sleep definitely softened him.
My gaze traced over the slope of his nose, his high cheekbones. The man was gorgeous. I knew he was also tough, loyal, and dedicated, and a man who did the right thing.
Even though he had dark things that clearly haunted him.
Jack considered Reath Fury the best man he’d ever met.
“Frankie, Reath’s a man who could be hurt and bleeding, and he’d still go the extra mile to help someone else. Especially his friends and brothers.”
I suspected that because Reath didn’t have a family growing up, he cared even harder about the one he’d made for himself.
I rested my cheek against his chest. This felt…nice.
It felt right. Like I was where I was supposed to be.
I felt a bump under my skin and when I shifted, I saw an old, puckered scar. It was circular, and my stomach lurched. An old bullet wound. It wasn’t the only scar. There were other lighter scars criss-crossing his skin.
He was a man who’d seen and done a lot of dangerous things.
I frowned. No . I couldn’t get used to snuggling up with him. I’d watched my mom lose her light when my father had died. Love was risky, and there were never any guarantees.
Reath’s eyes opened.
“Good morning,” I said, aiming for casual.
“ Shit .” His voice was a sleepy rumble.
I rolled my eyes. “You can have your guilt-induced meltdown now.”
His hands shifted…over my bare ass.
His fingers clenched for a second, then he sat up, setting me on the couch beside him. He rose and made no effort to hide the erection tenting the front of his pajama pants.
I tried not to stare at the bulge. Okay, I didn’t really.
“I shouldn’t have touched you,” he said.
I looked up. “Why?”
“You were shaken, scared—”
“I knew exactly what I was doing, Reath. I wanted it. I wanted you. It was me who put my mouth on your cock.”
And I still wanted him.
He raked a hand through his hair. “Don’t say cock.”
I smiled. “I like your cock, and I enjoyed sucking it.”
He cursed. “Jack’s my best friend.”
I sat up straighter. It was hard to look attractive and authoritative in a borrowed T-shirt, no panties, and tangled hair. “What we did had nothing to do with my brother. I’m a grown woman, Reath. I’ve had sex before. You seem like you’re not an asshole. Surely Jack wants me to be intimate with nice guys, not assholes. Although he is my brother, so I don’t discuss my sex life with him.”
“Stop saying sex.”
I smiled. “Sex, sex, sex.”
He growled, his gaze locking onto my lips. But he was tense and holding himself back.
“Sex,” I said again slowly.
He shook his head and strode toward me. My heart kicked.
He tugged me up and his mouth closed over mine. I leaned into him and kissed him back. Oh, God, I would never get enough of this man’s kisses.
“Hello?” a female voice echoed up the stairs.
Reath backed off like I had syphilis. I tugged on the hem of my T-shirt. He strode around the kitchen island, and I guessed he was trying to hide his hard-on.
I giggled.
He frowned. “Stop it.”
A second later, a woman appeared. She was an attractive brunette in a sleek black skirt and white shirt. I recognized her as Dante Fury’s girlfriend.
She spotted me and her eyes went wide. She jerked to a halt. “Oh.”
“Hi.” I lifted a hand.
“You…” She looked at Reath and blinked. “You have a woman in your place. You never have women in your place.”
Interesting . “I’m Frankie.”
“I’m Mila.” She walked over and held out a hand. We shook.
“I’m Jack’s sister.”
Mila’s eyes widened. “Reath’s best friend Jack?”
I nodded.
“Frankie had a…situation yesterday,” Reath said.
“Oh, are you all right?” Mila looked at my bandaged temple. “We’ve had a few situations around here. I had my own, and it wasn’t fun.”
“I’m fine. Reath’s helping me out.”
“Well, if you need something sorted, Reath is your man.” She glanced at him. “I was coming to make sure you were coming to family lunch today. And you should bring Frankie.”
“Oh, well…” I couldn’t read Reath’s face. “I really need to get to my lab.”
Mila cocked a brow. “Lab?”
“I’m a scientist.”
“You’re not going alone,” Reath growled. “I’m coming with you.”
“Great,” Mila said. “Do your stuff, and I’ll see you both at lunch. Lola’s making gumbo.” Mila gave a breezy wave as she headed out.
“I was trying to turn her down,” I said.
“It’s fine.” Reath rubbed his forehead. “Are you sure you want to go to your lab?”
I nodded. “I’m not letting anyone stop my research. It’s important I assess the damage and what needs to be replaced. Plus, I really need to see my house as well.”
“We can grab some of your clothes and things while we’re there. You’re staying here until I find the people responsible.”
I glanced at the couch. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
He gave me a long look. “Yes. I’m keeping you safe, Frankie, no matter what.”