Chapter 11
Isabelle
Ian and Dylan were coming over to my apartment on Monday afternoon. I’d only told them that I wanted to put an alarm system in place. They’d been bugging me about getting one for so long that they didn’t even ask what had changed my mind. They were in for a surprise.
Brayden had spoken with Sasha on Saturday, telling her about us, and she’d already emailed me a list of things I needed to watch out for, such as paparazzi, as well as a list of standard replies to parrot back if they caught me off guard. This all felt a bit surreal.
Brayden was looking at my front door, explaining the kinds of alarm systems that would work here. I tugged at his hand, bringing one palm to his cheek and turning his face to me.
“No, don’t be all broody and serious. That’s my brothers’ job. I demand a kiss.”
“You demand it?”
I nodded excitedly. “Yes, for good luck.”
“What do you need it for?”
“I don’t. You do, but you just don’t know it.”
Brayden threw his head back, laughing. I rose on my tiptoes, kissing his Adam’s apple and his chin.
He covered my mouth the next second. I braced my palms on his shoulders, pressing my thighs together.
A deep throb pulsed through me already. I moaned, pushing my hips into him.
Heat spread through me like wildfire, starting from my center.
Bringing a hand to my lower back, he slipped two fingers beneath the waistband of my jeans. He only brushed my skin, but it was enough for my senses to heighten. Every kiss was all-consuming, every single time.
My knees buckled lightly, but Brayden steadied me. “So, tell me about your brothers.”
“Well, they’ve had the software company for a few years. They were based in Washington and did well down there. Some of their clients also have subsidiaries in New York, so they decided to move here and expand the business a bit. I love them both to pieces, and I’m so happy we’re all here now.”
Brayden looked at me with warm eyes, pulling me against him. “You make me miss my family. And my hometown. I haven’t been there in years.”
“Why not?”
“It’s easier to keep them safe if they come to see me here. I do miss going home though.”
Sadness crossed his face for a few seconds, and I didn’t like that at all. I loved seeing that twinkle of mischief in his eyes, so I decided to bring it back.
I didn’t have time to add anything more though, because the doorbell rang. Looking through the peephole, I confirmed my brothers had arrived before opening the door.
“Hey, Sis—” Ian began but stopped abruptly when he noticed Brayden.
“Come in. Ian, Dylan, this is Brayden,” I said as they stepped inside and closed the door.
“We know,” Ian exclaimed. “I’m a big fan.”
Dylan was already glancing between the two of us suspiciously. “Wait a second. Josie was saying you’re seeing someone, but she couldn’t tell me…”
My sister was usually great at keeping secrets, but she claimed motherhood sleep deprivation was making her easy prey for my brothers these days. I could practically see Dylan’s wheels spinning.
“Are you two dating?” he asked eventually.
Instead of answering, Brayden pulled me toward him, kissing the side of my head.
Ian clapped his hands once, grinning. “Holy shit, I can’t believe this! Man, I’ve been a fan for years. I don’t think I have anything for you to sign…”
He started searching the pockets of his jeans, and so did Dylan.
My eyes bulged. I had not expected my brothers to let out their inner fanboys. At least not before they gave him some sort of brother talk.
Stepping away from Brayden, I placed my hands on my hips, clearing my throat.
“You two have been side-eyeing every guy you thought was on my radar forever, and now you’re searching for pens?”
Ian grinned. “We’ll get to that, Sis. We need to get his autograph while we’re still on friendly terms.”
Dylan elbowed Ian with a smug smile. “Don’t give away the plan. Beats the purpose.”
Brayden laughed, especially because my brothers came up empty. “How about we get to know each other now, and I’ll send some signed stuff for you later.”
He shook hands with each of them. Dylan looked him straight in the eye. “In that case, remember that we’re keeping an eye on you. Don’t mess with Isabelle.”
“There, finally. Thought you were selling me out for an autograph,” I teased. “Should we start?”
My brothers nodded. Dylan pulled out an iPad. Ian checked the door and the windows, but they’d already done that when I first moved in here, so it didn’t take long.
Once we all sat on the couch in the living room, I was flanked by my brothers. Brayden sat on Ian’s other side.
“So since there’s no built-in wiring for sensors at the doors and windows, we’ll have to use wireless sensors,” Ian explained. Dylan showed me a picture of the system.
“Why the windows? I’m on the second floor. It’s not like someone can climb in. Why not just the door?”
“It makes it more secure, and they won’t bother you. You won’t even notice them.”
Brayden walked up to the window, glancing outside. “Theoretically someone could come on your balcony if they climb the tree in front.”
I ran a hand through my hair, looking at all three of them. “That sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn’t it?”
Three pairs of eyes stared at me in obvious disagreement.
I laughed, raising my hands in the air. “Fine, fine. Put sensors everywhere. You’re three peas in a pod, I swear.”
My brothers chuckled. Brayden smiled.
“Brayden, you have my support only because we’ve never been able to convince Isabelle to have an alarm system here,” Dylan said.
I rolled my eyes, standing up and heading to the kitchen. “I think it’s an unnecessary fuss. And I never had a break-in when I lived in Philly, where you made me have an alarm.”
“Maybe you didn’t have it because of the alarm,” Dylan said.
“When can you get started?” Brayden asked.
“I’ll buy one next week and do it,” Ian said. Elbowing Dylan, he asked, “Can you believe we have insider information for once? Josie doesn’t know it’s him yet.”
“Ummm… sorry to burst your bubble, boys, but she does know. And so do Tess, Skye, and Laney.”
Ian blinked. “So you basically told everyone but us.”
“It wasn’t intentional. It slipped.” I batted my eyelashes, kissing each of them on the cheek as I walked them to the door. “I promise I still love you both to the moon and back.”
“She actually thinks she can sweet-talk her way out of this,” Ian said.
Dylan shrugged. “She always tries. But we’ll keep this in mind.”
“Aww, don’t be like that. Pinky promise that I’ll update you before Josie next time. By the way, did Mom and Dad decide when they’re coming for Sophie’s party?” I asked.
Josie had given birth two weeks before her due date. We’d scheduled the baby shower one week before. Mom had declared that she wanted a welcome party for Sophie instead, so that was happening in two weeks.
“I spoke to them yesterday. They’ll fly in on Friday so they’re well rested on Saturday,” Dylan said.
I clapped my hands. “I can’t wait. Mom is probably going to talk about Sophie nonstop.”
Dylan chuckled. “I’ll take that over more wedding talk any day.”
I couldn’t blame him, especially after finding out what really happened with Lina. We always talked about weddings lately when we met up with the Winchesters because Tess’s wedding was coming up soon.
After they left, I turned my focus on Brayden, who was still checking the windows in my living room.
Rising on my tiptoes, I made to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and spoke against my lips.
“Come over to my place tonight.”
My eyes widened. I remember Sasha explicitly saying even she hadn’t been there.
“To sleep there?” I teased.
“Among other things.” His eyes crinkled at the corners.
“Such as?” I shimmied against him, teasing him.
He pressed his lips to one corner of my mouth. “You’ll see.”
Taking a step back, I faked being suspicious. “You’re not really selling me on the idea. I need something to look forward to.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Besides me naked?”
“Okay, now you’ve won me over.”
He laughed, giving me a quick peck. “Come on, let’s go. I have a surprise for you.”