Chapter 18
Brooks
The scent of freshly brewed coffee curled through the quiet kitchen, wrapping the early morning in warmth. The light was soft, golden against the frosted windowpanes, and for a few blessed minutes, it felt like the world belonged only to me.
I always rose early, carving out this pocket of solitude before the day’s chaos set in.
Still, the part I secretly craved was when Annie would wander in to join me.
It had become our ritual—me brewing the coffee, setting a cup aside for her, and waiting for that smile that made the mornings brighter than any sunrise.
God, that smile. It never failed to hit me square in the chest.
We were just days from Christmas now, the town decked out in twinkle lights and evergreen garlands just as always.
Days from me packing up my life again, heading toward another rodeo, another circuit, another faceless stop on the endless road.
South looked promising, but every time I thought about leaving Snowberry Peak, something inside me recoiled.
Maybe it wasn’t the town I wasn’t ready to leave.
Maybe it was Annie and Ruby.
Leaning against the counter, coffee in hand, I checked the clock. Any second now. My pulse ticked in rhythm with the second hand. Patience. I set the mug down, crossing my arms over my bare chest as I waited.
Just like clockwork, her bedroom door creaked open, and moments later, Annie appeared.
My head tilted, studying her as if I’d never seen her before. Today she wasn’t in jeans or leggings. Today she wore a dress that skimmed just above her knees, white tights hugging her legs, short boots clicking softly against the kitchen tile.
“Dressed to impress?” I asked, my voice low, teasing.
She came straight to me, arms sliding around my neck as though she belonged there. My hands found her waist instinctively, tugging her closer.
“It better be to impress me,” I murmured, “though you do that well enough already.”
Her lips curved, but she bit down gently, shaking her head. “Meeting with the mayor and his board this morning. They want to finalize the menu, and he suggested I wear something a little more professional. Leave an impression.”
I gave a slow nod, but my eyes couldn’t help trailing down the length of her body, memorizing the sight. “Gimme a spin, Red.”
I caught her hand and twirled her, the hem of her dress flaring, teasing a glimpse of her curves. Gorgeous didn’t begin to cover it.
When she landed back in my arms, I lifted her easily, setting her on the counter. Bracing my hands on either side of her, I leaned in, close enough to feel her breath on my lips.
Her fingertips traced my chest, lingering over the tattoos etched into my skin. A spark lit in her eyes, one I wanted to burn in forever.
“You know,” she whispered, voice husky, “waking up every morning to you shirtless in my kitchen is pretty damn hot.”
A rough sound rumbled in my chest as I buried my face against her neck, breathing her in. She tilted back, offering herself to me as I kissed and nibbled at the soft skin there, her hands roaming over my shoulders, down my back, and lower still.
I savored it. Every deliberate touch. Every way she seemed to brand me with her hands.
“I’ll do it every damn morning,” I promised against her skin.
“You already do,” she breathed, smiling, as if it were the simplest truth in the world.
“I know.”
My palms slid down to her thighs, over the silky fabric of her tights, before slipping beneath the hem of her dress.
I felt her body twitch beneath my touch, but I kept moving higher, my fingers sliding toward the band of her tights. Dipping beneath, I teased along her stomach, slow enough to make her squirm.
“What is it with you and kitchens?” she whispered, her hand curling into my hair to hold me there.
I caught her earlobe between my teeth, biting just enough to draw a gasp before letting go. “I’d take you anywhere, Annie. The kitchen just happens to be where you make yourself irresistible.”
Considering most mornings, we’d get handsy in here and yesterday I literally bent her over the counter at the ski lodge with zero remorse.
Hooking my fingers under the fabric, I tugged her tights down. She shifted, lifting her hips to help me. When they slid to her knees, I stilled, a groan leaving my throat.
No panties.
Heat surged through me, my mouth watering at the sight of her bare and waiting.
“What’s this?” I rasped, dragging a finger along her slick core. She was already wet. “Scandalous.”
Her lips curved into a wicked smile. “I knew you’d want a taste.”
I straightened, towering over her. Her head tipped back to meet my gaze, and I couldn’t resist tracing her with my eyes, from her parted lips down to where my finger circled lazily at her core.
“You know me too well,” I said, drawing another slow circle over her clit.
She bit her lip, eyes fluttering shut.
“How much time do you have?” I murmured, teasing her with each stroke.
“Not much,” she moaned, hips rocking forward, “but don’t you dare stop. The mayor can wait.”
A growl rumbled in my chest. “That’s my girl.”
I slid a finger inside her without warning, and her gasp tore through the quiet of the kitchen. Her eyes fell shut, but I caught her jaw in my other hand, tilting her face toward me.
“Eyes on me,” I demanded.
Her lids flew open, and I was met with wide, glassy eyes filled with lust. I pushed deeper, curling my finger until she hummed in approval. Then I gave her a second finger, filling her tighter, her body clenching greedily around me.
“You hear that?” I asked, my voice rough. The wet, obscene sound of my fingers thrusting into her echoed against the walls. “Music to my ears.”
She moaned, her nails digging into the counter.
“You dirty girl,” I growled, thrusting harder, faster, my hand on her hip keeping her right where I wanted her. “You knew I wouldn’t be able to resist you in this dress.”
Annie smirked through the haze of desire, her expression daring me, tempting me further. “Then don’t resist. Make me come. Right here. I want to feel it.”
Her hips rolled, adjusting, and when I shifted with her, I found a new angle that had her crying out.
“Oh, fuck,” she breathed, her body shuddering as her walls clamped down on my fingers.
She was so close—her gasps coming faster, her thighs trembling around me. I chased her release, relentless in my rhythm, gritting my teeth as my cock strained painfully.
I couldn’t think about my own need. Not when she was unraveling for me. Not when her body was right there, begging, pulsing around my fingers, about to fall apart.
With another stroke, she shattered, her body clenching tight around my fingers as she cried out. I kept going, drawing every last wave from her until she sagged forward, breathless, her chest rising and falling in quick bursts.
Slowly, I slid my fingers free, glistening with her release. Without looking away, I reached for my coffee mug. Annie’s eyes stayed locked on me, wide and wanting, as I dipped those same fingers into the steaming cup and stirred once.
Then I lifted them out, brought them to my mouth, and sucked them clean, savoring the taste of her mixed with bitter coffee.
With a soft pop, I let my fingers slip free of my lips before chasing it with a slow sip from the mug. “Delicious,” I murmured, winking at her over the rim.
Her laugh broke through the haze, light and shaky. “Okay… that was insanely hot.” She pressed a hand to her cheek, still flushed. “Can’t we go upstairs? I don’t think I can get through a whole day of work with that being the last image I have of you.”
Her gaze dropped, and her lips parted when she saw the straining bulge in my pants—impossible to hide.
Grinning, I set my mug down and poured a fresh to-go cup for her. I handed it over just as her eyes flicked down again, lingering between my legs.
“We’ve got to do something about that,” she teased, nodding at me with a wicked grin.
I leaned in, brushing a kiss across her lips. “I’ll take care of it.”
Annie gasped, feigning outrage. “Unfair!” She pointed accusingly at my erection, her pout downright sinful.
“Down, girl,” I chuckled, stealing another kiss before pulling back, my voice dropping low. “You’ll have your fill. I promise.”
Her pout softened into a sly smile. “That better be a real promise.”
“Cross my heart.”
She hopped off the counter, smoothing her dress back into place before snagging her purse from the chair. When she headed for the door, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Her hips swayed—more than a little on purpose—and I groaned, adjusting myself as if that would ease the ache.
At the door, she tossed me a lazy wave over her shoulder.
I was in trouble.