Chapter 14
fourteen
“So, you said you’re here just for the weekend?”
My heart flips as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “Yes.”
“I’d like to take you out.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”
Brex cants his head, gaze blazing over every inch of me he can see. I don’t know why I asked him what he does for a living. I already know. Guess it would’ve been rude if I didn’t, considering he has no idea I know more than I’m letting on.
“Look. I have plans. And none of them include getting involved with someone right now.”
He sits back against the booth with a thump. “Who said anything about getting involved?”
“I slept with your friend, Logan. You know that, right?”
“Yup.”
I pick up my fork, twisting it nervously back and forth between my fingers. “And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Nope.” He leans in, resting his bulging forearms back on the table, eyes pinning me in place with molten heat. “Actually, it makes me want you even more.”
Holy shit, that’s hot.
I clear my throat, reaching for my water glass. “And he didn’t tell you my name?” I take a sip. The cool liquid helps to ease my nerves a little.
Brex shakes his head. “I tried asking him about what happened, but he refuses to talk about it. Or you.”
Hurt lances my throat. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” His eyes narrow in on me. “You did kind of leave him floundering.”
“I had my reasons.”
Another waitress comes over and sets the check on the table.
When Brex reaches into his back pocket and takes out his wallet, a random thought occurs.
Does he keep a bunch of condoms in tucked inside like Logan does? I mean, Logan said Brex always forgets them, but I can’t help but wonder…
“Care to fill me in?”
His question shakes me out of my reverie. “Not particularly.”
The sigh that escapes him sounds defeated.
“Fine. Come on then. I’ll walk you home.”
This time he doesn’t reach for my hand. He just shoves his hands in his pockets and follows half a step behind, letting me lead the way.
The silence between us grows heavy as we walk, heart thumping in a rhythm matching my racing thoughts. I should tell him why I left Logan without a word. But would he even care? And why do I suddenly give a shit what Brex thinks about me?
I steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye. Jaw set, his eyes are focused straight ahead. He did save me from those two assholes tonight, so the least I could do is be honest.
“Brex,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “About Logan.”
He slows his pace, turning his head inquisitively to look at me. “Yeah?”
Nervous as shit, I swallow hard. “The reason I left the hotel...” I blow out a breath, my next words coming out in a rush. “I accidentally saw some texts on Logan’s phone.”
His eyebrows furrow. “Texts?”
“From other women.” The words feel like sandpaper in my throat.
“I know it was stupid. I mean, we weren’t together.
It was just a weekend fling. But seeing all those messages from different women, talking about hooking up, about what they wanted to do to him... ” I shake my head. “It freaked me out.”
Brex stops. “Reyna, I—”
“I know how it sounds,” I cut him off. If I stop talking now, I might not be able to gather enough courage to finish.
“We’d just met. But I thought... I don’t know. That maybe it meant something? That maybe I wasn’t just another name on his list? Your list? To me, it felt like there was this connection…”
Brex looks down at me, surprise written all over his face. “Makes sense,” he says as he turns, walking away.
Dumbfounded, it’s not until he’s a few feet ahead that I hurry to catch up. “What the hell do you mean, it makes sense?”
“I felt it too.”
His words are so nonchalant it renders me speechless again until I spot my rental a couple of houses away. “Um… I’m just up here,” I say, picking up my pace.
The cottage is dark, with only a dim light illuminating the small porch. My neighbors’ porch lights are on, but otherwise, we’re surrounded by shadows. I fumble with my purse, hyperaware of Brex’s presence behind me.
“Thanks for walking me—”
No sooner are we on the front porch, then I find myself backed into a corner.
“Reyna.” The way he whisper-growls my name has my thighs clenching in response. His irises are almost black in the dim light as he leans in close, breath brushing against my lips. “Can I kiss you?”
Just as I suck in enough air to be able to answer, the porch light flickers and goes out, plunging us into darkness.
My heart skips when a devastating grin flashes across his face. “I think maybe we should take that as a sign, don’t you?”
I gulp. “What about Logan?”
“What about him?” Brex shrugs. “He’s had you already. He won’t care. If anything, when I tell him what happened tonight...” He drags his tongue across his lower lip. “...he just might change his mind about the two for one.”
His body heat envelops me as he shifts even closer. “I mean, if you’re still into it. After what those assholes did, the last thing I want to do is pressure you.”
Everything about him is so much more intense in the dark. His scent, the heat radiating from his body, the devastatingly sexy tone of his voice igniting every one of my nerve endings on fire.
Grabbing the front of his shirt, I tug him closer. “Oh, I’m into it,” I whisper.
His mouth crashes down on mine. The kiss is nothing like I expected—urgent, almost desperate.
My back arches as his hands slide down to my waist. Fingers digging into my hips, his hard cock presses against my stomach.
“Fuck, Reyna,” he murmurs against my lips. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
Breathless, I press my palms against his chest. “What about those two women you left with?”
His chuckle is low, luscious against the curve of my ear. “Jealous, Pretty?”
A smile tugs at my lips as I look away with a shrug. “Maybe,” I admit.
“Good.” His teeth graze my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine. “Because I’ve been jealous ever since Logan chose to keep you all to himself.”
The confession makes my heart flutter. I should feel guilty, but all I feel is wanted. Needed.
“Well, that’s just… sad,” I grin up at him.
“Minx,” he growls, taking my mouth again.
His tongue ravages my mouth, teeth nipping at my bottom lip, making me gasp before he sucks on it, soothing the sting.
When a moan escapes me, he presses his whole body against mine, fisting one hand in my hair while the other reaches down to squeeze my ass.
Breaking the kiss, he cants his head enticingly. “Can I touch you?”
There’s something insanely heady about being this close to him. Especially now. In the dark. Just the two of us. All alone on my porch.
Not to mention, he smells amazing. Like cinnamon laced with a faint hint of smoke.
“I... As much as I want you to, we probably shouldn’t.”
Liar. The devil on my shoulder whispers. You know you want him to shove his hand up your dress and finger-fuck the hell out of you.
Lust dances in my veins. A veritable storm writhing with a combination of reckless abandon and quiet restraint.
His eyes flash with heat, but he doesn’t push. Instead, he brushes his thumb across my lower lip. “Tell me why not.”
“Because I’m leaving tomorrow,” I whisper, even as my body leans into him. “And our situation is... complicated.”
“Doesn’t have to be.” His voice drops to a dangerous rumble, making my insides melt. “Besides, I think maybe you still owe me for saving your life tonight.”
My laugh comes out breathless. “Is that how it works? You save a girl, she owes you sex?”
“If she wants.” His lips brush my temple. “And something tells me that you do.”
Fuck me if he isn’t spot on. I want him. So bad.
I mean, what could it hurt? So what if I had sex with his best friend? I already know they share. So what if it’s not both of them at the same time? Logan had his chance.
And I want Brex too.
“Okay. But you can’t come inside.”
He smirks. “The house or…”
That makes me laugh. Loudly. Almost immediately, the sound is cut off when his hand comes up to cover my mouth.
“Shhh, Pretty. The neighbors will hear you. Unless…” Lowering his hand, he pulls back a little, searching my face. “You want them to see what I’m gonna do to you? Here. In the dark.”