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Brynn is crouched in front of the closet, sliding what looks like a jewelry box back into her bag. “What’s that?”
With a shake of the head, she stands. “Nothing that matters.”
I nod. Though I sense there’s more to what she was doing in here, I don’t press, afraid she’ll shut me out. “You okay? You were quiet on the ride home, and the way you ran in here . . . I was worried I did something to upset you.”
She shakes her head and offers me a smile. When it reaches her eyes, I sigh, relieved. “You didn’t do anything, I swear. And I’m good. Promise.”
I step forward and draw her into my arms. Her body is warm and soft, and it molds to mine. I drop a kiss to the top of her head, wondering what the hell happened to the old Jace Taggart. This isn’t me. I don’t seek comfort from girls. I only offer physical affection when I know it’s leading somewhere, not just because I care.
But Brynn is different. Maybe she always has been.
“Jace?” She tips her head, lifting her gaze to mine, and I swallow.
Here it is, the moment she tells you she doesn’t want this—want you—because she’d rather have someone boring and normal like the schmuck back at the restaurant. Someone who’s not adverse to relationships.
I straighten my shoulders, steeling myself for what’s about to come out of her mouth. “Yeah?”
“I was just thinking . . .” She licks her lips, her violet eyes darting to the door. “I know how you’ve been complaining about your back and how hard the sofa is, and I know what a pain sleeping in the living room must be, so I just thought . . . well, I wonder if maybe you’d want to sleep in here.”
My brows lift.Notwhat I was expecting.
Just to be sure, I ask, “With you?” She nods, biting her lower lip, and I grin. “Cupcake, are you trying to get me in bed?”
“What? No!” Her cheeks flush. “I just figured it wouldn’t hurt anything just to sleep together.”
I bark out a laugh as her mouth rounds into an O. “That’s not how I meant—”
“I can’t disagree with you. Sleeping together sounds like a great idea, best one you’ve had yet.” I wiggle my brows, and she turns another shade of red.
“Jace!” She smacks my chest. “I mean just tosleep. Literally.”
“Oh, damn.” I snap my fingers as my eyes glitter with amusement. Of course I knew what she meant. Whatever is going on between us is new, and the last thing I want is to pressure Brynn into doing anything she’s not ready for. Rushing her isn’t even on my radar, but it’s not for lack of wanting her. “If you wanted to cuddle, Cupcake, why didn’t you just say so?” I give her a playful squeeze, then bow. “My body is at your service. Use me how you want.” I wink, and her cheeks turn to lava.
“You’re cruel,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You know I’m teasing.” I laugh. “I knew what you meant from the start, and I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. Scouts honor,” I say, raising two fingers in a Boy Scouts’ salute.
Brynn snorts. “You are the furthest thing from a Boy Scout.” Then she pokes me in the chest and tries to brush past me, but I yank her back, leaning down to brush a soft kiss over her lips. “Why don’t we get ready for bed?” I whisper.
She stares up at me, her breathing shallow. I didn’t mean for the request to sound so sensual, but considering how much she turns me on, I’m not surprised by the raspy growl of my voice.
With a silent nod, she pulls away from me and grabs her pajamas while I leave the room to give her some privacy. After we’ve both brushed our teeth, I return to the bedroom to see Brynn is already nestled in bed looking like a fucking dream.
I reach over my head and yank off my T-shirt, throwing it in the hamper beside the door before I turn to find her staring.Holding her gaze, I drop my pants, smirking at her valiant effort to keep her eyes waist-high but she fails and lets it drop to my boxer briefs for a split second.
I crawl under the covers beside her and when she turns on her side, I press her smaller body against my larger one, holding her close. I’ve never done this before—cuddled with a girl—and I wonder if it shows. I wonder if I suck at it, even as my palm flattens over her abdomen and I pull her tighter only to discover it’s still not close enough. Something tells me I could be inside Brynn and still never get enough, so I slide my hand under her shirt, letting the heat of her skin burn through my palm as I close my eyes.
With a sigh, I relax into the mattress. My muscles loosen and my breathing evens out. Lying beside her like this makes it easy to imagine what it would be like to be with her—toreallybe with Brynn in every capacity.
And as I lie here, basking in her coconut-vanilla scent, I think about what it would be like if she were mine. Completely and utterly mine.
I’ve never pondered the merits of a relationship before. I’ve never thought about more than fleeting pleasure with a woman, but Brynn makes me want to change everything. She makes me think there might be more out there than I ever thought possible.
My eyes flutter closed, and as I start to drift, it feels a lot like falling when I whisper, “Goodnight, Cupcake.”
CHAPTER 25
BRYNN
