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I’ve never cared enough before to go down that rabbit hole.
For someone so brusque and hurtful a few weeks ago—a week ago—he’s thoughtful and caring now. For me. With me. And it makes me pause and consider what this blissful emotion that I’m feeling is.
It’s more than simply fucking caring.
I’ve never been in love before.
But I’m sure it must feel like this.
38
BRAD
* * *
I don’t know what the fuck is going on here. But it feels good. I don’t want to leave, but there’s shit to deal with as soon as Danny has pacified Rose. It’s a full-time job these days.
“I’ve got to go,” I whisper into her neck, and she nods but doesn’t release me. “I’ve got to go,” I repeat softly. Another nod. “Pearl, my love, I’ve got to go.” She squeezes harder, and I smile against her skin, sucking her flesh into my mouth, probably marking her. Don’t care. I fight against her resistance to keep me close, pulling away. “What are you doing today?” I take in every detail of her face.
“I haven’t thought about it,” she says.
“Good. Don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not leaving the house,” I say, ripping the Band-Aid off and getting off the bed. Should I tell her she’s going to St. Lucia? I fasten my jeans, pouting at her nakedness. Let’s see how the land lies with Danny and Rose first. It’ll be easier to tell Pearl she’s going if she’s going with a willing Rose. I plant my fists into mattress and lean down for a kiss.
“Why can’t I leave the house?” she asks. There’s no indignance, only interest.
“Because I said so.”
On a sigh, she crawls up and kneels, resting her ass on her heels, taking my face in her palms and kissing me gently. “Okay.”
This is good. Compliance. It’s what I need right now.
“Can I use your shower?”
“You just had one.”
“Want to join me?”
I scowl at her tactics and break away, leaving before I succumb to temptation, heading to Nolan’s room. I knock, poking my head around the door. He’s sitting up in bed and Doc’s checking his leg. When he sees me, his eyes widen. He thinks I’m here to tear him a new asshole again. Doc looks back. “Morning, Brad.”
“How’s he doing?” I ask, wandering to the bed.
“Getting there.” He pops some painkillers on the nightstand. “I don’t want to see you without those crutches.”
Nolan nods. Eyes on me.
“You going to the boatyard again today?” I ask.
He nods.
“I’ve given Ella the night off.”
Wide eyes again.
“That’s not a green light to overexert yourself,” I add, picking up Doc’s bag for him. I’ve seen Ella’s worry. Seen Nolan’s despondency. Who the fuck am I to stop two people from being together? I don’t like seeing him like this, and if Ella can fix that, so be it. Because I obviously can’t. “She can give you a hand at the boatyard.”
