And two of them involve Brooke.
I will never be laid-back over her or the way I feel about her.
Brooke’s eyes shimmer as they move over my face. Like she’s looking for something. Maybe trying to decide if what I’m saying is true. If I’m really the man I keep showing her I am.
“Toby.” A single tear escapes the corner of one eye. “I’m so sorry.”
I catch the wayward drop with my thumb, swiping it away. “You don’t have a thing to be sorry for. Nothing I went through was your fault.” I hold her eyes. “It was entirely my doing. That’s why I decided to go to therapy.” I smooth across her cheek, wiping away the rest of the tear. “Because I knew I never wanted to make a mistake as big as letting you go again.”
22
Brooke
Ithought I was the one keeping secrets. Believed my past was the only one that had ugly, painful pieces. Not once did I think Tobias had suffered while we were apart. Hearing that he not only struggled, but also had thoughts that could have led to him not being in front of me now is more than I can bear.
It breaks my heart. Makes me want to cry even more for him than I’ve cried for myself.
It also makes me want to make him feel better. To fix things he claims I didn’t break.
That’s probably why I find myself straddling his lap, lips suddenly on his. Kissing Tobias without really meaning to is becoming a habit of mine. And I’m less and less bothered by it.
Especially now that I’m starting to see that maybe I don’t need time to get over a failed relationship. Tobias is right. Matt and I weren’t in one.
Maybe at the beginning, but that was over long ago.
So why can’t I kiss the man willing to dig up his whole yard to make me want to stay with him? A man who buys me and my friend lunch every day. A man who worked on himselfand learned how to be better because he wasn’t happy the way he was.
I can’t think of a single good reason anymore.
“Brooke.” Tobias groans against my mouth as he holds me tighter to him. One hand slides up my back to fist in my hair, tugging my head back so his lips can find their way to my neck.
We’ve been in this same spot many times before, but it was always in one of our offices. Somewhere things could only go so far. But now there’s no one sitting right outside the door. No fear another employee—or one of his brothers—could knock at any minute.
And holy cow am I grateful we’re alone, because I don’t think I can settle for any more of the one-sided bullshit he’s been giving me. It’s been nice, don’t get me wrong. I’ve appreciated each and every orgasm Tobias Bradshaw has provided. But being a pillow princess is way more boring than it’s cracked up to be.
“Take this off.” I grab at his T-shirt, tugging it upward. “Now.”
Even though we’ve been basically cohabitating for over a month, I’ve never even gotten a glimpse of Tobias anyway but completely clothed. And even though he’s touched—and tasted—me more times than I can count, I’ve never had the opportunity to return the favor.
That ends today.
I lean back, intending to divest him of the shirt myself, but the movement of my hands stalls when he reaches behind his head and drags the garment up and over, tossing it away.
I make a weird squeaking noise as I take in his bare upper half. Because what in the hell am I looking at? Not the twenty-two-year-old I remember, that’s for sure.
I thought I knew how much had changed about Tobias inthe years we’ve been apart. I was wrong. Holy hell has the man filled out. His chest is broad and toned with a scattering of dark hair that’s going to feel so good against my skin. His shoulders are set wide and strong, and the way they flex when he moves is almost hypnotizing.
And then there’s his abs. The man has no business having so many abs. Especially with as much damn dessert as he eats.
Shamefully, they’re what claims my attention first. I’ve never actually touched a stomach like the one he’s sporting, and I can’t resist the lure. I trail the tips of my fingers over his heated skin, exploring a body that’s not even remotely familiar. The muscles there jump and clench under my touch, and a second later, Tobias is laughing, one big hand coming to block me.
“Are you tickling me on purpose?” He sits up straight, bringing his front to mine. “Because that would just be mean.”
“I wasn’t tickling.” I grip his shoulders as I try to maintain my balance. “I wastouching.” Looping an arm around his shoulders, I pause while he presses a kiss to my lips. “You just aren’t used to it because you haven’tallowedme to do it before.”
Tobias’s eyes hold mine as he turns serious. “I wanted you to know that nothing I give you comes with expectations.”
If I hadn’t already decided I was going to suck out his soul through his dick, that statement would have been motivation enough.
