Page 30 of The Decoy

“Bryan and I were sitting at the other end of the table, holding our breath, trying to keep from dying of laughter. And none of the guests said anything about it,” I grin, shaking my head. “To this day, my father thinks the distillery had a bad batch. Bryan and I have always kept that truth between us and swore to take it to the grave—until now. So you better not say a word to anyone!”

“You two were a menace,” he says, wiping a tear from his eye as he looks at me with affection. “Soy sauce scotch. God, I love that. The pristine Renwick family dynamic in a nutshell.”

“I think we thought we were clever,” I say softly, my eyes meeting his across the island. “Not as good as your story, but no one but me, you, and Bryan know the truth.”

“It’s a great story,” he says, and the playful air between us shifts subtly with an undercurrent of something sweet.

He finally breaks the silence with a smooth smirk, stepping out from behind the counter carrying two loaded plates of street tacos. “Come on. Let’s eat by the fire before the food gets cold.”

We move to the living room and settle onto the plush leather sofa in front of the fireplace. Outside, it’s turning dark, and I can see light snowflakes beginning to fall.

“Should we call the dogs in?” I lean forward as he sets the food on the coffee table.

“Nah, they’ll come in when they’re ready. Besides, if they were in here, Buck would definitely be patiently waiting for food to fall, so let’s just eat without those little beggars.” He jokes.

“Good point,” I say, nodding.

The tacos are absolute perfection. The pork is tender and rich in flavor, balanced by the sharp lime and pickled onions.

“Okay,” I admit, setting my empty plate down after finishing every single bite. “I was a bit skeptical before coming here about what kind of cook you were, but I gotta hand it to you, Vaughn. These were incredible.”

“Yeah, you really shouldn’t doubt my abilities, Princess,” Brody says comfortably, stretching his long legs out toward the fire. “I have a lot of hidden talents, Ellis.”

Before I can respond, Buck and Oshie come inside panting, and curl up together on the large rug near the fire, their breathing syncing up as they fall asleep.

“I’m sure you do,” I mumble, leaning back into the deep cushions, tucking one leg under me.

The heat from the fire feels amazing, wrapping around the room like a heavy blanket. The comfort of the room, combined with the food and peaceful atmosphere, settles me in a way I haven’t experienced in a while. And for the first time this week, the stress of my job and the background anxiety of my pregnancy—even though I’m feeling more relieved since the blood work results—fade into the background, and I feel very present in this moment.

I look over at Brody. He has his arm stretched along the back of the couch behind my head, his fingers resting casually near my shoulder. The fire highlights his jawline and the gold in his eyes.

He looks relaxed, but there’s an intensity in the way he’s watching me now.

It makes my heart flip under my ribs.

Brody shifts, sliding closer until his knee presses against my thigh, his hand slowly sliding off the back of the couch to rest on my shoulder.

“Are you warm enough?” he asks, his hand moving casually back and forth in a gentle rhythm.

“I’m perfect,” I say, hoarsely.

“Good,” he murmurs, his thumb stroking a slow line along my collarbone. His eyes dip down to my lips, lingering there with an unashamed heat before dragging back up to meet mine. “I’m really trying to be good, you know. I’ve always been attracted to you, but every time I see you, it’s getting harder not to touch you.”

“Is that right?” I breathe, my heart thumping wildly against my ribs. “I wouldn’t know it. You’ve been a gentleman.”

“Well, I try,” he smirks, leaning in another fraction of an inch until I can feel his breath against my cheek. “But sitting this close to you…having you here in my space…it’s like torture.”

Heat flickers in my core.

Well, this is something I haven’t felt in a while. I’m suddenly intensely…horny.

It catches me off guard a bit. The past few months, between the shock of finding out I’m pregnant and work, my sex drive has been non-existent. Sitting this close to Brody, smelling him, having him look so goddamn gorgeous, and the raw heat radiating off of him…I’m not sure I want him to be a patient gentleman anymore. I want him…need him…to close the distance.

So instead of pushing him away, I reach out, my manicured fingers gripping the collar of his henley, and I pull him down the last few inches.

He lets out a rough sound, almost like a growl, as his mouth meets mine.

The kiss starts with a searing intensity, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from taking this further. His arms circle my waist, and he pulls me in closer to him so our chests are touching, and kisses me with a possessive hunger that makes my head spin. His lips are warm, firm, and confident, sliding against mine in an intoxicating rhythm.