AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He snorted in amusement at her word choices but this was cathartic and she was going for broke.
She pointed at her chest and said, “That’s up to me, and us. Not them. I love you and if you think I’m giving up that easily then you’ve got another ‘think’ coming, Mister.”
He nodded as he watched her hands flap in the air as she spoke, a slight smile on his lips. Softly, he asked, “Are you done?”
“No! I’m not. I’m only just getting started. This feels good, damn it. Cody, you don’t always have to be the one taking care of everybody. You’re a good leader but you don’t need to carry the world on your shoulders. I knew what was best for me two weeks ago and I still know what’s best for me. You are. And Heath and Spencer are. And being apart from you, and them, hurt me. And I think it hurt you, too. You may think you knew what was best, but you were wrong. If you get all-all-all pigheaded and high-handed like that again, I’m going to call bullshit on you if I think you’re wrong. Sometimes you can be wrong too, you know? You’re only human.”
His left eyebrow arched, drawing her attention to the scar running through it, giving him that hot rakish look that turned her to warm butter every time. His eyelids were at half-mast which made her bite her lip. She always had the feeling he was imagining her naked when he’d looked at her like that. Again, he asked, “Are you done?”
“No, damn it. I want equal say in what happens to us from now on. And no more making decisions that affect the four of us if you haven’t discussed it with the four of us. Okay, now I’m done. You can take me home if you want to.”
She flopped down on the far end of the couch just as lightning cracked nearby followed immediately by thunder, and the lights flickered but came back on after a few seconds. He reached across the distance and took her cold hand in his and rubbed it. “I’m glad you’re not driving in this storm tonight. I worry about you every time I think of you driving that Bug. The roads between here and San Antonio were slick.”
“That’s nice of you but I would be very careful. Spencer told me a little bit about Mrs. Goodman tonight. Did you have a nice visit?”
Cody smiled and chuckled which made her curious. “Yes, we did. I’m in trouble with her though.”
“Oh really? Why?”
“For breaking a certain beauty’s heart with my bullheaded ways. Looks like she shares your opinion that I’m pigheaded and high-handed.”
“How does she know about any of what happened?”
“Because Heath tattled.”
Maizy snorted and inched closer to him as he tugged at her hand. “He did? Well, good for him. Where is he anyway?”
“He’s in the den with Spencer.”
“I heard yelling while I was in the bathroom and then the door slammed.”
Cody grinned. “Oh, that was him yelling at me. Spencer told me it’s not over and then Heath said that they were keeping you, and if I didn’t want to be a part of the relationship that I should fuck off.”
“That’s very nice of them but that’s not what I want. I don’t want to be the cause of a rift between the three of you. You’re brothers. What did Mrs. Goodman say?”
“She told me that if I didn’t know a good thing when it was staring me in the face that maybe I needed a slap to the back of my head. She wants to meet the woman who could claim all three of her boys,” he added, a wide smile on his lips as he lifted her into his lap.
She let him manhandle her but leaned back and poked him in the chest. “I meant it, Cody. Next time you decide to make decisions that affect me, you need to make sure I’m in agreement before you act. I’m still pretty ticked at you,” she said as she poked him again, fighting to keep a straight face as he pulled her to him.
“I’m sorry, angel. You’re right about everything. The last few weeks have been hell without you.”
“Good. Serves you right, Grumpy Bear.” His dark eyes glittered as he leaned closer and she giggled and poked his chest again. “Oh, am I pushing it now? I’m so scared. Maybe I should rename you Bossy Bear. Or maybe Dom Bear would suit you better? Pushy Bear? Maybe Spankie B—” He cut her off with a hot kiss that curled her toes and ignited her insides. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her against him, sinking his fingers into her curls. He held her still with a soft growl as he deepened the kiss, tugging gently at her lips with his before sliding his tongue against hers, stoking the fires that never seemed to dim for him or the others.
