AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Only a moment? She didn’t like how Brick said that.
“Whatever, dude. It’s your funeral. I hope you make the right choice. Because marrying a woman who kisses other men doesn’t sound smart.”
Corey glared at her before walking out.
Brick made the first move, stepping within reaching distance but didn’t touch her. She wanted him to grab her hand or pull her closer with a hand behind her neck. A brush of his lips across hers. Anything.
“He just grabbed me. I didn’t want that. It wasn’t what it looked like. I swear. I love—”
Her words were cut off when he finally did something she had been dying for. His lips slammed across hers, bruising in a way. The kiss was hard and intense. All his frustrations and anger poured into the fiery kiss, letting her know what kind of turmoil was swimming inside his veins.
One of his hands attached to her hip, his fingers digging in as his other hand wrapped around her neck. Yes. Just the touches she had ached for.
His touch wasn’t tender in any place. Fierce with a hint of desperation, as if he needed to brand his touch on her to let any man know that she was off-limits. She had no protests to such a thing.
A tiny moan escaped when he finally pulled away. She wanted more because she was afraid that the kiss wasn’t a branding kiss but a good-bye one. One last hurrah before he shoved her out of his life.
“I don’t want you alone with that man ever again. I don’t trust him.” His jaw clenched, his hand tightening around her neck as he spoke.
Oh, a bit controlling and possessive. A trait she had never experienced before—with any man. She wasn’t sure how to respond. Let Brick have his way, giving him permission to speak to her in such a manner. Or put her foot down and let him know she’d do as she pleased.
Although, she never wanted to be alone with Bradley again. He frightened her. She didn’t know what he might do next and she didn’t want to find out.
“Does that mean you forgive me?” It occurred to her that if Brick didn’t want her around Bradley, that must mean he had forgiven her.
The hand around her neck swept across her cheek before landing on her hip. His grip on her was still tight and unyielding. She’d have to fight him if she wanted to move away. Which she didn’t want.
“There’s nothing to forgive. He touched you in a way you didn’t want. It did look like you wanted it until I saw you push him away. I know you didn’t like him touching you. Why would I be mad at you? I wanted to hurt him so badly for touching you in any way. I need to know you’re safe, that you’re okay. I don’t want you near him again.”
How had she gotten so lucky to find such a perfect man? He didn’t blame her. When said in such a bruising, aching way, it didn’t sound as possessive as she first thought.
“I don’t want to be near him again either. You don’t need to worry.”
A smile for the first time emerged on his stern face. “I will worry about you always. Because I love you.”
“I’m sorry I ruined the night. I should’ve waited in the apartment for you.” She rolled her eyes, hating how her mother could control any given situation. She had no idea how to stop it.
His lips brushed hers, this time slowly and tenderly, like a feather falling gracefully to the ground.
“I don’t want to hear you apologize again. You did nothing wrong. Let’s move on. To happier things.”
She frowned. “Like meeting your brother, who hates me.”
Brick winced while chuckling. “He doesn’t understand the situation fully. Come on. He’ll fall in love with you as much as I have.” His brows turned inward. “Well, that came out wrong. Not as much as me. You’re mine.”
She giggled, looping her arm through his as they ventured out of the back room. “I know what you meant. I hope you’re right.”
They stopped at the bar where Corey had taken a seat. There was only one other barstool available, yet neither one sat. She didn’t feel comfortable enough sitting next to him, especially when he looked at her like she was nothing more than a nasty, chewed-up piece of gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe.
“Corey, this is my fiancée Jezebelle. Don’t hold that asshole’s actions against her. He’s been trying to steal her away from me all week. It won’t work.”
She clung to Brick’s arm as she waited for Corey to respond. Her nails dug into his arm, and she hated herself for the self-doubt, yet she couldn’t seem to loosen her hold. Brick didn’t react in any way, even with a wince that she was hurting him.
“He friends with your mom?” When Corey finally spoke, she didn’t expect him to ask such a question.
“He’s the one she wants me to marry.”
“Makes sense then. She’s a real bitch.” Corey didn’t look like he cared if he offended her or not.
