Page 77 of Nothing to Fear

“Your little brother—”

“Isn’t as innocent as you think.”

“I thought your family didn’t keep secrets.”

“We don’t. We only pretend mom doesn’t know about the notes. And it’s not that everyone knows everything, there wouldn’t be enough space in any one head. But someone else, or some people, always know. None of us can keep anything to ourselves. Except women…”

He kissed her again, a long, slow pressure that eased then returned. Guiding his hand down the side of her neck, her shoulder, she kept going until it closed over her breast. His rumble of satisfaction echoed again when she let go to grip his thigh. Without relenting his prize, his fondling grew bold.

Swaying back, she licked her lips and his. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint him.”

“He won’t hear it from me,” he said, coiling his other arm around her. “Let’s stay right here today.”

With a tug on her waist, he got her on her back again, though this time he stayed at her side.

Admiring him as his fingers combed through her hair, she sank into the mattress. A dream was all the moment could be compared to. The flecks of hazel appeared almost gold in the rich cocoa of his eyes, framed by long lashes. The man got the details right, not just the broad strokes.

“You’re a good brother. And a good son.”

“You’re a great girlfriend.” His hand descended to her hip to yank her against his hard form. “My girl.”

“Darroch—”

“I know, the competition, I haven’t forgotten. I never forget.” His loose fingers drifted across her cheek, to her temple, forehead, around her eyes. “I’m fucking jealous of a guy I’ve never met. I’m jealous of this guy we’re meeting tonight.”

“There’s nothing to be jealous—”

“We don’t have to let this guy tonight know you’re keeping your options open, do we?”

And as she opened her mouth to correct him, Jacob came to mind. What a stupid time to think about him. He wasn’t her other man… was he? They hadn’t talked for a while. Maybe that was why she’d had so many moments of insanity. She always had moments of insanity, but with him, somehow, he accepted her and made everything okay.

“I don’t crave male attention, I never have.”

“We can’t help it, baby. You’re a walking wet dream.”

Stilled by a chill, she left the bed. “I have to go.”

“Baby—”

“Will you thank your mom? Please.” She grabbed her purse. “I’ll stay at my place tonight. I’ll pay for whatever she can’t return in the closet.”

“Whoa, something changed there fast.” He swooped in to body-block her route around the bed. “What is it, huh? I hurt you.” His thumb met her jaw. “Tell me how. Tell me so I never do it again.” Except she wasn’t sure the words would come out. “What you feel is real. It’s valid. How will I learn you if you don’t trust me? If you don’t help me, I’ll just keep fucking up until you convince yourself this relationship isn’t real, that it’s broken.” It was like he could see right through her. “You can trust me, baby. Come on. Please.”

Trust? Maybe. But could she humiliate herself?

“Jeremy used to say I was desperate for men to notice me.” She couldn’t meet his eye and fixated straight ahead on his tee-shirt. “That if I talked to a man, I was flaunting myself; I wanted them to take me home. He said I was an embarrassment, to myself and to him.” The thump of her heart inside her chest was familiar territory. And there she was, so embarrassed that it shook her eardrums too. “I didn’t mean to upset or embarrass him—”

“Baby…” He took her head in both hands to align their gazes. “You are beautiful. Men can notice all they want, that’s not on you. You’re kind and gracious and always conduct yourself with class. I told you to erase that shithead from your thoughts, didn’t I?” He kissed her forehead. “I know it’s easier said than done. When he comes to mind, remind yourself he’s feeble and pathetic, beneath you. Kicking his ass to the curb was a mercy because he’d never be worthy of you.”

“And how am I in any way worthy of you?”

“I’m the panting dog over here.” He smiled and bent his knees to stoop lower. “You’re an incredible woman. And I intend to spend the rest of my life treating you like a queen, because you deserve no less.”

Talk of forever. Of spending their lives together. The peculiar thing was…? He meant it. Conviction bled from him. Determination glowed. He wasn’t feeding her lines, his sincerity was absolute.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

When he did, there was nothing but them. He kissed her until Jeremy was gone from her thoughts and Darroch was all that existed. She’d found the medicine to cure her fear and insecurities. Nothing would ever be simple again.

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