Page 31 of No Kind Words

“Bring her in. We don’t mind,” Ivan says, dashing my chances of a quick exit. I let Isla out of the passenger side and keep her close to me. “It’s good to see you here.”

A dry chuckle escapes me as I shake my head ruefully. “I wish I could say it’s good to be here, but...” I can’t finish. I shrug instead.

Ivan’s friendly expression falters, and concern takes its place. “We never knew, Jet.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s okay. I’m not sure I would’ve sold it if I’d known it was to you. I wouldn’t want you to live in a house that’s full of so much pain and sadness.”

“Come inside. You might be surprised. It’s not the same house, I promise you.”

Reluctantly I walk alongside him.

He’s right, of course. It’s not the same place. In fact, it barely resembles the home I remember. It’s light and open. The whole interior has been remodelled. The old-fashioned kitchen is now modern and slick, with expensive fixtures and fittings while still looking like it’s part of a farmhouse. Brodie is swaying the baby from side to side. Not only has the house changed, but Ivan has as well. He always had so many girlfriends, but now he’s settled with a man, a family.

“Would it be too nosy to ask how you seem to have a baby?”

Both men laugh.

“He’s mine,” Ivan says. “An ex decided she didn’t want him. It was way more complicated than that, but it’s not important. He’s here, and we love him.”

“Fair enough. And you’re right. This house is nothing like I remember.”

“Did you want to see the gym?” Brodie lays the sleeping baby in a kind of rocking swing.

“Maybe. I mean, I should, especially after seeing what you’ve done in here. I know it’s going to be nothing like a barn, but that barn holds a lot of memories. A lot of them good, but some really bad ones too.”

“Then it’s time to lay them to rest.” Brodie isn’t going to take no for an answer, and he’s right. It’s time to push the last memory of my father and what he did in that barn out of my head.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

I’m glad I came by myself. If I’d brought Ben, I would feel the need to talk about it, how different it is, how there’s nothing left to remind me. Also, Brodie is a newcomer. He doesn’t know the old me, and that’s another thing that makes this easier.

“I’m guessing that something happened here, Jet, something not good.”

“Yeah, my father nearly killed me with his belt, fists, and feet.” I didn’t mean to say that, but the bitterness is like bile on my tongue.

“Shit.”

I potter around the house, changing the linen on my bed, cleaning up the bathroom, and vacuuming everywhere. Why do I feel fussy about him coming here? It’s not like this is the first time he’ll come over or stay, but he was different this morning. There was something on his mind, and I think it was about the gym and Brodie’s invitation to see it. It was the reason for our almost argument and us spending the night apart.

I’m just finishing the pizza when his Landrover pulls up to the side of the house. The butterflies that live permanently in my stomach whenever I think of him flutter excitedly.

The light tap on the door makes Hope jump up and bark. She races to the door, her tail wagging frantically. “Who’s at the door, sweetie?”

She woofs again, and she gets an answer from the other side of the door. I pull it open, and the two dogs rush to each other and touch noses. How’s my lover? He looks okay, not wrung out or stressed. In fact, he looks happy, contented, and the smile he gives me lights up his eyes. Whatever he’s done today has done him some good.

“Come on in. It’s too cold to stand out here.” I take his hand and tug him inside.

As soon as I close the door behind him, Jethro pushes me against the wall and slams his mouth against mine in a full-on, hands-in-the-hair, groins-pressed-together kiss. I let him take what he needs but grip his arse through his soft, well-worn jeans, holding him as close as I can. After sucking on my tongue and biting my bottom lip for god knows how long, he breaks away.

“Have you got anything in the oven?”

Huh? Weird question. “No, not yet. Are you hungry?” Can he switch off all that passion for food? His erection is still hard against my own.

“Not for food, for you. I want you. I need you.” He grasps my hand and drags me to the stairs. “Get naked.” He kicks off his shoes and pulls his hoodie and T-shirt off at the same time. It doesn’t take me long to catch up, and I shove my jeans down my legs. My cock bounces hard against my stomach.

Jethro opens the drawer by the side of my bed, takes out the supplies, and throws condoms and lube onto the bed. I expect him to suit up. He’s topped every time we’ve had sex. I haven’t minded. I love the feeling of a man inside me. But if he wants me inside him tonight, I’m going to grab that chance by the horn. Pun intended.

“Slow down, babe.” I run my fingers down his spine. “What’s going on?”

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