Page 40 of Braxton

“I’m going to take a shower,” she said huskily. “If you want to join me—”

Brax scrambled off the bed so fast, she tossed her head back and laughed. He stalked around to her side, scooped her up and carried her toward the bathroom.

“I guess that’s a yes,” she said with a chuckle.

“It’s a hell yes.”

After a very steamy shower where Quinn spent a good portion of it on her knees, sucking him dry, Brax got dressed. His body and soul felt satiated, very close to being completely fulfilled. If it weren’t for The Agency, everything would be practically perfect.

Isn’t that when everything goes to shit?the realist in him asked.

They wandered out to the common area and Brax made them coffee. No one else was up yet and they sat down with their mugs, thighs touching, his arm flung across the back of the couch. As they drank and talked, it felt like old times. Likenothing had changed. Yet Brax knew that wasn’t exactly true. They had a lot to work on, to re-build, but he was ready for the challenge. He’d always excelled at overcoming challenges, and working on his failed marriage might be the biggest one he’d ever faced.

The rest of the house began to wake up and couples started to wander out, one by one. They all sent knowing looks their way, but Brax didn’t care. In fact, his chest puffed out a little more because his days of being celibate and miserable with only Neo as company were over. And he wasn’t even a little sad about it.

Brax watched Ryland exchange a lengthy kiss with Harper at the front door. They’d been together now longer than anyone, yet they were more in love than ever. After she and Aubrey left, he ambled over and sat down across from Brax and Quinn, a big, bright-white smile on his face.

“You two look like you’re getting along well,” he commented.

“Very well,” Brax said. “Where are Harper and Aubrey going?”

“They said they had girl stuff to do. So I assume some kind of shopping is involved.” He made a face and took a drink of his coffee.

Quinn chuckled. “Oh, the horror.”

“Exactly.”

It wasn’t long before Gray and Saint joined them. Saint’s attention went straight to the unruly mop on Brax’s head. “Forget the gel this morning, Pharaoh?”

Brax lifted his middle finger.

“Leave his curls alone,” Quinn cooed, reaching up and running her fingers through them. “They’re precious.”

The other men laughed. Brax didn’t give a shit. Let them make fun all they wanted. He’d never been happier.

The smell of sizzling bacon filled the air as Inda started cooking breakfast over in the kitchen.

“Make some for me, too, Bruja!” Ryland called out.

“I always do,” she answered without missing a beat. Lucas moved up beside her, trying to help, but mostly just stealing kisses. “Who wants pancakes?”

All the men yelled “Me!” at once and Quinn grinned, settling into the curve of Braxton’s arm. Utter contentment washed over him as his gaze swept over the nearly-domesticated group of former assassins. They all had pasts and had done things that crossed into shady territory. Some of them had gone deeper down the morally-gray rabbit hole than others, but all of them had been saved in one way or another by the love of a good woman. Or man, in Inda’s case.

He just hoped he was on that same path with Quinn at his side.

The group enjoyed breakfast together. Zane and River eventually wandered out, silly grins on both their faces as they exchanged whispers and kisses.

“Someone steal your mousse, Pharaoh?” Zane teased, stuffing a big bite of pancakes in his mouth and smirking as he chewed.

“You guys are hysterical,” Brax said dryly. “Go ahead. Get all your jokes in now before I cut my hair.”

“No,” Quinn protested. “You’re not allowed to cut your hair.”

“Ever?” Brax raised a brow.

“Well…just a slight trim every once in a while,” she amended.

Nearby, Saint let out a snort. “We’re going to have to change his callsign to Shirley Temple.”

---