Page 42 of Gorgeous

I swallow as a hundred different lies float through my head. Ultimately, I go with the truth.

“A brother. He died a few years ago.”

Cade’s hands stop their ministrations.

“What about you,” I ask, readjusting on his thighs as he starts up again.

“My parents are alive,” he says quickly. “We haven’t spoken since my brother passed.”

I’m shocked he disclosed that much given most days he barely graces me with a glare. I want him to talk more about Drew, his brother, who was Bennett’s captain. He was killed in the explosion with Ben. Bennett said he was a good leader, that he and Cade were the best the Marines had. I’m sure he was exaggerating, but he respected them both, claiming they were old school warriors. Rebels without a cause. The perfect duo.

You see, Cade and I are bonded like no one else.

We lost everything that night.

We’re orphans in our own lives, neither one of us knowing how to move on from the aftermath of losing our brothers.

I’m searching for hope, and someone to fight alongside me, but Cade is choosing to fight alone. He’s given up on making peace with his past. He’s moving on without the closure.

“All done,” he says, patting my shoulder. “You’llprobably want to shampoo my conditioner out of your hair so you don’t smell like a man.”

I sit up and feel his hands on my back, helping me. “Thank you,” I say with sincerity. Cade tips his chin and stands. I have to scramble up so I don’t fall down.

“You’re welcome.”

The front of his sweats are soaking wet, and there is a monster dick imprint where his boxers strain to keep the beast contained along his thigh. Where was that thing when I was on his thigh?

Cade catches my focus and pushes me out of the bathroom.

I stumble but quickly right myself and turn around. With a smile, and not looking at his hard cock again, I say, “Thanks again.”

Cade grunts and I head toward my room when he calls out, “Hey B.” I look over my shoulder with a smile. He grins. “Can I offer you a ride home?”

My smile drops and I slam his bedroom door as hard as I can, but even the noise doesn’t mask his laughter.

And it makes me fucking smile.

That night, I don’t wash my hair. I fall asleep surrounded by the smell of Cade.

B,

Knock knock. Who’s there? Mustache. Mustache who? I mustache you a question, but I’ll shave it for later. Ha! Beat that one! Guess who got caught masturbating into a grapefruit last night? Lewis! Captain Jameson, aka major’s brother, Drew, woke up to a noise, pulled his weapon, and apparently scared him and Lewis both. Major tried asking what happened but he could barely get the words out from laughing so hard which only made Drew and Lewis redder. We all are ready to come home for one reason or another. Which reminds me, is Jess seeing someone? She’s been distant.

#dontevensayit #shessooooooohot #findanotherfriendandletmehaveher #ikillbugsforyou

Private Brannon

“Hurry, B! The movie is starting.”

Three bottles of soda and two bags of popcorn are sliding through my arms as I yell, “I’m coming” to Hayes from the kitchen. If I only had another hand, I wouldn’t have to make another trip back for the licorice. Or if one of the four lazy asses would get up to help me this also would not be an issue. After I stare at the lone bag on the counter for a beat, I decide that making the extra trip would only cause grumbling. Especially if I asked them to pause the movie. Manners be damned, I bend my knees and hover over the bag until I can get a good purchase with my teeth.

I sprint for the family room in all my greedy glory, stepping over Vic’s feet and dropping one soda in his lap. “Thanks,” he mumbles, catching the drink in his massive hands, never looking away from the TV as the credits fade from the opening scene.

“Damn, darlin. You could have asked for some help.”

God love Hayes and the concerned pout on his lips. He looks offended that I didn’t ask him to help me carry all this stuff. I spit the bag of licorice into his lap and give him a reassuring smile. “I thought we could use snacks.”

Opening the bag, Hayes takes out a stick of the stringy, red snack and sucks it in between his plump lips before sliding further to the arm of the sofa, creating a small opening between him and Mason. “I could always use a snack,” he agrees, taking the bags of popcorn and handing them off to Mason while he maneuvers the remaining drinks from under both my arms.

---