Page 85 of Gorgeous

We actually had somedowntime this week. You would be so proud of your big brother. I used that trick you taught me in Madden and kicked both Jameson brothers’ asses. It was like taking candy from two sore losers. Jess told me about your internship! I knew you would get it. You’re going to be famous one day and I’ll be able to tell everyone I know that I knew you when you nearly caught the house on fire toasting a Pop Tart.

#icantwaittoseeyou #nottoomuchlonger

Bennett Brannon

The wheat bread pops up in the toaster after what seems like half an hour of being in there. The guys’ eggs are just about cold from waiting on its slow ass. When I checked with Anniston, she said they were wrapping up their morning workout and that I was good to get started on breakfast.

That was twenty minutes ago.

For the past twenty minutes, I have watched her through the window barking at Mason about something I can’t make out. Tim and Vic are out there with them and trying hard to look anywhere but at where Mason and Anniston are arguing. I don’t know what Mason did or didn’t do, but the stubborn set of his jaw says he doesn’t give a fuck about whatever Anniston is raving about.

The awkwardness that surrounds them makes me grateful I’m in here and not in Tim and Vic’s place. Actually, I would rather be nestled in Cade’s bed where I was earlier before he woke me, slipping out of bed to run with Theo.

I glance through the French doors one more time and, yep, Mason is still locked in a staredown with his commander. The food will just have to get cold. I am certainly not going to interrupt whatever is going on out there. The avocado shouldn’t brown unless they stay outside for hours, but still, who wants to eat warm, mushy slices of avocado?

Fuck it.

I’ll just let Cade know breakfast is ready and he can go intervene if he wants. Or they can eat a cold breakfast. I did my part, either way.

The gym is nestled in the back of the house where there were probably a couple spare bedrooms years ago. The wall between the two rooms has been knocked out, creating one huge room that houses state-of-the-art machines that tone those ridiculous bodies. I knock before I enter. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s Cade’s quiet space or something. It just feels intimate for some reason.

Or maybe I’m just feeling awkward after last night. After riding Cade’s finger like a tried-and-true pro, we showered together in silence, Cade washing my hair for me. We dried, neither of us putting on pajamas, and crawled into bed, him sliding behind me, a protective arm around my waist. I was a little worried he would have a nightmare and wake up confused with me in his bed, but he didn’t. He slept soundlessly and was up at five to go run with Theo, who I heard make a crack about celebrating tonight for finally popping his cherry. The thing about staying here is that there is zero privacy. If you don’t want them to find out, then don’t date any of them.

I push open the door to the gym and call out hesitantly, “Cade.” He grunts out a response from somewhere and I have no idea what he said. “Breakfast is ready,” I say anyway, stepping into the lighted room with rubber floors. If I was a person who enjoyed such things as exercise, I would be in here all the time. Unlike most gyms, this one doesn’t stink like nasty balls but rather like cleaner. Taking in the treadmills, weight benches, and some other torturous-looking machines, I finally find Cade.

And I can’t even prepare my vagina.

Hanging with his knees over something that looks similar to monkey bars, Cade raises his upper body to his knees, lowering back down and then repeating the movement.

Heaven help me, I wasn’t prepared to witness the beauty of those square blocks of hardened muscle straining under the weight of his body. I wasn’t prepared to see the glistening sweat on his bare chest as he blows out hard breaths with each repetition. And I certainly was not prepared to see his solid jaw, flexing and clenching while he grits out numbers until he stops, calling out, “Forty.”

Mouth open, I stand there staring, and I can only think one thing: Cade could totally kick Thor’s ass.

“Brecklyn.” Low and deep, Cade calls out from his current upside down position.

Stop staring at his abs, weirdo, and answer him. “I …” Clearing my throat, I start over, attempting not to squeak when I repeat, “Breakfast is ready.”

Cade lets his arms dangle past his head and tips his head in my direction. “Good. I’m famished.” His eyes rake over the tiny pink sundress I’m wearing, his assessment making me feel as though I’m standing in front of him naked. “Move the stool closer,” he demands, pointing to where it’s parked.

I get it and place it underneath his head. “Right here, or do you want me to move it over more?” He tells me to shift over so it’s just slightly parallel to his head. “Do you need anything else?” I ask stupidly. I mean, he is hanging from a bar.

“Yeah. Take off your panties and hand them to me.”

I choke. “I’m sorry? Did you say my panties?”

Cade licks his lips and raises his head so he can see me better. “You heard me. Now go lock the door.”

I stand there, staring at him like a goober before he barks out, “Now, Breck. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

I dart to the door, flipping the lock, and hustle back to Cade, sliding off my oh-so-sexy cotton hipsters. He holds his hand out and I place my worn-out clearance panties in his hand.

“What are you going to do with them?” I ask, completely surprised at his behavior.

“Stand on the stool.”

Oh my God.

I hesitate for just a second when that damn eyebrow of his cocks up, pretty much daring me to defy him. I really could just bolt out of here. But I’m no idiot, and whatever kinky shit he’s up to, I’m willing to play along.

---