Page 27 of A Forbidden Spring
“Bullshit, I can tell?—”
“Wren,” Merrick snaps, and it takes Beau less than a second to put himself between me and the man stalking over to us.
“Use that tone of voice with my sister again, and I’ll remove your nut sack and roast it like a god damn marshmallow.”
“What the fuck is with you people and setting shit on fire?” Merrick mutters as I cover my laugh, gently bringing my brother’s focus back to me.
“Beau, this is my boss, Merrick. Merrick, this is my oldest brother, Beau.”
“Boss,” my brother says, the word drawn out as he extends his hand.
Merrick is slow to return the shake, the two men locked in a stare down as I silently plead with Beau not to make this a thing.
“No one knows,” I whisper and Beau snorts.
“Yeah, I got that part,” he says, his lips twitching as he drops Merrick’s hand. When he doesn’t say anything else, I punch him in the bicep which he immediately rubs and scowls. “I won’t tell anyone, fuck.”
“Thanks,” I tell him as Merrick shifts from foot to foot. Wetechnicallyhad plans, naked ones, but something is off with my brother, and for whatever reason, he needs me. Peering around Beau, I make an obvious perusal of his truck, “Do you think you need new tires?”
To my knowledge, Beau only did this with me, never my brothers. It was our code growing up. If I was uncomfortable, I’d call Beau and tell him I think I need new tires and he’d drop everything to come get me. We hadn’t used it in a long time, but I’m happy in this moment to have it.
Merrick looks confused but Beau’s eyes soften. “Yeah, I’ll meet you at your apartment when you’re…done here and give you an update,” he says, staring at Merrick a minute longer before taking off toward his truck and tearing out of the lot.
“Is the violence and fire setting hereditary?” Merrick asks when we’re alone.
“No, they just wanted to make sure I can take care of myself.”
He grins. “I think you’ve accomplished that.”
“Rain check for tonight.”
“Yeah, and listen…”
“He’s not going to say anything,” I tell Merrick, my tone annoyed as he steps into me.
“I believe you.”
“Then what is your problem?”
“My problem?” he repeats, gripping the back of my neck and forcing my eyes back to his. “My problem is that I shouldn’t already miss you in my bed, that I shouldn’t be jealous that you’re spending time with your brother when I’d much rather have you naked and begging for me.”
My lips part on a barely audible gasp, and it’s all the invitation he needs before he takes my mouth in a hard kiss. It’s hot and needy, his hand tightening as he holds me where he wants me.
So much for sweet.
“You don’t get to come tonight.”
“What?”
“After your brother leaves, when you’re lying in bed, your pussy is aching, and your greedy little clit is looking for any kind of friction to get you off, youdon’tget to come.”
“That hardly seems fair.”
“I’m serious, Wren, because I’ll know if you do, and the longer you can’t do as you’re told, the longer you’ll wait to have my dick inside you.”
“So bossy.”
“I am, Miss Sterling.” Leaning closer, he adds, “Let me know when you’re home safe.”
