Page 26 of Take Me Slowly: part 2
"Hello? Have you looked around town?" I cocked my head at him. "This place is special."
Brooks scoffed. "I don't see what's so special about it. It's fucking snowing outside."
"Congratulations, hammer, on hitting the nail right on the head." I smirked. "That's just one of the things that makes it special. So you came here because you were curious about where Leah was living?"
"I don't buy it," Connor said. "If you resent her so much, why would you give a shit about where she is?" He tucked his hands into his pockets again and leaned back. His hazel eyes were intense, wanting the whole truth, or at least some blunt honesty. As much as Brooks was willing to give right now.
Brooks narrowed his eyes at him. "I don't resent her. I fucking hate them. I hate what they did to both of us. But her…" He shook his head slowly.
"You're in love with her," I blurted. "You were watching her, and you followed her because you love her. But you're sure she doesn't feel the same way."
He slid me a resentful glance. "Why should she? I've always been an asshole to her."
I shared a silent look with Connor. "Maybe this is your chance tonotbe an asshole to her."
"What are you talking about?" Brooks pushed himself off the door.
"Leah has gone through a lot," I said. "I was thinking of doing something nice for her tonight. Something romantic. If you agree not to be a dickhead, maybe we'll invite you to come along."
I'd taken Connor by surprise with that, but he rallied quickly and nodded. "She deserves to be spoilt. We're the guys to do it." His expression was challenging, as if he was suggesting Brooks wasn't up to it. Of course in doing that, he knew the other guy wouldn't have a choice. If only to prove Connor wrong, Brooks would go along with it.
I didn't miss the way the front of Connor’s jeans was tighter. We would spoil her like that too, but I had something else in mind first.
I briefly thought about Josiah, but tonight was not the night to try to make amends with him. We’d have to figure that out soon though. If he'd even let us. If I was him, I'd probably tell us to fuck all the way off. For Leah's sake, we'd have to try. If he wanted nothing to do with us, we'd figure that out later too. One step at a time.
"What sort of spoiling?" Brooks still looked doubtful, but curious in spite of himself. He knew he was being played, but for now we had an understanding. How long would it last? That was anyone's guess. Hopefully long enough for my fantasies to come to life.
"Well…" I started.
12
LEAH
I was almost finished updatingthe website when the door opened. I hadn't bothered to lock it. What was the point when the guys already had a key?
I closed the laptop and looked up to see Connor and Riley step inside, followed by Brooks. He looked at me like this was the last place on earth he wanted to step foot into. He still took a good look around, as if assessing where a camera could go.
"What are you all doing here?" I asked. Especially together. That was unexpected and interesting. So far, no one looked punched, or coerced.
"We brought you a few things." Riley and Connor placed bags down on the table before Riley headed into the kitchen..
"Hope you're hungry." Connor opened one bag and started to pull out plastic boxes, the inside coated with steam that obscured the contents. He cracked each one and poured pasta into the bowls Riley brought over.
"I am now." I inhaled the delicious smell of tomato, truffles and meatballs mixed with spaghetti. "That smells amazing."
From another bag, Connor pulled a bottle of wine. He set it down on the table before dipping his hand back into the bag and coming out with a bunch of wildflowers.
"They're so pretty." I hurried over to the mantelpiece to pick up a vase and carry it over to the table.
"Friend of ours has a greenhouse," Connor said. "Mostly for vegetables, but he has some flowers too." He looked like he thought that was a waste of greenhouse space, but he still slid them into the vase and placed them in the centre of the table.
"This is so thoughtful of you." I managed to find four wine glasses that more or less matched and placed them in front of our bowls.
"It was Riley's idea," Brooks said. He picked up an unopened bag and placed it aside, suggesting whatever was in there was for later.
"They helped," Riley said as he slipped into a chair. "Connor makes a mean pasta sauce."
Connor shrugged. "A long time ago, I thought I'd be a chef."
