For a minute, I let the peace of the moment wash over me, and I basked in the wonder of it. Between the two men I loved, one running his hands through my hair, and the other rubbing a soothing hand up and down my leg, I was deliriously happy.
Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.
Chapter 19
Thefollowing Monday, I took the day off. Though the job had become less like work and more like taking care of my family and getting paid for it, I still felt the need to ask permission. Mac and Dalton both gave me funny looks when I made the request, but they sent me on my way with a kiss and, in Mac’s case, a spank on the ass.
I pulled into a cute little lunch spot about an hour outside of Atlanta on my Triumph. My bike got some odd looks from a bunch of guys, which turned into judgmental ones as soon as their eyes landed on me.
I ignored them all, and I realized that once upon a time, Kaitlyn McGrady would’ve been more than a little bothered by what people thought of her. I guess Nicole was rubbing off on me. I kinda liked it.
I sat at a corner table, and ordered a sweet tea while I waited for company. I had Luca’s phone tucked safely in my jacket pocket, and my knee bounced faster the longer I waited, my nerves getting the better of me. About twenty minutes later, just as I went to check my phone, a hand on my shoulder made me turn.
Braxton stood over me, in jeans and a t-shirt, which was a stark contrast to his usual suit. “Afternoon, Nicole.”
I gave him a brief smile as he sat across from me.
“Your last letter left much to the imagination.”
I glanced around and slid the wrapped phone to him as subtly as possible. He glanced at it before giving me a questioning look.
“I found this. I think it’ll be everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Is this what I think it is?”
“I took it for a test drive, if you will. It’s got all the latest games.”
Braxton tucked the phone into his pocket as a waiter made his way over to the table. We both ordered lunch and, while we waited, I told him what I had learned about the club. As I talked, I realized that, subconsciously, I was painting the people I loved in a rosy light.
Maria, the sweetheart who took every lost soul under her wing.
Holly, the fiery loudmouth with a heart of gold.
And my boys. Dalton, the one who stayed up late helping kids with math homework. The one who loved working on the bikes, who made people laugh when they were at their lowest. And Mac. Big, gruff, and often standoffish, but on the inside, just a man with a taped-up heart.
Good people.
Mypeople.
At some point, I realized Braxton had all but stopped paying attention to my brief. When he reached for my hand, I was startled enough that I didn’t immediately withdraw. He looked at me, an unfamiliar look in his eyes.
“I’m worried about you.”
I finally withdrew my hand. “I’m fine.”
He shook his head and reached for me again, and this time, the look I gave him was utterly baffled. “Katie, you’re getting in too deep. I should’ve made you come home the second you landed in the hospital. I’ve been watching you ever since, and this isn’t going to end well for you. Watching… and listening.”
I tucked my hands in my lap. “What the fuck are you talking about?” But I already knew.
Braxton was clearly becoming agitated, and our food sat in front of us, getting cold. He leaned forward. “Do I need to elaborate? I’ve heard every breathless moan. Every fucking word whispered in the dark. I know what you sound like when he makes you come. I know Daltoncalls you ‘baby girl’ when he’s buried inside you.” His eyes were practically burning holes into me. “You are too fucking close. You’ve becomeher.”
The silence between us turned sharp and electric. I couldn’t stop the cold shiver that worked its way up my spine. The way he looked at me—it wasn’t just anger or betrayal. It was something else. Something possessive. It scared the shit out of me.
“Braxton…” I started carefully, but he cut me off.
“I gave you space. I backed off. I trusted you to keep your head. But you’ve fallen so far into this role that you don’t evenwantto come up for air. This,” he said, patting his pocket, “will help. But, damn it, can’t you see what I am trying to say?”
I scoffed. “No, not fucking really. Who I sleep with is none of your business. Clearly, I’m still doing my job.”
