Page 61 of Proof Of Life
“You think?” If I know West, and I do, he’s about to have an episode the size of Texas, and I just need to remain calm while he works it out.
“So that’s it? You’re gay now? Checking out all the guys?”
I didn’t check anyone out. He’s being ridiculous, and it’s hard not to laugh or smile because it’s almost cute. In fact, I don’t even have to answer because he keeps right on going.
“I mean, it’s fine with me. We’re just friends, right? Just having a good time? I guess you were just waiting for something better to come along.”
Christ, he has the thickest skull of anyone I know. Absolutely fucking clueless. “Was I?”
“I guess so.”
He’s glaring, irises pools of dark fire, and if I don’t put a stop to it soon, he’s going to say something stupid he’ll regret. “Would you cut the bullshit? I’m not interested in any man—or anyone—but you. Not because I’m figuring things out, and not because it’s convenient, but because I’ve wanted you for longer than I care to admit, and more so every day.” An amused chuff pushes through my nose as I watch his face morph from pissed off to disbelieving. “You’re the last person I want to fall in love with for the rest of my life.”
With my eyes back on the road, I miss his expression, but I almost don’t want to see it either, for fear of how he’ll take it.
Fuck, I have to look. He’s not saying anything. And when I do, I laugh because he’s grinning from ear to ear.
“Who was the first?”
“Also you,” I admit with a sideways glance. “I didn’t wanna push you, I just didn’t want you to spin out. I thought you should know where I’m at.”
“No, I’m glad you said something. You shouldn’t ever keep anything from me. We promised each other.” He reaches over and turns the radio down. “You’re the first and last person I ever wanna fall in love with, too.” Gratification like I’ve never known before unfurls in my chest, filling up all the empty space. Joy, contentment, fulfillment—his words make me feel all of it. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I’m just starting to figure out who I am, or who I’m becoming, but I know that no matter what the future holds for me, I want you right there by my side.” I glance at him and he meets my eyes. “I just thought you should know where I’m at.”
As soon as we get home, I head straight for our room, beyond ready to change out this blade for my other leg, but Brandt follows, and it seems he has other plans for me.
He stops me as I go to sit down on the bed, grabbing my hips and spinning me into the wall so that I have to brace my hands against it to stop from crashing face first.
“Fuck.”
“Exactly,” he rumbles in my ear, lacing his fingers through mine. “Keep them right there.”
Shivers skate down my spine from the rough possession in his voice. It’s easy for me to obey. I want whatever he’s going to give me.
His fingers tease my waist as he slides the hem of my shirt up my torso. “I had the best fucking day today. Do you know why?” He pauses to finger my nipples before sliding the shirt up over my head and arms.
Fuck if I know, or care right now, about anything other than what he’s doing to me. “The potato skins?”
His wicked laugh in my ear makes my dick twitch.
“No, not the potato skins.” He sucks on my neck and licks his way down to my shoulder, where he lightly nips me with his teeth. “And not the beer.” His hands return to my hips, and he slides my shorts down one hip, and then the other, exposing my briefs. “Not even the satisfaction of watching a grandma smoke your ass.”
Fucker. I knew he wouldn’t let me live it down.
He peels my underwear and my shorts down my legs in one move, and I step out of them, bracing my legs wide to keep my balance.
“It was watching you try, and then succeed today.” His soft lips suck on the lobe of my ear, and the sensation travels straight to my cock, making it hard and thick. “It was seeing you smile and even laugh.” He’s drawing on my lobe, mimicking the sensation of sucking on the tip of my cock, and now that’s all I can think of. “We made plans for our future. You made friends.” I gasp when his teeth close around my ear. “You fucking lived today.”
“Oh, that. I thought it was because I told you I love you.”
He chuckles, drawing out the sound like he’s having fun. “Do you?”
“Do you need me to prove it?”
“That sounds like a really good idea.”
At the bar, I saw that guy checking him out and then follow him into the bathroom, and I flipped. Ugly green jealousy took hold of me like a cancer, and I was up and out of my chair before I even knew what I was doing. And then he had the balls to so boldly ask for Brandt’s phone number! Yeah, fuck no. I realized then and there that if I didn’t get my shit together, I would lose him. Eventually. He’s only going to play this Ring Around The Rosie game with me for so long before someone better than me, with less bullshit and two good legs, offers him something easier, something real. Where he doesn’t have to hide or lie. I had exactly three seconds to evaluate my choices, and I know I made the right call when I told him to fuck off.
Because Brandt is mine. He belongs to me. He always has, really, and I’ll make damn sure he always will.