Page 42 of Daring Destiny
Her expression is hard to read. She’s quiet again and it’s clear she’s measuring her words. “Brennan, you’re one of the smartest, most driven people I know. And, you’re your own worst enemy. I wish you could see yourself the way I do. Somehow, I think you still believe you’re the same insecure kid from high school. You’re not. You have people who believe in you, who arewithyou. At your company. Your family. Me.”
“You think so?” I’m genuinely surprised by the intensity in her eyes.
“Of course I do,” she says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “And so do a lot of other people. Do you even understand how much buzz there’s been about you being involved in the reunion? Do you get it? You’re a legend in AI. A tech innovator in the same category as Jeff Bezos. And Jason Deveraux. You’re so siloed, you don’t even comprehend what it means. No matter what you decide to do, you’re a powerful man, own it.”
Her words hit me harder than I expect. I’ve spent my entire life carrying around this idea of myself—a nerdy kid who was always in the background, overshadowed by my brothers. Even now, with all the success I’ve had, my own perception of myself guides how I move in this world.
Why can’t I move past it?
“I don’t know if I’ll ever shake it completely.” I kiss each one of her fingertips. “It’s weird to let go of my past when it’s shaped so much of who I am.”
Astrid turns in my arms and lays down some truth. “Stopwith the woe is me shit. You’re not a timid little boy. Just like I’m not a shallow cheerleader. We’ve both changed. We’ve moved beyond who we used to be.”
“You’re so observant.” I nuzzle her neck. “I’ve been holding on to a version of myself that doesn’t exist now. It’s time to man up.”
She reaches under my robe and caresses my cock. “You’re man enough, babe. Take it from me. You don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself. Do whatyouwant.”
Astrid is everything. I can’t put into words how it feels to have someone like her so firmly behind me. “You always know what to say. And do.” I press my lips against hers as she strokes me, my dick now at full attention.
Astrid chuckles softly and releases me. “It’s one of my many talents. I’ve got an urge to ride my cowboy, are you ready to take this inside so you canshowme how manly you are?”
“You don’t need to ask twice.” I stand, take her hand.
There’s a new energy between us. A shared understanding as we hustle to our room where we’ll lose ourselves in each other again. Free from distractions.
At the door, something in the way Astrid looks at me takes my breath away.
She makes me feel like I can do anything.
Beanything.
Huh. I actually believe it.
seventeen
Astrid
Two Days Later
We’veleftthedenof debauchery.
For the time being.
Nearly five solid days of sex, food, and relaxation meant it was time to emerge and explore Palm Springs today.
Brennan pulls the car smoothly into a spot along the palm-lined street, the engine rumbles to a stop. When he glances over at me, I know what he’s thinking. I can tell by the familiar spark in his eyes. The man is insatiable.
If he weren’t such a rule-follower, I have no doubt he’d fuck me in the backseat in two seconds flat.
Good thing he has me to corrupt him.
“I haven’t been here since my brother played Coachella, it’s been five whole years. I can hardly believe how fast the time goes.” Brennan takes my hand as we begin our stroll down Palm Canyon Drive. Swoon. Absentminded signs of affection give me fanny flutters every time.
I’ve made a grave error. I’m wearing a slip dress and sandals and the breeze is chillier than I expected. Being from Seattle and all. I assumed it would be hot—even in December—and I’m freezing. My nipples are like bullets. “Well, this rookie traveler misjudged the weather.”
His eyes widen as he takes in my chest and the goosebumps erupting on my arms and turns his gaze to the storefronts.
“Should we get you something warmer?” Brennan nods toward a window display filled with brightly colored kaftans and oversized sunglasses. “You can see how hard your nips are from here. If we don’t cover your gorgeous tits, I’m gonna walk around with a hard-on all day.”