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“Let me show you around,” Finn says. “This is Jax’s office.” He points out a built-in wood desk at the far side of the room. A set of French doors open up right next to it, but we go back through the separate entryway and into the small kitchen before exiting into what was originally the formal dining room. To the right, I spy the same set of French doors with Jax’s desk right behind it. Another desk sits against the wall in here, and Finn smiles. “My office.”
We pass between two ornate columns and back into the front of the house. “Living room?” I guess, noting the TV and charcoal sectional.
“Yep, and the bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs.”
“How’d you guys come across this place? No offense, but it doesn’t seem like the type of house two bachelors would live in.”
“It’s our family home,” Finn answers. His lips thin, and a ghost of a backstory shadows his face. “We lived here when we were teenagers. When our parents decided to move away, we’d already purchased the boxing gym, so we bought this place from them to make sure we had a place to live.”
I cock my head. It’s not often you hear about people leaving the Heights. Hell, my parents still live here. They keep to themselves, which is a good thing, but if I had the money to help get them out, I would. “Where are your parents?”
“Florida.” He sighs humorously. “They absolutely love it there, living out their retirement. If you talk to them, every day is like Disney World.”
I laugh at that but am struck by how different they’re living their lives from their parents. Before I can dwell on it, the front door opens and Jax walks in. I stand there lamely in their living room, watching the older brother lock the front door and place his keys on the small table next to the door. He seems more comfortable in this space. At least, he did until he looks at me, then he stiffens all over again.
I actually feel bad for invading his safe space. I know how that is.
“Where are we going to set her up?” he asks, drifting his gaze toward his brother. “The sofa? All the extra rooms are being used for something else.”
Eager to not be too big of a hassle, I say, “I’m fi—”
“She’ll take my room,” Finn says, cutting me off. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“I’m fine with the sofa,” I finish. Turning my head, I appraise the charcoal cushions and determine it actually looks pretty comfortable. I don’t want to uproot their whole lives while I’m here and taking one of their bedrooms is too much to ask.
“Yeah, not happening,” Finn answers. “Come on, I’ll show you around the upstairs.”
Maxie greets Jax with an epic tail wag. The stocky trainer, however, is much more reserved about saying hello back. When the two of us walk up the beautiful wooden staircase, Maxie runs past us.
A plethora of doors feed off of the compact hallway upstairs. He points to the first two doors on opposite sides of the hallway. “Bathrooms,” he announces. “We added a second because Jax can’t stand to share. It’s probably best if you use this one.” He points to the one on the left. “It’s mine.” Inching the door open, he grimaces. “Yeah, I’ll clean it.”
He moves down and points to two more doors. “Bedrooms.” Pointing to the right, he says, “Jax’s.” Then, swinging his finger to the left, he indicates his room.
We walk in, and I’m met with soft carpet at my feet, Maxie jumping onto an unmade bed, and a few loose pieces of clothing strewn around the moderately sized room. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting anyone,” Finn apologizes as he places my bags on the bed and hurries around the space to pick his things up. Once he has a whole bunch of athletic clothes in his arms, he shoves everything into a small closet in the corner.
Two bedside tables frame in the bed. One boasts a book, cover and spine facing the ceiling. I can just read the title from here. It’s about grappling artist, BJ Penn. A simple lamp sits next to it, and when Finn flips on the light switch, both the lamp light and the ceiling fan power on. The blades start whirring, and he pulls the chain to slow it down.
“I can change the sheets,” Finn offers, moving to the same closet.
“Don’t bother,” I tell him. “I trust you. And really, I can sleep downstairs. I don’t feel right about stealing your bed. Not when I’m putting you guys out.”
“Hey,” Finn says, turning before moving in close. He wraps a strand of hair around my ear, fingers curling around my soft cartilage. “You’re not putting me out.”
He’s so close I can smell his musky cologne mixed with that sweet tang of exertion from a long day of work. The heat he exudes is like a layer of comfort begging me to snuggle into. Compared to yesterday, there’s so much more story between us. So much more magnetic force. Despite my brother making him watch me, he wants to. He held me all evening, not letting me out of his sight. He’s giving up his room. He. Has. A. Dog.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to stop myself from what I’m about to do next.
I take all of point two seconds to think about it, and then angle my head up to press my lips to his. He immediately responds, capturing the back of my head with his hands and bringing me forward. His other hand wraps around my waist, tugging us close together until we line up in the best of ways.
His lips working over mine is better than I imagined it to be.
14
The sweeping kiss burns from the first moment our lips touch. I may have initiated it, but he competes for control, a challenge I don’t back away from. Instead, I give it right back, plunging my tongue into his mouth to tangle with his. He groans low in his throat that starts an inferno in my lower belly. To me, this kiss should’ve happened yesterday.Would’vehappened yesterday if it weren’t for my brother. Now, it’s even heavier with more feelings attached to every nip and press.
His fingers tighten around the back of my head, moving me back with him, and I come willingly. Perhaps a little too eagerly when he falls on the bed and I follow right after. We break the kiss momentarily so we don’t knock each other out, but then I’m back on him again, straddling his thighs. I press into his hips and sigh into his mouth when his massive erection greets me.
Dear lord. I’ve hit the man lottery.