Page 143 of Control Freak

Holden

Bailey shookbags of microwavable popcorn into bowls for our monthly movie night.

“Don’t forget to add some melted butter,” I said. “We need that real movie theater taste.”

“I know what I’m doing. I’ve been on popcorn duty for the last six months.” He flapped a hand at me. “Go bother someone else.”

Axel chuckled as he pulled beers out of the fridge. “Guess you’ll have to take your bossiness somewhere else. Maybe Shiloh needs his Sugar Daddy’s guidance?”

Bailey snickered. “God, I’ll need brain bleach to get that out of my head.”

“You and me both.” I glared at Axel. “Though it would be easier if certain assholes didn’t bring it up for a laugh.”

Axel grinned and shrugged. “I can’t ignore such low-hanging fruit. I don’t have that kind of willpower.”

“Or any kind,” Gray said from the table, where he and Emory were sorting through so much candy it looked as if they’d robbed a convenience store.

Shiloh emerged from the hallway, changed into an oversized sweatshirt—mine, in fact—and a pair of joggers that clung to his thighs nicely.

He wore Ring Pops on four fingers, which he wiggled in a cute little wave. “Added a little extra bling for tonight. I had to dress up my ensemble.”

“Judging by Holden’s look, that ensemble isperfect,” Emory teased.

Shiloh met my gaze. “Yeah? I hope Sugar Daddy doesn’t mind me borrowing his sweatshirt?”

Everyone cracked up, but I was beyond caring about the nickname. I crossed to Shiloh and kissed him thoroughly.

“I think that’s a yes on the outfit,” Axel said with a laugh behind me.

I pulled back. “Come on. Let’s get a good seat before they’re all taken.”

Everyone shot me a confused look because I always sat in the recliner. Alone. Apart from everyone else.

But times had changed.

I took hold of Shiloh’s beringed hand and drew him after me to the living room. I sat down on the end of the sofa and waved to the spot next to me.

Shiloh sat down, leaving a couple of inches between us. My pulse spiked as the thought crossed my mind to be closer to him, the way I had a few mornings ago.

I lifted my arm, extending it along the back of the couch. “Can I?”

Shiloh nodded and leaned in. I closed my arm around him, closing my eyes as sensations swept through me. I breathed through the jolt to my system, then settled as it passed.

Shiloh was the love of my life, and I could hold him when I wanted.

My heart swelled as he smiled up at me.

“Comfortable?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I really am.”

My brothers trailed into the living room, carrying snacks and drinks for everyone. Axel set two beers on the coffee table in front of me and Shiloh. “Well, this is new.”

“This isgood,” Emory said as he passed by, dropping mini candy bars and packages of Red Vines onto the table like a movie night fairy.

“Very good,” Gray agreed. “We’re happy for you, bro.”

Banshee hopped up onto the sofa, settling across Shiloh’s lap.