Page 15 of Denim & Diamonds

February

It felt like time stood still as Brock placed his ginormous hands around my face and began to devour my lips. The entire room faded away, and I couldn’t have cared less if anyone walked in. I’d waited too long for this moment.

Brock tasted so damn good as our breaths collided. I couldn’t get enough. My body bent back as he leaned over me, pressing his hard chest against my breasts. How long had I been missing out on this experience? Brock was one hell of a kisser, intense yet tender. Just like him , honestly.

My hands found their way to his thick, brown hair, tugging and raking. If only we weren’t in this room, but rather alone in my bedroom, maybe just maybe Brock would lose his inhibitions and give me what my body had been longing for since shortly after I met him.

He groaned over my mouth. “These lips are going to be the death of me.”

“It’s about damn time you kissed me, you big dummy.”

Brock smiled over my mouth.

“Oh my goodness. February, why are you kissing your brother?” a voice interrupted, prompting me to jump back.

I turned to find the woman who worked the front desk standing there. Busted. I went to open my mouth, but Brock gave me a look. “Sorry. I should clarify that I’m actually her stepbrother , not her blood brother.”

It hit me now why they’d given Brock access. He’d said he was family. They were better about allowing family visitors. They probably thought it was some kind of emergency, when the only apparent emergency was in Brock’s pants.

“Sorry…” I said to her. “My stepbrother and I have really missed each other.”

Brock shrugged.

The woman said nothing before walking away, looking mortified. After she left, Brock and I broke into laughter.

“I can’t believe you told them I was your sister.”

“Well, I don’t have a sister, so…” He winked. “Always wanted one.”

Looking out in the hall to make sure the coast was clear, I took his hand and led him down to my bedroom.

Once inside, he placed his lips on mine and rasped, “We’re hiding in here now?”

Nodding, I threaded my fingers through his hair. “Until you get kicked out.”

I was ready to climb him like a tree when we were once again interrupted.

Morgan barged into the room, walking backward, and holding her phone in camera mode. She must’ve either gotten her previously confiscated phone back, or had smuggled yet another one in. Morgan had been so into her vlogging that she backed right into Brock.

“Oh my goodness! You’re literally a ton of steel. Just like I imagined.” She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Lumberjack. Surprised they let you into this place.”

Brock narrowed his eyes. “Still calling me Lumberjack?”

“It’s sort of the nickname we’ve given you,” she said.

He turned to me. “Well, I suppose with the way I’ve acted some days, there are worse things you could be calling me behind my back.”

Feeling my cheeks heat, I shrugged before realizing that I should probably introduce them.

“Brock, this is my friend Morgan. She’s the person whose phone I’ve used while here. She loves to document her life, so being friends with her means being included in multiple vlogs that have yet to be disseminated around social media.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you. Any friend of February’s is a friend of mine.”

Morgan’s eyes glimmered. “Rumor has it you have some brothers?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. One of them is a little too young for you, but he’d give you a run for your money on social media. He likes playing around with his camera as well.”

I laughed thinking about how social Axe had been.

“Oh, I think I know that brother.” She winked. “Saw a little too much of him.”

“Too bad she can’t cook here in this place,” I cracked. “She’s out of the running for Trevor. ”

Morgan blinked in confusion. “What?”

“Never mind.” I chuckled. “Actually, would you mind giving us some privacy? I have a feeling he’s going to get kicked out soon.”

“Oh, yeah…sure.” Morgan grabbed her camera. “Nice to meet you, Brock.”

“You too.” He nodded.

After Morgan left, I locked the door, and Brock’s expression turned serious.

“Considering you’re right—that we probably don’t have a lot of time—I do need to talk to you.”

I straightened. “Okay…”

He cradled my cheek. “As much as it might seem like I came here just to kiss you, I want to discuss what happened last night.”

“What about last night specifically?”

He slid his hand down. “First off, I want to apologize for the way I acted.”

“I have to say, it was the first time I’ve witnessed you so out of control. Can’t say I hated it. But you were drunk, so it really doesn’t count.”

“Well, I hate being out of control. It’s why I don’t drink much very often. But last night, as I explained, I had my reasons.”

“Your reason, as you admitted, is that you were jealous.” I winked.

“Can you blame me?” He exhaled. “But I shouldn’t have handled myself that way.”

“Well, I’m happy you heeded my advice about kissing me when you were sober.”

“How could I not take advantage of that?” His expression darkened. “I hope I’m the only man who’s gotten to do that in the past twenty- four hours.”

My smile faded. “Nothing happened with Tobias, Brock. I told you, we hate each other.”

“So what did he want? You didn’t elaborate last night.”

“He wanted what you can probably imagine he wanted.”

“Actually, he told me what he wanted when he stopped by my bar. Idiot couldn’t even try to play it off like he had a more legitimate reason to come to see you.”

“He didn’t get very far. I met him down in the lobby and basically sent him on his merry way. I didn’t invite him, and he shouldn’t have come here.”

Brock gritted his teeth. “What made him think that was a good idea when he was essentially the reason you ended up here? That’s inconsiderate.”

“He’s indirectly the reason I’m here, I suppose, yeah. But I have to take accountability.” I sighed. “But Tobias is egotistical and thinks the world revolves around him.”

He drew in his brows. “Why did you even like a guy like that?”

“I never liked him as a person. It was just… Well, you know what it was about. It was more of a rebellion than anything else.”

“Yeah, but that gets old, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, but the beauty of messing around with someone like Tobias is that you don’t have to worry about getting your heart broken.”

Brock nodded. “Okay, I guess I can understand that.”

“I’m not interested in him, Brock. I’m not interested in anyone but you at the moment, and that really sucks for me. ”

“You’ve gone from the Plaid Suit to Plaid Shirt? Is that what you’re saying?”

I giggled. “Plaid Shirt is most definitely my thing, yes.”

He flashed the most gorgeous smile as he pulled on my shirt.

“Look, I know you’re not gonna be in Meadowbrook much longer, but I would like to spend the rest of your spare time here getting to know you better.

At the same time, I don’t want to hinder your recovery or distract you from the reason you came to town in the first place.

So I need you to direct me as to what you’re up for. ”

“Well, most of my treatment is during the day. As you know, my obligations end when the sun goes down. Seeing as though there’s nothing I love more than sneaking out to see you, there’s no reason we can’t continue that.”

“All right. Got it. No more daytime kidnapping.” He grinned. “But how about dinner at my place tonight?”

“You’re actually inviting me to your apartment ? This is huge,” I teased.

“Is that good with you?”

“Absolutely. I’ve missed it since my accidental sleepover.”

“Text me when you’re able to get away so I can come get you. No more walking on the road at night. Those days are over. You hear me?”

“Yes, Grumpy.”

He groaned and pulled me to him, enveloping my lips with his and kissing me passionately. Then, without another word, Brock reluctantly pulled away and left.

The one benefit to Tobias’s visit was that it had lit a fire under Brock, and I was totally down for that .

Morgan reentered my room soon after Brock left. I was still massaging my swollen lips with my fingertips.

She plopped down on my bed. “Well, he’s even hotter than I imagined.”

I sighed. “He is.” I joined her on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. I fell into a daydream, replaying those kisses.

“Uh-oh,” she said.

I turned to her. “What?”

“You’re falling for the guy, aren’t you?”

“Am I delusional for allowing this to continue? I mean, this can’t end well…”

“Says who? You make the rules in your life. Who’s to say you can’t have the best of both worlds?”

“Long-distance relationships don’t work.”

“They don’t work if you believe they won’t.” She tilted her head. “Have you not learned anything since we’ve been here about the power of belief?”

“I’m still practical, Morgan. Distance is a bitch.

It’s hard enough to make a relationship work, but when distance is involved, it’s nearly impossible.

It’s okay in the beginning maybe, but then the logistics wear you down after a while, especially when the couple has moved beyond the honeymoon phase. ”

“Have you ever been in a long-distance relationship?” she asked.

“No. But I’ve had friends who were.”

“You’re basing your impression on hearsay. Someone else’s experience will not necessarily be your reality.”

I sighed. “I thought I was supposed to be the older and wiser one here.”

** *

The aroma of cooking hit me the moment I entered Brock’s apartment that evening. “Something smells yummy.”

“Making a stew.”

“Stew. That’s so… manly of you.”

“It’s the one thing I know how to make really well. Hope you’re hungry.”

Was I ever, albeit not for food. But I’d take it.

The ambience in Brock’s place really hit the mark tonight.

Cozy . He had a fire going in a small pellet stove.

And Oak was nestled on the couch, taking up most of the space.

I’d describe the vibe as warm and welcoming, were it not for the taxidermy heads that always put a damper on things. Even now, they were looking at me…