Page 57 of New Nebraska Heat

I nodded, lips pursed.

It saddened me, the rift between Hunter and his brother. Twoguys with big hearts, who just managed life with different attitudes. Their identical muscular frames and handsome faces threw me for a loop sometimes too. Of course, Dagger had his tattoos, and that ornery, playful grin he flashed every time he talked to me. Hunter always spoke softer, considering each word, and he always seemed to try and memorize my face while he talked.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” I assured him. Who knew; forced time together might be good medicine. It seemed like they’d been avoiding each other for a long time.

Hunter raked a hand over his cropped hair and approached the table. “I don’t like letting you out of my sight. Not after what happened.” He tugged out a chair and sat beside me with a huff.

I massaged his forearm, understanding his frustration. “I know, I get it, but please try not to worry. Remember, Bryce is sending his limo. And the news station has really good security. I won’t walk outside, I promise. It’ll be fine.”

It would be so weird to be ferried back and forth alone in New Omaha’s fanciest limousine today, like I was a VIP, but it was further confirmation of Bryce’s generosity.

Hunter’s tone hardened a fraction. “Okay, but you go from the stretch to the station front doors and back again. I’m talking ten feet of sidewalk. No popping out for Moonbucks, or whatever. Okay? Those fuckers are still skulking around out there. Somewhere.”

His concern squeezed at my heart. I hadn’t had someone looking out for me since my old life crumbled. And the protective growl of his voice stirred butterflies in my lower belly. “Okay, handsome. You’re right,” I said, liking the sound of the name more the second time. “I promise I’ll be careful.” Now to try for a tactful nudge. “Will you promise me something, too?”

He kissed my forehead. “Anything, Little Dancer.”

I tickled a fingertip up his forearm, softening my voice to a half-whisper. “It’ll make me very happy.”

His hand squeezed my thigh. “Say it and it’s done.”

I pulled my lower lip into my teeth, enticed by the powerful effect my words seemed to have on him. Maybe I was enjoying it a little too much.

I slunk back into his lap and pressed my palm against his torso feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat. “What about your jaguar? He got anything to say about it?”

Brown eyes flashing yellow, his voice turned rough as sandpaper. “He wants to make youveryhappy.”

I melted inside. My body’s thermostat seemed extremely susceptible to those jaguar noises. “We’ll take things to the next step soon, I promise. But I’m enjoying the warm up. This is uncharted territory for me.”

“I understand, baby. You do what’s comfortable for you when the time’s right.” He kissed me, deep and explorative.

I cupped his neck, letting my fingers play along his jaw and behind his ear. He grew beneath me, his cock teasing me through his jeans. I had to restrain myself to keep from rocking back and forth. I wasn’t ready to say it out loud, but at some point, I was going to ride that thing properly and give us what we both craved.

He could practice his stoic patience for now though, while I built up the courage.

I broke us apart, hands braced on his shoulders. “I still haven’t told you what I want,” I said, but it sounded more like a pant with how worked up I’d gotten.

“Ask and it’s yours.”

“It would make me happy… if you were nice to your brother while he’s staying here.”

He let out a sigh. “That’ll make you very happy?”

My gaze delving into his, I nodded. “It will. Plus, it suits you so well when you’re being kind…”

He breathed in deeply and let out a long exhale from his nostrils. “Okay, I’ll be nice.” His voice rose, and he poked an angryindex finger in the direction of Dagger’s guest room. “But I want to be clear. I’m doing it for you, not that pain in the ass.”

It was a start. I stroked his cheek and got to my feet. “Thanks. And any time he says something that annoys you, I want you to breathe deep. And just think of me.”

“Thinking of you is the easy part. I can never get you off my mind. But him…” He sighed like I’d asked him to clean the toilet with his eyeballs. “Well, let’s just say for you, I’ll bite my tongue around him. Only for you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” He squeezed my bottom and gave me a naughty grin. “You just make sure you and this little ass stay super careful today and I’ll hold my tongue with Detective Tattoo. Deal?”

“Deal.” I looped my arms around his back. “Now come here, handsome—”

“Handsome?” Dagger hobbled from the hallway across the loft’s plush rugs and polished flooring with bandaged legs. “Looking for me?” He was wearing tight black boxer briefs and nothing else, tattoos and toned muscles on display.