Page 37 of The Healing Touch (Manwhore #3)

Well, the constant repetition of “will you marry me” was pressure, but she could deal with that. She wouldn’t do something that could potentially devastate her for the rest of her life, and if she said yes prematurely and Dimitri decided later it had been a mistake, she’d never recover.

It was basic self-preservation.

Dimitri slid into the driver’s seat and tried to start the truck. The engine turned over with a whine, but it didn’t start.

“Give her some gas!” Mason yelled.

“Fucker,” Dimitri muttered but did as he was told.

The old girl purred to life with a racket not meant for human ears.

Becca would look over the truck and make sure it was safe before she let Mason drive it again.

It was the least she could do since he’d volunteered to pick them up and then gave up his vehicle with no arguments.

“Is Mason always that much of a goofball?”

“Always.” Dimitri sighed and pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the freeway. “So, Conner.”

“He’s your brother.”

“Becca.” The warning was right there for her to hear.

“What?”

“You want to explain that back there?”

“No.”

“This relationship isn’t going to work if we’re not honest with each other, and that…” His lips pursed. “That felt like the two of you were fuck buddies.”

“Dimitri!”

“Don’t Dimitri me. If the two of you hooked up, I deserve to know. You live in the same damn city.”

She was a little awed at the absolute possession and jealousy in his voice. She’d never heard him sound like that about any of his exes.

“Becca!” he snapped when she didn’t answer.

“Your brother and I have never hooked up. Yes, we’re friends. Yes, I know him quite well. But no. I’ve never had a single sexual fantasy about him.”

“Then what?—”

“Remember I told you I didn’t always stay in my apartment?”

He nodded, unsure of where she was going with this. He’d been ready to tear his own brother limb from limb thinking the two of them had fucked.

“I was out grocery shopping and ran into him right after he got back from his last tour. He wasn’t in good shape.

I took him someplace quiet, a little shop I knew that did carry out only, but because I knew the owner, she sometimes let me come in and eat in the back.

She knew about my anxiety. We got dead dog drunk, and he told me what happened to him, why he didn’t finish his tour. ”

“My God,” Dimitri whispered, shocked to his core. “What was it?”

“That’s not my story to tell, Dimitri. I would no more break his confidence than I would yours.

He needs time and patience and for someone to love him like I love you.

When he finds that, then he’ll truly start to heal.

Until then, though, he’s doing all he can just to get through each day.

Leave him be and let him do this in his own way.

And don’t ask me for details. I meant what I said. It’s not my story to tell.”

He heard the heartbreak in her voice. Whatever his brother had gone through, it broke him, because it had broken Becca just a little too. It was there for him to see in her eyes. She was haunted by what she knew.

“Does he…does he call you? Talk to you?”

“Sometimes. He knows I’m going to let him talk and that I understand the pain he’s been through.

Only someone who’s suffered can understand the depth of suffering he’s going through.

His soul is darker than it was, and that’s not going to change, Dimitri.

All we can do is try to help him find a little more light to guide his way back to us.

He’ll never be the Conner you all knew, but hopefully you’ll get a version of him back. ”

“I’m sorry I snapped at you.” He felt like such an ass.

While everything in him screamed to demand the truth from her, he refrained.

She was right. It wasn’t her story to tell, and until Conner was ready to confide in them, he’d just have to deal.

He was glad his brother had at least leaned on one person, even if that person was Dimitri’s woman.

She smiled softly. “You’re allowed to be jealous, just not when it comes to family. I’d never do that to you, D.”

He reached over and took her hand, holding it up so he could kiss her palm. “I love you.”

“You’re still not getting sex.”

“You’re seriously going to make me have blue balls for days, aren’t you?”

She nodded, her eyes twinkling.

He laughed and continued to hold her hand the rest of the way to his beach condo. He couldn’t wait to show her the ocean. And for her to meet his chocolate lab. Mason had been coming by to feed the guy and take him for his daily walks.

When they pulled up, the lights were on. He’d left them on for the dog.

“It’s not as big as I thought it would be,” she mused.

“What, you were expecting a million-dollar beach house?”

“Maybe.”

“Sorry, sweetheart. I don’t need much. I grew up in a small house, and I guess I still love the comfort of one.”

“No, I like it. It’s what I’d be living in if it were me.”

“See, we’re two peas in a pod. You should surrender now and say yes.”

She only hummed and got out, her arms going around herself as the chill of the night air hit her.

He strolled over and pulled her close as they walked up the driveway.

He could hear his dog’s nails clacking on the hardwood inside.

Carefully, he stepped aside and opened the door.

The dog barreled out and hit him full force.

He staggered under the weight, but he caught the dog and lifted him, trying to avoid all the wet kisses.

Becca laughed at the dog’s eagerness. Oliver turned his head to look at Becca. Dimitri put him down, and Becca held her hand out for the dog to sniff. It took him three seconds before his tail started wagging. Her hand got covered in the same wet kisses Dimitri suffered.

“I think someone likes you.”

Becca petted the dog for several minutes, rubbing his belly when he’d flopped down and over, whining like a baby. She loved him instantly. Her dad never let them have pets when they were growing up, and she’d always wanted one. Her apartment didn’t allow pets either.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get inside and find you a warm jacket. I have something I want to show you.”

He rummaged through his hall closet until he pulled out a jacket that would swallow her, but she’d be warm.

He led her through the house and out the back door to the private beach.

It was what drew him to the house to being with.

He’d bring his laptop and a six-pack out here some nights and write until dawn. It was peaceful.

And deserted.

Other than the Coopers three doors down. They were out on their patio. The smell of steak reached his nose, and his stomach grumbled.

Becca giggled at the sound.

“Maybe you should call Mason and have him get you something that’s not Mexican?”

She was right, and he shot a quick text to his brother to swing by Sonic and bring him a double cheeseburger and strawberry shake. He told him to bring Becca a chocolate one.

He pulled her down to the shore and watched her face transform from laughter to wonder.

She’d never seen the ocean before, and he knew it was the one thing she really wanted to see.

He’d always wanted to be the one to show her, and the feeling of contentment was just as wonderous to him as the ocean was to her.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered as Ollie splashed into the water, running through it like a madman.

“Is it everything you hoped for?”

She nodded, her eyes round as she glanced out over the water. He wished it was clearer so she could see the moon shining over the waves, but with smog, it was hard to get those nights.

He wrapped his arms around her, his chin settling on the top of her head. “Welcome home, baby.”

For once, she didn’t argue with him, and Dimitri was content to stand here on the beach, his dog having a grand old time in the water, and his woman nestled in his arms.