Page 62 of Before We Were Us

“Because I’m stubborn and thought what I was doing was the right thing to do.” Taking a step farther, I move my head, nuzzling his neck. The smell of his cologne surrounds me, the warmth of his skin, the grip he has on my hip tightening. “Because I’m afraid that if I open myself up to you completely and it somehow falls apart, it will be impossible to recover.”

“I have a solution to that.” His heated breath spans over my cheek and along my neck.

“What’s that?”

“We fight like hell and never allow it to fall apart.”

I breath him in, not yet wanting to let him go. Where I am, safely tucked in close, his arms surrounding me, it's a place of comfort.

“These last few weeks have been miserable,” he confesses. “I don’t know about you babe, but I’m really damn tired of not getting what I want most.”

“What do you want?” My heart tells me I already know what he’s going to say, but I want to hear him say it aloud. I need to hear him say it.

“I want you, Brynn. From the second you stepped up beside me at this very bar, I’ve wanted you.”

thirty-nine

. . .

Jensen

Brynn lifts her head from my shoulder, the place she’d rested it several minutes ago. Her hair tickled my nose with each breath I took. It felt good to have her nuzzled in but the way she is looking at me now I’ll admit feels better.

Like I’ve won the lottery and was crowned king all in one.

She lifts her hand to my face and gently drags the tips of her fingers over my jaw. Instantly I lean into her touch. A touch I’ll admit I’ve longed for.

“I want you too,” she confesses just before she moves closer and softly kisses me.

My arms wrap around her waist, holding her close I deepen the kiss.

“And he gets the girl.” Leaning away I’m seconds from kicking Connor’s ass for interrupting when I feel Brynn’s body vibrating with laughter. The sound warms me, as I look back to find she is watching me with a joy I’ve missed.

“Yeah,” I say in response to Connor but while looking at her. “I did.” I push the hair back away from her face. I feel a sense of relief wash over me.

“Did you tell her yet?” Connor asks, still standing next to us and I shake my head.

“Not yet asshole, because you decided to interrupt us.”

“Oh shit, sorry.” Holding up his hands he starts to back away.

“Tell me what?” The moment we had is lost and again I remind myself to beat Connor’s ass later.

“The divorce papers were signed earlier today.” Brynn’s brows lift in surprise.

“What did that cost you?” I already know she is referring to my house.

“Three months’ rent on a tiny ass studio apartment, the cost of six weeks of rehab, and ten thousand dollars in an account set up in Christina’s name.”

“Rehab?”

“Yeah.” I stand, our chests now only inches apart. Brynn tilts her chin upward and I cup the side of her face. “That is a story for another time, because I think tonight should be just for us.”

Dragging my tongue along my lower lip to moisten it she shifts her attention to the movement and I know she’s thinking what I’m thinking. “This place is very crowded.” She nods. “And loud.” Again she nods. “I can’t do the things I want to do to you here.” With that her brows lift, but a smile tugs at her mouth.

“And what things would that be?”

“I’d rather show you.”

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