Page 54 of Caught from Behind

I want that.

God, how I want that.

But…I’ve heard it before—and then my mom passed and my dad got remarried and…well, we went from solid, from peaceful and happy and the place every one of our friends wanted to hang out to…alone.

To left behind.

So yeah, I’ve heard it before.

The only people in my life who’ve stuck are Nova and Knox.

But there’s something about the way Riggs says it…

I want to believe it.

His hand strokes in, drifting up the inside of my thigh.

Gasping, I grab his wrist. “Did you forget that my brother’s sitting at this table?” I tell him, even as I’m playing with fire, as I’m settling more firmly on the length of his cock.

He hisses, snags my hip and holds me still. “Your brother is the one who got my head out of my ass about you in the first place.”

I blink at him, albeit in shock this time.

Then turn to Knox, who’s still watching the group of women at the next table over. Though, I don’t miss that half of his mouth is curved up.

“I’m the matchmaker.”

That’s my freaking job.

“It’s in the Adler DNA.” He lifts one shoulder, drops it. “Plus, I think Riggs is one of the few men who can handle you.”

The PDA, the caveman antics that I can’t deny I love, my brother fixing me up to be handled.

That’s one step too far.

I lean back, narrowing my eyes at my brother. “Excuse me?”

He tosses back the rest of his beer, stands. “Time to go.”

And then he’s off, moving to the women, schmoozing like only my brother can.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” I snap, jumping to my feet.

“Shit,” Riggs mutters, dragging me back down. “Don’t be pissed. I’ve had a thing for you from the beginning”—he leans around me, snags my gaze—“remember? From the first moment I met you.”

The hot looks from afar?

The ones that gave me many a nocturnal—and otherwise—orgasm in response to the memories of that scorching gaze?

Yeah, I remember.

Still, I don’t soften my glare. “And?”

His mouth ticks up. “And I wouldn’t have allowed myself to get this far,” he says softly. “For reasons.” His throat works as guilt slices through me. He’s gone soft beneath me, and his hand loosens on my hip. “Not without Knox giving me the green light.”

Damn. I had to ruin this moment by opening my big mouth. “Riggs,” I begin, shoving the mule he’d brought over away when I nearly take it out with my elbow.

His eyes flick to the copper mug then back to mine, and he reaches forward, brings it closer. “Drink it, chérie. I’m not going to control what you do.”

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