Page 279 of Steamy Ever After

“See you shortly.” Brodie closed the front door behind them.

The scene was so familial. Was it because Brodie reminded the boys of Kade, or were they comfortable around him already? Jamie hadn’t seemed bothered that she was essentially sleeping in Brodie’s arms when he woke her. Both he and Brodie acted as though this was an average morning.

Peyton started a pot of coffee before checking on Finn, who was still sound asleep. Even Finn had assumed Brodie would stay with them at the hospital, then when they came home yesterday, he made sure Brodie stayed for dinner. He’d done more than stay. He’d made dinner while Peyton fussed over her little boy.

When Jamison came home from school, Brodie helped him with his homework and took him outside to shoot some hoops after they ate.

The least she could do was offer to make him breakfast.

Jamison’s school was only a few minutes away, so Brodie returned at the same time she took eggs and bacon out of the refrigerator.

He walked in the front door without knocking, then stopped. “That was presumptuous of me.”

“What? Walking in without knocking? Don’t be silly. I knew you’d be right back.”

He approached and turned her away from the counter so she faced him. “Peyton, we should talk.”

He was right, but it would be so much easier to continue pretending this was normal. As soon as they addressed it, Brodie would leave, and her house and life would be too quiet and lonely again.

“Can we have breakfast first?” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“Woman, sometimes I think you’re heaven-sent.” He cringed. “That was probably the wrong thing to say, wasn’t it?”

“It was sweet.”

“This is what we need to talk about, Peyton.” Brodie placed his hands on her waist.

She rested her head on his chest, put her arms around his neck, and Brodie kissed her.

Had it only been two or three days since they were in this kitchen, him kissing her, then carrying her into the bedroom where they’d had the best sex of her life?

“What are you thinking about?” he murmured.

“You, me, you know.”

“No, don’t know.”

“Brodie…”

“Oh, you mean, you, me, your bed?”

She felt her cheeks flush. “Yes.”

“Me too.”

“But we can’t.”

“I know, sugar, but we sure can think about it.”

Peyton pushed away from him and grinned. “I’m making breakfast, not thinking about bed.”

“Hey, uh, would you mind if I took a quick shower?”

“I’m sorry, Brodie. If you want to go home, I completely understand. You’ve been in the same clothes…wait, you’re not,” said Peyton.

“Maddox brought me a bag.”

“I didn’t even notice,” she murmured.

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