Page 292 of Steamy Ever After

“Would you like me to come in with you?”

“No, but thanks. You should get on the road. You have a long drive ahead of you.”

“Thanks again for joining me tonight, Peyton. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

She unlocked the front door and slipped inside, realizing Peter was gone before she locked it behind her. Kade never would’ve let her come in alone after dark, or even during the day. It wasn’t as though Peter hadn’t offered.

Everything had been put away before they left for dinner, but Peyton wanted a minute alone before she went home. It was only a few minutes after seven, so Jamison and Finn would still be awake. She didn’t anticipate they’d ask her any questions, though. They hadn’t been very talkative since Brodie left. Correction—since she’d made Brodie leave. It was as though they sensed it was her fault he was gone, not his.

She poured a drink of Port, downed it, and rinsed the glass before setting the alarm and going out the rear door. The motion light Kade had installed came on when she walked outside, illuminating the man leaning against the orange Porsche parked next to her BMW.

“Peyton.”

“Brodie? What are you doing here?”

“I called.”

“You didn’t leave a message.”

Peyton stood where she was, unsure whether she should walk over to him. Had he gone by the house? Did he know she’d been out with Peter? No one other than Alex was aware of their dinner plans, and she doubted Alex would’ve told him.

“What do you want?” she asked.

When he moved out of the shadows, she saw his clothes were disheveled and he hadn’t shaved. It didn’t appear intentional. He looked as though he hadn’t slept. Brodie stood in front of her, but didn’t speak. He reached out, and she took his hand.

“Do you want to go in?” she asked.

“Would you mind?”

She returned inside and turned off the alarm while Brodie waited until she held the door open for him.

“Peyton, I…”

She waited, but he didn’t finish his sentence.

“Can I get you a glass of Port?” She’d already had one, but that didn’t matter; she could use another.

“Sure. Thanks.”

She poured two drinks, carried them to the area by the fireplace, and set them down on the table. Instead of sitting, she walked over and hit the switch, igniting the gas fireplace. Brodie waited, and when she sat on the sofa, he joined her.

He picked up the wineglass and swirled it gently, took a sip, then ran his finger around the rim, staring into the fire.

Peyton longed to touch him, but with his mood, didn’t. More than touch, she sensed he needed comfort, but would he accept it from her? Some of the last words she’d said to him were that he’d never be Kade. She hadn’t meant it the way she knew he’d take it, but she’d had no intention, then, of explaining. Her goal had been to push him away, and she’d succeeded.

She rested her head against the leather sofa, wishing the fire were wood, so instead of the hiss of the gas, it would crackle. Any noise would be welcome. She moved to stand, intending to turn on some music, but Brodie held her arm.

“Don’t go,” he murmured.

His touch was warm but soft, and she covered his hand with hers, shifting her body to face him. He didn’t turn his gaze from the fire, but his eyes closed, so Peyton rested her head on his shoulder.

She lost track of how long they sat in silence. Instead of drifting, her thoughts stayed on him, listening as he breathed in and out. When he moved and gripped her face, bringing his mouth to hers, she didn’t fight him. She didn’t pull away. She opened her mouth to his and drank him in.

“Peyton.” He groaned when she shifted and lay on the sofa, giving him room to lie on top of her. His hand slipped under her sweater and squeezed her breast, then he slid his fingers inside her bra, molding her to his hand. She pulled his shirt from the waist of his pants and ran her hands over his back.

“I need you, Peyton.” His fingers were between her legs, rubbing her body through her suede skirt.

After a while, she dragged the fabric up so she could feel him against her skin. With her hand so close, she lowered his zipper. Brodie freed himself, then moved her panties to the side, and Peyton gasped as he entered her. He stilled, and then slowly moved in and out.

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