Page 50 of Hard to Take

“Making coffee.” She throws up her hands. “The espresso machine only responds to you.”

“I have fantastic hands,” I agree as I come up behind her and grab her hips.

I figured getting Brooke in bed would soothe the raging beast in my chest.

Instead, I’m plagued by thoughts I’ve never let myself entertain.

Is she thinking about me like I’m thinking about her?

Does her chest get tight when I enter a room?

Does she look forward to the end of the day, find excuses to come back here when she has a dozen invitations to be somewhere else?

“Want me to take over?” I ask. I’ve been thinking up some new designs to try out.

“No! I’m going to get it right.”

I lean my chin on her shoulder and watch, my lips curving. “You’ve been taking notes.”

“I watched a few videos online,” she says breezily as she finishes pulling an espresso.

She holds it out to me and I take a sip. “It’s good,” I say. Her eyes narrow as she takes it back and sips, making a face.

“You’re being too nice. I’m starting over.”

My gaze drifts to a large cardboard box sitting near the front door. “New espresso machine in case this one lets you down?”

Brooke laughs. “More clothes from Vivaro. They agreed the collaboration was a win-win. They’re going to pay double for my next posts.”

“Hell, yeah.” If that box contains more lingerie, I’m sending the CEO a gift basket. “And if I get a fashion show later, it’s actually win-win-win.”

“Play your cards right,” she teases as I pull her closer.

My cock hardens against her ass. “I like making coffee with you in the morning.”

“You’re wet,” she protests as my hair drips on the counter in front of her, but her eyes drift closed when my lips brush her throat.

“So are you.” My fingers trace around her stomach and lower, slipping between her thighs.

The espresso machine shoots off a load of steam and Brooke jumps, escaping my grasp.

But she finishes pulling the next one and tests it. “Much better.”

I lift her and sit her on the counter.

“How are you feeling about the game?” Brooke asks.

“Super chill.” She lifts a brow. “Fine, not great. Plus, Grams has a scan schedule for today.” I shake my head. “No idea why she thinks she’s going to heal as fast as a twenty-year-old, but she does. Maybe if she had daily physio and other support, it’d be a different story.”

Brooke’s hand traces my arm. “Does she have an online patient portal? Maybe they’ll forward you the scans by email. If you can check them remotely, you won’t be thinking about them all day.”

The idea lifts a weight off my chest. “You’re a genius.”

“Anytime.” She tilts her head, lips curving and her dark eyes soft.

I’ve never wanted to kiss someone as badly as I want to kiss her right now. It’s not even desire—it’s gratitude. The kind that runs bone deep.

She’s good at dealing with pressures I’ve never paid that much attention to.

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