Page 62 of Brutal Savage

Insane what the mind can do when we’re sleeping. But just look at him. All hard edges and calloused hands. How could I not want him? And Lord, would those hands feel good running up my body.

His mouth tilts like he can see inside my mind.

Am I that obvious? Am I blushing again?

“Come on, Brody!” I tell him, while Bubbles lets out a little yelp like she wants to get out of here just as much as I do.

Brody comes running in, attaching the leash on the pup and gripping it tightly, while I hold out a hand for his. He takes it without any hesitation, and that fills my heart with joy.

Tynan’s brows knit as he stares down at our clasped hands, and his face softens. And though he’s a hard man, I’ve seen glimpses of the softer side already, making me feel things I don’t want to.

Brody leads me toward the back, opening the double glass doors and heading toward the lush garden.

Three benches sit on one side, overlooking a round pool with a swan statute in the middle, shooting out water. To the left is a huge rectangular pool, and a hot tub close behind. There is also a gazebo with chairs and beds that look comfortable enough to sleep in. We head past the pool and through the open land—green grass for what feels like miles.

What a beautiful place to run every morning.

I don’t know why that thought just hit me. Not like I’ll be waking up here every day to do that. Still, the place is scenic, and I can just imagine what the rest of the land looks like.

“It must be nice living here.” I glance over at Brody. “Though I’m sure you miss your home too.”

His face slants, and he stares down at his feet while the dog sniffs and wags her tail.

“I’m sorry, Brody.” I squeeze his hand. “I can just imagine how hard this is for you. But if you ever want to talk to me—and it doesn’t have to be with words, it can be a letter, anything really—I’m here to listen. I want you to know that I care very much about you, just like your cousin does.”

He nods and doesn’t look my way. I don’t want to bring up anything painful, but I think it’s good for him to embrace the pain and learn to heal from it instead of being afraid to face it. He just needs to feel safe enough to open up. To scream and cry and do all the things that he has to for as long as he needs.

“You know, I lost my parents too. I wasn’t as young as you, but I really loved them. I was very close to my mom. She was my best friend.”

He glances up, and his chin trembles, eyes filling with tears, and mine do too. I can feel his anguish like it’s palpable.

“She was a good mom, just like yours was. Your mom loved you very much. I know that for certain. Your father too. I know wherever they are, they’re watching you and they are so, so proud of you.”

Tears drip from his eyes. Kneeling before him, I grab his face, letting my own tears fall freely.

“It’s okay to cry, sweetheart.” I wipe his tears with my thumb. “It’s okay to miss them and wish they were here with you.”

With a sniffle, he throws his arms around me and holds me tight as he sobs. And I clutch him, wanting to take his pain away and make it mine.

From a distance, I see him—watching us, like a shadow.

He stares intensely, and fear prickles up my spine. There’s a part of me that’s still afraid of him, even while my attraction for him grows.

He starts toward us just as Brody wipes his eyes with the back of his hand.

“You feel better?” I give him all of my attention.

He nods.

“Good. How about we get some ice cream after dinner? I’m sure there’s some in the freezer.”

His eyes pop with excitement.

“We can eat until we’re too full to breathe. How does that sound?”

He hits me with a huge, toothy grin and a thumbs-up.

We start making our way toward Tynan, and when he’s in front of us, he pats Brody’s head.

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