Page 63 of Embody

PERHAPSHEDIDN’Tquite believeme. I have to wonder, since the first thing he does when we walk into my soon-to-be “old” apartment is yell at everyone.

“Hey, Squad Movers Inc. I have food, so pay attention. Raise your hand if you think Bellamy forced me to move her or used Brynn in some sinister plot to get in my wallet. Or my pants.”

They all freeze, staring at him as though he’s lost his damn mind, while I slowly shift to hide behind him in mortification.

He turns his head and whispers to me, “Since you’re hiding back there and can’t see, I’ll tell you. No one’s hand is raised. Now,” he speaks to them again, “raise your hand if you think this was all my idea and I demanded it, set it up and basically evicted Bellamy to leave her no other choice.And, would be the polar opposite of offended to discover she wanted in my pants.”

“Well no shit!” Presley’s voice rings out.

“That one.” Ryder maybe?

“Duh.” Definitely Brynn.

A chorus of other laughing responses fill the apartment and I peek around him to see every single person in the room with a hand in the air and amused expression on their face.

“See?” He pulls me out from behind him and taps the end of my nose. “Told ya.”

“Bellamy,” Presley steps forward, “JT’s an ass. We’re all aware, trust me. Now let’s eat!”

While the masses attack the food, I walk over to Brynn. “Hey, we okay?”

“Of course we are,” she smiles. “I already told you that once today, silly. Please, stop worrying.But, Icoulduse some girl time soon, if you can manage to shake off my brother.”

“Done,” I laugh. “I’m off tomorrow. Wanna hang out?”

“I would love that,” she wraps me in a hug. “And make me proud, girl. Give him a run for his money,” she quietly teases in my ear.

“Don’t you worry,” I giggle. “I do.”

“Good,” she pulls back and bobs her head. “He needs it. Oughta be fun to watch. My big brother, brought to his knees. I can’t wait.”

With that, we join the others to eat, and when finished, everyone gets back to work. Well, Itryto work…but as the guys haul all the big furniture I’m not keeping to Judd’s truck…eventually Jefferson gets hot and rips his shirt off over his head.

And I’m left no choice but to take a break.

“Swimming Without a Shirt” Jefferson iscompletelydifferent than “Working Hard Without a Shirt” Jefferson and wild stallions trying to drag me out of a burning building couldn’t make me look away.

Every muscle in his upper body and arms is tight and protruding from exertion, mouthwateringly complimented with a light sheen of sweat glistening on his tan skin.

Dear God, just looking at him turns me on as much as if he were actually touching me. My mouth parches, heartbeat whooshing in my ears and there’s a throbbing between my thighs the likes of which I’ve never felt.

“Hold up,” he tells Judd and Ryder before starting to stalk my way, a coy smirk on his face and cocky swagger to his gait. He knowingly stokes my embers, crooking his finger at me, and entranced as always, I stand and meet him halfway.

He tucks my hair behind my ear then dips his head to whisper, warm and raspy, “Right back atcha’, babe.”

“Huh?” The question a spellbound sound.

“You, on your hands and knees cleaning out those cabinets, fine ass in the air? I’m enjoying the view as much, make thatmore, as you seem to be.”

“I, uh, have no idea what you’re talking about,” I find voice to fib.

He leans in closer, the intoxicatingly mixed scent of clean, hardworking man engulfing me, and runs a fingertip along my jawline. “Then why are you out of breath? And why are your sweet little nipples poking me in the chest, Bellamy?”

“JT,” Judd takes mercy on me and interrupts. “Haven’t got all night, man. Get your ass over here and let’s get this done.”

“Lucky you, saved by the man I’m gonna go kill,” he laughs softly. “Just remember, they’ll all be leaving soon.” He lets his finger trail down, grazing lightly over my nipple before walking away, and that tiny bit of contact sends shards of electricity shooting through my entire body.

I don’t know how long I stand frozen in place, trying not to pant, before Skylar asks me a question. I shake my head to clear the haze and follow her into the bathroom, showing her what gets packed and what can be thrown away.

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