Page 122 of Unwrapping Deviance

“I can hear you,” Daniel mutters from his place by the stove next to us, dark head bent over the pork he’s still shredding.

Christian and I exchange grins.

With strong hands clamped under my ass, Christian lifts me up. Lets me hook my legs around his hips as he hauls me to the table. But rather than drop me into a chair, he sits, keeping me in his lap, my legs dangling on either side.

There’s nothing sexual about the way he pulls me tighter to his chest. His hands glide along my back in soothing strokes, saying nothing when I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

I don’t recall dozing. Part of me is still conscious of Daniel and Christian chatting in the distance, a low, soothing stream of conversation wrapped in a filmy gauze. Christian’s hands have found their way under my top. His palms are rough brushing the curve of my spine. His breath is warm against my neck, tickles my skin when he speaks. His chest rumbles against mine.

He’s not built exactly like Daniel, but they both have that hard solidness to them that makes a girl feel safe and protected.

I get that I shouldn’t be this comfortable with a guy I barely know, but he feels familiar. He feels like I’ve been in his arms my whole life. A part of me recognizes something in him.

Maybe it’s Daniel. Maybe he’s our connection. Maybe it would have been different if Christian and I met randomly.

But then he turns his face and nuzzles a kiss to my cheek. Lingers before returning to his conversation that makes my stomach melt.

I don’t know how this is possible, but I’m going to allow it. It’s only a few more days. Then he’ll be gone and I don’t know when I’ll see him again.

“Mi?” Daniel’s quiet coaxing has me resurfacing to a fully set table and Christian still holding me in his arms.

I don’t remember falling asleep, but I feel the achy weight of waking up draining my strength. I half want to stay where I am, but hunger wins.

Daniel catches my waist when I shuffle awkwardly backwards off his brother’s lap. I’m drawn back against his chest. His lips find the side of my head.

“Want to go to bed?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Hungry.”

He doesn’t press but leads me to my chair and lets me drop into it.

I don’t talk hardly throughout the meal. No one asks me to and I’m grateful as I sit in my half-asleep state and eat my supper. The boys seem lost in their own conversation anyway. I partially listen.

After dinner, I help clear the table while they do the dishes.

I’m just tucking the broom away after sweeping the floors when Daniel scoops me up into his arms.

“Bedtime,” he states.

I’m not going to argue. I’m barely able to keep my eyes open.

He pauses just long enough to let Christian kiss me, long and hard, almost stirring me enough to wake up, but pulling away before I can get any ideas.

“Night, brat,” he murmurs.

I offer him a small grin and a wave before I’m being taken from the room.

“You had a really long ... active day,” Daniel says as he starts up the stairs.

I chuckle against the side of his neck. “You both wore me out.”

I think I hear a low rumbling growl vibrate between our bodies that make my nipples tingle. It rushes down to pool between my legs where Christian’s kiss has already dampened my panties.

Tentatively, I brush a kiss to the side of his neck. Follow it up with the sweep of my tongue up the strong pulse to his sharp jawline.

“Stop that,” he warns thickly.

I smirk against his skin. “I might be catching my second wind.”

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