Page 31 of Daring Destiny

At the time, I thought he meant to relax, to stop overthinking while he was giving me orgasm after orgasm. Now, after seeing the notebook, I think I misunderstood. Tonight was never about sex. It’s about connection. Being real. He already knows my vulnerabilities I thought were carefully kept hidden.

So no, he wasn’t asking me to let go physically, he was asking me to let him in. Completely.

I think I can do this.

It feels like fate, being here together.

Like we’re right where we belong.

twelve

Brennan

Later That Evening

“Yousureyou’reonboard?”

I glance over at Astrid as I turn onto my parents’ street. I’m not having second thoughts, but I realize this is a big, bold move.

She might be freaking out. ’Cause I am.

Aweebit.

I mean, I didn’t exactlybegAstrid to come to dinner with me tonight, but bringing her home to meet my family feels like the next step. Why wait?

Besides, there’s no way I can afford to slip into my old habits if I want things to work romantically with Astrid—and I do. Even though the timing sucks, with the pressures of the upcoming transaction looming, she’s important to me. I’ve got to figure out how to balance everything for once in my life.

The way I see it, if my family meets her and realizes how much she means to me, they’ll help me stay accountable. Besides, Cillian promised my ma he’ll be here tonight. We haven’t seen each other in months and it’ll be helpful to get his take.

Astrid turns to me with a cheeky grin. “Honestly? I didn’t expect you to introduce me to your parents the day after we first touched pee-pees, but yeah. I’m strangely okay.”

Jesus, she’s so fucking sexy. Even in simple black jeans and gray sweater. A few strands of her hair have fallen loose from her ponytail, framing her soft skin. And those lips. God, those lips. My cock stirs when I picture her lips wrapped around it…

“Brennan?” She gently touches my arm. “Watch the road.”

Luckily, I’m not going fast and swerve out of the path of the line of parked cars. “Shit, sorry.”

“You were thinking dirty thoughts. Maybe we’ll have time for a quickie in your childhood bedroom.” She cups my junk and waggles her perfectly plucked brows.

Aaaannnd, I’m at full wood. I hadn’t evenfathomedthe possibility of fucking her in my old bedroom and now it’ll be the only thing on my mind all night.

I move her hand away and clasp her fingers with mine so she doesn’t get feistier. “You’re averybad girl.”

“You like it because you’re such a good, good boy.” She grins as I park in front of my parents’ Craftsman. “Now, think of something unsexy to tame him down a bit.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and concentrate.Wrinkly grannies. Wrinkly grannies. Wrinkly grannies.

It’s Connor’s tried and true method for getting rid of unwanted and inappropriately timed erections. He swears by it and passed the wisdom down to all of us younger brothers. I have to concentrate until my erection subsides. When wee Brennan is under control, I breathe a sigh of relief.

Astrid stares at me, bemused. “Impressive mind control, Loki.”

“Uh, thanks. Can’t have a boner in front of my ma. Besides, I didn’t tell them you were coming.” I reach for the door handle and get out, dash around to the passenger side to help her out, holding out my hand for leverage. “Wait, did you make a Marvel reference?”

“Duh.” She rolls her eyes and, anchored by my arm, gracefully exits. “Don’t change the subject. You didn’t eventext? Why not?”

“My family’s on a need-to-know basis.” I lead her to the stone steps.

Astrid laughs nervously. “You think they’ll be okay with me being here?”

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