Page 99 of Dublin Brute

“Not a thing. This is perfect.” I close my eyes and breathe in the soothing citrus scent. “I might never leave this tub.”

“Tag won’t mind. Though the water bill might annoy him.”

I open my mouth to reply, but the words don’t come. Sleep steals me away and carries me deep into the warm, citrus waters.

I startle into consciousness with terror exploding in my chest and the feeling of groping hands pinching my skin. With a gasp, my eyes fly open, an icy chill locked in the center of my chest.A nightmare. It’s only my mind processing the terror of last night.

I was so scared—more scared than I had ever been—though I tried not to let Kate see. Having already lost Tanya, the possibility of losing Kate gutted me.

Thankfully, Brendan and his brothers found me.

Thankfully, the Quinns fight to keep innocents safe in their territory.

I lay on my side, encased in black silk, and pull breath to the full depth of my lungs. It’s over. I’m fine. This is the second time I’ve woken up in the massive bed in Tag’s loft, but this time is better.

Because this time I’m not alone.

Brendan shifts behind me and his broad hips thrust closer, the solid shaft of his cock prodding my lower back. The panic of my dream dissolves as the bristle of his morning scruff nuzzles my neck.

A gentle snore vibrates behind my ear and warmth tickles the nape of my neck with each exhale. He’s too cute. I love that I’m the one who gets to see who he really is.

Brendan Quinn, mafia enforcer, biker, cage fighter—and snuggle bear.

Muscle-banded arms and legs wrap so possessively around me, I’m amazed I didn’t wake sooner—his limbs weigh a ton. But until I had the dark dream that woke me, I slept better than I ever remember.

Warm. Protected. Cherished.

I shift, and the moment I move, Brendan’s hold tightens. His arms adjust, securing his embrace in his sleep. That should scare me. Getting attached to Brendan will only lead to heartache in the long term.

Who am I kidding? I’m way past being attached.

I love this man.

I may have distracted myself from Tanya’s death by flirting with a bad-boy protector fantasy, but we’re way past that now. I breathe deep and draw in the faded scent of his expensive cologne infused with the unmistakable masculine power of Brendan.

A rush of heat hits my core, and I wriggle my butt against his seriously impressive cock. I bite back a smile when a deep grumble perforates his sleep. Everything in me wants to see his expression when he makes a sound like that.

With slow, deliberate movement, I turn in his arms and lay face to face.

Brendan stirs half-awake, his emerald gaze sleepy. He registers me watching him, and the smile that breaks across his face does me in. “Now you’re in trouble.”

“Oh, yeah? And why is that?”

“Because now that I’ve experienced what it’s like to wake up with you, I need to make that a permanent thing.”

If only. “As nice as that sounds, nothing has changed. My father is still?—”

Brendan presses two fingers over my mouth, silencing me. “Not yet, angel. Don’t let reality ruin this. Let’s make this bed our time-out safe space. No talk about why we can’t be together, only talk about how amazing it is to be together.”

I can get behind that. “Then, in the spirit of making the most out of our safe space, I think your morning wood should get acquainted with my morning want.”

“You mean this guy?” He grins as he pulls my hand under the sheet and presses my palm against his impressive cock. His thick length pulses in my hands and I’m so glad he’s already naked. “Any requests?”

“I’m thinking mind-shattering orgasms and you filling me until I come, crying out your name.”

“Challenge accepted. I am up for that.”

I squeeze his cock in my hand and heat coils inside me and spreads in urgent need. “Truer words were never spoken.”

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