Page 46 of Peep

“Chris,” I murmur, feeling water gather in the corner of my eyes.

“No, shh for a second.” He places a hand on my shoulder before continuing. “Look, I know I’m not a consolation prize for a dad, but honestly, I don’t care if I never have my own kids because raising you alongside Mum was my biggest achievement.”

“Shit, Chris. You’re gonna make me cry.” I swallow the lump in my throat and focus on not breaking down. How on earth did I get so lucky?

“I’m sorry, I just had to say.”

I throw myself into my brother’s arms, not caring what anyone working here thinks. He chuckles and soothingly rubs my back. We pull apart and take each other in for a moment. There’s not much more to be said. We both know how much we mean to each other.

“Now, piss off. Go get drunk or do whatever it is twenty-eight-year-olds do these days. I have to get back to work before someone goes into cardiac arrest.”

I laugh, swiping away a tear that managed to escape.

“Fine, I’m leaving…I erm, love you, Chris.”

The look on his face tells me I made his day.

“I love you, too, bud.”

Chapter 20

Jahmar

Anders releases a dramatic groan, his warm breath tickling my neck as my alarm blares. I stretch for my phone, putting it on snooze.

“No, don’t go,” he whines, hands exploring my chest, dragging me back against him.

Since when did Anders become such a needy slut? I fucking love it.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. If I could, I’d stay here all day, but Leo said they’re going to be seriously understaffed tonight,” I say over my shoulder.

“Who’s Leo?”

Chuckling, I flip over to face him and raise a quizzical eyebrow.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, trailing light fingertips across my hip, sensitive enough to make my skin pebble.

“Leo’s the head nurse; we’re friendly, I guess. Occasionally, we’ll go to the gym together, but that’s it before you get all growly.”

I leave out the part where I’m trying to keep Leo sweet so I can keep stealing his keycard to access the medicine cupboard. He makes it too easy, though, leaving it lying around.

“I am not growly.” He scowls, dropping his hand from my hip.

“Ha, yeah, right. That’s your factory setting, growly or horny.”

He gasps, placing a hand on his chest like he’s offended. I waggle my eyebrows at him.

“Oh, shut the fuck up,” he jokes before rolling me onto my back and caging me in.

He claims my mouth like he’s dehydrated, and my kiss is the only thing that can quench his thirst. He’s insatiable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just as our hips start to roll and our cocks harden, my alarm rings again. Anders grumbles against my lips. I ease from underneath him and turn off my alarm for real this time. No more snoozing. I seriously have to go.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, stark naked, Anders runs his hand up my spine like he can’t bear to let me go. I look over my shoulder and smile at him, a real one. Come to think of it, I’ve not had to force a smile for over a week. Anders has somehow managed to keep a genuine one slapped in place.

He smiles back at me, all pearly teeth, messy hair, and dimple on display. My chest tightens with a rush of invigorating lust, ormaybe it’s something more. It feels like a warm hug around my heart, hundreds of butterflies fluttering in my stomach, standing up too fast and feeling dizzy. It’s all-encompassing. Shit, ok, it sounds a lot likelove.

“You gonna be here when I get back?” I ask, climbing to my feet and making my way to the ensuite.

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