Page 55 of Barrett

I kept my voice even and calm when I spoke. “I’m not doing anything for you, Bear. I know damn well you won’t let me, but I can help your brother.”

“I don’t want your pity.”

“Seriously? You think that’s what this is? I hate to break it to you, but I know all too well the pain your brother is in. I know what it feels like to be bedridden with my head throbbing so badly it feels like it’s in a vise grip. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone, especially someone who doesn’t deserve it.” Once Marshall came out of this migraine, Barrett would see just how good he felt and want him on the medication. Right now, Barrett was too busy fuming at me for helping.

“I’m going to pay for it. I don’t want your money.”

“I’m not giving it to you. I’m giving it to your brother.”

“Jesus fuck, Reghan, you just can’t help yourself.”

I stepped closer to him, thinking he’d back up, but he didn’t. “I don’t give a fuck about money. I go nowhere and do nothing. Everything I own is paid off. My brother and parents are all taken care of, thanks to them earning their own way. What am I supposed to do with what I have? Why not use it to help Marshall?”

Barrett stabbed me in the chest with his finger. “This isn’t your business.”

“That’s what you’re going with now? It is my business because you care about him, and I care about you, so shut the fuck up and deal with it.”

His hand fisted in my shirt as he pulled us together, toe to toe. “Fuck. You.”

“Yeah, I figured you’d say that.”

“You’re an asshole,” he lobbed back.

“Uh huh.”

“Motherfucking asshole who shouldn’t put his ass where it doesn’t belong.”

“Are you done?”

“I hate you,” he bit out, but the anger slowly receded. I wasn’t backing away. I wasn’t letting his words cut through me. Barrett was reacting to the situation and that was okay. I honestly expected it. But this wasn’t about him. It was about his brother, and he’d do anything for Marshall, even if it meant letting me help him.

“No, you don’t.”

Barrett leaned closer, his breath puffing against my lips. “I don’t know why I let you into my life.”

I smirked, taking a page from his cocky playbook. “I’m fucking irresistible. You didn’t stand a chance.”

“Asshole.”

“You already called me that.”

“I meant it.”

“Sure, you did.”

And then he kissed me.

He didn’t wait for me to catch up before he pried my lips apart with his tongue so he could gain access to mine.

There was bound to be a point where I’d let him take over, where I’d let him lead. This was that time. When he pushed me back, I went until my spine hit the wall next to the door.

Barrett lined his body up against mine, one fist still in my shirt while his other reached around to roughly grab my ass through my jeans. “You’re a dick,” he muttered against my lips as he continued to taste me. “Heavy-handed motherfucker.”

I brought my hands to his ass, palming his cheeks, and pulled him roughly against me. “I want to be inside you again.”

“Marshall’s here.” I wasn’t worried about his brother. Alton wouldn’t have left if he thought Marshall was going to be in agony. If I had to guess, he was sleeping off the pain he was in while the medicine did its job.

“You have a door on your bedroom. Your brother’s probably asleep.”

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