Page 22 of Saving Nevin
“I’m the youngest, too,” Nevin murmured. “But my father would’ve belted me, had I acted foolish.”
Xan and I both grimaced. “Ouch. Harsh.”
Nevin shrugged. “It’s just the way my pack worked. Rubydawn is so different than anything I’m used to. It’s a breath of fresh air, honestly. I’m so thankful you guys rescued me.” He looked at me as he spoke the words, and my heart squeezed.
“Always,” I said softly, reaching out to squeeze his fingers lightly in mine. “It’s what we do. And you’re worth saving, Nev. Believe that.”
“Wow. Mushy, much? Is this what love is like?” Xan joked, earning a glare from me. He didn’t even have the good grace to wither. Then again, I wasn’tthatthreatening.
“Oh, right!” He swung his messenger bag around so that it was in front of him. Flipping up the flap, he dug around inside of it for a moment before pulling out a plastic bag of malted milk balls. And not justanymalted milk balls, but the fancy ones from the candy shoppe at the mall. “I brought treats!” he proclaimed.
Suddenly, he was forgiven. I practically drooled. “Yes, please. Gimme.” I held out my hands and my brother laughed, then untwisted the golden twist-tie and poured some of the chocolate delights into my cupped palms. I immediately popped one into my mouth and groaned at the burst of chocolatey sweetness and malty tang as I bit down with a satisfying crunch. “So good.”
Xan laughed. “You’resucha slut for chocolate.”
“Guilty as charged,” I admitted without an ounce of chagrin.
At Nevin’s confused look, Xan held out the bag. “Here, try one! They’re that good.”
Nevin carefully reached his hand inside and plucked out a single malted milk ball. He brought it to his nose to sniff it, then put it in his mouth and began to chew. I saw the very moment the lights came on, because his entire face brightened as he tasted the deliciousness.
“Oh, they reallyaregood,” Nevin said, humming with happiness.
“Right? And I get discounts,” Xan boasted. “The perks of being an employee.”
I glanced between my boyfriend, my brother, and the large bag of malted milk balls. “You wanna stay awhile? We were gonna stay in today and watch a movie.” Nevin nodded along with me, telling me he was on board with this idea.
Xan beamed. “I’m game, so long as it isn’t anything too mushy. My hormones can’t take it!”
Nevin laughed. “I understand that all too well.”
“See? We’re gonna be best friends, I can already tell,” Xan said, matter-of-fact. “I’ll be your favorite brother-in-law.”
“You’ll be his only brother-in-law,” I pointed out.
“Exactly.” He popped another malted milk ball into his mouth and smiled. I glanced to Nevin to see him grinning, and it made me feel good. I had the feeling that they were going to get along just fine.
17
KACE
I thoughtit was April showers bring May flowers, but it was the beginning of June and we’d seen nothing but nonstop rain for days. It pattered against the bedroom window in a gentle rhythm, streaking down the glass. The overcast skies cast the room in a dim glow, making it hard for either of us to want to wake up and get out of bed. We were just too comfy, cuddled up next to each other, our legs intertwined beneath the sheets.
So we lounged in bed, and I reveled in Nevin’s beauty. His pale, flawless skin without a single freckle or pockmark. His high cheekbones and delicate jawline and slim neck. His flyaway white-blond curls that were mussed from sleep and sex the night before, and his heavy-lidded blue eyes as he smiled up at me.
“You’re so beautiful,” I uttered, pressing my lips to his in a sweet kiss. Nevin melted into me, his fingers curling into the hair at the nape of my neck. His leg twined between mine, as if he could pull himself closer, as if he could become a part of me. I gazed into his eyes. “Let’s stay in today.”
“Like we do most every day?” Nevin smiled teasingly and my heart took off fluttering.
“Yeah,” I replied, a little breathy. “It’s Sunday. We could watch TV all day and make snacks—oh, I think I have everything we need to make Chex Mix. I even got the expensive mixed nuts.”
His pale brows bounced up. “I don’t think I’ve ever had homemade Chex Mix before,” he admitted.
“Oh, baby,” I crooned, kissing him once more. “You’re missing out. This is Mom’s famous recipe, and it’s the best, hands-down. She used to make it every holiday season and we’d eat it so fast, she’d have to make a second batch before the pan ever cooled off. The joys of having four growing pups in the house, I guess.”
I laughed, but my smile faltered when I saw sadness shutter through Nevin’s eyes. Pups. Right. Determined to take his mind off my blunder, I ruffled his hair. “C’mon, help me make it.”
Tugging on his hand, I rolled out of bed and pulled on the pair of lightweight PJ pants laying on the end of the bed. It might’ve been rainy, but summer was upon us and the humidity in the house made me sweat like nobody’s business. I loved my usual flannel pajamas, but flannel didn’t fly between the months of May and September.
