Page 123 of Brim Over Boot
I huff. “Not by a long shot.”
Noah leans back to catch my eye. “Good.”
His mouth comes down on mine, and I go boneless. A small corner of my mind wonders… If the past had played out differently, would Noah and I have found our way here sooner? In the end, it doesn’t matter. We’re here now. And this man I thought I hated is teaching me the ferocity of what it means toyearn. To want someone so deeply you’d embed them under your very skin given the chance.
I never wanted, neverneeded, another person the way I need Noah. It’s no wonder I was so terrified to let him in. There’s no going back from something like this.
When Noah spins me around, I don’t even resist. The broad expanse of his body lines my back, and his hand finds its way to the front of my jeans. I groan as he palms my cock, trying to drum up enough brain cells to remember why this is a bad idea but failing spectacularly.
The saddle butter is right here on the table. We could easily…
“Oh, gross!” comes a cry.Remi.
Noah and I split apart in an instant, him brushing his hair into place and looking as put together as always while I frantically try to make sure my dick is inside my pants and no other suspect body parts are showing.Shit.
“Remi,” I manage, turning around to find my brother standing there with both hands in front of his face.
“Gross,” he mutters again.
“All clear.”
He lets his hands drop, expression that of a disapproving parent. “Have either of y’all seen Lawson?”
“Um, no?” I say. “Been a little busy.”
He huffs. “He didn’t come home last night, and youknowthat’s not like him. I tried texting Laura this morning, but… Oh, hold on. That’s Wendy.” Remi looks down at his phone, eyes widening. “He…left.”
“Wait, what?” I ask. “What does that mean? Left where?”
“He’s in Kansas.”
Remi’s gaze meets mine, and I understand instantly.Oakley. Lawson’s best friend moved down to Kansas a few years back. Our brother took it hard, and I know he’s been having a tough time with the divorce and everything changing, but would he really run off without telling any of us?
“What the fuck,” I mutter aloud, trying to look past my own hurt to understand my brother’s. “Has it really gotten that bad?”
Remi’s pained expression is answer enough.
“Did he take anything?” I ask. “His stuff? He wouldn’t justleave, right? His daughter is here. His job.”
Remi shakes his head, even as he’s texting. “His room looked the same, so he couldn’t have brought much with him.”
“He probably just needs a day or two to recharge,” Noah offers, his hand squeezing the back of my neck. “I bet he’ll be back before you know it.”
“He better be,” Remi mutters darkly, shutting off his phone and shoving it in his pocket. “You hear anything, you tell me.”
“I will,” I promise.
Remi is halfway to the door when he stops. “Oh, and Noah? Welcome to the family. Colton won’t ever admit it, but he’s incredibly sentimental when it comes to his birthday, so don’t forget it. And he can’t watch movies where dogs get hurt, so please don’t make him try. He’s got a very soft center.”
“You shit,” I gripe, making a grab for my brother.
He backs up out of reach, heading swiftly for the exit. “Leave a sock on the doorknob if you’re fucking,” he calls, tapping his processor. “That way, I can shut the two of you off.”
“The next time Ash makes biscuits,” I shout, “I’m eating every single one and leaving you none.”
He signs a rather creative retort I’m sort of glad Noah can’t understand.
“Rude,” I mutter.
