Page 27 of Take Me Slowly: part 2
"What happened?" I settled into my chair and picked up my fork.
"I decided being stuck inside all day would suck, and I like eating better." Connor opened the wine and poured us all a glass each.
"I'll drink to that." Riley grinned and raised his glass.
"Being inside isn't so bad," Brooks muttered, but he joined in the toast before downing a gulp of wine.
"Brooks doesn't like the snow," Riley said, looking amused.
"It's fucking cold," Brooks said. "Couldn't you run off to somewhere warm? I hear San Diego is nice this time of year. Or the Bahamas. Maybe Melbourne."
"I like it here," I said. "I hate heat and humidity." Feeling sweaty and sticky wasn't pleasant. Not unless orgasms were involved.
"I'd melt in a place like that," Riley said. "My mother says I'm part snowman."
"Which part?" Brooks asked. "Do you have a carrot for a dick?"
Riley laughed. "No. Mine tastes much better."
Brooks' face turned slightly pink. "That wouldn't be hard, carrot tastes disgusting."
"It would definitely be hard." Riley waggled his eyebrows. "As a matter of fact?—"
"Let's finish eating first," Connor said. "Leah is going to need her strength."
I paused with a meatball halfway to my mouth. "Am I now?" Okay, I knew they weren't here just to bring me food and flowers. Which made me even more curious about Brooks’ inclusion. I knew what he wanted and I wanted it too, but there was the question of their willingness to share. Or was there? Possibly not, given they'd brought him with them.
"Definitely," Connor said. Neither of the other two disagreed with him.
"I hope you brought dessert then," I said.
"We might have." Riley gave a cagey glance toward the last bag. "You'll have to wait and see."
"Be a good girl and finish your dinner," Connor said.
My panties were officially ruined.
Brooks regarded me, his blue eyes intense, curious. I could almost hear him thinking, processing my response to Connor's praise. Wondering if it stemmed from my lack of parental attention, or if I just liked it. I may never know for sure myself. Either way, he was understanding this new thing about me. And now I wondered if he felt the same.
I chewed over that for a moment, but suspected he preferred the opposite. He was so used to being told he was good for jumping through hoops. I bet there was a rebellious side in there. One that was itching to be let out.
"This is so good," I said, washing a meatball down with wine. "You would have been a great chef."
"I'm a better adventure tour operator," Connor said gruffly.
"I second that," Riley said.
"Your parents are good with that?" Brooks asked. "Skiing and snowboarding for a living?"
Connor bristled. For a moment I thought he might snap at Brooks. Maybe aim his fork at his eye…
I put a hand on his bicep, encouraging him to take a moment and think before he responded.
"My dad wants me to take over the Frosty Brew," Connor said finally. "I don't want to. It's not where my heart is." He slid Brooks a gaze as if daring him to contradict him.
Riley looked from him to Brooks and back again and said, "Bro."
Connor squinted at him. "Bro?"
