Page 27 of Something Borrowed

He sucked in a deep breath at her touch, but didn’t move. “I thought you and the girls had already left.”

“I have some time. How about you?” She walked around behind him, dragging her finger along his torso.

He turned, trying to remain loose. “I’m not a prized cow for you to inspect.”

“Just admiring the view, darling. What? A woman can’t look, but men can ogle all they want?”

“I never treated you like a piece of meat.” His words were quiet but pointed, and she flushed, yanking her hand back.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Her voice was stiff and formal, not teasing and light. He cursed quietly. Way to go. Make her pissed off and uncomfortable. She’ll never see us together this way.

He reached for her and pulled her against him. “That’s not what I meant.”

She struggled briefly, the material of her clothes rubbing against his sensitized nerve endings, and his body screamed at him to kiss her, take her, soothe the fierce ache inside of him. He slid his hand down her back and cupped her butt, holding her still against him so she could feel him pressing against her abdomen. She froze and gazed up at him, eyes wide and unsure.

“I just want you to see us as something more than friends with benefits. We can be so much more.”

He tilted his head and kissed her, a slow, sweet kiss that stole all her defenses away. She wound her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers through his short hair, tugging him down further, sinking into the moment. His tongue swept inside and tangled with hers, the minty fresh of mouthwash clashing with her coffee breath, but he didn’t care. He had her where she belonged, and he just needed to keep her there. His cock throbbed and hardened as she rubbed against him, lifting a leg to wrap around his thigh and pull him closer. She whimpered at the connection and her head fell back. He trailed his lips down her neck, licking her jumping pulse.

A knock at the door startled them, and Brigid pulled away, her eyes dazed.

He glared at the door and snarled. “What?”

Caroline laughed on the other side. “Break it up, lovebirds. Matthew is itching to golf, and we have a spa appointment.”

“I can’t get pissed at being cock-blocked by the bride, I suppose,” he grumbled.

Brigid lifted a shaky hand and smoothed her hair. He was gratified to see she struggled to get her breathing under control—evidence that she was as affected as he was. She glanced down at his cock.

“Sorry to leave you hanging, but you heard the bride!” She grabbed her purse and turned for the door, banging into the wall before opening the door.

“We’re good together, Brigid. More than just in bed. This isn’t over.”

She turned halfway out of the door, a teasing expression on her face. “Not if you’re sleeping on the floor tonight.”

She closed the door behind her. He cursed softly and headed for the bathroom for another quick shower.

ChapterTwelve

Brigid was antsy the entire day. Between no phone or laptop, the ominous email from her boss, and strangers touching her, it was her own personal hell. The other women were relaxed after the initial blow up between Anna and Delaney. When they returned, the other women headed for naps or quiet time, and Brigid escaped to the office, checking her email and working on the remaining documents. She had received no news on the date for the deal, and she couldn’t decide if that was good or bad. Being a glass half-empty kind of woman, she was waiting for the hammer to fall any minute.

The clock in the hallway chimed, and she hurriedly shut down the computer, determined to keep her promise to Caroline and be present for the events, no matter her opinion of them.

She was the last to slip into the dining room, and she slid into the remaining seat next to Grady. He studied her intently, smoldering heat from this morning banked in his gaze. She ducked her head and looked anywhere but at the man seated next to her.

Caroline walked into the room and laid a small stack of paper on the table. Matthew followed her and put a bordello-style, gaudy lamp on the table. Brigid groaned under her breath, and Grady shot her a questioning look. She leaned in and spoke under her breath.

“It’s our summer lamp, a prize we used to compete for when we all came out here for the summer.”

“You call that a prize?” His lip curled. “It’s butt-ugly. If we win, it’s yours.”

“God, no. Winner picked who had to display it for the year.”

He nodded. “In other words, you either want to win or be nice to the winner so they don’t foist it off on you.” He glanced at Anna and Delaney. “I think we’re safe.”

Brigid followed his gaze and smiled. “We’re only safe if one of them wins. I hate to lose, so that’s not an option.”

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