Page 47 of Dirty Love

I frown and run my hands through his hair, stopping when I realize she’s staring at his mouth next to my thigh, her lip curling like she’s tasted something dirty.

I don’t want to lie to her, but something tells me the truth isn’t an option for me right now.

“No, he’s just upset.”

She nods slowly and seems to rid whatever she was thinking about, quiet a minute before she speaks again. “Your brother’s a troubled boy, Kade,” she tells me, her voice so small I can barely hear it over the ringing in my ears. “Have you noticed that?

“No.”

But I have, and I think she knows it.

“He listens to you,” she goes on, struggling to keep her eyes open thanks to whatever was in those pills she loves so much. “When the time comes, I need you to pull him back for me, okay? I need you to fix him before it’s too late.”

Before she has no choice, she means.

Before she and everyone else turn their backs on him and leave him to the wolves.

My jaw ticks and I stare at the side of his beautiful face, thankful she doesn’t wait for me to say anything back before she passes out on my shoulder.

I don’t think he heard what she said about him, but I still hold him extra tight for a while, silently promising him that no matter what happens, I’ll never leave him, that I’ll set the goddamn world on fire before I let anything bad happen to him.

And I fucking mean it, too.

CHAPTER 19

NICKY

“What are you thinking about, brother?” I ask, not missing the eyes following my every move as I shove my arms through my sleeves.

He’s sitting down at the kitchen table with his elbows resting on the cheap wood, his dark hair falling over his forehead as he moves his gaze over my form.

“Is it me?” I joke, lifting the hem of my hoodie to show him my abs. “It’s me, isn’t it?”

He raises a brow but keeps his thoughts to himself, running his tongue over his bottom lip while he stares at the front of my jeans. Tired of being ignored, I let go of my hoodie and step closer to him.

“Lean back.”

Seemingly amused by me and my demand, he does as he’s told and takes my hand, pulling me in to stand between his open thighs. I lift my leg up and straddle his lap, placing my hands on both sides of his face to steal a heated kiss from his mouth.

He doesn’t usually say much as it is, but he’s been extra moody this past week, zoning out all the time as if there’s something slowly eating away at him.

I don’t like it, and I’m constantly terrified he’s about to pull the rug out from under me and break my heart.

Because that’s exactly what’ll happen if he decides to end this thing between us.

I don’t want it to end.

Luckily for me, though, not being with me seems to be the last thing on his mind right now.

He squeezes my ass and I moan into his mouth, sliding my hands through his hair to pull on it. He uses his palms to guide me and I follow his lead, rolling my hips out to rub our dicks together, jumping right back off of him when I hear a key turning in the front door.

Fuck.

He quickly tosses me a dish cloth and scoots himself back under the table, taking his phone out to pull up some random model’s Instagram feed. I scrunch my nose and turn away from him, doing my best to ignore my stupid jealousy while I wipe the surfaces we just cleaned a half hour ago.

“Oh, hi, boys,” Elle says, her sickly sweet smile fading when we say nothing back. “What are you up to?”

Again, nothing.

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