“It’s ‘cause I’ve got nice muscles, ain’t it?” Smiling against my temple, Bruiser took a deep, calming breath as I hummed in acknowledgment. This warmth, this hot-cocoa warmth, this was what I wanted to feel all the time. The silence was beautiful and soothing, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to finger his short-cropped hair leisurely. “I get why you like this . . . it feels good.”
“Yeah.” Scratching his scalp with my nails, I smiled when he groaned and arched to sink deep into the sofa. Bruiser stretched his legs beneath me before exhaling into my crown. And it was good. Licking my lips heavily, I hugged his hips with my knees as peaceful darkness crept up on my mind. “It’s really good.”
“If we lose contact for a bit, don’t panic.” Reaching to stroke my head, Bruiser kissed my cheek as ice lodged in my chest. “I’m not such a pussy that some coked-up asshole can take me out.”
“Stay the night.” Just as I spoke up, Bruiser’s phone vibrated against my calf, and he cast me a regretful, small smile. His palm left me to fish for his cell, and I felt the loss keenly even as he answered the call. Stormy, blue eyes didn’t leave me as he grunted at whatever was said to him, and he flopped his head back to sigh heavily. “You drove my car here, right? Someone’s here to pick you up?”
“Yeah. We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss some stuff, and I have to be there. I did consider staying, but you have to work tomorrow.” Surprise caught my breath, and Bruiser’s smile widened a little as he caressed my cheek. “Is it like that, huh?”
“Um, I mean, s—” A hard knock on my front door cut me off, and I tensed as I glanced over. Climbing off Bruiser, I sucked in a sharp breath and shook my head to clear my mind of the pink clouds that clung to me. Peeping through the hole, a groan of foreboding escaped me before I opened the door. “Hey, Jackie. You couldn’t call first?”
My sister smiled broadly, holding up a bottle of wine, and my stomach gurgled dangerously. Bruiser and I had eaten some incredibly greasy, cheesy, bacon fries and hotdogs, and the sight of the bottle made me queasy.
“I thought I’d surprise you with a girl’s night. You don’t work on your art when you pull doubles, right? Plus, I’ve missed our chats, so here I am.” Shuffling past me, my sister paused when she noticed Bruiser on the sofa, and I shut the door before she grabbed my arm and hauled me into the kitchen. Her eyes flashed, and my heart thundered hard as she leaned in, to whisper-yell at me. “That’s the guy? Nicole! He looks like he could break you in half!”
“He does!” The snarky comment escaped me before I could stop it, and I almost melted into a puddle when Jackie jerked back in shock. She threw back her head and laughed while I struggled to keep my head from popping like a volcano. “Okay, he was just leaving. His ride’s here. He brought my car back today. Just gimme a minute, okay? I’ll be right back, and then you can interrogate me all you want.” I’d be lying if I said I had the energy to do this, but I didn’t. Working at the restaurant exhausts me more than I can express.
Holding up my hands to keep Jackie in her spot, I left the kitchen to find Bruiser standing, waiting for me. I grabbed his hand to lead him out of my place, and he didn’t protest as he cast a curious look at my sister on the way out.
“She’s a character, ain’t she.” I nodded as I pushed open the door to the stairs, and I sucked in a huge breath and held it for a moment. Rubbing my face with my hands, a flurry of emotions slammed against my ribs, and Bruiser’s big, wonderful hands squeezed my shoulders knowingly. “Gonna have a rough night.”
“I’ve found it’s just best to get it over with immediately. Otherwise, she’ll hound me forever.” Reluctance slowed my steps down to the ground floor, and Bruiser pulled me to him to kiss me deeply. I sunk into his chest, feeling this goodbye like a stab to the heart even though I knew we’d see each other again. “Text me that you got back safe.”
“I will.” Bruiser grabbed the back of my neck and placed a hand on my hip as he slammed his lips down onto mine. Our kiss was hot and feverish, continuing to show me just how much we both wanted and needed each other. And then, all of a sudden, he broke the kiss, disappearing beyond the security door, leaving nothing but his lingering taste on my lips and a dense atmosphere only he could fill. Clenching my hands by my sides, I shook my head and headed back upstairs with heavy steps. If we lose contact, don’t panic.
That didn’t sound good at all.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Bruiser
“I think you need to grow some hairs on your balls, Cole.” Turning the wheel leisurely, I glanced over at my friend as a shit-eating grin stretched my lips. “You gotta stand up to her sometime, you know.”
“Oof, he’s
