Tied With Me

by Kristen Proby

  “Um…” I have to clear my throat past the knot that’s formed there. Bailey also looks shell-shocked. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  He tilts my chin back with his finger and lowers his lips to mine, gently nibbling, sweeping his own soft lips across mine, then sinks in and slips his tongue between my lips, kissing the breath right out of me. When he pulls away, he has to hold my shoulders firmly until I regain my balance.

  “Wow,” Bailey mutters with a chuckle.

  “I’ll see you tonight.” He drags his knuckles down my cheek and then turns to walk out through the kitchen. “See you soon, Bailey.”

  “See you!” She watches him leave with shining eyes.

  I walk to the front door and lock it and then begin the process of cleaning up so I can leave for the day.

  “I’ll be ready to go in about twenty minutes,” I inform her, as though the hottest man on earth didn’t just kiss me senseless.

  “He’s hot,” she says casually.

  “You knew that already.”

  “His brother is hot, too.”

  “And married.”

  “All the good ones are.” Bailey pouts. “What are you guys doing tonight?”

  “Can we talk about this over wine?” I ask with a sigh. “There’s a lot to tell.”

  “Oh God, please hurry. The suspense is now killing me.”

  She helps me clean up and get organized for tomorrow, dancing in place as if she has to pee, making me giggle.

  “You’re crazy,” I inform her.

  “I’m impatient,” she corrects me. “Let’s go. Hot waiter Dan is waiting for us.”

  I toss my apron in the hamper, fetch my wallet and lock the back door behind us. Bailey links her arm through mine as we walk down to Vintage.

  “It’s gorgeous today.” I pull in a deep breath of summer air. I can smell the salt from the Puget Sound just a few blocks away. Families are out, pushing strollers and carrying toddlers, enjoying Seattle on this sunny Sunday.

  “We are having a great summer,” Bailey agrees with a smile. She leads me into Vintage and offers Damn Hot Dan a flirty grin. “Hey, handsome.”

  “Hello, ladies.” He nods at the hostess and seats us himself. “Your usual?”

  “Yes, please,” we say in unison.

  “Coming right up.” He winks at Bailey and walks to the bar.

  “He likes you.”

  “He’s adorable.” Bailey sighs. “And painfully young.”

  “Dude, he’s probably in his mid-twenties.”

  “Too young. I need someone with more life experience for what I’m looking for.” She waves me off, sits back when Dan delivers our drinks and takes our appetizer order, then eyes me over the rim of her glass. “Talk to me.”

  “I really need you to help me get my head back on straight. Talk some sense into me.”

  “Okay.” She nods.

  “I can’t fall in love with him.”

  “Right.” She wrinkles her forehead in confusion. “Wait. Why not?”

  “Because, we’re just having fun together, remember?”

  She nods slowly and then shakes her head. “When did we say that?”

  “He took me to meet his family,” I begin. “And they’re great. Did you know his brother-in-law is Luke Williams? Like, the Luke Williams. The one whose poster was on my wall when I was a teenager.”

  “Wow.”

  “And Luke’s sister is with Leo freaking Nash, Bailey. Not to mention, his brother is Will Montgomery, the football player. So, I was at this pool party with celebrities and beautiful people, and they’re all really, really nice. And so damn funny.”

  “That’s cool. Can I get an invite next time?”

  “It’s not funny, though. My sugars crashed because I was stupid and didn’t eat enough yesterday, so Matt found out about the diabetes…”

  “You hadn’t told him?” she asks with a deep frown.

  “And then he was mad at me because I hadn’t told him.”

  “He’s a Dom, Nic. Of course he was pissed.” She takes a sip of her drink and digs in to the food when Dan delivers it.

  “And then he let it slip that he’s in love with me.”

  She slowly lowers a chip to her plate and stares at me in shock. “What did you say?” she asks with a squeak.

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing.”

  “It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not even sure he realized he said it. It was when he was mad about the medical stuff.” I wave that off, unable to think about it because it makes me a quivering mess all over again. “But I’m becoming too attached to him, Bailey.”

  “Why?” she asks, completely confused.

  “He should have kids,” I whisper softly. “You and I both know I can’t give him that.”

  “You are so ridiculous.” Bailey groans. “You don’t know that.”

  “I’m pretty sure. I can’t fall in love with him. I’m not the girl for him.”

  “Right, so, he has an amazing family, a good job…” She’s ticking his attributes off on her fingers. “He’s not a freeloader or a loser, he’s loyal and good with kids, and he’s fucking amazing in the bedroom. That bastard!”

  “Ha ha.”

  “So, you went from not wanting him because he’s a Dom to not wanting him because he might want kids one day?”

  “You make it sound so dumb.” I laugh. “I’m trying to guard my own heart here, Bailey. I’m not trying to hurt him. Or me.”

  “You’re such a worrier. Just keep doing what you were doing in the beginning. Enjoy him and cross the kids issue if and when he proposes.”

  I choke on my drink at the mention of proposing, my eyes watering as I cough and sputter.

  “Okay, so the idea of marriage scares you,” she mumbles. “I was kind of joking, Nic.”

  “Don’t even say that!”

  “Honey, I just witnessed you two together. That was a smitten man.”

  I start to reply, but she holds her hand up, stopping me. “And you were just as smitten. I know it’s early days, but Matt isn’t going anywhere. Just enjoy him.”

  “He is amazing in bed,” I concede.

  “Oh sure, rub it in. You’re cruel. I stuck up for you back there and threatened a man of the law, and all you can do to pay me back is remind me that you’re getting laid and I’m not?”

  I giggle and pop a chip in my mouth. “It’s really, really good sex.”

  “I hate you.”

  ***

  “You made it!” Brynna exclaims as she opens the door to me.

  “I almost didn’t find you,” I admit with a rueful smile. “You’re kind of tucked away here.”

  That’s an understatement. Caleb and Brynna live in a beautiful house in the Alki Beach neighborhood of Seattle. This is one of my favorite parts of the city, especially in summer. There are shops to browse, excellent restaurants, including my favorite pub, The Celtic Swell, and miles of paths to walk and admire the Seattle skyline.

  “Well, I’m glad you did find us.” She pulls me in for a hug, and I have to stand on my toes to reach her.

  Brynna is tall, with long dark hair and gorgeous dark eyes.

  “The guys are out back with the girls, who are currently trying to talk us into a later bedtime.”

  “It’s summer.” I shrug like this is a normal thing. “How are the girls?”

  “Great. Let’s go see them.”

  She leads me through the house and out back, where a one-eyed dog is barking happily and Caleb and Matt are both doing pull-ups on a metal bar.

  “Holy crap,” I mutter and stop in my tracks, watching as both men steadily raise and lower themselves on the bar. They’ve both taken off their shirts, and their backs and arms are riots of pure muscle. Caleb has a tattoo on his shoulder, but I can’t read it from here. They’re both covered with a light sheen of sweat, and they’re calling out taunts to each other.

  “Uncle Matt is at twenty!” Josie calls out.

  “Daddy has nineteen
!” Maddie adds.

  “I’m going to beat you, little brother.”

  “Bullshit,” Caleb replies.

  “Daddy has to put money in the Swear Jar!” Josie announces.

  “Seems they distracted the men with pull-ups to get out of going up for bed,” Brynna says and crosses her arms over her chest, watching her man. “They make quite the pair, don’t they?”

  “Good God, it should be illegal to look like that,” I agree. “How do you keep your composure at family events, Bryn? Seriously, I thought I was going to have a heart attack yesterday.”

  She laughs and drapes her arm around my shoulders, hugging me to her side. “It is a bit intimidating in the beginning, but they’re all just normal people, Nic. Will farts like crazy and blames it on Meg. Jules’ hormones are so crazy right now, she snips at everyone and then cries and begs for forgiveness. It’s the usual sibling stuff.”

  “Huh.” I tilt my head and watch the men both drop to the ground.

  “Do you have siblings?” Brynna asks.

  “I have a sister, Savannah, but she and I aren’t terribly close.”

  “I don’t have any siblings. Stacy and I are cousins, but we were raised more like sisters.”

  She grins as Caleb scoops Josie in his arms and spins her about the yard. Matt and Maddie are petting the dog, who is on his back and in doggie heaven while the two scratch his belly. “Okay, girls, bedtime!”

  “But, Mom, Nic just got here!” Maddie comes running over to me and wraps her arms around my legs. “I missed you!”

  I giggle and squat next to the sweet girl. “You have only seen me in my bakery when your mama came to see me about her cupcakes, silly. How could you miss me?”

  “I like your bakery,” she replies and shrugs, like that explains everything.

  “Well, thanks.”

  “Are you Uncle Matt’s girlfriend?” Josie asks. She has her hand tucked in Matt’s and is watching me with wary eyes.

  Protective little thing, isn’t she?

  “I am,” I respond, for now, and smile at Josie. “How are you, Josie?”

  “Fine.” She buries her face in Matt’s hip as he pulls his T-shirt over his head. He laughs, scoops her into his arms and brushes her long dark hair away from her face.

  “Why are you so shy?” he asks her.

  She shrugs and lays her head on his shoulder.

  “She’s silly,” Maddie informs me. “This is our dog, Bix. He’s very brave.”

  “And handsome,” I agree.

  The dog lifts his paw as if in greeting, and I reach over to shake it.

  “You girls need to go to bed. It’s already past your bedtime,” Brynna informs them.

  Caleb takes Maddie’s hand, who has now decided to pout, and signals for Bix to follow them.

  “Can you read to us?” Josie asks Matt.

  “Sure.” He turns to me and kisses my cheek. “Hey, baby. I’m glad you’re here. Mind if I go read to the girls?”

  “Of course not,” I reply with a smile and push my fingers through his soft dark blond hair. “I’ll help down here.”

  “I’ll get the grill going,” Caleb announces and passes Maddie off to Matt, who takes the two girls and their dog into the house.

  “What can I do to help?” I ask Brynna.

  “You can help by sitting with me on the deck. Caleb is going to grill burgers, and everything else is done.” She sits in a blue chair, and I take a matching love seat next to her.

  “Did you have fun with Bailey?” Caleb asks me as he fires up the grill.

  “I always have fun with Bailey,” I reply with a laugh.

  “Caleb said you guys like to go to Vintage.” Brynna pours us both a glass of sun tea from a frosty pitcher. “It’s a fun place.”

  “I love it,” I agree. “We’ve been going there every Sunday for a couple years now.”

  Caleb drops four burger patties on the grill, and the sizzle and smell of the grill fills the air.

  “You have a beautiful home,” I comment and sip my tea.

  “Thank you. It’s actually Natalie’s place. She let the girls and me move in here after Jules moved in with Nate.” Brynna smiles and picks up a celery stick from a veggie tray and nibbles.

  “That was really nice of her,” I reply.

  “Nat’s the best. She’s supersweet and loyal almost to a fault,” Brynna says. “But I think Caleb and I are going to start looking for a bigger place, since we have a new one on the way. We’ll need the space.”

  “I’m telling you, Isaac should build us a place,” Caleb tells his wife.

  “Oh goodie, we can argue about toilets and floor plans.” Brynna rolls her eyes.

  “What did I miss?” Matt asks as he joins us. He takes a seat next to me, wraps his arm around me and pulls me against his side.

  “Nothing much. Did the girls go down okay?”

  “I read two stories. But I’ll place bets that someone will need a drink of water before the hour is out.” He kisses my temple and drags his fingertips up and down my arm, over the ink on my shoulder, sending goose bumps across my skin.

  “There’s a lot of activity going on down here that they might miss out on,” Brynna agrees wryly.

  “Is tonight a special occasion?” I ask and lean my head on Matt’s shoulder.

  “Kind of, but we didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” Caleb flips the burgers, closes the lid and joins us. “The wedding was where we did our adoption ceremony, but we just got the paperwork today that says the adoption is final.”

  “That’s wonderful!” I exclaim. “They are lucky to have you both.”

  “Congrats, man.” Matt fist-bumps his brother. “But they’ve been yours for a long while.”

  “True.” Caleb nods. “How do you want your burger cooked?”

  “Medium well,” I answer. “Seriously, can’t I help with something?”

  “You worked all day. Relax,” Matt whispers in my ear. “We got this.”

  “I didn’t work all day.” I laugh but relax further into the cushion and sip my tea. “But I’ll let you guys handle the cooking.”

  “You look beautiful,” Matt murmurs.

  I wrinkle my nose at him, making him laugh.

  “I love the tattoo on your shoulder,” Brynna comments and tilts her head in thought. “Maybe I should do something like that.”

  “You can’t get tattoos when you’re pregnant, legs,” Caleb reminds her.

  “I know. Later.”

  “I can recommend a guy. I’m thinking about getting another one.”

  Matt’s hand stills on my arm, and he pulls back to look down at my face. “What are you thinking of getting?”

  “I haven’t decided. I just have the itch to get something new,” I respond with a shrug. His eyes flare, and it’s obvious that the idea turns him on.

  He likes body art.

  “Burgers are ready,” Caleb announces.

  “So, I think I need to hear some good stories about Matt as a kid,” I remark as I squirt ketchup on my bun.

  “I have a million. What do you want to know?” Caleb asks while Matt glares at him.

  “Everything,” I reply with a laugh. “But start with the embarrassing stuff.”

  “He had a blankie until he was nine,” Caleb begins.

  “I suggest you shut it,” Matt growls, making me giggle.

  “He was always the most sensitive of the group,” Caleb continues.

  “I have stories, too, you know, little brother,” Matt reminds him.

  “I want to hear some, too!” Brynna claps her hands and bounces in her seat. “This is fun.”

  “Matt was always a Batman fan. He liked to wear the bath towels as capes and run through the house, saving Gotham City from evil.”

  “Caleb was always the evil one,” Matt adds, his eyes narrowed. “Stop talking. I’m warning you.”

  “I think Mom has photos of Matt in the fifth grade, when he let Jules, who was five, cut his hair.”

&
nbsp; “Caleb wet the bed until he was six,” Matt murmurs deceptively softly and raises a brow at his brother. “And you never could tell Jules no either, so don’t give me that shit.”

  “Was Matt quiet as a kid?” I ask, enjoying the men’s banter immensely.

  “Yeah.” Caleb nods. “He’s always been quiet. Somber.”

  “I was making up for Will’s crazy ass.”

  “What about Caleb?” Brynna asks Matt. “Was he always the strong silent type?”

  “No,” Matt replies, watching his brother thoughtfully. “That happened after the first year or so with the SEALs.”

  “You were a SEAL?” I ask, my eyes wide. Holy shit, that explains his hot body.

  “Yeah.” Caleb concentrates on his beer bottle.

  “Thank you for your service,” I reply softly and smile when his eyes find mine. “My dad was Army. He was in Viet Nam.”

  Caleb nods and meets Matt’s gaze. Something unsaid passes between them, and then Matt’s phone rings.

  “Fuck, it’s Asher.” He puts the phone to his ear. “Yeah.”

  “I hope he doesn’t have to leave,” Brynna murmurs.

  “This can’t wait until tomorrow morning? He’s not going anywhere,” Matt mutters and then curses and pushes his hand through his hair, a sure sign of frustration. “Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.”

  He clicks off and shoves his phone in his pocket, then looks at me apologetically. “I guess it’s good we brought separate cars. I have to go in to work.”

  “Okay.” I lift a shoulder, as though it’s no big deal and try not to be disappointed. This is his job.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s your job, Matt. It’s fine.”

  “Give us a moment,” Matt murmurs to Caleb and Bryn, kissing Bryn’s cheek before he takes my hand, leading me into the house. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow, man.”

  Once in the kitchen, Matt pulls me into his arms and kisses me senseless. His fingers dive into my hair, and he holds on almost desperately as he devours my mouth, as though he’s branding me.

  Finally, he pulls away, breathless. His blue eyes are bright with lust.

  “This is not how I planned to spend the night,” he informs me. “I was very much looking forward to taking you home and losing myself in you for a few hours.”