When You're Mine (The Gallaghers)

by Layla Hagen

  “I think what they’re doing is incredible,” I said.

  “It is,” Dora replied. “They’ve always been so observant, especially Dylan since he’s older. I think those rough winters we had impacted him more than the rest. One year he came to us and said he didn’t want anything for Christmas because Ian and Isabelle wanted new toys, and we couldn’t afford them.”

  Oh wow. I brought a hand to my chest, looking around instinctively. Dylan was still with Isabelle, near a table that wasn’t there a few minutes ago. It was full of food.

  He caught my eye and winked at me. I winked right back before focusing on his parents again.

  Dylan joined us a few minutes later.

  “The food is ready,” he announced.

  “Great. I’m starving,” Jim said.

  Dora smiled warmly at her husband. “So am I. Let’s see what they’ve got.”

  They immediately headed to the table.

  Dylan trained his eyes on me. “You’re not nervous anymore.”

  “I like your parents. They’re great.”

  “They are. I’m sorry if they made you uncomfortable in the beginning. They’re big on hugging.”

  Oh, so that hadn’t gone unnoticed. I looked up at the majestic crown of the maple tree, trying to think of how best to explain it. He grew up in a big and loving family, so this would sound weird to him.

  “I wasn’t uncomfortable. It’s just not something I’m used to. Dad is not a touchy-feely person, and I don’t remember Mom at all. I’m not used to hugging.”

  I lowered my gaze to him, startling at the intensity in his eyes. He stepped closer, splaying his hand on my shoulder and neck.

  “Well, brace yourself, because my family is not one to hold back.”

  I laughed, wiggling my hips a bit. “Yeah, I got that.”

  “Want to go check out the food?”

  “Hell yes. That croissant was great but not nearly enough.”

  He tapped his temple. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “You will?”

  “I can’t do a half-assed job at spoiling you, can I?”

  I let out an exaggerated sigh. “I’m swooning just because you’re thinking about this.”

  I was swooning more than he could know. And after what his mom had shared with me, I’d made up my mind about the phone.

  He was a generous person, and I’d been difficult in the car. I realized my response was a gut reaction based on a previous situation and that was like comparing apples to oranges. Not fair to Dylan at all.

  “Thanks again for the phone. I really do appreciate it—it was so thoughtful and unexpected, and... well, thank you.”

  “Decided to keep it as a present?”

  I nodded. “I did.”

  “Good.” He kissed my forehead before linking an arm with mine. We went together to the buffet. His parents weren’t there anymore, but Ian and Isabelle were inspecting the dishes.

  I immediately grabbed a steak, along with grilled tomatoes with cheese on top.

  While we filled the plates, Isabelle asked Ian and Dylan, "How's the business going, by the way? Mom keeps saying she thinks you’re stretched too thin on this project."

  "She’s not wrong," Ian said. "I think we're going to be a bit more needed in D.C. to finalize it all than we had foreseen."

  "I think I might have to go there soon and check out a situation," Dylan added.

  I felt a knot form in my stomach. Would things cool off between us while he was gone? I wasn't even sure when he had to go or how long he had to stay, but I couldn't help wondering what was going to happen with us.

  As I put a grilled onion on my plate, I noticed Isabelle watching me closely. After we all put food on our plate, Dylan's dad pulled him and Ian to one side.

  Once alone, Isabelle asked, "What's wrong?"

  I shook my head. "Nothing."

  "You can tell me anything. You know that, right? And I will keep it a secret."

  "I'm not sure what's happening between your brother and me. I mean, I do know. I'm just not sure if it’s going somewhere," I blurted and pressed my lips together before I gave her even more details. Even though she said she'd keep a secret, she was Dylan's sister. I didn't want to put her in a position where she had to keep a secret from him.

  Isabelle smiled at me. "If I know anything about my brother, you're more important to him than he realizes. Probably than you both realize.”

  "What makes you say that?" I asked.

  "It's a hunch."

  "And I agree with it," Ian said, appearing out of nowhere.

  Isabelle placed a hand on her hip, glancing at her brother. "And you're judging that by the glare Dylan gave you at the gym that one time?"

  "Hey, there are three types of glares, okay? I patented them. The playful one, the teasing one, and the glare-like-you-mean-it one, and the one he gave me was definitely of the last type."

  “Ian, stop bad-mouthing me,” Dylan exclaimed.

  We all turned around at the same time to see him well within earshot.

  “He wasn’t,” I said. “I want to hear more. I’m gaining perspective.”

  Dylan looked from Ian to Isabelle with a glare that I’d categorize as a glare-like-you-mean-it one.

  Ian waggled his eyebrows. "Excellent! I never mind sharing details. The more inappropriate, the better. And we have all day long.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Mel

  I willingly admitted it. I had no idea what the rules were for casual dating, but Dylan seemed intent on breaking all of them, and I wasn’t putting up a fight. I couldn’t. The man was too charming for my own good—and Dad’s. I didn’t forget that we wanted different things, but I couldn’t help throwing caution to the wind every time we were together.

  Over the next three weeks, Dylan came with me a couple times to Charlotte’s shelter, and even to Dad’s place, like tonight.

  I was cleaning Dad’s kitchen after dinner when I felt Dylan come up behind me, kissing the side of my neck. I shuddered, almost dropping the glass I was rinsing in the sink.

  Chuckling, he straightened up. “I’m bad for your focus.”

  “Clearly. But it all feels so delicious that I can’t even put up a fight. Want to feel me up again?”

  Dad was in the yard with Buddy, and if he came in, we’d hear him long before he saw us.

  A twinkle of mischief played in his eyes. “Later.”

  “Why?”

  “Later,” he repeated.

  Looking over my shoulder, I startled at the heat in his eyes. Okay, later was a better idea.

  “Want to go out and check how Dad and Buddy are doing?”

  “I wanted to help with the cleanup.”

  “Ha! But your being here is distracting me, so....”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. He patted my ass before going outside. My lady bits were already on fire. I had no idea how Dylan could set me on edge so quickly, but I was thoroughly enjoying it.

  I cleaned up superfast, then joined the boys outside with a plate of cookies. Opening the door, I first gave one to Buddy, who was lying down on one side. Dad and Dylan were at the other end of the terrace.

  “Everything my medical bills didn’t eat up, she lent to that moron,” Dad said.

  I stopped in my tracks, gulping. Crap, why was Dad telling all this to Dylan? I wasn’t ashamed of anything—I’d made a mistake loaning money to Elliot, and I owned up to it—but I didn’t want Dylan to know every detail.

  “We’ve got cookies,” I said loudly. Dylan immediately looked at me.

  Dad nodded, smiling. I placed the plate on the rattan table, and after we each ate a few, Dad looked at his phone. I knew he was checking the time.

  “Yes, Dad, I know your book club meeting is starting. We’ll be out of your hair right away,” I teased.

  “Perfect. Saves me the trouble of kicking you out.” He sounded good-natured, but I knew if we interfered between him and James Patterson, we’d get an earful.

&n
bsp; After bidding Dad goodbye, Dylan put an arm around my waist, leading me outside. His car was in the repair shop today, so we’d Ubered here.

  “Where are we going?” I asked while he tapped his phone to order an Uber. I fanned my face because the mid-July heat and humidity were sweltering.

  “I don’t know. What do you feel like doing?”

  “Hmmm... watch a movie, maybe? Though I’m not in the mood for a theater.”

  “We can always watch it at my place.”

  I smiled from ear to ear. I loved his huge flat-screen and the sound system. Besides, being alone meant I could touch him all I wanted.

  “I like where this is going,” I said.

  “It’s going to be even better than whatever you’re imagining.”

  My body tingled all over.

  “Uber’s gonna be here in ten minutes.”

  Should I bring up his conversation with Dad? I bit the inside of my cheek, pondering this.

  “What’s wrong? You’re nervous all of a sudden,” Dylan said.

  Wow, was I an open book or what?

  “Umm... I heard you and Dad earlier. I’m sorry for that.”

  He frowned. “What exactly are you sorry for?”

  “That he talked your ear off about all sorts of things.”

  “I asked him about it.”

  “Oh. Why?” I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, looking at him nervously.

  “Because I want to know.”

  “You can ask me anything.”

  He took one step closer, taking my cheeks in his hands. “Are you sure? You don’t seem talkative when I bring it up.”

  I sighed, deciding to put all the cards on the table. “The more I talk, the more I feel like this thing between us goes beyond casual, and I know that’s not what we agreed on.”

  His eyes darkened. His grip on my cheeks became firmer. “I want to know, Mel. I care.”

  And just like that, butterflies roamed in my belly. His eyes were relentless and smoldering. He cares.

  “What do you want to know?”

  He feathered his lips on my forehead before kissing it. “Your dad gave me a good overview. Still regretting that I didn’t punch that idiot. If I ever see him again....”

  “Don’t let him get to you.” I pulled back a few inches, looking up at him. “Although you look extra hot when you’re mad and broody like this.”

  He moved his hands down to my neck. “Isabelle calls it the Neanderthal gene. It usually only activates around family members.”

  And me! Ha! I felt so special.

  “I like it.”

  “Good. Because I have a feeling you’ll see it again.” He moved his hands down, resting them on my waist. Wait, I spoke too soon. One hand slid dangerously low on my back, almost reaching a buttock. I pressed my thighs together on instinct.

  “Mr. Gallagher, feeling me up on the street is not an improvement over doing it in my dad’s house.”

  He grinned. “Not my fault you’re so responsive.”

  “Oh yes it is.”

  His eyes flashed as he looked at my mouth intently. “Lucky for you, our Uber is pulling up.”

  “Or what?” I asked.

  He tilted closer, whispering the next words. “You’ll see once we’re alone.”

  Holy shit. I licked my lips, already fidgeting. He didn’t even need to touch me to make me squirm.

  A car stopped next to us, and Dylan opened the door. I got in, sliding to the other side of the seat to make space for him. We didn’t speak much during the drive, but Dylan’s sheer presence was messing with my senses. And when he put a hand on my thigh, playfully running his finger on the hem of my dress, touching a bit of skin, I was on fire.

  Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I couldn’t miss his smug smile. Oh, he was teasing me, was he? Two could play at this game. I moved closer to the door, out of his reach. There! He couldn’t do anything now except look at me with those delicious, smoldering eyes. I was simmering by the time we reached his building.

  Dylan: 1

  Mel: 0.

  “You bad man,” I whispered as soon as we were in his condo.

  He immediately touched my waist from behind, kissing the side of my neck.

  “I was proving my point.”

  I moaned, still wanting to tease him, but I forgot what his point was. I opened my mouth to ask him when his phone rang. Groaning, he pulled back, taking the phone out of his pocket.

  “It’s Ian. Do you mind if I put him on speakerphone?”

  “It’s fine by me.”

  Nodding, he answered the phone. “Ian, you’re on speakerphone, and Mel is with me listening.”

  “Does that mean I have to behave?”

  I laughed at his tongue-in-cheek answer as both Dylan and I went to the couch. I sat down at one end, and he was straight in the middle, next to what looked like a huge stack of towels.

  “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try,” Ian said. “Listen, I think one of us needs to go to D.C. Horton is becoming impatient, thinks we’d do better at troubleshooting if we were in his office. He needs babysitting.”

  “I get what you mean,” Dylan said. “I’ve been his main contact point since we started working together, so I should go.”

  “I was going to suggest that too. I don’t think you’ll need to be there for more than two weeks. I think this will be better for you. While you’re there, focus on Horton and the submission for project Z, and I’ll handle the hassle in the office here.”

  “Are you sure?” Dylan asked. “Because that would be awesome.”

  “I know. I’m amazing, right? We have a plan, then. That’s all. I don’t want to keep you two from whatever it is couples do. And that was a rhetorical question. No need to answer.”

  Dylan laughed. The corners of my mouth twitched. I loved the dynamic between these two—the way they seemed to know what to say or do intuitively. They complemented each other almost as if they were twins; they had that kind of brotherly connection.

  My chest tightened realizing Dylan was going to be away for two weeks. What would happen to us? I wasn’t ready to let him go.

  “When are you leaving?” I asked him as soon as the call disconnected.

  “Not sure. Probably next week. I’ll decide after I to talk to Horton.”

  “Okay. Want me to give you some privacy with him?”

  Dylan cocked a brow. “You seriously don’t think I’m gonna waste the evening talking to a client, do you?”

  Pulling my ankle, he prompted me to move closer to him. I readily obliged, climbing in his lap.

  I touched his lower lip with my fingers. “I think we have some unfinished business.”

  “I can’t seem to remember.” A sly grin spread on his face. “Want to remind me?”

  “Gladly.”

  I shimmied in his lap, straight over his cock, groaning when I realized he was semihard already. His eyes flashed. He buried a hand in my hair at the back of my head, bringing me close enough that our foreheads were touching. I rolled my hips back and forth. A groan erupted from deep inside him, filling me with pride. Then he gripped one hip, keeping it in place. It was impossible to move.

  “I remember where we were. I was telling you that I care. I meant it, Mel.” His eyes were serious all of a sudden.

  I licked my lips, sighing. “Why do you have to say something so swoon-worthy? I have no idea what to say back.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”

  “Well, I—” I waved my left hand out, accidentally knocking the stack of towels to the floor. “Oh, crap.”

  Scrambling down from Dylan’s lap, I picked them up from the floor.

  “New towels?” I asked.

  “Yes. I ordered you a robe and huge towels.”

  I blinked, looking at the stack. “You ordered them for me? Really?”

  “Yeah. Even though I like seeing you walk around half naked.”

  “What are you talking
about? I found a way to cover myself up.”

  “Babe. Half your ass was always showing. Sometimes the crack. I thought you were doing it on purpose.”

  I blushed. “Nope. I thought I was doing a great job.”

  “I can always send the towels back.”

  “No, no.” I pressed the stack to my chest, grinning like a kid on Christmas day.

  He’d gotten me towels. I was sure that was breaking another unspoken rule, and I was over the moon even though I was also a bit scared. I wasn’t sure my poor heart could recover if I fell for Dylan.

  I folded the towels carefully, unable to contain my smile. I made a mental note to still flash him my nakedness, to tease him. And this time, it would be on purpose.

  “What’s that smile?” he asked.

  I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not telling you.”

  The next thing I knew, he pulled me down in his lap, teasing my thigh with his fingers like in the cab before skimming his hand up my dress. His mouth was on my neck again, slowly descending to my chest.

  “I thought we wanted to watch something,” I murmured.

  “Fuck the movie,” he said on a growl.

  “I agree.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Dylan

  I went to work at the crack of dawn the day before leaving for D.C. for two weeks. I’d had back-to-back meetings, and I was already spaced out after lunch when Ian came to my office to discuss the agenda for the afternoon. We were supposed to have a meeting where we went through what would be done here while I was in D.C. Even though the client requested local support weeks ago, we decided to start only after the first of August.

  "I want a rain check on the meeting," I said.

  Ian jerked his head back, eyes wide. "Did hell freeze over? You want to skip a planning meeting?"

  "I do. I need time off. Can you take care of it?"

  "Only if you tell me why."

  "I made plans for this evening with Mel, but I want to spend the afternoon with her too." I was already missing her, and I wasn't even in D.C.

  My brother flashed me a shit-eating grin. "I'm happy for you, brother," he said.

  My eyes bulged.

  "Wait, you're congratulating me? What happened to giving me shit about not being a bachelor anymore? You always seemed to like that I was finally on your team."