Deliciously Thick (Naked Brews Book 2)

by KB Jacobs

  She ended the kiss and raised her eyes to mine, looking a bit dazed.

  “Let’s do this.” I set her down. “Then we can go home and do naughty things.”

  Her giggle lightened and filled my heart.

  She turned and marched right into the airport. I followed, hoping and praying that coming here and letting her take charge wasn’t a mistake and she wouldn’t get hurt more. That was why I strode in behind her. If this guy dared to raise a hand to her, I’d crush him like a bug.

  As the doors slid open, Melissa stepped over the threshold and stilled, looking for her prey. There weren’t many people here since it was almost off-season for the slopes. A family of three looked at a map on the wall, an airline employee walked across the tile floor, and a lone man stood at the check-in counter with his back to us. Melissa zeroed in on him and squared her shoulders before taking off toward him.

  I dogged her steps.

  He sensed our approach and turned toward us. When he spotted Melissa, his mouth dropped open in surprise, but then a small smile tilted up the corners of his mouth.

  The smug bastard. I wanted to drop him to the floor in that moment more than I’d ever wanted to do anything else in my life. I clenched my fists and growled low in my throat.

  Melissa threw a warning glance over her shoulder at me.

  Right. This was her show. I took a deep breath through my nose and tried to calm down.

  He was blond and lean with a smattering of light whiskers dusting his face. His clothes were wrinkled, and he had an overall unkempt, slightly desperate feel to him, but I could see how a few years ago a young girl could have been swept up by those ice-blue eyes and that starkly handsome face. She never would have noticed the deadness behind his expression.

  Now he focused in on me, too, and wasn’t looking quite as pleased. Good. I came to a halt behind Melissa and crossed my arms over my massive chest, staying silent like she wanted.

  Melissa mimicked my pose.

  Brad raised his hands. “Hey, I don’t want any trouble here. I didn’t do anything wrong.” He glanced around the airport nervously. “The police cleared me.”

  Melissa nodded. “You’re right. I know that. You didn’t do anything.”

  I nodded along with her... Wait, what?

  Then she said, “You just took advantage of a young, sixteen-year-old girl. You’re lucky you weren’t sent to prison then for statutory rape, you asshole.”

  He blanched but then seemed to find some backbone. “Hey, that’s not fair. You wanted it, wanted me”—he sneered—“hard.”

  She chuffed out a laugh. “That’s because I had no idea the difference between you and a real man.” She reached back and threaded her hand through mine. “But the laws are there to protect young girls from predators. That’s what you are. The lowest of the low, slime on the bottom of my shoe. Back then, you tried to destroy me, and I let you. I trusted you with my secret desires, and you threw them back at me, using them as a weapon to break me down. The only shameful part about who I was then was that I let you get away with it.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not that girl anymore. I know exactly what I want, who I want.” She squeezed my hand. “You tried to break me, but it just made me realize that the right man builds his woman up. He doesn’t tear her down. I’m strong and passionate. There’s not a fucking thing wrong with me.” She dropped her gaze and let it roam his form. “I realize that now. I know how strong I am, and let me tell you, Brad Nelson.” She stepped up to him and poked him. “You contact me again, you text me, or even let my name cross your mind, and I will be calling the police in Texas to inform them what happened to me when I was a minor and you were legally an adult. I never want to fucking hear from you again. Men like you make me sick.”

  She turned on her heel and looked up at me. “Let’s go. I need to wash the scum off my finger. Ugh...slimeballs.” And she began walking again.

  I sent Brad my most evil and threatening smile, but inside I was cheering as I turned to follow her.

  In front of me, her ass swung with attitude. My girl was a fierce force to be reckoned with. Holy hell, I was turned on. I couldn’t keep my grin from spreading across my face.

  Mine. She was all mine.

  And I belonged to her.

  Yes!

  Chapter 42

  Melissa

  I pulled behind Anthony’s bright orange Jeep in the driveway in front of his house, adrenaline still coursing through my body.

  Brad Nelson. Captain of the football team, hometown heartthrob, and the asshole who’d made me doubt myself for six years. I had ripped Brad Nelson a new one and... It. Was. Awesome.

  I jumped out of William, patting his hood on the way around to the front door. I leaned down and whispered, “I’ll always love you,” before skipping to the front door where Anthony waited for me.

  “Were you just talking to your car?” Anthony nodded back at William.

  “Maybe,” I said, shrugging. “You hurt his feelings.”

  Anthony turned toward my car. “Sorry, mate. Won’t happen again,” he called out in a booming voice with a horrendous British accent.

  “Oh lord.” I groaned. “Never do that again.”

  “What?” he asked, laying the accent on even thicker. “Don’t get your knickers in a wad.”

  I reached a hand around his neck and pulled him to me, cutting off his words with a kiss. His soft lips molded to mine as his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. God, I loved this man, even when he was being a complete dork.

  Anthony nibbled at my lip and then pressed his mouth close to my ear. “Did my accent get your blood flowing?”

  “No,” I whispered back with a small giggle. “I thought a kiss might get you to stop.”

  “Okay, that’s it.” Anthony picked me up, tossing me over his shoulder, and marched us into the house.

  We took the elevator up to the second floor and sped through the game room, not stopping until we got to the turret door. Anthony slapped my ass before setting me down.

  “Don’t start what you don’t intend to finish.” The second my feet touched the ground, I leaned into him, pressing my chest against his. His erection pushed into my stomach, making it clear our thoughts were completely in sync.

  “You’re a saucy temptress, Juliet.” He leaned in and kissed me before taking a step back. “But first things first.”

  Anthony reached into his pocket and pulled out a long, thin box. “I think you need this.”

  I took the box and held it lightly, pulling at the red ribbon tied in a bow. Lifting the lid, I let out a tiny gasp. Tucked inside was a skeleton key. It might have been the same one I had before except for a tiny change. Instead of the swirling, connected circles at the end of the handle, there was a solid rectangle with the British flag etched into the iron.

  Anthony took the box back and set it on a small table so he could hold my hands. “I know Lake is planning to renovate the apartment over the brewery. I’m sure it will be very safe and have everything you need. But I need you here with me.” He cupped my chin and ran a thumb across my jaw, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “Will you stay and live here with me?”

  I nuzzled into his hand and let his warmth soak into me. Waking up here every day and spending every night with Anthony? It was a fantasy even better than I’d ever dreamed. I gave him a huge smile that didn’t even compare to how full my heart felt right now. “Yes, please.” Turning my head, I nipped at his hand and moved a step closer to him.

  Anthony growled, a low rumbling bursting from deep in his chest. “We better get this door open then before I finish things in the hallway.”

  I grabbed the key and had the door open in seconds. We rushed up the stairs, practically racing each other to the top.

  Anthony led me by the hand into the bedroom. Rose petals dotted the bed, exactly like the first time he’d led me in here to torture my body.

  I gasped in pleasure.

  “You were pretty
confident about my answer.”

  “What can I say?” He dipped his head and ran hot lips down my neck. “You make me feel lucky.”

  My core muscles tensed in anticipation of exactly what was about to happen. I leaned against a carved bedpost and watched Anthony open a dresser drawer and pull out a set of handcuffs and a strip of red silk.

  My body ached to feel Anthony dominate me, but I was too keyed up to lie still today. I marched over to him and took the red silk from his hands. “I’ll take it from here, Mr. Millett.”

  His eyes opened wide, and his pupils dilated.

  “Get that shirt off and that amazing ass on the bed. Now.”

  Anthony whipped his shirt over his head. His dark skin glistened in the low candlelight, highlighting the dips and valley of his expansive muscled chest. The sight took my breath away. He climbed up, crushing rose petals and sending their scent into the air.

  I stood at the end of the bed, watching his every move and trying to decide where to start. It didn’t matter, really. When it came to me and Anthony, this was just the beginning.

  I’d found my prince. Instead of a white horse, he’d ridden in on a snowboard and stole my heart.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later

  Anthony

  I bumped fists with Walsh and nodded to Alex as Melissa and I joined the group at one of the large, newly installed tables in the pub. Lake had already taken her turn at the bar and poured us all beers.

  “The place is looking good,” I said to the group. Of course, Melissa had been here every day and had kept me in the loop about the reconstruction, but that didn’t compare to seeing it in person.

  “Yeah,” Lake agreed, looking around the brew pub, anticipation shining in her eyes. “We should be able to open this section in just a few weeks, but Ice’s Brew Pub won’t be completed until the middle of the summer.” She gestured to the section of the wall that had been sheet rocked and closed off while the newly expanded, higher-class restaurant and meeting space was constructed. “That’s actually why we wanted everyone to come in tonight. We kind of have an announcement about that.”

  Melissa reached across and grasped hold of my hand. She had theories about this meeting, and I knew sitting still in her seat and not bouncing was just about to kill her. She was so excited about her friend’s relationship with Walsh. Melissa had confessed that she had never thought Lake would ever fall in love. But from what I’d seen, Lake and Walsh were perfect for one another.

  A lot like Melissa and me. Excitement buzzed under my skin, too. A wedding in the group would be good. I liked the idea of Melissa in wedding mode, although it was way too early in our relationship to be thinking about mentioning anything to her yet. Maybe in another couple of months.

  When Melissa jumped up and rushed over to hug Lake, I winced. Dammit, I’d been daydreaming about my future with her and missed the big announcement.

  Alex grinned as she rose from the table, waiting for Melissa to stop mauling Lake and Walsh before Alex offered them her congratulations...for whatever they had just announced.

  She leaned over and whispered quietly, “The wedding is planned to coincide with the opening of the Brew Pub on the fourth of July.”

  “Thank you,” I muttered, keeping my voice low.

  She gave a silent laugh. “No problem. You can’t help being love-struck. Just try not to get hit by a car, because you’re too wrapped up in my BFF to realize crossing the road could be dangerous.”

  “Noted.” I exchanged a small smile with her and then refocused on Melissa.

  Yeah, I was struck...totally in love with her. Every single day with her got better than I ever thought it could be. She’d changed me and completely turned my life around. Was it any wonder that weeks later I was still walking around with a perpetual smile on my face and my head in the clouds? I’d gotten so lucky. I had no idea how that girl in the window would change my life.

  Melissa finally let go of Lake and Walsh, turning toward me with that huge smile that stole my breath every single time. I opened my arms, and she walked into them to hug me like it was the most natural thing in the world. I closed my eyes as the scent of cinnamon and vanilla enveloped me. She belonged right here, tucked into my chest.

  “Isn’t it just the best news?” Her face was smashed into my shirt, so her voice sounded a little muffled, but I could swear...

  I lifted her chin. Her eyes were filled with tears.

  “They’re happy tears.” She quickly reassured me.

  “I know, Juliet, my little romantic. I know.” I pulled her in tight again and let her melt down in the privacy my wide chest provided. I glanced back at her friends, who were now watching us worriedly.

  I smiled at them. “Congratulations, you just got your happily ever after. I don’t know if you realize that, but she’s kind of a sucker for those.” I tilted my head toward Melissa.

  Both Lake and Alex visibly relaxed. They did know that about Melissa.

  Melissa lifted her head from my chest and gave a watery, reassuring smile to her friends. “It’s just like Kate and William. While I’ll always hate her a little bit for stealing him, I do love a good romance.”

  Lake rolled her eyes. “Melissa, we run a brewery. Walsh and I are not even close to royalty.” She got a calculating look in her eye. “Now, if you wanted to talk about who deserves a fairy tale and a good prince, I’m thinking Alex might fit the bill.”

  “Hey!” Alex lightly punched Lake’s arm. “I’m right here, and you totally just threw me under the bus.”

  “Well, we don’t have royalty in this country, but with your parents, you’re basically Hollywood royalty. That’s as close as we get here. If Melissa wants to project a royal fairy tale on someone, it would make sense that it be you.”

  Hollywood royalty? How did I not know anything about this or who the hell she was? I thought I kept up fairly well on the who’s who of the world. I looked at Alex again. She was gorgeous and would definitely fit in with the Hollywood set, but I didn’t see anything that struck a chord of memory.

  I raised a hand. “Not to interrupt what was shaping up to be a scintillating debate about happily ever afters and princes, but who are you?” I asked Alex.

  The whole group started guffawing.

  I lifted my hands. I was definitely missing something. “I’m serious. I’ve spent the last fifteen years out on the ski slopes, so I’m clueless.”

  Melissa gasped. “Really? You don’t know. Alex is—”

  “Alex Nichols.” She glared at her friends. “That’s the only thing you need to know.”

  Okay, I was definitely missing something here, but before I could ask more, there was a loud knock at the front door, which had been locked behind us since the brewery was closed for the night.

  Lake frowned as she went to answer it. She opened the door and waved the two men inside. Hawke Ellison, the fire chief, and Spencer Murdock, the detective from the Aspenridge police department both filed in.

  I rose in alarm. They still hadn’t caught whoever had attacked Melissa, and we’d never heard from Brad again. But that meant whoever had done it was still out there. I pulled Melissa into my side, bracing for whatever reason had brought these two here this late at night.

  “Are you guys on duty, or can you have a beer with us?” Lake asked them, trying not to show her concern at their arrival. “We were just celebrating.”

  “I’m sorry, Lake,” Hawke said gently. “We’re here on official duty.”

  “You got the fire report back?” Lake asked.

  Hawke nodded. “Yeah. It was arson. That’s why Spencer is here.” He ran a hand through his longish, blond hair, leaving it in total disarray.

  Spencer stepped forward. As one of the Murdock boys, he was a huge guy, so that move was a bit intimidating. Something that probably helped him as a police detective.

  “Hey, Lake. Sorry this isn’t a more social visit, but the arson, combined with the attack on Ms. Frye and the other inconsisten
cies you’ve reported in the operation of the brewery, means we’re taking this very seriously. Of course, arson makes this a criminal investigation, but in combination with everything else, I’m worried.

  “Your brewery appears to be the target, but Ms. Frye has also been targeted. Considering the overall visibility of the group”—he nodded at Alex and me—“it’s hard to pinpoint motive. The only thing we know for sure is that someone is targeting either someone in this group or the brewery as a whole. But they aren’t worried about collateral damage, and that means you’re all in danger.”

  THE END

  THANK YOU...

  Thank you for reading Deliciously Thick. We hope you enjoyed it.

  This is the second book in the Naked Brews series. While all the books in this series work as stand-alones (each features a different couple), this is the reading order if you’re interesting in the overarching Naked Brews story line:

  Deliciously Smooth

  Deliciously Thick

  Deliciously Bitter – releasing June 23

  Reviews help other readers find new books. We appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Thank you for taking the time to give feedback.

  And this isn’t all there is to come. We have many, many stories to come set in our imaginary town of Aspenridge, CO, so we hoped you enjoyed this little jaunt into the Colorado Rockies.

  Would you like to receive a FREE prequel novella, Desperately Unprepared, and find out when we release our next book?

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  Thank you for reading...

  K&B

  Want to know what happens next?

  Be sure to preorder, Deliciously Bitter, releasing June 23rd...

  Story Description:

  Deliciously Bitter

  Three years ago, my perfect life ended. I got trapped inside a burning Army MRAP and watched my friends die. I was the only one to survive, if you can call this survival.