Brody (Hope City Book 3)

by Kris Michaels

  Brody moved back far enough to see the desire in those beautiful eyes. "Yes." There was no other answer. Yes, he wanted her. He always had.

  "Okay. I'll follow you to your place. I do have a travel bag in my car, but I'll need to get my service weapon." The small weapon in her purse was her secondary that she carried whenever she was off duty and out of the house. She tugged him along toward the kitchen. She reached up to the top shelf and removed a small gun safe with a handle on it. "I can't take any chances with it. Boys are very curious, especially when they've been told no." She unlocked the box and removed her shoulder holster and weapon.

  "There's so much I need to learn." He had weapons throughout his apartment. It was something he'd address before Gage came to hang with him.

  "You know everything you need to know. The things like this?" She examined her weapon and shrugged. "Keeping him safe from himself and things that can hurt him will become second nature. Until they do, I'll remind you." She threaded her fingers through his. "Are you ready?"

  Damn, wasn't that the question of the decade? "Probably not, but I think we need to take a leap of faith." He leaned forward and tasted her lips for the first time in over ten years. She sighed and curved into him. Memories triggered by her feel and scent flooded by as he opened her mouth and slowly indulged in the decadent and delicious feast he'd thought he'd never taste again.

  The kiss lingered; her response heated as his desire became harder to harness. He put a small amount of space between them and dropped his forehead to hers while they both panted for air. “We should go."

  She stepped back from him, walking backward and leading him out the front door. She locked it behind them, and after another long, delicious kiss, he took her to her car.

  He jogged to Wilma and started the old lady up. Damn, the trip across town could be the longest drive of his life—but it would also be the most careful.

  Chapter 14

  Amber followed Brody's truck to the inner harbor area. The revitalization of the harbor was spreading further and further south, bringing new businesses down to the waterfront. They passed through upscale restaurants and boutique shops and drove south along the shoreline. With each passing mile, doubt edged further and further into her thoughts. Were they moving too fast? The tapping of her fingers on the steering wheel stopped when she watched Brody pull into a parking slot in front of a nice-looking building. She could see where it had once been a warehouse, but the exterior was painted a dark beige, and the white and dark brown trim around the doors and windows made it inviting and attractive. She maneuvered into the vacant slot next to him and put her crossover into park.

  She got out of the vehicle, grabbing her overnight bag when Brody opened his door. "Is this building yours?"

  "Yeah. I still have some work to do on the third apartment. It’s livable but not high end, and it needs to be down here. I think I have another six months or so to scrimp and save."

  He extended his hand to her and she took it, grateful for the warmth of the connection. Touching his hand grounded her nervous thoughts. "I thought you said the apartments paid for your mortgage?"

  "They do."

  "Then why do you have to save?" She walked beside him until he reached the door, which was locked. She could see a small clean lobby area. Crown molding framed the ceiling and the floors were hardwood.

  "Well, I have a son to help support, now." Brody unlocked the door and ushered her into the small but well-appointed lobby.

  She spun toward him. "I told you, we don't need the money."

  "And I told you it was something I want to do. The third apartment can wait for its finishing touches."

  "Wouldn't life be easier for you if you rented it out?"

  Brody shrugged and motioned toward the stairs. They started climbing together.

  "I think you should finish the apartment. If Gage needs anything, I promise I'll let you know, but finishing the apartment puts you in a better position financially to help if he does need something that I can't provide. I promise, right now, all he needs is your time."

  "Which I won't have if I work on the apartment."

  "Can't he come and help? I mean, you could teach him things about carpentry or fixing stuff that neither Dawn nor I could teach him. Lord knows if we can't get a repairman to come in and fix something, it stays broken."

  He chuckled as they passed the second floor.

  "There's three apartments? One on each floor?"

  "No, four apartments, if you include mine. Two on the second floor. One on the first floor. The remaining area on the first floor is partitioned into storage rooms for the four apartments."

  They emerged from the stairwell into a small foyer. He unlocked the door and turned on the light. "Wow."

  Her eyes were drawn to the wall of windows and the absolutely beautiful view of the harbor. Lights danced on the shore across the expanse of water. To the far right was the industrial port and the bright lights illuminated massive ships. To the left, the city rose away from the water like a sentinel. "This is beautiful," she whispered as she made her way into the vast living area.

  The dark leather furniture popped against the soft beige carpet. Carpet that Gage could destroy with a juice pack and muddy feet. There was a massive television on the far wall, but who would ever want to watch television when they had a view like this? Brody grabbed her overnight bag and slid his hand under her shoulder holster, taking the weapon with him. She watched him place her weapon and his on a high shelf on the far side of the room, but she couldn't resist one more look at the magnificent view.

  Brody came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist looking at the view with her. After a moment he whispered, "Are you afraid we're making a mistake?"

  She nodded. "I am. I seem to make a lot of them where you're concerned."

  "Then let me make the decisions for us." He shifted away, and her heart stopped. He turned her around and wrapped her in his arms once again. His lips found hers, and the hunger that had abated during the trip across town rippled to the surface, slicing through the waves of self-doubt and whirlpools of guilt and regret. He held her as he backed up. He guided them deeper into his apartment, but his mouth and hands eliminated any concern that had been building. When they stopped moving, her shirt hit the floor. She found his warm skin under his t-shirt and peeled it over his head. They toed off shoes, and jeans slid to the floor.

  Amber brushed her hair from her eyes and gasped softly, "Oh..."

  Tattoos that weren't there the last time they were together now adorned his chest and arm. She traced the writing on his bicep that told of his salvation and hope. The Bible verses were unexpected.

  "You weren't religious before." The words were the last thing she'd expected on his body. He was raised in the church; she wasn't, and Brody never mentioned his beliefs.

  He placed a finger under her chin and elevated her face. When her eyes locked with his, he whispered, "I found my faith when I hit the bottom."

  "As did I." She reached up and pushed his long bangs from his eyes. "We hurt each other."

  "We did. But never again. Never." His head shook slowly as he spoke.

  Those beautiful eyes were focused on her and only her. She felt cocooned in the man. "I promise to talk to you if I'm afraid or confused, not to run away."

  The corners of his lips ticked up for a second. "I'll come after you if you do."

  She cupped his face with her hand. "Will you forgive me?"

  "If you want my forgiveness you have it."

  "What if I want your love?"

  "I'm here." A soft smile on Brody's face was the only warning she got before he swept her off her feet and walked her to the king-sized bed by the wall of glass.

  She sighed as he lowered her onto the bed and found his way between her legs. His lips traveled the length of her neck, and he paid particular attention to the sensitive spot at the base, swirling his tongue and sucking the skin into his mouth. Ten years disintegrated as they came t
ogether. The time that separated them turned to dust and was swept away on the fresh breath of desire and the warm breeze of renewal.

  He lowered down her body, finding her bra clasp and eliminating the impediment. She ran her hand over his hot skin as he feasted on her breasts. Sensations lapped at her, building inside. He lowered further, trailing hot kisses down her abdomen to her hip. The elastic lace of her underwear snapped under his grasp and the material fell away, replaced by Brody's lips.

  She arched into his touch. One hand stayed in his hair, to guide him, as if he needed the help. The second grasped the soft comforter under them, as if the act would ground her to the bed, but it couldn't. Not when Brody reclaimed every fetter that had bound her to him for the last ten years. His feel, his scent, and the way he instinctively knew what she needed, perched her on a cliff with only one way down. He spread her sex and lowered his mouth. The warmth and softness of his touch soon gave way to a fast-paced race to the end. She tipped her head and glanced down at him. His hips moved against the bed in the same manner hers moved against his lips. His hand traveled over her body and cupped her breast. Oh God. Yes. His fingers rolled her nipple at the same time as the fingers of his other hand entered her and curled. He sucked her into his mouth and used his tongue to excite her clit, moving her past the ledge he'd placed her on. Her body seized and exploded. His actions detonated her orgasm, and she shattered into a million pieces.

  She felt him climb her body. His kisses sent shivers through her. When she felt him above her, she opened her eyes and beheld the man she'd loved and then lost. She twined her hands through his hair and brought him down to her. He kissed her and rolled to his side, bringing her with him. She felt him reach and move away. He opened his bedside table drawer and removed several condoms. She took a packet from him and opened it with shaking hands.

  Brody caught her hand as she moved toward his hot, rigid cock. "Don't play. I'm not going to last."

  "No, no playing," she reassured in the same pained, panting breath he'd used. She carefully pinched the end of the condom and rolled the thin sheath down his shaft. The soft skin that covered the iron was like warm velvet in her hands. When they'd satisfied their initial lust, she was going to have that cock in her mouth again. She could make Brody lose his mind and planned on doing that as soon as possible.

  He rolled her onto her back as soon as the condom was in place. His knee moved her leg up, and he lowered, placing his cock at her center. They stared at each other as Brody moved forward and retreated. He worked himself into her and with one final thrust buried himself deep inside. She gripped his biceps and panted. The fullness and heat of him was a sensation she wanted to log in the annals of her mind, somewhere where she would never forget this moment, this feeling.

  "I'm not going to last." Brody dropped his head to her shoulder, his hot breath fanning the skin of her neck and breast.

  "Take what you need." She wrapped her arms under his and grabbed his shoulders.

  He shifted away slightly and looked at her. "You're what I need. What I've always needed."

  "Then make me yours again." She wrapped her legs around him and pushed him forward. His hips moved into a driving rhythm, forcing her back up to that precipice. His thrusts became erratic, but it didn't matter. She tightened as he thrust forward, and they both shouted as they came. Brody groaned and continued to thrust, riding through his orgasm. He dropped on top of her, and she panted shallowly as he recovered. Regardless if she drew her last breath under him in this moment, a blissful feeling consumed her. She was back where she belonged. Back with the man she'd never stopped loving. God, please let her get it right this time. Please.

  Brody woke when he heard Blayze come into the apartment. Or leave it. No, he was coming in. He heard the water run in the kitchen. Damn, he should have shut his door. Not that Blay had ever come back to his room, but still. Amber's body stiffened next to him. She was awake, too. They both glanced to the window. The sun had started to rise on the horizon.

  "What time is it?"

  Brody shifted and looked at his nightstand. "Almost six." He looked down at her and dropped a kiss on her forehead, remembering her aversion to kissing him without brushing her teeth. "Good Morning."

  "It is, isn't it?" She snuggled closer to him and dropped her arm on his waist. "Can we play hooky?"

  "What kind of example would that be for our son?" Brody dropped his head back on the pillow and brought her closer to him.

  "Don't know." She yawned so hard she shook against him. "Shower."

  "Together." It wasn't a suggestion.

  "Absolutely. Water conservation."

  He threw the comforter and sheets off them and stood up. There were clothes everywhere. A smile of satisfaction perched itself on his face and stayed there. They'd made a huge step toward returning things to the way they'd been ten years ago. But this, what was between them now was… calmer and deeper. At least for him. He needed to make sure they were on the same page before he gave himself permission to think things were going well. Still.

  He turned back to the bed in time to catch Amber stretch. Oh, lord. Those long, lean muscles and peach color skin. She was beautiful and so much more than the girl he used to love. He extended his hand, and she grasped it. He helped her from bed, and they wandered into the master bath.

  "Dang." She blinked when he turned on the lights. "That shower big enough for you?" Her eyes squinted at the corner of the room.

  It was a massive shower with eight massaging shower heads. He’d helped the plumber with every part of the project. It brought down labor costs and taught him what he needed to know to do minor installations. However, minor had never featured in his vocabulary. This shower was his reward after he'd paid off the plastic he'd used to finance the initial plumbing of the building. He’d tiled it and installed the glass walls and doors. Yeah, it was big enough.

  She pointed to the far side of the room, and he nodded before he started the shower. Waiting for her to finish, he made a quick search of his cabinet and produced a new toothbrush. He tossed it to her and grabbed his from the cup, doing a quick job on his fangs before he took care of business and joined her in the shower.

  Her long hair slicked down to the curve of her back, and the water sluiced over her skin. Her hard nipples enticed him as he stepped into the warmth of the jets. She slid up next to him and urged him down for a long, searing kiss.

  "Good morning," she husked when he finally moved away.

  "It is indeed." He moved back in, but she shook her head.

  Taking a washcloth off the bar, she dropped it to the floor and lowered to her knees. "I promised myself the second I could do this, I would."

  Her hand circled his cock. What had been a slow and steady rise turned into steel in the time it took her to circle the head of his cock with her tongue. God, the woman had always been able to drive him insane with her mouth. The perfect, wet, heated slide of her tongue and mouth around his shaft, coupled with the way her hands stroked his lower half and fondled his balls, was killer. Deadly and so damn good.

  He placed his hand on the back of her head and dropped his head back between his shoulder blades. The perfection of being with her again, feeling the chemistry between them, and knowing it could all be his again, was too much. He tightened his grip on her hair. She wouldn't pull off, but he'd always give her the opportunity. She moaned and doubled her efforts. His thigh shook and a blaze of heat shot up his cock. He felt her suck it down and keep going. She loved this last little bit of torture, when the suction became exquisite and yet almost painful. He shuddered and shifted away. She let his cock slide from her mouth and rested her cheek against his thigh. He stared down at her as she looked up.

  "I love you."

  Her words floated up to him on the steam and wrapped themselves around the cold dark place that had filled his soul for the last ten years. He helped her up and wrapped his arms around her. Against her ear, he whispered the knowledge of his heart.

  "I nev
er stopped loving you."

  Brody entered the kitchen after taking Amber's overnight bag back to the bedroom. She had to deal with all that hair, so he offered to get coffee.

  Blay sat at the kitchen table reading his tablet. "Coffee is done," he grunted while wrapping himself around his cup as if Brody was about to swipe the cup from Blay’s hand. His brother had one cup every morning. How the man lived on such limited caffeine was a mystery. Brody grabbed two cups and poured coffee into them. To one cup he added a small amount of cream and a packet of sugar, before he took a big swig from the black coffee he adored.

  Blay stared at him, one eye closed, the other eye narrowed. Brody looked down. Nope, all tucked in, buttoned and zipped. He glanced back at his brother who was now frowning. "What?"

  "Who is that for?" Blay nodded to the cup on the counter.

  "Me," Amber said as she entered the kitchen. "Wow, this is nice!" She walked to him and elevated on her toes, giving him a kiss. "I love the granite."

  Blay swung his gaze from Amber, who was roaming the big kitchen and looking at the appliances, to him. The man's eyebrow rose, and he shook his head back and forth. He smiled and took another drink of his coffee, holding Blay’s stare. The little manwhore had absolutely no right to condemn the relationship he was regenerating with Amber. None whatsoever.

  "Blay?" They both turned at Amber's question.

  "I'm sorry. What?" Blay blinked at her innocently.

  "I was wondering if you are on shift today?"

  "Ah, no. I traded a forty-eight with Reno so I could meet the little man yesterday. I'll pull four straight, starting tomorrow night."

  Amber returned from admiring his appliances and leaned her back into his front. He rested a hand on her hip and smiled at his brother.

  "Thank you for that. I know a double shift has got to be exhausting," Amber said.

  "Actually, I think I worked out more yesterday playing with Gage then I would during a double." Blay chuckled. "That kid is awesome. You did good with him."