but he will win every time. We need your help, but I will not accept it if it comes with strings.”
“Jesus,” he hissed, pulling me against him. “There are no strings, sissy.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Will you please try to be nice?”
“Yeah, Cricket, I can do that.”
I peered up at him. “Will you apologize?”
“No way in hell,” he said, but he smiled so the sting was lessened.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
He gave me a squeeze and I pushed away from him.
“Cricket!” I heard Minus call.
“You better take care of that,” Hatch suggested.
I nodded, and pulled open the door. “In here, Minus.”
Minus walked in, giving Hatch a suspicious look. My brother stuck his hand out and Minus shook it, then Hatch left the room.
Minus faced me and scowled. “Why the fuck are you crying? What did he say?”
I rolled my eyes, shoving the door closed. “He was actually just being really sweet.”
“Did you tell him you verbally assaulted your man?”
I crossed my arms. “Do you think I’d take an argument you and I had to my brother?”
“Did you?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?”
“Cricket—”
I raised my hand, interrupting him. “No, Jase. Don’t bury yourself more in your own bullshit. What I did was express my desire for my brother to treat you with more respect. I also reminded him that should he continue to poke the bear, he’d lose me, because you were my heartbeat, and I would always side with you.”
Minus sighed, holding a hand out to me. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“You should be,” I retorted, taking his hand and letting him pull me into his embrace.
“I love you,” he whispered, kissing my temple.
“Damn straight you do. You’re lucky to have me.”
He chuckled. “I am lucky to have you and you need to know, I never take that for granted.”
“I know,” I admitted, standing on my tiptoes and kissing him. “I love you, too. Even if you act like a damn man-child on occasion.”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t stutter,” I retorted, stepping away from him, but his hand wrapped gently around my arm.
“You think I’m a man-child?”
“On occasion, yes.”
He locked the door and slid his hands to my neck. “You want me to show you how wrong you are?”
I licked my lips. “Depends on exactly how you plan to do that.”
“Not sure I can, baby. I’m a man-child. I don’t communicate well.” He lifted my sweater over my head and unsnapped my bra before I’d even registered he’d moved.
“You can show me,” I panted out as he drew a nipple into his mouth, then blew on it, making it pebble tight.
“Oh, can I?” he challenged. “You’ll allow it?”
He knelt in front of me, tugging my skirt down and letting it pool at my feet. I was left in my knee-high boots and panties, and he shoved his face between my legs and ran his tongue over my clit, dampening the lace of my thong.
“I’ll allow it,” I rasped, finding my panties yanked down my thighs and his tongue back on my clit.
I wanted to spread my legs, but my underwear was preventing it, so I wove my fingers into his hair and gripped tight. “I want—”
“I know what you want, Cricket, but you’re gonna wait,” he said, then ran his tongue over my mound, blowing again and I nearly came then and there.
“Jase,” I begged.
“You want Jase or Minus, Cricket?”
“Minus,” I said immediately.
He stood, guiding me toward the bunks and tapping the metal of the ladder. “Hold on.”
I wrapped my hands over one of the rungs and Minus gripped my hips, pulling me back slightly, and gently kicking my legs further apart. “Leave your panties where they are,” he demanded.
I groaned, unable to spread my legs any more, but doing what he demanded. I heard the clink of his belt buckle and the zip of his jeans and I shivered in anticipation.
“You ready for Minus?” he asked.
I grunted with a nod and the sting of leather against my ass sent a shock of pleasure to my pussy. I whimpered with need, receiving another slap of the belt in response. “You need to be quiet, baby. Unless exhibition is your thing.”
I swallowed, tightening my hold on the ladder. The jingle of keys had me intrigued, no earthly idea what he’d need them for, until I heard a buzz, then felt that buzz against my clit.
“Oh, my god, what is that?” I whispered.
“You like that, huh?”
I nodded, dropping my head back. “So much.”
“It popped up in an ad and I ordered it.