Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,71

tree. “But you’re here now, and I have a second chance; a chance to be the kind of man you deserve and to make up for the pain I caused. I intend to work on it and earn your trust.” He takes my hand and traces out the lines on my palm as his expression grows distant.

“It’s all a bit much to take in. I don’t know what’s real and what’s not real.”

“Every word I’ve spoken is the truth. I haven’t tried to hide from what I did. I didn’t sugarcoat or downplay what happened, but soon, you’ll feel the truth, and you’ll know.”

“What? What will I know?”

“That you can’t escape this.”

“I don’t even know what this is.”

“It’s you and me forging a future together.”

A future?

He kicks off from the tree. “We should probably get back. I’m sure Asher is dying to taste your fabulous cookies. At least, if Cage hasn’t devoured them all by now.” His expression softens, but all I feel is the raw, sexual energy heating the air between us. I shouldn’t have stopped him.

Why didn’t I take that kiss?

Twenty-Seven

Grace

I don’t mean to be a downer.”

Brody takes both my hands in his and leans in real close. The raw potency of his masculinity floods my senses, making me regret my words. It would be too easy to take that kiss and damn the consequences.

“I’m going to show you what you’re worth. Come.”

A sigh escapes me as he leads me back inside. His brothers stand side by side at the sink, doing the dishes, while Evie and Abbie look on with impish grins. When they see me, Evie winks.

“Didn’t expect the two of you back so soon.” Evie reveals the cookies we made earlier, well-guarded by her and Brody’s mom. “These boys tried to sneak cookies.”

“You better not have.” Brody releases my hand and walks up behind his brothers at the sink. He taps each of them upside the head. “My girl made those; that means I’ve got dibs.”

“And we gotta wait while you’re out back swapping spit?” Cage flicks soapsuds at Brody. “Dude, bros before…”

“Don’t say it.” Brody’s tone of voice drops a register, turning deep, possessive, and protective.

“Oh, I wasn’t going to say hoes.”

“You just said it.” Brody takes a jab at Cage, but his brother twists away.

“Jeez, climb down off that high horse.” Cage turns to me and gives a semi-bow. It looks funny on him, and I can’t help but smile. “I would never disrespect Grace or Miss Evie, and I most definitely wouldn’t in front of Mom.”

“Darn straight.” Abbie rises to her feet and props her hands on her hips. “I didn’t raise you to disrespect women.”

“But he said bro’s before…” Brody twists, complaining to his mom.

“I know what I said, ass-wipe.” Cage turns back to the dishes. “Like I said, someone’s done got bit.”

My eyes pinch, wondering what that means. I join Abbie and Evie by the cookies and whisper. “Bit?”

“By the love bug.” Evie places her hand on my arm and whispers back. “They’re giving Brody grief.”

“Oh.” I suddenly feel stupid, not getting the reference, but my mind is a little distracted after my conversation with Brody.

“You ready to let them try out your cookies?” Evie gives a little friendly jab to my ribs.

“Did you tell Abbie which ones to avoid?” I glance at Abbie.

“She sure did.” Abbie rubs her palms together. “Let’s do this.”

We marked the two batches of cookies. The good batch is on the bottom of the stack. The doctored batch, made with too much salt, too much baking soda, and sprinkled with more than a few touches of cayenne pepper, are on the top. We discreetly marked six of the good batch and placed them on top of the pile.

“We’d better let them try these out before an all-out brawl starts.” While we talk, Brody and Cage grabbed towels. They twisted the ends and snapped each other on the ass. Asher grabs a towel, but when I clear my throat, they suddenly stop.

“Guys, if you’re done, we’re ready for dessert.” I gesture to Evie. “Go ahead. Girls go first.”

Evie picks out two of the good cookies from the top of the stack and takes a bite out of one. Her eyes close as she gives a moan of appreciation. I pivot and offer Abbie the cookies. She makes a show of deciding which cookies to take but finally grabs two of the good ones. Her boys look on, and I swear they’re salivating. I could walk over