Hide & Seek - Nicole Edwards Page 0,92
incredibly intimate, innately sensual about that moment despite the fact they’d both been mostly dressed.
“Brantley…”
“I’m here, baby. Whatever you need, I’m here.”
When Reese lifted up, his hips rocking more insistently, Brantley slid his hand between their bodies, gripping Reese’s cock firmly. In the darkness, he could see his profile but not the expression. He didn’t need to see, though, because he knew what Reese looked like when he needed more.
“Oh, God.” Reese’s hips moved faster as he thrust into Brantley’s fist. “More. Need … more.”
Brantley’s grip was already tight but he gave Reese what he asked for, feeling the intensity of Reese’s stare as he levered himself up on his hands and drove his hips forward, fucking Brantley’s fist like it was a lifeline that might save him from the darkness.
A few grunts and then Reese was coming, his body going stone-still as cum splashed over Brantley’s stomach. The sensation had his own cock throbbing, but he ignored it. This wasn’t about him. In fact, it was never about him. What he found in Reese was so much more than his own satisfaction.
It was over as fast as it started. Reese crawled out of bed, returned with a towel, and cleaned him off before joining him in the bed once more.
“Let me hold you,” he whispered when he felt Reese’s hand sliding down between his legs.
He knew he was going to return the favor, but right then, the only thing Brantley wanted was to hold him.
“You sure?”
“Never been more sure about anyone in my life.”
“I was talk—”
He pulled Reese close. “I know what you were talkin’ about. Now shut up so I can hold you.”
There was a soft chuckle. A few minutes later, they were both asleep.
***
“What’re your plans for tomorrow?” JJ asked, hoping the question came across as casual.
“Thanksgiving?”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Yes. Thanksgiving.”
“My dad invited me out to his place. Me and my mother.”
“Your mom has Thanksgiving dinner with your dad and his new wife?”
Baz offered a one-shoulder shrug. “What can I say? They like each other’s company.”
“At the expense of their new spouses?”
“My father’s theory is, if it’s supposed to work out, it’ll work out.”
“I suppose he’s got a prenup.”
“Of course. Ironclad, too.”
JJ shook her head. “How can he be so cavalier about marriage?”
Baz cocked a hip on his kitchen counter, wiped his hands on a dish towel. “I wouldn’t so much say he’s cavalier about marriage. More so he’s optimistic about love. He loves to be in love.”
“And the wedding part? What? He’s a stickler for a big party?”
Baz laughed, a sound she adored.
“I never thought about it. But yeah, maybe.”
“What about your mother’s husband? Will he be there?”
“He’s actually out of the country on business. Bigwig CEO. It’s the end of the fiscal year or some shit. He’ll be back on Sunday. They’ll have their own Thanksgiving then.” He planted his palms flat on the counter, leaned toward her. “What about you? What’re your plans?”
“Don’t have any. I did buy a turkey-and-dressing TV dinner if that counts for something.”
Baz shook his head, frowned. “No, it does not. You can come with me.”
JJ was instantly on her feet. “Oh, no. No, no. I am not havin’ Thanksgiving with your folks. No way, no, sir, no how.”
“What if I told you he’s got an indoor heated pool and a kick-ass hot tub?”
“You cannot bribe me with kick-ass hot tubs, Baz. Just won’t work.”
He walked around the small breakfast bar. No, stalked was more like it. Before she could run, he grabbed her arm, pulled her into him, and banded his arms around her to keep her from bolting. He seemed to know her pretty well.
His playful expression sobered, his eyes concerned. “Why aren’t you havin’ Thanksgiving with your parents?”
Her turn to shrug. “They don’t celebrate the holiday anymore. Not since Jeremy died.”
“You could always invite them to your place,” he suggested. “Make them dinner, show them you’d like to celebrate.”
JJ tried to push away from him, but he was having none of it. His hold on her tightened.
“Who said I wanted to celebrate?”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
JJ closed her eyes. “No, you can’t.”
Baz chuckled and his lips pressed to hers gently, briefly. “Come to my dad’s with me, JJ. I promise, we’ll keep it casual. I’ll tell them you’re a friend from work. How’s that?”
Opening her eyes, she mock-glared at him. “What? Am I not good enough to be your girlfriend?”
“You’re too good to be my girlfriend, JJ. But I don’t want you to feel