laughed, his eyes bright. "At least you didn't throw something at me like you would have if J.J. said it."
"J.J. thinks women were put on this earth to serve him," I retorted.
"Not really," Brody answered, levering himself away from the cabinet. "He says stuff like that because it riles you up so much. If anyone else says it, he tells them to leave the Stone Ages behind."
"Brothers. Jeez."
He laughed again and opened the fridge. A container of black beans, a bag of Mexican blend cheese, salsa, sour cream, peppers, and a few other ingredients appeared on the island. Brody came out and nudged the fridge door shut with his hip.
"Nachos sound good?"
"Great sex and nachos? I think you're my dream man." I clasped my hands together by my cheek and sighed dreamily.
He grinned and shook his head. "I don't remember you being this easy to please ten years ago."
"Well, I've learned to adjust my expectations."
Brody pulled a cookie sheet out of a lower cabinet next to the stove and turned to look at me. "Adjust?"
"I guess the best way to put it would be to say I lowered my expectations. That way I'm not quite so disappointed when they aren't met."
Brody didn't say anything as he spread aluminum foil over the cookie sheet and started loading it with chips and toppings.
"I hate hearing that," Brody finally stated. "I hate the idea of someone hurting you. But I'm also glad because it means that you're free to be here with me."
Brody looked at me then and I realized that I wasn't the only one out on a limb here. And even if he never felt the same way about me, he would never hurt me. Not intentionally.
"I'm glad I'm here with you, too."
Brody slid the sheet pan into the oven and walked around the island to where I sat. I turned on my stool to face him and he stepped between my thighs. He brushed my hair back from my face then cupped the back of my skull with his hands.
"I never thought we'd be here," he said, studying my face. "I might've dreamed it a time or two."
I rested my hands on his hips, right on the waistband of his shorts. "Same here."
He leaned forward and kissed me lightly. "We're going to give this a shot, right?"
"What are we giving a shot?"
"Us. A relationship. A committed relationship."
I was not expecting this talk. Not yet. We'd only been what could loosely be called dating for a few weeks.
I also wanted to say yes very, very badly. But Brody and I weren't the only ones who were going to be affected by this.
"What about Jacks?" I asked. "How is she going to feel about you having a girlfriend? I know she was the one who suggested it, but saying I should be your girlfriend is a little different than me actually being with you. Vying for your attention."
He rested his forehead against mine. "She's mentioned to me more than once that you'd be a really good girlfriend. And that I shouldn't screw it up."
I laughed a little. "Yeah, but once it's a reality, she might change her mind."
"Jacks knows that she comes first for me. She also wants me to be happy. There will probably be an adjustment period but I think she'll be just fine."
"So we're really doing this?" I asked.
"We'll figure it out, Cam."
The oven dinged and Brody kissed me one more time before he took the nachos out.
We divvied up the food and carried it to the living room.
"Wanna watch the action movie you brought?" Brody asked.
I stuck a huge chip in my mouth and nodded my head.
A little while later, we were done with our food and lounging together on the couch. I had my head on Brody's thigh and his legs were stretched out so his heels rested on the coffee table.
The movie normally would have had my full attention, but my body was reminding me that I'd just broken a long dry spell and I was nowhere near satisfied.
I pressed my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache between them. My nipples hardened and throbbed. I shifted on the cushion, trying to ignore the way desire surged through my body. I wasn't sixteen anymore. I should be able to make it through a damn movie without turning into a sex fiend.
Brody's hand rested on my shoulder. I was hyperaware of his touch as he ran his finger along my hairline. Then he swept it off my