He grunted his pleasure, burying his face in her neck. “Good girl. I love you so fucking much.”
She couldn’t answer, couldn’t respond. So she did the only thing she could, closed around his shaft. He tensed against her, breath frozen in his lungs, energy stalling in his muscles. She felt his release in her very depths. The hot shock as he let it loose inside her, spurting in agonized ecstasy. It was a miracle. An art form. A joining that could never be undone no matter how far she ran away. No matter how much he denied it. They were forever linked by this act.
“Remington!” he shouted.
Every muscle in her body participated in the detonation even as he continued to plunder, to curse her, to both treasure and torture her.
As he poured himself into her, he continued to fuck her through her own never-ending release. He whispered the words over and over again. “I love you. I love you.”
She held on to him tight, wrapping her arms around him and holding on. He’d gone and done it again. Broken her fucking heart, but this time it was different. This time she had the truth. She just didn’t know what to do with it.
He thought she’d used him. Thought she’d drift out of his life like his mother had. It devastated her. And pissed her off. Long minutes later, she was still in a puddle of confusion and physical satisfaction on the floor when Brick got to his feet. He was still half-hard, a feat that defied biology.
“Lock the door behind me,” he said as he tucked himself back into his pants.
“Are you serious? You’re leaving?”
“I told you. This was the last time. Lock the fucking door, Remington.”
She managed to maneuver herself into a sitting position just in time to watch him walk out her door without a backward glance.
41
Two nights later, after much soul searching and a near nervous breakdown, Remi juggled bags and her pride as she climbed the porch steps to Brick’s house. The porch light cast a welcoming glow she was certain wouldn’t be reflected by the owner.
Heart heavy, belly nervous, she pressed the doorbell and waited.
She heard his heavy tread as he approached the door and blew out a breath. Had they broken up? Had they ever been together?
The door swung open, and she found herself staring up at an unhappy man mountain.
He looked miserable, exhausted like he hadn’t slept since their fight Saturday.
She had that effect on people, she supposed.
His hair stood up like he’d been running his hands through it. He was wearing gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. For some reason, that made her nipples harden. But she wasn’t here for her nipples. She was here for her heart.
“Are you here to get fucked, Remi?” he rasped.
The way he said it, the heated look delivered with those words, told her it wouldn’t take any convincing on her part to make him reconsider his stance.
There was a razor’s edge to his voice, and she could smell the bourbon on him. He was stone-cold sober because he never drank too much. Never let himself get too out of control, except in bed with her. And now he was suffering because of it.
“No. I’m here to make you dinner,” she announced, pushing past him and ignoring the way her blood zinged through her veins when her arm brushed against his. He didn’t stand back to give her room, merely towered over her as she dropped her bags and shed her boots and coat.
“What...” He cleared his throat and tried again. “What are you wearing?”
“Pajamas,” she said, picking up her haul and heading toward the kitchen. “I marinated a couple of the chicken breasts you gave me. I hope you like the recipe.”
He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she began to unload the bags. “What are you doing, Remi?” he asked.
She turned and looked him in the eyes. “I’m dating you.”
“Dating me?”
She nodded. “I’m making you dinner, and we’re gonna watch a movie.”
He stood there and watched as she slid the casserole dish into the oven and turned it on. Magnus appeared and wound his way between her feet.
Remi picked him up and gave the cat a loud kiss on the head. “Hey, buddy. I brought you something, too,” she said, producing a toy from one of the bags.
Magnus’s yellow eyes went wild and he pounced on the patchwork mouse.
She couldn’t look directly at Brick or she’d break into a million pieces, lose her nerve, and run screaming for the door. “I’ll be a couple of minutes,” she said, flashing a smile in his direction. “Why don’t you get Netflix ready to go? We can eat on the couch as long as your grandma doesn’t find out.”
He ran a hand over his beard, considering.
She pretended to ignore him while she cued up the Date Night Playlist she’d made for tonight. She was committed to whole-assing this relationship thing no matter what. If it failed, it sure as hell wouldn’t be because she didn’t try.
He came up behind her, stopping short of touching her, but she felt him all the same.
“Remi,” he said quietly.
Crap. It sounded like a “You need to leave” Remi. Or maybe an “I don’t want to be around you anymore” Remi.
She turned around and smiled brightly, hoping to confuse him. “Yes?”
“What do you mean you’re ‘dating me’?”
“You thought I was using you for sex.”
He winced and rubbed a hand through his beard. “I didn’t actually mean—”
She held up a hand. “It’s what you were feeling. You don’t talk much, and when you do, it’s what’s actually happening inside behind that big brick wall. I heard you. Now I’m showing you I can do better. That I want more from you than just your supernatural ability to make me orgasm.”
“Why do you want to date me?” he asked, looking adorably stunned.
A chunk of her romantic heart broke off, pieces splintering into dust. “Because I care about you, Brick. Not just your dick or how many ways you can make me come. You’ve been a big, important part of my life for so long. I’m sorry I let you forget how much you mean to me,” she said in a rush.
“So we’re dating?” He looked so damn serious.
She nodded. He didn’t get to decide to break up with her before she’d decided they were dating in the first place. If he was going to give her the size fourteen boot, he could do so after she showed him just how great a girlfriend she could be. She was going to woo his damn face off.
“We’re dating,” she affirmed. “You’re important to me, and I’m sorry I ever let you doubt that for a second. And you’re sorry for ever believing that I’d use you.”
He nodded slowly, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I am sorry,” he agreed, reaching for her.
She held up her hands, stopping him before he touched her. “One more thing.”
He braced himself with a deep breath. “What?”
“We’re not having sex until I’ve proven to you that I’m serious. About us.”