Amazing.
When I finally lift my head to look at him, I’m struck by the unguarded expression on his face. His eyes are soft and vulnerable. Without thinking, I lean down and capture his lips with mine. Our first kiss, more intimate than everything we’ve just done.
Jacob responds immediately, his arms wrapping around me, one hand tangling in my hair as he kisses me back. The kiss is tender, a stark contrast to the frantic energy of our coupling. We stay like that for long minutes, just tasting each other, learning each other’s mouths.
When we finally break apart, Jacob looks up at me with something like wonder in his eyes. His hand moves to my chest.
“Your heart’s racing,” he says softly.
I feel his own heartbeat beneath my palm, matching mine beat for beat. “So is yours.”
His smile is slow and genuine, transforming his face into something almost boyish. “You know I’m not letting you go now,” he says. “Not after this. Not after you’ve ruined me for anyone else.”
The declaration should frighten me. It should remind me of all the lines I’ve crossed. Instead, it fills me with a strange, fierce joy.
“Good,” I tell him, pressing another kiss to his lips. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
15
Jacob
I tug at the collar of my button-up shirt, feeling like I’m wearing a costume. The Rusty Anchor buzzes around us, busy for a Wednesday night. Bobby Shepard sits across from me, sipping some orange concoction that looks radioactive under the bar lights, studying me with eyes that remind me of Riley’s—too fucking perceptive. Two weeks into dating his brother, and this is our first official meet-up. No pressure.
“You know, you can relax,” Bobby says, stirring his drink with a skinny straw. “I don’t bite.”
“I’m not nervous,” I lie, taking a swig of my beer to avoid his gaze.
Bobby laughs, the sound light and nothing like Riley’s more controlled chuckle. “Sure, and I’m not judging your shirt choice right now.”
I glance down at my dark blue button-up. “What’s wrong with my shirt?”
“Nothing, if you’re attending a parent-teacher conference.” He winks, taking the sting out of his words. “But it’s cute that you dressed up to meet me.”
I grunt, unsure how to respond to this version of Riley—all flash and no filter. Bobby’s nothing like his brother on the surface. Where Riley is understated class, Bobby is deliberate spectacle. His vintage rock band t-shirt is artfully torn and paired with a leather jacket covered in patches. At least five necklaces of varying lengths hang around his neck, and his fingers glitter with rings.
“Riley’s running late,” I say, glancing at my phone again. “He got pulled into a consult.”
“Typical.” Bobby rolls his eyes, but there’s fondness in his voice. “My brother would be late to his own funeral because someone needed their knee rebuilt.”
A silence falls between us, not exactly uncomfortable but not easy either. I take another swig of beer, searching for something to say that won’t make me sound like a total meathead.
Bobby saves me the trouble. He sets down his orange drink and leans forward, his expression suddenly serious. “So, Mountain Man, I think it’s time we had a talk.”
My spine stiffens. “A talk?”
“Yes, a talk.” He folds his hands on the table. “About my brother.”
“What about him?”
Bobby’s eyes narrow, and for a second, he looks exactly like Riley when he’s about to put me in my place. “Riley’s brilliant, successful, and kind, but he’s also a fucking disaster when it comes to relationships. He puts everyone else first, works himself to death, and bottles up everything until he explodes.” He pauses, studying my face. “And now here you are. A literal fighter who looks like you could bench press my car.”
I raise an eyebrow, unsure where this is going.
“I’m just saying, if you’re playing around, if this is some experiment or phase for you, walk away now. Because if you hurt him, I will hunt you down and make you regret it.”
I nearly choke on my beer. “You’ll what?”
“Don’t look so shocked. I may not have your muscles, but I know people.” He smiles sweetly. “People with knives.”