We stare at one another, her ragged breathing echoing around us.
“I should probably go shower,” she finally says, her fingers caressing her lips.
I lick my own, still tasting her on them. My hand is still on her ass, holding her.
“Okay,” I respond, forcing myself to let her go.
She stares at me a minute, then walks away. I let her.
Even though it kills me.
I’m not sure I breathe until I hear—through the paper-thin walls—the running of water in her shower. Once that happens, I breathe, although not easily. The next twenty minutes is an exercise in self-control as I resist the urge to go and climb in her shower. I spend the time cleaning her tiny-ass kitchen. Which, sadly, doesn’t take nearly long enough. Then, I go and straighten up her couch. It anything but comfortable but that’s okay. I’m on duty. I’m guarding Drew not sleeping. Her cell phone starts ringing and I stare at it. I shouldn’t touch it, but I need to know what’s going on with her. Drew isn’t telling me, so I need to find the answers somewhere.
“Hello?” I answer, my voice still hoarse from hunger.
“Hello, I have this number as a contact for Drew—”
“She’s in the shower,” I interrupt, distracted because my phone goes off at that moment. I pick it up, mostly ignoring what the person on the other end is saying. Instead, I’m reading Bramble’s text telling me that Ghost is awake.
Yes!
This hollow emptiness that I’ve had in my chest since finding out about him finally lifts. I send off a short text saying I’ll be there in twenty and telling him to call Ride. Then, I force myself to concentrate on the woman talking in my ear.
“I’m sorry. My cell phone was ringing. What did you say?”
“I was looking for Drew Hudson. She left this number as a contact number.”
“This is her phone. She’s in the shower.”
“I’m with Mercy Hospital. I was calling to tell her that her brother has regained consciousness. She asked us to let her know immediately.”
“Her brother?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Motherfucker. Her brother?
“I’m going to spank your ass raw,” I whisper under my breath.
“I’m sorry?” the woman says with a gasp.
“I’ll tell her,” I answer, hanging up.
“Was that my phone?” Drew asks, looking better than she should. She’s got a white cloth, toweling her hair dry. She’s changed into a pair of jeans that mold to every curve she has and a faded blue t-shirt that somehow makes her eyes sparkle.
“Yeah,” I answer, looking at the woman who has had me tied up in knots thinking I was betraying my brother. All she had to say was she was his sister. Ghost will still be pissed, but motherfucker, at least I know I’m not taking his woman.
“And why did you answer my phone, Train?”
“It was ringing so I answered it.”
“Who was it?” she asks, taking her phone and giving me a dirty look.
“It was the hospital calling to tell you that your brother is awake,” I respond, waiting for the truth to hit her.
“G’s awake!” she squeals jumping up and down. Damn it, I can’t find the will to respond because I’m too busy watching her tits bounce.
“Yeah, babe.”
She stops to look at me. “Why aren’t you more excited, Train? G is awake. This is great news.”
“It is. I just have one question for you, Drew?”
“What is it? Are you trying to scare me, Train?”
“Not at all, baby. I’m just wondering why in the hell you didn’t tell me Ghost was your brother and not the man you are fucking?”
“Oh,” she whispers, paling as she realizes I know the truth.
“Yeah, oh.”
She sighs and looks at me. “Don’t get your panties in a knot, Train.”
I snort at her, my hand moving down to my belt. I undo it quickly and then my buttons.
“What are you doing?” she cries.
“Proving to you that I don’t get my rocks off wearing women’s underwear,” I tell her easily.
She puts her hand over mine to stop me. “Stop!” she cries. As if she can’t help herself, she squeezes the outline of my shaft. My eyes close at the pleasure that small touch gives me.
“You keep doing that, baby, and I’m not going to stop what happens next.”
“I…” her hand hesitates before she moves it, but unfortunately, she does move it.
“Trust me, Train, I know exactly what kind of man you are,” she says, and that response upsets me.
“What the hell does that mean? You think I’m not good enough for you, Midnight?”
“Midnight? What happened to Drew?”
“I’m pissed. Answer the question,” I grumble.
“So, when you’re not pissed, I’m Drew?”
“Answer the question,” I repeat.
“You’re an asshole, Train,” she says, looking at me. Then, it’s like all the fight goes out of her. I get the feeling that this is the first time that she’s been completely honest with me. “I knew that as long as you thought G and I were….”
“Fucking,” I supply.
“Dating,” she snaps. “If you thought that, you would leave me alone. You would consider me off limits. I just think it would be better if you continue to think of me that way.”
“And why is that, Drew?”
“Back to my name?”
“I’m not pissed anymore,” I murmur, grinning.
“There’s a heat between us, Train. I don’t think either one of us can deny that. I just think it would be better to stay apart before one—or both of us—get burned.”
“It’s too late, baby. There’s a need for you burning inside of me that is just getting stronger and stronger.”
“Then, you need to take an antacid,” she snaps. “I’m going to finish getting ready and go and see my brother.”
I let her walk away. She’s mine now. She just doesn’t know it.
Chapter 14
Drew
“Drew, stop hovering,” G says quietly.
He looks so weak, and his voice is completely different. It’s hoarse, and I know it’s harder for him to talk—even painful at times. He’s pale, and I can see his hands tremble, even as he tries to hide it from me. His body looks swollen, although the doctors have assured us that he’s just got some fluid buildup and that they’ll use medication to manage. It’s just that my big brother has always been so strong that it hurts to see him like this.
“I’m not hovering. I just want to make sure your ice pitcher is filled.”
“Sit down. You’re…” He stops to swallow. One of the alarms on his monitor goes off, and I look up to see that his heart rate has sped up. It seems to settle, though, as he talks again. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Okay,” I breathe, leaning down and kissing the top of his forehead. I feel tears stinging my eyes, but I can’t let them fall. I’ll do that later when I’m alone. I don’t want G to see them.