Smiling, I shake my head. “This one has extra protection, and I’ll wear gloves this time.”
Dean shuts off the stove and brings over a plate of pancakes and another of bacon before grabbing two plates and silverware from the drawers. Once he sets those down, he returns to the cabinets and grabs a bottle of syrup.
When he’s seated again, beside me, I lean over and cup the side of his face, pulling him in for a kiss. It’s slow, sweet, just enough to get my blood going, and when I pull back, he grins at me. “What’s that for?”
“Breakfast.”
“Damn. I guess I’ll be cooking breakfast more often.” He starts sliding pancakes onto my plate, and I get to my feet. “What do you need? I can get it,” he offers, but I shake my head.
“You just cooked me breakfast, Dean. We’ve already slept together. You don’t have to work so hard.” I grab his coffee from the counter and set it in front of him. Before I can get back to my seat though, he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me into his lap.
I laugh freely, something I haven’t done sober in years, as he nuzzles my throat, the stubble coating his jaw deliciously scraping my neck. He pulls back and kisses me, tongue lazily tracing the seam of my lips, coaxing them open. I bury my hands in his hair, opening. He deepens the kiss, and what started as soft, sweet, tender affection has turned into something else entirely.
Dean pulls away, his hazel gaze zeroing in on my face. “I don’t want to lose what we found,” he says softly.
His words seep into me, and I can’t keep myself from smiling. “I don’t either.” He pulls me closer, lips on mine.
A heavy knock breaks our kiss, followed by a major mood-killer. “Kleo? It’s Judson.”
“Shit,” Dean mutters, lifting me from his lap and depositing me onto the floor.
“Don’t want to get caught kissing on me?”
“In front of your brother? Not a chance. I’ll be right back.”
“Coming!” I call and race to my room to grab a robe. I’m wrapping it around myself as I make my way to the door. I take a deep breath and hope my brother can’t tell I had crazy sex all night.
“Morning, lazy.” He steps inside, and I shut the door behind him. “Damn, what’s that smell?”
“Dean made us breakfast.”
“Breakfast? It’s nearly noon.”
“We were up late because of the storm.”
He stares down at me, and I wonder if he’s going to call me on the lie. Thankfully, Dean chooses that exact moment to emerge from the hall, now dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Hey, Judson, what’s up?”
“Just giving Kleo shit.”
“Want some food? There’s plenty.”
“I won’t turn it down,” he says and walks to the kitchen with Dean. Judson’s back to me, he doesn’t see when Dean grabs a handful of my ass and winks. I follow them to the table and take my seat, drinking my coffee and enjoying the peaceful morning.
“You’re in a much better mood this morning,” Judson comments as Dean sets a plate in front of him.
“I got some good rest last night.”
“How’s your cheek?”
“Not bad.” I reach up and touch where Laura slapped me. Honestly, I’d completely forgotten about the confrontation, and that’s saying something since typically I’m one to obsess.
“Dad found out. He was fuming.”
“Great. I’m sure I’ll get an earful over that.”
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Judson takes a bite of pancake. “Damn, these are good, Dean.”
“Thanks.” Dean’s hand finds my thigh beneath the table, and I drop a hand, resting it on top of his as I eat one-handed. It’s amazing to me how calming his touch is.
“Dad’s just worried you’re going to leave again,” Judson tells me. I can always count on my brother to be a hundred percent honest with me. Even when we were younger, he refused to lie or tell me half-truths. It stung sometimes, but the best relationships are built on a foundation of trust. And I know without a doubt I can trust every word that comes from my brother’s mouth.
I know a lot of people aren’t that lucky.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell him honestly. Especially not now. I steal a glance at Dean as Judson looks down at his plate. He’s stiffer than he was a few minutes ago, his mouth in a tight line. I squeeze his hand, and he squeezes mine right back, a promise that I won’t just bail on him.
I’ve found something here. Something that goes well beyond the camp.
“How’s the damage outside?” Dean takes a drink from his coffee.
“Not too bad. Looks like you have a few downed trees, and the bleachers are covered in garbage that blew in. I don’t know if you guys have seen the news yet, but the hurricane dropped to a tropical storm before it hit land. We got lucky.”
“I am glad we pushed opening off for a week,” Dean says. “As much as I hated to do it, it was probably a smart idea.”
“I agree.” Judson pushes his plate back just enough to fold his forearms on the table. “Now, I think we need to address something.”
I stiffen. “What?”
Judson narrows his gaze on Dean. “I like you, Dean, so I’d really prefer to not have to kick your ass.”
Dean lifts an eyebrow.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Judson chuckles and leans back in his seat. “Please, like I can’t tell you’re holding hands beneath the table. And you’re typically outside working by now.” He points to Dean. “I don’t want to know what you’re doing, but I’m no idiot. Don’t hurt her, and I won’t have to break you.”
Dean grins and removes his hand from my thigh, wrapping it around my shoulders as my cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I promise. Besides, I’m pretty sure she’s more likely to kill me with her battery organizer.”
“That thing is ridiculous, right? She got me one for Christmas last year.”
I groan and cover my face with both hands to hide my embarrassment. Judson knows exactly what we were doing. “Shit balls.”
“Chill out, Kleo, I won’t tell anyone. Just doing my brotherly duties.”
“You’re an ass.”
“Besides, I’m pretty sure when Mom finds out, she’ll be over the moon. Dean’s one of her favorite people.”
“I hate you,” I say from beneath my hands as Dean laughs. “Well.” I push up from my seat. “Now that I’m thoroughly embarrassed, I’ll be getting dressed so I can distance myself from you—” I point to Judson. “While I pick up garbage.”
25
Dean
As I’m removing the last of the metal shutters on the main cabin, I can’t help but glance over to where Kleo stands, trash bag in hand, as she gathers what blew in with the wind. The denim overalls she’s wearing show peeks of skin every time she stretches and the shirt beneath sneaks up.
Never thought I’d say this: but fuck, overalls are sexy. At least they are on her.
“Easy there, Dean. We’ll start thinking you’ve got it bad for the princess.”