Page 19 of Too Sweet
“Now imagine I’m in heels, which I always wear on dates,” she tuts, beaming a smile full of mischief. “I think I’m free.”
Cody drapes his arm around her back, his fingers splayed across the middle, forcing Mia closer. “Because we already practiced this. There’s a ton more I want to teach you. We’ll go to the arcades tonight, but don’t think this is over.”
“You should box her in better,” I say. I don’t want them to leave. Although, that’s not the main reason I opened my mouth. Cody’s about ready to kiss her, and no way in hell can I calmly watch. “She knows how to break free when she can use her arms and legs. What happens if she can’t?”
“I broke Brandon’s nose!” she whines, stepping away from Cody. “I can take care of myself well enough.”
You shouldn’t. You should be cared for.
“You broke his nose because he didn’t expect you to break free. Brandon thinks a lot of himself, Mia. Anyone attacking you will know how to limit your moves effectively. Brandon forced you into his lap, right?”
“His mistake. There’s always a soft spot available no matter how a man grabs me.”
No, there’s not. Not an obvious one, at least.
“Stop her moving her arms and legs, then show her how to break free,” I tell Cody.
“We’re not practicing sick, getting-tied-up scenarios. That’s way too extreme. Basic self-defense will be enough to deal with Brandon if he tries his luck again.”
You should fucking deal with him.
Colt and Conor join us, both dressed to head out. They greet me before plopping down on the couch, silent observers.
“I didn’t say you should tie her up. Just limit her moves.”
Cody studies me, then glances at Colt and Conor like he’s searching for backup. Or maybe a second opinion. I can’t tell.
“I don’t know how to immobilize her like that,” he admits. “How do I do this?”
I try explaining how he has to grab Mia, but he fails miserably. Either he’s worried he’ll scare her, afraid he’ll hurt her, or he can’t follow instructions because Mia frees her elbow every time. He’s not putting enough strength into the hold.
“Can I try?” I ask. He grinds his teeth but bobs his head once, eyes shooting daggers my way. I don’t give him time to think this through, looking at Mia. “You won’t be able to move once I grab you, so you need to trust I won’t hurt you.”
That might be a challenge... I don’t think she trusts me. She’s as skittish as a baby deer, flinching whenever I get close.
Intimidating—that’s everyone’s one-word description of me. Thalia and Cass admitted I put them on edge like a snarling dog with rabies. Nothing new there. Most people straighten their backs in my presence, but it drives me up the wall to see it from Mia.
All my life, I pursued women who made me feel like I was licking honey off a freshly sharpened knife edge. Mia’s not even blunt-side sharp. She’s soft. Fragile, as if assembled from delicate soap bubbles.
I’ve no idea how to handle that. I’m a bull in a fucking China shop around her.
The triplets silently watch the unfolding scene. With each passing second, I drown them out until I don’t see them anymore. It’s just the boorish me and the gentleher. She swallows hard, taking a few small, hasty steps down the couch.
Once she’s within reach, I cuff her wrist, cursing internally when she flinches at the urgency of my touch.
Possessive.That’show I feel when she’s in my personal space. A dog with a bone.
I tug her hand, forcing her to nestle that perfect ass in the space between my legs. I’ve never been this self-conscious, never wondered if I gripped, yanked, or squeezed a woman too hard... now I’m hyperaware of what I’m doing, and I think my hold on Mia’s wrist might be too tight.
I’m also hyperaware this was a bad idea.
The hairs on my neck rise. Blood in my veins flows like cherry slurpy. My pulse accelerates the second she curves into my arms, fitting perfectly. The honeysuckle smell of her perfume or body lotion is nothing short of intoxicating. I’m glad I chose a long-sleeve tee today, or how she makes me feel would be clearly visible to my brothers.
Fuck... even I didn’t realize how powerful this pull between us is. Now that she’s close, my whole body hums with a feverish, impatient, get-it-done-now kind of energy.
I take her hands, wrapping our arms around her docile frame like a straitjacket. My legs box hers in, squeezing them together with my ankles crossed over her feet. Her breathing hiccups. Mine catches in my throat before I shakily push it past my lips, resting my chin on top of her head where she can’t headbutt my nose.
And she fuckingmeltsagainst me.
