Page 8 of The Other Side

The kind of luxury that’s so damn hard to replace.

So. Fucking. Hard.

Chapter 3

Brant

A toasted and nutty aroma flees from the coffee pot in my hand. I hear Julia pad along the tile behind me, an unsure smile carving from my lips when her palms land on my bare back.

My lower abs lean into the edge of the butcher block counter as I fill two mugs. I return the pot to the hot plate, spinning around with the cups to hand one to Julia.

“The royal treatment,” she teases. “Thank you.”

Her strawberry-blonde hair is flipped and tousled to one side, draping over the Yorkstone t-shirt I leant her.

“After last night, I figured we could use some fuel.” My brows pop suggestively before I lift my mug to my lips.

Our eyes meet, mouths cradling the rims of our cups as the warm liquid drizzles into me. I rest my free hand on the counter behind my back, and then I’m crossing one foot in front of the other.

Her mug is nestled inside her palms when she averts her attention. “If I’m being honest, you surprised me a little bit,” she admits, eventually returning her playful eyes to me.

My gaze narrows as I peer down at her. “Is that a good thing?”

Julia nods. “Oh, yes.”

I know that look.

Shit.

Morning light strikes through the window above the sink on the adjacent wall. Her brown hues are accented with this elated gleam, and I pause, drawing another taste of coffee.

When I pivot to lay my mug on the counter, I’m ready to lay the truth on her. “Hey, listen⁠—”

“Ugh, I’m sorry, I know you’re not looking for a relationship. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

My body swivels to meet her anxious scoff. The heel of her palm is glued to her forehead, and I instinctively reach for her arm. I lower it from her face as I speak. “No, that’s not what I meant. At all.”

Her expression remains unmoved, eyes wandering around me.

“I want to continue this,” I say. “Continue seeing you, but only if you’re comfortable with it being just this.”

She buttons her lips to the side, tipping her chin up as she inches closer. “It’s too bad you weren’t mediocre in bed.” Her fingers find the metal charm of my necklace before she gently tugs on it.

My focus shakes just as she lifts herself on her toes. “Yeah, sorry about that,” I murmur, my concentration thwarted. “It’s not in me to hand out ordinary service where women are concerned. Maybe it’s the gentleman in me, who knows?”

Our lips hover an inch from each other, warmth kindling between us. “I guess so,” she coos before her mouth melts to mine.

“Hey, Bra⁠—”

Sean’s voice floods the kitchen, and Julia’s spinning into the crook of my arm. He scrubs a hand through his windswept hair, walking to a flat-panel cabinet in his sweatpants and tank top.

“Brant typically warns me when he has company, otherwise I wouldn’t have interrupted you like a jackass.” When he retrieves a bowl, he walks over to us while extending a hand. “Sean.”

Julia shines a grin, cradling her palm in his. “Julia. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” he says as he pulls away.

Her finger wags around. “Brant tells me this is your uncle’s place? It’s stunning.”