Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Michael

I roll my neck again. That bench really was a bitch to sleep on.

But at least I slept.

I look over at Daniel, who's driving our father's car.

"I love you," I say aloud, needing him to hear it.

I turn away, looking out of the side window. I don't need him to respond. I just wanted him to hear it.

The firehouse comes into view, causing me to smirk. Not wanting to stop for any reason, Daniel took the long way to the cabin, knowing Mom is coming the other way on her way to the station. The man missed his wife and daughter.

"I love you, too," he replies .

I swallow the emotions that rise. I will never tire of hearing his voice say those words.

I've always known my brother loves me. After all, actions speak louder than words, but still, knowing and hearing are two different things.

The car picks up speed as we near the turnoff to our private road.

"You want us to take Belle tonight?" I offer.

"No, I want to cuddle with my family."

"That woman has turned you into a marshmallow."

Daniel glances at me, and together, we share a wide grin.

Kaleb waits out front on the driveway for us. Mom must have told him we were on our way. His face is sprinkled with a day's worth of stubble. I rub my chin where my own grows. My brother looks more awake than I expected, his stance wide and solid. Kaleb is dressed in the same sweatshirt and jeans as yesterday. He's not relaxed yet. He's still on guard. A wide smile forms on his face as Daniel stops the car.

Our women stand just inside the doorway.

I frown as we climb out. Why are they staying inside?

It's like someone shouted go. As soon as we pass Daniel's truck, both Charlie and Lara sprint out of the house. Charlie zooms past me, launching herself at her husband. At first, I think Lara is about to do the same, but she skids to a stop a foot away.

She's waiting for permission .

This woman.

Stretching out my arms, I silently do just that. Taking a few steps and a big jump, Lara wraps her arms and legs around me.

She's showered recently, and the smell of my citrus body wash wraps around me the same time she does. Her pink sweatshirt is thick and bulky. Another borrowed outfit.

Her hair is loose and wavy. The long strands whip me in the face, and despite how tight we hold each other, my body only reacts with arousal. My cock grows hard in my jeans as I hold her close.

I feel smothered, and I love it. I've missed her.

I wait for the panic, the pain, but nothing comes. Just warmth in my chest as I hold her close.

"Told them to stay inside until the two of you were officially back. They both listened very well," Kaleb compliments.

"Good girl," Daniel says behind me.

I kiss Lara's neck loudly, then pull my head back slightly, wanting to see her face. I need to check for myself that she's okay. Lara copies me, leaning back a little. I keep a solid hand in the center of her back to stop her from going too far. Brushing the hair away from her face, I cup her cheek. "That's my princess." I wink at Lara, and my hands drop to her ass.

"Are you okay?" she whispers.

"I am now." I nod, squeezing her jean-clad ass.

"Everything was fine last night. Had a cop car sit in the drive, so I stood guard out here," Kaleb reports .

"We heard. You did good," Daniel praises him.

"Thank you," I say.

Our younger brother shrugs like it was nothing, but it wasn't.

Like I said, actions speak louder. Kaleb's a good man, and he'll make a great husband and father one day. He deserves that kind of love. I hope he finds it soon, no matter who he chooses.

"Oh, I got you a present," our younger brother announces.

I frown, but Kaleb's excited. He doesn't wait for us to ask what it is.

"It's in the outhouse."

We only take one thing back there . . . people.

Knowing just that, Charlie jumps down. "I should go check on Belle."

Reluctantly, Daniel lets his wife leave, knowing where our conversation is going.

"I'll finish out here, and then I'll be in for a cuddle."

"A you-and-me cuddle or a family cuddle?" she questions, walking backward.

"A family cuddle and stop walking backward. You'll trip and hurt yourself."

"In that case, I'll keep my clothes on." Charlie chuckles, but she stumbles slightly, turning back to the house.

Daniel gives his wife an "I told you so" look. Flashing her teeth, Charlie quickly heads inside .

Lara climbs down, but I keep her close with an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Who?" I ask.

"Those two friends from the party at the camp. They were up on the incline watching the house since early hours."

The minute Lara realizes what Kaleb meant by "present," her feet shift, her sneakers scuffing on the rough ground.

I stroke her back, attempting to settle her. "When did you have time?"

"When the cop car left. Snuck around behind them. It was kind of fun. It's been a while."

I still Lara with a small tap to her ass when she tries to pull away from me, but I don't get to do much more as a car approaches, traveling down the drive at pace.

Fuck me, can we get a break?

Cooper soon comes into sight, his face pinched and angry as he glares at us through the windshield.

I roll my neck again, the muscles in my shoulders feeling tighter and tighter.

"Are you okay?" Lara whispers when I grimace.

"Stiff neck. I'll be okay," I reassure.

"He might not be." Daniel huffs.

Cooper really is trying his luck. What the fuck is he thinking? "You did it," he raves as soon as he exits the car. "I know you did. All of them. This Halloween, two years ago, hell, the ones last night."

I roll my eyes .

"Go inside, baby," I direct Lara in case it gets ugly.

"No!" Cooper screeches. "She knows what you did." He points at Lara and has the nerve to walk closer.

Balls of steel, this man.

Both Daniel and Kaleb step in front of us.

"You brainwashed the last one, but Charlie was weak. Not this one."

My brothers stand tall, blocking any chance of Cooper seeing Lara.

"Kid, come here," he shouts to her.

He doesn't even know her fucking name. Not that I want to hear it coming out of his mouth.

Lara steps away from me, and for some reason, I let her. My heart drops. I love her, and I want her to stay. Is this the moment I force her?

She's not leaving me. If she tries, Cooper will join the other two in our outbuilding, and Lara will find herself in my room with a very sore and freshly fucked ass.

"Sir," she says, stepping around Daniel, her eyes unsure as she looks at me. "I didn't see anything. Michael was with me all night. Darrell never came into my room. Why would he? He's dating my friend."

She's choosing me. My heart soars.

Lara is staying because she wants to. Even knowing who I am, what I am, she wants me.

I walk behind her. Gripping her hips and closing my eyes, I take a minute to just breathe her in with my nose pressed against her hair. Thankful, I drop a kiss to the back of her head.

"You heard her. Now fuck off," Daniel growls.

Cooper stands there aghast, not knowing what to do. He hadn't thought this through.

I turn Lara toward me, leaving my brothers to crowd Cooper as they herd him back to his car.

Lara has my whole attention. Leaning down, I press my lips to hers.

"You chose me." I grin.

She bites her bottom lip. "No county clerk's office."

My heart stops. Has she changed her mind that quickly?

"I want a wedding," she tells me. No, demands.

Abso-fucking-lutely.

"Anything," I promise.

"I finish school."

"Of course."

"I'm going on birth control."

"No."

Lara huffs, making me chuckle. "You said I could finish school."

"And you will." I nod.

"I don't want a baby until after that."

Oh.

"You have one year of school left?"

Lara nods .

"You come off it as soon as you graduate in a year."

"Five years," she says like that's even remotely close.

"One year," I repeat.

Her lips twist into a pout. "Two years and we adopt our first so that I don't spend the last year of our deal pregnant."

I consider it.

"If they're a sibling, we adopt them all."

Lara agrees quickly, but I'm not done.

"We'll go see Dr. Moore tomorrow, but if you're already pregnant, we keep it."

Her smile is breathtaking.

"Deal," she agrees.

I slam my mouth down on hers.

"Deal."