Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

Skylar

Brooks stood in front of my stove thirty minutes later, his naked ass on display, while he tipped beaten eggs into the skillet, then carefully added chopped-up meat and veggies.

He always looked sexy when he cooked for me, but when he did it right after sex while sweet-talking my cat?

He was freaking irresistible .

I tugged my black silk robe—the white one would need a wash-- a little tighter around my body and peeked over his shoulder at the late-night dinner he was preparing.

I'd discarded the briefs, garter belt, and stockings when I'd cleaned up a few minutes ago. But unlike Brooks, I wasn't ready to parade totally naked. For one thing, the air-conditioner made it a little chilly. But mostly, I would feel too exposed.

And I already felt exposed enough after that life-altering sex. The first time with someone was supposed to be awkward, but of course, it had been amazing with Brooks. So amazing it had shown me I'd never had good sex at all.

That I'd had extraordinarily bad sex before this.

Brooks carefully folded the omelet, then tossed a small bit of ham onto the floor for Freddy, who gobbled it up. At this rate, my cat would soon love him more than me.

Not that I loved him. I mean, I felt strongly. But it was too soon for that. If I even entertained the thought, I'd end up shoving him out of my bedroom again, and I didn't want to spoil our incredible night together. I'd invited Brooks into my bed, and there was no going back now.

"Aren't you afraid of getting a grease splatter on your delicate bits?" I asked, mainly to change the direction of my thoughts.

"Delicate bits?" He laughed. "You sound like my grandma. Actually, no, my grandma wouldn't mince words. She'd ask if I wanted to fry my balls."

"Shush," I said with a chuckle. "I'm feeling shy."

It was true. In the bedroom, I'd been in charge of Brooks's body, but also his pleasure. That gave me a focus—to meet his needs so that we both enjoyed meeting mine once I was inside him. It anchored me, in a way, so that I wasn't so nervous about this step we were taking.

But out here in the kitchen? Brooks was the confident one.

He flicked off the burner and turned to me, cupping my face gently in his large hands. "You looked at my asshole and you're the one feeling shy?"

I barked a surprised laugh. "You seem so comfortable in your body. I wouldn't think you cared about that."

His lips quirked. "We all have our insecurities, and I've never gotten a good look back there."

"Well, rest assured, it's as gorgeous as the rest of you."

His eyebrow hitched up. "I'll have to take your word on that."

"I could go to my knees and worship it again if you need convincing."

Heat flared in his eyes. "Raincheck? The food is done."

"All right. You just let me know when," I teased.

"Not feeling so shy now, are you?"

I paused, caught by surprise. Brooks was right. By exposing his vulnerability, it had eased my own. I nudged him. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Did what?"

"Made me feel more comfortable by shifting the focus to you."

He tilted his head. "Maybe, but it was still true. If you want to talk about how you're feeling though—"

"No, I'm good. Just getting used to having a naked chef."

He grinned. "It can be an acquired taste."

"Oh, I don't know about that. It's mouth-watering, if you ask me." I leaned in and brushed a quick kiss to his lips. "I'll grab the salsa."

"Perfect. Get a couple of bottles of water too? I think we're going to need to hydrate tonight."

Heat gathered low in my gut at the thought of what we might do next. He'd be too sore for another fucking. Too bad I'd disliked bottoming so much, or we could switch. Maybe it would be different with him? Everything else was different with him, so why not that too?

We carried everything to the bedroom, even though there was a perfectly good table in the dining room. Brooks had declared that I deserved a late-night breakfast in bed for rocking his world. It was a sweet gesture, but I'd protested, thinking I should pamper him. He was the one who'd let me into his body, after all. But Brooks had only shaken his head.

"I was basically a pillow princess. You earned it, Sky."

So, I'd watched him cook for me. Without a stitch of clothing. It was one of the most intimate—and erotic—experiences of my life. My man catering to me in the nude.

I could get used to it.

Would Brooks want to get used to it, too? I should ask him. Make sure we were on the same page. But we'd gone into this as a temporary affair, and I didn't want to put any pressure on the beautiful, fragile thing growing between us.

There was plenty of time to talk about where we were headed once I found out if the resort project was truly a go. We had to get through that community meeting and make sure the Wexlers didn't figure out what we were up to first.

Then, when I was certain I'd be sticking around Swallow Cove, I could ask Brooks what he wanted to happen long-term.

Brooks pulled back the blankets for me, and I crawled into bed. He followed behind me, sitting so close we touched at the hip and thigh.

He balanced the plate on both our laps, then handed me a fork.

"I hope it's not too rubbery. You were a little distracting while I cooked."

"Me?" I sputtered in surprise. "You were the one prancing around naked."

"Mm. But that black silk robe over nothing? Even sexier than you being nude."

"You do like the lingerie," I mused.

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. "I like what's under the lingerie more. Never doubt that."

I smiled. "You always know the right thing to say."

"It's just the truth, Sky."

"That's what makes it so right."

I cut into the omelet on my side of the plate and hummed in appreciation. I wasn't the biggest fan of omelets. Often they were too dry and bland. But Brooks had filled it with meat and veggies and cheese, and damn…

"How did you get it so creamy?" I asked quickly between bites, suddenly ravenous.

"Secret ingredient." He winked.

I paused. "Tell me this ingredient came from the fridge."

"Of course it—" He snorted a laugh. "No, Sky, it's not cum. Gross. It's sour cream. I learned it from Vera."

"Oh." I shrugged. "I mean, not that I won't eat cum. But I prefer it direct from the source."

Brooks choked on his next bite and had to guzzle half the bottle of water. "You surprise me. Going from so shy to so dirty."

"Sorry."

"No, don't apologize. This is the real you, right? I'll always take real over guarded."

I hadn't really thought of it that way, but he was right. I had chosen my words carefully for so long that it took time to break the habit. With Brooks, I felt safe.

Sure, the stray doubt crept in. Doubts bred by bad experiences. My time with Blaize had shaken my trust. Not just in other people, but in myself.

I knew, though, that Brooks was one of the good ones. One of the best.

"Maybe I should try bottoming after we eat?" I blurted.

Brooks took his next bite without the reaction I'd expected. He chewed and swallowed, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You said you weren't sure you liked that."

"With Blaize. What if it's different with you?"

"What if it's not?" His mouth twisted. "I don't need that from you. I was happy with what we did tonight. Thrilled, even. You know that, right?"

I wet my lips. "I know you liked it. But you probably would have topped me if I enjoyed bottoming."

"Well, yeah, but only because it's all I knew as a straight guy." He shrugged. "And I always want my partner to have what they want."

"But I want that too. For you."

"Sky, sweets, you already gave it to me." He set the plate aside and cupped my face, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. "I loved every second of you inside me. I'm not just saying that. It's the truth. I'll always give you the truth, no matter what."

I believed he'd liked it tonight. But every time? For longer than a couple of weeks? That I wasn't sure of yet.

He kissed me gently, then harder, until we fell back into the pillows, entangled in each other. He rolled, bringing me on top of him. Beneath my ear, his heart beat strong and steady. My back warmed under the soothing strokes of his hand.

"Being with you is what's important to me, Sky. However it happens."

I nodded. "And if I did want to try it with you? Just to see…"

"Then I'd happily let you ride me," he promised.

I shifted my hips, finding him hard beneath me. I wasn't ready to take him up on that offer yet, but maybe eventually.

For now, I just kissed and rubbed all over his amazingly hard body until we were both a sated mess once more.

We finished the food and drinks, cleaned up, and then curled up together to go to sleep.

Held in Brooks's arms, Freddy prowling over the bed and shooting us dirty looks for shutting him out earlier, I could hardly remember what had held me back from this for so long.

But Brooks was only here, in my house, because he thought I needed his protection from Blaize. I didn't want him to go back to staying in that storage room, though. It wouldn't hurt for him to believe I needed him just a little longer, would it?

It wasn't even a lie. Brooks was a big man, but he had a soft heart, and he'd quickly become my security blanket. With him, I felt safer than I'd ever been.

Still, guilt niggled at me. Perhaps I should tell him that it wasn't strictly necessary to stay here every night. Not because of Blaize, anyway. My ex had clearly moved on to fucking away my rejection, which was a huge relief. He could rebound with every tourist in Shallow Beach as long as he wasn't fixated on me.

"Brooks?" I whispered quietly.

"Hmm?" he murmured, half asleep already.

"About this fake boyfriend thing…"

"S'not fake," he slurred.

My heart skipped a beat. "Do you mean that?"

He exhaled softly, not answering. He'd fallen asleep. Was probably asleep even before he'd spoken. I couldn't rely on his half-conscious words, and yet, they reassured me.

Brooks wasn't here just to keep me safe. He wasn't here for a better bed to crash in. I knew, deep down, that he felt everything I did.

He was far too genuine to fake it.

Brooks Riggins would be my real boyfriend, if I was brave enough to claim him.

But claiming him also meant committing to stay in Swallow Cove. Meant letting him leave my house so that he was no longer my security blanket, but a man I could love instead of need.

And I could only love him if I stood on my own. Only love him if I trusted myself to want him, rather than need him.

I snuggled in closer to his body, reveling in his warmth. I'd just let him into my bed. I wasn't ready to ask him to leave it.

Even if it meant keeping him for good.