As soon as they see me the conversation comes to a halt.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I slide past them and wash and dry my plate.
Chase stands behind me and plays with my hair with one hand, the other possessively on my hip.
“Thanks for breakfast Chase, it was delicious.”
“You’re welcome, and everything is fine. Just chatting with my brothers.” He whispers in my ear, making my hair stand on end.
I spin around, my eyes searching behind him to James and Kade, who are both still scowling in our direction.
“They are both your brothers?” The only resemblance is the blue eyes, except theirs are paler. Well James and Kade certainly look like brothers, but Chase looks like the odd one out. Chase grabs my hips and lifts me up to sit on the countertop, inserting himself between my legs. Okay that was hot.
“Yeah those two are my baby brothers.” He grins fondly as he replies, and I can see they must be close.
“James, I definitely owe you, bro.” Chase grins at James, who is still scowling.
Kade steps forward, “I don’t think this is such a good idea, when shit doesn’t work out, it’s going to be awkward for everyone..”
The only thing I picked up on, was the ‘when’ it doesn’t work out. He said when, not if. I sure know how to pick them. I squirm to jump down from the counter, but Chase’s hands keep me put. The look on his face definitely keeps me put.
He looks pissed. “Kade, I told you to stay out of it.” I can see an argument starting and I really don’t want to be the cause of these brothers fighting.
“Look, Chase, maybe they are right.” I regret the words as soon as they come out of my mouth, because Chase looks both pissed and hurt.
“Fuck this,” he says stiffly, leaning away from me and leaving the kitchen without a word. We all watch him leave, then our eyes land on each other.
“Layla..” They both start at the same time, but I put my hand up to signal that I don’t want to hear it. I brush past them and go towards my room. So much for not making things awkward.
Before I make it to my room, I decide to change directions and head to Chase’s room. The door is slightly open, and when my knock goes unanswered I open the door and peer in. I can hear the shower on, so I go in and sit on his bed. His phone beeps and my eyes automatically go to it. A girl named Aubrey is calling him. Interesting. Very interesting.
The bathroom door opens and he steps out, black hair wet and disheveled, water droplets dripping down his towel clad body. I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open.
“Hey,” he looks surprised to see me. I mentally gather myself.
“Hey yourself. I’m sorry about before. I didn’t want to be the cause of all you guys fighting.”
He sits down on the bed and pulls me onto his lap.
“Hey! I’m going to get wet!” I fake indignation.
“Yes, yes you are.” He nuzzles my neck, then pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Layla, don’t worry about any of that shit. You either want me or you don’t. And I think that you do, so we are going to make this work. Okay? One step at a time.”
Before I can answer his lips are on mine and I forget to protest. I’m straddling his hips, while he still sits on the end of his bed, and we are kissing like it’s our last day on earth. I push him back so he’s lying back on his bed, me on top, but then he flips me so he’s the one on top. I can feel that he is hard through his towel, and it gets me even more excited.
“Fuck, Layla,” he groans as he kisses his way down my neck. His phone beeps again, and he stops torturing my neck. He leans his head in the crook of my neck and shoulder. “I have to get to work baby,” He whispers regretfully. He reluctantly moves away, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
Oh yeah, normal people have to work.
“Chase...”
“Yeah?” he says softly.
“If this doesn’t work out, it’s going to be awkward and I’m going to have to move out, you know that right,” I tell him honestly.
He gazes directly into my eyes and says “Just trust me Layla.”
I reluctantly nod.
He stands up and turns to his wardrobe, and drops his towel on the floor. He turns around and gives me a cheeky grin, then walks into the bathroom. That tease. I laugh and leave his room, leaving with my handbag that I had left in there. I check my phone, seeing five calls from Nikki and one text. She is going to kill me.
N: I’m going to kill you! Answer your phone. Better yet, text me your address because I’m coming over!
I laugh and text her the address. My phone beeps instantly.
N: Leaving now. Bringing food.
I love my best friend.
As I walk down the hallway to my room, I can’t help but overhear Kade and James talking.
“She’s gonna get hurt, Kade. And then it’s going to be awkward as hell, and she’s going to want to move out! I really like her, she’s an amazing girl and I like her living here.”
Kade’s deep rumble replies, “There’s nothing we can do about it bro, it’s his house, and he is adamant to have her. He even made her breakfast, that’s a first. I like her living here too, I feel protective of her, like a little sister.”
I walk into my room and close the door. I decide I’m just going to live in ignorant bliss for a while.
Chase peeps his head into my room and says, “I’m taking you out to dinner tonight. I’ll be home around seven, so be ready beautiful.”