Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“You don’t mess around with your friend’s woman. Your brother’s woman. Your teammate’s woman. It’s bro code.”
I stare blankly, the last flush of sweet intimacy fluttering inside of me dissipating as I struggle to understand what he’s saying.
“For example, if Cage stopped dating Jaime for whatever reason,” he explains, “and she was interested in Dozer and Dozer was interested in her… Even if Cage and Jaime ended on good terms and had no qualms with whom the other dated, it’s a violation of bro code for Dozer to date her.”
“I think I see what you’re saying.” I run my palm down his arm, lacing my fingers with his. “And you think you’re violating bro code by being with me?”
“I know I am,” he replies firmly.
“But you’re willing to violate it?” I ask to be sure.
“Apparently,” he returns dryly. “And clearly, it’s complicated.”
“You know this is different, right? Jimmy is dead. I get what you’re saying about bro code because that could cause hurt feelings, but that’s not the case here.”
Malik doesn’t say anything, and I can see I’m not swaying him.
“I talked to Corinne about this a little bit,” I proceed. “I was having some feelings of guilt… like I was betraying Jimmy. But she asked what Jimmy would want, and I know if he’s watching over me in the afterlife, he’d want me to be happy. He’d be sad if I didn’t move on. If I didn’t find happiness. So I don’t see this as any type of violation.”
Malik sighs, pulling me in tight to him. My cheek goes to his collarbone, and I wrap my arms around his waist.
“I don’t want anyone here thinking I’m taking advantage of you,” he murmurs. “That I’m moving in on territory where I don’t belong.”
“They wouldn’t.”
“They very well could,” he points out. “I’m just saying… maybe we could just take some time to ourselves for now. This is so complicated, we’re both dealing with such deep emotions over everything we’ve lost, and how to deal with what we’re gaining. I just—”
My fingers move to cover his mouth, stopping him midsentence. Malik still has so many struggles to overcome, and he has already battled quite a few demons to even take this chance with me. I don’t want him suffering over any other anxieties right now.
So, I agree. “Just between you and me for now.”
“And Kynan,” he adds.
“And Corinne,” I point out.
Malik laughs, pressing his mouth to mine. “And probably my family as well.” My eyebrows shoot upward, and he grins before explaining. “I’m pretty close to my family. I’m going to tell them about you. And well… they’re coming next week because the Cold Fury has a game against the Pittsburgh Titans, so we thought it would be a good time for a family reunion of sorts. They’re dying to see how I’m doing so they can assure themselves I’m not wallowing.”
“Oh,” I murmur in surprise. Frankly, a bit of happiness zings through me that he’s going to tell them about me. For all his hesitations, he’s sure showing some strong faith in us right now.
Or maybe it’s doubt he’s having and he needs their advice, which is why he’ll tell them about me.
“I’d like you to meet them,” he says, his expression solemn.
“Oh,” I exclaim, my eyebrows shooting farther up my forehead.
“You don’t want to?” he asks, unsure of my reaction.
I give a tiny shake of my head, smiling. “No. I mean… yes. I’d love to meet them if you want me to.”
Malik responds by placing another kiss on me, this one deep and claiming. Something stirs deep within me, and I wonder if it’s too soon to have sex again.
This is answered when Malik pulls away with a sigh. “As much as I’d love to get lost inside you again, we probably should be getting down to work, huh?”
I blink, somewhat in surprise. I’d let the outside world just simply melt away, and I had completely forgotten about work. I’m sure Kynan is wondering where in the hell I am.
Grudgingly, I admit, “Yeah… we better get going.”
“Can I come over tonight?” he asks.
“Absolutely,” I say, beaming back.
CHAPTER 19
Malik
I’ve never been a heavy sleeper, and I actually date that back to my days in the Marine Corps where it was a trained skill. Much of my Special Forces training taught me how to fall asleep in the most inhospitable of environments while easily coming awake at the slightest disturbance.
It’s no wonder then that the minute Avery starts crying, I come instantly awake, as does Anna. I can feel her jerk in my arms, her head coming off the pillow where she listens for a minute more.
When Avery cries again, Anna pulls away from me.
“She okay?” I ask.
Anna reaches back, presses a hand on my chest, and whispers. “Just hungry. Go back to sleep.”