AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Alex laughed, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a five. “I’m covering your mom too, kiddo. I think I heard her say it at least four times, to me, of course.”
Peyton put her hand on Alex’s arm. “When this is over and Finn is home and healing, you have a lot of explaining to do.”
“About what?”
“Maddox? Since high school?”
“Yeah, yeah. Not that much to tell.”
“As if I believe you. By the way, I understand he didn’t come home last night.”
“Don’t you mean either?” Alex smiled.
When they left the waiting area, Brodie took Peyton’s hand, hoping she wouldn’t pull away from him. She didn’t. Instead, she held tight, leaned in, and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t know what we would’ve done without you, Brodie. Thank you.”
“Your hand in mine is thanks enough. And now you know that any time, any reason, you need anything at all—call me. If you can’t reach me, call Naught. After Naught, call Maddox. We’ll take care of you, Peyton.”
She leaned into him again, so close that her breast brushed against his arm. He managed not to groan, but it took every ounce of strength he had to squelch it.
When they rounded the corner to the elevator, Peyton stopped.
“What’s wrong?”
She pulled him closer to her and wiggled her finger for him to lean down. When he did, she kissed him.
“Was that part of my thanks?” Brodie asked.
“I just wanted to kiss you.” She pressed the button for the elevator. “What floor?”
“You gotta give me a sec, baby. After that kiss, I don’t remember my own name.”
She slipped inside when the doors opened. When they closed behind him and they were alone, he pushed her against the wall and plundered her mouth with his, then rested his forehead against hers. “Is this okay?”
“No questions. For now, please, just kiss me.”
“Gladly.”
She leaned away. “Remember yet?”
“Remember what?”
“What floor your mother’s on?”
“Six,” he grumbled.
His ma was filled with questions about how Finn was doing. She even offered to come downstairs with them, to wait while he was in surgery.
“I know what you’re up to. You’re angling for someone to sneak you outta here,” Brodie teased.
His mother beamed at him and smiled at Peyton. “He’s a good one.”
When he told her they had to return downstairs, she wiggled her finger at Peyton.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
His mother took her hand and held it tight. “You let my boy take care of you. You need him, Peyton.”
