Stealing Her (Covet 1)

Julian’s smile fell. “I’m sorry, Iz.”

“I know you are.”

You could cut the tension with a knife as Izzy walked over and handed me a brown paper bag.

It was awkward.

All three of us were probably praying for the building to swallow us whole.

“Let’s go eat . . .” It was all I had as I reached for Izzy’s hand.

“Wait,” Julian called.

Almost escaped.

He reached into his pocket and tossed me his keys. “Both cars’ titles are in the safe. Think of it as a bonus along with the apartment. My clothes . . . I’m going to want back. I’ll come by later and grab all my things. I just can’t . . .” He swallowed and looked down at the carpeted floor like he was trying to control his emotions. “Knowing you guys were there, I can’t move back in. It’s yours, a wedding present along with your bonus.”

“Julian.” Izzy’s shoulders drooped.

“No.” His smile was forced. “It’s better this way. I don’t want to live there alone. It just seems . . . like a really shitty ending after waking up from a coma, you know?”

“Thank you, Jules.” I meant it.

One day it would be better.

One day I vowed that we’d be able to sit next to each other without thinking about the woman that was between us, or the almost five weeks spent where he fought for his life and I fought for her heart.

One day it would be okay.

Today was not that day.

“Go eat before I fire you,” he finally said like he was annoyed with me, when really I knew he just needed time.

We all did.

I grabbed Izzy’s hand and walked her down the hall to my new office.

And when I shut the door, she grinned at me with love in her eyes.

I didn’t want her to go, but I knew that Julian needed me, so after having lunch together I kissed her and got to work.

Side by side with my brother.

For the next six hours I went over everything that took place while he was in the hospital. I talked so much my voice went hoarse, and when the sun finally started to set, he leaned back in his chair and stared me down. “I had already lost her.”

I looked at the floor. “You only lost her because you stopped seeing her, because you put yourself first, the company . . .”

“Don’t make that same mistake,” he whispered. “Or I really will kick your ass.”

I looked up with a sad smile on my face. “I want to fix this, between us.”

“It took you one month to fall in love with my fiancée, and to me, that time was like going to sleep and waking up seconds later, wondering what the hell happened to the world I used to live in. I’m going to need longer than that to come to grips with this . . .”

“That’s fair.”

He stood. “I’ll send Kelsey to the apartment to pack me up tomorrow.”

I moved from my seat and held out my hand. “Thank you. For everything.”

He stared at it, then at me, slowly pressed his palm to mine, and firmly shook my hand back. “We’re still brothers.”

I grabbed my things and made my way out of the building, my thoughts a jumbled mess as I took a town car back to the apartment. I could understand him not wanting to live there after everything.

I felt like I’d aged ten years when I finally put my key in the lock and let myself in.

Izzy stood there waiting in a long black coat holding two glasses of champagne. “Welcome home, husband.”

My heart slammed against my chest at the sight. “Is that a new coat?”

I took my glass and then she handed me hers too. Curious, I watched as she very slowly unbuttoned the coat and opened it to reveal thigh-highs, a lacy thong, and a corset that shoved her breasts together, creating a creamy crevice I wanted to bury my head in.

“Wow . . .” I rasped, quickly setting the glasses down on the bar. “That’s . . .” I shook my head. “The thoughts aren’t coming, Izzy, but I guarantee you will be in about two minutes.”

“I’ll time you.” She winked.

And I reached for her.

Today wasn’t the day my brother and I would find peace.

But it was the day I would find love again and again in her arms.

“Your underwear is red.”

“Someone told me I wasn’t allowed to wear anything white anymore. I wanted to surprise you.”

“God, I love you.” I devoured her lips, moaning her name as she clung to me like she belonged there.

And she did.

She was a part of me.

And I was a part of her.

And in that apartment, I gave everything to her.

She kissed me with tears streaming down her cheeks.

And I kissed her back like my touch would heal her pain.