Breaking The Bro Code (Hawthorne Brothers 3)

“What about some retail therapy, then?” I ask her. “We can look for shoes for the wedding.”

She frowns.

“Or just shoes, shoes that are not for the wedding. Or clothes. We can look at clothes and dresses that aren’t for weddings, maybe clothes that you can wear for your honeymoon, like a beach outfit or a swimsuit.”

Natalie’s frown turns upside down. “You know, I am so looking forward to the honeymoon, more so than the wedding, I think.

“Then let’s buy clothes for your honeymoon,” I tell her. “For that time when all this stress will be over and it will just be you and Joel and a piece of paradise.”

“A piece of paradise,” Natalie repeats with closed eyes. “That sounds heavenly.”

I smile. Good. She looks better now.

I grab her hand. “So, shopping for the honeymoon?”

She opens her eyes and nods. “Yes, please.”

I start the engine of the car.

“We’ll make you the sexiest newlywed yet.”

Natalie nods. “In that case, I need to get some lingerie.”

Lingerie, huh? I put my hands on the wheel and grin.

Maybe I’ll get myself a hot ensemble, too. Something Ryker won’t be able to resist.

~

“Well, what do you think?”

I rest my elbows on the kitchen counter as I stand in my scarlet chemise and wait for Ryker’s reply.

Right now, he’s just staring at me with narrowed eyes. Is he still in shock about finding me here in his apartment? Is he mad? He didn’t seem too happy to see me.

Or is it the chemise he doesn’t like? Is it too revealing? It barely goes past my hips, after all, and the lower part is open down the middle so I’m sure he can see my black panties. As for the upper part, it’s made of sheer lace so he can see my breasts as well. I did consider choosing something a bit more modest, but I guess there’s a part of me that’s still worried Ryker sees me as a child even though we’ve already had sex a few times, so I went with something mature. And daring. Arousing.

So why doesn’t Ryker seem aroused? If anything, he looks annoyed.

“Well?” I ask again as I cross my ankles.

If he doesn’t say anything soon, I’m going to be annoyed.

“How did you get in here, again?” Ryker asks.

Oh. So that’s what he wants to say? That’s what’s bothering him?

I cross my arms over my chest. “I spoke to your super. He’s old but agreeable.”

“Really?” Ryker crosses his arms over his chest as well. “And were you wearing that when you spoke to him?”

“No,” I answer firmly with an expression of disgust.

How can he even think that? Of course I don’t go walking around in lingerie.

Wait a second. Is he jealous? Is that what this is? The jealous boyfriend act?

“And how did you even know I live here?” Ryker asks next.

I shrug. “I asked Joel where you live.”

His eyes grow wide. “You asked Joel?”

“You didn’t tell me where you live,” I point out. “And we can’t always do it in my apartment.”

“You asked Joel?”

I let out a sigh. “Yes.”

“You didn’t think he’d find out about us? Have you forgotten what we said about keeping this a secret?”

“I was very discreet. Trust me, Joel doesn’t know a thing about us. Actually, he doesn’t know a thing about a lot of things.”

Ryker doesn’t look convinced. He shakes his head and scratches the back of it.

Now I am annoyed. I straighten myself up and make my way towards him with a frown.

“You know what? You’re a jerk,” I tell him. “Here I am dressed in lingerie just for you, and I’ve been waiting here a good while, too, and you won’t even look at me because all you can think about is Joel. What happened to not caring, huh?”

He doesn’t answer. That’s fine. I’m heading out anyway. But not before I say one last thing.

“You’re right. You are a disappointment.”

I take a step towards the door. Ryker grabs my arm. His narrowed eyes meet mine.

“And you’re still a child.”

My eyebrows furrow. “What? How can you say that when I’m—”

The rest of my sentence vanishes against Ryker’s lips. They crush mine as his hand grips my hair. I can’t breathe.

He pulls away and looks into my eyes. His burn intensely, but I can’t tell if it’s out of lust or out of anger and frustration.

Is he mad at me or does he want me? Is it both?

He cups my face and kisses me again. This time, his tongue slips between my lips. It brushes against mine and my temper dissolves. A shiver goes down my spine.

He wants me. I’m sure of it. And I want him. That’s all that matters right now.

I place my hands on Ryker’s waist and push my tongue against his. He pushes it back as his hands wander over my shoulders, my sides and the exposed skin of my upper back. He cups my ass. As his fingers dig into the mounds of flesh, a moan leaves my lips. Heat swirls in my belly.