Porterhouse (Grade-A Beefcakes 4)

The shop was only half a mile from Julia’s house, so the walk wasn’t very long. My truck was at Bennett’s, but it didn’t matter. I needed to do something, so I’d work off my frustration on fixing a bad alternator. I cut through neighborhoods and took in the small, well-kept homes. Some had toys in the yard, one had a tire swing. Family homes. Something I’d never have. I’d thought—no, dreamed—of having it all with Julia, but like I’d told her, I wasn’t good for her.

There was no question she wanted the picket fence and minivan. Hopefully, Bennett would be the one to give it to her. If there was any guy who was worthy of her, it was he. No one else.

It would kill me to watch see them together around town, to see what I couldn’t have. Tasted… but nothing more. Marked with my name, but that would fade. Could I handle it? Doubtful. It felt like my insides were being ripped from my body even now. Just picturing Julia in my mind, her sassy smile, that fiery, silky hair, the sound of her laugh… fuck, the sound of her coming. Her taste. Her scent. The feel of her pussy fitting my dick like a glove. I was ruined for any other woman. I wanted Julia Duke. My mind, my dick, my heart.

As if I’d conjured her, there she was in front of the shop. I stopped, stared.

She stood with Bennett, his arm wrapped around her waist, her eyes scanning the area. When she saw me, she tensed, then, even from a distance, I watched as her tense shoulders relaxed.

What the hell were they doing here? I walked toward them, and Julia ran toward me and to my complete surprise, jumped up in my arms. I was glad I had solid footing, because while she was so small, she knocked me back a step. Her arms went around my neck, her legs about my waist. It took me a second of shock before I wrapped one arm around her waist, the other under her ass to support her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, breathing deeply. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wild as they roved over my face.

What? “Why?”

“For Duke.”

“He’s just watching out for you. He’s a good brother.”

“He’s a dumbass,” she countered.

The corner of my mouth tipped up at her aggravated tone. “I won’t argue with that, but, baby, he’s right. I’m no good for you.”

“You didn’t rape that woman.” She wasn’t asking.

I shook my head. “No.”

“Then why do you think you’re bad for me? You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Duke’s not the only one who’s going to think the worst.”

“So what?”

“So what?” I repeated, raising my hand so I could stroke her hair back from her face. Her skin was silky soft beneath my rough palm, reminding me of how precious and untarnished she was. “I don’t want any of that to touch you.”

“I love you.”

She said those three little words as plain as could be. My breath caught. My heart skipped a beat.

“I do and if you tell me I’m wrong, that I shouldn’t, I’m going to throat punch you.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Throat punch me, huh?”

She grinned. “Yup.”

Bennett walked over, stood behind Julia’s back, set a hand on her shoulder. Angling her head, she looked to him. “I love you, too. Both of you.”

“Angel,” Bennett breathed. I saw the look on his face, knew he felt the same as me. Having this woman say it, mean it, was the greatest gift ever.

“My entire life, I will probably say I don’t deserve you. But you have my heart,” I said.

Tears filled Julia’s eyes, and one slid down her cheek, but she smiled brilliantly. “Who knew I’d fall hard for two strippers?” she asked, slipping her hand from around my neck to wipe it away.

“Maybe we need to

buy some nut huggers,” Bennett prompted.

She laughed, which was exactly what he’d intended. That sound made me happy. Made me whole. Having her in my arms, the feel of her, the scent… fuck. It was everything. And I was never letting go. I’d even put on a pair of neon nut huggers, just for her.