Take (Fury Brothers #4)

I never talked about them. Not even with my brothers. I didn’t want to relive it or dissect it.

My nightmares barely made sense to me. They were always a weird mash of terrible things from my childhood, the military, and the CIA.

All the things I’d left behind.

Frankie didn’t seem put out. “I had nightmares. After my father died. And again, when Jack joined the Army.”

I hated the idea of her being afraid.

“It’s normal,” she said. “It’s the way our brains work to process our emotions. Especially the ones we don’t want to face.” She cocked her head. “It can help to talk to someone.”

“I don’t need a therapist,” I bit out.

“Fine.” She rubbed the side of her mug with her finger. “I’m guessing that’s why you leave the bathroom light on.”

Shit. No one knew that I preferred to sleep with the bathroom light on. Like a scared little kid.

“I used to leave my lamp on for a long time after Dad died.”

“You were a kid.”

“And I’m guessing your nightmares are filled with worse stuff than mine were.”

I looked at the wall. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

“I wasn’t asleep for long. I kept thinking of that asshole who messed up my lab.” She took a big sip of the chocolate. “So, we make a good pair.”

I took a sip as well. I knew I should go back to bed. Alone.

And yet, I still sat there.

“You’re safe, Frankie. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“I believe you,” she said softly. “Even if I’m still a little afraid.”

We finished our drinks, and I set my mug on the coffee table.

“It’s easy to just want to forget,” she said. “To block it out. At least for a bit.”

I was the king of compartmentalizing. I took her mug and set it on the coffee table as well.

We stared at each other across the couch. It felt like the air turned electric.

We both moved at the same time and closed the distance between us. The kiss was frantic, and I slid my hands into her hair. Our tongues dueled, and she pressed closer. She tasted like chocolate and sin. I tilted her head back so I could take more.

“Make me forget,” she whispered.

“We’ll both forget.”

“Yes.”

I deepened the kiss. With her pressed against me, I realized she was naked under the shirt. She wasn’t wearing any panties.

Fuck. My cock was hard, surging in my pajama pants.

She landed on my lap, moving like she couldn’t sit still. Her tongue stroked mine, and I slid a hand up her side and under the shirt. I cupped one soft breast.

“Oh.” She made a sexy little sound.