Tied with Me

“True.” Caleb nods. “How do you want your burger cooked?”

“Medium well,” I answer. “Seriously, can’t I help with something?”

“You worked all day. Relax,” Matt whispers in my ear. “We got this.”

“I didn’t work all day.” I laugh but relax further into the cushion and sip my tea. “But I’ll let you guys handle the cooking.”

“You look beautiful,” Matt murmurs.

I wrinkle my nose at him, making him laugh.

“I love the tattoo on your shoulder,” Brynna comments and tilts her head in thought. “Maybe I should do something like that.”

“You can’t get tattoos when you’re pregnant, legs,” Caleb reminds her.

“I know. Later.”

“I can recommend a guy. I’m thinking about getting another one.”

Matt’s hand stills on my arm, and he pulls back to look down at my face. “What are you thinking of getting?”

“I haven’t decided. I just have the itch to get something new,” I respond with a shrug. His eyes flare, and it’s obvious that the idea turns him on.

He likes body art.

“Burgers are ready,” Caleb announces.

“So, I think I need to hear some good stories about Matt as a kid,” I remark as I squirt ketchup on my bun.

“I have a million. What do you want to know?” Caleb asks while Matt glares at him.

“Everything,” I reply with a laugh. “But start with the embarrassing stuff.”

“He had a blankie until he was nine,” Caleb begins.

“I suggest you shut it,” Matt growls, making me giggle.

“He was always the most sensitive of the group,” Caleb continues.

“I have stories, too, you know, little brother,” Matt reminds him.

“I want to hear some, too!” Brynna claps her hands and bounces in her seat. “This is fun.”

“Matt was always a Batman fan. He liked to wear the bath towels as capes and run through the house, saving Gotham City from evil.”

“Caleb was always the evil one,” Matt adds, his eyes narrowed. “Stop talking. I’m warning you.”

“I think Mom has photos of Matt in the fifth grade, when he let Jules, who was five, cut his hair.”

“Caleb wet the bed until he was six,” Matt murmurs deceptively softly and raises a brow at his brother. “And you never could tell Jules no either, so don’t give me that shit.”

“Was Matt quiet as a kid?” I ask, enjoying the men’s banter immensely.

“Yeah.” Caleb nods. “He’s always been quiet. Somber.”

“I was making up for Will’s crazy ass.”

“What about Caleb?” Brynna asks Matt. “Was he always the strong silent type?”

“No,” Matt replies, watching his brother thoughtfully. “That happened after the first year or so with the SEALs.”

“You were a SEAL?” I ask, my eyes wide. Holy shit, that explains his hot body.

“Yeah.” Caleb concentrates on his beer bottle.

“Thank you for your service,” I reply softly and smile when his eyes find mine. “My dad was Army. He was in Viet Nam.”

Caleb nods and meets Matt’s gaze. Something unsaid passes between them, and then Matt’s phone rings.

“Fuck, it’s Asher.” He puts the phone to his ear. “Yeah.”

“I hope he doesn’t have to leave,” Brynna murmurs.

“This can’t wait until tomorrow morning? He’s not going anywhere,” Matt mutters and then curses and pushes his hand through his hair, a sure sign of frustration. “Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.”

He clicks off and shoves his phone in his pocket, then looks at me apologetically. “I guess it’s good we brought separate cars. I have to go in to work.”

“Okay.” I lift a shoulder, as though it’s no big deal and try not to be disappointed. This is his job.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s your job, Matt. It’s fine.”

“Give us a moment,” Matt murmurs to Caleb and Bryn, kissing Bryn’s cheek before he takes my hand, leading me into the house. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow, man.”

Once in the kitchen, Matt pulls me into his arms and kisses me senseless. His fingers dive into my hair, and he holds on almost desperately as he devours my mouth, as though he’s branding me.

Finally, he pulls away, breathless. His blue eyes are bright with lust.

“This is not how I planned to spend the night,” he informs me. “I was very much looking forward to taking you home and losing myself in you for a few hours.”

I swallow hard and then smile bravely. “Rain check.”

“I’m sorry,” he repeats.

“Matt, this is just how it is. You’re a cop. I’m proud of you. Go do your job.”

He sighs and hugs me close, rocking back and forth for a moment before planting his lips on my forehead and taking a deep breath.

“I’ll call you later,” he murmurs.

“Sounds good.”

He kisses me once more and then heads out to his car.

“I should probably go, too,” I announce when I walk back out onto the deck.

“Can I have a word with you before you go?” Brynna asks.

“Of course,” I reply and reclaim my chair.

“Do you mind if I stay?” Caleb asks.

I look between their faces, both sober and serious, and I start to feel very nervous. This is where they tell me I’m not good enough for him.

“I don’t mind,” I reply softly.

“I just have to offer you a little advice,” Brynna informs me. “I was married to a cop. The twins’ biological dad,” she adds at my look of surprise. “It’s not easy, Nic. Don’t ask him to choose between you and his job. Neither choice would make him happy.”

“I would never do that,” I reply with a scowl. “And the fact that you’d say that says that you don’t think very highly of me.”

“That’s not true,” Brynna disagrees with a shake of her head. “I’m just warning you that cops aren’t easy to be involved with. And, honestly, I’m not trying to sound like a bitch, which I just realized, I kind of am. Matt is one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’s done a lot for my family, Nic. Including knocking some sense into this one.” She points at Caleb with her thumb and offers me a small smile. “I love him. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”