Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(15)

No, there’s not. Not an obvious one, at least.

“Stop her moving her arms and legs, then show her how to break free,” I tell Cody.

“We’re not practicing sick, getting-tied-up scenarios. That’s way too extreme. Basic self-defense will be enough to deal with Brandon if he tries his luck again.”

You should fucking deal with him.

Colt and Conor join us, both dressed to head out. They greet me before plopping down on the couch, silent observers.

“I didn’t say you should tie her up. Just limit her moves.”

Cody studies me, then glances at Colt and Conor like he’s searching for backup. Or maybe a second opinion. I can’t tell.

“I don’t know how to immobilize her like that,” he admits. “How do I do this?”

I try explaining how he has to grab Mia, but he fails miserably. Either he’s worried he’ll scare her, afraid he’ll hurt her, or he can’t follow instructions because Mia frees her elbow every time. He’s not putting enough strength into the hold.

“Can I try?” I ask. He grinds his teeth but bobs his head once, eyes shooting daggers my way. I don’t give him time to think this through, looking at Mia. “You won’t be able to move once I grab you, so you need to trust I won’t hurt you.”

That might be a challenge... I don’t think she trusts me. She’s as skittish as a baby deer, flinching whenever I get close.

Intimidating—that’s everyone’s one-word description of me. Thalia and Cass admitted I put them on edge like a snarling dog with rabies. Nothing new there. Most people straighten their backs in my presence, but it drives me up the wall to see it from Mia.

All my life, I pursued women who made me feel like I was licking honey off a freshly sharpened knife edge. Mia’s not even blunt-side sharp. She’s soft. Fragile, as if assembled from delicate soap bubbles.

I’ve no idea how to handle that. I’m a bull in a fucking China shop around her.

The triplets silently watch the unfolding scene. With each passing second, I drown them out until I don’t see them anymore. It’s just the boorish me and the gentle her. She swallows hard, taking a few small, hasty steps down the couch.

Once she’s within reach, I cuff her wrist, cursing internally when she flinches at the urgency of my touch.

Possessive. That’s how I feel when she’s in my personal space. A dog with a bone.

I tug her hand, forcing her to nestle that perfect ass in the space between my legs. I’ve never been this self-conscious, never wondered if I gripped, yanked, or squeezed a woman too hard... now I’m hyperaware of what I’m doing, and I think my hold on Mia’s wrist might be too tight.

I’m also hyperaware this was a bad idea.

The hairs on my neck rise. Blood in my veins flows like cherry slurpy. My pulse accelerates the second she curves into my arms, fitting perfectly. The honeysuckle smell of her perfume or body lotion is nothing short of intoxicating. I’m glad I chose a long-sleeve tee today, or how she makes me feel would be clearly visible to my brothers.

Fuck... even I didn’t realize how powerful this pull between us is. Now that she’s close, my whole body hums with a feverish, impatient, get-it-done-now kind of energy.

I take her hands, wrapping our arms around her docile frame like a straitjacket. My legs box hers in, squeezing them together with my ankles crossed over her feet. Her breathing hiccups. Mine catches in my throat before I shakily push it past my lips, resting my chin on top of her head where she can’t headbutt my nose.

And she fucking melts against me.

Jesus...

What am I going to do with you, baby?

My lungs decompress, squeezed by an invisible iron clamp when her heart picks up rhythm under my fingertips, matching the frantic beat of mine.

“You’re panicking,” I say, my voice steady even though my stomach twists like a wrung-out towel.

“Calm down, Bug, you’re fine,” Cody adds, reminding me of his existence. “He won’t hurt you.”

Protectiveness goes bang inside me, swelling, growing, and spreading through my structure. No way in hell I’ll ever hurt her. She knows I won’t.

At least, I hope she does.

“You need to stay calm, Mia,” I continue. “Fear will choke you. You won’t break free if you’re not thinking clearly. Take a deep breath for me.”

She does, slowly filling her lungs. I breathe with her until we both calm the fuck down.

“Good. You’re fine. I’ll let you go if you ask.”

“Let me go.”

I do. Immediately. Scaring her is the last thing on my list. My legs open, and arms rise, but she doesn’t budge.

“Okay. I just had to check,” she says. “You can continue.”

And I do. Immediately. Hungry for that peaceful trance-like state when she’s safely tucked against me.

Seconds later I’ve got her immobilized, my chin on her shoulder this time, so she doesn’t crush my windpipe with the back of her head. “Now, think.” I tighten my hold around her fingers. “You can’t move your arms or legs. You can’t shove me away. What can you do?”

“Um...” She considers her position, trying to wriggle free like she did with Cody, but it’s useless.

Now that she’s flush against me, I feel her with every fiber in me. I’m not letting her go until I absolutely have to.