Chasing Innocence | ✓

50 | intimiate touch

I can hear Dean snoring on the floor of my bedroom, tucked up in an old sleeping bag I'd found in the back of my cupboard.

He'd insisted on staying the night despite the fact I'd sworn I'd be okay. We'd broken a lot of ground yesterday and my chest felt the tiniest bit... lighter. Definitely not mended entirely. Yet.

I lean over the bed, admiring the way he sleeps like a complete caveman. His mouth hangs open and I stifle a small laugh, remembering the times I'd purposely wake him up with loud music or air horns as a child. When life had been simple.

There's a knock on my door. I roll over to grab my phone, searching for the time as I let Layla or Maia know they can enter.

Only, it's not either of my friends. I realise both of them would be at work by now anyway. It's Brax. He seems nonchalant at first, but then his eyes narrow down towards my brother.

"What the fuck is this, Rhea?" he seethes, taking up the doorway with his broad frame.

He grits his teeth, slamming the door behind him as he strides across the room. He rakes a hand through his hair, pulling at the ends.

Dean simply rolls over in his sleep, unfazed at the man standing before him, about to commit murder with his sharp gaze.

"Relax, macho man," I roll my eyes, sliding out of the duvet as I walk towards him. "He's my brother."

It's hard not to blush when his eyes rake down my body. I'm wearing a satin pyjama set that Layla bought me for Christmas last year. His eyes darken as he takes in my bare thighs.

I plant a hand on his arm, moving my fingers along his skin. He's breathing begins to even out. "Is it bad that I like you jealous?"

"I'm not—" he pinches the bridge of his nose, before groaning. "Fine, I was fucking jealous. A grown man is sleeping on your goddamn floor."

"He wasn't even sleeping in the same bed as me," I laugh quietly. "You think I'd casually hook up with someone and make them sleep on my floor?"

He focuses on my hands as heat colours his cheeks. It's clear that he's embarrassed at his overreaction. "Whatever," he grumbles, trying to turn away from me.

"Mm, I don't think so," I whisper, cupping his jaw as I draw his lips back to mine.

He plants a hand on my lower back, pulling me flush against him. He lets out a low growl, biting my bottom lip as I pull away, breathless.

A throat clears and I turn to find my brother slowly rising from the floor. He yawns, scrubbing a hand across his face as he smiles. "No boyfriend, huh?"

I cringe at his comment from our conversation yesterday. "Um, Dean, this is Brax. Brax, Dean."

Dean outstretches his hand for Brax to shake. Instead of complying, Brax stares at it like he's not sure what to do. "So you're the absentee brother?"

"Brax," I grip his arm as he balls a fist. "Don't start."

Dean holds his hands up in surrender. "It's cool. I probably deserve that. I'll give you two some space. Ree, I'll be back later. Just gotta get some stuff from the apartment."

I thank him for staying as he heads out. I wait for the front door to close before I turn back to Brax. "Seriously?" I sigh. "That wasn't necessary."