Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (digital ebook reader .txt) 📗

“Holy shit!”

I winced, immediately turning in the direction of the voice. Lars hadn’t returned alone. The whole band was there. They gaped wordlessly.

Brayden put an arm around my shoulders. “Yes, this is happening. I’m not going to tolerate anyone giving us shit.”

“Wait a second,” Lars exclaimed. “How long has this been going on? The evening of the party, I thought something was up. Tell me you didn’t have sex in the rehearsal room. It’s off-limits. Even your personal one.”

I groaned.

“What part of ‘don’t give us shit’ didn’t you get?” Brayden asked.

Harvey held up his hands. “The man just asked a question. And if anyone cares, I don’t really mind.”

“No one cares,” Lars and Thomas said at the same time.

I felt my cheeks getting hotter by the second. But I was also relieved that the guys were easygoing about this.

“Does Sasha already know?” Harvey asked.

Brayden shook his head. “Not yet.”

Lars frowned. “Isabelle, you’ll have to be prepared for any reporters who might approach you. Do you have a good security system?”

“I don’t need any of that,” I said.

Brayden was silent. I looked up at him.

“I’d feel much better if you had an alarm system at your office and also at your apartment.”

“But there’s a doorman in front of my office building, and I’m on the seventh floor. And even in my apartment, I’m not on the ground floor. I don’t have a doorman there, but how is anyone supposed to come into the building?”

“The press has a way of getting what they want. Fans can also get creative.”

“No one is going to be interested in me,” I insisted.

Brayden caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers. “You can never know for sure. I’d feel much better if you installed alarms.”

“Fine, I’ll do it. I’ll talk to my brothers. They put the alarm in my apartment in Philly, so I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”

“Sounds good.”

I grinned. “I can imagine their reactions when I tell them I need alarm systems because of the guy I’m dating. They’re going to want to meet you and roast your ass.”

“You seem very pleased about that.”

“Who? Me?” I tried to tone down my grin and failed. “Nah, not at all. But I’m remembering how hard they played their brother card when they thought a guy at a restaurant had a thing for me. Oh, this will be so much fun.”

Brayden glowered. “What guy? What restaurant?”

I could barely hold back a smile. “That’s what stuck with you?”

“Yes.”

“I stand corrected. I think the three of you will get along well. Perhaps a little too well.”

Chapter ElevenIsabelle

Ian and Dylan were coming over to my apartment on Monday afternoon. I’d only told them that I wanted to put an alarm system in place. They’d been bugging me about getting one for so long that they didn’t even ask what had changed my mind. They were in for a surprise.

Brayden had spoken with Sasha on Saturday, telling her about us, and she’d already emailed me a list of things I needed to watch out for, such as paparazzi, as well as a list of standard replies to parrot back if they caught me off guard. This all felt a bit surreal.

Brayden was looking at my front door, explaining the kinds of alarm systems that would work here. I tugged at his hand, bringing one palm to his cheek and turning his face to me.

“No, don’t be all broody and serious. That’s my brothers’ job. I demand a kiss.”

“You demand it?”

I nodded excitedly. “Yes, for good luck.”

“What do you need it for?”

“I don’t. You do, but you just don’t know it.”

Brayden threw his head back, laughing. I rose on my tiptoes, kissing his Adam’s apple and his chin. He covered my mouth the next second. I braced my palms on his shoulders, pressing my thighs together. A deep throb pulsed through me already. I moaned, pushing my hips into him. Heat spread through me like wildfire, starting from my center.

Bringing a hand to my lower back, he slipped two fingers beneath the waistband of my jeans. He only brushed my skin, but it was enough for my senses to heighten. Every kiss was all-consuming, every single time.

My knees buckled lightly, but Brayden steadied me. “So, tell me about your brothers.”

“Well, they’ve had the software company for a few years. They were based in Washington and did well down there. Some of their clients also have subsidiaries in New York, so they decided to move here and expand the business a bit. I love them both to pieces, and I’m so happy we’re all here now.”

Brayden looked at me with warm eyes, pulling me against him. “You make me miss my family. And my hometown. I haven’t been there in years.”

“Why not?”

“It’s easier to keep them safe if they come to see me here. I do miss going home though.”

Sadness crossed his face for a few seconds, and I didn’t like that at all. I loved seeing that twinkle of mischief in his eyes, so I decided to bring it back.

I didn’t have time to add anything more though, because the doorbell rang. Looking through the peephole, I confirmed my brothers had arrived before opening the door.

“Hey, Sis—” Ian began but stopped abruptly when he noticed Brayden.

“Come in. Ian, Dylan, this is Brayden,” I said as they stepped inside and closed the door.

“We know,” Ian exclaimed. “I’m a big fan.”

Dylan was already glancing between the two of us suspiciously. “Wait a second. Josie was saying you’re seeing someone, but she couldn’t tell me...”

My sister was usually great at keeping secrets, but she claimed motherhood sleep deprivation was making her easy prey for my brothers these days. I could practically see Dylan’s wheels spinning.

“Are you two dating?” he asked eventually.

Instead of answering, Brayden pulled me toward him, kissing the side of my head.

Ian clapped his hands once, grinning. “Holy shit, I can’t believe this! Man, I’ve been a fan for years. I don’t think I have anything for you to sign...”

He started