Recovery by Nicole Dykes (best time to read books .txt) 📗

“Probably fucking.” He points with his thumb behind him.

And Jase nods his head, his bottom lip protruding. “More than likely. They headed to their room like ten minutes ago.”

Quinn nods her head. “They’re married and live in that room.” She points to where Finn was just gesturing.

A little relief goes through me. Two less men trying to get into my pants. I look at Jase and Finn, no trace of a smile on my face.

It’s okay. They can try.

They’ll learn real fucking quick, I'm not here to play.

Good. God. What the fuck was Quinn thinking? She just brought the most beautiful girl I've ever seen into our loft, said she’s living here now, and expects me not to make a move.

I mean holy fuck.

I’m not sure who she thinks I am, but I'm not that fucking guy.

This girl just got off a flight and still . . . gorgeous. Her black hair is down and curly, a beautiful fucking wild mane I want to feel between my fingers with a sexy golden hue to it. Her big brown eyes have golden flecks in them to match. Her lips are full and red. Her skin is a flawless deep caramel color that looks so goddamn silky and smooth.

She’s tall for a chick but would still only come up to about my shoulders. Her body is lithe, and I’d say she’s a runner but still has fucking fine curves. Her lips form a straight line, giving off an “I will cut you” vibe, but I don’t fucking care. I can take some pain.

Probably more than most.

Seriously, what was Quinn thinking?

Of course, I do have to remind myself she just went through a tragedy, and I'm not a total prick, so I pull it back a little.

Quinn pushes past Finn, eyeing me. “Get dressed.” Mya follows behind her as Quinn leads her to the one empty bedroom in the loft, the one next to mine.

I don’t follow Quinn’s order to get dressed, and I smirk over at Finn, who looks like he wants to pounce.

We never fight over women. Never. It’s a code with us.

But I think I might go toe-to-toe with the huge motherfucker for this girl.

“Thank you, Quinn.” I hear her sultry voice, quiet with exhaustion. “Really. Thank you.”

Quinn gives a quick nod. “It’s no problem.” Her eyes narrow on Finn and me across the room. “If they give you any trouble, let me know.”

Mya gives a small smile and a nod of her own head. “I’ll be fine.”

I grin at that, having no doubt. Pretty sure if anyone’s in trouble here, it’s me. Quinn leaves her there, walking toward us, her don’t-fuck-with-me look perfected. “She better be fine.”

We both nod our heads in agreement, but it’s me that pokes the angry mama bear. “Don’t worry. I’ll take the best care of her.”

She punches me in the arm, and I laugh, rubbing the spot because she has bony fucking fingers. “Jase. I love you like a brother, but I will kill you.”

I laugh at that, knowing it’s true. “I’ll be good.”

She looks over at Finn, who raises his hands in surrender. “Me too.”

“Good.” She pushes past us again and heads out the door. Finn closes it behind her, and Mya disappears into her room without another word. Maybe she’s tired. Or maybe she didn’t want the awkward small talk.

I can appreciate both, but what kind of roommate would I be if I didn’t try to get to know her a little?

Finn clearly has the same idea and is already heading to her room.

Motherfucker.

I follow him, still only in a towel, but there’s no time to dress. We both reach her open door at the same time, and I see she’s looking around the room. It’s pretty bare. Just a bed, a side table, and a dresser at the moment.

“Do you need anything?” I ask.

She turns around to look at us, clearly not happy to see us from the look on her pretty face. “No. I’m fine.”

“You sure?” Finn prods, and I feel my body tense with irritation.

“I’m sure.” Her big brown eyes meet mine. “I just need sleep.”

I don’t miss her eyes trailing over my chest, and I can’t hide my grin. My body doesn’t offer sleep, but she’s sure looking at it.

She drags her eyes back up to my face and then looks over at Finn. “Can I help you guys with something?”

Attitude is dripping from her, and it does nothing to suppress my need to get to know her. She lost her little brother. She left her home to come here.

Suddenly and without warning, it hits me hard that beyond the deep brown orbs with golden flecks, there’s agony. Grief. Guilt. Regret. Deep-seated pain that more than likely goes deeper than losing her brother. I see other shit besides her body and the beautiful face glaring over at my best friend and me. I see anguish.

Fuck.

My throat dries, and I feel like a dick as I take a step back. “We’ll let you get some rest then.”

Finn looks over at me as I nudge him in the side and jerk my head toward the living room. He huffs reluctantly, “Yeah. We’ll see ya tomorrow. Hopefully you like eggs. I’m fucking great at making eggs.”

I roll my eyes, but he’s rewarded with a small smile that makes my chest ache, already wanting to see that again. “Thanks.”

We leave, and I pull her door shut to give her privacy, walking into my room next to hers and sensing Finn follow me in. “Dibs.”

I grab a shirt and pull it on. “No.”

“Bullshit. No. That’s how this works.”

I grab some jeans and tug them on before ripping off my towel. “No,” I say again, not entertaining his claim on her for even a second.

“What the fuck, man?” He sits down on my bed.

“She’s our roommate, dipshit.” And she’s mine. I don’t say it though. Especially because it sounds fucking stupid and caveman-esque. “Quinn and Logan aren’t going to like us