Natasha
Brandon watches me in silent horror as I stuff mouthfuls of eggs and potatoes into my mouth. As promised, Knox made us breakfast, and it tastes amazing.
"What?" I ask innocently.
"Have you eaten in the last century? The last time I saw you eat that much was when Trenton got you as high as a kite," he murmurs, shaking his head in disbelief.
Knox's eyes zero in on me from where he's standing at the stove, his expression unreadable. I've never told him about my ex-boyfriend who cheated on me, but it's not like he's in any way relevant.
He's been dead to me since the day Mom died.
"I think I'm just appreciating a good home-cooked meal," I say with a smile, trying to deflect the attention from my post-s*x appetite.
Knox and I never discussed if I could tell Brandon about us or not, but he's my best friend. The second we're alone, I know I won't be able to keep my mouth shut.
Knox's phone goes off, cutting through the moment, and he answers it quickly before disappearing into his office. I wonder who he's talking to, but I'm not going to turn into the jealous type on day one of our relationship.
Brandon leans in from across the table, smirking. "I heard you last night. I didn't take you as a screamer," he whispers.
My face turns beet red. Well, he knows now.
He chuckles. "There's no shame, Nat. I'm honestly so f*****g that you're happy. Is this just a casual thing or...?" he trails off, leaving the question hanging in the air.
I grin. "No. He called me his woman."
"Oh my god!" he gasps, still keeping his voice low. "I had a feeling this would happen, though. It's like you guys are soulmate."
I'm just as giddy on the inside. There's a possibility that Knox has wanted me just as long as I've wanted him, but he was trying to put his job first.
"Was it big?" Brandon asks, his eyes shimmering with amusement.
I nod. We've had s*x three times since last night, and my p***y is deliciously sore. Though, if Knox offered more, I would take it in a heartbeat.
"Bigger than we thought it was?"
Hell yeah.
"Natasha, I would love to hear the answer to that question, but I need to discuss something with you first," Knox's deep voice interrupts us, causing us both to jump.
"Knox, what's going on?" I ask, trying to calm my racing heart and burning cheeks. I can't believe he just overheard our conversation about his d**k size.
Brandon's face is just as red, but he goes right back to eating his breakfast.
Knox's eyes pierce through me as he speaks. "The roads around here are closed off due to the weather conditions, but they should be reopened soon. My friend and his husband will be arriving tomorrow to deliver the information I need that cannot be discussed over the phone. Will you be comfortable being around them? If not, I'll figure something else out."
I shake my head. "That's not necessary. Anyone you trust, I trust."
His lips twitch. "Thank you for trusting me, babygirl."
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"Uno!"
"Damn it, Nat. How do you keep winning?" Brandon groans in frustration, tossing his stack of cards on the floor.
Knox's face is fixed into a grumpy frown. "Apparently, we f*****g suck at this," he mutters, leaning back against the couch and taking a sip from his glass.
We've been playing Uno for hours, passing the time until the sun melts enough of the snow. Knox says that we'll be able to go to town tomorrow and get some more food and personal belongings. I still have no idea where we are, but considering we have to "go into town", it's far away from Chicago.
I giggle. "Don't be sore losers, guys," I scold, fighting the grin twitching on my lips.
Knox chuckles softly and kisses my forehead. "We should just be glad we didn't play her with stakes."
I raise a brow. "Stakes?"
Brandon lips curl into a half-grin, his eyes hardening with determination. "Yeah, let's play again. I know I can beat you this time, especially if there are stakes. What do you want if you win, Nat?"
I ponder for a month before a smug smile takes over my face. "If I win again, both of you have to run outside naked in the snow."
Brandon grimaces while Knox just stares at me, his expression unamused.
I stifle a laugh.
Brandon goes next. "Uh, if I win, I want you to bake me a cake. Haven't had one of those in awhile. And Knox, you have to tell me one of your deepest, darkest secrets."
Knox hums, his eyes meeting mine with a predatory hunger. "If I win, Brandon you have to cook breakfast tomorrow." He then leans over, whispering into the shell of my ear. "And I get to use my babygirl in any way I want tonight."
Holy s**t. Why didn't I choose something more s****l? Maybe I should change mine, but I still think it would be funny to watch both him and Brandon streak across the snow naked.
I reshuffle the cards, passing out seven cards to each of us before putting the rest of the pile in the middle of the floor. Brandon, on my left, goes first, placing down a "Wild draw 4" card, which skips Knox's turn and makes him pick up four more cards.
Knox glares at him. "I see you've gotten a little too comfortable with me."
"Hey, man. There are stakes attached."
A tense silence hangs over the room, the only sound the slapping down of cards. I put down a "draw 4" card, and Brandon groans loudly. "You know, Nat, I'm really starting to question our friendship."
I playfully scoff. "Really, Brandon? Didn't you make me draw four back to back last time?"
"Yeah, but that's because I had over twenty f*****g cards. And somehow, you still won." He narrows his eyes at Knox. "I hope you're not going easy on her."
"Considering I don't want to run outside naked and freeze my balls off in below freezing weather, I'm doing the best I can," he mutters.
After what feels like forever, everyone is down to their last three cards. I have a reverse card, another "draw 4" card, and a green 3. I place down the green 3, my heart pounding like a relentless drum.
Knox smirks as he holds up his one card up and says, "Uno" before tossing it down onto the pile.
Brandon groans. "f**k! I really wanted that cake!"
I grin at my best friend. "Don't be a sore loser, I still might bake you a cake later."
Before I can process it, my world is turned upside down and I squeal as Knox carries me upstairs, his hand firmly planted on my ass. "Time to pay up, babygirl. Brandon, I expect breakfast to be delivered to our room tomorrow morning."