The Slade Brothers: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection

by Alexis Winter

  Loud thunder cracks overhead and without warning, the skies open, pouring down buckets of rain. Our kiss breaks, but neither of us run. She stays against me, laughing as we look up at the sky and let the cool rain kiss our skin. When I feel a shiver run up her spine, I rub my hands up and down her bare arms.

  “Come on, before you catch a cold.”

  She steps back and I bend down, gathering up our picnic. I shove everything into the picnic basket and take it with me as I run around the truck and open the door for her. After she’s inside, I close the door and toss the items into the back as I run around to get behind the wheel. By the time I’m inside, I’m completely soaked.

  I reach down and pull off my wet, clinging shirt. I toss it into the back and look over at her in time to see her eyes run up my bare chest. Her green eyes fill with lust and passion. Her thick lips part as her breathing rises. I turn and reach for her, wanting to pull her onto my lap, but she’s faster than I am. She knows what she wants. She’s sitting on my lap in a second, her hands running through my hair and her lips on mine.

  Her soaked summer dress is sticking to every inch of her beautiful body, teasing me and making me want to lick the rain off her flesh. My hands start working her dress up her thighs and to her hips. I push her wet panties to the side and run my fingers between her folds. She moans into my mouth with appreciation. Her panties are wet from the rain, and they’re not as forgiving as normal cotton would be. Getting annoyed with them getting in my way, I pull at the fabric, ripping them off. She sucks in a loud gasp and giggle against my lips.

  Reaching down between us, I free myself from my jeans. Holding her hip with one hand and myself with the other, I pull her down onto me, slowly claiming her inch by inch. The moment I can go no further, we both let out a relieved breath. Neither of us move as we enjoy the moment of coming together.

  “I love you,” she whispers against my lips as she looks longingly into my eyes.

  “Not as much as I love you,” I say, picking her up and pulling her back down on me.

  We’re sitting in the truck with the heat on full blast. The early summer still has cold rain and cool nights. The windshield wipers are going and the headlights are on, shining out into the distance. She’s sitting next to me, her head on my shoulder as we gaze out over the property that will soon be our home. “How many bedrooms?” I ask.

  “Four. One for us, one for Milly, one for our future child, and then a spare…just in case.”

  I laugh. “Are you telling me you might want three kids?”

  “Is that a problem?”

  I chuckle. “Not at all. I’ll give you a hundred kids if you want them.”

  “I see four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, formal dining room, and a laundry room. Oh, and a dishwasher.” She laughs out, smacking me against the chest.

  I run my hand up and down her bare shoulder. “We can have it all, Brennan.”

  “We already do,” she replies, looking up and meeting my eyes.

  Fuck, I don’t know how she does it. She steals my breath with just a single look. She steels my breathe with a simple touch. Her lips meet mine and I’m done for. There’s no going back, not from this. She’s it for me. Losing her would kill me.

  “I hope you know that you’re stuck with me,” I say against her lips.

  She giggles. “You’re stuck with me, too” she replies, resuming our kiss.

  Twenty-Eight

  Brennan

  One Month Later…

  “IS that all of it?” Colton asks as I hand over the last box.

  “Yep, that’s it. I’m officially living with you.” I place my hands on my hips and smile up at him.

  He slides the box onto the back of his truck and leans over, kissing me. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Mom and Dad come walking out into the parking lot. They stop at the bed of the truck. “Well, I didn’t think you’d be moving out of your first apartment this fast.” Mom laughs out.

  Colton wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer.

  “You better take care of my little girl now. Don’t make me regret this,” Dad says.

  “I’ll take care of her,” Colton says, squeezing me.

  “Everything will be fine, Dad. And you can pop in any time to check things out the fatherly way,” I joke.

  “Just call first,” Colton jokes, laughing.

  Dad wraps his arm around Mom. “Let me know when you want help with that new house.” He turns and walks Mom over to his awaiting truck.

  Colton raises his hand and waves. “Will do.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head and leads me to the passenger side. “Let’s get home.”

  I smile at his words. “Home,” I repeat.

  Walking into the house that’s now ours to share, we find Milly, Celeste, and Drake having a tea party in the living room.

  “Bre!” Milly yells, tossing her teacup down, running up to me, and hugging my leg.

  I bend down and pick her up. “Did you miss me, Mills?”

  “Tea party.” She points at Celeste and Drake sitting at her tiny, baby-sized table in the corner.

  I giggle. “I’m surprised those chairs aren’t buckling under your weight.”

  “I’m scared to move,” Drake says, holding out his hand for Colton to help him up. When he’s on his feet, he’s still in a scrunched up position. Slowly, he works the kinks out and manages to stand up straight.

  “How’s the house coming?” Celeste asks, standing up from her little chair and joining the rest of us gathered together in the center of the living room floor.

  “The lot now has electric and water, and the foundation is done. They’re working on it as we speak.” I’m beaming with excitement.

  Celeste smiles. “Have you started planning the wedding?”

  I shrug. “Not really. I mean, I’m happy and excited and all to get married, but I’ve never been the dream wedding kind of girl. We’re talking about waiting until the house is done and having a small ceremony there on the property.”

  “That would be adorable. A nice spring wedding,” she says, clearly already daydreaming about it. It makes me wonder when Drake is going to pop the question.

  “The cookout is this weekend. You guys are going to be able to make it, right?” Drake asks, glancing between the two of us.

  I nod. “Of course. We wouldn’t miss it. Celeste and I need to meet the other brothers and make sure we made the right decision.” I laugh out. Drake’s mouth drops open and Colton reaches around, pinching my ass. “I’m just teasing,” I add. “I know I made the right decision.”

  Colton pulls me to his chest and presses a kiss to my lips.

  Drake and Celeste end up staying and hanging out the rest of the day. Colton and Drake spend most of their time in the garage doing God knows what, and Celeste and I sit on the couch, watching TV and talking while Milly plays. Around dinner time, we order a pizza and the guys break out some beer.

  “When do you and Colton plan on starting your own family?” Celeste asks.

  I pick up my beer and take a sip. “Just…whenever it happens.” I shrug.

  She laughs. “Well, when is it going to happen? Are you on birth control?”

  I nod. “I am. I probably won’t stop taking it until after the wedding. And, I don’t know, I kind of like the idea of it being just us for a little while, you know? Gives all of us time to adjust to the changes we’re already making.”

  “What changes?” Celeste asks, wrinkling her brow.

  “Well, I moved in here and Milly needs time to adjust. And then we’ll all be moving to the new place. That’ll be another big adjustment for her.”

  She waves me off. “Milly is the most well-adjusted kid I know. I don’t think there was a lot to her adjust to because she was already used to you being here every day.”

  “Well, I don’t know how she feels about me and Colton being together.” I worry that she’ll feel neglected now that it’s not just going to b
e him and her alone.

  “She loves you, Brennan. You should’ve seen how sad she was when you quit. None of us could do anything right in her eyes. She always said, ‘Bre do it this way.’” She crosses her arms over her chest for dramatic effect, causing me to laugh. “Seriously, you have nothing to worry about. Milly loves you, and she loves Colton. I know she loves that you’re together now. Now she’ll have you both all of the time.”

  I smile at her words. “Thank you.”

  “You ready to eat?” Colton asks, walking into the living room and holding out his hand for mine.

  I slide mine into his and he pulls me to my feet, catching me against his chest. I turn and look over my shoulder in time to see Celeste get up from her place on the couch and walk into the kitchen where Milly and Drake are already sitting around the table. I turn back and look into Colton’s eyes.

  “Are you happy?” he asks, studying my expression.

  “I am. Are you happy?” I wrap my arms around his neck.

  He returns my smile. “You have no idea,” he says, leaning down and pressing a kiss to my lips. This kiss, this small intimate moment we’re sharing is all it takes to have my body a puddle of mush. I want nothing more than to drag him into the bedroom to take what I want. Since we have company, that’ll have to wait. When his tongue sneaks out and flicks against mine, my entire body lights on fire. My breathing picks up and my my heart rate nearly doubles. When he pulls away, he runs a finger over my flushed cheek.

  He laughs. “You gotta stop doing that.”

  “Doing what?” I ask, knowing damn well what he’s talking about.

  “We’re never going to get anything done if we’re locked in the bedroom all day.”

  I smirk. “I bet we’ll get one thing done.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We’ll get a head start on making Milly a little brother or sister.”

  Colton smiles wide as his eyes glaze over. “I never thought about having a son.”

  “I bet he’ll break just as many hearts as you have.” I let my arms fall away but take his hand and pull him to the kitchen to join the rest of the family for dinner.

  Sitting around the kitchen table, I can’t help but to look around and smile. I was an only child, raised by parents who didn’t have much family of their own. It was always just the three of us. Now, I have a fiancé, a soon-to-be stepdaughter, a promise of more children to come, a sister-in-law, and four brothers-in-law. Finally, I’m getting my big happy family. I really do have it all, all because I decided took being a nanny for the town outcast.

  “Pep-or-oni,” Milly says, picking a pepperoni off of Colton’s pizza and stealing it for herself.

  I laugh and pick off mine, handing them to her. She smiles wide and takes them, placing each one on her slice. By the time she’s stolen everyone’s pepperoni, her entire slice is covered.

  “Mush-room,” she demands, holding out her hand toward Colton.

  He laughs and shows her his empty plate. “Sorry, kid. It’s all gone.”

  She pouts and crosses her arms over her chest, but it doesn’t take her long to forget about the mushrooms because she has a whole plate of pepperoni. Quickly, she begins eating again when Colton threatens to steal the food on her plate.

  “When are you guys going to California?” I ask, realizing that their three months are about up.

  Celeste and Drake look at one another then slowly back to us. “Well,” Celeste says. “We’ve been talking about it, but I really think I’d like to stay here.”

  Surprise and excitement wash over me.

  “I mean, I know I’ll miss my gourmet coffee, shopping sprees, and a few family members and friends, but I like what we have going here. We’re starting our lives, talking about marriage and kids. And then there’s you guys.” She motions toward the three of us. “And who knows how many more nieces and nephews with the way you two go at it,” she jokes. “The city can’t even compare to what we have here.”

  Drake wraps his arms around her shoulders and pulls her to his side where he kisses the top of her head.

  “Aw, I love you guys,” I say, pulling Celeste to my side for a hug.

  When they leave, I take Milly for a bath and bed. When I exit her room, I find the kitchen spotless and Colton sitting on the couch.

  “Thank you for cleaning up.” I sit on his lap and he wraps his arms around me.

  “You don’t work here anymore. I don’t expect you to do everything.” He nuzzles his face into my neck, pressing a soft kiss against my skin. My body lights on fire just like I knew it would, and a shiver runs up my spine.

  “Shower?” I ask, looking forward to having him alone…and naked.

  He laughs. “You think I’d say no to that?”

  I jump up and rush toward the bathroom with him following behind me. I begin stripping out of my clothes the moment I walk into the bedroom. By the time I hit the bathroom, I’m completely topless. I reach into the shower and turn on the water. He steps into the room and pulls me against his chest. I squeal and giggle when he presses my back to the door. His eyes meet mine and I can see the fire burning behind them. They’re hooded and filled with lust and urgency. His jaw is flexed and his Adam’s apple bobs.

  “I swear, Brennan, I’m going to spend the rest of my life worshipping this gorgeous body of yours.” He drops to his knees, peppering my breasts and stomach with hot kisses as he strips me of my jeans. Goosebumps prickle my skin as excitement bubbles in my stomach. I clench my stomach and tighten my thighs, hoping it holds off the flood that’s washing over me. He runs a finger across my hip bone, and I nearly moan just from his touch.

  “You’re always so ready for me,” he whispers as his lips move from one side of my stomach to the other, descending lower.

  I run my fingers through his hair and pull until his head is all the way back and his eyes are locked on mine. “That’s because I’m always craving you.”

  He growls as he gets to his feet and picks me up against him all in the same moment. With me in his arms, he steps into the shower, the hot water pouring over us. As he presses my back to the wall, I can’t do anything but count my blessings. I hope we’re always this way, always ready for the other in their time of need. I hope these feelings never fade away, and based on the pull in my chest, I’m going to guess that they never will. Colton Slade branded my heart the day his eyes met mine. And a brand is forever. Just like the two of us.

  Twenty-Nine

  Colton

  “COME on, girls. We’re going to be late,” I yell down the hall as I check the time on my watch. I have no idea what’s taking them so long. Does it take all women this long to get ready?

  Brennan and Milly come walking out of Milly’s room, both of them looking beautiful as always. Milly is wearing a pair of jean shorts, a white tank top, and her black and white converse tennis shoes. I look at Brennan, and she’s wearing the same thing. The only difference is their hair color.

  I laugh and hold my arms out at my sides. “Look at you two!”

  “We twins, daddy,” Milly says, picking up her pink purse that Brennan bought her so they’d match.

  Brennan laughs as she grabs her purse. “Ready?” she asks, reaching for Milly’s hand.

  I snort. “I’ve been ready for thirty minutes,” I reply.

  “I know you’re used to just running out the door, but you have two ladies in your life now. You’re just going to have to get used to waiting. Isn’t that right, Mills?”

  Milly nods. “Yeah, daddy.” Her little attitude has only gotten bigger as the time goes on.

  I shake my head and laugh as we exit the house and walk toward the truck. I pick up Milly and place her into her car seat before buckling her up. Climbing behind the wheel, I twist the key and shift into reverse, backing out of the driveway.

  The drive to Drake’s seems quicker than usual, but with my new fiancée and my talkative two-year-old, I can’t stop laughing and that makes the time pass more quickly. I pull t
o a stop in Drake’s drive and cut the engine.

  “Ready to meet the rest of the Slade clan?” I ask Brennan as I turn my upper body to face her.

  She forces a smile and nods. “I’m kind of nervous,” she breathes out. She lets out a soft giggle and shakes her head.

  I laugh. “Trust me, there is nothing to be nervous about.” I pick up her hand and kiss the back before gently rubbing my thumb back and forth across it.

  “What if they don’t like me?” Her eyes are wide and full of fear.

  “Are you kidding? They’re going to love you. You have nothing to be nervous about.” I release her hand and cup her face, leveling my eyes on hers. “You’re beautiful and smart and kind. In fact, I’m guessing most of them will try to hit on you, so you just let me know which one I need to beat up,” I joke, pressing my mouth to hers. She giggles against my lips.

  “Okay. Let’s do this,” she says as I pull away. “You ready, Mills?” she asks, looking into the backseat.

  Milly is strapped in her car seat, cramming Goldfish crackers into her mouth. She claps since she can’t talk around all the orange crackers.

  We climb out of the truck and make our way toward the front door. As usual, the front door is wide open, with only the screen door between the front porch and the living room. I pull it open and the girls walk in ahead of me. We find Celeste in the kitchen. She looks up, her eyes wide.

  “Oh, thank God, Brennan. I need help in here. Colton, Drake is out back. Why don’t you take Milly out to play so the women can get some work done in here?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I reply, taking Milly from Brennan. I lean down and give her a quick kiss before stepping out the back door. I put Milly down, and she immediately runs for the old tire swing hanging from a nearby tree. Drake is standing over the grill, spatula and a beer in each hand as he watches the grill.

  “Hey, what’s up?” I ask, coming to a stop beside him.