My eyes widen at that revelation. So this is a thing? They pretend to be each other to trick one another’s partners… and it works?

“Wait—what about your ex-fiancée?” I challenge.

He’s mentioned Brooke a few times before, usually when he’s telling me a story about college. I’ve never brought her up or pushed for details… but the man has called me his girlfriend twice in the last twenty-four hours. That gives me some sort of rights, doesn’t it?

“No. And he tested Brooke three different times. She was not happy about it…” Dempsey looks off toward the balcony attached to his bedroom and shakes his head.

I try to bury my grin. “I guess I should be proud of myself. I could tell the difference just from his touch.”

A disgruntled hmph rumbles in his chest as he pulls me back against his body.

“Are you jealous, Dem?” I raise one hand and wrap it around his neck, pulling him close so I can whisper in his ear. “Maybe you should remind me what you feel like so he can’t try and trick me again.”

“He won’t be fucking touching you again,” he growls before scooping me up and placing be back down in the middle of the bed.

“Hey, wait.” I press my hands into his chest as he tries to join me. “Are you okay now that he knows? I thought this would be a bigger deal.”

Obviously there’s no turning back. But Fielding finding out about us and Fielding finding me half-naked in his brother’s bed are two very different scenarios.

Dempsey sucks in a breath, then lowers himself next to me, propping his head on one hand. “It is what it is. I would have preferred to tell him myself, but I don’t regret how everything went down. I did what I had to do to keep you safe last night.”

I brush my hand along his jaw, and he closes his eyes and leans into my touch. He’s always taking care of everyone—It brings me immense joy when he lets me comfort him in return.

“Thank you for what you did, Dem. I know… I know this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I’m sorry if I made things more complicated for you.”

He opens his eyes and brings my hand to his lips. “Worth it,” he murmurs as he kisses along my knuckles.

“On the plus side, we don’t have to sneak around anymore, right?” I offer. “Unless—”

He cuts me off with a hard, demanding kiss on the mouth. “Unless nothing. What I said last night stands. It’s you and me for the rest of summer, princess. You and me.”

I smile against his mouth and let out a little squeal as I pull him into me.