Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother Chapter 131

Snow crunches beneath our boots as we make our way back to the lodge, Tyler’s bags slung over my shoulder. The cold air sharpens my senses, but my mind is still fogged with the feeling of Penny on my lap, her warm body, her soft breaths. The way she shook in my arms when she started talking about the men I lost, about the pain I carry, about the scars I keep hidden.

She shouldn’t know that side of me. She should never have to know that side of me.

I glance at her beside me, her steps a little unsteady in the snow, her head tilted down, lost in thought. I know she’s still thinking about what I said, about what I almost let her see. I should have never pulled her onto my lap like that. It was a mistake. I should have just let her fall back onto the mattress, should have kept my hands to myself.

But I didn’t.

Because I wanted to keep her there. I wanted to kiss her throat and feel her little pulse flutter under my lips. I wanted to trail my mouth down the curve of her collarbone, to taste the warmth of her skin. I wanted to pull that hoodie up, press my palms to her ribs, run my tongue down the line of her belly, feel her shiver under me, whisper my name.

I shake my head. Breathe in deep. The cold air burns my lungs. I can’t think like that. She’s Tyler’s.

*She’s not yours*. At this point I've probably told myself that a hundred times.

We reach the lodge, and I push open the heavy wooden door, the blast of heat and the smell of food making me blink. The group is already eating, plates and drinks scattered across the massive dining table, laughter echoing through the high ceilings. I tilt my head toward the hallway.

“I’ll put his stuff down,” I tell her. “Grab a seat. I’ll be right back.”

She hesitates, like she’s not sure she wants to sit without me. I catch that flicker of uncertainty and force a small, reassuring smile. “Go on. I’ll find you in a second.”

She nods and heads toward the dining table, weaving through the chaos of people passing around plates and clinking glasses. I turn and head down the hall, dropping Tyler’s bags near the staircase.

When I straighten, I’m about to turn back when a figure steps into my path.

Blonde. Tall. Bold red lipstick. Same girl as last night. She leans against the wall, blocking my way. I stop, exhale through my nose.

“Well, well,” she purrs, tracing her nails down the wood panel beside her, eyes dragging over my chest, my arms, my face. “People have been talking, you know. About the things you can do. You need a real woman to do them with.”

I clench my jaw. “Excuse me.”

She steps closer, her hip brushing mine, the sharp scent of her perfume making me want to step back. But I don’t. I hold my ground.

“What’s a guy like you doing here anyway?” she whispers, leaning in. Her breath is warm against my neck. I suppress the urge to recoil. “All those muscles… all that focus. Must be exhausting, right? Why don’t you let someone else take the edge off for once?”

I catch her wrist as her hand starts trailing down my chest.

Her eyes widen just a bit, but her smile doesn’t falter. If anything, she looks more intrigued.

“Let go,” I say, my voice low, controlled.

She tilts her head, eyes glittering with something almost predatory. “I don’t know… you seem like you might like a little danger.”

I force a slow, even breath. “You should go.”

She pouts, pressing her body closer, like she can wear down my resistance through sheer proximity. “Come on, big guy. Don’t play coy. I bet you’re just as wild as the rumors say.”

I lean in just a fraction, tightening my grip on her wrist, my eyes locked on hers. “I said, you should go.”

She blinks, her confidence flickering for the first time. I let her wrist go, step back, and brush past her without another word.

I find Penny at the dining table, sitting beside Max, both of them leaning over a plate of food, giggling at something. The tension in my shoulders eases a bit at the sight. I step around the corner, catching Penny’s eye. She lights up, her entire face softening.

I slide into the empty seat beside her, ignoring the way Max' eyes flick between us with a knowing little smirk. I didn't like the guy at first, but now I feel like he might be the only other sane person here.

Penny turns to me. “I saved you a plate. Figured you’d be hungry.”

I glance at the small plate piled with roasted vegetables, some kind of grilled meat, and potatoes. She even grabbed an extra fork for me.

“Thanks,” I say, my voice coming out rougher than I intend.

She tilts her head, eyes flicking to my hand still flexing on the table, like she knows something happened, like she can sense the tension rolling off me. But she doesn’t push. She just nudges my plate closer.

I let my knee brush hers under the table. Just a small touch. Barely there. But I feel her stiffen for a second before relaxing again.

Around us, the conversation shifts from weekend plans to the drinking games they want to start after dinner. Someone shouts about beer pong. Another suggests King’s Cup.

Penny leans in, whispering close enough that her breath brushes my jaw, “I’m not really a fan of these games.”

I glance down at her, the light from the fireplace catching the golden strands of her hair, the slight furrow in her brow. “Me neither.”

Her shoulders relax a fraction.

“Why don’t we head back to the cabin?” I murmur. “Put on a movie. Get some rest.”

She bites her bottom lip, the corners of her mouth lifting in a relieved smile. “Really?”

I nod. “You look tired. You should rest.”

She stands, her chair scraping against the wooden floor, and I feel the loss of her warmth instantly. “I’ll get my jacket.”

“Go ahead,” I say, pushing my chair back. “I’ll tell Tyler.”

I walk over to where he’s leaning against the counter, drink in hand, already laughing with two of his friends.

“Hey,” I say, catching his attention. “Penny and I are heading back to the cabin. I left your bags by the stairs.”

He nods, then glances over his shoulder, like he’s looking for someone. Probably Zoe, if the way I put the pieces together is right.

“You’re seriously not spending the night with Penny?” I press, keeping my tone casual.

He shrugs. “Nah. I’m good here.”

I tilt my head. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”

His eyes narrow just a bit, his jaw tightening. But he looks nervous as hell. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

He turns back to his friends, already forgetting I’m there.

I grit my teeth, swallow back the hundred things I want to say, and head back to Penny, who’s already zipping up her jacket.

“Ready?” I ask.

She beams, pulling her hood over her head, her cheeks pink and eyes bright. “Ready.”

I push open the front door for her, holding it against the wind. She steps out into the snow, and I follow, the door creaking shut behind me.

We walk side by side through the snow-covered trees, our breaths misting in the cold air, her shoulder brushing mine every few steps.

She glances up at me, eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “Thanks for getting me out of there.”

I smile, small but real. “Anytime, princess.”