His words cause my heart to hurt for him and I find myself reaching out to comfort him as he drops his arm from my shoulder and rubs his hands over his face.

I can’t stand it right now. I don’t want to see these boys hurt. It’s not fair. Not at all. “That’s fucking horrible, Blaine.” I lace my arm through his and lean my head against his arm. “I’m so sorry that happened to your sister.” I swallow hard, trying to keep my emotions somewhat under control. “What happened to her fiancé?”

He pulls out a cigarette and lights it, quickly taking a long drag and blowing out away from me. “He’s around.”

“He’s not in prison for what he did?” I ask in surprise. “How long ago did this happen?”

“Almost two years ago.” He shakes his head. “And nah. Self-defense. Those assholes broke into his home and murdered his future wife. He had every right to fight back and he did. Some people look down on him for it, but not me. He’s the most badass, loyal, dependable motherfucker that I know.”

“So a lot like Royal,” I ask. My chest tightens with need at just the thought of him, and I can’t help but to wonder where he is.

Blaine’s eyes meet mine and for a split second he looks surprised. “Yeah.” He desperately takes another drag of his cigarette and slowly blows out. “A lot like Royal.”

Sitting in silence, I hold onto Blaine’s arm, wanting to somehow comfort him and show him that I’m there. I may not know Blaine very well, but I know that Royal cares about him. That makes me care about him as well. He makes me smile. I like that about him.

The thought of the loss these boys have suffered through the years breaks my damn heart and makes me realize just how rough they’ve been living.

Royal lost a friend recently, his fiancé at some point, and Blaine has lost his sister. I’ve known these men for less than a month, yet I ache so hard for the pain they must be feeling and holding inside.

“I’m really sorry again.” I squeeze his arm and he wraps his arm back around me. “I’m here if you need me, okay.”

He smiles. “Really?”

I nod my head and look him in the eyes. His eyes really are quite beautiful, and I find myself getting lost in them for a second. “Of course. And I’m a pretty good listener too.”

“No shit.” He pulls me closer and rests his head against mine. “I’ll remember that, Babe.”

We both look up as Royal pulls up in his truck.

“Don’t make me break your fingers off, Asshole,” Royal says to Blaine as soon as he walks around his truck toward us. He holds up a plastic bag from some restaurant I’ve never been to. “Went to pick up some breakfast. Thought you’d still be sleeping when I got back.”

Blaine stands up and Royal eyes him over while grabbing my hand to help me up. “You two sure did seem nice and fucking cozy out here.”

I clear my throat and rub Blaine’s arm. “Blaine was just telling me about his sister, so you’re damn straight we were nice and cozy. I was comforting him.”

Royal looks at Blaine. Blaine quickly shakes his head, silently answering whatever the hell that look he’s giving him is asking. “Good.” Royal grabs my chin with his free hand and presses his soft lips against mine, gently breathing against them when he pulls away. “I don’t expect any less from you. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I whisper. “Now what’s in that bag? I’m starving.”

Royal lifts a brow and smiles. “Everything.”

Once we get inside, Royal opens the bag and starts emptying its contents onto the counter.

Bagels. Pancakes. Waffles. Eggs. Bacon. Sausage. Burritos. Fruit.

“Holy shit,” I say with wide eyes, about to tackle the food. I’m that excited. “A damn breakfast buffet. I think I might just love you.”

“You better,” he says, making my damn heart skip a beat from the tone of his voice.

Pulling my eyes away from his, I reach for one of the paper plates and dig in, before I can think too much on his response and take it for something more than what it is.

Madison finally joins us in the kitchen about ten minutes later, looking like she got hit by a damn bus.

Holy shit, Blaine tore it up . . .

She looks around the kitchen at the three of us eating. “How damn rude. You dicks couldn’t shove a bagel in my face and wake me up?”

“I thought about shoving something else in your face,” Blaine says. “But then you wouldn’t have wanted to get the hell out of bed.” He winks.

Madison tears off a piece of her bagel and grins. “So damn true.”

Everyone gets quiet, sitting in their own little random spots around the kitchen and eating. It’s a comfortable silence and I find that I like it. I could get used to this being my mornings.

“Come on, Blaine.” Madison jumps to her feet and walks over to straddle Blaine in his chair. “I have a few hours before work. You up for round five?”

Blaine quickly stands to his feet, picking her up with him. “Oh fuck yeah.” He tosses his piece of sausage down and grips her ass, before spanking it hard. He turns to Royal. “I’ll catch your ass later at Savage, yeah?”

Royal nods his head.

Then Blaine carries Madison out of the kitchen and we hear her bedroom door slam shut.

“Go get dressed while I clean up.” Royal pushes away from the counter and walks over to me. He places both of his hands on my hips and squeezes. “I’ve got to go help a friend with something real fast.”

Smiling, I wrap both of my arms around his neck. “Oh yeah. And what makes you think I want to go with?”

Royal leans in and brushes his lips against mine, before grabbing my bottom lip in his teeth and gently tugging. “What?” He whispers. “You don’t want to?”

I nod my head and suck my bottom lip into my mouth as he releases it. “I’ll get dressed,” I say, while rubbing the back of his head.

“That’s my girl,” he says against my lips, before kissing me and walking away to clean up.

I exit my room fifteen minutes later to find Royal standing on the front porch, texting on his phone.

He looks up when he hears me open the screen door. “You look fucking sexy in an old pair of jeans with your hair pulled back.” He hits end on his phone and puts it away, before even finishing his message. “Fuuck me.” He cups my face and presses his lips against mine. “How the fuck do you always taste so good? I’m pissed that my brother ever got to taste you. No more of that shit. Not as long as I’m breathing. Got it?”

“Yeah,” I barely get out, through my heavy breathing. “Your lips are so much better than his anyways,” I say with a smile.

His face softens and I’m surprised when he pulls me into a hug and buries his face in my neck. That always gets me.

I could never get tired of the way he makes me feel, and I suddenly feel emotional as he holds me close, as if he needs me. It makes my heart go crazy in my chest and causes my stomach to do flips, making me want to scream out that I love this man and I never want him to let go.

I want to always be what he needs. I want to always be his comfort and to be the neck that he buries his face in; no one else.

He finally pulls his face away. “Let’s go.” Grabbing my hand, he walks me to his truck and opens the door for me. Like always, he helps me in and shuts the door behind me.

“What about your text?” I ask once he’s inside the truck with me.

“I’m with you right now. Jax’s text can wait.”

My heart swells and my breath hitches when I feel Royal’s hand grab mine. He pulls it into his lap and runs his thumb over it.

“What if it’s important?” I can’t help but to ask.

“Then he’ll call when I don’t text back.” He glances over at me, before turning the radio up and relaxing into his seat as if he’s comfortable and content for the first time in a long time.

I spread my hand out on his thigh and smile as I watch him drive.

How can one man be so damn beautifully broken and breathtaking?