Noah began moving toward Finn’s front door. He looked down at his expensive work boots and the fine cut of his slacks and smiled. He liked wearing a suit. His concession to that was a designer pair of jeans and a polo shirt. Noah couldn’t remember the last time he’d put on a pair of sweats—not even to sleep in. Maybe he needed to loosen up a little, experience more freedom. Sarah seemed to bring that out in him. She was tightly wound, and wanting to help her unwind was making him want to be more free. He was determined right now to make a change.
The funny part about the way he dressed was that he did it all for himself. He couldn’t care less what anyone thought of him. Noah was a confident man, had been all his life. He worked hard, and though he’d never been a wealthy man, he’d known his place in the world and had always known he’d be a success. Impressing strangers was the last thing on his mind.
But now that he’d received what Joseph Anderson said was rightfully his, he had more money in his bank account than he could possibly ever spend. That money hadn’t changed who he was. It had fast-tracked him on his career; having the Anderson name meant something, but he was still the same man he’d been before he found out he was one of those Andersons.
He knew this new identity wouldn’t change his siblings, either. They’d been raised by a beautiful, wonderful, humble mother who would spank their asses even as adults if they ever thought they were better than another just because of what was in their wallet or what their name was.
He was eternally grateful for the values she’d instilled in each of them.
Noah was confident for sure, but standing at six feet three and weighing 190 pounds helped a little with that. When you added in his crystal-blue eyes, chiseled jawline, and fit body, he had little to feel insecure about. His dark hair and easy smile had made finding dates a little too easy his entire life.
But since he’d met Sarah, his desire to date anyone else had disappeared. She intrigued him more than any other woman he’d ever met. And he still wasn’t quite sure what to think about that. Should he fight the feeling? Or should he follow in Finn’s footsteps and make her his wife?
Well . . . if she agreed.
And he wasn’t sure she would. He had no doubt she was attracted to him. That was more than obvious, since anytime they were in a room together, he could practically smell the smoke rising from their overheated bodies. But she seemed to be even more afraid of commitment than he was.
That was saying a lot.
They were hot and heavy; then they’d both freaked out after the accident. They were drawn together like two powerful magnets; then they ran as fast as they could when it was too intense. They had to figure it out before they drove everyone around them utterly crazy.
Noah stepped up to Finn’s door and smiled. He couldn’t help but think about how opposite he and his brother were. While Noah loved suits and ties, Finn preferred ratty jeans and hoodies. Noah also kept his hair short and neat and used gel. Since Finn had retired from the military, his hair had become slightly unruly, and he rebelled at any kind of uniformity. All the siblings had similarities that made it more than obvious they were brothers if they were together. But their personalities couldn’t be more different.
Their mother had told them how much she valued their differences. She loved how unique and talented each of her sons were. Knowing that gave them the courage and pride to go after their dreams, knowing there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish if they put their minds to it.
Noah didn’t bother knocking on his brother’s front door. They were family, and there was no need for that. Luckily Finn had married a woman they all loved and who loved them as well, because she didn’t care about the normal conventions, either. If they did knock, she was offended they didn’t feel at home enough to treat it like their own house. His brother had truly lucked out when he’d gone after Brooke. She was a one-of-a-kind female.
When he stepped inside the large house, he was hit in the face with the most delicious smell, which instantly had his stomach growling and his pace quickening as he headed straight for the kitchen. He thought back and couldn’t remember the last time he’d put food in his body.
One negative of being a bachelor was he’d get busy and forget to stop and eat. Food was a necessity of life, and he certainly took pleasure in eating well, as long as he wasn’t the one having to do the cooking. Brooke didn’t always cook, but when she did, it was definitely good.
He found Brooke in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. Maybe there were times in life he didn’t make the best decisions, but he doubted that. He crept up to her and leaned in.
“Whatcha making?” he asked in a loud voice.
She jumped about three feet in the air and let out an ear-piercing scream before turning around and giving him a death glare with her hand placed over her heart. He started laughing, unable to control himself.
Damn, it felt good to have a great belly laugh. He was still bent over as Brooke scolded him when his brother Finn skidded into the room, his eyes intense as he assessed the situation. It didn’t take long to figure out what was going on.
“Your brother’s a pain in the ass,” Brooke said, shaking her finger at him. “He doesn’t get fed.”
“Whoa, now there’s no need for that,” Noah said in between chuckles.
“You never want to piss off the cook,” Finn warned. “But I see you’ve arrived in style. I about came in here with an arsenal when I heard my wife’s scream.”
Noah was sure his brother wasn’t kidding. “I almost feel sorry for a person stupid enough to mess with your wife.”
“Damn straight,” Finn said. “He’d never be found.”
“I don’t need anyone protecting me. I can certainly take care of myself,” Brooke told them both.
“I have no doubt about it. You took down Finn the first time you met him. I’ve been a bit in love with you ever since.”
“Quit flirting with my wife,” Finn said before grabbing Brooke and giving her one solid kiss. “And I let her take me down.”
Now it was Brooke’s turn to laugh. “You keep telling yourself that, darling,”
“I will,” he said. The way he looked at Brooke was so intimate Noah felt like an intruder. There was no doubt how much the two of them loved each other. It made Noah want things he’d never wanted before. He wasn’t sure what he thought about that.
“Have you forgiven me enough to feed me?” Noah asked, trying to look as apologetic and helpless as possible. He really was hungry, dang it.
“I don’t know,” Brooke said. But she moved over to the cupboard and pulled down three bowls and began dishing them up.
“I love clam chowder,” Noah said as he accepted the bowl and moved over to the breakfast bar and sat. The smell of the soup was pure heaven. Brooke set out some crackers, fresh bread, and butter before she sat with them.
He was eating too quickly, and some chowder dripped down on his shirt. He got up and grabbed a wet rag, quickly cleaning up the spill. Finn laughed as he sat back down next to him.
“Shut up,” Noah told him, swiping at the spot again. He couldn’t stand stains. It was so trashy.
“Better be careful, brother. People might think you’re not perfect if you go out in public like that,” Finn told him.