And Then There Was Us: Hugh Braden (Sweet with Heat: Weston Bradens Book 6)

by Addison Cole

  “Kat thinks I’m weird because I’m used to giving Layla my full attention. I just don’t want to be one of those women who slights her kid, you know? But I also don’t want to be some kind of freak who isn’t relatable. I don’t want to turn around when she’s eighteen and have been so blocked off that even she thinks I’m weird.” She sighed. “I wish parenthood came with a handbook.”

  Mack put his arm around her. “Don’t we all? You’re weird, Bree—that’s for sure—but not a bad weird. We’re all a little weird. I’ve watched you raise Layla since she was a baby, and you’re a little overly focused, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.” He started to reorganize the bottles on the shelves. “You spend all of your time with Layla or at work. All your brain thinks about is what you know, right? So since Layla was born, you’ve been thinking about work and Layla. You talk with Kat, or go shopping, or whatever, spend time with your mom, I guess. But that’s a really small piece of your life. Suddenly Braden shows up.” He winked at her.

  She couldn’t help but smile.

  “He comes into your life, but you’re so focused on this safe world you set up for yourself and Layla that you don’t really know how—or if you want to—venture outside of that world. So now you’ve got life over here.” He waved his left arm. “And over here.” He waved his right arm. “And in the center are you and Layla. You’re playing a game of tug-of-war. But, Bree, that game is all in your head, because every day your daughter goes out into the world with her friends. She laughs; she plays; she does schoolwork. She’s growing up and learning, but you…” He frowned and narrowed his eyes. “You don’t give yourself a chance to expand your own life experiences.”

  “So what are you saying? I should join more of life and forget about doing the right thing by my daughter?”

  “No. Definitely not.” He took her hand and led her away from the shelf. “Bree, you’re twenty-eight. You’re still a kid yourself. You deserve to fall in love, have fun, learn, take pictures, for Pete’s sake. You used to do that all the time.”

  “My camera broke.”

  “You know what I mean. Being a good mother and being a woman don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Look at Tami. She’s a mom, but she’s also a woman, with me and in general. She gets her hair done, she goes out with friends, and she still comes home and loves us all up. And I think it makes her a better mother by doing those things.”

  Brianna sighed. “So why do I feel so guilty?” She covered her face.

  “Because you’ve been perfect—and weird—for a very long time. And because you care. Trust your instincts, Bree. If Braden isn’t the right guy for you, you’ll know it in your heart. If he is…” He shrugged. “You’ll know that, too. But you have to start by allowing yourself to be a woman. It’s okay to think about a guy you like while you’re with Layla. I’d worry you didn’t like him very much if you didn’t think about him. Especially this early on in a relationship.”

  She sighed. “Thanks, Mack. Why is it that when you explain it to me, I get it, but when Kat says it, I feel like she’s just pushing me to go out and have fun?”

  “Because I’m old and she’s young. And with age comes a false facade of being wise.”

  Brianna arched a brow.

  “Or some crap like that.” He laughed.

  The door opened, and Kat popped her head into the stockroom. “Bree, lover boy is here.”

  “He’s here?” Ugh. I look awful. She reached up and patted her hair.

  “You look beautiful,” Mack said with a smile. He looked at his watch. “You’re on break anyway. Go.”

  HUGH HAD WAITED all day to see Brianna, and as she came through the stockroom doors, he felt a flutter in his chest. It took all his willpower not to sweep her into his arms and kiss her right then and there.

  “Hi.” He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips.

  “Hi. What are you doing here?” Her eyes darted around the bar, and he realized that Mack and Kat were both watching them.

  He released her hand and nodded at Mack, then waved at Kat. “I know you only have twenty minutes, but I thought I might monopolize at least fifteen of them.”

  She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sure.” She pulled the towel from her belt and set it on the bar. “Let me get my jacket.”

  He watched her walk away in her curve-hugging jeans and flat-bottomed boots. She was so sexy, and she didn’t even know it. Even her Old Town Tavern T-shirt made her look like the most exquisite and seductive girl-next-door he’d ever seen.

  They walked down the street hand in hand. Hugh had been trying to be respectful of her time, her space, and her reputation, and even though she’d given the green light to their intimacy, he still held back. Hugh was used to moving fast, and he worried that if he let his true emotions take control, he might smother her—or worse, scare her off completely. He had to test the waters.

  Hugh pulled her around the side of the building and took her in a long, avaricious kiss. “I’ve missed you.”

  Brianna hooked her finger in his belt. “Me too,” she whispered.

  He took her cheeks in his hands and pressed another kiss to her lips. They were definitely in sync. Her eyelids hung heavily, and her lips remained parted. She was so hot, he had to remind himself she had only a few minutes. He drew further away to calm his desires.

  “I…uh…I fixed your lock, and I saw that Layla opened her gift. I’m glad you gave it to her.”

  Brianna held his gaze. “She found it on the counter and she loved it. Thank you, but you really didn’t have to buy her those things. She’s just fin—”

  I want to kiss you. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. “I wanted to. I’m glad she loved it.” He didn’t have a plan for the fifteen minutes with her. He’d just needed to see her.

  Brianna fiddled with the edge of her jacket.

  “Hey, you okay? Did I overstep my bounds with the kiss? Or the gift?” His stomach lurched.

  She shook her head and took a step closer to him; then she reached up and took his cheeks in her hands and stood on her tiptoes. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again, soft and tender.

  “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” she whispered.

  She kissed him again, and Hugh backed her up against the wall, allowing himself to kiss her like he needed to kiss her—like he’d wanted to kiss her all afternoon—passionate and deep, until neither of them had any breath left in their lungs. She ground her hips into his and he couldn’t help but run his hand down the delicious curve of her hip and grab hold of her backside.

  He pulled back, and she said, “Kiss me,” in one long breath. She grabbed the back of his head and pressed his lips to hers again, capturing his next breath.

  She drove him crazy.

  “Next time, please don’t hesitate.” She looped her index finger in the waist of his pants.

  “I was trying to be respectful.”

  “I got it. You respect me. Hugh, I want to experience the real you, and whatever that is, I’m not afraid of it.”

  “You may not realize what you’re asking. I’m a thrill seeker—not with other women, but once I let my emotions take over, my carnal desires won’t be far behind. I might smother you.” He dragged his eyes down to her heaving chest and let his eyes linger there, then brought them back up again, weighing her expression, which got hungrier with each breath. “I don’t want to mess things up with you. I force myself to slow down and ask if I can touch you.” He cupped her hip in his hand.

  “Don’t,” she commanded, with serious eyes and an expression to match.

  He took his hand off her hip and she grabbed it and put it back.

  “Don’t think of me like that,” she said. “I mean, think of me with respect, but I can tell you’re holding back, and I want to experience you full-on, Hugh. If I’m going to risk my organized and overly scheduled life, then I want to do it right. I’ll never do anything that’ll jeopardize Layla or the world sh
e knows, but if we’re alone, or in bed together…” Her cheeks flushed.

  “Love you like I want to?”

  She nodded.

  He breathed heavily. “You might want to retract that the next time we’re alone together.”

  She bit her lower lip again, before whispering, “Good.”

  Man, she had no idea how his feelings for her had multiplied over the afternoon, or how much he wanted to crawl right back under the sheets with her.

  “When I get back from my race next weekend, I have a couple months off, and I’ve been thinking that I’d spend them here with you and Layla. You might regret your decision when you see me more often.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I can’t wait to find out.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  BRIANNA’S HEART FELT as if it might explode. She couldn’t believe she’d told Hugh what she wanted, and when she saw the dark, wild look in his eyes, a shock of apprehension ran through her—and just as quickly excitement chased it away. He held the door to the tavern open as they returned.

  “Did you say you get a couple months off? Months?” she asked as he helped her take off her coat.

  “I usually take off some of November, December, and January. I’m an on-again off-again road warrior for most of the year.” Hugh looked around the busy bar.

  “A road warrior?” She grabbed her towel from behind the bar and looped it over her belt, then grabbed an order pad as she noticed two couples settling into the booths.

  “The race schedule runs thirty weeks out of the year. When I race the circuit, I’m on the road a lot of that time. Listen, you need to work. I’ll sit down and have a soda and watch you for a minute or two.” He raised his eyebrows with a coy smile. “Then I’ll take off so you’re not distracted. You can call me after Layla’s asleep and we can talk.”

  Road warrior? What was I thinking? The thought of being apart for even half of that time was too much. She felt her heart breaking and knew she couldn’t mask the ache.

  “Okay,” she managed. She headed for the new customers before Hugh saw her face. Thirty weeks. I can’t do this to Layla. Or myself. Hugh settled into a seat at a nearby table, and her heart twisted; her stomach ached. She took the customers’ orders and went behind the bar to make their drinks.

  “So? Did you show or tell?” Kat whispered.

  Brianna’s lower lip trembled. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.

  “Bree? Oh, Bree. What happened?” Kat took the glass from Brianna’s trembling hand. “Honey, what happened?”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Tears tumbled down her cheeks.

  “Mack?” Kat called.

  Mack came behind the bar and stopped cold when he saw Brianna’s tear-filled eyes. “What happened?” Mack shot a look at Hugh and took a step in his direction.

  Brianna grabbed his shirt. “Mack, no,” she whispered. “He didn’t do anything. It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?” Mack kept his eyes trained on Hugh.

  Brianna glanced across the bar at the same time the door to the bar opened and Layla and Mrs. Cranston walked in.

  “Oh, no.” Brianna wiped her eyes.

  Layla ran up to the bar. “Mommy! Mr. Cranston had to go to the hospital and I need to stay here.”

  Brianna looked at Mrs. Cranston. She had a frightened look in her red-rimmed eyes. “What happened?”

  “We’re not sure. He had chest pain, and you know Mr. Cranston. He could have had it for weeks before saying anything. I’m sorry, Brianna. Your mom is out until midnight with that evening job, and I didn’t have anyone else to take her.”

  “Don’t be silly. Go, and thank you for bringing her here. Do you need a ride to the hospital?” Brianna came around the bar and hugged Mrs. Cranston.

  “No, thank you, dear. I’ve got my car. I’d better go.” She hurried out the door.

  “Of course. I hope he’s okay.” Brianna put her hand on Layla’s shoulder and looked at Mack. “Mack.” She glanced down at Layla, then at the full tables and booths.

  Mack blew out a breath. She could see that he needed her to work. Brianna took Layla’s hand and walked her to the end of the bar. “You can sit here and color while I work.” Shoot, shoot, shoot.

  “Brianna, she really needs someone to watch her. We’re too busy for you to do both, and we can get into trouble with her at the bar.” Mack’s gaze was soft, and Brianna knew he wasn’t trying to be a stickler, but he was right. She was too busy to be a mom and a bartender. Something had to give.

  Hugh came to the bar, and Mack moved beside him.

  Brianna shot a look at Mack. “Mack, please.” She caught a glimpse of Kat, who was rushing from table to table.

  Mack crossed his arms.

  “Hi, Mack.” Hugh smiled at Mack, then narrowed his eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You tell me,” Mack said.

  Hugh’s eyes darted between the two. “Bree?”

  “Ugh. Mack, I told you it wasn’t him. Hold on, Hugh.” She waved a hand at Layla. “Honey, I’ll be right back.” She dragged Mack to the other side of the bar with Kat on her heels.

  “It’s not him. Okay?” Brianna said to them. “He didn’t do anything. I just didn’t realize how many weeks he traveled each year, and once I did…”

  “Brianna, that’s why you were crying? You scared the life out of me. I didn’t want to be known as the guy who beat up Hugh Braden.” He pulled Brianna out of earshot of the customers. “Bree, if you guys really stay together, you won’t be apart during that time. Lots of those guys are married. Their wives and children travel with them and they bring along tutors for their kids, or they travel back and forth. Listen, if you were all broken up over being apart, then you must really like him. Give it a chance.” He took her by the shoulders and turned her around. “Look.”

  She watched Hugh drawing with Layla at the bar. His dimples deepened and his eyes smiled…at her daughter. Brianna melted beneath Mack’s grip. “Oh, Mack. I’m in so much trouble.”

  “Things could be worse.” Mack nodded at Tracie, who was headed directly for Hugh.

  Brianna groaned. “I got this.”

  Kat cut her off. “No. This one’s on me.”

  Tracie pressed her body against Hugh’s back and whispered in his ear, “Are you back here looking for a date?”

  Hugh cringed and shifted his body like a protective shield in front of Layla.

  Kat narrowed her eyes and slammed her order pad on the bar. Hugh drew his eyebrows together, and before she could utter a word, Hugh said, “Actually, my date nights are filled up for the foreseeable future. And if you’ll excuse me, Layla and I would like to finish our game of tic-tac-toe.”

  Tracie pursed her lips, glanced over at Layla, and then shot a scalding stare at Brianna.

  “That’s right, Red. He is taken with a capital T,” Kat said with a shake of her head.

  Tracie stomped off through the restaurant doors. Hugh nodded at Kat. “Thank you, Kat.”

  “My pleasure.” Kat leaned down and whispered, “I’ve been wanting to do something like that for months.” She tapped the napkin in front of Layla. “Hey, beautiful. You’ve got the most handsome date in the place.”

  Brianna put her hand on Layla’s shoulder. She watched her daughter look from Hugh to Kat, then back again. “He’s not my date.” Layla giggled. “He’s my handsome prince.”

  Brianna didn’t know it was possible for a heart to break apart and reassemble so quickly.

  Hugh caught her eye and winked. “I can entertain Layla while you work.” He looked at Layla and smiled. “We’ll be just fine, won’t we?”

  Layla nodded. “Yes, Mommy. Please?”

  I think he just might be my handsome prince, too.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “I DIDN’T MEAN to force myself into Layla’s life. She was there, and you seemed upset, and you said not to hold back. I just let my instincts take over.” Hugh stood beside Brianna while she
wiped down a booth. Mack had already closed the bar, and Layla was at another booth half awake, drawing pictures.

  “That’s okay. I’m glad you did. It kind of makes things easier. I wasn’t sure how or when to introduce you. Now I don’t have to worry about it.” She let out a sigh and looked at Layla. “She just sort of goes with the flow, doesn’t she?”

  “She’s pretty remarkable. I was the scribe to her muse. She sure does love princes and princesses.”

  Brianna laughed. “She’s in a princess stage right now.”

  “You’re going to think this is a frivolous waste, but would it be terrible if she got some dress-up stuff for her birthday? A Disney princess dress or something like that? Little girls love that stuff.”

  She closed her eyes and sighed. “I’m not sure what I think about her believing in all this fairy tale stuff. It’s not real life, and it sets her up to be hurt by the harsh realities of life.”

  Hugh’s eyes narrowed and his voice grew serious. “Dreaming is all you have as a kid. It’s what pulls you through the difficult times and inspires you to work harder.”

  “My childhood wasn’t exactly filled with dreams. It was filled with worries. Hopes maybe, but not really dreams,” she admitted.

  “Then don’t you want something more for Layla?” He wrinkled his forehead.

  “Is this what I have to look forward to? She’ll wrap you around her little finger and you’ll spoil her rotten and then I’ll have a monster on my hands? She’ll expect life to be one big fairy tale.”

  Hugh wrapped his arms around her waist. “Look at that face.” He looked at Layla sitting sleepily in the booth across the bar. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Does she look like she could ever be a monster?” He kissed Brianna and felt her stiffen within his arms. “Bree? I thought you told me not to hold back.”

  She pried herself from his arms. “I did, and I meant it. But…” She nodded at Layla. “I need to explain to her that we’re seeing each other or she’s going to be mighty confused.”

  “Of course.” He’d been so wrapped up in Brianna’s desire for him not to hold back his emotions that he wasn’t thinking straight. “Do you want me to be there when you tell her?”