Blindsided by Brooke

by Theresa Paolo

  The truck bounced as they hit a bump, and Brooke let out a sound that was a mix between a moan and a laugh. Once they were out of sight of the road, he threw the truck in park, flung his seat back, grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her onto his lap, crashing his mouth to hers.

  Their tongues met in a frantic dance of give and take as she rocked against his erection. His head fell against the head rest as she moved her hips with exact precision. His hand grabbed her tiny waist because if he didn’t, he swore he was going to start clapping.

  She nipped at his lip and then plastered his jawline with kisses. The sweet intimate gesture almost sent him spiraling over the edge. She trailed her tongue along his earlobe and then brought her mouth to his. He kissed her fast at first then slowing the pace, wanting to savor her sweetness.

  The sound of his zipper echoed through the truck, and her hand wrapped around his length. Pleasure coursed through his veins as she freed him from the restricting material. “Condom?” she breathed.

  He reached over the glove box, and she took the shiny packet from his grasp. She ripped the foil and with great attention rolled the condom into place.

  He grabbed her head and kissed her, dipping his tongue into the slick hollow of her mouth. His kiss was wild and wet, bordering on desperate.

  She moaned and he swallowed the sexy noise. Her hands held his face, kissing him with so much vigor, it was as if she’d been bottling it up for years, and maybe she had. He sure as hell felt like he had. She pulled back, looking down at him with a lust filled gaze. “I need you.”

  The words were like finding the perfect song on the radio. He cupped her cheek, staring into the depth of her eyes and the sheer affection hit him like a brick wall. He was in love with her, and it wasn’t something that just happened; it’d been building for years and years, he’d just been too blind to see what was right in front of him.

  He tucked her hair behind her ear, trailing his finger down the curve of her lobe. “I’m in love with you,” he blurted.

  She came to attention, her body flinging into the steering wheel. Pain etched into the corners of her mouth as her eyes widened, a weird combination of pain and shock. “You are?”

  He nodded and watched as the pain and shock eased from her face, morphing into a glowing happiness that he burned to his mind. It was a look he wanted to remember for the rest of his life.

  “I kind of love you, too,” she said.

  “Kind of?” he asked. “I think you can do better than that.”

  She shoved at his shoulder, and he grabbed her hand, sucking her fingertip into his mouth. She gasped, her eyes fluttering shut. Her eyes popped open when he rested her hand against the curve of his jaw.

  “So?”

  “You’re an idiot,” she said, and he laughed.

  “An idiot you only kind of love.”

  She rolled her eyes, and damn if that didn’t turn him on more than ever. “I love you, too! Better?”

  “Much,” he said and thrust inside her. She cried out, nails digging into his shoulders as she sank farther onto his length. He gave her a second to adjust to his size then moved inside her. She rocked against him and sensation rioted in his blood.

  He tore the top of her dress out of the way and was shocked to find her bare between the thin material. Two rosy nipples stood erect, begging for his mouth. He was happy to oblige, dipping his head and taking the tight bud between his teeth.

  Brooke arched, inadvertently taking him deeper. “Oh wow!” she cried out as he swirled his tongue around her taut nipple.

  His stomach muscles tightened. Feeling his release approaching, he found the swollen bundle of nerves between her legs and circled the sensitive flesh. Her body bucked, sliding up and down his length in torturous strokes.

  Pressure built inside him, shooting to his core, but he held off his release, refusing to tumble over the edge without her.

  “Come for me,” he said against her ear.

  Her slick walls clamped down on him, and every muscle in his body tightened. It was a race to the finish line, but this time there would be no losers.

  Pleasure zinged through his body, and as the first tremor moved through her, he chased his own release, thrusting hard and deep. He let out a groan, his head falling into the crook of her neck, burying into her heated skin.

  He hugged her to him, never wanting to let her go, wanting to stay in this moment forever. She ran her fingers through his hair, brushing her lips against his temple.

  When his breath stopped coming out in short, desperate gasps, he leaned back in the seat and kissed Brooke’s forehead.

  “So that was car sex,” she said.

  “Yup.”

  “Definitely have to do that again.”

  He nodded, still not able to fully form thoughts. “Uh huh.”

  “But first, I was thinking.” She bit her bottom lip. “Have you ever had sex in the woods?”

  “No.”

  “Perfect. Then we can be each other’s firsts.”

  So many other places popped into his mind, and Tyler couldn’t wait to experience all their firsts together.

  Chapter 18

  The next morning, Brooke awoke in Tyler’s arms. She rolled over, nuzzling into the warmth of his chest. She sprinkled kisses along his skin and he stirred with a satisfied moan.

  “Didn’t you have enough last night?” he asked, his voice heavy with sleep, making it unbelievably sexy.

  “I don’t think I can ever get enough of you.”

  He grabbed the round curve of her butt and pulled her close. His erection pressed against her belly and anticipation filled her. He kissed her forehead and the simple gesture warmed her heart.

  She went to wrap her hand around his length when he sat up and hung his legs over the side of the bed.

  “Hey! Where are you going?”

  “I’m hungry,” he said.

  “You’re abandoning sex for food?”

  “A guy’s got to eat.”

  “Unbelievable. He chooses bacon over me.”

  He put his knee on the bed, the mattress sinking beneath his weight. “I want to show you something,” he said.

  She cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

  “Come with me and I’ll show you.”

  “I’ve already seen it. I think I’ll stay right here.” She tugged the blanket up under her chin and cuddled in. She didn’t have to be at work for another couple of hours and she planned on taking full advantage.

  Her eyes slipped shut when suddenly big hands grabbed her, taking her away from her comfy cocoon. She moaned and reached for the comforter in dramatic flair.

  Tyler laughed. “I’m surprised you never wanted to be an actress.”

  “That was always Daisy’s thing.” She rested her head against the warmth of his chest and pressed her nose to the crook of his neck. He still smelled like his cologne and she relished in the delicious scent. He strode toward the kitchen. She hoped he’d bypass it for the living room and snuggle up with her on the couch.

  When he stopped in the kitchen, she silently sighed. He placed her on the counter and slid his laptop toward them.

  “I thought you were hungry,” she said.

  “I am, but I told you I want to show you something.”

  She looked down at his still noticeable erection.

  “Not that.” He laughed. “This.” He typed a few things on his keyboard then turned the screen to her.

  A smile tilted her lips at the words scrolled across the website. Carrington Vacation Rentals: Quaint houses in picturesque Red Maple Falls.

  Find the perfect home for that long-deserved vacation or romantic getaway. Book your stay today and discover why Red Maple Falls is America’s favorite small town.

  She took in the website, the clean lines, nice font and layout. “You did all this? When?” She couldn’t believe he hadn’t told her about this yet. This website was the key to his business becoming a success. Once he launched and people actually got to see all the
things that the town had to offer, he would be booked up way in advance. “It had to have taken you forever.”

  “Only a night.”

  “That’s it?” The attention to detail, the amount of information listed and the layout had an easy flow that the eye just followed. It didn’t look like something that was slapped together overnight. There was definite planning involved.

  “After our fight, I came home thought a few things out, realized I needed to come up with a workable business plan and set goals for myself. In order to reach those goals, I needed to do something proactive and that’s when the website came into fruition. I’m also thinking I can eventually set up an app. Make an interactive Red Maple Falls bucket list for people to check off during their stay. Have a tab for coupons so they just have to show their phones at the businesses. I can come up with barcodes that way I can keep track of what deals intrigue the people most. Gather real data to use and take advantage of with marketing.”

  “I’m seriously impressed.”

  “Really?” he asked, eyebrows pulling together. “Can I get that in writing?”

  She swatted his chest. “Shut up. If I complimented you every time you impressed me, it would become meaningless.”

  His gaze took her in, studied her as if he could read her mind. “When have I impressed you?”

  “What?” she asked.

  He crossed his arms over his bare chest, his muscles bulging from the act. He leaned against the counter, her eyes lingering on his abs. “I’m waiting,” he said.

  She snapped her attention away from the hard ridges of muscle. “Then you’re going to be waiting a while.”

  “Just tell me one time,” he said.

  “Like an exact event?”

  “If I’ve impressed you that much, I’m sure you can think of something.”

  She rolled her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was feed his ego, but it was too late, she’d already opened the fridge door and if she didn’t toss him some food, he would hound her. She had a million times to choose from. He might have had a few failed business attempts in the past, but that didn’t negate his intelligence. There was a reason he was a force to be reckoned with at Trivia.

  He was ridiculously smart and it was something that had intimidated her time and time again. It was why she loved winning against him in trivia. It made her feel like she was on his level.

  Not wanting to name something from too far in the past, she stuck with the most recent.

  “When you got my car to start,” she said. “You knew it was the starter within seconds. It was impressive.”

  A ridiculous smile spread wide across his face. “Turned you on, didn’t it?”

  “Oh yes. I could barely contain myself.”

  He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her close, but before he could kiss her, she turned her cheek and tapped the laptop screen. “Show me the rest.”

  He sighed in disappointment, but he quickly recovered, clicking through all the tabs and drop-down boxes. She particularly loved the ‘Things to Do’ section and she thought it would be a huge hit with potential bookings.

  Tyler pointed to the empty boxes that littered the pages. “This is where you come in,” he said.

  “Oh? Continue.”

  “I want to put pictures of the house now that all the landscaping is done. We have a few, but I want more and I want pictures of the town too. You have a really good eye for that stuff.”

  “You think so?” she asked.

  “I’ve seen your pictures on social media.”

  Her head tilted, taking him in. “Been creeping on my pages?”

  “Maybe.”

  She felt her cheeks warm at the admission, but cleared her throat and shrugged to cover it up. “I’ll take care of it,” she said.

  He cupped her face. “You’re the best.”

  “You’re only saying that because you want to get lucky now.”

  He brushed his lips against the curve of her jaw. “Is it working?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Good,” he said, moving his mouth across her neck, chills ran down her spine and she swallowed a moan.

  “I thought you were hungry,” she said.

  “I was, but I’ll always choose you over bacon.”

  Chapter 19

  Three days later, Brooke was in Tyler’s bed for the umpteenth time after also making love in the woods, the rental house, and the backroom of Calhoun’s. Every chance they could get, they’d find themselves indulging in each other. Her body still zinged with aftershocks of their lovemaking. She leaned against his hard chest, his hand draped over her shoulder and holding her hand. He ran his thumb across her knuckles as they basked in each other.

  She turned to their interlocked fingers and kissed the back of his hand.

  “You know what would make this better?” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Some Led Zeppelin.”

  “Sometimes I think you’re perfect, and then you say things like that,” she joked.

  “Seriously, what do you have against classic rock?”

  She never said it out loud, but she wanted to share all of herself with Tyler. He wouldn’t judge her and he definitely wouldn’t make her feel stupid for how she felt, so she took a deep breath and let it out. “It was what my dad listened to, and when I hear certain songs, it brings me back to a time I’d rather not remember.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because if you haven’t noticed, I don’t like to be weak, and for me, allowing some stupid song to bother me is a weakness that I hate about myself.”

  “It’s completely understandable.”

  “Still makes me weak.”

  “I don’t think you could be weak if you tried.” He kissed her. “You are the strongest woman I know.”

  “Because I don’t put up with your shit?”

  “That’s one of the reasons.” He laughed. “But you also have held yourself together through so much loss and heartache. You didn’t let it knock you down. If anything, you got back up, stronger than ever. You’re determined.”

  “I don’t know if I’m as much determined as I am stubborn.”

  “Both are equally sexy,” he said.

  Brooke’s phone rang, and she rolled away from Tyler to grab it. Bex’s name flashed on her screen and she answered it.

  “You were right,” Bex said.

  “I tend to be right.” Brooke laughed. “What was I right about this time?”

  “Farrah was getting kickbacks if I wore certain outfits.”

  “I knew it!” Brooke exclaimed.

  “Knew what?” Tyler asked, kissing her bare shoulder. She hushed him, then kissed his lips to momentarily satisfy him.

  “All the signs were there; I don’t know how I missed them.”

  “What did you do with her?” Brooke asked.

  “What was I supposed to do? I fired her.”

  “Good for you. You don’t deserve to have people like that in your life.”

  “Which is exactly why I have something to ask you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Will you be my stylist?”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “No, and I don’t know if I should be offended by that or not. I’ll choose not to be. I need you.”

  “I don’t know the first thing about being a stylist,” Brooke said, though the idea excited her.

  “You basically already are. You saved me from wardrobe disaster after wardrobe disaster these past two weeks, and you weren’t here with me. You did it all over the phone. Imagine what you could do in person.”

  Brooke didn’t know what to say. This was her dream job. She never made it to FIT, but she now had the chance to dress one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. How could she say no to that? Tyler stopped kissing her shoulder and looked at her, deep blue eyes darkening.

  “I… I don’t know.” Even though the voice in the back of her mind urged her to jump on the opportunity, she c
ouldn’t. Not after she got mad at Tyler for making a decision without discussing it with her first.

  “Let me convince you then,” Bex said. “I’ll need you to come to London with me next month while I do the international circuit thing. After that Paris and Milan. All your expenses will be paid, and you’ll get to stay with me at some of the best hotels in the world.”

  “That sounds amazing but…” Brooked glanced over to Tyler. His eyebrows were pulled together, and he’d stopped touching her altogether.

  “But what?” Bex said. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime and you deserve it. I wouldn’t want anyone else in the position.”

  “Can I think about it?” Brooke found herself saying, while that voice in the back of her head screamed its disapproval.

  “Of course,” Bex said. “I’ll call you later and we can discuss it more. I have to get on set now.”

  “Don’t keep them waiting,” Brooke said before saying her goodbyes and hanging up. She looked down at her phone, cursing the universe.

  It figured she would get the chance at her dream job at the exact same time she found the man that she could see a future with. Why was life so cruel?

  She had only left Red Maple Falls a handful of times, but still, she had never left the state and now she had the opportunity to get on a plane and fly halfway around the world. It sounded like heaven, like life was finally cutting her a break, but then she looked at Tyler and her happiness crumbled. She had to make a decision, but there was no right or wrong this time. Either way a part of her heart would break.

  “What was that about?” Tyler asked.

  She put the phone down. “That was Bex. She offered me a job as her stylist.” She was still in disbelief, feeling as if the words coming out of her mouth were all a dream. “She wants me to go to the UK with her.” The thought of finally getting out of Red Maple Falls and seeing the place where Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Versace originated was almost too much for her to comprehend. Heck, she’d never even been on a plane before and now she would be travelling around Europe.

  “What are you going to do?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. This is my dream, I can’t not take it.” She blinked up, locking eyes with him. “You don’t want me to, do you?” It was obvious in the slump of his shoulders and slight frown on his lips.