Brady

by Kensie King

  “Not quite.”

  “A secret cabin you’re building to live in.”

  I glanced at him again and saw his smile. “How did you guess?”

  “That’s right?” He leaned forward in his seat, like he was looking for the cabin. It made me happy that he was excited about the place. That I could share it with him.

  “Pretty close,” I told him. I pointed out his window. “There’s a waterfall over that way, just off this side road here.”

  “Really?”

  He was like a little kid, excited about everything I showed him. I reached out and took his hand, entwining my fingers with his. He glanced at me, surprise in his gaze.

  “That’s cute,” I told him.

  “What is?”

  “That it’s a surprise to you every time I touch you.”

  This time he blushed. I smiled at him. “It’s not that surprising,” I told him. “Fox thinks you’re cute, too.”

  His mouth dropped open. “You’re lying.”

  “Why would you think that?” I asked him, genuinely curious. “You seem like a decent catch. I bet you’re fighting them off back at home.”

  “Not even close.” He shrugged but didn’t continue.

  Did he really think that no one would be interested in him?

  And it was pretty easy to tell I had a thing for him—but he still didn’t seem to believe it. I’d just have to work harder to show him.

  “Here we are,” I said, turning off the main road down a side one that had grown more and more familiar over the last several months.

  Noah leaned forward again, adjusting his glasses and waiting like a little kid for the house to come into view.

  When it did, I got that same feeling inside that I always got. A feeling of belonging—and a sense of accomplishment. This was my place and I’d built most of it by myself.

  “This is amazing,” Noah said, awe in his voice. “I have so many questions.”

  I chuckled and released his hand so I could park. “You can ask me anything you want.”

  Noah blushed and smiled at me again. “It’s just research. I’m always thinking about stories and mentally taking notes so I have ideas or knowledge for the next thing I write.”

  “You’re writing about someone building a house in one of your children’s books?”

  His blush turned even redder.

  “Oh,” I said, my lips curving. “You mean for one of your other stories. The ones under a pen name.”

  He reached for the door handle and got out. I knew I’d guessed correctly. Now I was determined to get it out of him. I wanted to know his other passion, the one he wanted to keep from the world.

  I hurried around to meet Noah on the other side of the car and took his hand, relieved when he let me. I figured it might take a little time to get him to open up more, just like last night, so I planned on being patient.

  Right now, it was enough to have him here with me, his hand in mine as I led him to the house.

  It had a good foundation and walls now. The plumbing was in and we were getting close to cosmetic stuff.

  “I come here every weekend to work—and have been for months,” I told him, guiding him inside the space where the front door was going to go. “A couple evenings a week, too. I hope to have it done by summer so I can finally move in.”

  “It’s really great.”

  “This,” I said, pointing, will be my bedroom. I walked him inside the space and stopped when he stopped. “French doors here and a balcony to sit outside.”

  He walked to the edge of the space to see the view.

  “Careful,” I told him, keeping his hand tight in mine.

  His eyes were wide. “Wow. I can’t imagine waking up to this every morning. I could probably sit here and write a thousand stories—”

  He broke off with a blush and ducked his head.

  “No, tell me,” I insisted. “I want to know more about you. I like to daydream, too, and I dreamed about this place a long time before I built it.”

  He shrugged and pulled away from me, walking in the other direction to explore more. I caught up to him, propping my arm on the wall to block his way.

  His wide eyes lifted to mine. “Brady,” he murmured.

  Just my name on his lips was enough to turn me on. Couldn’t he see that I wanted more of him? That he could be himself around me?

  “Is it me?” I asked. “Because it seems like you’re perfectly willing to talk to Fox.”

  His gaze lowered like he wasn’t sure what to say. “It’s not you.”

  “Then what is it?” I asked.

  He didn’t look like he was going to answer at first. I couldn’t help the disappointment. There was something going on, and despite what he said, it seemed like it had everything to do with me.

  “Are you interested in Fox?” I asked. I had to know.

  Noah laughed softly. “No, I’m not—I mean, he’s cute and—” He broke off when he saw the look on my face. “No. I’m interested in you.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “But it just doesn’t make sense. I’m this geeky writer guy who barely leaves his apartment. People like you aren’t interested in people like me. And that makes sense. I mean, I’m nobody. I—”

  “That’s not true,” I told him, stepping closer. “And I am most definitely interested in you.”

  He still looked skeptical. “I guess,” I told him, “I’m just going to have to prove it.”

  Before he could say another word, I leaned in, pressing my body against his. He was plastered against the wall, unable to move.

  I took his face in my hands and kissed him hard. I wanted to know if his body would respond to mine, if he felt the same attraction I did.

  I’d hate it if he didn’t but at least then I’d know.

  “Noah,” I murmured, my lips brushing his. I slowed down, to run my hand over his cheek and then lower, gripping the material of his shirt. “Tell me. If you don’t feel anything, just tell me.”

  His lips parted, and then it was like his composure broke. “I feel something,” he said, voice rough. “I feel too much, and it scares me.”

  Then he returned the kiss, and I practically died right there. His lips were hot on mine, a fever as they raced to take what they wanted. I parted for him and his tongue plunged inside my mouth.

  With a groan, I shifted, pinning his hands to the wall. Fuck, he was hot. And when I felt his cock press against my thigh, I knew without a doubt he felt the same way I did.

  Chapter 9

  I was completely helpless, pinned to the wall by Brady’s muscular body as he ravaged my mouth with his tongue. It was every wild fantasy scene in one of my books come true.

  He was rough and gentle at the same time, making sure not to hurt me but also driving me crazy.

  In a way, I was secretly glad I’d told him the truth. That he’d seen a glimpse into my mind. It was true I didn’t think he could really have feelings for me—and Brady decided to prove me wrong.

  So wrong.

  His cock dug into my abdomen, a hard as stone reminder that he wanted me. And he wasn’t relenting.

  I caught my breath when he ran his lips over my jaw while my dick pulsed in time to my heartbeat. God, I wanted him. But I’d wanted Brady since the first time I saw him—and remembering that brought me back to reality.

  “Brady,” I whispered.

  “Hmm?”

  I met his eyes while my body continued to rage with need. “Hold on. This—uh…it’s…”

  He stopped kissing me. “It’s fast. Dammit.” He released me, then glanced down. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “No, my ankle is better. It’s just…”

  How did I explain? I wanted him—my erection was evidence of that—but my brain was struggling to catch up. I’d just gotten used to the idea that Brady had feelings for me—or at least an interest—and suddenly we’re kissing like teenagers in a half-finished house.

  “I shoul
dn’t have done that,” Brady said, stepping back and putting his hands on his hips. “I’m sorry. I wanted—no, needed to show you how much I’ve been wanting this. I didn’t mean to…” His lips curved. “No, actually, I did mean to. But I’m sorry if it was too fast.”

  He was adorable. And far more honest with me than I was being with him. But how could I tell him that as much as I wanted his hands on me and his cock in me, it didn’t make sense. I wasn’t a good match for Brady—especially when our worlds were so far apart.

  “Here,” Brady said, holding out his hand, “let’s slow down. I brought lunch. We can eat it on the deck—it’s safe, I promise.”

  I swallowed. Sure. Lunch, I could do. I set my hand in his and got charmed all over again when he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.

  “Please tell me I didn’t ruin this,” Brady said.

  I blinked, caught off guard. “No. I mean…we’re good. And I’m hungry.”

  It wasn’t complete assurance, but Brady seemed to take it that way. He walked me to the deck off the side of what was supposed to be the kitchen and had me wait while he returned to his truck to get what we needed for lunch. He even brought a blanket so we’d have somewhere to sit.

  He’d thought of everything. Which just made this that much harder. Brady was demolishing my ideas of what the real world was like. He was making me believe in the fairytale, and that was dangerous.

  But I wasn’t ready to go back to the real world yet.

  Lunch, I told myself. I’d have lunch with him and that was it. Then, I’d get back to writing and back to knowing that things like this—flings like this—weren’t real. And they definitely didn’t last.

  Brady unpacked the basket he’d put lunch in, surprising me at how much thought he’d put into it. “I hope you like sandwiches. I was little low on food and didn’t have much to work with.”

  “This is perfect,” I told him, accepting everything he passed over and trying to forget about my earlier thoughts.

  If anything, I had to remember that this was great research for a book. That all of it had a purpose.

  I tilted my face to the sky, enjoying the sunshine. I didn’t think it was going to last much longer with the clouds coming in, but for now it was warm and bright.

  “This is the perfect spot for your house,” I told Brady.

  “I agree. I wanted something close to the resort but far enough away it still felt like I wasn’t so tied to work. Is that hard for you? I assume you work at home?”

  I glanced over. “It’s not too bad. I like being at home.”

  When he was quiet, I looked over again. Brady was watching me instead of eating his lunch.

  “I’m really trying here, Noah,” he murmured.

  My heart clutched. He was trying. It wasn’t his fault it was hard for me to open up—and definitely not his fault that I found it hard to see this as anything more than a lunch between friends.

  I gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I guess I spend so much time by myself or in my own head, it’s hard to remember that other people actually like to talk.”

  “I’m not going to force you—”

  “No, it’s not that,” I assured him. “I just kind of forget sometimes that there’s a real world out there and I’m supposed to be a part of it. My apartment is small. One bedroom, a very small balcony—nothing like this. I don’t need much. The view of the city is okay, but…” I shrugged. “It’s okay.”

  “But what?” he asked, reaching out and touching my arm. “What were you going to say?”

  I swallowed. “Just that I wish I had something better—something like this. It doesn’t have to be big or—or fancy. But something with a view. Something to inspire me.”

  “Then why don’t you find something? I know it’s expensive in the city, but—”

  “How do you know I live in the city?” I asked.

  He gave a sheepish smile. “Derek told me. He said you mentioned something about driving down from Seattle.”

  “Oh. Yeah. I live there. Have my whole life, since my mom and dad separated. And after she remarried and then got another divorce.” I grimaced. It felt like that was my entire life—being there for my mom or my sister every time one of their relationships fell apart. It helped that I was able to work at home but that just made it even easier for them to come to me when life got hard.

  Just another reason I’d rather spend my day in my own head and worlds with happily ever afters rather than the reality of the real world.

  “Sore subject?” Brady asked.

  I looked away, taking in the view again. I saw something flying overhead. “Is that an eagle?”

  Brady grinned. “Yes. There are a few around here. They fly over the lake all the time. I’m surprised you haven’t seen them before.”

  “Guess I should be paying more attention.” Which was the case with everything. Maybe if I’d been paying more attention, I’d have realized Brady had a thing for me.

  I might have been more prepared.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket and I shifted to pull it out. “Sorry,” I told him. “I’m expecting a message from my agent.”

  He lifted his eyebrows. “Impressive.”

  But when I looked at the screen, my shoulders tensed. Nellie. Again. I was going to have to make time to call her back today. And while I was at it, I might as well get back to work. I was much, much better at writing love stories than trying to live in one.

  It was better this way—especially for Brady.

  “What’s wrong?” Brady asked.

  I put my phone back in my pocket. “It’s my sister.”

  “You don’t need to answer?”

  “No. I’ll call her when we get back. She’s going through a divorce. Speaking of getting back…” I glanced to his truck. “I’m sure you have stuff to do.”

  Brady frowned, looking like he was going to argue. I had no idea what he had to do, but I was sure I was keeping him from something more important than struggling to make small talk with me.

  “You’re ready to go back?” he asked, voice low.

  I forced a nod. “That’s probably a good idea.”

  We’d barely eaten any of our lunch, but I wasn’t feeling it—and I doubted Brady was either. He seemed distracted as much as I felt like I was.

  I followed him to the truck and kept silent the entire way back.

  When we reached my cabin, I got out quickly, hoping that Brady would stay put and I could get back to work without an issue.

  But he got out and met me on the other side of the car.

  “Thanks for lunch,” I told him quickly. “I really like your house.”

  “Thanks,” he said, though the enthusiasm was gone from his voice. “Listen…” He ran a hand through his hair. “If I said something or—”

  “No,” I assured him quickly. “You didn’t. I—I had a good time. I just have a lot of work to do.”

  He frowned and then pulled the basket from the back of his truck. “I’m sure you’re still hungry. Or you will be later.”

  I started to shake my head, but he put the basket in my hands.

  “I insist,” he said. He looked like he was going to go, but then angled back. “And if you want company later or want some dinner or something, I’ll be around. My cabin is behind the main office.”

  I knew exactly where it was from watching over the years. But I only nodded, though I didn’t have any intention of going there. “Thanks.”

  Before he could say anything else, I walked up the steps and shut myself inside the cabin. And, since I was taking care of business, I figured I might as well call my sister.

  It rang twice before she answered. She sounded breathless. “Hello?”

  “Hey, it’s me. I saw you called. And sent a message.” I rolled my eyes. She’d called and sent messages more than once.

  “I did. I just needed someone to talk to the other day. But then I just wanted to check in to make sure you made it okay. I know it�
�s a long drive.”

  I blew out a breath and sat on the edge of the couch, eyeing the basket of food. Brady was right, I was still hungry. “That was nice of you. Sorry I didn’t call back. How are you?”

  “Actually I was just heading out. James and I are going to counseling.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” Her voice was muffled for a minute. “I’ll talk as I walk to the car. It’s a long story, but we’re going to try to make things work. I’ll tell you about it when you get back. What’s going on with you? Getting a lot of writing done?”

  “Uh…” My computer sat on the table. I’d barely touched it today—well, except to write a few steamy scenes with Brady in mind. “A little.”

  “How about that hunky guy you always talk about? Is he there?”

  I paused. Did I tell her any of it? She was my sister and we shared pretty much everything. “We went out to dinner.”

  “What? Noah, why didn’t you call me?”

  “I was going to talk to you today.”

  “Is he even sexier now that you’ve gotten to know him?”

  Ugh. Yes. He’d been so sweet today making us a picnic lunch and showing me his secret house. And then I’d ruined it.

  “He is,” I told her.

  “You’re going to go for it, right? You shouldn’t even be talking to me right now. Go get him.”

  “It’s more complicated than that,” I told her.

  “Why? If you like him, go for it.” I heard the sound of a car door opening. “Listen, Noah, I have to go. But life is short. Why not be happy while you can? Call me later and tell me all the details.”

  She hung up before I could say anything. I stared at the phone for a minute as dread settled in. Shit. What had I done? Probably ruined things between me and Brady for good.

  But I was nervous and unsure about doing anything—about going for it, like Nellie said.

  I stood and walked to my computer. She was right, though. Life was short. Maybe, I thought as I sat to start writing a new chapter, it was time I stopped living in my stories and started living in the real world.

  Chapter 10