Love So Hot

by Marquita Valentine

  How could she be cool and collected when she had to look at his handsome face? Or at his lips and not imagine kissing him again?

  “You’re really doing it, huh?”

  She gave him a look. “Um, yeah.”

  “Don’t.”

  “But I need to get rid of this. It’s too much for—”

  Brody fell to his knees, stunning her into silence. “Don’t leave me Sydney. I’m sorry. I was a fool, but most of all I was wrong. I love you. I miss you. I hate not talking to you every day.”

  The bag tipped over and shoes spilled out, along with the fancy lingerie she’d purchased to wear for him. She’d done everything in her power to seduce him, and all she’d gotten for it in the end was a terse ‘get out’.

  “You told me to leave,” she reminded him.

  “I didn’t mean Jessamine.” He grabbed her hand and pressed it to his face. “God, I miss the feel of your skin. I miss touching you, kissing you… holding you. I’m worthless without you. I’m grumpy and ornery.”

  “You’re out of your mind.” Sydney tugged her hand away and bent over to pick up her things. “I can’t do this. I don’t understand this sudden change in attitude.”

  “It’s not sudden,” he said, helping her pick up her things. “I’ve been feeling this way for weeks now, but I was too stubborn to admit it.”

  “What changed?”

  He gave her a rueful smile. “A come-to-Jesus-meeting with one of your best friends.”

  “One of my best friends?”

  “Cherry McCoy.”

  “That’s all it took? A talk from Cherry.” Where had he gotten the idea she and Cherry were best anything?

  “Yeah,” he said, looking so pleased with himself that she wanted to smack him.

  “But listening to me, your best friend of twenty-three years, tell you the truth and apologize wasn’t enough?” She shook her head and straightened. “That’s not right, Brody, and it’s not fair. And if the only way you’ll get over being angry is to talk to someone outside of this relationship—especially a former girlfriend—then I am not the woman for you.” Heavy air filled her chest until it felt as though a lead cannonball sat in the middle of it. “Please leave, Brody.”

  His pleased look turned into obvious horror. “Sydney, baby…don’t. Don’t send me away. I’m sorry I screwed up. Give me a chance.” He ran a hand through his hair and stood up. “I love you. More than anything.”

  “I love you, too. For years I loved you, but I don’t like you right now.” Leaving the bag, she ran up the stairs to her apartment and slammed the door behind her, and slid to the floor, once again crying her eyes out over Brody Lawson.

  *

  Two nights later, the sound of a fire truck siren woke Sydney out of a dead sleep. She bolted to the window and peered out. No less than three fire trucks sat in the parking lot. One was extending its ladder.

  She sniffed the air. No smoke.

  Peering out her curtains again, she just could make out the guys milling around. They didn’t seem to be in a hurry, and no one had hooked the hose up to the fire hydrant sitting right beside the biggest engine.

  “Sydney.”

  Frowning, she opened her window and found Kyle standing at the bottom of the building. He grinned at her. “S’up, girl? I have a little surprise for you.”

  “Kyle, if I told you once, I’ve told you a dozen times—”

  Cherry joined Kyle, giving him a kiss—a rather long kiss—before grinning up at Sydney. “We have a surprise for you.”

  Her jaw dropped and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “Are you dating Kyle?”

  Kyle nodded. “We’ve been keeping it a secret.”

  “So the two of you,” Cherry pointed at the ladder. “would have time to admit how you really feel.”

  Brody stood up in the cherry picker, stunning her even more. “I’m here, Sydney, to ask you some questions. I figure a woman like you deserved a grand gesture.”

  “A woman like me,” she repeated.

  “Yeah, a woman like you,” Cherry said. “My best friend deserves to have only the best. She also deserves love.”

  “So do you.” Kyle kissed her cheek. Sydney’s mind reeled. The boy she was used to seeing had been replaced by a calm, devoted-looking man. “You deserve love, Cherry, and I’m going to give you nothing but that.”

  Sydney couldn’t help but sigh dreamily and wish that it were her down there. Not with Kyle, of course…but still…

  “Rookie,” Brody shouted, “You’re messing up Sydney’s moment.”

  “Sorry, Captain.”

  Sydney focused on Brody. “Why are you on a ladder?”

  “Because I want to shout to the rooftops that I love you.” He threw back his head and yelled, “Hear that Jessamine? I’m in love with Sydney Hope McKnight.”

  “Oh. My. Sweet. Lord,” she whispered.

  “And I’m going to marry her.”

  She blinked. “What did you say?”

  He grinned at her, winking as the ladder got closer, so close that they could touch each other. “If you’ll have me, that is.” He pulled a box from his inside pocket and pushed back his helmet. “I can’t really get down on one knee and hold this out too good, but here goes.”

  He bent his knees slightly, his large frame filling the cherry picker. “Will you, Sydney, marry me and be my lover, my wife, and my best friend forever?”

  She bit her lip, tears clouding her eyes. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Believe this.” He opened the box. Nestled inside was a beautiful diamond ring. “Say yes, and make me the happiest man in Jessamine.”

  “Do it,” Kyle shouted.

  Sydney giggled and reached for Brody, pulling him to her. “Yes.”

  He grinned and kissed her, sliding on the ring. “Mind if I climb inside your room to celebrate?”

  “I would be insulted if you didn’t.”

  Brody’s fire alert went off, and he groaned. “Duty calls.”

  Sydney kissed him again. “I’ll be here.”

  “You’re going to make the most perfect fireman’s wife,” he said, kissing her one last time. It was hot, hungry, and full of promises to be fulfilled later that night.

  “I love you, Brody Lawson,” she said as the ladder retracted.

  “And I love you,” he said with a smile.

  Epilogue

  ‡

  Eight Months Later

  Lucas was a free man. He was also broke, hungry, and three hundred miles from home. But, there was no one he could call.

  He grimaced as he pushed his empty wallet into his back pocket. Well, there were some people he could call, but he’d put his parents through enough with his poor decision-making skills. And, his pride wouldn’t let him call his brothers.

  So, he shrugged on his jacket—a jacket that was too big in some places and too tight in others—, pulled his knit cap on his head, and began to head east.

  The day was perfect, sunny, and a little chilly. After today, he would have to nap during the day and walk at night to keep from freezing in the mountains.

  Twenty-four hours passed as he walked, then thirty-six, and he began to grow weak with hunger. A diner was only three miles ahead. If he could make it there, then maybe he could work off a meal. He quickened his steps.

  Finally, he reached the small diner. It reminded him of Yate’s diner back home, and he wondered if there would be a beautiful waitress working there—one with long, dark hair and big, brown eyes.

  Bailey Yates.

  He had no idea why her face came to mind. He had kissed her once on a hot summer night right before he left to go to college and that was that. She’d stayed in Jessamine to run her family’s diner. But what he remembered about her the most were her eyes. She’d always had kind eyes. And kindness was something he hadn’t experienced in the past five years.

  He knocked on the delivery door in the back and waited. Hopefully, whoever was in charge would open it and give him a chan
ce to talk.

  The door squeaked open. An older man with black hair and sharp brown eyes assessed him. “Can I help you, son?”

  Remembering his manners, Lucas pulled off his hat. “Yes, sir. I was wondering if you had any jobs I could do in exchange for a hot meal?” He swallowed his shame. The last time Lucas was on the outside, he’d been dining in restaurants that featured fifty-thousand-dollar burgers.

  “Where you from?”

  “The coast—inner banks. A small town called Jessamine. My family lives there.”

  The man nodded. “Heard tell of that place. Who’re your people?”

  “Lawsons.”

  “Heard tell of them.”

  Lucas lowered his gaze. “Sir, I don’t want to take up your time if you don’t have any work.”

  “Seems mighty strange for a man with a family your size to be walking alone and hungry. Even stranger for you to be walking in that fancy suit and shoes.”

  Lucas allowed himself to feel the pain of the blisters on his feet. The Armani slipper style had been an excellent choice for the city, but walking down a country road through the Appalachian Mountains—not so much.

  “Yes sir,” was all he said. If he told the man where he’d been, then he would have no chance of any job.

  “Let me see that toboggan of yours.”

  With a thick sigh, Lucas handed it over. He was done. The knit cap was issued by the prison and even had the stamp inside to prove it.

  “Did you kill a man?”

  Lucas’ gaze jerked upwards. “Almost.”

  “What stopped you?”

  “I wanted to go home.”

  “He attacked you first?”

  Lucas took another breath. “No sir. I heard what he was planning to do to me once it was lights out, so I struck first. Then, right before I was paroled, another man tried to pick a fight with me. I laid him out cold.”

  The man handed his toboggan back, and Lucas shoved it down over his head. “Thank you for your time, sir.” He turned to walk away.

  “Need someone to sweep and mop the kitchen. Bus the tables. I’m one short today.”

  Lucas froze. “I can do that,” he said slowly.

  “When’s the last time you ate?”

  “Three days ago.”

  The man shook his head. “Let’s get you something to eat first, son. Then you can work it off.”

  Lucas grabbed the man’s hand and shook it. His fingers were shaking with effort. “Thank you, sir.”

  “I’m Washington, but you can call me Pops. Everyone does.”

  “Lucas. Lucas Lawson.” He followed Pops inside. The aroma of food filled his senses, nearly overwhelming him. “Smells good.”

  “Sweet Momma is the best cook in four counties,” Pops said.

  Sweet Momma turned slightly and gave him a wink. “Five counties and don’t forget it.”

  Pops chuckled, patting her on the butt. “I won’t.”

  She swatted at him with a spatula, but there was a sparkle in her eyes. “That’s what you said the last time.”

  Homesickness hit him hard. It was obvious Sweet Momma and Pops were a couple, and their banter reminded him of his parents. Parents he hadn’t seen in four and a half years.

  “Last time, it was three counties and you said four.”

  “Oh hush.” She went back to cooking, stirring something in a pot that smelled so delicious and home cooked that Lucas wanted to dive into it.

  “Sit down and I’ll get you today’s special,” Pops said as they entered the main dining room. It was cozy and half-full of people. “Lunch crowd is gone, so there are plenty places to pick from.

  Lucas shook his head. “I need to work for it first.”

  “Boy, you look like a gentle breeze could blow you off the side of the mountain.” Pops pointed to a barstool. “Sit. Eat. Then work.”

  Though he wanted to argue, Lucas sat down. “Yes, sir.” A plate of fried fish, okra, and a fruit salad was placed in front of him. He ate it and then three more plates, his belly rumbling.

  Once he was full, he drank down some coffee and made a beeline for Pops. “I’m ready, sir.”

  “Bus the tables first, then sweep and mop.”

  Despite feeling a bit sluggish, he hurried to get his work done and finished in no time. His energy was up, and he felt like he could conquer the world. After a nap. But, he didn’t have time to sleep. Night was falling, and he had to go.

  “Thank you, Pops,” he said heading to the front door.

  “Wait a minute son,” Pops said. “You forgot something.” Pops handed him a container of food and some cash.

  Lucas wanted to cry at the sight of it. “I didn’t earn this.”

  “I know you didn’t, but son, God set you in my path today for a reason.”

  Blue eyes met brown. “I didn’t believe in God for a long time while I was in prison.”

  Pops nodded. “It happens to the best of us.”

  “I’m the worst of us,” Lucas said. “I was sent to prison because I helped defraud people out of their hard-earned money.”

  “We all make mistakes.”

  “I hope my family is as understanding as you are.”

  Pops smiled, pounded him on the back a couple of times, and said, “Give them time. If it doesn’t work out, you can always come back here.”

  “Thanks.”

  Lucas said his last goodbye and headed outside, tucking his money in his front pants pocket and his container of food in his coat pocket. By his calculations, he was walking about thirty-six miles a day, which meant he would be home in eight days. Three had already passed, so he had a week to go. If he was careful, he could spread out the money Pops gave him and be able to eat at least once a day.

  With new determination, Lucas started walking, but the closer he got home, the more nervous he got. Not even Pops’ kindness bolstered him anymore.

  Just on the outskirts of town, Lucas spotted the bright red mailbox that marked his parents’ farm. The path to their house was long, dusty, and at times, full of deep holes, until one of the boys fixed them. And by boys, his parents had always meant him or his brothers.

  He heard music as he walked. It couldn’t be for him because no one knew he was coming home, and even if they did, they certainly wouldn’t throw him a party.

  Unlike the prodigal son story in the Bible, no fatted calf would be butchered for him. His father would not run to meet him and tell him he was glad he was home.

  He had shamed his family in the worst possible way. He’d even taken their money and invested it in schemes that had lost everything.

  Lucas made his feet keep moving. He made his chin stay tilted up. He wouldn’t be prideful, but damn if he would show up with his tail between his legs. He’d done wrong, but he’d paid the price.

  “Lucas?” he heard someone say.

  The music stopped.

  A whole crowd of people he did and didn’t recognize stared at him. His older brother, Brody, looked like he was seeing a ghost. Sydney was by his side, just like she always was, but his arm was wrapped around her. There was a ring on his finger—a wedding band. And, holy shit, Sydney had one, too. Not only that…He peered closer at them—she was pregnant.

  “Lucas,” his mother screamed. She came rushing forward, tears streaming down her eyes. “My baby.”

  His dad was right behind her, crying just as hard and his arms were wide open. “My boy. My son.”

  Lucas didn’t know what to do, so he just stood there as they wrapped their arms around him. They fussed over him and kept hugging and kissing his cheek while he just stood there, too overwhelmed to do anything.

  “Say something, you dirty bastard,” Brody growled. “This is Mason’s homecoming party, and I’ll be damned if you ruin it.”

  He looked at his brother, and then at his parents. “I,” he began, ready to say he made a mistake, but then Bailey Yates emerged from the crowd of people, her eyes just as kind as they’d ever been.

  She kept g
azing at him with no judgment, only kindness, and like a man starving, he mentally seized that gaze and made it his own.

  Bailey smiled.

  That did it. He wasn’t going anywhere. He wanted to know why she could smile at him like that, even after he’d stolen her parents’ retirement, too. Unless she didn’t know.

  “I’m home.” He turned his attention to the brother he had hero-worshipped all his life. He knew Brody was pissed, more at himself than Lucas. He took it personally. Reason number two he needed to stay. He had a lot to make up for.

  “I’m home for good.”

  *

  Thank you for reading Brody and Sydney’s story LOVE SO HOT. Please take the time to leave a review. That’s how you can let others know about my books. And if Lucas Lawson intrigues you, you can preorder LOVE SO TRUE now!

  Read More Books by Marquita Valentine!

  Holland Springs Series

  Drive Me Crazy

  Driving To You

  Twice Tempted

  Third Time’s a Charm

  His Christmas Wish

  Just Desserts

  Not Over You

  Be Mine

  Boys of the South Series

  Live For You

  Only For You

  True For You

  All For You

  Wish For You

  Burn For You

  Need You Tonight

  The Request Trilogy

  The Request

  The Deception

  The Confession

  The Lawson Brothers

  Love So Hot

  Love So True

  About the Author

  New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

  Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn’t work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.