‘How long has she been giving you shit because you’d moved on with your life and she couldn’t?’ he carried on.
I laughed out loud again. ‘She couldn’t have been more fucking wrong, could she?’
‘But now you have. You’ve got Amy and, fuck me sideways, if you don’t realise what you’ve got there in that woman, then you’re far more fucking stupid than I ever thought. As soon as we touch down, you go and make it right between you. You do whatever the hell needs to be done, so you don’t lose her… You, Daniels are an ugly fucker and God knows what the fuck she sees in you, but with her by your side you can conquer all your fucking demons.’
‘Yeah, that’s the plan.’ I felt the previous anger at his words wash away and a small smile take over in its place.
I watched him nod his head and tip his beer right up to horizontal, as he drained the dregs. The air between us had cleared.
‘Let her and Nico give it a try. All your sister wants is for you to give them your blessing and then back the fuck away.’
I felt my tic begin to relax. ‘Cade, you honestly think your brother could be what she needs?’
‘Yep.’ He put another beer bottle to his lips and took a glug. ‘You’ve tried to protect her for far too long, she needs to stand on her own two feet. She really needs to be the woman she was meant to be, not caught in some fucking time warp as Brody Daniel’s dependant little sister. How long have you held on to that little girl that you swore to protect?’
I shrugged my shoulders at him and replied, ‘Too fucking long.’
‘That pinky swear has been holding you both back. It’s time to let the fucking poison go.’
I sat back into my seat and exhaled. I watched a smile sweep over his face as he took in that he’d got through to me.
I hoped he was right, but would I give them my blessing? Fuck no. I’d seen marriage first hand, and that one look was enough for me.
My third shift of the week was going to be over in less than an hour. I had one more day to do, then I was off for four whole wonderful days. I was enjoying my job more than I ever thought possible, but I was looking forward to some down time. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind, emotionally and physically, with no break in between. I needed to see my nan and for the past eleven hours, although I had been working hard, my whole body had been buzzing with the expectation of seeing Brody today.
Surely, the first place he would come to, would be the hotel? I could only hope.
I’d been given permission to hang the framed papercut that my nan had given me for Christmas, on my office wall. I’d been waiting impatiently for a maintenance guy and was now currently standing on one of the tub chairs in my office, shoeless and on tiptoes. I held the frame in the exact place I wanted it to go. I made a small pencil mark on the wall and lowered the frame gently to rest on top of the polished cabinet below it. Bending over, I reached to pick up the hammer and picture hook I needed to complete the job.
A wolf whistle behind me stopped me in my tracks.
I closed my eyes, feeling the sound as it entered through my back and zipped around my body, lighting up every nerve ending.
‘Woman, you blow my fucking mind.’ Without moving a muscle, I kept my eyes closed and took in everything about the voice I had just heard. It was deep, warm and slightly rasping, which not only told me who it belonged to, but also just exactly what I was doing to him bent over in this position. Slowly, I picked up the tools I needed and forced myself not to turn around. I carried on with the job in hand, using it as an excuse to hold on to the moment for a few minutes more. I felt like I’d been waiting for this for a lot longer than I had and I wanted time to appreciate it.
As I banged the picture hook into place, I could picture him in my mind’s eye. I knew without turning how he would look in his trademark torn jeans and a fitted T-shirt. All the time we had been apart I had been trawling social media looking for pictures of him, I had even saved a few on my laptop. I inhaled quietly and took in the smell, bergamot, spices and the unmistakable smell of Brody all mixed together, and unwittingly I licked my lips in response. I bent again to lift up my frame, still refusing to turn.
As the frame found home, I heard his voice again.
‘The words in the frame are very moving.’
I ran my finger over the black font in front of me, tracing every loop and stroke my nan had painstakingly cut and took in a deep breath.
‘Nan made it.’ And then I voiced the biggest fear I had. ‘You really came back.’
‘You got my flowers, Amy. The card said I was coming back.’
I felt the start of tears begin to fall from my eyes and down over my cheeks. I lowered my head a little and watched as they dripped silently onto my new cream blouse.
‘I’m so sorry. I need to know if you can forgive me?’
I nodded my head in response, unable in my emotional state to form words. I felt the sigh of relief that left him, deep down inside me.
‘Get down from the chair and turn around, Amy,’ he demanded as his voice gained in strength. I recognised the tone he was now using on me.
Such was my body’s response to his words and the way that he said them, that I became aware of my body beginning to shake. There was nothing anywhere near the same height as I was, so all I could hold on to was the flat wall in front of me. It wasn’t nearly enough to help. I didn’t hear him move, I only felt the moment his large hands positioned themselves onto either side of my waist. He turned me slowly until we were finally facing each other.
I wanted to look at him properly, to take all of him in. I wanted to sweep my eyes up and down his beautiful body, to check he was real. But, as his eyes bored into mine, they held mine captive. I knew he was trying to speak the words he understood I needed to hear, but he couldn’t find the language for. When I didn’t move from his hold or protest about it, his lopsided grin took over his face, his dimple appeared and his teal eyes began to sparkle. I couldn’t hold back anymore. Still standing on the tub chair with his hands firmly grasping my waist, I looped my arms over his shoulders and pulled him to me. His forehead nestled between my breasts and I held on to him for dear life. I felt him sigh in what sounded like contentment, his warm breath filtered through my sheer blouse, connecting with the wetness of my teardrops and then finally with the bare skin of my chest. I lowered my head to his and, running my hands through his slightly longer hair, I breathed him in.
In the back of my head I heard all the harsh words I had spoken last time we had seen each other. What I didn’t know then, but realised now as we stood in silence holding each other close, was that loving Brody was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I now understood that being with anyone else was not an option, it would be settling for second best. Loving him was so much more than anything I had ever imagined. It had been painful in the past and no doubt at some time during our future together would be so again. But to love so strongly and deny myself being with him, wasn’t a possibility. Even in the position we were in now, the chemistry between us felt fervent and explosive, our bodies spoke to each other even when we hadn’t the words to express how we felt. He was my life, I needed him more than I needed air to breathe. I was moving forward and I wanted him beside me as I took every step.
His head moved in my hands and I lifted my head up and away from him. His eyes came up to once again capture mine, just like they had the very first time we had met.
‘I’ve missed you.’ I spoke for the first time and I saw the moment my words resonated inside his head. His eyes filled with tears and he sniffed to make sure they stayed put.
‘I told you, you and I were unfinished business, beautiful.’ He cockily smirked at me.
‘You did.’ I bent down and placed a kiss on his lips.
The chaste kiss between us sparked a connection like I had never felt before. In that millisecond our skin connected, my body ignited and became alive. It was like I had been hibernating all the time we had been apart. My body, heart and soul wanted
to live. They wanted to experience the absolute bliss they knew only this man could give me. He had awakened me and I wanted more, so much more from him.
‘I have so much to say, Amy, and I don’t know where the fuck to start.’
‘Then just tell me that you love me. I need to hear you say the words when we’re not emotionally overwrought.’
He released his hands from my waist and wrapped his arms around me, then I felt my stockinged feet leave the tub chair. He lifted me and then gently lowered me, not all the way to the floor but enough so our eyes were at the same level. Secure in his hold, I placed my hands either side of his face and moved my thumbs over the stubble beneath them, silently offering him encouragement.
‘Amy Harper, I love you.’ I felt a wide smile stretch over my mouth and more tears fell down my face. ‘I’ve loved you since the moment you fell over your suitcase.’
‘Stop it.’ I laughed at his words.
His teal eyes sparkled in amusement and his beautiful grin enveloped the most handsome features I had ever laid eyes on.
‘I told you before and I meant every fucking word. When I first saw you, it was like being hit by a train. We hadn’t met, we’d never spoken a word to each other. But I loved you instantly. I love you, Amy Harper. I know that my feelings for you will only get stronger. I love you, Amy, now and forever. Now, it’s been too long since you kissed me properly, I feel like a fucking starving man.’
For a few seconds, we stood there breathing each other in, getting closer and closer. His eyes began to narrow, questioning me and daring me all at the same time. I wanted the moment to last forever, to be able to see his need for me so blatantly obvious and so deafeningly clear. Those few seconds were mine to control. I knew he would never take what he still wasn’t sure was freely given. I watched as his lips parted and his tongue swept out to wet them, tasting my breath on his skin.
Until, unable to deny myself any longer, my lips hungrily found his and conjoined with a force so strong that my heart instantaneously pounded in reaction. Our mouths opened wide immediately as we consumed each other with a powerful need. All our hurt, fears and dreams poured into the very basic connection. Our tongues caressed each other’s and equally demanded. I could taste his regret and his pain, equally I made sure he could feel my hurt and anger. But most of all, I made sure that without a doubt that he could feel my love.
My hands released his face and found their way to the back of his head to thread into his hair. His hold on my body increased slightly, as if he was trying to show me that he would never, ever let me go. The kiss that had been mine to control when it started, changed in direction until it was his. He kissed me until we were both breathless and then he reluctantly pulled away. Our foreheads rested together as he gradually released his hold over me and allowed my feet to eventually find the floor beneath them. I moved my arms around him, sneaked them up the back of his T-shirt and held onto his muscular back, needing to be as close to him as possible.
Momentarily, I closed my eyes and tried to take in enough air to speak.
‘I love you, Brody Daniels,’ I whispered as I looked up at him.
His body stiffened, his eyebrows lifted in question, and his eyes flew open to find mine. Then a slow smile broke over his face.
‘Say it again,’ he demanded.
I inhaled a wavering breath and spoke again as I breathed out, ‘I love you, Brody.’
His head tipped back and he looked up at the ornate ceiling in my office. Then it came back down to find me. He pressed his lips to mine in a loving kiss and then once again broke the connection to create a small fissure between us.
‘I always knew you fucking did, it was just you I had to convince.’
I shook my head at the cocky bad boy holding me in his arms and knew at that very moment I had found the home I had always been looking for. I realised for the first time that home wasn’t a place, it was a feeling.
‘We still need to talk and I think we need to start at the beginning.’
I nodded and looked to one side of him at the clock on the wall. ‘I finish in fifteen minutes and I’ll need a further fifteen to freshen up.’
‘You know, I know who owns this place, I can get you off early.’ I watched the grin I loved so much slide over his face.
‘I’m sure you do and can, but it’s not happening.’
‘Nah?’ he questioned me disappointedly.
‘No. Now, as much as I hate to say the words, you need to let me go. You can however take me in your arms again when you pick me up later from outside the front of The Manor. It can be like a real date.’
‘A real date, huh? Okay.’ His nosed wrinkled up and he grimaced, like a kid being asked to do something that they really didn’t want to do and then his arms fell away from me. Without touching me again, he pressed his lips to my forehead and lingered there for a few seconds. I watched as he then turned and walked towards my door. ‘I’ll see ya around, beautiful.’ He two-finger saluted me and smiled.
‘Not if I see you first,’ I retorted and he froze with the sudden realisation that he although he was hearing the words for the first time, they were the exact words I’d breathed into the night air, the night he had put my case into my nan’s car.
The loud laugh that abruptly left his body wrapped around me, enveloping me with love and all the possibilities of our future together.
Ten minutes later, I left my office. I peered around my office door and out into the large, open-plan reception area. Brody was nowhere to be seen. Good, I wanted to get up to my room to take a quick shower and to change out of my work clothes.
‘I’m just off then, Maria.’ I smiled at her.
‘That’s fine, Miss. Harper.’ She turned her head to look at me. ‘Can I ask, was that Mr. Daniels in your office earlier?’
I felt my eyes open wide at her question. ‘Yes, it was,’ I answered.
‘Oh, so he’s back. That’s good to know. I have a few messages for him. A lady has been trying to get hold of him. I’ll make sure he gets them.’
‘Oh, okay.’ I smiled back at her. The relief that all she wanted to talk to me about was messages, was evident in my tone. I didn’t want the staff knowing about us just yet. I could do without them thinking I’d slept my way into the deputy manager position.
I watched her look away to go back to her work, effectively severing our connection. ‘Have a nice evening.’
‘Yes, you too, Maria,’ I called back as I started up the main stairway that split into two at the top. I took the left side towards the west wing.
As soon as I felt there was no one around me to witness the display, I stopped walking demurely up the stairs and pulled my fitted skirt up a little. I could then take the stairs two at a time. I had all of fifteen minutes to shower and change. I ran down the corridor, unlocked my door and flew into my tidy room. As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, I started to hurriedly pull off my work clothes. I picked them all up in the heap they’d fallen in and without sorting them through, I dropped them into my linen basket.
In the space of five minutes flat, my hair was twisted up to keep it dry and I was soaping my body in the white musk body wash that I kept for special occasions. I jumped out of the shower with one eye still on the clock. I brushed my teeth, creamed my body and pulled out the underwear I needed and my rust dress from my wardrobe. It was made of jersey fabric, with a V-neck, fitted waist and full skirt. I loved the way it felt on me. The material hugged me in all the right places and fell over my curvaceous hips. It was smart, but comfortable and offered me a sense that I looked good for the man I loved. I pulled on my long brown boots and quickly sprayed on my perfume. I then had all of two minutes to put on some make-up. Brody had seen me at my worst, I now wanted him to see me at my best. I hastily swept on some brown eye shadow and reapplied my mascara, as I tried to make the most of what people said was my best feature. I added a little blusher, not needing much as my cheeks were already flushed in excitement and brushed on
some lipstick.
I stood back and took one final look in the full-length mirror in my room as I ran a brush through my long, wavy hair and grabbed my wrap and bag. I left my room and walked slowly back to reception, taking long calming breaths as I willed my frantic heartbeat to slow down.
Finally, I came to the main staircase and I walked slowly and carefully down the left side holding on to the banister, hoping that I wouldn’t come a cropper and end up a bedraggled mess at the bottom of the stairs, as only I could.
Reaching the bottom, I let out a small sigh of relief.
I draped my wrap around my shoulders and walked towards the large oak doors that formed our entrance. The doorman opened the right-hand door for me and I stepped out.
I took in the sight in front of me and opening my lips a little I took in some of the cool air. But it wasn’t the crisp, cold evening that took my breath away. It was the sight of Brody that stole it and threatened never to give it back.
His Defender was parked to the right of the main entrance. I could see it through and around the granite columns, but Brody I could see more clearly. He was leant against his vehicle in exactly the place he knew I would look for him the minute I stepped out.
I stopped dead in my tracks to take him in. I had never seen him dressed in a suit before. I felt my mouth fall open into a gawp and hurriedly closed it, but not before he noticed and smiled at my response.
The man looked like he’d stepped off the cover of a high-class, glossy magazine. His hair was tidy and being held in place with some sort of product, his stubble had been trimmed and the deep blue of his suit made the blue in his teal eyes sparkle. If that wasn’t enough, the suit looked as though it had been tailor made to fit him. I took him in from the bottom up. The straight-legged trousers fitted perfectly and sat on top of his black Chelsea boots, where his ankles were crossed. I continued to move my eyes up this incredible man’s body. I caught a glimpse of a smart, black leather belt where one button at the bottom of his waistcoat was undone. A crisp white, button-down, collared shirt was underneath, which had the two top buttons undone, revealing more tattoos, and he had rolled up both sleeves. His suit jacket was being held by one finger over his shoulder.
Brody (Default Distraction Book 1) Page 25
