Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever: McLaughlin Brothers, Book 2

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Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever: McLaughlin Brothers, Book 2 Page 10

by Ashley Jennifer


  “Hey,” I say, as though she’s a casual acquaintance I haven’t seen since the last family wedding.

  Brooke’s brows draw down, as though she’s annoyed I spoke first. “Hey.”

  “So. Um.” I cast around for something to say. What would I talk about if she were only an acquaintance? “I hear you’re running a luxury car business.”

  A nod. “I’m part owner now.”

  “Cool.” I regard her in true admiration. Brooke has always been smart, capable, astute—and stunning. “I’ve thought about buying a luxury car, like a Bugatti, but you know …” I shrug. I make good commission on the sales deals I grab for my parents’ business, but they won’t make me a billionaire anytime soon.

  “Don’t be too sure.” Brooke speaks nonchalantly, but I see her canny inner saleswoman awakening. “Maserati makes some great entry cars that have a ton of amenities. Or you could go for something like a Spider. Or consider a gently owned car—a few dings on the bumper, and purists shun it, but someone who buys it for the hell of it saves a lot of cash.”

  “Hmm.” I’d thrown out the idea just to make conversation, but I realize that yes, a fantasy car would be fun to own. My brothers will say I’m compensating for my sucky love life, but they can kiss my ass. “Maybe I’ll check it out.”

  Brooke slides her fingers into a minute pocket in her dress where it curves over her hip. I’d never have guessed the dress had a pocket or that anything could have fit inside it.

  As I hold my breath, mesmerized by her shapely hip, her fingers come out of the pocket with a card between them.

  “Now that I’ve told you what you can do, don’t you dare go to any dealer but mine.” Brooke holds out the card. “You think about it, and come see me.”

  Purely for business. I hear that in her voice. I shrug and reach for the card.

  When I clasp it between thumb and forefinger, a spark jumps across the cardboard. I swear.

  She doesn’t let go. For a moment, we hold the card together. I feel Brooke’s grip through the flimsy card, and the pain in my heart expands to full-blown fire.

  Our gazes connect. I see in her eyes the flame that once burned between us like the desert sun in the heart of June.

  A swallow traces her throat. I let the corner of my mouth twitch into a half smile.

  Brooke quickly releases the card. A cool breeze dances across the courtyard, damping our fires.

  “All right then.” Brooke backs away. “Maybe I’ll see you.”

  “Maybe you will.” I put plenty of promise into the words.

  I like that she shoots me a glance of trepidation before she turns on her spike heel and hurries back into the restaurant.

  I flip over the card, which is a dark blue, almost the same color as her dress. On it is a photo of a red Ferrari, with Brooke leaning casually on its fender. The logo Paradise Luxury Cars blazes from the top of the card. Under that is her name: Brooke Marsh, Owner / Manager.

  “Maybe you will,” I whisper to her retreating and beautiful back.

  The breeze, cooled by the trickling fountain, carries my words into the night.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading! Don’t miss Austin and Brooke’s story: Never Say Never, Book 3 of the McLaughlin Brothers.

  Also by Jennifer Ashley

  The McLaughlin Brothers

  (Contemporary Romance)

  This Changes Everything

  Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever

  Never Say Never

  Give Me One Night

  Riding Hard

  (Contemporary Romance)

  Adam

  Grant

  Carter

  Tyler

  Ross

  Kyle

  Ray

  Snowbound in Starlight Bend

  Shifters Unbound

  (paranormal romance)

  Pride Mates

  Primal Bonds

  Bodyguard

  Wild Cat

  Hard Mated

  Mate Claimed

  “Perfect Mate” (novella)

  Lone Wolf

  Tiger Magic

  Feral Heat

  Wild Wolf

  Bear Attraction

  Mate Bond

  Lion Eyes

  Bad Wolf

  Wild Things

  White Tiger

  Guardian’s Mate

  Red Wolf

  Midnight Wolf

  Tiger Striped

  A Shifter Christmas Carol

  Iron Master

  Shifter Made ("Prequel" short story)

  The Mackenzies Series

  (Historical Romance)

  The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

  Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage

  The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

  The Duke’s Perfect Wife

  A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift

  The Seduction of Elliot McBride

  The Untamed Mackenzie

  The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie

  Scandal and the Duchess

  Rules for a Proper Governess

  The Stolen Mackenzie Bride

  A Mackenzie Clan Gathering

  Alec Mackenzie’s Art of Seduction

  The Devilish Lord Will

  A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady

  A Mackenzie Yuletide

  (in print in A Mackenzie Clan Christmas)

  Stormwalker

  (w/a Allyson James)

  Stormwalker

  Firewalker

  Shadow Walker

  “Double Hexed”

  Nightwalker

  Dreamwalker

  Dragon Bites

  About the Author

  New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley has written more than 100 published novels and novellas in romance, urban fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction under the names Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner. Jennifer's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have earned starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer enjoys playing music (guitar, piano, flute), reading, hiking, and building dollhouse miniatures.

  More about Jennifer’s books can be found at

  http://www.jenniferashley.com

  To keep up to date on her new releases, join her newsletter here:

  http://eepurl.com/47kLL

  Why Don’t You Stay? … Forever

  McLaughlin Brothers, Book 2

  Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Ashley

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

  Cover design by Kim Killion

 

 

 


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